Fuglsang Secures GC in Luxembourg

Jakob Fuglsang has won the General Classification in the Tour of Luxembourg.  Also on the podium were Wout Poels and teammate Frank Schleck.  The team also earned top honors in the teams classification, marking a successful week in Luxembourg.

Most of the 154k from Mersch to old Luxembourg City was in heavy rain which forced the organizers to finalize the GC standing after the first passage of the finish line with 47k left to go.  The seven remaining laps, each 6.8k, would only designate the stage winner.

RadioShack Nissan Trek came to Luxembourg focused on winning the overall on home soil.  The team accomplished their goal in dominating fashion.  Four former race winners were in the solid lineup and they took charge from day one.  Fulsang: “The team dedicated themselves to winning, and I really have to thank them all. We had such a strong team here.  Working together on all five stages made this possible and I’m so happy it worked out for us.”

After Fulsang took the overall lead in yesterday’s stage to Differdange, the team defended the yellow with panache.  Kim Anderson:”This win is important to us.  First, we wanted to show our jersey to our home fans and second, we wanted to gain confidence ahead of the next months of racing.  So far this season has been a success for us.  This victory is a boost to us all and we hope we can continue on this rhythm in the next races.”

The fifth and final day of racing began in Mersch.  The 154k course included the Cote de Bereldange and the Cote de Glabach before heading back to the capital.  RadioShackNissanTrek controlled the pace behind the four leaders Roelandts, Stamsnijder, Casper and Gaudin, steadily reeling them back before the race passed the finish line for the first of seven laps where GC was determined.

Fuglsang: “I think the race organization made the right decision by ending the GC battle at that point.  There was a real risk of crashes and everyone was nervous to stay upright. Our team kept control of the chase behind Roelandts who was alone at the front.”  He took the stage win ahead of Ben Swift and Davide Appollonio.