Tour of Slovenia - 2.5

Slovenia, May 7-12, 2002

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Stage 4 - May 9: Slovenska Bistrica - Ljubljana, 161 km

Pozzato wins fourth stage

A well timed final sprint into Ljubljana saw Mapei's Filippo Pozzato score his ninth win of the season, beating the current GC leader Dean Podgornik (Hit-Casino) and Richard Faltus (AC Sparta Praha) in the bunch sprint.

The 160 km stage from Slovenska Bistrica to Ljubljana was held in bad weather, and included two GPM (mountain) sprints. "On the first climb I was not feeling very well; almost at the beginning I was already behind the others," said Pozzato. "I was a little bit lacking in rhythm because, apart from the Tour de Normandie recently, I have not raced on such long ascents."

"Luckily during the race, my condition improved and I succeeded in doing something good near the end. Now, I would like to help my team mates Petrov and Sinkewitz who are riding really well and aiming at the final podium".

Results

1 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step Espoirs        3.45.24
2 Dean Podgornik (Slo) Hit Casino
3 Richard Faltus (Cze) AC Sparta Praha
4 Damon Kluck (USA) Saturn Cycling Team
5 Jure Zrimsek (Slo) Perutnina Ptuj-Krka Telekom
6 Uros Silar (Slo) Sava Kranj
7 Mitja Mahoric (Slo) Perutnina Ptuj-Krka Telekom
8 Radoslav Rogina (Cro) Perutnina Ptuj-Krka Telekom
9 Hannes Hempel (Aut) Team Gericom Bikedrive
10 Valter Bonca (Slo) Perutnina Ptuj-Krka Telekom

General classification after stage 4

1 Dean Podgornik (Slo) Hit Casino                       11.31.57
2 Evgeni Petrov (Rus) Mapei-Quick Step Espoirs              0.30
3 Jure Zrimsek (Slo) Perutnina Ptuj-Krka Telekom            0.36
4 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step Espoirs            0.41
5 Patrik Sinkewitz (Ger) Mapei-Quick Step Espoirs           0.42

Courtesy of Iztok Melanšek