Kiryienka sixth in California TT
Sunday 22 May 2016 00:35, UK
Vasil Kiryienka produces an impressive time trial performance to take sixth place on the sixth stage of the Tour of California.
Vasil Kiryienka produced an impressive time trial performance to take sixth place on the sixth stage of the Tour of California.
Kiryienka - who was a late addition to the Team Sky lineup - clocked an average speed of 48.7km/h (30.3m/h) as he powered around the 20.3km course in a time of 25 minutes flat.
That proved just 44 seconds down on Rohan Dennis (BMC Racing), who took his victory with a 17-second cushion over Andrew Talansky (Cannondale).
Kiryienka had posted the fastest time at both the 13.2km checkpoint and finish line, but his spell in the hot seat lasted 13 minutes as Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing) knocked him off top spot, and the lead would change hands just two more times before Dennis emerged triumphant.
In the battle for overall honours, Julian Alaphilippe defended his golden jersey by finishing 8th on the stage, and the Etixx - Quick-Step rider leads Dennis by 16 seconds with just two stages remaining.
Elsewhere, Gianni Moscon was the second-fastest Team Sky rider home in 17th position, with Danny van Poppel 32nd, Andy Fenn 56th, Lars Petter Nordhaug 60th and Xabier Zandio 62nd.
Rasch reaction
When we caught up with Sport Director Gabriel Rasch on the way to the team hotel he revealed it had been a blustery day on the road and was content with the way events had played out.
He told us: "Kiry's a real perfectionist so he was a bit disappointed not to have finished higher, but he still did a good ride.
"He suffered a heavy fall on Tuesday and that definitely played its part, and you also have to remember he flew out here just two days before the race started.
"As for the weather, it was really windy out there and Danny and Lars Petter almost got blown off the their bikes during their runs. It was fortunate that the rain held off before the end though and we'll be good to go again tomorrow.
"That's a lumpy day before a flat run to the finish and it could be one for the breakaway. We'll try and get someone in that and then work for Danny if there is a sprint finish."
