Confusion at end of Uruguayan event
Chipotle Development Team rider Raymond Kreder picked up a solid seventh place on the opening stage of the Rutas de America yesterday, but said afterwards that he was frustrated.
“A large part of the pack saw a line on the road at 400 meters and started to sprint,” he said, according to Wielerland. “I was second at the time but the finishing line proved to be further ahead.”
The Dutchman finished in the main bunch, one second behind the sprint victor Dario Ruiz Diaz. (Argentina) The latter led out the gallop and was simply too strong for the others on the uphill drag to the line, crossing it well clear.
Kreder said that Ruiz Diaz had timed his effort perfectly and was consequently able to profit from that. He said that he’d pay better attention in the stages ahead.
Italian rider Matteo Pelucchi (Geox TMC) was second, with the Uruguay competitor Jorge Soto Perera rounding off the podium placings.
The Chipotle Development team is racing in Uruguay a month after its strong showing in the Tour de Langkawi. VeloNation’s new blogger Lachlan Morton was sixth there and will be hoping to fare well in South America, as will his team-mates.
The Chipotle Development team functions as a feeder squad for the Garmin-Cervélo ProTeam. It has an increased budget this year and will consequently be doing more overseas racing.