Pavel Brutt wins first stage of Tour de Romandie
Pavel Brutt of Katusha team won the first stage of Tour de Romandie and took the race leader’s yellow jersey. The race started in Martigny and ended at Leysin.
The 29-year old Russian took 4hours, 27minutes and 41 second to cross the distance of 172.6 kilometres. Oleksandr Kvachuk of Lampre ISD team crossed the finish line 56 seconds behind the Russian. Branislau Samoilau of Movistar team finished third with a
difference of 19 seconds.
Australian road champion, Jack Bobridge, was in fourth with a difference of 1min, 23sec behind Brutt. This stage was very difficult for the rider because of its difficult climbs and weather conditions.
Brutt attacked the peloton early in the race and took a lead of twelve minutes. Although in the final 30kilomertres, escapees were able to maintain their lead in the race.
Just after 6 kilometres, Brutt showed his powerful performance in Leysin after being a part of a four-man break. At the foot of the final climb, Brutt and Branislau Samoilau were alone at the front of the race and took a lead of three minutes. Samoilau was
in good from but after few kilometres Brutt attacked his companion to take the jersey.
After winning the stage, Brutt said "It was very hard, with a headwind for the first 50 miles, but I was very strong. I'm not a rider for the overall, rather more a hunter for stage wins and I don't expect to keep this leader's jersey".
Recently, Brutt also won Classical Sarda race and also won Tour de Vendee, place 2nd overall in Tour de Wallonie in 2009.
Due to his brilliant performance in the stage, Brutt took a lead with the timing of 4 hours, 31 minutes and 26 minutes. Oleksandr Kvachuk was runner-up with a difference of 1 minute, while Branislau Samoilau finished third with 1min and 22sec behind Brutt.
The second stage will start from Leysin to Romont. All the riders will cover the distance of 171.8 kilometres.
A quick view of the top five in the Tour de Romandie so far, is as follows
1. Pavel Brutt (Rus) Katusha Team, at 4hrs:27min: 41sec
2. Oleksandr Kvachuk (Ukr) Lampre - ISD team, at 56
3. Branislau Samoilau (Blr) Movistar Team, at 01:15
4. Jack Bobridge (Aus) Garmin-Cervelo team, at 01:23
5. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - ISD team, at 01:59
General classification after stage 1;
1. Pavel Brutt (Rus) Katusha Team, at 4hrs:31min: 26secs
2. Oleksandr Kvachuk (Ukr) Lampre - ISD team, at 01:00
3. Branislau Samoilau (Blr) Movistar Team, at 01:22
4. Jack Bobridge (Aus) Garmin-Cervelo team, at 01:31
5. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Pro-Astana team, at 02:04
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