27th Tour Méditerranéen

France, February 9-13, 2000

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Stage 1 - February 9: Carcassonne - Beziers, 120 km

Jan on a roll

The Estonian Jaan Kirsipuu (AG2R) confirmed his excellent early season form when he won the first stage of the Tour Mediterranean at Beziers today. This is his third win within one week, and the 60th of his career, and he is looking ominous for some of the early season races.

The 118 km stage was not slow either - being run at nearly 49 km/h. It was marked by a long break containing French riders, Eddy Seigneur (Jean Delatour), and Sebastien Joly (Bonjour), who took advantage of the tailwind, still having 1.45 within 40 km of the finish. Seigneur has been out of the limelight for a while, having ridden for the French division III team, St Quentin last year. However, he is keen to make a serious attempt at riding at the top this season and signed with Jean Delatour.

The sprinters teams of Saeco and Mapei got together, and with 10 km to go the break was caught. The sprint came down to a tussle between Kirsipuu , Baldato (Fassa Bortolo) and Magnien (FDJ), but Kirsipuu was unbeatable.

Tomorrow, the riders face two stages - a 106 km run from Mauguio to Cavaillon in the morning, followed by a 35 km team time trial in the afternoon, from Merindol to Cadenet.

Results

1. Jaan Kirsipuu (Est) Ag2R Prevoyance		2.20.14 (48.776 km/h)
2. Fabio Baldato (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
3. Emmanuel Magnien (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux
4. Marco Zanotti (Ita) Liquigas Pata
5. Tom Steels (Bel) Mapei-Quick Step
6. Zbigniew Spruch (Pol) Lampre-Daikin
7. Mauro Zinetti (Ita) Colpack
8. Markus Zberg (Swi) Rabobank
9. Francois Simon (Fra) Bonjour
10. Guiliano Figueras (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step       0.05
11. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
12. Mario Cipollini (Ita) Saeco-Valli&Valli
13. Laurent Brochard (Fra) Jean Delatour


General classification after stage 1:

1. Jaan Kirsipuu (Est) Ag2R Prevoyance		2.20.14
2. Fabio Baldato (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
3. Emmanuel Magnien (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux
4. Marco Zanotti (Ita) Liquigas Pata
5. Tom Steels (Bel) Mapei-Quick Step
6. Zbigniew Spruch (Pol) Lampre-Daikin
7. Mauro Zinetti (Ita) Colpack
8. Markus Zberg (Swi) Rabobank
9. Francois Simon (Fra) Bonjour
10. Guiliano Figueras (Ita) Mapei Quick Step       0.05
11. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
12. Mario Cipollini (Ita) Saeco-Valli&Valli
13. Laurent Brochard (Fra) Jean Delatour