Kirchen -Pais Vasco -podium s4 (Credit: TDWsport.com) Credit: TDWsport.com
Kirchen - Pais Vasco - sprint (Credit: TDWsport.com) Credit: TDWsport.com
Possoni - Pais Vasco (Credit: TDWsport.com) Credit: TDWsport.com
Kirchen -Pais Vasco -podium s4 (Credit: TDWsport.com) Credit: TDWsport.com
Kirchen - Pais Vasco - sprint (Credit: TDWsport.com) Credit: TDWsport.com
Possoni - Pais Vasco (Credit: TDWsport.com) Credit: TDWsport.com
 
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Kirchen Takes Win Number 20 of Season for High Road

April 10, 2008

 Kim Kirchen has sprinted to High Road’s twentieth victory of 2008 in stage four of the Tour of the Basque Country, with team-mate Morris Possoni adding to the celebrations by crossing the line in second place.

After clinching stage two of the Basque Country, Thursday’s win was Kirchen’s second sprint win in three days. Part of a day-long break, Possoni was close to victory himself, but at the last moment Kirchen’s chase group caught and passed the Italian.

“It was clear that Morris group was going to be caught with 250 metres left to go and Kim couldn’t brake and risk another rider going past him.” explained Valerio Piva, High Road’s sports director. We didn’t want that to happen. Even if it’s a shame for Morris, it’s far better than Kim wins than we lose the stage completely.”

“Kim is clearly in flying form,” he added. “Taking one win in a bunch sprint is sometimes written off as a fluke, but if he takes two, particularly in a race as hard as the Tour of the Basque Country then nobody can say that.”

Morale in High Road’s Basque Country line-up is high, but Piva said that despite the run of success, the overall classification was not a major objective.

“We came here hoping for one stage win at most. Taking two is an added bonus, and a sure sign Kim’s on form for the Ardennes Classics. We can go away more than satisfied with what we’ve achieved so far.”

Piva added that Possoni’s near-victory was symptomatic of the strong rides the team’s younger riders are doing.

“Tony Martin, Mark Cavendish and Edvald Boasson Hagen have  done great rides so far this year, and Morris has been in two long breaks here in the Basque Country as well.”

“He’s building up for the Tour of Romandie and Giro d’Italia, and these have been good tests for him. A win would have been great, but it just couldn’t happen.”

“Personally, I don’t think any other team has such a strong group of promising new talent. And we’ve got the results to prove it.”