Mads Wurtz Schmidt claims Nyborg time trial in Tour of Denmark
In the Tour of Denmark TT, it was Tinkoff’s Michael Kolar who was first down the start ramp to do the 19.6km test, as his teammate Michael Valgren would attempt to defend his lead to win the race for a second time overall.
The third rider off the start list was ONE Pro Cycling’s Marcin Bialoblocki, one of the big favourites to win the TT. 25:07 was Kolar’s time, but Bialoblcki duely delivered and smashed it, posting a 23:24.
After Bialoblocki, eyes were turning to the likes of Manuele Boaro (Tinkoff), Soren Kragh Andersen (Danish National Team) Keizer and Van Emden (LottoNL-Jumbo) and Mads Wurtz Schmidt (Virtu Pro Veloconcept) to see who could take the stage.
Lukas Postlberger (Bora-Argon 18) had gone second quickest at the line with a 24:09, showcasing just how good Bialoblocki’s time was. Almebrog-Bornholm’s Danish TT champ Martin Toft Madsen was flying, taking a shock lead with a time of 23:21.
Soren Kragh was flying, passing his minute man after just ten minutes of riding. Meanwhile Lars Boom was alos flying on the course. Kragh could only manage a 23:38 after faltering in the final but Boom beat the time of Madsen by a second. Schmidt was the last rider who had a feasible chance and he smashed the course, winning by eight seconds from Boom.
In the GC battle, Valgren showed his TT class by taking fourth on the day, just ten seconds behind Schmidt. Magnus Cort (Danish national team) was just seven seconds behind Valgren so kept his second overall. Schmidt lifted himself to third overall. Valgren should win the race on the final day tomorrow, which is likely to be a sprint. However, Cort is just 12 seconds behind so bonuses may come into play. Schmidt sits 56 seconds in arrears.
Tour of Denmark 2016 – stage 4 results (ITT Nyborg):
- Mads Würtz Schmidt (Virtu Pro – Veloconcept) 0:23:12
2. Lars Boom (Astana) +08″
3. Martin Toft Madsen (Almeborg-Bornholm) +09″
4. Michael Valgren (Tinkoff) +10″
5. Marcin Bialoblocki (ONE) +12″
6. Magnus Cort Nielsen (Orica-BikeExchange) +17″
7. Kragh Andersen (Postnord Danmark) +26″
8. Martijn Keizer (LottoNl-Jumbo) +29″
9. Manuele Boaro (Tinkoff) +43″
10. Daniele Bennati (Tinkoff) +48″
General classification after stage 4:
- Michael Valgren (Tinkoff) 13:07:12
2. Magnus Cort Nielsen (Orica-BikeExchange) +12″
3. Mads Würtz Schmidt (Virtu Pro – Veloconcept) +56″
4. Michael Gogl (Tinkoff) +01’20”
5. Christoph Pfingsten (Bora-Argon 18) +01’21”
6. Gijs Van Hoecke (Topsport Vlaanderen – Balois) +01’32”
7. Alexander Kamp (Stölting) +01’40”
8. Laurens De Vreese (Astana) +01’41”
9. Marco Marcato (Wanty – Groupe Gobert) +01’43”
10. Manuele Boaro (Tinkoff) ,,
