SAXO BANK CONQUERS DANISH NATIONAL TT PODIUM

Team Saxo Bank’s Michael Mørkøv, André Steensen, Frank Høj, Chris Anker Sørensen, Jakob Fuglsang and Alex Rasmussen participated in the Danish national time trial championships. A battle against time on a hilly course over 40 kilometers where defending champion, Lars Bak (Team Columbia) was the obvious favorite to claim another win in the most demanding discipline in the world of road cycling.

 However, Team Saxo Bank’s Jakob Fuglsang just did an impressive time trial during Tour de Suisse which gave him a third place overall. Teammate, Alex Rasmussen has on several occasions shown his worth as a time trialist and could be counted as a sure contender for the podium.

 But first, Team Saxo Bank’s Michael Mørkøv stole the picture and in a unique and elegant style combined with raw power, he threw the bike across the finish line in best time so far.

 Later, teammates Alex Rasmussen and Jakob Fuglsang hit the road and they took turns setting a new best time in the intermediates. On the finish line, the Danish Tour de France-debutant Jakob Fuglsang was the fastest of the bunch. Team Saxo Bank thereby conquered all three steps of the podium with Jakob Fuglsang, Alex Rasmussen and Michael Mørkøv.

 Here are some reactions:

 ”I found a good pace from the start and I made sure not to overdo it on the climbs so I was able to keep the pace on top of the hills. Actually, I would have been pleased by finishing in the top five today, so this result is surprising even though I really feel I have become a whole lot better this year in general”, says third place holder, Michael Mørkøv after the race.

 “The sports director gave me Alex’ intermediates on the course. First, I was three seconds ahead of him. Then I was only two seconds ahead and from then on, I was highly motivated to keep moving and keep pushing myself as I knew we were very close,” said the new Danish national time trial champion.

 ”Naturally, I’m happy and proud to be able to fill the podium with our riders. Alex and Jakob are expectedly going strong and they really deliver a great performance today. But it is truly remarkable to see Michael (Mørkøv) is now among the three best riders in the country. He did a great job and it only confirms that our work with the riders pays off,” said teamowner Bjarne Riis.