Olympic champion-2004 Mikhail Ignatyev took his first stage podium at the Tour de France, finishing second in Perpignan during the 5th stage.
Ignatyev was a part of succesful escape, which finished ahead of main peloton. French Thomas Voeckler from "Bbox Bouygues Telecom" won today’s stage, and Mikhail did second with just 7 seconds behind. In a bunch sprint Danilo Napolitano was 6th.
"I planned to do an escape today, but we did not really thinked, we will go till the finish. With 30 km to go our advantage was just 40 seconds, but after a good and hard work in the escape group, we took a good gap to take the stage. I had very good sprinters in my group, so my only chance was to attack. I did it for several time, after me Thomas Voeckler attacked and won the stage. I am happy with my second place, because the peloton was to close to me and I could loose it. I am sure, I will try one more time in next days," said Mikhail Ignatyev.
Ignatyev took the first place at the stage as young rider and he was named the most active rider of the stage.
