Barloworld's Degano takes over in Portugal

Team Barloworld's Italian sprinter Enrico Degano took his first win of the season in the GP Internacional CTT Correios in Portugal. The 31 year-old won the first stage and took the overall leader's jersey on the 197.6 kilometre long stage from Tirso to Povoa De Varzim, beating American Tyler Farrar (Cofidis) and Ukrainan Mikhaylo Khalilov (Ceramica Flaminia).

The win marks an important moment for Degano after a series of physical and personal problems affected the first part of his season. Once more, Portugal proved to be a lucky place for Degano, who won four races in the country during 2006.

"I'm really pleased that he's finally got a win," Team Barloworld team manager Claudio Corti said. "With the directeur sportifs of the team we've really worked hard to help Degano get back to form. In the last few days Volpi has personally accompanied him doing speed work behind a motorbike so that he could improve his speed and fitness."

The stage victory meant that Degano also pulled on the overall race leader's jersey, and improves his chances of getting a place in the Team Barloworld line-up for the Tour de France that begins in London on July 7.