Tour de Taiwan

It’s no secret that New Zealander Hamish Beadle loves the short, fast criterium style racing and the 25-year-old showed why on todays opening stage of the Tour de Taiwan, sprinting to a top ten for Team Novo Nordisk in Taipei.

Head sports director Massimo Podenzana:

“That’s the start we were looking for from Hamish and the guys. We knew it was going be very fast, at less than 90km and pan flat and we rode together as a unit throughout, which was great to see.”

“A six rider breakaway went clear, but they never got much more than a minute and the situation was always under control, the only negative from today was that Andrea crashed in the first 20km, but thankfully he’s ok and we can look forward to tomorrow. 

“There’s a pair of short second category climbs before the finish and another ramp before the line, so it will be an interesting finale.”

Hamish Beadle:

“I really enjoy these races, they suit me well and I have fond memories of the Tour de Taiwan, so to get a good start under the belt is sweet. Today was great, a little sketchy in the bunch but we did a good job coming into the finish.”

“Andrea had some bad luck early on with a crash and then a late dropped chain so we were left wondering a little what could have been! But that’s racing. Everyone did an awesome job throughout the stage and for the final, but we know we can be better, so we’ll continue to work and refine the lead out for the coming days!”

The second day of racing at the Tour de Taiwan packed the climbs into the final part of the stage with three categorized ascents coming one after the other within the last 30km and the experienced David Lozano first home for Team Novo Nordisk.

Head sports director Massimo Podenzana:

“Unfortunately we hit the first climbs of the race on the worst day weather wise and it was tough going in the end. The guys dug deep to stay within the bunch with David, Nathan and Hamish all close to within one minute of the leaders on the last climb.”

“The forecast for the rest of the week is good is so we’ll see if we can make up some ground tomorrow which is a longer stage and another climbing day, but one that could suit the breakaway.”

David Lozano:

“I know from past years that I start to feel better as the race goes on and my body starts to get back to normal and acclimatize after the travel and I’m already looking at the next days to improve.”

“Today was pretty short and punchy and ended up being a little unpleasant with the weather – everyone knows that the rain is not my favorite companion, but we did our best to finish as high as possible in the field and the aim is to recover well and have a better day tomorrow.”

There was a chance that today’s third stage of the Tour de Taiwan was a good day for the breakaway, repeated attempts by Team Novo Nordisk were thwarted early on before an eventual nine-rider move made the difference and held on to contest the stage win with Andrea Peron in tenth place from the chasing bunch.

Head sports director Massimo Podenzana:

“The breakaway went very late today, almost at the halfway point of the stage as the GC teams did not want to let anything go. We knew it could be a good day to be out front and had Nathan in the first move that went, but that one didn’t stick.”

“Eventually the group that made it found a good tailwind and with the shortened stage it made for favorable conditions for the leading group. Andrea sprinted well out of the chasing peloton and even after three days of racing he’s showing good signs of form.”

Andrea Peron:

“I’m feeling good considering the long lay off and the goal is to keep improving each day. With more racing it’s not only the form that starts to come back, but the rhythm too and I’m enjoying being back with boys competing and getting back into the placings is always nice.”

Photo credit: Barry Photo Story

First year professional Nathan Smith produced another quietly impressive display for Team Novo Nordisk on the tough Queen Stage at the Tour de Taiwan, finishing only one minute behind the leaders on the punishing final climb.

Head sports director Massimo Podenzana:

“Nathan is doing very well, in fact all four of our neo pros have started the season in a good manner, but we keep seeing small progressions from Nathan in every race he takes part in and today was a good performance from him.”

“Both and Nathan and Doriand have been fulfilling their tasks as teammates over the last few stages, but today Nathan showed that he can also ride for himself when he’s feeling good and got some freedom to try to take the opportunity. It’s always good to see a new generation coming through and when you have young guys who are hungry and also willing to listen and learn, it’s even better.”

Nathan Smith:

“I’m a little frustrated with how but went today, because I had really good legs and made the front group over the top of the climb, but then missed the split that went to the line. I was probably sitting a little too far back in the group when the move went, but it’s another good lesson learned.”

“I feel I’ve been riding well this week and getting stronger everyday and it’s good to be able to see some gains from racing harder at a higher level since the start of the season. I’m learning a lot from the senior pros like Andrea and David and we’ll be looking to try and set Andrea up for the sprint on tomorrow’s final stage.”

A positive week of racing came to a close for Team Novo Nordisk at the Tour de Taiwan with captain Andrea Peron rounding off his comeback from injury with sixth place in the final stage.

After Hamish Beadle set the tone with a top ten on the first day of racing, the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team held the consistency, with Peron taking another top ten on stage three before strong displays by David Lozano and neo pro Nathan Smith on the climbs led the team into the sprint final on stage five.

Head sports director Massimo Podenzana:

“Three top tens and some good signs from the guys for the next races means we can go away content with our work here. Our young first year professionals Doriand and Nathan both rode very well and demonstrated they are eager to learn and develop.”

“I’m happy for Andrea, he’s not raced since October last year in Turkey, so to come back and be straight into the mix in the sprints is positive. He was a little boxed in today and just missed out on the top five.”

Andrea Peron:

“The race split on the first climb today, we expected that the GC contenders would try something early, so I made sure to be close to the front at the start. That was a good choice because there was around 30 of us out front and the rest of the bunch didn’t see us again until the finish.”

“It was hard, but as I said at the start of the week, I felt I would get better everyday and that’s how it went. I was blocked a bit there in the last 200m but I still managed to keep the speed as I tried to go around and it’s been good to finally get back to racing and I’m looking ahead to France now and a busy spring.”