McEwen Scores First Win of Season at Romandy, Looking Good for Giro

McEwen takes a morale-building win at Romandy, ahead of the Giro and Tour de France

Robbie McEwen finally got first win of the season yesterday at the Tour of Romandy, besting Italian come backer Daniele Bennati of the Liquigas team, and CSC's Matti Breschel, the young developing classics rider. McEwen looks on track for the Giro, a race he has won 10 stages in. He'll feel good in knowing that he still has a few days left to perfect his form, and enjoy his first win of the year.

Kroon, a selfless domestique, deserved the win in Germany, his second time taking the race

McEwen has always been known as a rider who is capable of winning without the help of his teammates; he always seems to find the right wheel to follow, even if it isn't a fellow teammate, and his finishing kick is among the most explosive in the sport. At the Giro, he'll have the support of his team, but when the Tour de France arrives in July, McEwen will be mosly on his own, as the Lotto-Silence team will lend full support to overall hope Cadel Evans, who is looking good so far in 2008.

Johanson, like teammate Kroon, is usually tearing himself apart for others, but was able to get a win for himself in Denmark, his native land

In other racing news, chock one up for the good guy as Karsten Kroon takes his second win at the Rund um den Henninger Turm, having also taken the German semi-classic in 2004. Then, it was rainy and miserable, but yesterday the weather was pleasantly sunny. Kroon is an amiable, easy going rider who usually is riding in the service of others. But like oher riders on the CSC team, he gets his chances for wins too. In true team style, Andy Schleck rode selflessly in support of the Dutchman, helping him to victory. Another CSC workhorse Allen Johanson meanwhile, took the win at the GP Copenhagen, a smaller Danish one day race. CSC seems to be everywhere, and able to win many different ways with many different riders. Like him or not, Bjarne Riis must be considered among the best in cycling at directing a team, bar none. Not even Johan Bruyneel has had such success.