Today's stage of Tour de Romandie was run around Sion. Distance 127 km, with three 1st category climbs.
First attack, after 5 kilometres only, by 17 racers. This group dwindled regularly, until they were only three men in the lead.
They were still lading when they began the ascent into Crans Montana (some 25 km from the finish). Then a reaction came from a much thinned out peloton, and they were caught in no time.
Some 3 km from the top, Kashechkin (Liberty Seguros) attacked alone, followed by a 17-wheels group. Kashechkin was on the way to a stage win, but he was beaten by a strong head wind as well as by the reaction of former leader Chris Horner.
He was caught just before the final kilometre, and a pack of 18 racers sprinted for the bouquet. The winner was the present Pro Tour leader Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears), 2nd Alexandre Moos (Swi, Phonak) and 3rd Cadel Evans. Robbie ended in the last group en was classified 117th.
Spain's Alberto Contador (Liberty Seguros) remains leader, ahead of Alejandro Valverde and Cadel Evans. |