For Immediate Release
Nirwana Gardens Beach Resort, Bintan Island
November 10th, 2013
Please credit Jennifer Carruthers for photos used online
Complete 2013 Results can be found here.
Direct Asia.com’s Fred Clatworthy took a fine win from a late breakaway on the last day to salvage the team campaign in Bintan. Specialized Confero Mavericks Ben Arnott finished second position just ahead of Cannasia-Cannondale’s Kristjan Snorrason.
The late breakaway succeeded in staying away, however due to Specialized Taylor Price’s efforts at the front of the peloton in the last 8km, limited the time gaps to less than 30 seconds and this was enough to keep the top three on general classification unchanged with the overall win for the 2013 Tour de Bintan going to Anza Cycling’s Pierre-Alain Scherwey followed by Taylor Price in second place. Tjarco Cuppens (Lapierre Asia Cycling) finished in third overall. Specialized Confero Mavericks Bastian Dohling and Trek Asia’s Shinobu Noguchi from Japan rounded out the top five.
In the sprint classification, Indonesian rider Tedi Andrian Saputra (ISSI Bintan) won another intermediate sprint to take maximum points and retain the green jersey for the overall. James Pretty (Cannasia-Cannondale) won maximum points for the second intermediate sprint to finish second on the sprint ace classification ahead of David Johnson (Trek Asia). Tjarco Cuppens took out the polka dot KOM jersey with a fine display of consistent power climbing.
Riders lined up outside the Nirwana Gardens Beach resort to start racing at 7am, and from the beginning the rain just kept pouring down yet it did not dampen the racers spirit. The peloton again did not allow any breakaways to get established till just before the first sprint ace, a breakaway of four riders was allowed to roll away before getting caught at the base of the last KOM climb. For much of the climb, riders were riding together in tight formation and it was not till the last 500m of the climb that it became single-file as riders were desperately fighting to remain in contact. On the descent after the KOM, the late winning breakaway formed with just 10km remaining of the 107km stage. Fred Clatworthy (DirectAsia.com) jumped away with Ben Arnott (Confero Mavericks), and Kristjan Snorrason (Cannasia) bridged across to form the winning move. The trio worked seamlessly together, putting time on a peloton that did not mount any organized chase; it was only Taylor Price (Specialized) who felt the urgency to keep the dangerous move in check. Price had limited help from Andre Jobmann (Cannondale) and was on the front driving the pace for the last 8km to limit the time gaps to ensure his GC position would remain intact. Price’s efforts ensured the top five on GC remained unchanged. Tjarco Cuppens won the sprint for 5th place ahead of Matthew Boys and Daniel Carruthers.
DirectAsia.com emerged as the winning team for the overall team category despite their best riders being in 12th and 13th position. Their team success was based on Fred Clatworthy’s fifth position in the individual time trial and his stage three win on the final day.
In the category two field, Specialized Confero Mavericks Brian Johnsen won back the yellow jersey he had gained from day one’s 12km individual time trial and was a deserving overall winner for the 2013 edition ahead of Michael Duane (Genting Grupetto) and Rupert Griffiths (SIR Cycling Hong Kong).
Rowdie Loughlin (SIR Cycling) took out the Sprint Ace classification ahead of Mohamed Fadzli Bin Hayof (Bike 360 Racing) and Steffen Andresen (Sitecore SEA).
The 2013 Tour de Bintan, despite the constant rain, was a success with more than 1,000 competitors taking part, with more than 600 riders taking part in the three Gran Fondos on offer. Riders were commenting that due to the cooler weather conditions the rain brought, it made for more bearable racing with riders not finishing due to overheating. The wet roads also tested riders handling abilities and for the most part, the pelotons rode safely despite water covering the road surface. Many of the local fans braved the weather conditions to be outside, waving their Indonesian flags and cheering riders on; it was a highlight of the day for many of the local fans to witness the Tour de Bintan spectacle flash by; perhaps some of them will be motivated to become future cyclists. Sports tourism is one of the key strategies of the Indonesian Tourism Board, and the Tour de Bintan event is one such event that helps fulfill their objectives in showcasing Indonesia as a sports tourism destination. Beach resort accommodations at the Nirwana Gardens make for a tranquil relaxing spot for riders recovering in-between stages.
Category 1 podium for the overall General Classification: (from left to right) third placed Tjarco Cuppens (Lappierre Asia), Yellow Jersey wearer is Pierre-Alain Scherwey, second place is Taylor Price (Specialized).
The Champagne is flowing for the women’s podium GC place-getters, from left to right: Veronique Florizoone (Confero Mavericks) Yellow jersey winner, Rebecca Mackey and Tina Haugbro.
