April 7, 2009 (Phu Ruea, Thailand) – Canada’s Jacob Erker (Kelly Benefit Strategies) has taken over the leader’s jersey at the Tour of Thailand. Erker is tied with a rider from the Seoul Cycling Team but ahead on stage placements. In stage four from Loei to Phu Ruea, which featured the only climb in the Tour of Thailand, Zack Bell went up the road in a three-man break that eventually grew to seven. He picked up the intermediate sprint and a three second time bonus and the break reached the climb around 1 minute and 30 seconds ahead. This placed great pressure on the Seoul Cycling team with Bell already in the top ten on the GC.

“Our team has ridden great all week, but today was exceptional,” says Jonas Carney, performance director, leading the Thailand KBS squad. “We wanted Zack to get up the road, put pressure on the Seoul team and hopefully join the climbers when they caught him. He did an amazing job of making that happen and set our team up.”

An Australian rider attacked from the break, going on to win the stage while Bell was caught by the leaders from the field close to the top of the climb where he joined teammates Jake Erker, Neil Shirley and Bowman in the front group of 15 riders. The group worked together for the final 18 km before Shirley escaped alone to finish second on the stage.

“We work to make this kind of success happen,” says Charles Aaron, Managing Director, Circuit Global Sport Management. “Ken, Jonas and all of the guys are doing what they do best and we’re thrilled by both the results they’re achieving as well as our ability to operate two international squads seamlessly at the same time.”

The KBS Thailand team now move into first place on the Team GC by placing more riders in the lead group than any other team and go into the Tour’s longest stage of 180 km.

