Saxo Bank in command at Tour of Denmark
Bjarne Riis’ team took the overall victory, the sprint lead, the team classification and a stage win in the 2010 Tour of Denmark, a six-stage race from 4 to 8 August. Saxo Bank took over in Friday’s 185km third stage, with a one-two finish which won the stage and overall lead for Matti Breschel, who went on to win the sprinters’ competition, followed by Jokob Fuglsang, who went on to take the overall victory of the Tour of Denmark.
"Before the stage, we actually joked about escaping from the pack and making it to the finish line but having realized it is still kind of surreal," said Breschel. "The team did an amazing job tiring the whole peloton before the finale and as we established the lead it was all about keeping it going to the finish line."
It was a big Saturday for the Tour of Denmark, hosting stage four, a 100km road race, as well as stage five, a 19.4km time trial. By the end of the first stage of the day, the top-three overall hadn’t moved. Breschel was still 10 seconds ahead of Fuglsang and 29 seconds ahead of Joost Van Leijen. Mark Renshaw, of team HTC-Columbia, won the fourth stage at the head of a bunch sprint, the second stage win of the team after Matt Goss won the first stage, who finished just behind Renshaw.
"It's always really good when one of the guys who does a lot of work for another rider gets a chance to shine in his own right like today, and taking first and second for the team is something special, too," said Brian Holm, HTC-Columbia's director.
The flat time-trial of Saturday afternoon was won by Svein Tuft, followed closely by Richie Porte for Saxo Bank. Fuglsang finished in third place and took control of the overall lead ahead of his Saxo Bank teammate Breschel.
"With an amazing double victory on the queen stage, winning the points classification, teams classification and the overall victory, we are more than happy with the race outcome," said Fuglsang, before stepping onto the podium for the yellow jersey.
The final stage was won by Heyden Roulston, the third stage victory for HTC-Columbia. The 185km stage six finished along the 2011 World Championships circuit in Copenhagen. HTC-Columbia also won the best young rider jersey, with Rasmus Guldhammer.
"I'm really happy with the race today,” said Holm. “We had someone in every break. All in all, it was a good week for us. Three wins with three different riders, so I'm happy. Guldhammer also won the white jersey and came in sixth overall, so it was a very good race for him also."
It was the third consecutive Tour of Denmark win for Fuglsang. Tuft finished second overall, and Breschel finished in fifth. Both Saxo Bank riders are among the many expected to leave Riis’ team at the end of the season, when it will be seriously reforming under the leadership of Alberto Contador. Fuglsang is rumoured to be teaming up with Luxembourg duo Andy and Frank Schleck.
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