Race Writeup

Ina-Yoko Teutenberg (HTC Columbia) sprinted to victory in the first stage of the Tour of Chongming Island. Kirsten Wild (Cervelo Test Team) was second ahead of the South Korean Choi Hye Kyeong . 

The weather conditions, which were wet and cold for most of the race, ensured that the bunch kept together. Despite the high winds across the island the day before, it had dropped for the first day of racing.  The three day tour with 98 starters, representing 18 of the top women's teams in the world. Conditions did not deter the locals to come out and support the race. The people of Chongming Island lined the route. They were described to WCN as warm, diligent and kind and they certainly showed their appreciation for the racing with displays of music and dance along the course.

The attacks started within the first 1km of the race. Valentina Bastianelli (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) attempted to break away from the bunch. It was short lived, the top professional teams controlled the race and closed down the attack. After 17km of racing, Florence Girardet (Vienne Futuroscope) attempted a lone attack. She managed a 20m gap on the peloton before HCT Columbia covered the move. As the bunch approached the first of the intermediate sprints at 28.5km, the pace was high and peloton strung out as the race moved along one of the beautiful tree-lined roads on the course. 

Teutenberg took out first, ahead of Wild and Rochelle Gilmore (Australia). The intermediate sprints are an important part of the tour. The winner not only gains valuable points towards the sprint classification, but time bonus seconds to the overall General Clasification. 

As the half way point of the race approached, an attack which included Judith Arndt (HTC Columbia) and Trixi Worrack (Norris Cycling) made a move off the front of the bunch. The Australian National team moved to the front to close down the attack. 

The peloton was all together at the 46.6km, second and final intermediate sprint. Again it was Teutenberg who got the better of Wild and Gilmore. Immediately, the Ukrainians, Olena Sharga and Yelizaveta Bochkarova attacked and managed to get a 15 seconds gap on the bunch before Cervelo Test Team chased them back. 

With only 15km of racing left, an attack from Charlotte Becker (Cervelo Test Team) created a group of 11 riders. The group included an number of riders, Becker, Kimberley Anderson and Ellen van Dijk (HTC Columbia), Catherine Cheatley (NZL), Sharga (UKR) and Gloria Presti (Top Girls). They quickly gained a 9 seconds advantage over the chasing peloton. The Australian team moved to the front to protect the GC position of Gilmore and the leaders sat up with 10km to go. 

A crash in the last 2km, only affected the back of the bunch, allowing the front to progress to the finish line. Teutenberg had a clear advantage as she crossed the line ahead Wild. A photo finish decided the third position and it was awarded to the Korean Kyeong ahead of Gilmore. 

Teutenberg holds the top of the Individual General Classification and the Points (Green Jersey). Third place Choi Hye Kyeong from South Korea National Team wins the Best Asian Riders Individual Classification.
  

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