Thor Hushovd of the Transitions Optical sponsored cycling team, Garmin Cervélo, continues to defend the yellow jersey in the 98th Tour de France after a gritty performance by the world champion in the third category hill climb of Stage 4 on Tuesday.
Hushovd sprinted to sixth in the 172.km fourth stage to maintain a one second lead against stage-winner Cadel Evans.
“The main objective today was to defend the yellow jersey. It was a very hard stage, with wind and narrow roads, but the team did a great job to defend me until the base of the final climb,” Hushovd says.
Garmin-Cervélo made history on Sunday with its first-ever Tour de France stage win in the team time trial, allowing their best placed rider, Hushovd, to claim the yellow jersey. The team made it two-in-a-row with a breakthrough sprint victory by Tyler Farrar in the 198km third stage on Monday.
Garmin-Cervélo made history on Sunday with its first-ever Tour de France stage win in the team time trial, allowing their best placed rider, Hushovd, to claim the yellow jersey…
The goal is now to defend the jersey for as long as possible.
“We have the climbing stage at Super-Besse on Saturday, so maybe we can keep it until then. That would mean a lot of work for the team, so we will discuss it to see what’s best. Now we can take it day-by-day and enjoy this yellow jersey.”
Transitions Optical is sponsoring the team for the second consecutive year. As official eyewear for team Garmin Cervélo, Transitions equip the riders with Transitions SOLFX lenses fitted into Oakley Jawbone frames.
These lenses are “ideal for the changing light conditions experienced throughout the Tour” says Kate Mulcahy, Marketing Manager of Transitions Optical Australia and New Zealand.
“Their technology delivers darker lenses in sunny conditions and lighter lenses through shady patches, providing the riders with comfort, convenience and protection.”
The 98th Tour de France is made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,430.5 kilometres. It runs from Saturday 2 July to Sunday 24 July 2011.
