Twice is nicer for Vinokourov.
Although he didn't came here to win the overall classification again, Alexander Vinokourov's two stage wins in three days demonstrated that he has also not come to Paris-Nice just for the racing kilometres. Vino once again displayed his incredible power, attacking the lead groupwith 5 km to go to close a 25 second gap to Samuel Sanchez, who up until then had been in front on his own.The Kazakh caught and passed Sanchez with 2 km left to cross the line 18 seconds clear of the yellow jersey bunch, led home by Kim Kirchen.
"Even though I'm not here for the general classification, I wanted to try again to win a stage," Vinokourov said in a post-stage interview. "We're nearly where I live [in Monte Carlo]. The team worked hard, and in the final, I redicovered my legs.
Alongside the sea was hard. I know hte parcours, I often come here in December. When I attacked I didn't know if I could recapture Sanchez. I said to myself I had to try, and when I saw the wind blowing fully from in front along the sea, I thought it was better for me. caught him and attacked straight away. This is a very nice victory."
How it unfolded
Sanches was too quick for Vandenbroucke and at the bottom of the descenthe had 8 seconds lead over the Belgian and 16 seconds to the bunch. VDB had to give up the chase and was caught by Jaksche's group, while Sanchez persisted out in front in the final run into Cannes. But with 5 km to go, shortly before the final left hand turn along the windy seafront, Alexander Vinokourov launched a powerful acceleration. He wasn't a GC concern, so no-one immediatley chased him and the Kazakh was gone.
Alongside the sea was hard. I know hte parcours, I often come here in December. When I attacked I didn't know if I could recapture Sanchez. I said to myself I had to try, and when I saw the wind
Over the next three kimetres, Vinokourov mowed down the 0'25 gap to Sanchez along the sea front, catching and passing the luckless Basque wiht 2 km to go and riding to his second stage win. Sanchez was caught with 500 meter to go as Kim Kirchen took the sprint for second and the very impressive Jens Voigt was third.
Source: www.cyclingnews.com |
