Andre Greipel wins first stage as Phinney retains overall lead in Eneco Tour 2011 - Cycling News
Omega Pharma-Lotto team’s Andre Greipel avoided a high-speed crash and took the first stage of Eneco Tour 2011 on Tuesday, August 9. Taylor Phinney maintained his overall leader’s yellow jersey.
The race started in Oosterhout and ended in Sint Willebrord. The 29-year-old German professional cyclists took the total of 4 hours, 21 minutes and 20 seconds to cover the distance of 192.1 kilometres.
After 30 kilometres to go the six cyclists went on an attack included Julien Fouchard, Thomas De Gendt, Han Feng, Stijn Neirynck, Jens Debusschere (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and Matteo Trentin (Quick Step). All of them managed to open a gap of seven minutes while
De Gendt took first two sprints.
There were quite a few aggressive attacks that came in the stage due to strong winds and narrow road. Greipel was happy with his performance in the stage and said, “It was pretty narrow so the team did a great job to keep me at the front, I couldn’t find
a gap at first and was only about 10th with 100 metres to go, but then I finally found a bit of space and I could do my sprint.”
Sky team sent his two cyclists Johan Van Summeren and Michael Barry to the front of the field to take the lead. Phinney punctured after 20 kilometres and the break had any chance to stay away. While his future team-mate Philippe Gilbert helped him to get
back.
After few crashes in the race, the road changed direction but it was difficult for the cyclists because they fought for wheels. The confusion increased after another crash held in the stage. However, Greipel managed to stablise his pace and cross the finish
line ahead of the other cyclists.
Denis Galimzyanov of Katusha was runner-up and Tyler Farrar of Garmin-Cervelo grabbed third spot with the same timing of Andre.
Taylor Phinney of BMC retained overall standing with the timing of 4 hours, 28 minutes and 17 seconds while Edvald Boasson Hagen was runner-up with difference of 7 seconds.
David Millar finished third with the difference of 8 seconds ahead of Alex Rasmussen. Phinney also took the Young Rider standing.
Greipel is favourite to win the next stage which is starting in Aalter and will end in Ardooie. All the cyclists will cover the distance of 173.7 kilometres.
Tags: