Juan José Haedo won the inaugural Tour de Mumbai, India’s first race ever sanctioned by the International Cycling Union (UCI). The Argentinean took the 50,000 US dollar prize by outsprinting breakaway companion Dirk Müller of Germany.
“The Tour of Mumbai is a brand new race with great ambitions for the future, and it is the first time any of us have been to India. The riders worked well together and kept the field in check, which consisted mainly of Asian continental teams. JJ (Juan Jose Haedo) and Baden (Baden Cooke) escaped from the field and with two laps left JJ drove off with Dirk Muller (Nutrixxion) and was the best in the sprint,” explained Saxo Bank sports director Bradley McGee.
The duo escaped the initial break of six men with four laps to go, according to AFP. The total race distance was 36 laps on a 2.7km loop, for a total of 100km.
The heat and the racing in unknown territory provided for extra challenges for the 100 professionals who took part in the race.
The race was part of a “cyclothon” for children and adults. The event was created to raise awareness of cycling in cricket-dominated India as well as an effort to increase health and fitness of the citizens.
Results for the 2010 Tour of India:
1. Juan José Haedo (SAX) 2h15’14”
2. Dirk Müller (TSP) 37″
3. Tobias Erler (TPT) 45″
4. Baden Cooke (SAX) 45″
5. Philipp Mamos (TSP) 45″
6. Jaan Kirsipuu (CKT) 02’45”
7. Stuart O’Grady (SAX) 02’45”
8. Leif Lampater 02’45”
9. Ahmad Haidar Anuawar (MPC)
10. Hossein Askari (TPT)
11. Kim Lachmann (TSP)
12. Grischa Janorschke (TSP)
13. Bradley Hall (MPC)
14. Mahdi Sohrabi (TPT)
15. Michael Berling (GLU)
16. Lucas Sebastian Haedo (SAX)
17. Mathias Gade Jacobsen (GLU)
18. Vincent Ang
19. Mart Ojavee (CKT)
20. Lars Pria (KTM)