Chris Froome (Team Sky), racing as number one in the absence of team-mate and reigning champion, Bradley Wiggins, collected the first leader’s jersey of the 2013 Tour de Romandie by winning the prologue.
The Kenyan-born Brit continued a Team Sky ‘tradition’ by following Geraint Thomas’ prologue victory in 2012. The Welshman’s opening stage triumph last year established a favourable portent for the British team, who wrapped up three stages and the general classification.
Andrew Talansky (Garmin-Sharp) continued a less-enviable run of results in Romandie by finishing second today. The young American was runner-up to Wiggins in last year’s closing time trial, a result that placed him second overall.
While Robert Kišerlovski (RadiosShack-Leopard) finished third today, Richie Porte rounded off a successful outing for Team Sky by finishing fourth, some 15 seconds behind his team-mate.
Froome said he was happy with the result, his first stage race performance since winning the Criterium International a month ago.
“I wasn’t sure how my condition would be coming into this race. Winning the prologue today is definitely a good sign and I’d like to try and defend the jersey this week the best I can. I know it’s going to be a very hard week of racing,” Froome said.
“We have a really good team here. Richie who came fourth today is also sitting in a very good position. That could be really important for us over the next few days as it means we have some other cards to play with the rest of the riders here to support us. It should be a good week of racing.”
Team Sky posted three riders in the top four of last year’s Romandie prologue, with Mark Cavendish an unlikely third, ahead of then-teammate and three-time world time trial champion, Michael Rogers.
This year, the British team’s first and fourth places were augmented by thirteenth place for David Lopez, thirty-second for Pete Kennaugh, and forty-second for British neo pro, Josh Edmondson.
Tomorrow’s stage is the first of open racing and Team Sky will be hoping to match their 2012 record with a second consecutive victory. Last year’s came courtesy of Wiggins, who, in the most unlikely victory of a year in which he could seemingly do no wrong, simply rode off the front of a peloton in full flight. Dave Brailsford’s men will do well to match such an improable triumph on the 190.3km stage from Prilly/Ouest Lausannois to Granges.
Tour de Romandie 2013 – prologue – result
1) Chris Froome (GBR) – Team Sky – 13.15
2) Andrew Talansky (USA) – Garmin-Sharp +6″
3) Robert Kišerlovski (CRO) – Radioshack-Leopard +13″
4) Richie Porte (AUS) – Team Sky +15″
5) Rui Costa (POR) – Movistar +16″
6) Thibaut Pinot (FRA) – FDJ +17″
7) Stef Clement (NED) – Blanco Pro Cycling – ST
8) Alejandro Valverde (ESP) – Movistar
9) Tom Danielson (USA) – Garmin-Sharp
10) Wilco Kilderman (USA) – Blanco Pro Cycling +18″
General classification
1) Chris Froome (GBR) – Team Sky – 13.15
2) Andrew Talansky (USA) – Garmin-Sharp +6″
3) Robert Kišerlovski (CRO) – Radioshack-Leopard +13″
4) Richie Porte (AUS) – Team Sky +15″
5) Rui Costa (POR) – Movistar +16″
6) Thibaut Pinot (FRA) – FDJ +17″
7) Stef Clement (NED) – Blanco Pro Cycling – ST
8) Alejandro Valverde (ESP) – Movistar
9) Tom Danielson (USA) – Garmin-Sharp
10) Wilco Kilderman (USA) – Blanco Pro Cycling +18″
