Second Tour de France stage win for Boasson

Edvald Boasson Hagen today won his and Team Sky’s second stage of the 2011 Tour de France with a solo triumph in Italy.

The Norwegian made amends for his second place to compatriot Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) yesterday by winning today’s 179-kilometre 17th stage from Gap to Pinerolo.

The 24-year-old from Lillehammer, who won stage six to Lisieux, attacked on the day’s final climb with 11km remaining.

Boasson Hagen reached the summit of the Cote de Pramartino with a lead of fewer than 20 seconds and fearlessly negotiated the 8km descent to win from Bauke Mollema (Rabobank), who was 40 seconds behind in second, with Sandy Casar (FDJ) third, 10 seconds further back.

There are two Norwegians in the peloton and each have now won twice – Boasson Hagen emulating Hushovd’s earlier successes.

Ireland’s Nicolas Roche finished the stage in a respectable 14th place, in a time of 4 hours, 22 minutes, gaining 43 seconds on race leader Thomas Voeckler of Team Europcar, who finished in 28th.