Zabriskie, Boonen grab the headlines (Tour de France, Stage 2)

VeloNews.com ^ | July 3, 2005 | Andrew Hood

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By Andrew Hood
VeloNews European Correspondent

The Dave Zabriskie Show came to the Tour de France on Sunday, momentarily diverting the cameras away from Lance Armstrong and the other big stars in the Tour's stage 2. And the European media, getting their first taste of Dave Z's quirky sense of humor, didn't know quite what to make of it - especially when he dead-panned to French television on how his first day went in the yellow jersey.

"How did I spend it? Racing bikes," said the 26-year-old CSC rider said with a sardonic smile.

Zabriskie enjoyed the view from the front of the peloton during most of Sunday's 181.5km stage across France's Vendée region, riding as the Tour's first maillot jaune.

Zabriskie came across the line safely in 71st place to retain the jersey after CSC found some friends in the sprinter teams , who helped reel in a four-man breakaway with 6km to go to set up the mass gallop.

"It was a normal stage considering the circumstances," surmised Team CSC manager Bjarne Riis. "We didn't let the break get too far away and we got some help from the others. It's okay."

Tom Boonen (Quick Step-Innergetic) took the sprinters' opening scalp, relegating green jersey rivals Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) and Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) to second and third places, respectively.

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Boonen celebrates
photo: Graham Watson

Zabriskie: Another day in yellow
photo: Graham Watson

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Tour de France ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my Tour de France 2005 list.

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Six-time Tour de France winner and leader of the Discovery Channel cycling team, Lance Armstrong of Austin, Texas, wearing the best sprinter's green jersey, right, and overall leader David Zabriskie of the U.S., talk as they wait at the start line prior to the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race, between Challans and Les Essarts, western France, Sunday, July 3, 2005. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Overall leader David Zabriskie of the U.S. waits by the registration bus prior to the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race, between Challans and Les Essarts, western France, Sunday, July 3, 2005. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

[Mercat]

I really like this kid. Go David!!!