|
Bjornar Flying in Spain
The Linda McCartney Foods Cycling Team's Bjornar Vestol is displaying
magnificent form in Northern Spain's Circuito Montanes. The big Norwegian
took 2nd on yesterday's stage, moved up to 3rd overall, and wears the jersey
of points leader.
The race is a high-class short tour of the Basque Country, only open to under
26 year-olds. Linda McCartney are thus able to field a very competitive
six-man team, four of them coming into the race from the Giro d'Italia.
Bjornar Vestol, Tayeb Braikia, David McKenzie and Ciaran Power all completed
the three-week marathon, and so have good legs as a result, although
tiredness must still be a threat. They are joined by Matt De Canio, joining
up with his teammates for the first time since the spring, and European
debutante Huw Pritchard. The Welshman has been called up from the Linda
McCartney - WCU development squad after impressing in the UK Premier
Calendar, and bagging the final stage of the Tour of Serbia.
The McCartney team forced the pace in yesterday's mountainous 2nd stage,
until they caused a split and Bjornar went forward in a small group. He put
in his trademark huge workload, turning a massive gear round during long
periods on the front, determined to pull his break clear. On the run in to
Torrelavega, near Santander, he was surprised by attack from Belgian danger
man, Dave Bruylands of Palmans. Bruylands took the stage, and 2nd place
overall behind fellow Flandrian Tom Strenersch. Bjornar led the rest of the
break home to slip threateningly into 3rd place, just 31 seconds behind
Strenersch.
Bjornar was also in the action on the first day, when he took 6th chasing
down the race winning break containing Strenersch. These two fine results
have been enough to squeeze his frame into the points jersey, awarded to the
most consistent finisher. His form over these mountainous stages must give
food for thought to his rivals, who know that Bjornar's forte lies on the
flatter stages, when he can use his strength to power that big gear round. He
is also backed by a very aggressive team, as the McCartneys have been the
most visible team in the race so far. Ciaran Power featured on the first day,
picking up enough points at the bonus sprints along the way to hold 2nd place
in that particular competition.
Team manager for the week is Chris Lillywhite, and he is pleased with the way
things are going so far. "Bjornar is going really well, and the team are all
working hard for him. At times today I thought they were maybe working a bit
too hard, as they were pretty tired after chasing on the front of the bunch
for so long. We'll be looking to play things a little more cagey over the
next couple of days, perhaps let somebody else make the running and try to
slip men into any moves that go away."
Report by John Deering
|
