3 years ago by Tom Owen

Team fights for TTT podium in Colombia

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Rally Cycling’s fourth place finish sets up GC battle

A rapid ride around the city of Tunja, with altitude playing a big part in the performances of all teams on the start list. The Rally Cycling squad spent a long time in the hot seat after setting a scorching time of 19’01” early in the day, before eventually being bumped by WorldTour teams expected to contest the overall general classification. A final placing of fourth puts the team right in the mix for the GC top ten battle.

DATE |  2.11.20
DISTANCE |  16.7 km
Roster
Route

There was no easing into Tour Colombia 2.1, it was full gas from the very start. A lung-busting lap around the outskirts of Colombia’s coldest town, Tunja, starting and finishing on the ‘Via Exito’.

Terrain

As TTTs go, this one was pretty typical. A blast out of town, a small hill and then straight back to where it started. The minor climb caused problems for a few teams.

Weather

Blazing sunshine, naturally. It is Colombia after all. A tough headwind made life difficult on the long straightaways follwed by a cross-tailwind for the final grind to the line.

Quote of the day

“Team time trials are ALWAYS full gas, so it was hard for sure. The boys did a great job pacing it and I think we ended up with the best possible result we could. The wind was a major issue but the new Felt AR really shines in these conditions.” – Rob Britton

DECISIVE MOMENTS

- Off the ramp fifth, Rally Cycling sets the fastest time of the day, comfortably coming in under the 20-minute mark at 19’01.

- The wind played havoc for all the teams, especially those with more diminutive climbers.

- Two small Colombian boys pick the wrong stage to try and ride alongside their heroes. Attempt to keep up with Deceuninck’s full TT train. Get dropped in microseconds.

- Rally Cycling’s time is bested by WorldTour squads EF Pro Cycling, Deceuninck Quick-Step and Ineos. However, the Rally boys showed their class in finishing fourth, besting the remaining WorldTour teams of UAE Team Emirates, Movistar, and Israel Start-Up Nation.

LUIS BARBOSA gallery
lay of the land

Rally Cycling is in this race! Tomorrow is looking flatter than a gel wrapper that got run over by a WorldTour team bus, so expect a fast finale. The team will be looking to set up Colin Joyce for the field sprint. With three intermediate sprints along the course, we might see a few opportunists trying for the break and some early bonus points. The team is 100% committed to helping Gavin grab a great result in the GC, while still looking out for opportunities themselves.

Stage 1 results

1 EF Pro Cycling 0:18:01
2 Deceuninck-Quick-Step 0:00:45
3 Team Ineos 0:00:46
4 Rally Cycling 0:00:59
5 EPM-Scott 0:01:00
6 UAE Team Emirates
7 Movistar Team 0:01:02
8 Israel Start-Up Nation 0:01:21
9 Team Medellin 0:01:22
10 Colombia Andina 0:01:33

In other news

Joyce snatches seventh in Duitama

Ascending into thin air: Tour Colombia 2.1