Gent – Wevelgem is the first of three big cobblestone classics of the year. Due to the profile, both sprinters and puncheurs had their chances to win the race. Consequentally, the record winners with three wins each are Mario Cipollini, Eddy Merckx and Rik Van Looy.
For a classic, the profile is neither very long nor too tough. The biggest challenge is the Kemmelberg, a cobbled hill which is passed twice. It's also the only pavé closer to the finish.
Surprisingly, the startlist is rather weak. The top riders Boonen, Cancellara and Haussler aren't present. Leopard instead bets on Sylvain Chavanel, who'll be challenged by Thor Hushovd, last year's winner Pippo Pozzato and Stijn Devolder (Skil). A strong sprinter like Matti Breschel might have outside chances if the front group doesn't split too much.
Team Liquigas
Unfortunatly, the UCI wasn't willing to let Oss and Longo Borghini ride although they abandoned the Volta a Catalunya. That is really a pity as they might have been able to do well in that not too strong starting field. But well, that'll be on my head as I made a mistake in the rider's schedule.
Report
As usual, a break of weak cobblestone riders went clear early this morning. It didn't make any further impact at first, but about halfway through the race, Alexandr Kuschynski and Dominique Rollin jumped to the front, both decent cobblers. Eventually, they are out in front alone.
Over the second Kemmelberg, the pack splits and Omega Pharma creates a gap for their leader Nick Nuyens. He soon catches up with the leading duo but the large group with the favorites is coming closer and closer under the lead of Leopard. Mauro Finetto could keep up for a long time but eventually had to let go. As the three riders are still out in front within the last 10 kms, the favorites start to attack to catch up with them.
Under the 5 km banner, Alexandr Kuschynski (Katusha) leads solo with only 20 seconds in front of a 12 riders group. Most favorites including Chavanel, Nuyens and Hushovd are present there. Not surprisingly, Kuschynski is caught and a sprint would decide the race.
The favorites watch each other carefully and are caught completely off-guarded by former escapee Dominique Rollin, who starts the sprint from the front and shoots away like a rocket! He creates an amazing gap and the others can't keep up. An astonishing win for the Canadian! Behind him, last year's winner Pozzato outsprints Hushovd for place 2. Mauro Finetto achieves a very decent 26th while Carlo Favini and Jacopo Guarnieri had to give up.
A completely surprising win for Rollin. The points should be extremely valuable for FDJ's remain in World Tour.
Result
1
Dominique Rollin
FDJ
5h25'56
2
Filippo Pozzato
Katusha Team
s.t.
3
Thor Hushovd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
4
Nick Nuyens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
5
Sylvain Chavanel
Leopard Trek
s.t.
6
Stijn Devolder
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
7
Sebastian Langeveld
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
8
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
9
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
10
Robbie McEwen
Unicef - Oracle
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Bobbie Traksel
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
12
Staf Scheirlinckx
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
13
Niki Terpstra
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
14
Sergueï Ivanov
Katusha Team
+ 1'39
15
Tom Veelers
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
16
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
17
Martijn Maaskant
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
18
Johan Vansummeren
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
19
Dominic Klemme
Leopard Trek
s.t.
20
Sep Vanmarcke
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
21
Maarten Neyens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
22
Gert Steegmans
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3'26
23
Baden Cooke
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
24
Karsten Kroon
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
25
Jan Bakelants
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
26
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
27
Bert De Backer
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
28
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'58
29
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 4'47
30
Francis De Greef
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
31
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
32
Grégory Rast
Unicef - Oracle
s.t.
33
Thomas Rohregger
Leopard Trek
s.t.
34
Matti Breschel
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
35
Mathieu Sprick
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
36
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
37
Sergio Pardilla
Movistar Team
s.t.
38
Nico Eeckhout
FDJ
s.t.
39
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Katusha Team
s.t.
40
Sébastien Rosseler
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
41
Andrew Talansky
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
42
Frederik Willems
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
43
Rafael Valls
Geox - TMC
s.t.
