Sport

Zanini wins sprint to take first stage

CYCLING/Tour of Britain: Quick

Shane Stokes In Manchester
Thu Sept 02 2004 - 01:00

CYCLING/Tour of Britain: Quick.Step Davitamon rider Stefano Zanini won yesterday's opening stage of the Tour of Britain, taking the victory in Manchester in a bunch sprint of 78 riders.

The 35-year-old Italian hit the line ahead of Kevin Van Impe (Lotto-Domo), Alejandro Alberto Borrajo (Ceramiche Panaria) and Julian Dean (Credit Agricole), with double Tour de France stage winner Tom Boonen (Quick.Step - Davitamon) finishing fifth and British champion Roger Hammond (Mr Bookmaker.com) sixth.

Irishman Ciarán Power attacked after a long-range breakaway of three riders - Duncan Urquhart (Scotland), Rodney Green (Barloworld) and Robert Partridge (Wales) - was finally reeled in towards the end of the stage. The Navigators professional went clear with Team Barloworld's Stefan Adamsson inside the final 20 kilometres, was brought back soon after but still finished 14th in the bunch finish which decided the stage.

The six riders on the Grant Thornton-Ireland team also fared well, with all bar Tommy Evans finishing in the main bunch. Several of them attacked during the stage but were unable to go clear. However, they will try again in the next four days, conscious that a good ride here could attract the attention of the many big teams in the race.

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Despite the strong professional presence, including the T-Mobile team of Tour de France runner-up Andreas Kloden and the US Postal squad, Ireland manager Frank Campbell feels the Irish amateurs are capable of a strong performance here. "We will be aiming for a top three placing on a stage and a top 10 overall," he said.

"That may sound very ambitious but I think we have a very talented bunch of riders who have worked hard. They are in good condition and I think they will leave their mark on the race."

The Tour of Britain continues today with a 172.3 kilometre stage from Leeds to Sheffield. Stefano Zanini will set out aiming to hold onto the race leader's yellow jersey but with the gruelling first category climbs of Holme Moss and Snake Pass coming towards the end of the race, the sprint specialist has a tough task ahead.