author：qinghaihu publish time：2019-07-19
By: Samuel Turner
Eduard Grosu has taken first place in the sixth stage of the Tour of Qinghai Lake 2019. Behind the sprinter of Delko Marseille Provence came Imerio Cima (Nippo Fantini) and Siarhei Papok (Minsk Cycling Club). Robinson Chalapud (Medellin) holds onto the yellow jersey for the third day in a row but Grosu claims the green one.
Today’s 136km stage from Chaka to Bird Island saw a relatively straightforward race with a climb to 3817m halfway through the stage. No breakaway occured for the majority of the race with the exception of Andrea Guardini (Bardiani CSF) who’s attempt was nullified after the descent. The sprinter teams kept a fast, steady pace and the group was compact. Five kilometres from the finish line, a bad fall occurred and several cyclists were involved. Grosu, coming second in this stage last year, was confident in the sprint to the finish.
“I know no one can pass me, because I’m fast on this kind of final,” he claimed.
After crossing the finish line, Grosu excitedly rode with a thumb in his mouth – a celebration for his daughter who is expected to be born in August.
“I want to dedicate the victory to my future daughter who arrives next month,” he said to a round of applause from reporters.
His focus however seems to be on the Tour, with Delko now taking three wins and himself two.
“We will try to win the stages, doesn’t matter with who. Brenton led me out perfectly today,” he explained, noting the incredible teamwork that Delko is showing at the moment.
“It was a really, really nice stage for us.”
The weather today was less windy than yesterday, but cold temperatures and hail plagued racers. Grosu claimed his experience in cycle-cross and mountain biking helped him to manage the downhill and wet roads.
“For me it’s nice, because I’m a little bit fatter than the other riders,” he joked. “When we have that kind of situation it’s perfect – I don’t suffer in the cold weather.”
A return to the podium might be in store for the Romanian at tomorrow’s individual time trial in Haiyan, as Grosu is a national champion at the event.
“It’s my second victory in Qinghai Lake and I don’t want them to stop.”
