Canadian rider riding well in Belgian three day event
The 2008 worlds silver medallist Svein Tuft got a good boost to his morale on yesterday’s opening prologue of the Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen (Three Days of West Flanders), netting fourth in the seven kilometre time trial, ten seconds off the winning time of Jesse Sergent (Team RadioShack). The result is an important one as it shows the Team SpiderTech rider is looking good at this early point of the season.
“I’m really happy with my ride. I’m just lacking a bit of speed – you only get that from racing. The Giro Sardinia race was great, but it was such a tough race I didn’t develop that speed,” he said. “It was good engine building.”
With today’s stage ending in a bunch sprint, Tuft remains fourth in the general classification. The race concludes tomorrow with a 195.5 kilometre race from Nieuwpoort to Ichtegem
Sport director and former Tour de France maillot jaune Steve Bauer is at the race with the team, and said that he will guide them where possible.
“It is exciting to be with the Team in Flanders, the region I made home for ten years as a pro cyclist. The race here, the routes, the wind, the cobbles, imprints a typical style of racing which means attentiveness, vigilance, and strength,” he explained. “I hope to be able to impart my experience to the guys and give them the inspiration to challenge. Now Svein has done a great prologue the team will be supporting him yet seeking opportunities.”
Tuft showed his strength in 2008 when he took the silver medal in the world championship time trial in Varese.
The Canadian team has stepped up a level this year and is continuing along a path that it hopes will lead to eventual Tour de France participation.