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Stage 8: Deho Defends the Leaders Jersey

Cory Wallace / 12.08.2011

The start of the stage was hard as Craig Richey, Thom Skinner (NOP Systems- BC Bike Race) and myself (Kona) attacked Deho repeatedly to see if he was worthy of wearing the Pink leaders jersey. With a 24 minute cushion to myself in 2nd place it would take a small miracle to get the jersey back, but we figured we would put the pressure on the Italian and cross our fingers he would either hit a Yak or ride into a raging river.

Going into the first KOM climb of the day, Craig and Thom blocked Deho as I attacked off the other side opening up a small gap. The next 8 minutes going up the climb were enough to make me almost lose my breakfast as Deho yo-yoed off my back wheel. By the top we were both laboring hard and a little wobbly on our bikes.

The next 80 km were spent trying to get the Italian off my back wheel but this was to no avail. After taking the second KOM climb, I stopped at the feed zone to grab some bottles, Deho roared by and then for the next hour I was dangling 1 minute behind him. I would pay for my earlier efforts in the stage as Deho would open up his gap to 3:30 minutes by the third feed zone and then in the last 20 km the wheels came off a little and Deho came across the line around 10 minutes ahead.

Further back, Craig Richey was riding with a couple of Australians and a Spaniard. The four of them rode well together throughout the day and had a wild sprint finish for 3rd as there was a river crossing just 100 meters from the finish line. Craig and one of the Aussies, Rohin, hit the river hard with Craig coming out of the whitewash first to claim the last podium spot.

Even further back some riders decided to make the most of there time here in Mongolia and added 10 km onto their rides. One delirious rider rode over the course flagging tape blocking a road, and soon 20 other riders followed him. Luckily one of the pilgrim race vans tracked them down and directed them back on course.

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