Jekker grabs Valencia win from Boogerd
Switzerland's Fabian Jekker (Maia) won the Tour of Valencia following the fifth and final stage, a 23.5km time-trial around the east coast city of Valencia. Dutch rider Michael Boogerd, who predicted on taking the lead Tuesday that the race would hinge on the time trial, was proved correct when Jeker, who finished 15th in the stage, nipped him by 13 seconds overall and 13 seconds on the day to snatch victory. "This is a great victory for me," said Jeker after the biggest win of his career. The time trial through the streets of Valencia was affected by lashing rain. "At the end I was
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VeloNews Interactive, Copyright AFP2001
Switzerland’s Fabian Jekker (Maia) won the Tour of Valencia following the fifth and final stage, a 23.5km time-trial around the east coast city of Valencia.
Dutch rider Michael Boogerd, who predicted on taking the lead Tuesday that the race would hinge on the time trial, was proved correct when Jeker, who finished 15th in the stage, nipped him by 13 seconds overall and 13 seconds on the day to snatch victory.
“This is a great victory for me,” said Jeker after the biggest win of his career.
The time trial through the streets of Valencia was affected by lashing rain. “At the end I was only thinking about not falling. The back wheel was sliding all over the place,” said Jeker.
Ekimov, the Olympic time trial champion, was lucky to ride his trial in dry conditions, beating Germany’s Jorg Jaksche into second and Spain’s Aitor Gonzalez into third.