Roman Kreuziger - Team Liquigas

Excellent performance and second position

Foto: Bettini Photo

Fri June 19, 2009, 19:35

Roman showed great performance during the finish of the seventh stage of the Tour de Suisse in which he finished second in close finish.

He attacked from the leading group in the final climb to Juraparca during the miserable weather. He jumped out of his saddle with four kilometers to go. At first his teammate Albasini was able to keep up with him for a moment but then he dropped away and Roman was on his own. He went full gas and was awfully suffering. However, with about 100 meters remaining he was caught by Kirchen who snatched his victory. 
"Naturally I was angry at first because with one K to go I had the gap of 17 seconds and with 170 meters remaining I was still alone. But there is nothing I can do about it. I was riding with headwind the last 700 meters and Kirchen had the advantage of attacking from a group. He caught me from the back and was simply faster. I didn’t have any energy left to get on his wheel. But if he had joined me with one kilometer to go and had won the stage I would be less disappointed. It is pretty cruel to lose the victory like this but it can happen to anyone, "Roman said. 
He attacked because he felt confident. "We wanted to try it, either me or Zaugg so that we could get some seconds on Cancellara. If we had ridden the climb at constant pace he would have crossed the finish line with us. We tried it at the moment when Schleck’s chain came off and Klöden did not succeed in getting away. I was informed that I had a gap and I knew that Kirchen had begun to chase me down. Rather I did not look back so much but he caught me anyway. Unluckily…Despite this, I am happy with my performance. Plus the miserable weather that doesn’t fit me at all. Kirchen can ride under these conditions he has won many races on rainy days. I feel sorry that I lost it by a hair but tomorrow it is another day, "Roman added from Switzerland. 
Results (Bad Zurzach-Jurapacc/Valorbe, 204 km): 1. Kim Kirchen (Lux./Columbia-Highroad) 4:56:41, 2. Roman Kreuziger (Cze/Liquigas) +2, 3. Peter Velits (Svk/Milram), 4. Olivier Zaugg (Swi./Liquigas), 5. Eros Capecchi (It./Fuji-Servetto), 6. Fabian Cancellara (Swi./Saxo Bank) all +7. Overall: 1. Tadej Valjavec (Slo./Ag2R) 28:07:15, 2. Cancellara +9, 3. Zaugg +14, 4. Kreuziger +31, 5. Andreas Klöden (Ger./Astana) +45, 6. Tony Martin (Ger./Columbia-Highroad) +51.

This article is also translated :
Famózní výkon a druhé místo
Giro di Svizzera: settima tappa - Translated by: A&J Sport as Image