March 27/12 14:15 pm - De Panne-Koksijde - Day 1 Report & Results

Posted by Editoress on 03/27/12
 

Sagan Scores Big in De Panne - Super stage for Liquigas-Cannondale

First cobbled win for the Slovakian: "An award for the whole team"


Today was a victorious day for Liquigas-Cannondale in Belgium. Peter Sagan secured another win (his third this season, and number 23 since turning pro) in the first stage of the Three Days of De Panne (201 km from Middelkerke to Oudenaarde) by beating former green-blue rider Guarnieri, and teammate Fabio Sabatini over the line in a photo finish. This is the team’s fourteenth win of 2012.

The 22-year-old Slovakian champion’s victory provided the ultimate recognition of Liquigas-Cannondale’s immense effort throughout the stage as they raced with massive determination and conviction. "We deserved it because we raced like a top team, " said Sagan "But out of all my wins, this was one I didn’t go looking for. “Saba” was our fast man for the sprint. I was only supposed to jump in if he had any problems. Guarnieri opened a good long sprint, I followed Fabio until I realised that unfortunately he wouldn’t be able to catch him. I won but the award goes to all my teammates as they were protagonists in fantastic race. "

In addition to Sagan’s and Sabatini’s first and third places, Liquigas-Cannondale proved it was a main contender with a breakaway from Oss and powerful riding off the front by the entire team. "I want to pay tribute to all the lads for the way they interpreted the race, and especially for showing how they’re all together on the same wavelength. " said Zanatta. "We’d intended to use Bodnar, Sabatini and Oss for this race and keep Sagan as a reserve weapon. The fact that they discussed things, agreed on their choices and helped each other describes the strength of this group better than any words ever could. "

Sagan’s first win on the cobbles obviously brings up the matter of the Tour of Flanders on Sunday. " I like these races, I’ve never denied it, but I don’t want to create any pressure or expectations for myself: I’ll just think about racing and doing my best. If I can do that, every result is a good result. But for now I want to focus on improving my form here at the De Panne. " concludes Sagan.

Courtesy Liquigas-Cannondale

Team Spidertech Races De Panne-Koksidje in Belgium

Canadian-based cycling squad Team SpiderTech powered by C10 is taking part in the KBC Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde, a three-day, four-stages bike race in Belgium this week, alongside some of the top World Tour teams.

Guillaume Boivin was the top rider SpiderTech rider in 70th place, followed by Ryan Roth in 71st place. Peter Sagan of Team Liquigas-Cannondale, the defending champion, took the victory in the first race to be disputed; a 201.6 kilometre road race between Middelkerke and Oudenaarde.

Team SpiderTech powered by C10 report

Top Canadian was David Veilleux (Team Europcar) in 22nd followed by Svein Tuft (GreenEDGE)  48th, both finishing in the same time as the winner Sagan