Tayeb Braikia

Olympic Champion Pascal Richard of the Linda McCartney Pro Cycling Team is the man they all want to see in Switzerland's Tour of Romandie, but today it was his Danish teammate Tayeb Braikia who took the McCartney applause.

Tayeb took a brilliant third in the big bunch sprint behind the Italian master Mario Cipollini. His result was an even better one when the full finishing story unfolded.

"I was feeling pretty good, and I told Tayeb I would lead him out in the finale," explained Dave McKenzie. "Bjornar gave us a huge effort as we came under the 1km-to-go banner, and left us in a perfect position. I was about third, with Tayeb glued to my wheel. But as we approached the penultimate bend, the two guys in front were confused by a marshall and went the wrong way. I slammed the anchors on, and left poor old Tayeb to lead the whole thing out on his own from 700 metres!" Tayeb hammered down towards the finish, with Cipollini close behind in the wheels of his famous "red train" of Saeco teammates. As they passed him on the final corner, Tayeb somehow found the strength to sprint again, and he picked off all the fast men save Cipo' and Fabrizio Guidi.

It topped off a great day for Linda McCartney. With the live TV cameras of Switzerland, Italy and Eurosport focusing on home favourite Pascal Richard's every move, Matt Stephens was always at the front of the action for McCartney. Then Ben Brooks, showing his best form of the season, moved away in the last 10km in a very dangerous break with World No.1 Laurent Jalabert and 9 other. Only a desperate chase by Mario Cipollini and Paolo Savoldelli's Saeco team captured them, and then with only 2km left. Savoldelli was thus able to retain the lead overall, but he will find that sorely tested in tomorrow's mountains.

Almost unnoticed behind Tayeb, Max Sciandri cruised into 7th spot on the stage, with a great deal left under the bonnet.

So, two top ten places, a hand in the action all day, and more TV than any other team: are you happy Sean Yates?

"Delirious," intoned the dry team manager. Earlier he had been interviewed live on Eurosport by David Duffield and handled the occasion with more dry wit and considerable aplomb.

Final word of the day was left to the fan who called the Linda McCartney HQ in a slightly more "delirious" state, gabbling, "I'm in Macdonald's at a children's party and you're on telly! Your bloke was third!"