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Sunday, 29 April 2012

Wiggins Wins Tour de Romandie







Bradley Wiggins won the Tour de Romandie title after producing a sensational time trial to win Sunday's 16.5km stage in Crans-Montana.

The Team Sky rider, who started the day nine seconds behind Spanish leader Luis Leon Sanchez, had to change his bike early on after a mechanical problem.

But he powered round in 28 minutes 56 seconds to take the stage by one second and the overall race by 12 seconds.

It is his second multi-stage success in 2012 after he won Paris-Nice in March.

Wiggins is the first Briton to win the race through Switzerland in its 65-year history.

The 32-year-old finished the time trial marginally ahead of American Andrew Talansky, who climbed into second place overall, while Wiggins's Team Sky team-mate Richie Porte came third in the time trial to take fourth place overall.

Rui Costa of Portugal finished third overall, 36 seconds behind Wiggins, after finishing fourth on Sunday.

Overnight leader Sanchez faded to finish 10th overall.

Wiggins, who experienced a problem with his bike chain at the beginning of the climb at Crans-Montana, said: "It was a true test of a rider, it had a bit of everything in it plus a mechanical problem.

"I'm pleased with the way I handled that moment because a few years ago I might have thrown my toys out of the pram and chucked my bike down the ravine!

"It was a good test for the bigger races coming up and I'm delighted.

"I think this year is a result of the hard work I've put in this winter. I've really grafted at it and hopefully there's more to come."

Team Sky also won the team event, finishing two minutes and 16 seconds clear of Astana, with Movistar in third.

Tour de Romandie final standings:
1. Bradley Wiggins (GB) Team Sky 18 hours five minutes 40 seconds
2. Andrew Talansky (US) Team Garmin 18:05.52
3. Rui Costa (Por) Team Movistar 18:06.16
4. Richie Porte (Aus) Team Sky 18:06.25
5. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Sky 18:06.30


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