 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Tour of Switzerland - Boonen wins opening stage
June 12, 2006
Belgian Tom Boonen left his rivals for dead in a sprint finish in the first stage of the tour of Switzerland.
The 25 year-old placed himself towards the front of the peloton, before making his move 60 metres from home and powering clear of Daniele Bennati and Oscar Freire to cross the finish line first. Race favourite Jan Ullrich arrived safely in the main field after a quiet day in the saddle.
It was Spaniard José Antonio Redondo Ramos (LSW Wuerth) who made the first impression on the race, breaking away on his own after 24km and opening up a lead on the field that grew to 8'45", before he began to tire.
Two Swiss riders Michael Albasini (Liquigas) and Steve Zampieri (Phonak) staged a breakaway themselves on the ascent of Le Gruyère, and caught Ramos 40km before the finish.
They were never able to put significant time between themselves and the pack though, and were eventually swallowed up with 6km remaining.
The Rabobank team, working for Oscar Freire moved to the front of the field, before Quickstep took the initiative, with Tom Boonen sitting just behind the leaders.
The pace forced the pack into two groups and Australian Robbie McEwen allowed complacency to take over, and was left in the second group, unable to challenge for the win.
As they rounded the final turn, Boonen made his move, and although Bennati and Freire stayed on his wheel, they were unable to pass the Quickstep rider.
|
|
 |
May 7, 2008
»
January 15, 2008
»
December 7, 2006
»
September 25, 2006
»
August 1, 2006
»
»
»
»
»
»
»
»
|
|
|
 |
|
|
