Feng Chun-kai truly lives up to his title as Taiwan’s top cyclist. Yesterday, during the fifth stage of the 2013 International Tour de Taiwan in Taoyuan, he broke away from the main peloton and powered through an 85-kilometer solo effort to reclaim the King of the Mountains title and don the coveted red jersey, earning thumbs-up and praise from teammates and fans alike. Today, Feng will focus on defending his red jersey.
Feng’s Champion System team is Asia’s only UCI Continental squad, offering a higher-level competitive platform. Yesterday marked one of the team’s best displays of teamwork, with teammate Bel, the winner of the fourth stage, guiding him through the route.
Although Bel urged him to take it easy, Feng didn’t have it easy at all—he endured the 85-kilometer push, secured the first-place points at the first climb of the day, and with a cumulative 16 points, overtook Qin Chenlu of China’s Victory Team, the previous stage’s King of the Mountains, to claim the new lead.
Last year in Taoyuan, Feng Chun-kai began his reign as King of the Mountains, maintaining the title all the way until solidifying it at Guan-zi-ling in Tainan. Yesterday, he once again proved his strength to reclaim the title, smiling as he crossed the finish line with the help of his teammates.
During yesterday’s fifth stage, South Africa’s MTN-Qhubeka rider Greg Lambrecht rode solo in the final 3 kilometers of the climb, breaking away from the pack to take the stage win. Lambrecht said, “Winning this stage is incredibly exciting—it’s my first professional victory and also helped my African team achieve great results.”
Australia’s Drapac Professional Cycling rider Simon Clarke maintained his overall lead, holding onto the yellow jersey with a 28-second advantage over the rest of the field.