Trusov knows he has won the stage (Image credit: Gerry McManus)
Young Nikolai Trusov of Tinkoff Credit Systems marked his first win of 2007 in stage two of the Tour of Britain. The 22 year-old fourth year professional went head-to-head with CSC's Luke Roberts at the end of a 169-kilometre day in Taunton. Thanks to the win, Trusov moved in the overall lead by eight seconds over Australian Roberts.
"It is a success that is filled with joy," affirmed Directeur Sportif Claudio Cozzi. "We are really happy for Trusov because he is a straight-forward boy, who always listens and does what he has to do. To see him win was a huge emotion."
Trusov made the jump to the Italian Professional Continental team this last winter as Tinkoff Restaurants upgraded. Team financier Oleg Tinkov made the needed financial push and signing of rider for the team to compete at the highest level.
He made his way through the 2007 Giro d'Italia while placing himself well in the sprints. The most visible day for him happened to be part of the maxi-caduta ('large crash') at the end of stage 11 to Pinerolo. Trusov was the first one to lose control on the wet finishing straight that saw many top favourites scrabbling across the ground. Last month, he gained an important morale boost by finishing second behind Italian Alessandro Petacchi in the opening stage of the Regio Tour, and signalled his continued emergence as sprint force.
Joining Trusov in Britain are Alexander Serov, Salvatore Commesso, Daniele Contrini, Bernardo Riccio and Elio Aggiano.
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