ROME, March 11, 2009 (AFP) – Frenchman Julien El Fares of Cofidis won the first stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico Pro Tour race over 147km to Capannori on Wednesday ahead of Ukrainian Vladimir Duma.

The 23-year-old El Fares also took over the leader’s jersey.

Thursday’s 177km second stage between Volterra and Marina di Carrara is another flat run, suiting the sprint specialists.

Photo by: CorVos Pro

1. Julien El Fares (FRA) Cofidis 3hr 34min 03sec, 2. Vladimir Duma (UKR) Ceramica Flaminina same time, 3. Daniele Bennati (ITA) Liquigas at 12sec, 4.
Alessandro Petacchi (ITA) LPR s.t., 5. Tom Boonen (BEL) Quick Step s.t., 6.
Fabian Wegmann (GER) Milram s.t., 7. Enrico Rossi (ITA) Ceramica Flaminia s.t., 8. Leonardo Duque (COL) Cofidis s.t., 9. Assan Bazayev (KAZ) Astana s.t., 10. Matti Breschel (DEN) Saxo Bank s.t