Another sprinting stage. Hopefully we can finally crack the Top 10.

With Wegmann brought back, the breakaway forms. Nuyens, Gilbert and Jungels is there again.









We commit everyone to the train except Me and Robinson, and JPV gets us into a good position with 4km to go.



However, as fortune dictates for this team, we were blocked.



Goss takes the win with everyone in the train either being to tired or getting blocked.



This is made clear when you realise that our best finisher was 4th from the back of the train. However, we did manage to crack the Top 10, Duque showing glimpses of his old self. Speaking of old though, he probably doesn't have much left in him as far as his career goes. It's not a good day for the team actually, but on paper it's alright. A 9th placed finish is better than what was expected from the press. Plus, we beat Greipel and Cavendish.

A hilly Team Time-Trial where tactics will be key.

I started at the front of the 'train'. We needed to manage energy very well here.

Well, forget that! By the first check everyone is already dead.

Soon, me and Grazhys are way ahead of the rest of the team.

It's an absolute shambles! I finished all alone with Virgilijus, with Valencia solo having 1km still to go, and the rest of the riders 1.7km out. Remember that the time (for the team, and for any rider who finishes ahead) is counted from when the 5th man crosses the line. So you're thinking, last by what? 3 minutes? 4? More? Nope! Not even close! Out of 22 teams we finish 17th (somehow), only losing 1'32". That is the weirdest thing I have ever seen, in anything, ever.

A very basic stage which will surely end in a mass sprint.

Crash with 7km to go! A fair amount of riders are down, but no favourites.

Again the train was in a very good position - even better this time, but of course we were blocked.


A win for Cavendish, with Virgilijus getting a good 8th.

These sprint stages are really getting boring. Oh well, almost over

The first week ends with another basic flat stage.

The break consists of Gilbert, Casar and Vandborg. They go through the first climb in that order.

The Belgian also wins the 2nd, and the order is the same once again at the sprint point.


Our train is again looking good. Hopefully no external faults this time.


Surely this is our day! With 4km left we easily have the best position.


Well, at least we didn't get blocked, but the leadouts from Duque and Pantano were absolutely terrible.


The Manx Missile takes another win while Jagoba and Virgilijus were 11th and 12th.