Fothen continues Gerolsteiner’s winning streak

Salvoldelli felt the cold

Prologue runner-up Roman Kreuziger

Double Giro d’Italia winner Paolo Salvoldelli (Astana)opened his 2007 account with a win in the prologue of the Tour of Romandie. Light rain fell during the race on roads left dusty after the prolonged recent dry spell across Europe, leaving the roads slippery. This played into the hands of Salvoldelli, known as one of the best bike-handlers in the professional cycling, and he started the first stage with 5 seconds in hand over Roman Kreuziger of Liquigas.

Stage one was run in chilly weather, with most riders choosing to wear arm and leg warmers plus gilet. A late break in the company of Francisco Perez of Caisse d’Epargne gave Gerolsteiner’s Markus Fothen the space he needed to hold off the fast-closing bunch, which was given the same time on the line. Salvoldelli retained his leader’s jersey.