Tour of Indonesia - 2.2

Indonesia, September 12-21, 2005

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Stage 1 - September 12: Bandung - Cirebon, 134 km

Griffin takes first jersey

Irishman Paul Griffin took control of the Dji Sam Soe Tour d'Indonesia on Monday, winning a hard-fought first stage to Cirebon. Griffin, riding for the Giant Asia Racing Team, unleashed an unbeatable sprint in the final metres of the race to hold off his 19 break-away companions, taking the 134 km stage and the yellow jersey of race leader.

"It feels great," to have the yellow jersey, said Griffin who added that he relishes riding in hot conditions. "I'm okay in the heat, I prefer it to the cold of Ireland."

Eight-three riders took the start of the first stage of the Tour d'Indonesia. The riders began in cool conditions in Bandung but they descended into intense heat and humidity as they approached Cirebon on the north coast of Java. The early goings of the race were marked by numerous attacks, as riders tried to break free of the field. However, none of the breaks stuck until American Mike Carter (Greenfields Fresh Milk) launched the race's decisive move near the half-way point of the stage. Attacking at the bottom a descent, Carter broke clear, and was soon joined by two other riders. The breakaway group would stay clear to the end. The lead group grew to nine riders, then to 20 as the race approached Cirebon. In the finale, it was Griffin who prevailed, edging out Robin Reid of New Zealand in a tight bunch sprint.

Kaswanto, riding for the CCC Custom Cycling Team, took the red and white jersey for top Indonesian rider. Kaswanto made it into the days big breakaway, finishing in seventh place in Cirebon.

Michael Carter took over the green jersey for the points competition after winning the days' second "hot spot" sprint. No points for the King of the Mountains competition were awarded Monday.

Carter, who doesn't normally consider himself a sprinter, said he was surprised to take the Green jersey. "I thought today I would take it easy," he said, " but sometimes an opportunity comes along, and you take it."

The Dji Sam Soe Tour d'Indonesia heads into the mountains Tuesday with a difficult second stage from Cirebon to Purwokerto. The stage will feature a difficult first-category climb to Purbalingga. That will be followed by two more mountainous days on Wednesday and Thursday. "Who ever wins this race will have to be a good climber," said Carter, a veteran of the Tour de France.

Results

1 Paul Griffin (Irl) Giant Asia Racing Team      3.07.10 (42.99 km/h)
2 Robin Reid (NZl) Greenfields Fresh Milk               
3 Kai Tsun Lam (HKg) Purapham                           
4 Hossein Askari (Iri) Giant Asia Racing Team           
5 Remko Kramer (Ned) Telkomsel Team                     
6 Nguyen Nam Cuc (Vie) Vietnam National Team            
7 Kaswanto (Ina) Customs Cycling Club                   
8 Radius Ginting (Ina) Benteng Muda                     
9 Rochmat Nugraha (Ina) Dodol Picnic                    
10 Thjs Poelstra (Ned) The Jong & Laan                  
 
Sprints
 
Sumedang (37.9 km)
 
1 Bastian Krol (Ned) The Jong & Laan                   5 pts
2 Ferinanto (Ina) Polygon Sweet Nice                   3
3 Nunung Burhanudin (Ina) Benteng Muda                 2
 
Jatiwangi (62.2 km)
 
1 Michael Carter (Aus) Greenfields Fresh Milk          5 pts
2 Albert Primero (Phi) Casino Filipino Pro             3
3 Nguyen Nam Cuc (Vie) Vietnam National Team           2
 
General classification after stage
 
1 Paul Griffin (Tpe) Giant Asia Racing Team      3.07.00
2 Robin Reid (NZl) Greenfields Fresh Milk           0.04
3 Kai Tsun Lam (HKg) Purapham                       0.06
 
Best Indonesian Rider
 
1 Kaswanto (Ina) Customs Cycling Club            3.07.10
2 Radius Ginting (Ina) Benteng Muda                     
3 Rochmat Nugraha (Ina) Dodol Picnic                    
 
Points classification
 
1 Michael Carter (Aus) Greenfields Fresh Milk          5 pts
2 Bastian Krol (Ned) The Jong & Laan                   5
3 Albert Primero (Phi) Casino Filipino Pro             3