Points battle rules Qinghai Lake finale, while Monsalve brings home overall win

The 13-stage UCI Asia Tour’s crowning jewel was essentially already decided two days before the final stage in Zhongwei, China on Saturday.

With only two city circuit stages to go, Venezuelan Olympic cyclist Yonathan Monsalve and Colombian climbing specialist Mauricio Ortega had essentially wrapped up the yellow leaders jersey and polka-dot mountains jersey respectively, with only the final ceremony remaining to officially crown them.

The real battle on the final day of racing at the 16th Tour of Qinghai Lake (2.HC) came down to the points classification, with two-time stage winner Ahmet Örken (Torku Şekerspor) taking a seven-point lead into the 13th stage over ‘Best Asian Rider’ Yevgeniy Gidich (Vino-Astana Motors) with three intermediate sprints up for grabs.

While it was the soon-to-be Astana Pro Team stagiaire in the end who eventually took the stage win, Örken’s second place ahead of Dimension Data-bound Meron Teshome (Bike Aid) was enough to secure the green jersey and take it back home to Konya, Turkey.

“My teammates did a very good job on the front controlling the attacks,” said the 24-year-old Rio Olympian of the 111-kilometre stage featuring eight 12.2km laps following a 13.3km start. “Last 300 metres I started my sprint and a Kolss rider purposely swerved into my line. I had to go around, but lost time on Gidich, otherwise I would have won the stage. 

“That is not good for cycling, not good for sport,” Örken continued talking to Eurosport. “In the end, I am very happy with two stage wins and the green jersey, and I feel in great form for the European Championships.”

The race was an about-face for Torku, who initially was denied an invitation following last year’s results and eventual abandonment of the race. However, a last-ditch effort allowed the Turkish-registered Continental team entry — an opening the team took full advantage of over the past two weeks.

Not only did Örken take two stages, including the namesake stage on day four, and the green jersey, but fellow Turk Nazim Bakirci spent the first two days in the polka-dot jersey before Androni-bound Italian teammate Luca Chirico finished second on Stage 8.

This year my team is very strong,” Bakirci told Eurosport. “Ahmet has been brilliant and everyone on the team is very close and we have one goal to fight hard.”

Chirico agreed.

“This was a long race, but for our team it was very good,” he said. “We had polka-dot jersey to start the race, green points jersey at the end and two stages and some results along the way. It has been a very important race for us.”

One of the keys to Torku’s success has been the hiring of sports director Branko Filip, who believes his team is ready to step up to Professional Continental status.

“We did not speak of the green jersey before the race,” explained Filip. “We wanted a results — a stage win maybe — so I am super happy with the team. Our progress is amazing what we’ve done this year.

“Ahmet is a ProTour calibre rider, so his success does not surprise me,” he told Eurosport. “Now Luca gets results too and Pro Conti teams take notice. A lot of riders want to come race with us and I enjoy helping young riders grow. 

“I think our team should be considered for Pro Conti status because we have shown we deserve the upgrade. If we are here on the front and have riders fighting for wins and jerseys, then they may decide to give us a chance.

“At the Tour of Turkey in October we should be a Pro Conti team, but instead we will participate as a national team and I can’t imagine management and our sponsors would be happy with that.”

For Monsalve, who finished 20 seconds over Ortega and 24 over German Bjorn Thurau (Kuwait-Cartucho.es), his overall victory made history as his Qinghai Tianyoude team became the first local squad to field a rider to win the Qinghai Lake.

“I am very happy with the win, it was a difficult race and I could not have done it without my team,” Monsalve told Eurosport. “Tomorrow it’s going to be one very big party.”

1. Yevgeniy Gidich, KAZ, Vino-Astana Motors, 2:13:58

2. Ahmet Örken, TUR, Torku Şekerspor, s.t.

3. Meron Teshome, ERI, Bike Aid, s.t.

1. Yonathan Monsalve, VEN, Qinghai Tianyoude Cycling Team, 41:19:30

2. Mauricio Ortega, COL, RTS-Monton Racing, +0:20

3. Bjorn Thurau, GER, Kuwait-Cartucho.es, +0:24

Race leader (yellow jersey): Yonathan Monsalve, VEN, Qinghai Tianyoude Cycling Team

Points leader (green jersey): Ahmet Örken, TUR, Torku Şekerspor

Mountains leader (polka dot jersey): Mauricio Ortega, COL, RTS-Monton Racing

Best Asian rider (blue jersey): Yevgeniy Gidich, KAZ, Vino-Astana Motors

Teams classification: Kuwait-Cartucho.es, 124:18:53

For full results click here.