TNN Races Against the Clock at Tour of California

20 May 2017

Race: Tour of California, Stage 6

Start/Finish: Big Bear Lake/Big Bear Lake, California, USA

Distance: 14.9 miles (24 kilometers)

Big Bear Lake, California — Friday’s individual time trial took place around the stunning edges of Big Bear Lake with a 24-kilometer out-and-back course. The riders tackled the completely flat course under clear skies. Located above 2,000 meters, altitude played a role in the day’s race. Jonathan Dibben (Team Sky) laid down the fastest time in 28:27. Javier Megias was Team Novo Nordisk’s fastest rider, finishing 3:06 behind Dibben. After finishing fourth on the day, George Bennett (Team LottoNL-Jumbo) moved into the overall race lead.

Team Novo Nordisk Sport Director Lionel Marie

“I followed Charles [Planet] today and I was impressed with his progression since Sarthe [French race in April]. That was the first time trial that I’ve worked with him and he has learned a lot since then. Today, he had nice position, looked comfortable on the bike and I felt used the right gearing throughout the stage. He’s improving very well and fast. Looking towards tomorrow, it’ll be a fast stage from the start since it is downhill. I’m hoping we finish this race how we started—with a rider in the break.”

Charles Planet

“The time trial definitely isn’t my specialty, so my goal was to enjoy my time trial bike and work on maintaining my pace throughout the day. I worked to have a high cadence and steady pace so I could recover for the final stage tomorrow. I’m tired at this point, but everyone is tired. Tomorrow is the last stage, but I feel I still have something to give.”

Team Novo Nordisk finishes racing at the Amgen Tour of California on Saturday with the final stage. Stage 7 is a 77-mile (124-kilometer) race from Mountain High Ski Resort down to Pasadena. It features three categorized climbs before a downhill run into the heart of Pasadena.

Galley: