|
|
RACE REPORTS: 44TH TIRRENO-ADRIATICO: UNKNOWN EL FARES TAKES FIRST STAGE AND OVERALL LEAD
Tim Maloney-European Editor
March 11, 2009
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Julien El Fares wins tight sprint in Capannori
(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
On a sunny springlike day in Tuscany, 24 year old Julien El Fares
(Cofidis) from Manosque, France took a surprise win in Stage 1 of the
44th edition of Tirreno-Adriatico today in Capannori. The second year
pro took his 1st career pro victory over 37 year old Ukranian Volodymir
Duma (Cermica Flaminia) in a two-up sprint after a breakaway of 115km.
El Fares, of North African origin, had a solid career as an amateur in
France for AVC Aix en Provence and the national U23 team under the
direction of Bernard Borreau. Previously this season, El Fares best
result was 10th in Stage 5 of the Tour Down Under.
Fuji-Servetto makes the race
(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
Although 24 teams and 192 riders were originally expected to start
Tirreno-Adriatico, a last-minute decision by the Court for Arbitration
in Sport (CAS) allowed the previously uninvited Fuji-Servetto squad to
take the start in Cecina. Although the CAS upheld the decision to
exclude Fuji-Servetto from Paris-Nice (because in their previous 2008
incarnation as Saunier Duval-Scott) they had damaged the image of ASO,
owner of the Tour De France last year. However, CAS upheld
Fuji-Servetto's appeal of the decision to exclude them from other
ProTour races, so Tirreno-Adriatico organizers RCS Sport had to let the
team, run by Mauro Gianetti, start the corsa dei due mari. 200 riders
and 25 teams took the start in Cecina
An escape after 31km of Stage 1 in San Pietro in Palazzi by experienced
Ukranian Volodymir Duma (Cermica Flaminia) and Frenchman Julien
El-Fares (Cofidis) was the move of the day and the duo gained a maximum
lead of 11' after 54km, when the sprinters teams started to chase the
break. The two front runners worked well together and with 30km to go
still had 5' on the chasers. As the final circuit in Capannori started
with 27km to go the lead had dropped to 3'56" with Quick Step and
Columbia leading the charge.
With 18km to go on the final ascent of the day, the steep 2km ascent of
Valgiano proved decisive for the escape, as the gruppo never cranked up
the pace enough to bring back the break. El Fares dropped Duma on the
climb and passed-over the GPM with 16km to go and a 20" lead over Duma
and 1'45" over the gruppo, led by Liquigas rider Vicenzo Nibali. Duma
came back on the descent and the duo maintained their lead in the
finale. Under the 1km kite on via Martiri Lunatesi in Capanorri, El
Fares stayed on Duma's wheel, then made his move from behind with 200m.
to go and Duma just didn't have the legs to come around in the headwind
sprint. 12" later, Liquigas sprinter Daniele Bennati won the sprint for
3rd from Ale-Jet Petacchi (LPR Brakes), Tommeke Boonen (Quick Step) and
Fabian Wegmann (Milram).
Bennati's anger management
(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
A disappointed Bennati told RAI-TV after the stage "I went to the front
in the finale, and the other sprinters' teams tired to help. Today was
my chance and it was a shame to throw it away. I'm upset to that
I couldn't for the great guys on my team, Basso, Nibali and Pellizotti,
who were all pulling for me today."
Thursday's Stage 2 is 177km from Volterra-Marina di Carrara with 2 Gpm
ascents and Cofidis rider Julien El Fares will start as race leader of
the 44th edition of Tirreno-Adriatico
44th Tirreno-Adriatico
Italy, March 11-17, 2009
Wednesday, March 11
Stage 1: Cecina-Capannori / 147km
1. Julien El Fares (Fra) Cofidis: 3h34'03"
2. Vladimir Duma (Ukr) Ceramica Flaminia @ same time
3. Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas @ 12"
4. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes
5. Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step @ same time
44th Tirreno-Adriatico / General classification after Stage 1
1. Julien El Fares (Fra) Cofidis
2. Vladimir Duma (Ukr) Ceramica Flaminia
3. Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas
4. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes
5. Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|