BBC SPORT | Other Sport... | Cycling | Gilbert stars in solo stage win

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

---------------

	CHOOSE A SPORT

RELATED BBC SITES

Last Updated: Tuesday, 6 June 2006, 15:32 GMT 16:32 UK

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version

Gilbert stars in solo stage win

Gilbert put in a strong display to claim the stage win

Belgian Philippe Gilbert put in a superb solo ride to claim stage two of the Dauphine Libere and take the overall race lead.

The Francaise des Jeux rider took off from a break of three riders with 35 km to go on the stage from Bourgoin-Jallieu to Saint-Galmier.

Frenchman Samuel Dumoulin was second, five minutes back with Austrian Peter Wrolich third to lead home the peloton.

German Fabian Wegmann is second overall with Frenchman Thomas Voeckler third.

Gilbert, who won the prestigious Het Volk Classic in February admitted he was surprised to have come away with victory.

"I never expected to pull off a stunt like that." said Gilbert, who started the break with Francaise des Jeux team-mate Sebastian Joly of France and compatriot Cedric Vasseur after an hour's racing.

"I wanted to wait for Sebastian, then realised it was too dangerous. I've wanted a victory since Het Volk, and this is the first since then."

On Wednesday, riders will go through a 43km hilly time-trial ahead of an ascent of the Mont Ventoux on Thursday, with two Alpine stages immediately afterwards.

Stage Results
1. Philippe Gilbert (Bel/Francaise des Jeux) 4:45:54"
2. Samuel Dumoulin (Fra/AG2R) +5:19"
3. Peter Wrolich (Aut/Gerolsteiner) +5:23"
4. Thor Hushovd (Nor/Credit Agricole) same time
5. Fabian Wegmann (Ger/Gerolsteiner) s.t.
6. Marco Marzano (Ita/Lampre) s.t.
7. Stuart O'Grady (Aus/Team CSC) s.t.
8. Francisco Mancebo (Spa/AG2R) s.t.
9. Maxim Iglinskiy (Kaz/Milram) s.t.
10. Alejandro Valverde (Spa/Caisse d'Epargne) s.t.

Selected other
109. Bradley Wiggins (GB/Cofidis) +5:47"

General Classification

1. Philippe Gilbert (Bel/Francaise des Jeux) 9:57:13"
2. Fabian Wegmann (Ger/Gerolsteiner) +5:22"
3. Thomas Voeckler (Fra/Bouygues Telecom) +5:27"
4. David Zabriskie (U.S./Team CSC) same time
5. Egoi Martinez (Spa/Discovery Channel) +5:29"
6. George Hincapie (U.S./Discovery Channel) same time
7. Francisco Mancebo (Spa/AG2R) +5:31"
8. Thor Hushovd (Nor/Credit Agricole) +5:33"
9. Stuart O'Grady (Aus/Team CSC) same time
10. Sebastian Lang (Ger/Gerolsteiner) +5:34"

Selected other
100. Bradley Wiggins (GB/Cofidis) +6:02"