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An 83km Epic style racing across the Grasslands: Wang Lei wins the 83km stage ahead of compatriot, Feng Kuanjie but not before being seriously challenged all race by Three-time Olympian Swedish rider, Bjorn Lind who finished third just meters behind the Holy Brother Dynamic Duo!
Photos courtesy QQride.com
How it all unfolded
The short and long course competitors were all combined for a mass start in the Xiwuzhumuqin town square, making for a combined total of over 100 riders. The short course competitors were mostly Chinese, including a good number of Chinese National Wrestlers, and were riding with a misfit array of clothing including swimming trunks. When the gun went, these short course riders swarmed and sprinted on up the road in their attempt for some glory on the front of the race and some TV time. Their efforts did not last as once the race went into the technical and uphill sections on the first “mini” lap of 16kms most of them had disappeared and it was only one of these riders dressed in a t-shirt and swimming trunks who managed to stay with the lead group, even riding on the front! The bike he was riding was an old mountain bike.
The road climbs through the downtown. Photo courtesy QQride
Nearing the start/finish line of the mini-lap, the lead group that had formed consisted of 16 riders and there was a stiff head-wind riders had to face, resulting in a lull of the pace with no-one taking charge. This prompted an attack from Champion System’s Daniel Carruthers who immediately established a good gap on the rest of the lead group, but his solo-break ended near the top of the first off-road climb when Bjorn Lind (Sweden) powered strongly up the incline to bridge the gap to Carruthers with the Holy Brother duo in tow. The trios pace was electric and they never looked back, powering to an assailable lead that Jim Knudsen (3rd place overall at the start of the day), could not answer.
“I was feeling strong today and did most of the initial work getting away from the field today. For the first 50kms, I did not get much help from the Holy Brother riders,” said Bjorn Lind. “They were intent on breaking me by sending one of their riders on the attack, forcing me to chase each time. It was very tough. But the last 30 odd kilometers was much more stable and we worked together.” He further added, “My front shifter was jammed for the last 20kms and I could not change into the big gear, so had to contend with sprinting in the smaller gear!” (Interesting info about Bjorn: previous National Swedish Cross-country skier for seven years and won two gold medals at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. 2010 was his last Olympics and he is looking to do more mountain biking including the world famous Vasaloppet, Finnmarksturein 90km MTB race.)
Bjorn Lind staying with the Holy Brother powerhouses . . . photo QQride
There were two Chinese riders in-between the lead trio and a group of five riders consisting of Jim Knudsen, Radek Tuma, Tu Liger (China), Bertrand Jouve (France) and Daniel Carruthers (NZL Champion System). With 30km to go, they were further joined by hard chasing riders: helmet-cam man, Keith Wayne Unke (USA), Martin Skov Lauridsen (Denmark), Xu Yen He (China) and several others. This group swelled to over 10 riders and during the fast decent coupled with the flat cross-wind section served to shatter the group – leaving five riders to go clear, including Jim Knudson (Denmark), who was looking to get back time for his overall placing, adventure racer Martin Skov Lauridsen, Mavic Bertrand Jouve (France), Xu Yen He (China) and Daniel Carruthers all made the split.
The next 20kms that followed was akin to an orienteering competition where riders had to pay close attention to where the yellow markers were placed. The course led riders in zig-zag fashion across bumpy grasslands; over sheep trails; through little vacant villages occupied by one aggressive dog (fortunately it was tied up); and four-wheel drive tracks. The final major climb was grueling with riders not only contending with a head-wind but also finding a good line through the un-marked grasslands. This further split the group with Jim Knudsen and Martin Skov Lauridsen taking off in pursuit of the two Chinese riders that could be seen further up the mountain.
Knudsen put in a good finishing kick to pass both Chinese riders to finish fourth for the stage and fourth overall. “It was particularly satisfying to have finally caught the Chinese rider with only 200m to go to nab fourth place,” said Knudsen.
The lead group (l-r) Daniel Carruthers (Champion System), Feng Kuan Jie (Holy Brother), Jiang Lei (Holy Brother), Bjorn Lind. Photo QQride
Adventure racer, Skov Lauridsen finished in sixth place. “I found today’s course suited me better than the flattish course yesterday. I don’t do well on flat stuff and prefer lots of climbs and downhills – although today still had its fair share of flat terrain. Coming into the final 3kms on the sealed road finish, I was completely dead with that head wind,” said Skov Lauridsen.
Riders today were full of praise for the fantastic course – it was easily the best out of the three stages and riders enjoyed being in nature, riding through the endless green grass and rolling hills punctuated with the odd herd of cattle and horses.
Top 10 results for third stage
- Wang Lei (China Holy Brother)
- Feng Kuanjie (China Holy Brother)
- Bjorn Lind (Sweden)
- Jim Knudsen (Denmark)
- Lu Zheng Hu (China)
- Martin Skov Lauridsen (Denmark)
- Daniel Carruthers (Champion System)
- Chen Tao (China)
- Xu Yen He (China)
- Bertrand Jouve (France)
This article submitted by Daniel Carruthers. Daniel is a New Zealander who is based in Hangzhou, China and races for Team Champion System. Daniel is a freelance writer and photographer who is currently studying his PhD at Zhejiang University. Find out more about Daniel at www.danielcarruthers.com
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