ZOTTEGEM, Belgium, March 31, 2009 (AFP) – Italy’s Filippo Pozzato took the first stage of the ‘Trois Jours de La Panne’ cycle race here on Tuesday.

The Katusha team rider prevailed in a sprint finish to overhaul local hope Frederik Willems.

This pair had split from the peloton which came in 57sec adrift with another Belgian, Greg Van Avermaet, finishing third. Wednesday’s second stage is a 219km run from Zottegem to Coxyde.

Results of the 199km first stage of the Trois Jours de La Panne cycle race here on Tuesday:

1. Filippo Pozzato (ITA) Katusha 4hr 36min 51sec
2. Frederik Willems (BEL) s.t.
3. Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) at 57
4. Borut Bozic (SVQ) s.t.
5. Grega Bole (SLO) s.t
6. Martijn Maaskant (NED) s.t
7. Assan Bazayev (KAZ) s.t
8. Vincent Jerome (FRA) s.t
9. Marco Finetto (ITA) s.t
10. Steve Chainel (FRA) s.t

Overall standings
1. Filippo Pozzato (ITA) Katusha 4hr 36min 51sec
2. Frederik Willems (BEL) at 4s
3. Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) 1:03.
4. Borut Bozic (SLO) 1:05.
5. Marco Finetto (ITA) 1:05.
6. Paul Voss (GER) 1:06.
7. Grega Bole (SLO) 1:07.
8. Martijn Maaskant (NED) 1:07.
9. Assan Bazayev (KAZ) 1:07.
10. Vincent Jerome (FRA) 1:07.