Antón takes Romandie-stage

Igor Antón took his first win of the season, and Euskaltel`s season tally to four, in today`s queen-stage of the Tour de Romandie Pro Tour stage-race. Igor showed immense strength to win in such a quality field, and now lies 2nd overall, a mere 7 seconds adrift of leader Chris Horner. Besides Igor`s breathtaking win, the whole team rode superbly, with Amets Txurruka, Haimar Zubeldia and Mikel Astarloza showing signs of emerging form.

The day started out just as planned for Euskaltel. Exciting climbing-prospect Amets Txurruka got in the break of the day, and stayed away with 10 other strong riders for approximately 100 km. Amets crashed in the latter part of the stage, but luckily he got away without any serious injuries sustained. He even managed to get back to the front group, but the break got caugth at the foot of the last climb. On this climb, 4 km from the top, Igor made his race-winning move. With Sylwester Szmyd alone 10 seconds up the road, Igor countered and quickly bridged the gap. He then left Szmyd trailing in his wake immediately, and with 3 km to go, he held a 14 second lead over the quickly-decreasing peloton. Though, with two km to go, Thomas Dekker, John Gadret and Chris Horner joined him up front. These four would fight for the stage-win, and in the last dash to the line, Igor was unbeatable. Behind him, his three team-mates Amets, Mikel and Haimar, came in together at only 2:16 back. That was one hell of a performance from Euskaltel today. Here`s how they all placed:

• 1st, Igor Antón
• 23rd, Ametz Txurruka, 2:16
• 24th, Haimar Zubeldia, 2:16
• 26th, Mikel Astarloza, 2:16
• 120th, Iñigo Landaluze, 29:16
• 123rd, Gorka Verdugo, 29:16

From what it looks like, Aitor Galdos and Jon Bru both abandoned, as they don`t figure on the list of results. On GC, Igor is 2nd, 7 seconds back, while Haimar is 20th, Mikel 22nd and Ametz an highly impressing 28th.