LANGNAU IM EMMENTAL, Switzerland, June 14, 2008 (AFP) – Spain’s Oscar Freire, riding for the Rabobank team, sprinted to victory in the first stage of the Tour of Switzerland here on Saturday.

Freire, a three-time world champion, pulled on the race leader’s jersey at the end of the 146km stage after beating Switzerland’s Martin Elmiger at the finish line.

In the general classification Freire has a four-second lead on Elmiger, of AG2R, and another local rider, David Loosli.

Loosli had been part of a three-man group that broke free of the peloton after just 26km of racing and went on to build a maximum lead of eight minutes with 50km to race.

Their 120km raid over undulating terrain ended, however, just two kilometres from the finish line after Freire’s Rabobank team took over the lead of the pursuit.