Boasson Hagen takes control

Published: Wednesday, 16 September 2009, 4:54PM

Team Columbia and Edvald Boasson Hagen took firm control of the Tour of Britain in Stoke on Trent, as the Norwegian ace sealed his third straight victory in Stage 5.

Boasson Hagen prevailed in a tough uphill sprint on the West Midlands stage, and with time bonuses his victory saw him overtake Kai Reus of Rabobank at the top of the general classification.

Filippo Pozzato of the Russian outfit Katusha came home second in Stage 5 with on-form Russell Downing (CandiTV-Marshalls Pasta) third.

Dan Fleeman (Cervelo Test Team), Alan Marangoni (CSF Navigare) and Darren Lapthorne (Rapha Condor) had launched a determined early attack, which was reeled in by the familiar face of Frenchman Nicolas Vogondy (Agritubel).

With strong crosswinds buffeting the riders all over the place, Team Columbia predictably picked up the pace in the closing stages and with just one kilometre to race the four-man break was swallowed up by the peloton.

Thomas De Gendt of Topsport Vlaanderen remains in the lead in the KOM classification while Boasson Hagen now also tops the points table.

Chris Sutton (Garmin Slipstream) is third in the general classification, 14" back from the irrepressible Boasson Hagen.