July 5/97 13:02 pm - Boardman Wins Tour Prologue

Posted by Editor on 07/5/97
 

Tour de France  Prologue Stage  German rider Jan Ullrich (Telekom) was the early leader in the this 7.3 kilometre individual time trial, and it looked like he might hold onto the win, as some of the strongest time trialists took to the course. Tony Rominger, Evgeni Berzin and Alex Zulle (nursing a broken collarbone) all came within 3 seconds of Ullrich‚s 8:22 time. However, the favourite, Chris Boardman of Great Britain showed why he is the world hour record holder with a scorching 8:20, to take the stage and the yellow jersey. Last year‚s winner, Bjarne Riis, finished well back, in 13th place.  Results  1. Chris Boardman (GBR) 8.20' 2. Jan Ullrich (Ger) 8.22' 3. Jevgeni Berzin (Rus) 8.25' 4. Tony Rominger (Sui) s.t.  5. Alex Zülle (Sui) s.t.  6. Peter Meinert-Nielsen (Den) 8.27' 7. Abraham Olano (Esp) 8.30' 8. Rolf Sörensen (Den) s.t.  9. Laurent Brochard (Fra) 8.31' 10. Christophe Moreau (Fra) 8.32' 11. Andrea Peron (Ita) 8.33' 12. Aitor Garmendia (Esp) 8.34' 13. Bjarne Riis (Den) 8.35' 14. Lauri Aus (Est) 8.36' 15. Michele Bartoli (Ita) s.t.  16. ERIK DEKKER (Ned) 8.37' 17. Oscar Camenzind (Sui) s.t.  18. Alexander Gontsjenkov (Rus) s.t.  19. ERIK BREUKINK (Ned) 8.38' 20. Mario Cipollini (Ita) s.t.