FREIRE BEATS ZABEL IN HAMBURG

Freire Hamburg

Spain?s Oscar Freire (Rabobank) stopped Germany?s Erik Zabel (Milram) winning his first big race of 2006 with a late burst to the line at the end of 243km Vattenfall Cyclassic race in Germany on Sunday.

Zabel won the first stage of the Bayern-Rundfahrt in Germany in the spring but has always been beaten in the big sprints. He looked set to win in Hamburg as he powered past 2005 winner Filippo Pozzato (Quick Step) but then Freire (pictured) came off his wheel in the final metres to win by less than half a wheel. The photo finish showed the gap, with Pozzato just a little further back.

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