Tour of Qinghai Lake - 2.HC

China, July 11-20, 2008

Photography

Stage 10 - July 20: XN Circuit Race, 110 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Mark Gunter/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• The jersey holders await the start out the front.
• The riders snake their way around the course.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) played it safe today staying near the front.
• Marco Polo did a lot out the front despite only having three team members.
• The bunch round a bend.
• The break on the wide streets of Xining.
• Skil-Shimano was keen for a win the finish the tour off with.
• PSK Whirlpool also had a turn on the front.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) on his way to overall victory.
• With one lap remaining the favourites were getting prepared, but Denmark was no where to be seen.
• Alex Rasmussen (Denmark) came through with the goods again to take a strong win.
• Although keeping in touch with the leaders all tour Dave McCann (Giant Asia) couldn't crack his opponents.
• Bill Clinch from Australia prepares his notes for the presentation.
• The crowds were out in force today. What better way to spend a Sunday.
• Although not finishing in yellow Hossein Askari (Tabriz) seemed happy to have the Asian jersey.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) speaks to the press.
• The final stage podium.
• Hossein Askari (Tabriz) celebrates in the Asian leader’s jersey.
• Ahad Kazemi (Tabriz) in the Polka Dot jersey.
• A young fan keeps his eyes on the presentation ceremonies.
• Alex Rasmussen (Denmark), a deserved winner of the Sprint jersey.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) lets loose with the champagne.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) was pleased with his overall win after a tough ten days in the saddle.

Stage 9 - July 19: Menyuan - Huzhu, 168.1 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Mark Gunter/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• The local band boys were there at the start of stage 9.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) signs on.
• The powerful Denmark team, in China for some pre Olympic Games racing.
• Fumiyuki Beppu (Skil-Shimano) awaits the start of the delayed days racing.
• Perutnina from Slovenia are having a great tour.
• The race gets underway bellow some main street decorations.
• Picture perfect scenery.
• The nine riders in the break make their way.
• Some local farmers give their encouragement.
• The break on the approach to the climb.
• Serramenti went to the front of the main group as they neared the main climb.
• Fumiyuki Beppu (Skil-Shimano) looks for the others as they start climbing.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) was near the front as the climb began, and looked comfortable.
• Switchback delight.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) was still looking strong as they neared the peak.
• Marek Rutkiewicz (Poland) was hanging in there, but was struggling.
• Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing) was there to look after Hamilton.
• Hossien Askari (Tabriz) went on the attack, but to no avail.
• The yellow jersey was near the front after the descent.
• Kristjan Fajt (Perutnina) takes a look at his opposition.
• Jure Kocjan (Perutnina) on his way to a strong win.
• Jure Kocjan (Perutnina) applauds his win.
• Jure Kocjan (Perutnina) relaxes at the finish.
• Kristjan Fajt (Perutnina) is furious after being directed the wrong way, with a win a certainty.
• Kristjan Fajt (Perutnina) voices his concerns to his manager.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) celebrates on the podium.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) throws the flowers into the crowd.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) with a few souvenirs in his back pocket.

Stage 8 - July 18: Xining - Menyuan, 150.8 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Mark Gunter/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• Gabriele Missaglia (Serramenti ) relaxes before an important day in the saddle.
• The peloton on the flatter part of the stage.
• Marco Polo took to the front to reel back the escape.
• Some curious farmers came out to see the action.
• On the lower slopes the intensity was showing for the back markers.
• The peloton cross a bridge before the real climbing began.
• The break were the first to see what was ahead.
• Sergey Rudaskov (Collstrop) went to the front of the break.
• Gabriele Missaglia (Serramenti) leads the main group as they head upwards.
• Marek Rutkiewicz (Poland) leads the race two thirds up the climb.
• The lead group head to the clouds.
• Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing) leads the main chase group.
• Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing) and Marek Rutkiewicz (Poland) descend into the valley below.
• The scenery was great, but there was no time for sight seeing today.
• With Hamilton (Rock Racing) and Rutkiewicz (Poland) away the chasers were wasting time by arguing.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) leads with 15km to go.
• Matej Stare (Perutnina) went alone to try and reach the leaders.
• The leaders were looking good with 10km to go.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) takes his first win since 2004. He now leads the overall classification by 10 seconds.
• Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing) congratulates Hamilton on his win.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) after the race.
• Matej Stare (Perutnina) is congratulated after his big effort in the closing kilometres.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) sprays the champagne.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) is in a good position to take out the overall honours.

