MORABITO WINS SWISS STAGE
Switzerland?s Steve Morabito overshadowed the big names in the Tour of Switzerland on Wednesday to win his first ever race as a professional.
The 23 year-old Phonak neo-pro lives five kilometres from the finish of the stage in Leukerbad and used his local knowledge to beat Jurgen Van Goolen (Discovery Channel).
Morabito made sure he was part of the decisive six-rider breakaway of the stage, controlled a late attacked by Van Goolen and then out sprinted him on the uphill finish.
Spain?s Angel Vicioso -the winner of Tuesday?s fourth stage, finished 16 seconds behind Morabito, and so is the new leader of the race.
Jan Ullrich finished sixth on the stage, in the same time as Vicioso, and is now seventh overall at 16 seconds.
?It?s incredible to have won so close to my home. I was just happy to get a place in the Phonak team for the Tour of Switzerland. Winning this stage is amazing,? Morabito said.
The mountain stages continue on Thursday with the 212-km sixth stage from Fiesch to La Punt. The Tour of Switzerland ends with a 30-km time trial in Bern on Sunday.
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