44
Caleb Fairly
Team T-Mobile
+ 6'25
45
Bart De Clercq
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
46
Tomas Vaitkus
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 7'10
47
Matthew Goss
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
48
Bert Scheirlinckx
Landbouwkrediet
+ 7'30
49
Jos Van Emden
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
50
Jure Golcer
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
51
Theo Bos
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
52
Geoffroy Lequatre
Unicef - Oracle
s.t.
53
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
54
Matthias Brändle
Leopard Trek
s.t.
55
Roger Hammond
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
56
Dennis Van Winden
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
57
Thomas De Gendt
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
58
Stijn Neirynck
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
59
Wim De Vocht
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
60
Preben Van Hecke
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
61
Steven Van Vooren
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
62
Tosh Van der Sande
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
63
Jeremy Hunt
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
64
Davide Rebellin
Katusha Team
s.t.
65
Andreas Klier
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
66
Pieter Jacobs
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
67
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
68
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
69
Gianni Meersman
FDJ
s.t.
70
Stuart O'Grady
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
71
Fabio Felline
Geox - TMC
s.t.
72
Steve Chainel
FDJ
s.t.
73
Bert Grabsch
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
74
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
75
Simon Geschke
Skil - Shimano
+ 9'18
76
Kurt Hovelynck
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
77
Frédéric Guesdon
FDJ
s.t.
78
Peter Stetina
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 10'02
79
Maciej Paterski
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
80
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
81
Pierre Cazaux
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
82
Geert Steurs
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
83
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 12'01
84
Gerben De Knegt
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
85
Luca Vanderjagt
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 12'24
86
Unai Iparragirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 12'41
87
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
88
Sandy Casar
FDJ
s.t.
89
Jonas Vangenechten
FDJ
s.t.
90
Frantisek Rabon
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
91
Jens Mouris
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
92
Eloy Teruel
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
93
Mitchell Docker
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
94
Enrico Gasparotto
Pro Team Astana
+ 13'06
95
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
s.t.
96
David Millar
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
97
Rick Flens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
98
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
s.t.
99
Hayden Roulston
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
100
Baptiste Planckaert
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
101
John Degenkolb
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
102
Anders Lund
Leopard Trek
s.t.
103
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
104
Davide Appollonio
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
105
Pieter Weening
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
106
Maxim Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
107
Bart Vanheule
FDJ
s.t.
108
Gerardo Palla
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
109
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
110
Mark Cavendish
Team T-Mobile
+ 13'47
111
Yaroslav Popovych
Unicef - Oracle
s.t.
112
Alexandr Kolobnev
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
113
Daniele Ratto
Geox - TMC
s.t.
114
Fred Rodriguez
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
115
Denys Kostyuk
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
116
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
117
Julien Vermote
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
118
Bjorn Selander
Unicef - Oracle
s.t.
119
Tejay Van Garderen
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
120
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
121
Ben Hermans
Unicef - Oracle
s.t.
122
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
123
Francesco Masciarelli
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
124
Stefano Garzelli
Katusha Team
s.t.
125
Sérgio Paulinho
Unicef - Oracle
s.t.
126
Giuseppe Palumbo
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
127
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
128
Tom Slagter
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
129
David López
Movistar Team
s.t.
130
Dario Cioni
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
131
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
132
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
s.t.
133
Joeri Stallaert
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
134
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
135
Serge Pauwels
Sky ProCycling
+ 14'55
136
Bruno Pires
Leopard Trek
s.t.
137
Matthias Kessler
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
138
Aaron Kemps
Sky ProCycling
+ 15'50
139
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 17'30
140
Yevgeniy Nepomnyachshiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
141
Arkaitz Durán
Geox - TMC
+ 17'58
142
Maxim Gourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
143
Luis Pasamontes
Movistar Team
s.t.
144
Aitor Pérez Arrieta
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
145
Daniele Colli
Geox - TMC
s.t.