Results

1. Adam James Semple (Aus) Team Plan B Racing 3:33:22 (38.86 km/h)
2. Neil Shirley (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies 0:52
3. Wong Kam Po (HKg) Mongolian China Team 1:11
4. Ki Hong Yoo (Kor) Seoul Cycling Team
5. Nateghi Hossein (Irn) Azad University Iran
6. Nick Aitken (Aus) City of Perth Cycling Team
7. Gang Xu (Chn) Max Success Sports
8. Zachary Bell (Can) Kelly Benefit Strategies
9. Jacob Erker (Can) Kelly Benefit Strategies
10. Hyo Suk Gong (Kor) Seoul Cycling Team
11. Lei Sun (Chn) Max Success Sports
12. Phuchong Sai-Udomsin (Tha) Royal Thai Air Force
13. Jonathan Lovelock (Aus) Team Plan B Racing
14. Tomoya Kano (Jpn) Shimano Racing Team
15. John Krondorg Ebsen (Den) Team Stenca Trading
16. Prajak Mahawong (Tha) Thailand National Team
17. Yoshimitsu Hiratsuka (Jpn) Japan National Team
18. Daniel R: Bowman (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies
19. Wang Yip Tang (HKg) Mongolian China Team 1:27
20. Guo Hui (Chn) Max Success Sports
21. Yan Dong Xing (Chn) Trek – Marco Polo
22. Yuzuru Suzuki (Jpn) Shimano Racing Team
23. Eugen Wacker (Kgz) Azad University Iran
24. Zargari Amir (Irn) Azad University Iran
25. Andrew J: Bajadali (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies
26. Timo Scholz (Ger) Ijsselstreek
27. Chun Hing Chan (HKg) Mongolian China Team
28. Kazuki Aoyanagi (Jpn) Japan National Team
29. Wim Spijkerboer (Tha) Ijsselstreek
30. Saeidi Tanha Abbas (Irn) Azad University Iran
31. Tumurbaatar Ochirbaatar (Mgl) Mongolian National Team
32. Phanuphan Koolrungruengkit (Tha) Royal Thai Air Force 4:25
33. Rodger Shem (NZl) City of Perth Cycling Team
34. Xiaoyong Dong (Chn) Qinghai Tianyoude Cycling Team
35. Ming Xing Xue (Chn) Max Success Sports
36. Naran Khangarid (Mgl) Mongolian National Team
37. Seree Ruangsiri (Tha) Royal Thai Navy
38. Peerapol Chawchiangkwang (Tha) Royal Thai Air Force
39. Gu Hyeon Kim (Kor) Seoul Cycling Team
40. Kin San Wu (HKg) Mongolian China Team
41. Shengjun Wu (Chn) Qinghai Tianyoude Cycling Team
42. Eric Van de Meent (Ned) Trek – Marco Polo
43. Bradeley Hall (Aus) Tincli Colossi
44. Lex Nederlof (Tha) Ijsselstreek
45. James Spragg (GBr) Trek – Marco Polo
46. Soren B:Petersen (Den) Team Stenca Trading
47. Dong Hyun Choi (Kor) Sosfo
48. Cong Hieu Mai (Vie) Vietnam National Team 5:51
49. Yu Jian Zhao (Chn) Max Success Sports
50. Nguyen Hung Mai (Vie) Vietnam National Team
51. Van Tai Nguyen (Vie) Vietnam National Team
52. Ho Ting Kwok (HKg) Mongolian China Team
53. Kohei Uchima (Jpn) Japan National Team
54. Dong Hun Kim (Kor) Sosfo 7:10
55. Li Yao Chiang (Tpe) Team Fuji Asia
56. Ji Hun Yu (Kor) Sosfo
57. Piempanya Soulivong (Lao) Laos National Team 8:38
58. Kui Wei (Chn) Qinghai Tianyoude Cycling Team
59. Natthapon Jeebthaworn (Tha) Thailand National Team
60. Thomas Berlivet (Kgz) Team Fuji Asia
61. Nathan Dahlberg (NZl) Tincli Colossi
62. Okart Bualoi (Tha) Royal Thai Navy
63. Jatupoom Lekawat (Tha) Thailand National Team
64. Elliott Wells (Aus) Team Plan B Racing
65. A: Fallanie Ali (Mas) Malaysian National Team
66. Seok Kyu Suh (Kor) Seoul Cycling Team 10:38
67. Michael Freiberg (Aus) City of Perth Cycling Team
68. Takayuki Abe (Jpn) Shimano Racing Team
69. Jae Wan Jung (Kor) Sosfo
70. Muhammad Rauf Nur Misbah (Mas) Malaysian National Team
71. Hayato Yoshida (Jpn) Japan National Team
72. Luke Hardy (Aus) City of Perth Cycling Team
73. Tuan Anh Do (Vie) Vietnam National Team
74. Montri Chomphuwiset (Tha) Royal Thai Air Force
75. Pathoumphanh Kengchai (Lao) Laos National Team
76. Michael Verheyen (Aus) City of Perth Cycling Team 14:18
77. Chris Lintaman (Can) Team Fuji Asia
78. David Ayre (NZl) Tincli Colossi 15:11
79. Kazushige Kuboki (Jpn) Japan National Team
80. Komsan Karnbanchee (Tha) Thailand National Team 16:21
81. Ekachai Tawornlumlerd (Tha) Royal Thai Air Force
82. Hassan Suhardi (Mas) Malaysian National Team
83. Yoshinori Iino (Jpn) Shimano Racing Team
84. Ahmad Haidar Anuawar (Mas) Trek – Marco Polo
85. Genta Nakamura (Jpn) Trek – Marco Polo
86. Dong Hyun Shin (Kor) Sosfo
87. Seon Ho Park (Kor) Seoul Cycling Team
88. Morten larsen (Den) Team Stenca Trading 20:44
89. Martin Wuagjorngaard (Den) Team Stenca Trading
90. Andersen Danielvestergaaed (Den) Team Stenca Trading
91. Dashpuntsag Erdenebayar (Mgl) Mongolian National Team
92. James Langedyk (Aus) Tincli Colossi 21:02
93. Michael Naylor (NZl) Tincli Colossi
94. Higuma Yuseke (Jpn) Team Fuji Asia 22:04
95. Manan Anuar (Mas) Azad University Iran 28:11
96. Khayankyarvaa Uuganbayar (Mgl) Mongolian National Team 28:44
HD Anan Duangsopa (Tha) Royal Thai Navy
HD Mohammed M:Najmee Wan (Mas) Malaysian National Team
HD Nattapong Phunna (Tha) Royal Thai Navy
HD Phisanu Maneevihok (Tha) Thailand National Team
HD Jing Der Li (Tpe) Team Fuji Asia
HD Jamsran Ulziibaatar (Mgl) Mongolian National Team
HD Douglas Repacholi (Aus) Team Plan B Racing
DNF Marco Pieter Tuinenburg (Tha) Ijsselstreek
DNF Thepvongsa Ounheuan (Lao) Laos National Team
DNF Pongpun Khotsing (Tha) Royal Thai Navy
DNF Yusuke Hatanaka (Jpn) Shimano Racing Team

