THIS WEEK IN PRO CYCLING
Hamilton zeroes in on Romandie repeat
Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) withstood a double-barreled attack in Saturday’s short but challenging three-climb 127km fourth stage to ease into the overall lead of the 58th Tour de Romandie with Sunday’s decisive time trial on tap.
Saunier Duval sent Fabian Jeker and Leonardo Piepoli on the march on the day’s third Category 1 climb at Crans Montana high in the Swiss Alps. Hamilton found a new faithful ally in Slovenian national champion Tadej Valjavec, who helped his captain mark the pair’s every move.
Former mountain biker Dario Cioni (Fassa Bortolo) bridged out from a chase group in the 27km run back into Sion for the final sprint to the line. It wasn’t pretty, with mountain climbers and GC riders finding themselves in an unfamiliar sprint, but Jeker came around Valjavec to take a long-awaited victory on home soil. Cioni took second and Valjavec chewed up the final time bonus with third.
Hamilton came through fourth and slipped on the leader’s jersey holding a slender 19-second lead over Piepoli and 30 seconds over Jeker heading into Sunday’s final individual time trial.
The defending champion looked comfortable in the saddle during the long grinding climb up Crans Montana and will be surely pleased with fine work from Valjavec, who joined Phonak after four seasons with Fassa Bortolo.
The Saunier Duval assault ended the one-day run in the race leader’s jersey for Alexandre Moos (Phonak), who slipped to sixth at 1:16 back after he faded under the Jeker’s steady pressure.
American Tom Danielson (Fassa Bortolo) endured another difficult day in the Swiss mountains, leading across a 10-man chase group in 16th at 5:15 back. He sits comfortably in the top 20 in 19th place at 10:32 back.
Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) was part of an early 10-man move that held sway over the day’s opening two climbs at Ovronnaz (1350m) and Veysonnaz (1255m). Jeker was the first to bridge out from the peloton after the break hit the base of the Crans Montana (1545m) climb nursing a 1:23 lead.
Ivan Basso (CSC) was among the contenders who faded under the grinding pace set by Saunier Duval. Moos hung on until 3km to go and kept the leading quartet at 1 minute, but couldn’t bridge back on the flat run into Sion.
Hamilton is the favorite going into Sunday’s 20.4km individual time trial in Lausanne, finishing with a steep 765-foot climb in the final 5km up to Stade Olympique from the shores of Lake Geneva.
Hamilton won the stage last year en route to the overall title. The New Englander will be motivated to seal a consecutive victory with another strong ride against the clock.
