2008 Paris - Correze Stage 1 & Photos
Miyataka Shimizu was the surprise winner of the stage in Ambazac after a last
kilometer attack.
Report & Photos by Simon Alderson
Stage One: Saint Amand Montrond to Ambazac
The Japanese rider, Miyataka Shimizu was the surprise first stage
winner in Ambazac of the eighth edition of the Paris – Corrèze. We were hoping
for a lively race and we weren’t disappointed. The stage between Saint-Amand-
Montrond and Ambazac got under way quickly which gave no respite to riders a
little under par.
First break of Paris - Correze goes up the road.
Photo © 2008 Simon Alderson
Almost immediately the skirmishes started and upon leaving the department of
the Cher four riders broke off the front in search of adventure. Matthieu Sprick
(BTL), Jean-Marc Marino (CA), Sébastien Joly (FDJ) and Meitan Hompo’s Shinichi
Fukushima quickly built up a good rapport which gained them a maximum break of
six minutes over the peloton.
The peloton crosses into the department of Creuse.
Photo © 2008 Simon Alderson
Crossing the department of the Creuse en route to the Haute Vienne many
riders were starting to wilt under the pressure of the high tempo set by the
boys from Auber 93 and the high temperature in excess of 30۟ C. Soon joined by
Astana (making their return to top flight racing and led by Andreas Kloden,
after being barred from the Tour de France) and Caisse d’Epargne - the break was
destined to be pulled back into the fold by the two teams.
The peloton came back together on the major climb of the day, the premier
category Côte des Echelles, 58 kilometres from the Arrivée. Immediately the
fight started again in earnest and a group of seven riders emerged from this
attack. Behind, the field fragmented.
The breakaway crosses line for final circuit. Local lad Maxime Mederal in sixth
wheel.
Photo © 2008 Simon Alderson
René Joergensen (Designa Kokken), Miyataka Shimizu (Meitan Hompo), Noan
Lelarge (Bretagne Armor Lux), Brice Feillu (Agritubel), Evgeny Sokolov (BTL),
José Rojas (GCE) and Maxime Méderal (CA) the local boy from Ambazac, formed the
breakaway which quickly opened up a gap that guaranteed they would stay away to
the finish.
With seventeen Kilometres to go these seven men became engaged in a
relentless battle with constant attacks against each other. As the group crossed
the finishing line for the final circuit the ranks of Maxime Méderal’s fan club
went wild with delight to see their man in this race-winning breakaway.
Miyataka Shimizu Wins!
Photo © 2008 Simon Alderson
However, in the final Kilometre of the stage, it was Shimizu who broke away
to win 3” from Brice Feillu. The loudest cheer of the day was reserved for local
boy Maxime Méderel who came in 4th, 42” down.
Shimizu celebrates stage win and leaders jersey.
Photo © 2008 Simon Alderson
Stage 1 Results &
General Classification
1. Shimizu 5h 4’ 26”
2. Feillu at 3”
3. Lelarge 5”
Local rider Maxime Mederal finishes 4th.
Photo © 2008 Simon Alderson
4. Mederel 42”
5. Joergensen 1’ 8”
6. Rojas 1’ 9”
7. Sokolov st
8. Scheirlinckx 1’ 59”
9. Geslin st
10. De Waele st
Shimizu celebrates with team mate Koji Fukushima. Koji is a two time stage
winner in the Tour de Langkawi.
Photo © 2008 Simon Alderson
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