Tinkoff-Saxo’s GC captain and Danish time trial champion Chris Juul-Jensen rose to the occasion in Tour of Denmark to claim the overall lead on the penultimate day of racing. Juul-Jensen placed 2nd in the intensive TT and now leads by 45 seconds. “I’m happy to have this team around me tomorrow”, says the race leader going into the last day of racing. 

After crossing the finish line, Chris Juul-Jensen circled around the finish area until he received the final notion confirming his race lead. Before ascending the podium to pull on the leader’s jersey, Chris Juul explained:

“It’s great to be able to pull on the yellow leader’s jersey with just one day to go. It was a hard time trial, short but very intensive, and I had to fight from the start but that was of course the same for everybody. It was crucial to find a good rhythm from the start and try to keep it to the end. I didn’t get the win but I came sort of close and the yellow jersey was the main goal”, says the Danish TT champion, who finished 2nd, 15 seconds off the win on the 13.6km time trial.

“It’s unfortunate for Lars Bak that he had a puncture, from what I hear I had gained enough time already but it’s still a pity for him. I’ve felt good throughout the week, however we’ve spent energy riding at the front and I’ve supported Matti, who has gained two stage wins. Right now, I’m very happy to have such a strong team to back me on the final stage. But we definitely can’t rest yet, as a lot can and will happen on the final stage in Copenhagen tomorrow”, adds Juul-Jensen, who leads the Tour of Denmark by 45 seconds over Lars Bak.

Stage 5 consisted of 13.6 fast kilometers. Sports Director Lars Michaelsen notes that the effort made on the previous stages, where Matti Breschel claimed two stage wins, adds significance to Chris Juul’s current race lead.

“Chris Juul is a strong rider and he rode a very good time trial today. I think it’s well earned that he can pull on the leader’s jersey today. He was second after Wurtz, who was better on the day. But we have to remember that Chris hasn’t had a quiet day, as he has played a very crucial role in both of Matti’s stage wins. I’m proud of our squads work so far and now we have to finish it off on the final stage tomorrow. It has been a team effort so far and it has to stay that way until the end”, tells Lars Michaelsen before adding about tomorrow’s concluding stage.

“Chris has a 45 second lead now, but as I’ve said many times, it’s never over until you cross the last finish line. There is no resting on the laurels. We’ll see a stage tomorrow, where many riders will try to fight for the stage win and for the general classification. It’s obvious that we need to make a last big effort to control the stage and the lead Chris has. There is no doubt that a lot of people would be glad to see Chris take this win, especially against such a strong competition”.

Tinkoff-Saxo also holds the lead in the team classification, while double stage winner Matti Breschel tops the points classification.