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Siedler takes Picardie opener
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German veteran Sebastian Siedler (Skil-Shimano) survived a finish-line crash to snag the maillot jaune after sprinting to victory in the opening stage of the Tour de Picardie on Friday in France.
The 30-year-old Siedler stabbed his bike across the line ahead of Belgian Kenny de Haes (Topsport) and French rider Sébastien Chavanel (FDJeux) in the 179km circuit course from Crécy-en-Ponthieu to Guise.
“The last lap was very tense. Several riders tried to escape, but my team controlled things well. For the sprint, I took the wheel of (Jimmy) Casper before I went with 150 meters to go,” said Siedler, after his first win of the year. “This is an important victory, the first this season for me after several close calls. I don’t know if I will be able to hold the yellow jersey, but I will do everything I can to try to.”
The win is paypack for Siedler and his upstart Skil-Shimano team. It’s only his fifth win since turning pro in 2004 and his first outside of Germany. Siedler was in the top three at the Tour of Qatar, the Ruta del Sol and the Four Days of Dunkirk before punching through Friday.
The stage was marked by a solo escape by Cédric Pineau (Ag2r-La Mondiale), who opened up a gap north of three minutes, but Barloworld, working for Robbie Hunter, helped Skil-Shimano and Agritubel, working for the comeback of Romain Feillu, to reel in the aggression with 20km to go.
The four-stage Picardie tour continues Saturday with the 181km second stage from Ribemont to Clermont-de-l’Oise.