Stage 7 - July 17: Xining - Minhe-Ledu-Pingan - Xining, 214 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Mark Gunter/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• Alex Rasmussen (Denmark) signs on, to what could be another win for him.
• The Aussie boys posing for the camera.
• Robert Wagner (Skil-Shimano) relaxes before the start of today’s stage.
• the start line with yellow jersey wearer Hossein Askari (Tabriz PET) at the front.
• Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing) makes some adjustments in the neutral zone.
• Making their intentions noticed straight away, Perutnina attack right from the start.
• Half the race was on the freeway for stage 07.
• Bartosz Huzarski (Poland) and Martyn Irvine (Pezula) on the attack.
• The stage was flat but a reminder of the hills to come were not far away.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) has a chat with his manager.
• The three escapees exit a tunnel.
• The peloton ride past a factory at the half way point.
• Christensen Morkov (Denmark) leads the break.
• The race was held under blue skies for stage 07.
• Yellow jersey wearer Hossein Askari (Tabriz PET) stayed safe in the bunch.
• The peloton stretched out in pursuit of the escape group.
• The Tabriz PET team went to the front to make sure the escape was caught.
• The escape with around 25km to go.
• The peloton make their way up a small rise.
• With the escape in sight Perutnina took the reigns.
• The sprint, with Tom Veelers (Skil-Shimano) out wide.
• Tom Veelers (Skil-Shimano) celebrates his win.
• Tom Veelers (Skil-Shimano) is congratulated back at the team car.
• Tom Veelers (Skil-Shimano) was pretty happy with his win.
• The stage place getters have a chat on the podium.
• Hossein Askari (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) in the Asian Jersey.
• KOM jersey wearer Ahad Kazemi (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) on the podium.
• Alex Rasmussen (Denmark) in the sprinters jersey.
• A humble leader Hossein Askari (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) on the podium.

Stage 6 - July 16: Guide - Xining, 115 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Mark Gunter/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• A Qinghai China team member gears up for a wet day in the hills.
• The start area.
• The peloton make their way through the arid landscape before the climb started.
• The peloton with an insight to where they were heading.
• Freddy Rodriguez (Rock Racing) waits for team mate Tyler Hamilton after his mechanical early on.
• Thierry Hupond (Skil-Shimano) had a burst of speed early on, but was soon reeled in.
• The peloton rode through some scenic country side today.
• Plenty of towns folk came out to see the riders.
• Looking down to the riders at the base of the climb.
• A small group broke away as they started to ascend.
• It all looked peaceful, but for the riders it was certainly not.
• Gabriele Missaglia (Serramenti) has been quit so far this race, but is not far off the GC lead.
• The riders make their way up, to nearly 4000m.
• The leading trio included Ahad Kazemi with Ghader Mizbani (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) and Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing).
• Lucas Persson (Collstrop) struggled up the climb and lost his Polka Dot jersey today.
• The main group on the middle slopes.
• Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing) was keeping an eye on leader Hossein Askari (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) just ahead of the main group.
• Ghader Mizbani (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) in front of the leading trio.
• Marek Rutkiewwicz (Poland) takes the win in front of Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing).
• Marek Rutkiewwicz (Poland) tells his team mates of the final sprint.
• Ghader Mizbani (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) talks to Hossein Askari (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) on how they didn’t win the stage.
• Hossein Askari (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) enters the podium to receive the Asian Classification jersey.
• Ahad Kazemi (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) is the new KOM leader.
• Alex Rasmussen (Denmark) retained the Sprint jersey.
• Hossein Askari (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) looking splendid in yellow.
• Hossein Askari (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) leaves the podium, another day in yellow.

Stage 5 - July 15: Xihaizhen - Guide County, 172.4 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Mark Gunter/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• The race was under with sunny skies today.
• The school kids were out in force.
• The flowers thought it was a nice day as well.
• Lucas Persson (Collstrop) on the lower slopes of the climb.
• Kristjan Fajt (Perutnina Ptuj) took off on his own, to try and reach the lead group.
• The climb was impressive, nearly reaching 4000m.
• Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing) was looking strong.
• The riders started to spread out as they ascended.
• Sergey Rudaskov (Collstrop) went out on his own, half way up the climb.
• A great day for racing, after the last two days with wind and rain.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) leads Lucas Persson (Cycle Collstrop).
• Hossein Askari (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) was looking strong, with several team mates close by.
• Ahad Kazemi (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) reached the top first.
• Hossein Askari (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) and six others joined together just before the descent.
• Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing) leads the front group on the descent.
• The riders rode through some arid terrain on the run in to Guide.
• Driving hard, the lead group were working hard to hold of the others.
• When the leaders were caught, Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) went to the front in chase of Volodymyr Zagorodnyy (Ukraine).
• Volodymyr Zagorodnyy (Ukraine) took off with around 15km to go.
• Volodymyr Zagorodnyy (Ukraine) takes a brave win.
• The race for second and third place.
• The place getters.
• Hossein Askari (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) retained his Asian jersey.
• Lucas Persson (Collstrop) on the podium in his Polka Dot jersey.
• Alex Rasmussen (Denmark) had a bit of fun on the podium when he received his Sprinters jersey.
• Hossein Askari (Tabriz Petrochemical Team) sprays the champagne as the new leader of the tour.

