Therefore gambled Edvald – Dagbladet.no

(procycling.no): There were going according to plan for MTN-QHUBEKA and Edvald Boasson Hagen on the toughest stage of the Tour of Britain.

• Also read: Boasson Hagen retrieved 100 meters from the line

– Were you sure of keeping up with the best climbers here?

– Sure, I was not, but I sat well with and got some help from the wind on the way. I was well positioned in front of the ground, so team did a good job there, said Boasson Hagen to procycling.no.

Proven rising VM-form

28-year-old has won the Tour of Britain before but climbing up to Hartside Pass he had never sharpened at before.

It was obvious that the passport Gudbrandsdølen well.

– It was a nice hill for me. It was smooth and there was not a speiselt steep climb (five percent on average over eight kilometers, our note.). It was fun to be with completely up ahead, and it proves that the shape is good.

The timing is impeccable two and a half weeks before the mass start in Richmond.

Attacks appeared in side wind

Thursday’s finish was added to an open hillside just over 580 meters above the ground. Wind conditions played obviously a role.

Initially, the wind came from the side and cons, and it helped Boasson Hagen in the attempt to stand against Wout Poels, Steven Kruijswijk and beñat intxausti.

Boasson Hagen was forced to close the gap on Kruijswijk and Poels on their own. Then started the tactical game and numerous attacks from Sky rider.

On the last kilometers wind came opposite, but Boasson Hagen gambled anyway to attack in the small favorite group.

– I knew it was a headwind at the top, and there was not much speed in the group when we drove up. A little earlier I attack when there was wind from the side. I saw the finish further along, hoping that he (Wout Poels) would struggle more than he did, but obviously he had more strength left, said Boasson Hagen who had to endure being overtaken by Sky rider on the last 100 meters.

Now MTN defend the jersey

With one second he took the overall lead in the race.

To retrieve extra seconds contenders was the motivation to go all in on the last few kilometers.

– I had to run to get the most seconds. I would have liked the win, but Poels was too strong today, he sums up.

– He is now second behind you in the summary?

– Yes but I want to beat him in a sprint. There are others I care more for, but I have not had time to study the standings yet, said Boasson Hagen on the way down to Friday’s start port, Stoke-on-Trent.

Tactical sets could it might have been just fine if the Dutchman won the jersey, on Thursday.

– This would require so, they have taken responsibility, but we will work hard to defend this. It’s worth it, says 28-year-old.

PS It remains three stages of the Tour of Britain. Boasson Hagen won the race even back in 2009.