Peter Sagan, a first-year pro from Slovakia, claimed his third season win and assumed the overall lead with a triumphant sprint in the first stage of Tour of Romandie in Fleurier, Switzerland.
Sagan began the stage 0.92 seconds behind former race leader Marco Pinotti of Italy, the prologue winner, who now trails by nine seconds in the overall classification. Jeremy Roy of France is third overall, trailing by 12 seconds.
Christian Vande Velde of Lemont, Ill., is 30th overall and leads the five Americans is the remaining field of 156 while trailing by 21 seconds.
Chad Beyer of Phoenix, Ariz., involved in a long breakaway in the first stage, took sprint competition lead.
Stage 1 Top 10
1. Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Doimo 4:50:21; 2. Francesco Gavazzi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini, same time; 3. Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale, s.t.; 4. Maxim Iglinsky (Kaz) Astana, s.t.; 5. Fabio Felline (Ita) Footon-Servetto, s.t.; 6. Robert Hunter (RSA) Garmin-Transitions, s.t.; 7. Michel Kreder (Ned) Garmin-Transitions; 8. Anders Lund (Den) Team Saxo Bank, s.t.; 9. Ben Swift (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team; 10. Stefan Denifl (Aut) Cervélo TestTeam, s.t.
American Finishers
48. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin-Transitions, s.t.; 50.Matthew Busche (USA) Team Radioshack, s.t.; 68. Kirk Carlsen (USA) Garmin-Transitions, s.t.; 143. Chad Beyer (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:09:28; 144. Jeffry Louder (USA) BMC Racing Team, 0:09:29.
General Classification
1. Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Doimo 4:55:29; 2. Marco Pinotti (Ita) Team HTC-Columbia 0:00:09; 3. Jeremy Roy (Fra) Française Des Jeux 0:00:12; 4. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team HTC-Columbia; 5. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Caisse d'Epargne 0:00:14; 6. Francesco Gavazzi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini 0:00:15; 7. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas-Doimo, s.t.; 8. Ruben Plaza Molina (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne, s.t.; 9. Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Team Radioshack, s.t.; 10. Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale 0:00:16.
Americans
30. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin-Transitions 0:00:21; 63. Matthew Busche (USA) Team Radioshack 0:00:27; 86. Kirk Carlsen (USA) Garmin-Transitions, 0:00:33; 128. Jeffry Louder (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:09:56; 135. Chad Beyer (USA) BMC Racing Team 10:02.
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