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Zulle Wins Final Stage; Frigo Takes Romandy Tour
Alex Zulle (Team Coast) has won his second consecutive stage of the Tour of Romandy. Zulle powered through Stage 5, a hilly, technical 18.3-km ride in and around Lausanne, in 24:59. Dario Frigo (Tacconi Sport) finished second at 0:24, and David Millar (Cofidis) took third at 0:40. Frigo's performance in the Romandy Tour's final stage cemented his overall victory.
Levi Leipheimer (Rabobank) and Laszlo Bodrogi (Mapei) posted good times, but Millar set the early standard with 25:39. This time held until Zulle eclipsed it. The Swiss veteran led at every time check en route to the stage win.
Although Frigo entered the day in little danger of losing his overall lead, other riders had things to fight for. Zulle's victory propelled him from thirteenth to second overall, while Cadel Evans's (Mapei) performance moved him from fourth to third. The stage was not decisive, but it was important.
The day was not without sadness. A Swiss policeman died after striking a lamppost when he lost control of his motorbike while turning off of the road before the riders' arrival. In addition, a pedestrian broke through a barrier and collided with Alberto Lopez de Munain (Euskaltel). The pedestrian wound up in serious condition at a hospital, while Lopez de Munain received a broken collarbone.
In the overall, Frigo finished 0:47 ahead of Zulle and 0:51 ahead of Evans. Many of the riders who crossed swords in the Tour of Romandy will meet again in the Tour of Italy, which will begin in Groningen, Holland on May 11. Which of these riders will prevail? Frigo? Evans? Check in on roadcycling.com and find out!
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