Stage Four of the Tour of Missouri was touted as being the toughest of all seven stages by race organizers. And, after completing the 95 miles from Lebanon to Rolla, Mo., Jelly Belly Team Director Danny Van Haute would agree.
“It was, so far, the most difficult stage of the Tour of Missouri,” he said. “It was just 95 miles of continuous rolling terrain.”
Yet the tricky terrain was not the only factor that made Stage Four difficult.
“The race was really quite fast,” Van Haute said. “I think for the first half of the race the average speed was 30 miles per hour.”
In addition, a breakaway separated itself from the pack with only about 35 miles to the finish line. This was unexpected and it pulled even more energy away from the peloton, which by this time was struggling to keep up a good pace.
“There were 22 men in the break, and, unfortunately for us, there was not one Jelly Belly rider in it. I’m very disappointed in our guys because I know they can ride better, and they just didn’t do it today.
“There are still three days left, and we do need a stage win, and that’s still feasible,” Van Haute said. “These guys are capable of doing it, they just didn’t come to work today.”
Tomorrow the team will look to make Stage 5 a success by traveling 100 miles from St. James to Missouri’s capital Jefferson City.
By Molly Saunders
