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RACE REPORTS: DAUPHINE-LIBERE STAGE TWO REPORT: FURLAN BEATS BOONEN
Road Bike Action and AFP
June 8, 2009
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(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
David Millar's breakaway bid to win the second stage of the Dauphine Libere failed over the home stretch here on Monday as he was caught by the chasing pack headed by Italy's Angelo Furlan. The 31-year-old Scot of the Slipstream team had surged into the lead a minute before the finish of the 228-kilometer stage and looked to maintain his advantage but Furlan and several others hauled him in at the post.
Swiss rider Markus Zberg was second and Belgian Tom Boonen third. The photo finish left Millar ninth after the stage. The stage winner minimized Millar's challenge, saying he was keeping up with Boonen: "It was a dangerous sprint and we took a lot of risks. He (Boonen) was the favourite. We had a different perception, we knew he (Millar) would be taken." Furlan added: "Perhaps this means I have earned my place on the Tour, it's a great moment."
Cadel Evans of the Silence team retained the overall lead which he seized in Sunday's time-trial at Nancy. The Australian has an eight second advantage over 2007 Tour de France Winner, Spain's Alberto Contador (Astana)."The important thing was to avoid a fall," the 32-year-old added after Monday's rain-affected stage. "For me the Dauphine is a rehearsal for the Tour," he added.
The Tour de France starts on July 4 in Monaco.
63rd Dauphine Libere
France, June 7-14, 2009
Stage 2: June 8, Nancy - Dijon, 228km
1. Angelo Furlan (ITA/LAM) 5hr 35min 04sec
2. Markus Zberg (SUI/BMC) @ s.t.
3. Tom Boonen (BEL/QST)
4. Marco Bandiera (ITA/LAM)
5. Marcel Sieberg (GER/THR)
6. Nicolas Roche (EIR/ALM)
7. Gert Steegmans (BEL/KAT)
8. Arnaud Coyot (FRA/GCE)
9. David Millar (GBR/GRM)
10. Christian Knees (GER/MRM)
Overall Classification After Stage 2
1. Cadel Evans (AUS/SIL) 5hr 50min 40sec
2. Alberto Contador (ESP/AST) @ 0:08
3. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/GCE) @ 0:23
4. Sebastien Rosseler (BEL/QST) @ 0:33
5. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/LIQ) @ 0:34
6. Frantisek Rabon (CZE/THR) @ 0:34
7. Christian Knees (GER/MRM) @ 0:34
8. Benoit Vaugrenard (FRA/FDJ) @ 0:36
9. Ivan Gutierrez (ESP/GCE) @ 0:36
10. David Millar (GBR/GRM) @ 0:37
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