Tom Boonen has won the first stage of the Eneco Tour in Holland. The race covered 173.8 km and brought the riders from Beek to Roermond.
Boonen’s Quick Step train delivered him in the final sprint ahead of Italians Daniele Bennati of Team Liquigas and Fabio Sabatini (Team Milram), who came in second and third respectively.
“I wanted to do well in yesterdays Prologue,” says Boonen, “but the rain unfortunately penalized my trial. Today the entire team did an exceptional job and in the final part De Jongh guided me to perfection. I’m very happy, this victory gives me confidence leading up to my participation in La Vuelta España and in anticipation of the World race in Varese at the end of September.”
Milram was satisfied with the performance of their 23 year-old sprinter. ”When you are so narrowly beaten by Boonen and Bennati, as Fabio Sabatini was, then you are really good in form,” said Marlies van Gerwen, Milrams’s business manager. “Our team has done very well here. Everyone worked together and prepared the sprint in the finale very well. That looked good and was rewarded with a podium place and a top ten finish.”