Tour Team News: Vinokurov shows his class for Astana

Brajkovič remains eighth in general classification while Kessiakoff now four points adrift in climbers’ classification

Alexandr Vinokurov’s class was once again evident in today’s queen stage of the Tour de France, with the Kazakh rider featuring in an early breakaway and crossing the line in fourth place. Meanwhile, Jani Brajkovič valiantly held on to his position in the general classification and Pro Team Astana also returned to the bottom stop of the podium in the team classification.

Kessiakoff was another who featured in the day’s break. However, after scaling the Col d’Aubisque at the head of the group, he struggled on the Tourmalet and could not keep up with Voeckler, missing out on the points in the following two categorised climbs.

Speaking soon after the stage, Alexandr Vinokurov said: “I gave everything to get a win and defend Kessiakoff’s polka dot jersey, but unfortunately Voeckler was unstoppable today.”
Jani Brajkovič added: “Today’s stage was really hard – the hardest so far in this Tour. I started to suffer when Basso went to the front to set the pace, but I held on tight and managed to defend my position in the general classification.”

“Today was five and a half hours of suffering,” said Fredrik Kessiakoff. “I was aiming to get maximum points in the first two climbs – the Col d’Aubisque and the Tourmalet – and instead I came second and fourth, with Voeckler managing to get all the points available for the stage. I hope he will be a bit more tired than me after today. Tomorrow I will come out fighting to win back the jersey!”

Looking back on the stage overall, Team Manager Giuseppe Martinelli said: “Brajkovič did well and defended his position in the general classification; being in the top ten at the Tour is a good result. Vinokurov was exceptional, with a real show of pride and class that only champions are capable of. I am sure he is not satisfied with fourth place and will try again before we get to Paris.”