Fabian Cancellara wins 7th stage

Photo: courtesy Wim Dingemanse

Photo: courtesy Wim Dingemanse

Only two seconds separated Erik Zabel from his first stage win at the Tour de Suisse (UCI ProTour) at the end of the seventh stage.  The solo win in the exciting finale went to Fabian Cancellara (CSC).  The Swiss rider profited from a peloton which hesitated and then reacted to his attack too late.  Erik Zabel won the mass sprint behind him after 181 kilometers from Gruyeres to Lyss, taking second place ahead of Robbie McEwen (Silence-Lotto).  In the general ranking, Luxemburger Kim Kirchen (High Road) continued to lead.  The best MILRAM rider is Christian Knees, who is 1:45 minutes back in a promising 12th place.



„Today we were so close to a stage win!  After Cancellara attacked, there was chaos in the finale,“ Zabel said after the race.  „It just wasn't possible for us to set up our sprint.  In the end the chase just didn't work and Cancellara won it by a hair.“



The penultimate stage on Saturday, June 21, is a 25 km long mountain time trial.  On the course from Altdorf up to the Klausenpass, the riders will face 1490 climbing meters, and it is expected to bring a final decision as to the overall title.  The closing ninth stage on Sunday leads the peloton over 168 km from Altdorf to the final finish in Bern.

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