Boasson Hagen wins again in Scotland

14.09.2009

Norwegian superstar Edvald Boasson Hagen confirmed his presence as one of the best sprinters in the world by taking victory in Scotland for the second year running in The Tour of Britain, sprinting to victory ahead of Prostate Cancer Charity Points Jersey wearer Michele Merlo and Stage One’s winner Chris Sutton.

An exciting last 25 kilometres of racing saw a day long break caught by the peloton, unleashing a volley of attacks including a tremendous last ditch effort by Emilien Berges, which saw the Agritubel fight in vain to hold off the main field on the fast run in to Gretna Green.

Hard work by Rabobank and Team Columbia – HTC caught Berges with just over two kilometres to go, setting the peloton up for a bunch sprint which Boasson Hagen dominated, jumping early and holding off several fast finishers to win his fourth Tour of Britain stage in two years.

Once again the star of the days breakaway was Thomas De Gendt of the Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator, who in three days has now spent an incredible 413 kilometres in breakaways.  The Belgian jumped onto the wheel of German national champion Martin Reimer soon after the start in Peebles.

Packed crowds waved the peloton off from the Scottish Borders market town, with hundreds of school children waving Saltaire flags as they watched The Tour of Britain depart.

Despite having promised to stay in the peloton today, De Gendt couldn’t resist once more stretching his legs, joining Reimer before the pair were in turn joined by Rapha – Condor’s Darren Lapthorne and Vacansoleil’s Rob Ruygh.

The foursome built their lead as the race passed alongside the River Tweed through Innerleithen and Galashiels, with De Gendt picking up points at both the first Sprint point and King of the Mountains climb to further extend his lead in both competitions.

The break’s advantage only just shaded the four-minute mark at its largest, with Rabobank maintaining a watching presence on the front of the peloton as they guarded Kai Reus’ Yellow Jersey.

Once onto the main climb of the day of Lime Kiln Edge the gap slowly started to reduce, with the extra pressure on the front of the peloton bringing the four riders into sight on a long exposed drag up onto moorland.  This prompted a flurry of attacks from the front of the peloton, the most significant of which saw Agritubel duo Freddy Bichot and Nicolas Vogondy go clear, taking Serge Pauwels with them.

The trio floated midway between the peloton and the break, with both sets of riders reeled in just before the 25 kilometres to the finish mark.  As the break was swallowed up De Gendt attacked once more holding a small lead that was then bridged by the next Agritubel rider to attack, Christophe Laurent, and the previous three escapees – Reimer, Lapthorne and Ruygh. 

A rear wheel puncture put paid to Lapthorne’s chances, before Laurent attacked again and this time succeeded in ridding himself of any company.  The French rider dangled ahead of the bunch, holding a five second lead with 15 kilometres remaining, but a big effort on the front by Katusha’s Vladimir Karpets ended Laurent’s attack.

There was no respite though as Berges immediately went, showing the kind of stylish riding that saw him take a solo victory in Somerset during the 2008 Tour of Britain.  At its maximum Berges’ lead was 28 seconds, but with a peloton in full flight behind him he was never going to be able to elope to victory, particularly on the straight roads leading into Gretna Green where the peloton could hold him in sight.

With Berges caught Columbia led the sprint out for Boasson Hagen, with Tony Martin piloting the youngster to 300 metres to go, where Boasson Hagen jumped, saying afterwards, “It was maybe a little bit early to go but I made it and I’m really happy.  The guys were really good today and I’m happy with that.”

Asked if he had happy memories of The Tour of Britain from 2008 when he won stages in Stoke-on-Trent, Dalby Forest and Drumlanrig Castle, the soon to be Sky rider commented, “It’s always nice to win.  Yeah it was really great last year and I was hoping to win a stage, so it’s really good that I made it today.”

After praising Scotland and its landscape, Boasson Hagen gave an ominous warning to his rivals ahead of Wednesday’s Stoke-on-Trent stage, saying, “It is a fun finish, and it was really nice last year.  I hope maybe I can do something similar this year!”

Boasson Hagen is now Reus’ closest challenger for the Yellow Jersey, and fully intends to keep things that way for the foreseeable.

“It’s very nice with the stage victories, and if I do that then it’s possible to take the yellow jersey.”

Yellow Jersey wearer Reus admitted afterwards that he saw Boasson Hagen as his main challenger, but was keen to praise his team’s work.

“In the beginning I could feel my legs but the stage for me was easy, but for the team I think it was really hard.  The day was up and down, but it was ok.  Tomorrow is easy, and I think a bunch sprint, but then maybe Boasson Hagen wins again and then he is the leader, so maybe I am sitting here for the last time, but that’s life.”

On asked if it had sunk in that he was wearing yellow, Reus said, “It’s very special.  Yesterday was a very special day and I had a lot of messages.  It was incredible.”

Finally Reus admitted that had played a part in De Gendt’s decision to attack, saying, “I was talking with Thomas, and I said ‘Try again’ and maybe other teams will let you ride.  For him it’s maybe a little painful now!”

For Boasson Hagen and Reus though there was no pain, only joy!

For the full results of Stage Three, check out the dedicated results page on the website.