Stage 1 - December 16: Khao Yai National Park - Nakhon Ratchasima, 146.58 km
Selections made on first stage
By Steve Thomas in Thailand
The sun was out and the skies were blue for the first stage of this year’s Tour de Thailand. Starting from the Khao Yai National Park, to the west of Bangkok, the race will take six days to cover the 999 kilometres to the northern hill city of Chiang Mai, famous for it’s elephants and outdoor activities.
Some 81 riders lined up for the race; teams including Giant Asia, Iran, Japan, India, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia lined up against several European and Asian Continental teams, with Iranian super climber Ahad Kazemi starting as overall favourite. The first stage started high in the park, with a 10-kilometre descent, which unfortunately wiped out three of the Indian team riders almost before the race had started. As soon as the flat lands were reached, the riders hit a nasty headwind which shredded the field to bits.
Coming into the finish two riders were just a few seconds clear of a twenty plus strong lead group, which contained most of the pre-race favourites. The sprint for the first stage win and the opening leaders jersey went to Thai national team rider Prajak Mahawong, while the second half of the field trailed in some five minutes later.
Stage two will see the race hit the first real hills, which should shake things up some, possibly in the favour of the strong-climbing Iranian team.
Cyclingnews Dec. 17, 2007