ZURICH Erik Zabel can clinch this year's World Cup series with victory in today's Zurich Grand Prix.
The German holds a commanding 124 points lead over Andrei Tchmil of Belgium with three rounds remaining. Romans Vainsteins of Latvia is third, 142 adrift.
Zabel, first in the Milan-San Remo and Amstel Gold races, aims to rebound from a disappointing performance in the San Sebastian Classic last weekend.
He failed to finish in the points for only the second time this season.
Tchmil kept his title hopes alive by sprinting home second behind Dutch winner Erik Dekker.
The Zurich field has attracted 15 of the world's top 20 riders, including double Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.
The American pulled out just before the start in San Sebastian because of stomach problems.
Tour de France runner-up Jan Ullrich, fresh from his win in the Agostoni Cup on Thursday, will be working hard to help Deutsch Telekom teammate Zable secure victory.
World number one Francesco Casagrande and Michel Bartoli head the Italian challenge over six laps of an undulating 41.4km circuit around Zurich.
(Reuter)