Tour Team News: Astana’s Kiserlovski Most Aggressive Award

12th stage sees Astana’s Kiserlovski the ‘most aggressive rider’ prize’; Polka dot jersey and second in the team stage classification confirm Astana’s excellent form

During the mountain stages, Pro Team Astana has shown just how hard its riders can work. The star for the team on the 12th stage between Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and Annonay Davézieux was Robert Kiserlovski, who finished fifth and took the most aggressive rider prize.

Kiserlovski escaped near the start of the stage and was first over all of the day’s three climbs – two category 1 and one category 3. Robert was finally stopped in his tracks by a puncture just a few kilometres from the finish line.

Kessiakoff is still the leader in the King of the Mountains competition, with Brajkovič eighth overall and the team on the bottom step of team classification podium.

Commenting on today’s stage and his most aggressive rider victory, Kiserlovski (above) said: “Today was hard and this is not an easy prize to win. It is the third time I have been involved in a breakaway and I was paying for it a little. I also got a flat just a few kilometres from the end and my legs are tired. With races like this I prefer there to be a climb at the end, but I am satisfied in any case. I want to succeed in winning a stage and there are still three good opportunities for me to do so.”

“I am happy, since I have kept hold of the polka dot jersey,” said Kessiakoff. “Plus, Kiserlovski managed to get a few points even if his companions in the breakaway were not among the leaders in the climbers’ classification. There was no danger for me today. I kept a close eye on the riders who are near me in the classification and I am still wearing the jersey!”

Analysing today’s team performance, Giuseppe Martinelli said: “I am really sorry that we can’t manage to win a stage; we always come so close. I want to praise the lads for their courage and the fact that they have a go every day. When you are out in front, you have the chance to claim victory, but unfortunately it just hasn’t happened. We will win a stage in the end! In addition, Brajkovič is still in eight place overall and can still target a high final position.”