Porto-Vecchio
7 km
Sunday 27 March
On the final time-trial of the event, Frank Schleck managed to hang on to his overall lead to catpure the 80th edition of the Criterium International. The afternoon’s stage went to Germany’s Andreas Kloden setting a time of 8’46, beating specialist Bradley Wiggins and Jakob Fuglsang on the 7.8km course.
One final test remained for yellow jersey holder and winner at the Col de l’Ospedale yesterday, Frank Schleck (LEO): hang on to his slim 16’’ lead over Kyrienka and 20’’ over Taaramae on the 7.8km final time-trial around the city of Porto Vecchio.
The first man to set a reference time was Britain’s Alex Dowsett (SKY) who flew to the line in a time of 9’15 (average speed of 50,595km/h). A time eventually beaten half and hour later by former French champion Dimitri Champion (ALM) in 9’13 and then by Dutchman Wouter Poels (VCD) in 9’12.
Then came the specialists. David Zabriskie was the first to shine in a time of 9’00 before Bradley Wiggins broke the 9 minute mark in 8’50. But that still wasn’t good enough when Andreas Kloden hit the hardest setting a time of 8’46. The recent winner of the Vernoux-en-Vivarais stage on Paris-Nice eventually beat Wiggins by 4” and Fuglsang by 10”.
Frank Schleck who took off last with the yellow jersey on his shoulders managed to cope with the pressure of his closest rivals, eventually making it to the line with the 13th fastest time in 9’10.
After two Tour de France stages, the Tour of Switzerland and the Amstel Gold Race, Schleck adds another prestigious line to his record with this 80th edition of the Criterium International. He finally wins the event with a 13” advantage over Kyrienka and 30” over Taaramae, best young rider of the race.