Fredrik Kessiakoff in the King of the Mountain’s jersey

Swedish rider is on the podium at the Tour de France but drops back in the final 20 km of stage 8

July 8th, 2012 – Astana’s Fredrik Kessiakoff has taken over the leading climber’s polka dot jersey at the Tour de France. The Swedish rider set off in a breakaway, the last part of which he was alone for, and won the combativity award for the eighth stage.

Pro Team Astana featured heavily from the outset of the stage, bringing back the first attempted break and then putting Fofonov into the initial counter attack, followed by Kessiakoff and Kiserlovski with over 100 km to the line. Kessiakoff starred in a long break as the stage continued, firstly with the French rider Roy and then, with 60 km still remaining, a lone attack.

Fredrik saw his hopes for the stage win dashed in the closing stretch of the first category Col de la Croix, when he was caught and passed by Pinot. The Swede attempted to close the gap in the following descent, but fell short and finished the stage 12th.

“With 30 km to go, we thought he could do it,” said Astana Team Manager Giuseppe Martinelli. “Kessiakoff was peddling really well and there were all the signs that he could win. Unfortunately it was not to be. It always leaves a bitter taste when you come so close and cannot make it yours.

“The team did great work today: we didn’t get in the initial break but immediately closed it down. Then we counter attacked and came so close to the win. In any case, Kessiakoff won the polka dot jersey, one of the symbols of the Tour and I want to thank him for his great show of courage.

Tomorrow we have got the Besançon time trial. Brajkovič could put in a good performance and maybe gain a few places in the general classification.”