 Nardello won his first World Cup race |
Italy's Daniele Nardello claimed his first World Cup after winning the Championship of Zurich cycle race on Sunday. Team Telekom rider Nardello broke on his own seven kilometres from the finish and held off the challenge of Tour de France runner-up Jan Ullrich over the closing kilometre.
Ullrich, who later announced that he will skip next month's Tour of Spain in order to concentrate on October's world championships, was six seconds behind the Italian at the finish.
Nardello's compatriot Paolo Bettini was third and the Quick Step rider retains his lead in the World Cup standings.
The final two events in the 10-event World Cup are Paris-Tours and the Giro di Lombardia in Italy.
Portuguese rider Nuno Ribeiro won the 11-stage Tour of Portugal after Denmark's Claus Moller of Denmark won the 36.7km time trial final stage around Viseu.
Championship of Zurich leading results:
1. Daniele Nardello (Italy) Telekom five hours 55 minutes 31 seconds
2. Jan Ullrich (Germany) Bianchi six seconds behind
3. Paolo Bettini (Italy) Quick Step 11 seconds
4. Michael Boogerd (Netherlands) Rabobank
5. Davide Rebellin (Italy) Gerolsteiner
6. Javier Pascual Rodriguez (Spain) Ibanesto
7. Oscar Camenzind (Switzerland) Phonak
8. David Moncoutie (France) Cofidis
9. Michele Scarponi (Italy) Domina Vacanze
10. Cristian Moreni (Italy) Alessio all same time
World Cup standings: (after eight rounds)
1. Bettini 350 points
2. Boogerd 204
3. Peter Van Petegem (Belgium) Lotto-Domo 203
4. Rebellin 187
5. Mirko Celestino (Italy) Saeco 139
6. Danilo Di Luca (Italy) Saeco 136
7. Nardello 124
8. Francesco Casagrande (Italy) Lampre 123
9. Dario Pieri (Italy) Saeco117
10. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kazhakstan) Telekom 100
MMIX
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