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Kazakh champion Maxim Iglinskiy won the first stage in the Tour de Romandie. Iglinskiy (27) was the fastest sprinter in the streets of Saignelégier. Iglinskiy, perfectly brought to the finish by his four team-mates in the select breakaway (Andreas Klöden, Steve Morabito, Vladimir Gusev and Thomas Frei), positioned himself as the first rider through the last corner and resisted the comeback of Michael Albasini (Liquigas) and the other riders. The plan of team director Alain Gallopin worked perfectly.

“Already this morning we decided to do everything for Max”, explains Alain Gallopin. “In the last weeks Max was constantly improving. On the last climb, I told our best rider today, Andreas Klöden, not to cooperate any more in the leading group, because Max was coming closer with a group that included three other Astana Cycling Team riders. When the two groups came together, I felt confident. I explained Max that he had to take the last corner as the first rider, which he did perfectly. I am so glad for our riders and Kazakh sponsors.”

Passing the finish line Maxim Iglinskiy showed proudly his Kazakh national jersey. “I am so happy with the confidence that the team gave me today. My personal ambitions for the next days are the team ambitions. In theory Andreas Klöden is our leader. We will know more after the time trial.”

Iglinskiy’s past accomplishments include stage wins in the Dauphiné Libéré and the Tour of Germany. Today’s win is his first victory of the season, his 6th as a professional rider. In the GC he is second now, one second behind Michael Albasini.

Result Stage 1 Morges-Saignelégier (182 K):
1. Maxim Iglinskiy; 2. Michael Albasini; 3. Markus Zberg; 4. Thomas Dekker 0.02; 5. Alexander Efimkin; 6. Andreas Klöden; 7. Oliver Zaugg; 8. Jens Voigt; 9. Roman Kreuziger; 10. Bernhard Kohl; 33. Vladimir Gusev; 34. Steve Morabito; 38. Thomas Frei (all 0.02); 50. Dmitriy Muravyev 01.18; 57. Sergey Yakovlev; 92. Julien Mazet 08.19

General Classification:
1. Michael Albasini; 2. Maxim Iglinskiy 0.01; 3. Markus Zberg 0.08; 9. Andreas Klöden 0.10; 10. Thomas Frei 0.11; 11. Steve Morabito 0.11; 13. Vladimir Gusev 0.11