Andreas Klöden of the RadioShack team blitzed around the 7.8-kilometer time trial to win the final stage of the Critérium International. Klöden's time of 8'46 was four seconds faster than that of Bradley Wiggins (Sky) and ten seconds quicker than that of third-placed Jakob Fuglsang (Leopard Trek). Fuglsang's teammate Fränk Schleck only conceded seven seconds of his 20-second advantage to Vasil Kiryienka (Movistar) to hold on for the overall victory.
Stage winner Klöden was quite happy with beating a prologue specialist like Wiggins. "Pretty good, eh?" he said to VeloNation. The German had a strong spring, getting second in Paris-Nice overall. "I knew that my form was good, since Paris-Nice wasn't that long ago," he confirmed.
In the overall he wasn't quite as far up as he possibly could have been. "I had some problems on the first stage. I traveled for ten hours on Friday and my legs weren't quite as good," he said. "All the happier I am that today I could do such a good time trial."
He downplayed his team duties that he has done over the years. "Ah, that domestique role... I always had my chance when I was in form. Maybe in the Tour it was that way." Visibly happy with his win in the final stage of the Critérium International in Porto Vecchio, he knew to savor the moment. "It is always nice to win."
Sky directeur sportif Bobby Julich was impressed with the ride of the German. "I was behind Bradley in the team car and he was absolutely flying. I do not see where he lost four seconds, so you can't fault Bradley - you just have to congratulate Klöden."
Wiggins lost any overall chances on day one, when he came in almost nine minutes behind the leaders. "He had a hunger flat," Julich said. "He was a bit disappointed with that, but it's the first time they were racing when it was a bit warmer." Still, everything is pointing in the right direction for the Briton's main goals this season.
In the battle for the overall, Kiryienka had the difficult task to overcome a 20-second deficit. He managed to claw back seven seconds. "Maybe if the time trial would have been a bit longer, it would have been possible," he said. Still, his second place was good news for him. "I am content - a great champion won."
Racing around Porto Vecchio
The old town of Porto Vecchio sits atop a steep hill, but fortunately for the riders the course made one loop around, staying flat. Briton Alex Dowsett set one of the earlier best times with 9'15. He was passed by Dimitri Champion who was two seconds faster.
David Zabriskie then came home at nine minutes even, looking like he might have a shot at the podium. But just three minutes later, Wiggins rolled in for a current spot in the hot seat. He was the first rider under nine minutes, leaving Zabriskie in an eventual fourth place.
Jakob Fuglsang gave it his best and came very close, but was six seconds slower than Wiggins. Klöden started at 15:30 and used the perfect conditions to his advantage. There was almost no wind, and while the sun was out, the temperatures were modest.
With the day's win decided, all eyes were set on the white, green and yellow jersey of Rein Taaramäe (Cofidis), Kiryienka and Schleck. They were sitting third to first, respectively. Taaramäe, the Estonian came in at 9'12, Kiryienka at 9'03 and Schleck at 9'10, giving the overall win to the Luxemburger.