May 31/12 20:28 pm - Coupe des Nations UCI U23 - Ville de Saguenay Stage 1: results and report

Posted by Editoress on 05/31/12
 

Arman Kamyshev wins stage, Patrick Clausen wears yellow

The first of of four stages of the Coupe des Nations – Ville de Saguenay ended in a massive group sprint and was won by Arman Kamyshev (Kaz), who crossed the line by a narrow margin in front of Denmark's Patrick Clausen.  Clausen claimed the yellow leaders' jersey by virtue of time bonuses, which confered to him a slim lead of two seconds over the stage winner. Italy's Thomas Fiumana rounded out the podium.

Arman Kamyshev (Kazakhstan National Team) wins stage 1

“It was a difficult day. There was a lot of wind and the rain was annoying, so we had to slow down the pace at the end” recounted the winner through an interpreter. “At the end of the last lap, I attacked several times in order to stay well positioned for the sprint.” Second at last year’s overall ranking, he foresees his chances of winning this year. It is indeed an admitted goal.

It was under uncertain skies that the 88 riders started the 140.7 kilometre stage that set out on the streets of Jonquiere. Early in the race, a breakaway of three went away. The fugitive trio were quickly brought back before completing the first lap. A few attacks were then attempted during the next two laps, but none were successful.

At about the halfway point of the race, two riders managed to escape from the peloton. Four more riders went in pursuit and soon joined them. But it was not to be against a determined peloton at full blast. The final 40 kilometres saw  many unsuccessful attacks, but on the seventh and decisive lap, all riders had reintegrated the bunch.   In the final kilometres a crash ended the chances of some and tainted the stage outcome, which was determined in the final sprint.

On Friday the 151 kilometre second stage will start in La Baie.

Report courtesy FQSC