Even World Time trial Champion Fabian Cancellara, who ended fifth in front of his home crowd, could not hold Sanchez's
wheel when the Spaniard attacked at the descent following the last climb in the last round of the 233,7 kilometres
of the Swiss classic. World road champion Paolo Bettini did not have a word in the decision at all, as he had to abandon the
race due to a hunger flat right before the last round.
In the first four of of the five rounds of Zürich Metzgete the
race was dominated by Discovery Channel's Japanese champion Fumiyuki Beppu, the Frenchman Jeremy Roy (FdJeux) and the Italian
Michele Gobbi (Milram). The group managed to escape early, intermittendly leading by 17 minutes in front of the peloton. Although
the leading group could not make it to the end, the peloton was split in the persuit of the lead group. Only 36 followers
were left when the remaining Jeremy Roy and Fumiyuki Beppu were caught at the last climb at the Pfannnenstiel in the round
before last.
Catching up to the escape in the last round were 11 riders including Stuart O`Grady (CSC), Samuel Sanchez
(EUS), Stijn Devolder (DSC) Michael Boogerd (RAB), Fabian Cancellara (CSC) und Davide Rebellin (GST). The group desperately
defended a 30 seconds lead ahead of the remaining peloton. Shortly before the last ascend to the Pfannenstiel the three of
Boogerd, Sanchez and Rebelling managed to get a lead of Cancellara, who got dropped on the climb but managed to get back in
the descent. Cancellara then rode tempo for teammate O'Grady in the flat. Yet the CSC duo could not hold Sanchez attacking
at nine kilometres to go. The Asturian gained an impressive lead of 3 minutes and eventually crossed the line solo with a
cry of joy. The former moto cross rider broke out in tears after what was his first victory in a classics race before entering
the podium with a beaming smile rounding up a mixed season for his Basque
team Euskatel.
Results Zürich Metzgete (Pro-Tour)
1. Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel) 6:03.47
2. Stuart O'Grady (CSC)
3. Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner)
4. Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) all 30 seconds behind
5. Fabian Cancellara (CSC) 36 seconds behind
