05/04/03

Hamilton wins Tour de Romandie with storming time trial

LAUSANNE, May 4 (Reuters) - American Tyler Hamilton won the 57th Tour de Romandie on Sunday when he passed overnight leader Francisco Perez Sanchez with a perfect run in the final time trial around Lausanne.

Hamilton, of the CSC Team, set a time of 26 minutes and 18 seconds on the 20.4km showpiece stage to finish the tour 33 seconds ahead of Swiss Milaneza rider Laurent Dufaux.

Spaniard Perez Sanchez was only able to record a time of 27 minutes and 39 seconds on the final stage and finished a further five seconds behind in third overall.

Dufaux's team mate and countryman Fabian Jeker was fourth overall, 54 seconds behind Hamilton.

Gilles Bouvard, of the Jean Delatour team, was the first cyclist on the course for the time trial around Lausanne.

Swiss rider Rubens Bertolgliati, of the Lampre team, set the early pace with a time of 27 minutes and 31 seconds and he held the lead after the first 30 riders had completed the course.

Swiss Fassa Bortolo rider Fabian Cancellara bettered the lead time when he clocked a run of 27 minutes and 19 seconds but, with 50 riders gone, Aitor Gonzalez Jimenez led with a time of 27 minutes and eight seconds.

Phonak rider Alex Zulle broke the 27-minute barrier with a time of 26 minutes and 59 seconds to move to the head of the provisional classification in front of Gonzalez Jimenez.

Hamilton, fourth in the overall standings and 43 seconds behind Perez Sanchez after Saturday's penultimate stage, then claimed top spot with an incredible ride.

Switzerland's Alexandre Moos, in third position heading into the final day, could only manage a time of 27 minutes and 25 seconds and finished fifth overall.

Dufaux finished with a time of 27 minutes and five seconds while Perez Sanchez was one minute and 21 seconds slower than Hamilton.

The riders will now move on to the Giro d'Italia, which begins in Lecce on May 10.