July 13/98 11:24 am - Tour Stage 2-Boardman Out!

Posted by Editor on 07/13/98
 

Boardman Out, Zabel Takes Yellow Jersey

After a slow start to the 205 kilometre second stage from Dublin to Cork, things to a dramatic turn for the worst in the Tour today. Overall leader Chris Boardman (GAN) had his history of bad luck at the Tour continue, crashing with about 55 kilometres left in the stage and abandoning the race. This made German sprinter Erik Zabel (Telekom) the leader on the road (by virtue of sprint time bonuses). Another crash with 25 kilometres to go gave Laurent Jalabert (ONCE) and world champion Laurent Brochard (Festina) a scare, but they managed to get back on without too much difficulty. The pack sprint was won by Mapei‚s Jan Svorada, with Robbie McEwen (Rabobank) second, and Mario Cipollini (Saeco) third.