Veteran sprinter Jan Svorada (Lampre) proved he still has it in the sprint, taking victory Wednesday in the opening road stage of the 58th Tour de Romandie against a field of young guns nipping at his heels.

The 35-year-old Czech sprinter has racked up 70 wins since turning pro in 1991, including stage victories in all three grand tours. He won his second race as a pro at Romandie in 1992, but seemed happier in 2004.

Spring time in Switzerland

Photo: Graham Watson

“I’ve arrived here in good condition and I really wanted to win a stage,” said Svorada, who barely held off a late-charge by Marco Zanotti (Vini Caldirola). “The team worked hard for me today, but the finish was hard.”

Svorada started the sprint with about 250 meters to go while sprinting ace Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) settled for fifth after losing his “Silver Train” coming through the tight streets of Yverdon les Bains. Zanotti shot off Petacchi’s wheel and lost by inches in a photo finish.

With the Romandie course getting progressively harder each day, sprinters knew Wednesday’s rolling 174km stage was their best shot.

Yuriy Krivtsov (Ag2r) attacked at 10 kilometers and held out alone until he was reeled in with 17 kilometers to go. Sprinter teams such as Lampre, Vini Caldirola and Fassa Bortolo collaborated to erase the difference to Krivstov to set up the mass gallop.

But there were some fireworks before the finish.

Three riders crashed on the narrow roads coming into the finish with about seven kilometers to go with Xabier Zandio (Illes Balears) and Eric Berthous (RAGT) both forced to abandon.

Prologue winner Brad McGee (FDJeux.com) caught the bunch unawares to take an intermediate sprint with 9km to go to pad his hold on the race leader’s jersey. Hot on his wheel was a motivated Tyler Hamilton (Phonak), who took second and moved into third at 11 seconds back.

Danielson is holding his own

Photo: Graham Watson

McGee is expected to fade in the difficult climbing stages Friday and Saturday. Hamilton, however, isn’t.

American Tom Danielson (Fassa Bortolo) came through with the bunch in 93rd and sits 41st overall.

The 58th Tour de Romandie continues Thursday with the 156-kilometer second stage starting and finishing in Romont. The rolling stage features several unrated climbs and hits a Category 3 climb at 54 kilometers and a more difficult Cat. 2 climb at 136.5 kilometers before a rising finish into Romont.