Qilian, Qinghai, China – After descending at breakneck speeds from dizzying heights that reached upwards of 4,120 meters in Qilian, longtime UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team member, Robert Förster, crossed the finish line first and a full bike length ahead of runner up, Serhiy Grechyn (Konya Torku Seker Sport) and third place finisher, Lampre-Merida's Massimo Graziato to win Stage 6 of the Tour of Qinghai Lake. Aided by teammate Jonny Clarke's monster effort in the final few kilometers of the 205km race from Xihaizahen to Qilian, Förster launched his final sprint at just the right time and blazed to victory after 4 hours and 52 minutes in the saddle.
"Today's stage was not an easy one," said General Manager and Team Director, Mike Tamayo. "Robert climbed well and was the only sprinter to make the smaller group we saw come to the line. I'm proud of the boys' effort today and it is great to see Robert get the win for us."
A group of 25 riders splintered off in the final descent that plummeted from 4,120m to 2,737m in the final 20km. A minute behind that lead group, Förster battled his way back inside the last few kilometers to join it and found teammate Jonny Clarke there.
Clarke was instrumental in shepherding Förster to the finish, covering any attempted breaks and setting the pace. Afterward, Clarke talked Förster's effort and the team's work on the stage.
"Frösi's win was awesome," said an elated Clarke. "This was perhaps the hardest stage of the Tour and he was flying! I stayed in the front on the last climb. Frösi got back with 5km to go, so I went full gas to 1km to go to keep it together. Then, Frösi did his thing in the sprint and showed everyone just how strong he is."
Förster's win marked a spectacular return to the podium for the world-class sprinter from Germany. Having finished in 5th place in Stage 4 and 8th place in Stage 5, he talked about the final climb and what it took to win the tour's sixth stage.
"We started the last climb with only 60 guys," Förster said. "I was able to come over the climb two minutes behind the first group and in 50th position. The next 35km was downhill, so I fought hard and went full gas. I was able to pass some riders and kept going. A few kilometers later, I was in the first group of 25 riders. I looked over at Jonny and he couldn't believe I was back! Jonny rode in the front for the last 3.5km and kept the pace really high. He did a great job putting me in a position to go for the win."
Förster's Stage 6 Victory in China a Stamp of Success on the Road to Recovery from Serious Knee Injury
The Stage 6 victory at Qinghai Lake marks Förster's first win of the season and puts a stamp on his comeback journey. Förster suffered a knee injury which he sustained during a training accident in February. The injury required surgery and following what should have otherwise been a routine procedure, the sprinter encountered a post surgery infection that nearly cost him his leg and left him remain bedridden for weeks.
But Förster remained focused and knowing there would be many hard days ahead, he remained diligent in his effort to get back to full strength, regain his form and return to competition. After several surgeries, rest and rehabilitation, the strong man began his comeback. Förster started training again and by late May he was ready. So he boarded a flight for the U.S., joined his teammates in New Jersey and helped deliver them to a podium sweep at the Tour of Somerville.
"This team believes in Robert," said Tamayo. "I remember talking with him in February after his initial surgery. He was excited to be done with it. He took two weeks off the bike then started training again. But after putting in about five or six days of riding, he started to have issues again and had to go back into the hospital. Needless to say, he was extremely frustrated as the infection around the knee required multiple surgeries to be cleaned up."
"It is never easy seeing one of our riders injured, but it is particularly difficult seeing a rider who is in a hospital bed and is not just worried about his cycling career, but if he'll be able to walk again with both of his legs," Tamayo continued. "We were all very nervous. It was a scary time for Robert and for us."
"We know how hard Robert has worked to come back from those scary moments in March. He is just a few months removed from the surgeries and we are all so happy to see him win Stage 6. I spoke with (Team Owner) Thierry Attias after the win and we were both ecstatic! It is so good to see Robert all the way back now with his leg healed and his knee in good shape," the Team UnitedHealthcare GM concluded.
Förster's ability to keep things in perspective and remain laser focused fueled his push through the tremendous adversity he faced. Ever the consummate teammate, he talked briefly about how his knee felt and credited his teammates for their effort on the stage win.
"It has been a long way back, but the knee feels fine," he said. "It's always good to race with my teammates. Jonny and the guys did a great job today and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's stage."
The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team Roster for the 2013 Tour of Qinghai Lake
(July 7 – 20):
Robert Förster (GER)
Jonny Clarke (AUS)
Davide Frattini (ITA)
Aldo Ilesic (SLO)
Jake Keough (USA)
John Murphy (USA)
Danny Summerhill (USA)
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Photos: Courtesy 2013 Tour of Qinghai Lake
