The larger part of the 154 km between Mersch and the old town of
Luxembourg City was raced with heavy rain, forcing the organizers to
finalize the GC standing after the first passage of the finish line with
47 km left on the menu. The seven remaining laps, each 6.8 km long,
would only designate the stage winner.
RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK came to Luxembourg focused on winning the
overall on home soil, and the team accomplished their goal in dominating
fashion. With a very solid line-up, including four former race winners,
the team took responsibility from day one. Jakob Fuglsang: "The team
dedicated themselves to winning, and I really have to thank them all. We
had such a strong team here. Working together on all five stages made
this possible and I’m so happy it worked out for us.”
RSNT press release: After Jakob Fuglsang took the overall lead in yesterday's Queen Stage
to Differdange, the team defended the yellow with panache. Kim Andersen:
"This win is important to us. First off, we wanted to show our jersey
to our home fans and secondly, we wanted to gain confidence ahead of the
next months of racing. So far this season has not been a success for
us. This victory is a boost to us all and we hope we can continue on
this rhythm in the next races.”
The fifth and final day of racing began in Mersch. The 154 kilometer
course included the Côte de Bereldange and the Côte de Glabach, before
heading back the country's capital and its seven local laps. RADIOSHACK
NISSAN TREK controlled the pace behind the four leaders (Roelandts
(LTB), Stamsnijder (ARG), Casper (ALM) and Gaudin (EUC)), steadily
reeling them back before the race passed the finish line for the first
of seven times, where the GC was established.
Fuglsang: "I think the organization made the right decision by ending
the GC battle at that point. There was a real risk of crashes and
everyone was nervous to stay upright. Our team kept control of the chase
behind Jurgen Roelandts, who was alone at the front.” Roelandts
attacked his group before entering the circuits and held his advantage
to the end of the race, taking the stage win ahead of Ben Swift and
Davide Appollonio (Sky).
“Luxembourg is my second home so to win the national tour of Luxembourg
is important to the team but also to me,” said Fuglsang. “Especially
after the difficult spring I had with bad luck and injuries. It’s nice
to make a comeback like this. It was the right decision for me to not
start the Giro d’Italia and give my knee more time to heal. Now I have
this victory and I am very, very happy. The team was riding very strong
and I have to thank them.”
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