Matteo Bono wins fifth stage as Hagen takes overall lead in Eneco Tour 2011 – Cycling Update
Lampre – ISD team’s Matteo Bono showed a brilliant performance when he outsprinted breakaway cyclists and took the fifth stage of Eneco Tour 2011 in Genk on Saturday, August 13. Edvald Boasson Hagen took overall leader’s yellow jersey.
The 27-year-old Italian cyclists took the total of 4 hours, 12 minutes and 14 seconds to cover the distance of 189.2 kilometres. Sergey Renev of Pro Astana was runner-up with the same timing of the Italian.
After finishing the stage Bono told the media, “I didn’t think we’d stay away because we were tired after fighting for 70km before the break eventually formed. Fortunately thanks to Danilo Hondo and the other guys, I got away in the three-rider move and
we stayed clear.”
Artem Ovechkin of Katusha finished third with the difference of 3 seconds and Tomas Vatikus was in fourth spot with 6 seconds down.
With 20 kilometres to go, Andre Greipel took first sprint of the stage and easily beat Taylor Phinney and Ben Swift. The riders showed a decent effort and covered 49 kilometres in the first hour.
The group of three cyclists Ovechkin, Renev and Bono launched an attack after ten kilometres and gained an advantage. The wet conditions created problems for the cyclists. Ovechkin managed to gain points and beat Bono and Renev to secured second intermediate
sprint. The trio gained a lead of 40 seconds over the peloton after 50 kilometres to go.
In the third gallop, Renev tried his best to retain his lead but failed and the other two beat him. The two cyclists Johan Van Summeren (Garmin-Cervélo) and Lars Boom (Rabobank) launched an attack but Boasson Hagen brought him in. Hagen also managed to control
Joost Van Leijen and Greg Van Avermaet.
Greipel faced a problem of a puncture after 11 kilometres and due to this had reduced the urgency of the chase. In the final kilometers, Bono showed his fast pace and managed to cross the finish line ahead of the other cyclists.
He further added, “My team controlled it the same way today. They let a group go clear and they didn’t have to worry about the sprints it was perfect from us today, It was a plan for us to just keep them within two minutes and not to chase them. It worked
really well today.”
Boasson Hagen took the overall lead with the timing of 18 hours, 1 minute and 26 seconds while Gilbert was in second place with 12 seconds down to Hagen.
David Millar (Team Garmin-Cervelo) was in third place with the difference of 18 seconds ahead of Taylor Phinney.
The final stage starts in Sittard-Geleen and all the cyclists will cover the distance of 201.2 kilometres.
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