LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) β Ilnur Zakarin of Russia got a career-best title Sunday, winning the six-day Tour of Romandie by placing third in the final time-trial stage.
Zakarin was just 13 seconds slower than former time-trial world champion Tony Martin of Germany despite changing his bike because of technical problems.
The 25-year-old Katusha rider retained the leader’s yellow jersey by 17 seconds from teammate Simon Spilak of Slovenia. Spilak was second-fastest in the time trial, coming 11 seconds behind Martin’s mark of 23 minutes, 17 seconds over a rain-soaked 17-kilometer (11-mile) route around Lausanne.
Chris Froome of Britain, the two-time defending Romandie champion, was 13th fastest Sunday and placed third overall, 35 seconds behind Zakarin.
As a teenager, Zakarin was banned for two years after testing positive for a steroid.
