- San Luis Obispo, California
Credit: twdsport.com
Tour de France (Jul. 5, 12:00 AM - Jul. 27, 12:00 AM)
BURGHARDT WINS SPRINT DUEL FOR COLUMBIA’S FIFTH TOUR STAGE
A powerful acceleration gave Marcus Burghardt his first victory of the 2008 season and Columbia’s fifth stage win in the 2008 Tour de France. At the end of a long break, the German comfortably outpowered Spaniard Carlos Barredo in a
two-way battle for a convincing stage victory at St. Etienne. For Burghardt the win had particular importance following a tough spring where knee injuries
left him out of one of his other big objecitves, the Belgian Classics.
“I’ve done some track riding in the past and in a finish like today’s that was specially important.” Burghardt said. “I never imagined it could come in useful in the Tour de France!”
“I went in one move early on, then in another after Carlos had gone because I really wanted to get in a break today. We both went for the sprint at the same time and I turned out to be the strongest.”
Already the winner of Ghent-Wevelgem in 2007, Burghardt said “My team said I had to help Mark [Cavendish] and Kim [Kirchen] in the first week, but that I would have a chance to go in the breaks in the third. And that's what's happened."
“My spring was very difficult because I had problems training in California [at the pre-season training camp] because of my knee injuries. it became inevitable that I would have an operation. Things got betterafterwards and thanks to my team giving me lots of support here I am.”
During the break “Barredo said he wouldn’t work because he wasn’t as good as me in the finall sprints and he tried to attack from behind. But I was always very focussed on him so he couldn’t get away.”
Asked if he had lifted his arms in victory too early, Burghardt said “I was sure that I had enough of an advantage and I was very happy to have won a Tour stage considering it’s just the second time I’ve taken part in the race.”
Asked why Columbia was so successful in this season, Burghardt said “it’s all down to great team spirit and supporting each other as much as possible.”
"See daily reports and galleries below
Special Media Access Gallery.
CHECK OUT THE LIVE SRM BIO DATA OF OUR RIDERS:
Selected Athletes
 Marcus Burghardt |
 Mark Cavendish |
 Gerald Ciolek |
 Bernhard Eisel |
 Adam Hansen |
 George Hincapie |
 Kim Kirchen |
 Thomas Lovkvist |
 Kanstantsin Sivtsov |
Race Stages
Race Updates
Burghardt wins sprint duel for Columbia's fifth tour stage
July 24, 2008 | Read Full Article
A powerful acceleration gave Marcus Burghardt his first victory of the 2008 season and Columbia’s fifth stage win in the 2008 Tour de France. At the end of a long break, the German comfortably outpowered Spaniard Carlos Barredo in a
two-way battle for a convincing stage victory at St. Etienne. For Burghardt the win had particular importance following a tough spring where knee injuries left him out of one of his other big objecitves, the Belgian Classics.
Mark Cavendish wins stage 13 at the Tour de France
July 18, 2008 | Read Full Article
CAVENDISH POWERS TO FOURTH STAGE WIN IN TOUR
A baking hot day in southern France saw Mark Cavendish scorch to a fourth stage win in the Tour on Friday. Despite temperatures of over thirty degrees centigrade, the Columbia pro powered across the line more than two bike lengths clear of Australian Robbie McEwen and Romain Feillu of France. For the 23-year-old Britain, his stage win in Nimes is his eleventh road win of the season the same total as he took in the whole of 2007.
“I had to do it in two accelerations.” Cavendish confirmed. “First I kicked out with 150 metres to go and then again closer to the line.”
Race Updates
July 24, 2008: Burghardt wins sprint duel for Columbia's fifth tour stage
July 18, 2008: Mark Cavendish wins stage 13 at the Tour de France
July 17, 2008: Mark Cavendish wins his third stage during the Tour de France
July 12, 2008: Cavendish and Ciolek clinch first and second for Columbia
July 11, 2008: Kirchen retains Tour de France yellow and green jersey in stage 7
July 10, 2008: Kirchen wins Tour de France yellow and green jersey in stage 6
July 09, 2008: Mark Cavendish wins stage 5 Tour de France
July 08, 2008: Columbia takes the Green and the White Jersey at the Tour de France
July 06, 2008: NEWS FLASH - Kirchen earns the Green Jersey
July 05, 2008: Great start for Team Columbia at the Tour de France
June 15, 2008: Columbia Sportswear Company and High Road Sports Announce New "Team Columbia" to Debut at 2008 Tour de France
