Tour de l'Ain: Schulze on the podium in second place
Today's first half-stage of the Tour de l'Ain covered 83 kilometers from Langieu to Amberieu. After ranking fifth yesterday's, Team NetApp sprinter André Schulze just barely secured second place behind Yauheni Hutarovich (FDJ), who won his second stage in a row. Sebastien Chavanel (Team Europcar) followed in third place.
Right after the start, two riders were able to break away from the field. The field let it happen, but then took charge of the chase and kept the breakaway riders in check with a one-minute lead. Shortly before the finish, the duo was caught and victory was decided in a mass sprint.
"Everything worked out great today. The guys prepared the sprint for André very well. It was a very close decision, only about half a wheel's length," Enrico Poitschke commented after the race.
The second half-stage was carried out as a team time trial over 10.7 kilometers in Saint-Vulbas.
Stage 1, August 7th
Montmerle-Sur-Saone – Trevoux (146,2 km)
Stage 2, August 8th
Lagnieu – Amberieu-en-Bugey (83 km)
TTT – Saint-Vulbas / Plaine de L’Ain (10,7 km)
Stage 3, August 9th
Belley – Montreal-la-Cluse (148,5 km)
Stage 4, August 10th
Nantua – Septmoncel (156,7 km)
Stage 5, August 11th
Saint-Claude – Lelex Monts-Jura (134,7 km)
Line-up:
Jan Barta, Daniel Schorn, Andre Schulze, Michael Schwarzmann, Markus Eichler, Matthias Brändle, Blaz Jarc
