Koldo Fernández!!!

What a day for Koldo Fernández, and what a day for Euskaltel! After coming close so many times this season, Koldo took his first pro win today. And what better race to do it in than in a Pro Tour race!? Koldo beat the likes of O`Grady, Hushovd, McEwen, Napolitano, Balducci, Petacchi and Zabel in the mass-sprint to claim a highly pleasing, and, surely, deserved win. The last stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico took the riders 177 kms from Civitella del Tronto to San Benedetto del Tronto, and gave Euskaltel its first ever bunch-sprint win in a Pro Tour race. Euskaltel have not been known as a sprinter`s team, but now people might want to look out for this talented 25-year-old fast-man. Koldo`s win came after an impressive acceleration to beat O`Grady comfortably. With 600 metres remaining, Hinault, Dean and Hushovd went to the front to help Hushovd win it for Crédit Agricole. O`Grady saw the move and followed. So to did Koldo, who clung wisely onto O`Grady`s wheel. When Hushovd launched the sprint way too early, O`Grady, with Koldo on his wheel, got in front of him. But with an impressive late surge Koldo overtook him and even had time to celebrate. Koldo therefore took his first ever win. And, I can guarantee you, there are many more to follow...