GC after Stage 4

1. Jacob Erker (Can) Kelly Benefit Strategies 16:04:47
2. Hyo Suk Gong (Kor) Seoul Cycling Team
3. Andrew J: Bajadali (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies 0:20
4. Zachary Bell (Can) Kelly Benefit Strategies 0:40
5. Daniel R: Bowman (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies 0:53
6. Phuchong Sai-Udomsin (Tha) Royal Thai Air Force 0:56
7. Prajak Mahawong (Tha) Thailand National Team
8. Yoshimitsu Hiratsuka (Jpn) Japan National Team
9. Jonathan Lovelock (Aus) Team Plan B Racing 1:00
10. Timo Scholz (Ger) Ijsselstreek 1:12
11. Bradeley Hall (Aus) Tincli Colossi 3:18
12. Lex Nederlof (Tha) Ijsselstreek 4:09
13. Soren B:Petersen (Den) Team Stenca Trading 4:10
14. Gu Hyeon Kim (Kor) Seoul Cycling Team 4:30
15. Kohei Uchima (Jpn) Japan National Team 4:38
16. Lei Sun (Chn) Max Success Sports 4:42
17. Neil Shirley (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies 5:09
18. Wong Kam Po (HKg) Mongolian China Team 5:27
19. Ki Hong Yoo (Kor) Seoul Cycling Team 5:34
20. Gang Xu (Chn) Max Success Sports
21. Tomoya Kano (Jpn) Shimano Racing Team
22. Cong Hieu Mai (Vie) Vietnam National Team 5:36
23. Guo Hui (Chn) Max Success Sports 5:45
24. Yan Dong Xing (Chn) Trek – Marco Polo 5:50
25. Chun Hing Chan (HKg) Mongolian China Team
26. James Spragg (GBr) Trek – Marco Polo 7:56
27. Phanuphan Koolrungruengkit (Tha) Royal Thai Air Force 8:48
28. Ming Xing Xue (Chn) Max Success Sports
29. Seree Ruangsiri (Tha) Royal Thai Navy
30. Kin San Wu (HKg) Mongolian China Team 8:53
31. Seok Kyu Suh (Kor) Seoul Cycling Team 9:03
32. Adam James Semple (Aus) Team Plan B Racing 9:39
33. Van Tai Nguyen (Vie) Vietnam National Team 10:14
34. John Krondorg Ebsen (Den) Team Stenca Trading 12:29
35. Saeidi Tanha Abbas (Irn) Azad University Iran 13:49
36. Wang Yip Tang (HKg) Mongolian China Team 13:50
37. Eric Van de Meent (Ned) Trek – Marco Polo 14:14
38. Nateghi Hossein (Irn) Azad University Iran 14:23
39. Yuzuru Suzuki (Jpn) Shimano Racing Team 14:42
40. Eugen Wacker (Kgz) Azad University Iran
41. Zargari Amir (Irn) Azad University Iran
42. Kazuki Aoyanagi (Jpn) Japan National Team
43. Wim Spijkerboer (Tha) Ijsselstreek
44. Tumurbaatar Ochirbaatar (Mgl) Mongolian National Team
45. Nick Aitken (Aus) City of Perth Cycling Team 14:45
46. Jae Wan Jung (Kor) Sosfo 15:01
47. Dong Hyun Choi (Kor) Sosfo 15:17
48. Peerapol Chawchiangkwang (Tha) Royal Thai Air Force 15:19
49. Nguyen Hung Mai (Vie) Vietnam National Team 15:37
50. Seon Ho Park (Kor) Seoul Cycling Team 15:38
51. Dong Hyun Shin (Kor) Sosfo 15:50
52. Rodger Shem (NZl) City of Perth Cycling Team 17:36
53. Xiaoyong Dong (Chn) Qinghai Tianyoude Cycling Team 17:40
54. Shengjun Wu (Chn) Qinghai Tianyoude Cycling Team
55. Thomas Berlivet (Kgz) Team Fuji Asia 18:27
56. Yu Jian Zhao (Chn) Max Success Sports 19:06
57. David Ayre (NZl) Tincli Colossi 19:34
58. Ho Ting Kwok (HKg) Mongolian China Team 19:46
59. Natthapon Jeebthaworn (Tha) Thailand National Team 20:12
60. Dong Hun Kim (Kor) Sosfo 20:25
61. Li Yao Chiang (Tpe) Team Fuji Asia
62. Ji Hun Yu (Kor) Sosfo
63. Jatupoom Lekawat (Tha) Thailand National Team 21:14
64. Piempanya Soulivong (Lao) Laos National Team 21:51
65. Kui Wei (Chn) Qinghai Tianyoude Cycling Team 21:53
66. Nathan Dahlberg (NZl) Tincli Colossi
67. Okart Bualoi (Tha) Royal Thai Navy
68. Elliott Wells (Aus) Team Plan B Racing
69. A: Fallanie Ali (Mas) Malaysian National Team
70. Michael Freiberg (Aus) City of Perth Cycling Team 21:56
71. Hayato Yoshida (Jpn) Japan National Team 23:49
72. Muhammad Rauf Nur Misbah (Mas) Malaysian National Team 23:53
73. Tuan Anh Do (Vie) Vietnam National Team
74. Montri Chomphuwiset (Tha) Royal Thai Air Force
75. Pathoumphanh Kengchai (Lao) Laos National Team
76. Takayuki Abe (Jpn) Shimano Racing Team 24:07
77. Luke Hardy (Aus) City of Perth Cycling Team 24:10
78. Naran Khangarid (Mgl) Mongolian National Team 24:35
79. Chris Lintaman (Can) Team Fuji Asia 25:26
80. Michael Verheyen (Aus) City of Perth Cycling Team 27:33
81. Kazushige Kuboki (Jpn) Japan National Team 28:26
82. Komsan Karnbanchee (Tha) Thailand National Team 29:31
83. Ekachai Tawornlumlerd (Tha) Royal Thai Air Force 29:36
84. Hassan Suhardi (Mas) Malaysian National Team
85. Yoshinori Iino (Jpn) Shimano Racing Team
86. Genta Nakamura (Jpn) Trek – Marco Polo
87. Ahmad Haidar Anuawar (Mas) Trek – Marco Polo 29:52
88. Morten larsen (Den) Team Stenca Trading 33:59
89. Michael Naylor (NZl) Tincli Colossi 34:17
90. Dashpuntsag Erdenebayar (Mgl) Mongolian National Team 34:27
91. James Langedyk (Aus) Tincli Colossi 34:32
92. Higuma Yuseke (Jpn) Team Fuji Asia 37:01
93. Manan Anuar (Mas) Azad University Iran 41:25
94. Khayankyarvaa Uuganbayar (Mgl) Mongolian National Team 42:13
95. Andersen Danielvestergaaed (Den) Team Stenca Trading 44:53
96. Martin Wuagjorngaard (Den) Team Stenca Trading 45:16

