Zabel Wins Final Stage of Andalucian Tour; Dominguez Takes Race

News & Results

02/29/2004| 0 comments
by Gerald Churchill

Zabel Wins Final Stage of Andalucian Tour; Dominguez Takes Race

Erik Zabel (T Mobile) has won the fifth and final stage of the Andalucian Tour.

Erik Zabel (T Mobile) has won the fifth and final stage of the Andalucian Tour. The German sprinter took the 186-km ride from Oscar Freire (Rabobank) and Tom Boonen (Quick Step-Davitamon) in 4:43:19. Juan Carlos Dominguez (Saunier Duval) is the Andalucian Tour's overall winner.

From the start, the pace was fast. Kelme and Euskaltel attacked repeatedly to put Carlos Garcia Quesada (Kelme) and Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel) into the race lead. On the Category 1 Alto de Tices, a leading group formed that included Dominguez, Quesada, and Sanchez. Quesada led the field over the summit.

On the descent, Quesada was caught, but Inigo Landaluce (Euskaltel), who began the day 0:51 behind Dominguez, attacked with Erik Dekker (Rabobank) and Javier Pascual Rodriguez (Kelme). The trio forged a two-minute lead, but Saunier Duval, assisted by the sprinters' teams, reeled in the fugitives. Fifty riders contested the sprint, which Zabel won.

In the overall, Dominguez finished 0:15 ahead of Quesada and 0:19 ahead of Sanchez. Will Dominguez and his companions on the podium have other successes during the season? Check in at www.roadcycling.com and find out!

 

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