Brailsford hails Boasson Hagen's Tour form

Edvald Boasson Hagen carried the torch for Team Sky in last year's Tour de France after Bradley Wiggins was forced out with injury.



But with the team again focusing on Wiggins this year, the Norwegian champion has to pick his moments if he is to get his chance of Tour glory. In the race's first road stage to Seraing today he did exactly that and was able to 'freestyle' off others and place third.

Boasson Hagen missed the wheels of Cancellara and Sagan when they escaped on the final climb, but put in a powerful burst to bridge the gap with 500m to go. 

"He's in good shape, [the finish] suited him," Sky's general manager, David Brailsford told Cycling Weekly. "Sagan positioned himself fantastically well and he went immediately when Fabian [Cancellara] went. By the time Eddy reacted, his opportunity had gone really, but his physical ability to bridge that was immense. Credit to him for being able to do to that."

The result comes 24 hours after Wiggins narrowly missed victory in the prologue time trial to Cancellara. Boasson Hagen was fifth. When the race heads into Tournai tomorrow Boasson Hagen will be expected to lead the sprint train for Cavendish's

"I wouldn't expect to see [Boasson Hagen] sprint for a stage tomorrow. We'll be looking to keep Mark well positioned and to keep Bradley out of trouble," Brailsford added.

Certain stages, however, suit Boasson Hagen's style. He won last year in Lisieux and Pinerolo thanks to his combination of staying power and sprinting.

"When it kicks up like that, all being well, I think he'll have his chance. We won't give him a full lead-out for it, but we will let him have the chance to do what he did today. Ultimately, he freestyled a little bit and he was there for the win, which was excellent."

After Wiggins and Boasson Hagen, the attention now turns to Cavendish and the Tour's first sprint stage, 207.5km from Visé to Tournai.

Related links

Tour de France 2012: Coverage index

Tour de France 2012: Stage reports

Stage one: Sagan wins stage at first attempt

Prologue: Cancellara wins, Wiggins second

Tour de France 2012: Comment, analysis, blogs

CW's Tour de France podcasts

Blog: Tour presentation - chasing dreams and autographs

Comment: Cavendish the climber

Tour de France 2012: Photo galleries

Stage one photo gallery by Graham Watson

Prologue photo gallery by Andy Jones

Prologue photo gallery by Roo Rowler

Prologue photo gallery by Graham Watson

Tour de France 2012: Team presentation

Sky and Rabobank Tour de France recce

Tour de France 2012: Live text coverage

Cycling Weekly's live text coverage schedule

Tour de France 2012: TV schedule

ITV4 live schedule

British Eurosport live schedule