Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling’s Charlotte Becker successfully defended the yellow jersey in the Tour of Zoushan Island in a tough second stage of the three-day Chinese race. The former Team Time Trial World champion seized the race lead after yesterday’s first stage, and the Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling team managed to resist pressure from lone breakaway rider Olga Zabelinskaya (RusVelo) to hold on to it.
The Russian Olympic medallist managed to stay away to take the stage victory, but was unable to take enough time to threaten Becker’s yellow jersey. Having worked hard for the teammate that is more usually working for her, Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling’s former two-time road World Champion Giorgia Bronzini took second place, with Becker crossing the line in third.
“Zabelinskaya got away alone. I guess our group was about ten riders…” Becker explained afterwards. “I couldn’t have defended the jersey without the incredible help of the girls. Mayuko [Hagiwara] and Gio were especially amazing.
“The course was so hard, and I never believed I could defend it,” Becker added. “We rode really well together but we also lost a lot of energy today. But I think the others did too!”
Although the chase group was unable to catch Zabelinskaya, she had conceded 4’40” to Becker on stage one and so still trails the Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling rider, who holds the yellow jersey going into the final stage.
Finishing in the same group as Becker and Bronzini, Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling’s Hagiwara also maintained her lead in the Best Asian Rider category and retains the blue jersey.
Result
1. Olga Zabelinskaya (RusVelo)
2. Giorgia Bronzini (Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling)
3. Charlotte Becker (Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling)
