Lars Boom shuts outs rivals in prologue
DUTCHMAN Lars Boom powered to the overall lead of the Criterium du Dauphine stage race after dominating his rivals in the opening prologue.
DUTCHMAN Lars Boom powered to the overall lead of the Criterium du Dauphine stage race after dominating his rivals in the opening prologue overnight.
Former cyclo-cross champion Boom, who rides for Rabobank, completed the race against the clock in a time of 6min 18sec to keep Astana veteran Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan in second place by two seconds at Saint-Jean-De-Maurienne, France.
Britain's Bradely Wiggins, one of several top names hoping to use the eight day race as a crucial warm-up for the Tour de France next month, was third at five seconds adrift for Team Sky.
Briefs spells of rain had made the technical course something of a lottery for most of the peloton, although by the time the big favourites had warmed up and were ready to go most of the roads had dried.
Boom, who is just recovering from a bout of tendinitis which flared up at the Tour of California, put his victory down to a solid block of training.
“Apart from the hill at the start of the race, it went really well for me,” said the 25-year-old, one of the few professional riders who stands above 1.90 metres.
“I felt comfortable in the corners, where my cyclo-cross experience probably helped, but I think the biggest difference was having trained solidly last week.
“Now I'd like to keep the jersey for another day although I know tomorrow's stage finishes on an uphill. The main aim for the team is to go for more stage wins, whether it's me or someone else.”
As a host of big names, including Italian Ivan Basso, finished way off Boom's pace Vinokourov was more than happy with a place on the podium.
“I've got great legs,” said the Kazakhstani.
“I trained hard in the lead up to the Dauphine, and this is my reward. I'm delighted.”
Australian Cadel Evans, a three-time runner-up on the race, finished seventh at nine seconds back.
“Unfortunately, when it's changing weather conditions, it can make for a little bit of an unfair racing,” Evans said.
“But it was good the roads dried up for the GC favorites. It's a good start to what is going to be an interesting race.”
BMC Racing Team Directeur Sportif John Lelangue said Evans is on track at a race where he has finished runner-up three times.
“There is still a big time trial coming and some nice mountain top finishes,” Lelangue said. “Most important today was to be safe and not lose time.
Belgian Jurgen van den Broeck was the next best among the other hopefuls for a podium place at next month's Tour, the Omega-Pharma all-rounder finishing in 15th at 14 adrift.
Dutchman Robert Gesink, also of Rabobank, was a further two seconds further back while German Tony Martin, of HTC-Highroad finished 17 behind Boom.
Basso, who has made victory in the Tour de France his priority this year, could only finish 102nd at 34secs behind Boom.
Time trial specialist Boom thus claims his second victory of the season after winning the Tour of Qatar prologue in February.
The first stage of the Criterium is held tonight when a 144 km ride will take the peloton from Albertville to Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse.
In keeping with the tradition of being a major warm-up for the yellow jersey battle, the third stage Wednesday will feature the exact same 42.5 km time trial around Grenoble that will be used on the 20th and penultimate stage of the Tour de France.
AFP