Haedo wins stage, Farrar General

October 4, 2009

VNR

The die is cast. After four days of racing, the 69th edition of the Franco Belge has delivered its verdict. Tyler Farrar called the winner who thanks to his speed has donned the leader's yellow jersey from the first step to keep it until the end of the race in Tournai. He could count on a formidable team of Efficiency which has done many efforts to protect her whenever designated leader.

From this fourth and final stage between Mons and Tournai, everyone hoped to have a good battle between the different leaders. Despite a few skirmishes, no escape can be reported before 35 km or 4 men take the lead, it is Stijn Vandenbergh, Florent Brard, Fabrice Jeandesboz and Martin Kohler. Their lead would quickly grow to 3 minutes, but no more because behind the Garmin took over the prosecution.

While the platoon is gradually returning the fugitives, Lars Ytting Bak decides to go to cons. It will soon be followed by Gianni Meersman, Thomas Vaitkus and Sergey Lagutin. Finally, at Km 115, the leading men come together to form a breakaway with 8 units on a 1'10 platoon briskly conducted by the team leader Tyler Farrar. The General regoupement occurs at 8km from the finish despite the futile resistance Sergey Lagutin, last to be back.

While leading the pack at high speed towards the finish line, Tyler Farrar, leader of the race, burst 5 km of the term. Meanwhile, the peloton split in two, complicating the task of the U.S. obliged to hunt with his team to pick up the two groups. this will be done under the red flame. So a bunch sprint as we witnessed brilliantly won by Argentinean Juan Jose Haedo. He leads Yauheni Hutarovich and Roger Hammond.

In the overall standings, ahead of Tyler Farrar Tom Boonen and Roger Hammond. The American also won the best sprinter's jersey and white jersey of best young rider. In the ranking of the mountains, the red jersey back to Wim de Vocht. The cross-classification teams returned to the Cervelo Test Team. We reach the end of the Franco Belge 2009, go next year for the 70th edition.

Vincent Geldof