No luck for the guys at Quick Step in the fifth stage of the Tour de Suisse. Teammate Tom Boonen tried to surprise the others with a late attack, but the Belgian was caught at 500 meters. Zdenek helped the team and finished as 49th.
"It was a long stage", said our champion. "One of 215 kilometer under a sun by 30 degrees. Only 26 degrees warmer than at the top of the Nufenenpass!"
A group of four was long in front. "And that made it a little bit easier. The first 40 km were relatively easy. But then it went faster and faster. In the final, the last 25 km, it went very hard. We tried to bring Tom as close to the finish, but a curve on 1,5 km from the end ruined our plans."
Boonen placed an attack, tried to surprise his colleagues, but he was caught with 500 to go. The fast men closed the gap and it was Borut Bozic who won the stage. "Overall, Boonen did a good job and tried his chance. Again tomorrow? No, the finish is on a climb."