Dowsett third in Ster ZLM Toer opening TT

Alex Dowsett, Criterium International 2011, stage three time trial
Nigel Wynn
By Nigel Wynn
published

Britain's Alex Dowsett (Sky) placed third in the opening time trial of the 2011 Ster ZLM Toer in Holland on Wednesday.

German Patrick Gretsch (HTC-Highroad) posted the fastest time of eight minutes and 30 seconds on the 7km course in Alblasserdam. Gretsch's team-mate Alex Rasmussen came second at three seconds, with Dowsett at six seconds.

Dowsett joined the race fresh from the Smithfield Nocturne in London on Saturday, where he lapped the field to take an emphatic win. The Essex rider crashed out of the Tour of California in May after hitting a pothole.

Dowsett is one of seven British riders in the UCI 2.1-ranked race, he joins Sky team-mates Russell Downing, Steve Cummings and Jeremy Hunt, and Adam Blythe (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Jonny Bellis (Saxo Bank-Sungard) and James Spragg (Donckers Koffie Jelly Belly).

The riders will now travel from Eindhoven to Sittard/Geleen for Thursday's opening 177km road stage of the five-day Ster ZLM Toer, formerly known as the Ster Elektrotoer.

Results

Ster ZLM Toer 2011, stage one: Alblasserdam time trial, 7km

1. Patrick Gretsch (Ger) HTC-Highroad in 8-30

2. Alex Rasmussen (Den) HTC-Highroad at 3 secs

3. Alex Dowsett (GB) Sky at 6 secs

4. Sebastian Langeveld (Ned) Rabobank at 10 secs

5. Niki Terpstra (Ned) Quick Step at 13 secs

6. Sander Oostlander (Ned) Cycling Team De Rijke at 13 secs

7. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Cervelo at 14 secs

8. Michael Matthews (Aus) Rabobank at 15 secs

9. Anthony Roux (Fra) FDJ at 15 secs

10. Jen Mouris (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM at 16 secs

Overall classification after stage one

1. Patrick Gretsch (Ger) HTC-Highroad

2. Alex Rasmussen (Den) HTC-Highroad at 3 secs

3. Alex Dowsett (GB) Sky at 6 secs

4. Sebastian Langeveld (Ned) Rabobank at 10 secs

5. Niki Terpstra (Ned) Quick Step at 13 secs

6. Sander Oostlander (Ned) Cycling Team De Rijke at 13 secs

7. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Cervelo at 14 secs

8. Michael Matthews (Aus) Rabobank at 15 secs

9. Anthony Roux (Fra) FDJ at 15 secs

10. Jen Mouris (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM at 16 secs

Related links

Dowsett king of the night at the London Nocturne

Dowsett crashes out of Tour of California

Alex Dowsett: Rider profile

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Nigel Wynn
Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed. 

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