Tour of Austria

Stage 1: Dornbirn to  Bludenz, 157.9km/98mi

By Cathy Mehl

While most of the world’s collective interest in cycling is tuned in to the Tour de France, racing is happening in other places too, most notably the 62-nd Tour of Austria.  The first victory went to Andre Greipel of HTC-Columbia in a straight-up dash to the line that put him just ahead of Ben Swift (Team Sky) and Graeme Brown (Rabobank).  It was the 13-th victory of the season for Greipel.

An early break of three riders comprised the escape of the day before HTC-Columbia hunted them down to ensure the group sprint.  With Greipel not selected to the Tour team, he had much to prove on today’s finish line and came through in flying colors.  He wears the first leader’s jersey in Austria.

Team RadioShack riders all rode well and arrived safely in Bludenz.  Team rider Daryl Impey took a strong tenth place in the opening stage with teammate Fumy Beppu right behind for 12th.

Monday’s Stage 2 is 173.9km from Landeck to  Kitzbüheler Horn as the eight-day Tour of Austria continues through July 11th.

Top Ten Results

1 GREIPEL, André THR Team HTC Co 03.38.38 00.00 -10

2 SWIFT, Ben SKY Professiona 03.38.38 00.00 -6

3 BROWN, Graeme RAB Rabobank 03.38.38 00.00 -4

4 NAPOLITANO, Danilo KAT Team Katush 03.38.38 00.00

5 MAES, Nikolas QST Quick Step 03.38.38 00.00

6 COLLI, Daniele FLM Ceramica Fl 03.38.38 00.00

7 PIECHELE, Andrea CMO Carmiooro N 03.38.38 00.00

8 WEISSINGER, René VBG Vorarlberg 03.38.38 00.00

9 SENTJENS, Roy MRM Team Milram 03.38.38 00.00

10  IMPEY, Daryl RSH Team Radios 03.38.38

Top Ten Results

12 BEPPU, Fumiyuki 03.38.38 00.00

28 MACHADO, Tiago  03.38.38 00.00

56 BUSCHE, Matthew 03.38.38 00.00

66 IRIZAR ARANBURU, Mar  03.38.38 00.00

67 ROVNY, Ivan  03.38.38 00.00

91 RUBIERA, Jose Luis  03.38.38 00.00

98 HERMANNS, Ben  03.38.38 00.00

General Classification after Stage 1

1 GREIPEL, André THR Team HTC Co 03.38.28 00.00.00

2 CANNONE, Donato FLM Ceramica Fl 03.38.31 00.00.03

3 SWIFT, Ben SKY Professiona 03.38.32 00.00.04

4 BROWN, Graeme RAB Rabobank 03.38.34 00.00.06

5 NAPOLITANO, Danilo KAT Team Katush 03.38.38 00.00.10

6 MAES, Nikolas QST Quick Step 03.38.38 00.00.10

7 COLLI, Daniele FLM Ceramica Fl 03.38.38 00.00.10

8 PIECHELE, Andrea CMO Carmiooro N 03.38.38 00.00.10

9 WEISSINGER, René VBG Vorarlberg 03.38.38 00.00.10

10 SENTJENS, Roy MRM Team Milram 03.38.38 00.00.10