Philippe Gilbert wins fourth stage and also takes overall lead in
2011 Ster ZLM Tour
Omega Pharma-Lotto team’s Philippe Gilbert won the fourth stage and also took overall leader’s yellow jersey in 2011 Ster ZLM Tour on Saturday, June 18.
The race started in Verviers and ended in La Gileppe. The 28-year-old Belgian took a total of 4 hours, 47 minutes and 48 seconds to cover the distance of 184 kilometres.
Recently, Philippe took the first spot in Liege-Bastogne-Liege and won the Amstel Gold Race. He also took the first place in La Fleche Wallonne.
Niki Terpstra of Quickstep cycling was the runner-up with 1 second behind Philippe. Ramus Navardauskas of Garmin-Cervelo finished third with the same timing of Niki.
The Prologue winner, Patrick Gretsch of HTC-Highroad, was in good form, but he grabbed the 26th spot with a difference of 1 minute and 27 seconds, ahead of Klaas Lodewyck and Johan Van Summeren.
A total of 12 cyclists, including Michael Barry (Sky Procycling), Graeme Brown (Rabobank Cycling) and Jos Van Emden (Rabobank Cycling) were disqualified.
This stage was difficult for the riders because it contained two sprints and six mountains. A five-man break was formed early in the stage, including Stef Clement (Rabobank), Matti Helminen (Landbouwkrediet), Huub Duyn (Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly), Christoph
Pfingsten (Cyclingteam De Rijke) and Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil-DCM).
With 30 kilometres to go, all of them built a lead of 3 minutes and 30 seconds over the peloton. Christoph was caught by the peloton and Huub won the first sprint.
However, Johnny Hoogerland increased his pace and won the second sprint, ahead of Hubb. Afterward, Gilbert with Hoogerland and other six cyclists got away, but with the help of his team, Gilbert crossed the finish-line, ahead of other cyclists.
Johnny won the overall sprint with 5 points, ahead of Hubb and Anthony Roux. Huub Duyn took the title of King of Mountain (KOM), ahead of Matti Helminen and Cedric Pineau.
The Belgian Gilbert took an overall lead with a timing of 14 hours, 20 minutes and 16 seconds. Niki Terpstra was the runner-up with 1 second and Ramus Navardauskas finished third with 12 seconds behind Philippe.
Garmin-Cervelo team’s Tyler Farrar was in the 53th spot with a difference of 13 minutes and 51 seconds, ahead of Anthony Roux and Dominique Cornu.
The final stage will start in Etten-Leur and all the riders will cover a distance of 191 kilometres.
Points:
1. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 15 points
2. Niki Terpstra (Ned) Quickstep Cycling Team 12 points
3. Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Team Garmin-Cervelo 10 points
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