Eibegger wins Tour d'Azerbaidjan general classification
In June the boulevard of Baku will be the scene for the Formula 1, but last week all the eyes were on the Tour d'Azerbaidjan.
Markus Eibegger representing Team Felbermayr Simplon Wels has won the overall title at the Tour d'Azerbaidjan after a strong display on the final day of racing.
"Today we had to work really hard to keep the jersey and the lead in the general classification, but our team did a great job by closing the gaps and putting me in the right position. I'm really happy that we did so well with the team, with two guys in the top of classification and also the points jersey. It was a great Tour d'Azerbaidjan for us!” said Eibegger.
His closest challengers for the top spot overall, Rinaldo Nocentini (Sporting Tavira) and Nikita Stalnov (Astana City), were not able to make any significant moves for the classification in the final stage, and after a spectacular bunch sprint it was Michael Schwarzmann who came through fastest, giving Bora - Argon 18 their second victory of the week.
It was a successful Tour d'Azerbaidjan for the German team, with Daniel Schorn also winning the green points jersey. Thomas Lebas of Bridgestone Anchor CT won the red mountain jersey after strong rides on the two mountain stages as well as taking the points on offer over the final climb of today's stage. The best young rider of this year's edition is Ildar Arslanov (Gazprom-Rusvelo) who has been leading this classification for almost the whole Tour.
The best team of this year's Tour d'Azerbaidjan is the Azerbaijani and proud Synergy Baku Cycling Project. With Maksym Averin as best Azerbaijani and the team taking two stage wins, it was a really successful race for the team.
The racing got underway on the same start - finish area and
after 10 KM of attacks from the peloton, three riders were able to
break clear and start building an advantage. Gil Martinez (Wilier
Triestine-Southeast), Rubio Arribas (NASR-Dubai) and Lowndes
(Drapac Pro Cycling) were in today's breakaway with a maximum
advantage of three minutes.
The first intermediate sprint was won by Gil Martinez, the second
one (also marking the start of five local finishing circuits) was
won by Lowndes just before he was dropped from the leading group.
The two remaining leaders pressed on and remained out front for
some time further, even as the attacks started to fly from the
peloton behind as the race entered the Old City of Baku. The game
was finally up for the two leaders as the race crossed the finish
line for a third time, and the scene was set for a fast, bunch
sprint.
In the remaining two laps, GC riders attacked in their final
attempt to claim the leader’s jersey back from Eibegger, but all
were unsuccessful. In the final lap it was Mauro Finetto (Unieuro
Wilier) who tried his hand at staying in front of the peloton, but
he was caught going in the final kilometer. After a spectacular
bunch sprint it was Schwarzmann with the fastest legs, bringing to
a close another hugely successful edition of the Tour d'Azerbaidjan
- a week of racing that has again shown what this amazing country
has to offer.
Results
Stage 5 - Baku - Baku
1. Michael Schwarzmann (Bora - Argon 18), 158 km in 03h41'46''
2. Alberto Cecchin (Team Roth), s.t.
3. Daniel Schorn (Team Felbermayr Simplon Wels), s.t.
4. Maksym Averin (Synergy Baku Cycling Project), s.t.
5. Guillaume Boivin (Cycling Academy Team), s.t.
Final results: General Classification
1. Markus Eibegger (Team Felbermayr Simplon Wels), 18h59'12''
2. Rinaldo Nocentini (Sporting Tavira), "02
3. Nikita Stalnov (Astana City), 04"
4. Daniel Schorn (Team Felbermayr Simplon Wels), 10"
5. Ildar Arslanov (Gazprom-Rusvelo), 15"
Final results: Jerseys
Blue “Synergy” (leader): Markus Eibegger (Team Felbermayr Simplon
Wels)
Red “AZAL” (mountain): Thomas Lebas (Bridgestone Anchor CT)
Green “SOCAR” (points): Daniel Schorn (Team Felbermayr Simplon
Wels)
Magenta “Ata” (young): Ildar Arslanov (Gazprom-Rusvelo)
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