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Last Updated: 2 Apr 2018 - 8:45:17 PM |
ROCHE 14TH IN OPENING TIME TRIAL AT TOUR OF BEIJING
By Shane Stokes
5 Oct 2011,
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Irish pro Nicolas Roche had a solid start to his Tour of Beijing campaign today, finishing an encouraging fourteenth in the opening time trial of the race. The Ag2r La Mondiale rider performed above his usual level against the clock, covering the flat 11.3 kilometre course in a time 49 seconds off that of the winner Tony Martin.
The HTC Highroad rider was clearly best in the effort, beating second-placed rider David Millar (Garmin-Cervélo) by 17 seconds and Alex Dowsett (Sky Procycling) by 24.
Roche was just fourteen seconds off the fifth-best time, and will be pleased with how his race has begun.
Fellow Irishman Philip Deignan (RadioShack) was twenty seconds further back in 64th place. The stage was held between Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium and Water Cube.
The WorldTour race continues tomorrow with a 137 kilometre road race to Men Tou Gou. It’s mainly flat although it has a short, steep third category hill 14.5 kilometres from the finish, and a slightly uphill finish. It is expected to finish in a bunch sprint.
Roche is aiming to secure world ranking points in the event in order to help safeguard Ag2r la Mondiale’s WorldTour licence.
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Tour of Beijing (World Tour)
Stage 1, October 5: Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium - Water Cube time trial:
1, Tony Martin (HTC - Highroad) 11.3 kilometres in 13 mins 34 secs
2, David Millar (Team Garmin - Cervelo) at 17 secs
3, Alex Dowsett (Sky Procycling) at 24 secs
4, Christopher Froome (Sky Procycling) at mins 26 secs
5, Stephen Cummings (Sky Procycling) at 35 secs
6, Lars Boom (Rabobank Cycling Team) at 36 secs
7, Olivier Kaisen (Omega Pharma - Lotto) at 39 secs
8, Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Rabobank Cycling Team) at 41 secs
9, Jean Christophe Peraud (AG2R La mondiale) at 43 secs
10, Dario Cataldo (Quick Step Cycling Team)
Irish:
14, Nicolas Roche (AG2R La mondiale) at 49 secs
64, Philip Deignan (Team RadioShack) at 1 min 9 secs
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