Cyclingnews

March 15, Stage 2: Chiayi City - Hsingang Fongtian Temple 136km

Shimizu takes a sprint win at Hsingang

By:

Cycling News

Published:

March 15, 2010, 12:00,

Updated:

March 15, 2010, 23:53

McCann maintains his overall lead

Photos

It was probably the best move he's ever made in his career and for Shimizu Miyataka riding on the tail of Hong Kong's prolific Kam Po Wong gifted him the second stage of thius year's Tour de Taiwan.

The 136km flat journey from Chiayi City Hall to the historically spiritual finish at the Fentien Temple might not have promised much but the end was anything but predictable.

"We had the right strategy in place for this stage and with the terrain being flat, there's every possibility that one of us can take it," said Shimizu.

"The final lap was important and I tailed Kam Po before hitting the gas at the end; it was a little gamble but it being my first time here, it was a chance and a fight I was willing to take - and it paid off."

The several breakaways throughout the day did not yield the advantage some of the riders were looking for.

And despite the ban on radio communication, there was enough experience in the peloton to make sure that only a few riders with the right kilometres in their legs survived going into the final sprint at the Fengtien Temple.

For Wong, the advantage he thought he had after building a steady lead going into the three-round circuit in and around Fengtien Temple evaporated in the last 300m.

"My teammate (Choi Ki Ho, winner of the Madison at the Track World Cup in Beijing earlier this year) had led at the last two kilometres and when I went on my way, I did not realise the Japanese rider was following me," said Wong.

"By the time I wanted to shake him off, he was already pushing past me and by then it was already too late."

With David McCann sitting comfortably and well-protected by his Giant Asia Racing team, the lanky Irishman still holds the tour leader yellow jersey and the sprinters' green jersey heading into tomorrow's stage three in Changhua County.

"The team worked really well today and our aim was just to protect the yellow jersey. I think that we should not have a problem in keeping it until the end of the tour," said McCann afterwards.

The Malaysian national team is also applying the same strategy in as far as their ultimate target for the Tour de Taiwan is concerned.

Following its strong start when Rezuan Zainal rode into the king of the mountains jersey in stage one, the race today, which was devoid of any climbs, saw them sitting back in preparation for the several first and second category mountains in the next few days.

"The plan is to protect the jersey until the end while at the same time, we are also aiming to try to win at least one stage," added Rezuan.

"The weather here is not too bad and it is certainly not as hot as Malaysia. But since there are no big climbs this time round, I think that we are quite confident of keeping the jersey."

For the current best Asian rider, Cheung King Wei of Hong Kong, he was just not willing to sit back and protect the jersey.

"It could have been an easy ride but I tried to go for the stage win when I went in front with the breakaway group - but I was caught," said Cheung.

"For the next couple of days, I will have to pay special attention to Feng (Chun Kai). He seems to be quite strong."

Stage three will start from Baguashan Buddha - one of the biggest in Taiwan - before passing through Lugang Old Town, Sijhou Flower Park and then returning to finish at Baguashan. With a category two climb and two sprints, the 136km ride will be anything but leisurely.

 

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