Hushovd sprints to win opening stage of Tour of Beijing

Thor Hushovd won the first stage of the Tour of Beijing Friday, after the Norwegian timed his sprint for the finishing line to perfection. The 2010 world champion edged ahead of a crowded pack during a sprint finish to the 190.5 kilometres race, crossing the line at just over four hours and 20 minutes. Marginally behind the 35-year-old were Slovenian Luka Mezgec, Belgium's Nikolas Maes and Italian Alessandro Petacchi. Petacchi, who rides for the Omega Pharma-Quick Step team, was the first to dart for the finishing line, but was caught by Hushovd in his bid for glory. It is the first appearance at the Beijing event, the last of the UCI WorldTour season, by Hushovd, a former Tour de France green jersey winner. The veteran racer earlier this year signed a three-year contract with Swiss team BMC Racing, and repaid them by claiming two stage victories in August's Tour of Poland. The first stage of the Tour of Beijing was from the Chinese capital's northeastern district of Shunyi to Huairou, further outside the urban area. Hushovd will wear the leader's red jersey for Saturday's stage two, the longest section of the race at 201.5 kilometres, stretching from northwest to northeast Beijing. London Olympics silver medallist and defending Tour of Beijing champion Tony Martin of Germany is hoping to make it three wins in a row this year. The event was established in 2011 and Martin won it both then and last year. Also racing is Portugal's Rui Costa, who won at the World Championships in Tuscany last month. Source:AFP