Greig Leach

Mads Wurtz Schmidt (Denmark) was the last to take the start on The Pearl in Doha. Schmidt was having the rare opportunity to race in defensive of his Rainbow Jersey from Richmond, Virginia. Usually, the winner from the previous year isn't eligible to race in the U23 category. Schmidt had made the decision to race with only one chain ring on the front of his bike in an effort to reduce the wind drag from a derailleur he wouldn't need. In his effort to do all he could to do to win, he may have ruin his chances to succeed. He had to slow and reach down and manually re-position his chain losing precious seconds and putting the fear of a repeat into his riding style. So it was that he was unable to succeed in defending, and ended the day in 21st place.