Olympic champion loses almost two minutes in opening time trial and suffers the indignity of being caught by Tony Martin
Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) has made an uncomfortable start to what was supposed to be his triumphant return to Beijing. The Olympic champion and other members of the Basque team have been suffering with a gastrointestinal virus in the last few days, which has seriously damped the orange team’s performance in the first stage of the inaugural Tour of Beijing.
“Several cyclists of Euskaltel-Euskadi faced the opening day weakened by a gastrointestinal virus that they have suffered from in the past four days,” said a statement from the team. “Two of the hardest hit have been Samuel Sánchez and Mikel Nieve, who have suffered diarrhoea, vomiting, and even fever.
“The naranjas [oranges – ed] affected are now free of the symptoms and are beginning to recover,” the statement added, “but have not been able to perform at their top level in this first effort.”
Sánchez, who turned down the honour of race number one in favour of the lucky number eight that he wore in the 2008 Olympic games, found himself suffering the indignity of being caught in the opening 11.3km time trial. The Asturian, who is no lover of time trials at the best of times, was to set off second rider to last; just a minute behind him was recently crowned World time trial champion Tony Martin (HTC-Highroad).
Martin, on his way to a dominant victory in the stage, blitzed past the ailing Euskaltel-Euskadi rider midway through the course, eventually beating him by 1’57”. Sánchez limped over the line, last to finish, but with his chance of winning the five-day race all but gone.