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Pint Size Bates Delivers On A Grand Scale
Drapac
Porsche Cycling's Gene Bates rode courageously all day, taking third
place and winning the King of the Mountains classification in the UCI
1.1 race from Halle to Ingooigem.
Bates who attacked with two other cyclists in the first 10 kilometres of
the 198 kilometre race said he was surprised that the peloton allowed
the break to get such a lead.
"Even though our lead got out to over 10 minutes it wasn't until the
last 50 kilometres that I actually believed we had a chance at holding
off the peloton," said Bates.
"It was one of the hardest days of my life," said an exhausted Bates at
the finish line. "This is one of the best results of my career and a
credit to the Drapac Porsche program."
"It is great to be able to perform at such a big race for myself but
more so for the team. I would not be able to continue my cycling as well
as complete my university degree without their support," said the little
man from Adelaide.
Bates was joined in the break by fellow Australian and recent graduate
from Drapac Porsche Mitchell Docker [Skil-Shimano] as well as eventual
winner Jurgen Vandewalle [Quickstep].
Drapac Porsche Cycling Directeur Sportif Agostino Giramondo said it is
amazing to be on the podium two years in a row.
"This morning at our team meeting we decided that we needed to make sure
we were represented in the early break. Gene got away almost straight
away and the race unfolded from there," said Giramondo.
"I could tell Gene was starting to struggle with 40 kilometres to go but
he did a great job and hung in there for an excellent result," explained
a very satisfied Director. "It is a great feeling when you put a plan in
place and it comes off."
The high profile Halle Ingooigem is renowned to attract the major teams
and riders who use the race as a lead up to the Tour de France.
The Drapac Porsche team have a short break from racing over the next
week before tackling the second month of their European Campaign
starting with a the Belgian Pro Kermese in Vilvoorde on the 7 July.
Article adapted from
http://www.drapaccycling.com/
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