Meersman wins Romandie first stage

LAUSANNE (AFP) –

Belgium Gianni Meersman (C) wins a race on March 7, 2012 in Rodez. Meersman, now of the Omega Pharma team, won the first stage of the Tour of Romandie on Wednesday, but Britain’s race favourite Chris Froome remained in the overall lead.

Belgium’s Gianni Meersman, of the Omega Pharma team, won the first stage of the Tour of Romandie on Wednesday, but Britain’s race favourite Chris Froome remained in the overall lead.

Meersman won the 176km stage between Saint-Maurice and Renens, in the Lausanne suburbs, in a sprint finish from Italy’s Giacomo Nizzolo and Roberto Ferrari.

“It was a difficult day but the team did excellent work,” said 27-year-old Meersman.

“It was especially difficult in the final 500 metres, but I rediscovered my good legs and they got me the victory,” added Meersman, who came into the race in form having won two stages on last month’s Tour of Catalonia.

Froome holds on to the overall lead after winning Tuesday’s prologue.

Thursday’s second stage will be a 190.3km ride north from Prilly to Granges.

Froome is hoping to win the five-stage race, which concludes on Sunday, as he steps up his preparations for this summer’s Tour de France.

The two previous winners of this race, Australia’s Cadel Evans (2011) and Froome’s Sky team-mate Bradley Wiggins last year went on to win the Tour de France.