Jason Sager (Jamis) claimed stage honours on a reduced stage 4 at the Genco Mongolia Bike Challenge presented by Orbea on Wednesday.
Stage 4 highlights
Following the cancellation of stage 3 on Tuesday due to heavy rains which lashed racers and caused , organisers took the decision to significantly reduce the length of stage 4 from 175km to 95km. Competitors set off from the original start point, located at 2,000 meters altitude in the Khan Khentii Mountains, making their way to Berkh Mountain.
In spite of the route change, the men’s picked up where it left off, with a strong lead group forming. The group included race leader Cory Wallace (Kona), Thomas Turner (Jamis), Jason Sager (Jamis), Mark Frendo (Oyu Tolgoi), stage 2 winner Antonio Ortiz (Selle SMP) and Mongolian rider, Altanzol Altansukh (Genco Tour Bureau). The podium position came down to a 3-up sprint, with Sager taking the stage followed closely by Frendo and Turner. Wallace meanwhile maintained his overall race lead, with 6:43 over Ortiz and Frendo 9:57 back.
This way: Racers met dryer conditions than Stage 3
Racing gets underway on the weather-reduced stage 4
Cool conditions remained for the start of the stage
In the women’s race, Catherine Williamson held her place in the higher end of the men’s field and add to her lead over Sonya Looney (Topeak Ergon), Erin Greene (Endura NZ) and Jess Douglas (Liv Giant). The women’s GC continues to match stage results, with Williamson(Bizhub-Energas) well clear of Looney (Topeak Ergon) and Greene (Endura NZ). Visit here for full results. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD-ALTzQV34
2nd overall: Sonya Looney (Topeak – Ergon) during stage 4 at the Mongolia Bike Race
Better weather greeted riders today
The various modes of transport in Mongolia