Tour de Suisse 9: Cancellara reigns in Bern
Saxo Bank's Fabian Cancellara blazes his way to victory in the 2009 Tour of California prologue February 14. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Swiss star Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) won Stage 9 of the 2009 Tour of Switzerland, a 38.5km time trial in his home town of Bern Sunday, also grabbing the overall win.
The two-time world time trial champion more than made up his two-second deficit on previous race leader Tadej Valjavec (Ag2R-La Mondiale) to win by 2:02 overall, ahead of Tony Martin (Columbia-Highroad) and Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas).
Cancellara's winning time Sunday was 46:01. Columbia-Highroad won five stages since the race began in Moren June 13, and placed four riders in the final top ten Sunday overall.
It was Cancellara's first major stage race win since the Tirreno-Adriatico in 2008.
"This is a fantastic day for me," Cancellara said. "I was feeling really nervous prior to the stage, but once I got going I settled into my rhythm and felt at home.
"I never expected to win this race but it is truly a great feeling and an encouraging result for the Tour de France," he added.
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