Lars Michaelsen (Team CSC) kicked off Tour de Georgia 2006 in the best possible way by sprinting to a brilliant victory in the 207 km first stage between Augusta and Macon. The Danish veteran won ahead of Fred Rodriguez (Lotto-Davitamon), when the stage was decided during the final 100 meters.
"Lars and Rodriguez were sprinting in separate sides of the road, but Lars was simply faster," said a very satisfied sports director Tristan Hoffman after the first stage. "Everything went well for us and you have to admit that this is the ideal way to start a race. We had things under control and it was great to watch the sprint at the end, where Allan Johansen also managed to launch an attack on the climb during the last stretch."
