Swiss star Cancellara wins first stage of Tour de France

Ryland James July 5, 2009 - 5:54AM Switzerland's Olympic time-trial champion Fabian Cancellara won the first stage of the Tour de France on Saturday in a time of 19 minutes 32.14 seconds to claim the yellow jersey. The 28-year-old showed his class with an impressive performance on the twisting and challenging 15.5km hilly course around the tiny Principality to claim his fourth stage victory on the Tour and was strong on the climb. Outstanding on the descent, current Tour of Switzerland champion Cancellara wiped 19 seconds off the previous fastest time set by Bradley Wiggins, who eventually finished third with Astana's Alberto Contador second. "I am quite proud, I put in the maximum possible effort," said the Swiss rider whose Saxo Bank team will now defend the yellow jersey at least until the next big rendezvous, the team... [read full story]                    

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