Like clockwork - Albasini wins in Tour de Romandie
(Cyclingnews.com)

For Mark Cavendish, his specialty is Tour de France sprints; for Alejandro Valverde, it`s almost anything he turns his hand to; but for Michael Albasini, it`s racing on home roads, and especially the Tour Romandie. On Wednesday`s stage 1 from Aigle to Champery, the Orica-Scott rider picked up his seventh-ever stage win at the race with a well-timed sprint that saw off Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) and Jesus Herrada (Movistar). The secret, according to the 36-year-old who sits only behind Mario Cipollini in terms of wins in Romandie, is keeping motivation after the Ardennes Classics.ADVERTISEMENT `I usually peak my form at the Ardennes Classics. There`s not that many guys who come from the Ardennes and then race here,` he modestly told Cyclingnews. `Those races make you sharp and they give you a lot of race rhythm. So if you can keep your motivation up then you can do really well here. I reckon that`s the key.` There`s more to just turning up when it comes to winning at the WorldTour level and Albasini showed poise and power as he took on his rivals as the race headed into Champery. Orica used Roman Kreuziger and Damien Howson on the final climb, with both men keeping the pace high and neutralizing any late moves before Albasini surfed the wheels and then struck for home as his rivals hesitated. You can read more at Cyclingnews.com