Stage 3 - July 13: Qinghai Lake Hotel - Bird Island, 120.6 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Mark Gunter/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• the riders sign on in the rain.
• While still impressive the yellow rapeseed wasn’t as good this year due to the rain.
• The peloton rode under stormy skies this morning.
• The break of the day passes through a colourful display.
• The peloton continue their sojourn of Qinghai Lake.
• Yellow jersey wearer Alex Rasmussen (Denmark).
• Denmark seemed keen to hold onto the yellow jersey, and set out for the escape duo.
• Olekssandr Kvachuk (Ukraine) and Kristian Fajt (Perutnina PTU) worked well together.
• Crosswinds came into play splitting the peloton into three groups.
• Commissaries Phillip Marien watches over the riders.
• The second group head past some Tibetan flags on the shore of Qinghai Lake.
• Full steam ahead Rock Racing were keen for a win today, and actively chasing the break with 15km to go.
• The KOM passed under some Tibetan prayer flags.
• Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing) out front and working hard.
• Kristian Fajt (Perutnina PTU) was joined by Hossein Askari ((Tabriz PET). It looked promising that they would hold off the bunch.
• Kristian Fajt (Perutnina PTU) takes out his biggest win to date.
• Kristian Fajt (Perutnina PTU) is congratulated by his team.
• Kristian Fajt (Perutnina PTU) being interviewed by foreign and local media.
• one funky monk.
• Hey what’s going on here?
• Bird Island locals came to see what all the fuss was about.
• One of the podium girls waits patiently for the ceremony to begin.
• Today’s place getters pose for a picture.
• Hossein Askari (Tabrix PET) is the new Asian leader.
• Lucas Persson (Collstrop) lets the champers fly in his new jersey.
• Kristian Fajt (Perutnina PTU) salutes the crowd after a well deserved win.
• Kristian Fajt (Perutnina PTU) wonders what tomorrow will bring.

Stage 2 - July 12: Xining - Qinghai Lake Hotel, 145.5 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Mark Gunter/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• Perutnina PTU looked ready to race this morning.
• Denmark manager Heiko Salzwedel talks tactics with the team.
• The peloton roll out of Xining.
• The peloton pass through downtown Xining.
• The early break included Lucas Persson (Collstrop) and Hossein Jahabanian (Tabriz PET).
• Denmark was on front before the climbing started.
• The peloton on the lower slopes.
• Denmark was keen to keep the yellow jersey today.
• The two man break head to the hills.
• The peloton ride through terrain that has made this race known for.
• The peloton under some higher ground.
• Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing) leading over the top of the climb in chase of the break.
• The locals came out despite the cool temperatures.
• The break going for gold but they would soon be caught will 30km to go.
• The main group in hot pursuit.
• Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing) was looking good, but was unaware of his fate to come.
• With 20km to go Denmark was back on the front.
• The peloton catch a glimpse of Qinghai Lake.
• With 7km to go it was any ones guess who would take the win.
• Alex Rasmussen (Denmark) makes it two from two.
• Hossein Nateghi (Perutnina PTU) is the new Asian Leader.
• Lucas Persson (Cycle Collstrop) in the KOM jersey.
• Alex Rasmussen (Denmark) retained the sprint jersey.
• Alex Rasmussen (Denmark) is starting to enjoy winning this race.

Stage 1 - July 11: Xining prologue, 3.8 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Mark Gunter/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) explaining to the officials how his bars are legal.
• Daniel Kreutzfeldt (Denmark) rode into 31st place.
• Jackson Rodriguez (Serramenti DIQ) heads off during his ride.
• There was plenty of security today with police and military lining the whole course.
• Fu Yu Li (Marco Polo) would be hoping for a good race this year after doing well last year.
• A few locals came out to see the action.
• David McCann (Giant Asia) rode well taking out second place.
• Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) didn’t rate today, but is sure to improve as the race develops.
• Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing) in full flight and riding into third place.
• Joseph Lewis (FRF Couriers) had a great ride, with a time of 4.22.56 to put him in 7th overall.
• Alex Rasmussen (Denmark) easily won today, with a 10 second gap to second place.
• Last years winner Gabriele Missaglia (Serramenti DIQ) was last to leave the start ramp today. He managed ninth place.
• Alex Rasmussen (Denmark) looked a bit tired after his ride, but the effort was well worth it.
• Alex Rasmussen (Denmark) warms down on the rollers with plenty of spectators checking out the winner.
• Local boy Ji Xitao (China Marida) celebrates in style taking the Asian Riders Jersey.
• Alex Rasmussen (Denmark) gets a hand putting the leader’s jersey on.
• Alex Rasmussen (Denmark) lets the bubbly flow.
• Ji Xitao (China Marida) took 10th overall, and the Asian Leaders Jersey.
• Gregor Gazvoda (Perutnina PTU) finished in sixth place.
• Michael Creed (Rock Racing) came in fifth, 16 seconds down.
• Casper Jorgensen (Denmark) looked strong to finish in eighth place.
• Charles Huff (Jelly Belly) just missed out on the podium to take fourth.