Leigh Howard wins final stage and Philippe Gilbert extends his overall lead in 2011 Ster ZLM Tour
HTC-Highroad team’s Leigh Howard won the fifth and final stage in Etten-Leur of 2011 Ster ZLM Tour on Sunday, June 19. Philippe Gilbert maintained his overall leader’s yellow jersey.
The 21-years-old Australian took a total of 4 hours, 42 minutes and 3 seconds to cover the distance of 191 kilometres.
Lucas Sebastian of Saxo-Bank Sungard was the runner-up and Tyler Farrar of Garmin-Cervelo finished in the third spot.
HTC-Highroad sports' director, Jan Schaffrath, said, "Our goal for today was to work for Leigh in the sprint, but it was a very difficult stage with a lot of rain, wind and storms. He was protected from the wind when he needed to be then given the perfect
lead out and the rest he could handle for himself.”
Jens Mouris of Vacansoleil tried his best to catch the 46 cyclists, but he failed to maintain his pace and grabbed the 47th place with a difference of 10 seconds.
A group of three cyclists which included Albert Timmer (Skil – Shimano), Bertjan Lindeman (Cyclingteam Jo Piels) and Reinier Honig (Landbouwkrediet) made their first breakaway.
All of them gained a lead of few seconds over the peloton, but the last two riders were caught and Albert Timmer took the first sprint.
In the final sprint, a new group was formed which included, two riders from Omega Pharma Lotto team Philippe Gilbert, Klaas Lodewyck and Niki Terpstra (Quickstep cycling).
Philippe Gilbert finished safely in the bunch and took the final sprint ahead of Klaas Lodewyck and Niki Terpstra.
Jan Schaffrath further added, "It's a great way to complete the event for him and for the team too. We've had victories at both ends of the race and we led overall for the first three days too. It's difficult to ask for more."
Omega Pharma-Lotto team’s Philippe took the overall lead with a timing of 19 hours, 2 minutes and 16 seconds. Niki Terpstra was a runner–up with 3 seconds and Ramus Navardauskas was in 15 seconds behind Gilbert.
The stage winner, Leigh Howard, was in the 53th spot with a difference of 14 minutes and 47 seconds.
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