Stage 4 in Prague
For the third time the sprint in Prague is included and also this year they improved by changing the venue to Strahov which is one of the highest points in Prague. The course is interesting with an uphill and a downhill and a sharp curve. Also in the 4th stage bonus seconds are awarded (60 bonus seconds for the winner).
Free technique in Prague - new course ready
"After the classical sprint we have before our rest day a free technique sprint in the city of Prague. The course is approx. 1200m long, after the demanding classical course the race time in Prague is expected to be around 2.30min. In Sprints, even the course is short, you can lose quite a lot of time. But be careful in stage number 5, Cortina to Toblach (men) or Tre Cime to Toblach (ladies), can change the standing again, even if you are couple of minutes behind." says Race Director Cross-Country Jürg Capol.
Tour Withdrawals
Beside Silvana Bucher also the rest for the Swiss ladies (Seraina Mischol and Doris Trachsel) stopped racing in the Tour. Also Claudia Nystad, Manuela Henkel and Benjamin Seiffert from the German team will also not got forward to Prague. Unfortunately we will not see on the start in Prague the defending Tour de Ski winner from last year Virpi Kuitunen. She decided to return to Finland and prepare for the Olympics.
