Davide Appollonio wins first stage of Tour du Poitou Charentes 2011 - Cycling News
Sky Procycling team’s Davide Appollonio secured his second victory of the season. He showed a good effort and took the first stage Tour du Poitou Charentes 2011 on Tuesday, August 23.
The race started in Sugeres and ended in Cognac. The 22-year-old Italian professional road bicycle racer took the total of 4 hours, 19 minutes and 25 seconds to cover the distance of 184.2 kilometres.
After winning the stage, Appollonio told the media, "They did the last five or six kilometres just with four guys with me on the front. They were really strong. It was a tricky last 2km but we were at the front in a perfect position and we managed to get
the best result."
Sébastien Chavanel of Europcar was runner-up and Arnaud Demare of FDJ finished third with the same timing as the Italian.
The series of attacks held in the stage while the group of nine cyclists made their first breakaway lead before 20 kilometres mark, including Jimmy Engoulvent, Joost Posthuma, Anthony Roux (FDJ), Peter Kennaugh, Damien Gaudin, Arkimedes Arguelyes Rodriguez,
Luis Pasamontes (Movistar), Fumiyuki Beppu and Loic Desriac. All of them managed to gain a lead of more than a minute.
The three cyclists Gaudin, Rodriges and Nicolas Bazin slipped away and the trio gained a lead of maximum 3 minutes and 30 seconds. Gaudin managed to gain points in three intermediate sprints and took title of best sprinter while Rodriguez gain a best mountain
title to take polka dot jersey.
In the final 10 kilometres mark, Saur Sojasun and Movistar managed to capture Rodriguez. Johan Mombaerts increased his pace but brought back by the peloton. Gale Malacarne was next to go but the two teams including Sky and Robabank increased their pace to
bringing the race back together.
Chavanel tried his best to take a lead but failed and Appollonio launched an attack and crossed the finish line ahead of the other cyclists.
He further added, “When I have good shape, I think I have shown I have the speed. The team believes in me and race by race I think I am growing. I am young, but if you have no stress and feel good within the team, I think I can show my pace. I am really
happy with this victory."
Recently, he took the third stage and overall sprint of Tour de Luxembourg and also took the runner-up spot in 12th stage and fifth place in 10th stage of Tour of Giro d’ltalia.
Appollonio took the overall standing with the timing of 4 hours, 19 minutes and 15 seconds. Chavanel was runner-up with 4 seconds behind the Italian. Damien Gaudin of Europcar was in third place with the difference of 5 seconds.
The second stage will run in Cognac and end in Bressuire. All the cyclists will cover the distance of 175.2 kilometres.
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