author：qinghaihu publish time：2024-07-16
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA safely guided Jefferson Cepeda through the final stage at this year’s Tour of Qinghai Lake to win the 23rd edition by a comfortable one and half minutes.
The Ecuadorian relished the final metres of today’s 121km stage, he ignored the sprint for minor placings and opted to soak up the atmosphere before celebrating his first overall stage race victory.
“It was very important from to win today, it’s my first pro victory, I felt like I was at home and was so happy to have the team we have here and the confidence they had in me,” Cepeda said.
Caja Rural have been impressive throughout this year’s Tour of Qinghai Lake and today was no different, the leading team controlled the race and nullified any potential challenge to Cepeda’s lead.
The Spanish outfit constantly had the numbers at the front when it mattered, especially over the two categorised climbs that appeared 45km into today’s stage – Caja had four of the eight riders in a select group.
It was a striking display but not to be outdone by their Spanish counterpart Burgos-BH, stage two victor Eric Fagundez attacked with 35km remaining going solo.
An amazing ride by the Uruguayan, he kept a desperately chasing 25-rider-group at bay to win by slender margin by still had time celebrate across the finish line, claiming Burgos-BH’s third stage victory.
Despite missing out on the stage victory, Caja Rural also finished with Guillermo Thomas in second overall and conquered the team’s classification.
Stage 3 winner Manuel Tarozzi (VF Group-Bardiani CSF Faizane) rounded out the general classification podium, the Italian managed to hold onto the few seconds that separated Tarozzi to fourth placed Henok Mulueberhan (Astana-Qazaqstan).
Mulueberhan was disappointed not win a stage whilst trying to defend the overall title but can be pleased with a successful defence of the green jersey.
Mario Aparicio continued Burgos-BH’s successful tour, the Spaniard held onto the Polka Dot Jersey and finished fifth overall.
The blue jersey for best Asian rider remained on the shoulders of Saied Safarzadeh, a successful tour for the local Tianyoude Hotel Cycling team.
