Written by Dodge at 09:33 27/1-2010
Just when it seemed that Dodge's tour was over and the team might just as well pack their bags and ready for home, Ian Defley did the impossible and in the process, cemented his position as the top Australian rider ahead of the Clash of Nations.
While Australia's participation in the prestigious international event is still up in the air, Defley showed no such hesitation as he gave his all to claim an unlikely victory.
With the huge mountain stages over and done with, the press had worked itself into a frenzy attempting to predict which of the elite sprinters on tour would grab some vital sprint points in the race to the finish line. By all rights, Defley's race should have been run. Reeling from a horrendous performance at Macedo de Cavaleiros, even Defley must have found his faith shaken a little. Finishing nowhere near the top in a dismal 16th place, the Dodge team could only watch enviously as Keegan Shiable celebrated a third victory with Team Kernow. Surely Ian Defley's race was run. The mountains were behind them and even though Defley can sprint to a certain extent, there was no way he was going to grab a win amongst the specialists.
However, no one had accounted for the hills of Vinhais. In all the hype about which sprinter would be able to attain that important last burst of speed to win the race, everyone forgot how dangerous a hill rider Defley could be.
It was apparent barely fifteen minutes into the race start when Defley and his Dodge teammates broke clear on what most spectators thought was a foolish last ditch gamble. Defley was going for broke, but surely the leaders would hunt him down later. The elite sprinters certainly thought so as no one attempted to follow him. Then they hit the hills, and Defley accelerated away.
By the time the the lone Dodge rider reached the finish line, it was already a no-contest. There wasn't anybody else in the near vicinity to contest the sprint as a joyous Defley rode past with tears in his eyes. An unlikely victory in the Volta ao Porto, and probably one that he will treasure for years to come.
Talent and perseverance have never been more apparent.
Subscribers: 11
| |
Comments
Sorry, I'm a little slow here, only just read the thread.
Anyway I writing you a PM, so please don't disturb me ;)
Haha thanks.
No not really a breakaway, I wrote my settings on the thread. But then I need a little creative license now and then ;)
You got a subscriber bud.
You deserve a victory for all the great write ups, I didn't realise you had you team on breakaway, you should mention it on the race engine thread.
Once again Well done :)
|
Other Team's Press Releases
|
|
|