Meersman takes surprise win in Algarve opener

By Nigel Wynn

15-Feb-2012 | 0 comments

Belgian Gianni Meersman (Lotto-Belisol) won the bunch sprint in the opening stage of the Tour of the Algarve in Albufeira on Wednesday.

Meersman opened his sprint up early on the inside of the gently curving run-in to the finish, and kept his rivals at bay to take the win.

Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) chased hard to place second, with Matti Breschel (Rabobank) a close third. Irishman Nicolas Roche (Ag2r) placed fifth.

On Thursday, the riders face a 187.5km stage from Faro to Lagoa.

Results
Tour of the Algarve 2012, stage one: Dunas Douradas to Albufeira, 151km
1. Gianni Meersman (Bel) Lotto-Belisol
2. Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing
3. Matti Breschel (Den) Rabobank
4. Bjorn Leukemans (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM
5. Nicolas Roche (Irl) Ag2r La Mondiale
6. Anthony Ravard (Fra) Ag2R La Mondiale
7. Rui Costa (Por) Movistar
8. Michael van Stayen (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen
9. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky
10. Jan Bakelants (Bel) RadioShack-Nissan all same time

Overall classification after stage one
1. Gianni Meersman (Bel) Lotto-Belisol
2. Greg van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing at 4 secs
3. Matti Breschel (Den) Rabobank at 6 secs
4. Bjorn Leukemans (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM at 10 secs
5. Nicolas Roche (Irl) Ag2R La Mondiale at 10 secs
6. Anthony Ravard (Fra) Ag2R La Mondiale at 10 secs
7. Rui Costa (Por) Movistar at 10 secs
8. Michael van Stayen (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen at 10 secs
9. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky at 10 secs
10. Jan Bakelants (Bel) RadioShack-Nissan at 10 secs