Mizbani shining in Xining

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Ghader Mizbani (Tabriz Petrochemical) gave further demonstration of his strength at this year’s Tour of Qinghai Lake today, and was rewarded for his efforts with victory in Xining. The Iranian defeated Rasoul Barati (Giant Asia racing Team) and Alexander Filippov (Russian National Team) to claim stage three.

Mizbani (35) combined with Barati to bridge a gap to breakaway rider Filippov on the descent of the hors categorie climb at Mt. Quingsha. From there the trio worked feverishly to maintain their break on the chasing peloton which included tour leader Radoslav Rogina (Loborika).

The Iranian strongman attacked his counterparts on the run into Xining with the peloton closing in on them. “I attacked them in the last ten kilometres”, he said. “It was very difficult from the start, I had to work”. On stage one Mizbani incurred a twenty second penalty for being drafted by his team-car back to the peloton. The following day he attacked on the climb but punctured on the descent, denting his chances for a stage win. “I am happy with a stage win and also the KOM (jersey)” he added.

Rogina (31) remains in yellow after finishing ninth, 27 seconds behind the winner. “I hoped to hold onto the yellow jersey today”, said Rogina. “My team worked very hard for me and in the end that left just four of us”. When Mizbani and Barati joined Filippov in the lead with seventy kilometres to the finish there could well have been cause for concern for the big Croatian.

Mizbani was 1:26 behind Rogina heading into the stage and with forty kilometres to the finish the time gap had gone out to 3:03. “Just the one rider (Mizbani) was a threat, but in the end we came just at the right time”, Radoslav said after the stage.

The stage was the longest of the race and began in Xunhua beneath blue skies in perfect conditions. The field climbed through the Lamuxia Gorge at the fifty kilometre mark, a six kilometre stretch of winding road with breathtaking scenery. It was here where Fillipov first attacked and if there was a jersey awarded for most aggressive rider each day it surely would have been his today. He initiated both attacks on the two categorised climbs and although not winning the stage he could be well satisfied with his ride. “I am very happy to have been first over the mountains and to be on the podium,” he said afterwards.

He led a group of 21 riders which included all of the tour’s main protagonists over the first climb and attacked again near the 90 kilometre mark on the approach to Mt.Quingsha. It was here where Mizbani and Barati made their move to bridge across to Filippov. Racing alongside blankets of canola fields the two Iranians worked their way towards the Russian and eventually reeled him in on the descent.

Behind was the yellow jersey group of 21 riders with Radoslav Rogina's Loborika team setting the pace. At twenty kilometres to the finish the gap was still a little over two minutes and locals in Xining were getting anxious for a bunch sprint.

But it wasn’t to be and the strength of Mizbani shone through. He has improved his position on the GC to fifth, 48 seconds behind Rogina and perfectly poised.

Rogina holds a 34 second lead over Gregor Gazvoda (Arbo KTM-Gebruder Weiss) with a further ten seconds back to American Kiel Reijnen (Jelly Belly).

Mizbani is the new leader of the King of the Mountains competition despite the efforts of Filippov today, while Rogina holds a one point lead over Gazvoda in the Sprint Points competition.

The tour continues tomorrow with a 117 kilometre trek from Xining to Qinghai Lake.