Tuft 13th in E3 Prijs Harelbeke

Svein Tuft of SpiderTech p/b C10 notched up an impressive ride in the E3 Prijs Harelbeke Saturday, finishing 13th in the 202-km semi classic that takes in many of Belgium’s famous cobbled climbs.

Tuft’s teammates helped make sure he was well positioned throughout the race and it paid off when he found himself in the front group with about 30 km to race.

The group was set to race for the win, but 2010 winner Fabian Cancellara made an astonishing comeback from a series of flat tires to bridge up to the lead group and then motor away in the last 15 km for a solo victory.

Tuft finished among the riders racing for second place about one minute behind.

“When Fabian hit it, he just went like a motorcycle,” said Tuft after the race. “I have never seen something like that. Since I was alone in the front, perhaps I covered too many attacks which I regretted in the final few kilometres, but overall I am super happy about my race. This is such a tough race — and being right in the battle for the second place battle felt really good.”