Three Mountains and a Big Finish at Tour of China

12 September 2017

Race: ST2 Tour of China I

Start/Finish: Xiyang/Yunzhuhu

Distance: 197km

YUNZHUHU, CHINA – Stephen Clancy, Sam Brand and Chris Williams finished in the front groups at the second stage of the Tour of China on Tuesday, after a tough day climbing from Xiyang to Yunzhuzu.

Clancy and his teammates began stage two after a travel day on Monday crossing more than 1000km after the flat and fast opening stage on Sunday. Tuesday’s stage featured a first category climb sandwiched in the middle of the race, with a pair third category climbs near the start and finish.

Italian rider Liam Bertazzo won a field sprint of more than 70 riders after four and a half hours of racing, ahead of Belarusan Siarhei Papok and Australia’s Cameron Bayly.

Following stage two the race moves further down the Chinese mainland, with a 350km transfer on Tuesday, and a rest day on Wednesday to cover the remaining 750km to the start of Thursday’s stage three.

Stephen Clancy:

“Relaxed today, no stress. The hard parts are coming ahead.”

Team Novo Nordisk Sport Director Lionel Marie:

“Three categorized climbs today split the bunch, but there was a big group at the finish and we put three guys in there at the front, including Chris Williams and Sam Brand. Coming up are some more climbing stages and a short individual time trial.”

Team Novo Nordisk continues in the Tour of China I and II through next week, and is also racing in Europe at the Post Nord Dansk Rundt, also known as the Tour of Denmark.