Contrini takes stage two, Bennati in yellow

By Shane Stokes in Einsiedeln

Italian rider Daniele Contrini took the best result of his career today when he won the second stage of the Tour de Suisse in Einsiedeln. The Team L.P.R rider broke away after approximately 40 kilometres and with race leader Tom Boonen's Quick.Step squad unwilling to chase, his advantage stretched right out to almost 15 minutes with 35 kilometres remaining. While the Gerolsteiner, T-Mobile, Milram and Lampre teams did some work, he had more than enough time to race home for victory.

Daniele Bennati (Lampre-Fondital) repeated his second place of yesterday, outsprinting Erik Zabel (Team Milram) 5 minutes and 2 seconds later. With race leader Boonen finishing back in 61st place, a further six seconds down, and Contrini having crossed the line 5 minutes and 33 seconds in arrears yesterday, the Italian sprinter now takes over at the top of the general classification. Boonen is eight seconds back in second place, while one of yesterday's breakaway riders Michael Albasini (Liquigas) is third.

"My team didn't go out thinking about going for the yellow jersey but were rather targeting a stage win," said Bennati. "To take the lead is very satisfying, particularly as the Tour de Suisse is such a big race."

"Tomorrow Daniele will try to honour the jersey with a victory", commented his sport director Maurizio Piovani.