Biondo claims TT win, moves to second overall

Maurizio Biondo (Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce) powered to a convincing victory in stage five's 15.5-kilometre time trial Saturday afternoon, the Tour of Denmark's second stage of the day. The 28-year-old Italian erased 30 seconds of his 33-second deficit to race leader Jakob Fuglsang (Team Saxo Bank) and moved into second place on general classification. Aleksejs Saramotins (Team Designa Køkken) was the stage runner-up, 28 seconds in arrears of Biondo while Alex Rasmussen (Team Saxo Bank) finished third, one more second back. Fuglsang stopped the clock in fifth place, 30 seconds behind Biondo.

"I actually think that I did a pretty good time trial," Fuglsang said. "But the Ceramica guy did an amazing time and gained 30 seconds. At the first time split I was very close, but halfway through I was already 20 seconds back on the winner. In the end I was able to hold the leader's jersey, but it was very close."

Any time riders have to race two stages in one day, it increases the challenge of both events. However, Fuglsang feels that it is all part of the job. "The last few years I have done well in the evening time trial, and there has always been a stage earlier in the day," he said. "It's hard of course, since you have to get ramped up twice in one day, but I can deal with it pretty well."

Finishing so late in the evening also complicates recovery. With only three seconds separating first and second, anything can still happen on Sunday's final day of racing. "I think we can still defend the lead," Fuglsang said. "The guys are very strong and know how to race even with the highest expectations on them."

Sunday's weather, which is predicted to be cold and rainy, will certainly add another level of difficulty. "I of course prefer the warmer weather, but it is the same for everyone," Fuglsang said. "If it is a nasty weather day, I think we will still be able ride for the win."

Riders face 150 kilometres of racing on Sunday, taking the peloton from Ringsted to Frederiksberg.