Tour of Slovenia - 2.5

Slovenia, May 7-12, 2002

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Stage 1 - May 7: Catez - Beltinci, 190 km

Clerc wins first stage

Aurelien Clerc (Mapei-Quick Step Espoirs) beat Bostjan Mervar (Perutnina Ptuj-Krka Telekom) and Dean Podgornik (Hit-Casinò) in a bunch sprint to win the first stage of the Tour of Slovenia.

The 190 kilometre stage from Catez to Beltinci was reportedly not too aggressive. During the last 10 kilometres, the Mapei team got to the front of the peloton to set things up for a sprint. In the final kilometres, Bernhard Eisel piloted teammate Clerc up until 400 metres from the finish line, when Clerc struck out for home. The 21-year-old Swiss rider has a total of 7 wins under his belt so far this season and gained the leader's jersey today.

Results

1 Aurélien Clerc (Swi) Mapei-Quick Step Espoirs     4.47.37
2 Bostjan Mervar (Slo) Perutnina Ptuj-Krka Telekom
3 Dean Podgornik (Slo) Hit Casino
4 Petr Herman (Cze) Team Gericom Bikedrive
5 Julien Smink (Ned) Van Hemert Groep Cycling Team
6 Jure Zrimsek (Slo) Perutnina Ptuj-Krka Telekom
7 Martin Cotar (Cro) Sava Kranj
8 Sebastian Siedler (Ger)
9 Uros Silar (Cro) Sava Kranj
10 Peter Pichler (Aut) Volksbank-Ideal
...
12 Matej Marin (Slo) Perutnina Ptuj-Krka Telekom
16 Mitja Mahoric (Slo) Perutnina Ptuj-Krka Telekom
18 Matej Stare (Slo) Perutnina Ptuj-Krka Telekom
20 Borut Bosic (Slo) Radenska Rog
25 Gregor Gazvoda (Slo) Perutnina Ptuj-Krka Telekom
29 Tomas Nose (Slo) Krka Telekom

General classification after stage 1

1 Aurélien Clerc (Swi) Mapei-Quick Step Espoirs     4.47.25
2 Bostjan Mervar (Slo) Perutnina Ptuj-Krka Telekom     0.06
3 Tim Johnson (USA) Saturn Cycling Team
4 Dean Podgornik (Slo) Hit Casino                      0.08
5 Alan Iacuone (Aus) iTeamNova.com                     0.09
6 Jure Zrimsek (Slo) Perutnina Ptuj-Krka Telekom       0.10
7 Soren Petersen (Den) Saturn Cycling Team
8 David McCann (Ire) Volksbank Ideal
9 Christoph Kerschbaum                                 0.11
10 Petr Herman (Cze) Team Gericom Bikedrive            0.12
...
12 Martin Cotar (Cro) Sava Kranj
14 Uros Silar (Cro) Sava Kranj
19 Mitja Mahoric (Slo) Perutnina Ptuj-Krka Telekom
21 Matej Stare (Slo) Perutnina Ptuj-Krka Telekom
23 Borut Bosic (Slo) Radenska Rog
26 Gregor Gazvoda (Slo) Perutnina Ptuj-Krka Telekom
30 Tomas Nose (Slo) Krka Telekom

Courtesy of Iztok Melansek