Vink finishes commendable fifth in prestigious tour in Germany

Christchurch cyclist Michael Vink has finished a commendable fifth place in the week-long International Thuringen Rundfahrt in Germany.

The prestigious Under-23 Tour attracted national teams from 12 countries as well as development squads from several professional teams.

Vink made his mark with a third placing on the opening prologue and remained in yellow jersey contention for much of the week, supported by his fellow BikeNZ teammates. He is part of the BikeNZ endurance track squad who are based in Belgium for racing and training on the track and road.

The final 158km stage was won in a bunch sprint by 2011 junior world omnium champion Caleb Ewan (AUS), his second stage win of the tour.

Vink finished in the peloton with the same time as the winner as did teammate Pieter Bulling (Invercargill).

Dutchman Dylan van Baarle, who has been signed to join Garmin-Sharp on the World Pro Tour next year, held on to claim the overall honours by just three seconds from Australian Damien Howson.

Vink finished in fifth place overall, 49 seconds behind van Baarle, on the back of outstanding form and some strong support work from his teammates.

The squad return to their base in Belgium and next week begin a block of track training at the velodrome in Ghent.

Results:
Stage 7: Caleb Ewan (AUS) 3:48.05, 1; Magnus Nielsen (DEN) same time, 2;
Owain Doull (GER) st, 3. Also New Zealanders: Michael Vink st, 31; Pieter
Bulling st 34; Hamish Schreurs at 4:33, 87. DNF: Josh Atkins, Cameron
Karwowski, Hayden McCormick.

Overall: Dylan van Baarle (NED) 25:36.36, 1; Lasse Norman Hansen (DEN) at
3sec, 2; Damien Howson (AUS) at 22s, 3. Also NZers: Michael Vink at 49s, 5;
Bulling at 43.04, 75; Schreurs at 56.38, 85.