Team Columbia dominates at the Tour de L’Ain

August 12, 2008

Team Columbia absolutely dominated the third day of racing at the Tour
de L’Ain stage race in France on Tuesday, winning both stages and
taking the leader’s jersey.

Germany’s Linus Gerdemann proved he is back to his best by winning the
short morning road stage. Gerdemann is in the lead overall now by twelve seconds.

He broke away with David Moncoutie and Stephane Goubert of France in the pouring rain and then beat them in the sprint to the line. Thanks to his win Gerdemann also took the race leader’s jersey and set up overall victory.

23 year-old Tony Martin showed his huge talent by winning the afternoon
8.8km time trial with a yet another impressive performance against the
clock. Linus Gerdemann was second, just 10 seconds behind his team
mate, with Frantisek Rabon completing Team Columbia’s great day with
third place, 23 seconds slower than Martin.  

Gerdemann extended his lead on David Moncoutie before the last stage on
Wednesday and his strong rides in both stages showed he is back to his
best after breaking his femur and damaging knee ligaments in the
Tirreno-Adriatico race in March.

Gerdemann was set to target the Tour de France this year after winning
the first mountain stage and wearing the yellow jersey in 2007 but has
now set the Tour of Germany -his home race, as his new objective.

“It’s been a great day for Team Columbia and a really special day for
Linus Gerdemann,” sports director Valerio Piva said proudly.  

“The Tour de L’Ain isn’t a major stage race but there are some strong
teams here and lots of riders who rode the Tour de France. We came with
a motivated and on form team and the riders proved it with how they
dominated things. Tony was great, Rabon did really well and I’m really
happy for Linus.”

 “His crash in Tirreno-Adriatico could have ended his career but he’s
worked hard and made a fantastic recovery. Winning has really boosted
his moral and motivated him for the Tour of Germany at the end of the
month.”

 The Tour de L’Ain ends on Wednesday with a final 135.8km hilly road
stage but Piva is confident Team Columbia can away with the win and set
their sights on bigger races in the next few weeks.

“It’s an up and down stage and so it won’t be easy to control things.
But the guys are on form and super motivated after the success today
and so I think we should be able to win. I’m confident we can do it,”
Piva said.