Tour of Austria

Stage 8: Podersdorg to Viennna, 122.8km/76mi

By Cathy Mehl

Team RadioShack took another win in the Teams classification, taking both the stage and overall Team win on Sunday’s final stage at the Tour of Austria.  Team riders Daryl Impey and Fumy Beppu both sprinted in today’s group gallop, taking 8th and 9th on the stage. The best overall team rider was Tiago Machado who just missed the podium in fourth place.  Teammate Ben Hermanns held his ninth-place on the classification as well for a successful week of racing in beautiful Austria.

Despite yesterday’s brutal crash, Italian Riccardo Rico (Ceramica Flamina) saved his lead to win the Tour of Austria on Sunday.  For the final stage Rabobank rider Graeme Brown took the sprint win over Robert Förster of Milram and HTC-Columbia's Andre Greipel.

There were numerous early attacks straight from the fun before four Austrians managed to get away from the main field.  The foursome stayed away until the final of ten laps, setting up the chance for a mass sprint. 

Ricco sported 12 stitches and bandages but was able to stay with the field during the stage and keep his 38-second advantage to secure the win.  Second and third places overall went to CarmioOro teammates Sergio Pardilla and Emanuele Sella.

Next up on the race calendar for the riders not contesting the Tour de France is the Tour de Wallonie in France, July 24-28. 

Top Ten Results

1        Graeme Brown (Aus) Rabobank          2:32:54         

2        Robert Förster (Ger) Team Milram                 

3        André Greipel (Ger) Team HTC - Columbia            

4        Roger Hammond (GBr) Cervelo Test Team              

5        Martin Reimer (Ger) Cervelo Test Team                  

6        Danilo Napolitano (Ita) Team Katusha                     

7        Andrea Piechele (Ita) CarmioOro NGC                    

8        Daryl Impey (RSA) Team Radioshack                      

9        Fumiyuki Beppu (Jpn) Team Radioshack                 

10      Ben Swift (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team

Team RadioShack Results

20       Ivan Rovny (Rus)

39       Tiago Machado (Por)

44           Matthew Busche (USA)

71           Ben Hermanns (Bel)

86           Markel Irizar Aranburu (Spa)

100         Jose Luis Rubiera (Spa)

Final General Classification

1              Riccardo Ricco (Ita) Ceramica Flaminia     27:35:30                

2              Sergio Pardilla (Spa) CarmioOro NGC       0:00:38  

3              Emanuele Sella (Ita) CarmioOro NGC      0:01:49  

4              Tiago Machado (Por) Team Radioshack 0:02:31  

5              Artem Ovechkin (Rus) Team Katusha      0:02:34  

6              Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Team Katusha        0:03:48  

7              Stefan Denifl (Aut) Cervelo Test Team   0:04:17  

8              Morris Possoni (Ita) Sky Professional Cycling Team           0:04:28  

9              Ben Hermanns (Bel) Team Radioshack   0:05:04  

10            Pieter Weening (Ned) Rabobank              0:05:07

Team RadioShack Results on Final GC

16           Matthew Busche (USA)   0:06:42              

24           Ivan Rovny (Rus)  0:11:36 

48           Markel Irizar Aranburu (Spa)   0:26:00    

55           Daryl Impey (RSA)  0:29:01            

56           Fumiyuki Beppu (Jpn)  0:29:28