The Ingkerreke Commercial MTB Enduro
Yellow jersey reeled in Stage 5
Media Release - Rapid Ascent - Chris Ord / 22.05.2011
And three become two...or so it could transpire as Jason English fell away in today’s Stage Five 22km time trial, leaving yellow jersey rider Andy Blair, along with Aiden Lefmann, to put the pedal down for a face-off battle up front.It was Lefmann who went harder out on his own, taking the stage win by 8 seconds in a time of 53:29. His result is rewarded with a 20 second time credit, meaning he overtakes English to be second place in the overall standings. Blair took second in 53:37 (minus his 10 second credit), but in losing time to Lefmann becomes a marked man with no clear advantage for either in the remaining stages.
“There was a lot of singletrack in today’s stage, so I knew it was a good opportunity to pick up some time,� said Lefmann. “I knew it’d be hard to pick up anything on Andy, but I thought Jase (English) would suffer a bit in this one.�
With only seventeen seconds now separating first and second, the race leader’s jersey could feasibly change hands this evening in the Stage Six night race, however Lefmann predicts the 2011 Ingkerreke Commercial MTB Enduro title will more likely be decided in tomorrow’s final stage.
“I reckon we’ll play it conservatively tonight with Andy and I working together to keep Jason at bay given night racing plays to his advantage.
“Tomorrow will be the crucial day, and it wouldn’t surprise me if it comes down to the last ten kays and a sprint finish, especially with time credits coming into play. It’ll be every man for himself.�
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