Michael Torckler solos to another victory
28 November 2011
Michael Torckler solos to another victory
Taupo 26 November 2011 – Michael Torckler continued his impressive form as he continued his come back from injury to add the Taupo Cycle Challenge to his recent victory in the K2. He was followed home by teammate Mike Northey who took 2nd to go with his 3rd place in the Criterium last night. Alex Ray won the Criterium in a sprint finish last night, which after Mike Torcklers victory in the road race continues PureBlack’s domination of this event from last year.
With 7 riders from the PureBlack pro team and 4 riders from the development squad on the start line today we expected to be in the middle of all the action. An early crash split the peloton in half and in the windy conditions largely put paid to last years champion Roman Van Uden. When a break of 11 riders made the selection 5 PureBlack riders were right there – Michael Torckler, Mike Northey, Alex Ray, Taylor Gunman and and Dion Smith. Michael then attacked the lead group going solo off the front with 80km to go. Shortly after he was joined by Joe Cooper. The 2 of them stayed away and Michael attacked again on the Hautepe hill leaving Joe behind and setting off for a solo victory by a massive 2 and ½ minutes. Mike Northey overtook Joe on the final climb to come through to finish in 2nd.
“I felt great out there today, I knew I had to attack on the hills today if I was going to have any chance of getting away from the sprinters and the flat run into the finish line” said Michael. “Michael has come back from a terrible knee injury this year which meant he missed our whole US campaign” said Greg Cross, Business Director of PureBlack. “All the guys on the team have huge admiration and respect for the way he has worked through his rehabilitation program and come back with some amazing form and some huge solo results in K2 and now here in Taupo. We are certainly looking forward to having Michael with PureBlack for our 2012 campaign.”
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