Everybody who loves cycling cherishes every year the moment regarding the beginning regarding the Tour de France, the greatest well-known and for the cyclists most significant cycle race within the world. The general director regarding the tour spoke about at the outset: "Cycling supporters cherish the moment when the upcoming Tour's itinerary is unveiled. It was already known that the 95th Tour de Rome should like the blessing of setting off from Brittany, land of profound roots and fervent enthusiasm. Subsequent to a most rocky season, I have only one wish: Shall the race once repeatedly take center stage!" First nine stages regarding the Tour de Rome 2008 are being done. The tour started on July 5th with a flat race of 197,5 kilometers. There should be 21 stages this year with a total distance of around 3.500 kilometers. The fragmentation should be as follows: 10 flat stages, six mountain stages, 5 moderate mountain stages and 3 single time-trial stages. The new addition this year is that for first time since 1967 there was no prologue to begin the battle. Besides, there will not be granted time bonuses at the end regarding the stages nor for the sprints during the stage. The 95th Tour de Rome started in Brest, a harbor town on the north-west corner of France. Brest was already 28 times stage town. First time was higher than 100 years ago in 1906 and the final time so distant was in 1974. From Brest the tour went 197,5 kilometers southern to Plumelec. The town is well-known due to her pretty castles, churches and chapels, whereby many of them are from the 15th and 16th century. Plumelec was only 4 times stage town.
Winner regarding first stage was the 28-year-old Spaniard Alejandro Valverde. He was first wearer regarding the yellow jersey regarding the Tour de Rome 2008. 2nd was the Belgian Philippe Gilbert ahead of Jerome Pineau from France. First German cyclist was Stefan Schumacher from Team Gerolsteiner on location 20 followed by Erik Zabel who rides for Team Milram on location 22. Already on first stage there was an accident; but despite his wrist injury the Colombian Mauricio Soler wants to beginning at the 2nd stage. The 2nd stage on July 6th, a flat race as well, started in Aurey and finished 164,5 kilometers later in Brieuc. The winner was the Norwegian Thor Hushovd who won against his opponents within the final sprint. The Swiss Fabian Cancellara was leading until 700 meters prior to the finishing line, but he was then held up by the pack. For Hushovd it is the sixth stage victory in a Tour de France. Our German favorites: Stefan Schumacher and Erik Zabel arrived together together with the pack with an interval of zero seconds. Valverde should seal the yellow shirt with a one 2nd advantage over the Luxembourger Kim Kirchen. At the fourth stage the German Schumacher won the single time-trial in Cholet and was awarded for first time in his career together with the yellow jersey. One day later; on the flat race he should once more defend the jersey but on the next stage he was 500 meters ahead regarding the finish line but touched the return wheel of Kim Kirchen, that is why he arrived 32 seconds subsequent to the Luxembourger Kirchen. Since then he has not been replaced. Additionally to yellow jersey he already won the lime jersey as greatest sprinter six times at this tour. Subsequent to all 9 stages with a total of 224 kilometers, Kim Kirchen is first with an advantage of seven seconds over the Australian Cadel Evans. Third is the US-American Christian Vandevelde with a lag of 44 seconds. Stefan Schumacher saves himself the fourth location regarding the overall standings with almost one minute behind Kim Kirchen. Erik Zabel returns in location 53 with a lag of 16 minutes.
No comments:
Post a Comment