July 20, 2004 – Stage 3: The Navigators Insurance squad retained control today in China, successfully protecting the Yellow Jersey of race leader Jeff Louder. Although the leader’s jersey continues to adorn a Navigators rider, it is now back on the shoulders of stage-1 winner Viktor Rapinski.

A breakaway of three riders gained 8:00 on the Navigators-led peloton until the closing kilometers. With 70K remaining in the race, a fierce crosswind again played havoc with the group as the Navigators team drove the pace at the front. With the escapees brought back into the fold, it was time again for a bunch gallop to the line. Rapinski was nipped for the stage-win by Simone Cadamuro (De Nardi), but earned enough bonus time to leapfrog his teammate Jeff in the General Classification. Viktor also holds the the lead in the KOM competition.

Stage 3 Results (all unofficial):
1. Simone Cadamuro (De Nardi)
2. Viktor Rapinski (Navigators Insurance)

Overall GC:
1. Viktor Rapinski (Navigators Insurance)
2. Jeff Louder (Navigators Insurance) 0 :05

Stage 4:

The Tour of Qinghai Lake (China) continued today in
the highlands of
northwest China with the 120K stage-four road race. Once again, the
altitude of 11,000 feet (3,500m) and the strong winds took its toll
on the peloton. The Navigators Insurance squad remains in control of the
race in defense of Viktor Rapinski’s Yellow Jersey.

Another long breakaway was the order of the day as 10 riders escaped the
peloton for more than 60K. The team of 3rd placed
rider Maxim Iglinskiy (Kazakhstan National Team) was the only team
to miss out on the move. Sacrificing all of their riders to bring back the
breakaways, they succeeded in their mission but at a great cost of
energy. With 30K to go, the leaders were caught by the remaining 30-man
peloton. Once again it was a select group of men fighting for the stage
win, which went to Navigators’ Rapinski in a sprint finish over De Nardi’s
Cadamuro. Although the overall standings didn’t change, Rapinski added
a critical bonus time to his lead. With several tough climbing stages on the
horizon, he will need every advantage possible. Navigators’ Chris Baldwin
has now taken over the KOM jersey, while Rapinski also holds the Sprint Jersey.

Race Notes:

There are currently only 10 riders within 40-seconds of the leader, the
rest of the field is nearly 3-minutes in arrears.

Another North American: Michael Carter of Colorado, riding for the
Marco-Polo squad, is also showing good form as he sits in 10th, 0:40 back.

The Navigators team traveled directly to the event from the Cascade Classic in Bend, OR. The Cascade Classic, with its hard climbing stages and high altitude, has proven to be nearly perfect preparation for the conditions in China.

Even in the tough conditions, the speed of the race remains high as today’s stage was covered with an average speed of over 49 kph (31 mph).


Stage 4 Results (all unofficial):
1. Viktor Rapinski (Navigators Insurance)
2. Simone Cadamuro (De Nardi)
3. Robert McLachlan (Australia)

Overall GC:
1. Viktor Rapinski (Navigators Insurance)
2. Jeff Louder (Navigators Insurance) 0 :16
3. Maxim Iglinskiy (Kazakhstan National Team) 0 :28