Edvald Boasson Hagen Wins Vattenfall Cyclassics 2011

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08/21/2011| 0 comments
by Thomas A. Valentinsen

Edvald Boasson Hagen Wins Vattenfall Cyclassics 2011

Team Sky's Edvald Boasson Hagen continued his remarkable run of form with victory in the 2011 Vattenfall Cyclassics in Hamburg, Germany.

Team Sky's Edvald Boasson Hagen continued his remarkable run of form with victory in the 2011 Vattenfall Cyclassics in Hamburg, Germany.

An impressive team performance had seen the bulk of Team Sky's squad for the event get themselves in the leading group of around 35 riders when the peloton split in two in the closing stages of the 216.5 kilometers WorldTour event.

The likes of Juan Antonio Flecha, Peter Kennaugh and Christian Knees first played their part and it was then Geraint Thomas who again delivered Boasson Hagen in the swift leadout style he is known for. Norwegian Boasson Hagen hit the front with 250 meters remaining and held all his remaining rivals at bay, with German Gerald Ciolek of Team QuickStep and Borut Bozic of Team Vacansoleil taking second and third respectively.

It was Boasson Hagen's latest success, the last couple of months having featured his first two stage victories in the Tour de France followed by a clean sweep of the jerseys in the week-long Eneco Tour.

Today's great success for Team Sky naturally made sports director Servais Knaven full of great joy "It was perfect again. This group have been riding together in many races this season, they know each other so well know and they do everything for each other."

"You need good riders, which we've got and if they all work together as well as that then you get performances like this. They are riding strong, they keep on winning and it's great to see. It was another brilliant day for us."

Second place finisher Ciolek was happy with his performance today and after reaching the team bus told Roadcycling.com and Roadcycling.mobi "In the sprint I took off at about 350 metres, trying to anticipate on Boasson Hagen. But when he launched his sprint he busted out particularly strong. I gave it my all, but today I don't think anyone could have beat him."

"When you lose to a rider who's so fast and in such good shape you can't possibly have any regrets, even though today's race could have brought me an important victory," Ciolek added.

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