Szmyd finds glory atop Mont Ventoux

Sylvester Szmyd (Liquigas) leads Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) at the front of the race.

Sylvester Szmyd (Liquigas) leads Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) at the front of the race. (Image credit: Sirotti)

It was so new to Sylvester Szmyd to be in a winning position that he lost control of himself before the last hairpin bend of the Mont Ventoux. His circumstantial ally Alejandro Valverde had to wait for him to give him the victory he deserved. "I can't hide that having done all my career as a domestique, I was in trouble when it came time to win, I was stressed out," the Polish rider explained with a large smile.