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Hushovd 11th in Stage 2 at Tirreno-Adriatico

March 11, 2010 - Filed under: TestTeam

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Tom Boonen (Bel- Quick Step) out sprinted Paul Martens (Ned-Rabobank) and Daniele Bennati (Ita - Liquigas-Doimo) in the bunch sprint to take his first-ever win today at the second stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. Thor Hushovd (Nor) delivered the best result for Cervélo TestTeam with an eleventh place finish.

The break of the day lasted most of the stage. The quartet, containing Alan Marangoni (Ita-Colnago-CSF Inox), Alan Perez Lezaun (Esp-Euskaltel-Euskadi), Diego Caccia (Esp-ISD-Neri) and Mikhail Ignatiev (Rus-Katusha), escaped 11km into the stage, managing to stretch out a lead of more than four minutes before being absorbed on the last of four 14.5km finishing circuits, some 3.5km from the finish.

"Today's breakaway began 11 kilometres from the start and wasn't pulled back until the last 3.5 kilometres. So day by day the race is getting more serious," said Jean Paul van Poppel, sports director. "Thor's eleventh place finish today was very reasonable when you consider the steep 762m climb at Goraiolo. Though we were focused on the bunch sprint, as you can imagine - so are a lot of other teams. Thor picked a very good position at the final but could not take advantage of that. Day by day he gets better. Thor is in good condition and his form continues to improve he will be at his best next Saturday. Tomorrow we have two climbs and there is still a good chance for a bunch sprint. It also depends on the weather - which still looks iffy. But we would like a good result here and so strive to do our best."

Stage 2: Montecatini Terme - Montecatini Terme (165 km)
1. Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step
2. Paul Martens (Ned) Rabobank
3. Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas Doimo
11. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervélo TestTeam