Points classification

1. Seon Ho Park (Kor) Seoul Cycling Team 41 pts
2. Zachary Bell (Can) Kelly Benefit Strategies 40
3. Dong Hyun Shin (Kor) Sosfo 30
4. Kohei Uchima (Jpn) Japan National Team 26
5. Wong Kam Po (HKg) Mongolian China Team 24
6. Jacob Erker (Can) Kelly Benefit Strategies 22
7. Seok Kyu Suh (Kor) Seoul Cycling Team 22
8. Hyo Suk Gong (Kor) Seoul Cycling Team 19
9. Bradeley Hall (Aus) Tincli Colossi 19
10. Adam James Semple (Aus) Team Plan B Racing 16
11. Neil Shirley (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies 14
12. Nateghi Hossein (Irn) Azad University Iran 14
13. Phuchong Sai-Udomsin (Tha) Royal Thai Air Force 14
14. Ki Hong Yoo (Kor) Seoul Cycling Team 12
15. Lei Sun (Chn) Max Success Sports 12
16. Lex Nederlof (Tha) Ijsselstreek 12
17. James Spragg (GBr) Trek – Marco Polo 12
18. Dong Hun Kim (Kor) Sosfo 12
19. Komsan Karnbanchee (Tha) Thailand National Team 12
20. Manan Anuar (Mas) Azad University Iran 11
21. Nick Aitken (Aus) City of Perth Cycling Team 10
22. Ahmad Haidar Anuawar (Mas) Trek – Marco Polo 10
23. Gang Xu (Chn) Max Success Sports 9
24. Wang Yip Tang (HKg) Mongolian China Team 9
25. Saeidi Tanha Abbas (Irn) Azad University Iran 9
26. Prajak Mahawong (Tha) Thailand National Team 8
27. Naran Khangarid (Mgl) Mongolian National Team 8
28. Andrew J: Bajadali (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies 7
29. Soren B:Petersen (Den) Team Stenca Trading 7
30. Jatupoom Lekawat (Tha) Thailand National Team 7
31. Douglas Repacholi (Aus) Team Plan B Racing 7
32. Guo Hui (Chn) Max Success Sports 6
33. Cong Hieu Mai (Vie) Vietnam National Team 6
34. Daniel R: Bowman (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies 5
35. Timo Scholz (Ger) Ijsselstreek 5
36. Nguyen Hung Mai (Vie) Vietnam National Team 5
37. Yoshimitsu Hiratsuka (Jpn) Japan National Team 4
38. Jonathan Lovelock (Aus) Team Plan B Racing 3
39. Ming Xing Xue (Chn) Max Success Sports 3
40. Gu Hyeon Kim (Kor) Seoul Cycling Team 3
41. Tomoya Kano (Jpn) Shimano Racing Team 2
42. Tuan Anh Do (Vie) Vietnam National Team 2
43. James Langedyk (Aus) Tincli Colossi 2
44. John Krondorg Ebsen (Den) Team Stenca Trading 1
45. Rodger Shem (NZl) City of Perth Cycling Team 1
46. Hayato Yoshida (Jpn) Japan National Team 1
47. Mohammed M:Najmee Wan (Mas) Malaysian National Team 1
48. Yusuke Hatanaka (Jpn) Shimano Racing Team 1