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Zubeldia wins Tour de l'Ain
Veteran Spaniard Haimar Zubeldia secured the slimmest of overall victories in the Tour de l'Ain on Saturday following a close-run fourth and final stage won by Dutchman Wouter Poels.
Poels, of the Vacansoleil team, beat Frenchman David Moncoutie (Cofidis) to victory in the 126.1km between Culoz and Belley and which included the ascent of the Col du Grand Colombier.
After finishing first from an eight-man leading group, which included Zubeldia, Poels was credited with the same overall time as the Spaniard, who in the end was handed overall victory thanks to a winning margin of just 0.20secs.
Poels finished 10.20sec behind Zubeldia in last Tuesday's 3km opening stage time trial, and although he closed his 10sec deficit to Zubeldia by the final stage the Spaniard, in accordance with race rules, held on to his slight advantage.
Victory for the 33-year-old Zubeldia, who rides for the RadioShack team led by seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, will boost the Spanish all-rounder after he was sidelined from the three-week epic in July due to injury.
Although primarily a stage racer who targets the three-week Grand Tours, the Tour de l'Ain is Zubeldia's second career stage race win.
Tuesday's prologue win was his first victory since he won a
stage and the overall at the Spanish Bicicleta Vasca stage race in
2000.
