Rein Taaramae has taken back the Estonian champion's jersey that he last wore during the early part of the 2010 season. The Cofidis rider took a solo win at his national championships and will wear the coveted jersey at the Tour de France when he lines up as captain for his team in a week.
For a number of years, Rein Taaramae has been the most distinguished Estonian cyclist but despite his status as one of the world's leading talents, the young Cofidis rider had only managed to win his national championships once prior to today's edition of the road race championships. Finally, he managed to reclaim the champion's jersey that he wore with great success during the spring season in 2010.
The win comes at the perfect time for the talented Estonian. Having been hampered by injuries, he has been unable to perform throughout the early part of the season and his results have been no match to what we have usually seen from the Cofidis rider.
He recently showed encouraging signs at the Criterium du Dauphiné before fading in the last part of the race and on Thursday, he had the unpleasant experience of being beaten by the other emerging Estonian talent Tanel Kangert at the Estonian time trial championships.
In today's road race, there was, however, never any doubt over his superiority. He took a beautiful solo win and crossed the finish line with a 32-second gap over a chasing trio. Silver Schultz won the sprint to take 2nd while Ivo Suur completed the podium.
The peloton arrived at the finish more with a time loss of 6.21 while defending champion Kangert failed to finish the race.
Taaramae will now bring his new jersey to France where he will line up as Cofidis captain next Saturday.
Result:
1. Rein Taaramae 3.56.48
2. Silver Schultz +0.32
3. Ivo Suur
4. Risto Raid
5. Alo Jakin +1.30
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