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2012 Tour de Suisse
Stage 5: Trimbach/Olten - Gansingen (192.7km)
Vladimir Isaychev (Katusha) took his first career win in Gansingen today. The 26 year-old Russian proved the strongest of a six man breakaway that had lasted for 180km. Second place went to Ruben Perez 9Euskatel) who came close to snatching the win with a late thrust, while neo-pro Savatore Puccio (Sky) took third.
Isaychev was on cloud nine with his win. When asked by a reporter "Is this the best win of your career", he replied chuckling, "Best win? This is my first win. A win in the Tour de Suisse wasn't what Ii was expecting. Before the arrival I knew I couldn't sprint so I had to do something." He proved otherwise though, even though he and everyone else where down to the dregs when what passed for a sprint took off with 300m to go.
Vladimir
ISAYCHEV wins Stage5 © Tour de Suiisse
The break, which had originally been seven, proved that it was possible to beat Peter Sagan, but they built themselves a ten minute gap with 10km to go to make sure. Comprising Isaychev, Perez, Puccio, Karsten Kroon (Saxo Bank), Sebastian Minard (AG2R) and Daniel OSS, with Klaas Lodewyck a minute or more off the back in no-mans land, the break abandoned the temporary teamwork that had helped them survive to that point and began to probe each others weaknesses. Perez made the first sustained attack, but had Daniel Oss leading back the other five. Minard tried simply riding away whihc didn't work, so he attacked more decisively. He had Oss and Perez in hot pursuit and for a tiem it looked like the top spots were decided, but Kroon and the others took advantage of a moments cat and mouse to make the join.
With two kilometres to go it was obviousl that the sextet were too tired to spar anymore and the speed dropped. There was no chance of the peloton playing a part as they if anything had slowed down too. Finally with 300m to go a sprint developed. Isaychev found himself in the hitherto unique position of being in the lead as the line appraoched. He almost made the mistake of celebrating too early as Perez found some strength to try to pass. The big Russian's momentum was enough and Perez mssed out by a few centimetres. 11 minutes later Elia Viviani (Liquigas) led a mini-sprint to bring in the peloton. Isaychev day in the saddle proved doubly worthwhile when he took over the lead in the Mountain's classification from Andy Schleck
Rui Costa (Movistar) retained the overall lead and will start stage 6, Wittnau - Bischofszel (198.5 km) with eight seconds over Fränk Schleck (RadioShack-Nissan) and 15 seconds over Roman Kreuziger (Astana). the stage is bumpy towards the end with two 4th Cat and two 3 Cat climbs.
Route Map
© Tour de Suiisse
Results Stage 3 - Top 30
Courtesy Matsport Timing
General Classification after Stage 4 - Top 50
Courtesy Matsport Timing
To read more go to the Tour de Suisse 2012
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