Vaitkus Edged Out in Final Sprint
By: Chris Brewer
Belgian strongman Phillipe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) won a 5-man sprint to the line in wet conditions, topping Rony Martias (Saur-Sojasun) and Team RadioShack’s Tomas Vaitkus. 165 riders took to the line in Eeklo, NW of Brussels near Brugge, in pretty miserable conditions (12C / 54F and steady rain). It took over an hour before seven riders went off the front – essentially the day’s winning move – and the small, powerful pack was able to hold off a final charge by Team Quick Step to contest the final run. Gilbert attacked twice on the way to the line but was brought back each time, yet still had enough gas to edge Martias at the line.
The race continues tomorrow with a 163km stage from Eeklo to Knokke-Heist.
Stage 1 Result
1 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 3:32:18
2 Rony Martias (Fra) Saur - Sojasun
3 Tomas Vaitkus (Ltu) Team Radioshack
4 David Boucher (Fra) Landbouwkrediet
5 James Vanlandschoot (Bel) Verandas Willems
6 Stefan Van Dijk (Ned) Verandas Willems 0:00:17
7 Jimmy Casper (Fra) Saur - Sojasun
8 Denis Galimzyanov (Rus) Team Katusha
9 Rafai Chtioui (Tun) Acqua & Sapone - D'angelo & Antenucci
10 Michaël Van Staeyen (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator
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