26 Aug 2009

Young Norwegian cyclist most improved rider of 2009?

8:18 am on 26 August 2009

Norwegian cyclist Edvald Boasson Hagen strengthened his position as the season's most improved young rider after winning both the Tour of Benelux and its seventh and final stage.

The Team Columbia rider sealed victory in the final 13.1-km individual time trial in the Dutch town of Amersfoort.

Overall, he finished 45 seconds ahead of France's Sylvain Chavanel with Dutchman Sebastian Langeveld third, a further two seconds adrift.

This year, the 22-year-old Boasson Hagen has won the Ghent-Wevelgem classic, a Giro d'Italia stage and two Tour of Poland stages.