Belgian Boonen Wins Amgen Tour of California’s 2nd Stage In A Field Sprint

By editor on February 19th, 2008

Belgian Boonen wins Tour of California’s 2nd stage

SACRAMENTO, California, Feb 19, 2008 (AFP) - Belgium’s Tom Boonen, of Quick Step, rallied from the back of the leader pack Tuesday to win the second stage of the Tour of California on Tuesday.

It was the first stage win for Boonen who weaved through the final group before sprinting past High Road racer Mark Cavendish in the last 50 metres over the rain slick course.

Germany’s Heinrich Haussler followed Boonen across the line along with former world champion Mario Cipollini of Italy. The Australian-born Haussler finished second in stage one.

The 41-year-old Cipollini showed he can still compete with riders half his age.

“For me it was a very difficult sprint and I couldn’t express my max power so it was challenging from that point of view,” Cipollini said.

“I didn’t even know my position at one point so I had to use my experience a little bit.”

Slipstream-Chipotle rider Tyler Farrar took advantage of the time bonuses to pass former race leader Fabian Cancellara by one second on general classification

AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA - STAGE 2 Finishing Sprint