Vinokourov makes his mark

Vinokourov crosses the line

Kazakhstan's Alexandre Vinokourov won the 163-km first stage of the Tour de Suisse and took the overall lead.

The Telekom finished in four hours, 13 minutes and 43 seconds, with Sergei Ivanov second and Spain's Miguel Angel Perdiguero in third.

Vinokourov, who made a break from the pack in the closing stages with Ivanov, pipped the Russian to the line to take the win.

The 29-year-old also won a stage in last year's event before he fell on the fifth stage and fractured a bone in his back that forced him to miss the Tour de France.

Vinokourov has a four second overall lead over Australia's Bradley McGee, who finished eighth for the FDJeux team, with Phonak's Spaniard Oscar Pereiro 10 seconds adrift in third.

Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara, the winner of Monday's opening prologue stage, holds fourth overall after finishing the stage 15 seconds behind Vinokourov.

Ivanov is fifth with Fassa Bortolo's Italian Dario Frigo sixth after finishing the stage fourth.

Reigning champion Alex Zuelle is seventh for Phonak despite finishing 19th on the stage, with 1997 Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich eighth, 20 seconds behind.

Wednesday's 175-km second stage is from Murten to Nyon on the shores of Lake Leman.

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Tour de Suisse first stage results:
1. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Telekom 4hrs 13mins 43secs
2. Sergei Ivanov (Rus) Fassa Bortolo same time
3. Miguel Angel Perdiguero (Spa) Domina Vacanze +2secs
4. Dario Frigo (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
5. Salvatore Commesso (Ita) Saeco
6. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Lampre
7. Wladimir Belli (Ita) Lampre
8. Bradley McGee (Aus) FDJeux
9. Alexandre Moos (Swi) Phonak
10. Thierry Loder (Fra) AG2R all same time

Leading overall standings:
1. Vinokourov 4:22:29
2. McGee 4secs behind
3. Oscar Pereiro (Spa) Phonak +10
4. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Fassa Bortolo +12
5. Ivanov 16
6. Frigo 18
7. Alex Zuelle (Swi) Phonak +19
8. Jan Ullrich (Ger) Bianchi +20
9. Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Credit Agricole
10. Patrik Sinkewitz (Ger) Quick Step both same time