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RACE REPORTS: TOUR DE SUISSE STAGE 8: FARIA DA COSTA STEALS VICTORY
Road Bike Action & AFP
June 19, 2010
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(Roberto Bettini)
Dutch rider Robert Gesink closed in on the Tour of Switzerland title Saturday as he held the leader's yellow jersey after the eighth stage won by Portugal's Rui Faria da Costa Caisse d'Epargne rider da Costa, 23, finished 15-seconds ahead of teammate Jose Gil Rojas with Belgian Maxime Monfort of HTC-Columbia 19-seconds off the pace after the 172km ride between Wetzikon and Liestalas.
Rabobank's Gesink crossed in the peloton over a minute behind the winner with the race concluding Sunday with a 26.9km time-trial around Liestal. Gesink holds a 29-second lead over Colombian Rigoberto Uran with Swiss Steve Morabito at 36-seconds. Luxembourg's Frank Schleck is fourth at 38-seconds with seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong seventh overall at 55-seconds and Andy Schleck 11th at 1:40.
"It was a tough day for the team, but we worked well together and that was nice to see," said Gesink. "Personally I felt very strong. It was a tight battle and I'll do everything to win the Tour of Switzerland."
RadioShack manager Johann Bruyneel believes Armstrong's title hopes are slim. "In theory (Armstrong) can win, but 55-seconds on Gesink is a lot over 27km," said Bruyneel. "Gesink has a big lead, he's in form with a good mentality. The time-trial suits him and 55-seconds is a lot."
Faria da Costa made a break some 9km from the line, leaving his break-away companions Monfort, Rojas and Sandy Casar behind. "We worked well together (with Rojas) that really helped me to win," said da Costa. "Winning on a big race like the Tour of Switzerland is great. It was a tough day but now my thoughts are turned towards the Tour de France."
Meanwhile, Luxembourg's Kim Kirchen remains in a stable condition after being placed in an artificial coma following a heart attack, his Katusha team said Saturday. The 31-year-old, who finished seventh overall in the 2007 Tour de France, felt unwell and was hospitalised overnight Friday.
"Kim Kirchen is in a stable condition after the heart attack he suffered overnight yesterday (Friday)," his team said in a statement. "The Luxemburger was placed in an artificial coma to better evaluate his condition. The rider must remain in this condition for at least another 24 hours."
Tour de Suisse Stage 8: Wetzikon - Liestal 172.4km
1. Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por/Caisse d'Epargne) 4:10:32
2. Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa/Caisse d'Epargne) @ .15
3. Maxime Monfort (Bel/HTC-Columbia) @ .19
4. Sandy Casar (Fra/Française Des Jeux) @ .34
5. Alessandro Vanotti (Ita/Liquigas-Doimo) @ s.t.
6. Lars Petter Nordhaug (Nor/Sky)
7. Tom Danielson (USA/Garmin-Transitions) @ .39
8. Daniele Pietropolli (Ita/Lampre-Farnese Vini) @ 1:14
9. Thor Hushovd (Nor/Cervelo) @ 1:16
10. Robert Gesink (Ned/Rabobank)
General Classification After Stage 8
1. Robert Gesink (Ned/Rabobank) 34:27:47
2. Rigoberto Uran (Col/Caisse d'Epargne) @ .29
3. Steve Morabito (Swi/BMC) @ .36
4. Fränk Schleck (Lux/Saxo Bank) @ .38
5. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa/Katusha) @ .42
6. Matteo Carrara (Ita/Vacansoleil) @ .54
7. Lance Armstrong (USA/Radioshack) @ .55
8. Oliver Zaugg (Swi/Liquigas-Doimo) @ 1:01
9. Jakob Fuglsang (Den/Saxo Bank) @ 1:17
10. Thomas Löfkvist (Swe/Sky) @ 1:38
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