146
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
147
Donny Jaspers
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
148
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
s.t.
149
Benjamin Gourgue
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
150
Hans Dekkers
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
151
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
152
Tom Stamsnijder
Leopard Trek
s.t.
153
David De la Fuente
Geox - TMC
s.t.
154
Ruslan Pidgornyy
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
155
Jonathan Breyne
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
156
Egidijus Juodvalkis
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
157
John-Lee Augustyn
Sky ProCycling
+ 19'30
158
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
+ 20'15
159
Davide Viganò
Leopard Trek
s.t.
160
Cameron Wurf
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
161
Dimitri Krivtsov
Lampre - ISD
+ 20'50
162
Alfredo Balloni
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
163
Javier Iriarte
Movistar Team
+ 21'19
164
Ivan Rovny
Unicef - Oracle
+ 23'54
165
Noe Gianetti
Geox - TMC
s.t.
166
Dino Frattini
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
The Winner
Who would have thought that? Not only was he one of the weaker sprinters and cobblestone riders in the group, Dominique Rollin was also in the break for a long time and lost some energy there. But he simply outsmarted the established riders with his brave move and took a well-deserved win, the biggest in his and (if no one corrects me) the Canadian cycling history!
Liquigas Resumé
Our feelings towards today are ambivalent. On the one hand, Mauro did really well and we're totally pleased with his place. But on the other hand, looking at the results, we even more regret our planning mistake because Daniel Oss would sure have been able to achieve a nice result here. But well, we can't do anything about that anymore.
Darn, this keeps happening ^^ I must have confused him with Pliuskin. Well, it's correct now, thanks for the hints.
And thanks for the comments. @FuglsangxTH3: The pity is that I have a decent cobbler in Oss (75) but I did a mistake in my season plan so he was busy. And then seeing McEwen with 72 in the Top 10 hurts Still I'm pleased with Finetto, and very surprised by Rollin of course.
. April 1, 2012 – KBC-Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde
The Race
The Driedaagse De Panne is one of the few stage races with cobblestone sections. Located closely before De Ronde, it's guaranteed to have a strong field of starters who use the race as a last preparation and form test. The Driedaagse has a mediocrely long history, firstly held in 1977, the Belgian Eric Vanderaerden managed to win it five times.
Traditionally, the race consists of three flat stages, one with cobblestones, and a short time trial. Those two stages will most probably decide the overall.
Spoiler
Result in 2011
1
Tom Boonen
Quick·Step
2
Thor Hushovd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
3
Fabian Cancellara
Leopard - Trek
4
Stijn Devolder
Vacansoleil - DCM
5
Filippo Pozzato
Katusha Team
Favorites
Fabian Cancellara (Leopard) , Tom Boonen (Quick·Step)
Stijn Devolder (Skil)
Sylvain Chavanel (Leopard) , Heinrich Haussler (Sky)
Matti Breschel (Rabobank)
Juan Antonio Flecha (Sky) , Jurgen Roelandts (Cofidis)
With Boonen, Cancellara and Haussler, three of the best cobblers of the world are present here. Still, a couple of secondary riders are missing which opens the opportunity for riders in the third or fourth row.
Team Liquigas
Daniel Oss isn't in perfect shape yet so he won't be able to fight for a really good placement. He shall build his form for De Ronde and Paris - Nice.
Report
The first stage is supposed to be the hardest. A strong breakaway duo consisting of Björn Leukemans (Vacansoleil) and Bert de Waele (Landbouwkrediet) dominated the day and got an advance of up to seven minutes. But the peloton showed no interest in letting them win and upped the pace.
By and by, the front group decreased. On the last cobblestone section, 25 riders were in front and they catch De Waele and Leukemans. Unfortunatly, Daniel Oss lost contact on that pavé and eventually finished four minutes down. In the sprint for the win, Tom Boonen lived up to his favorite's role and won in front of Breschel and Roelandts.
Tom Boonen continues to increase his shape towards De Ronde and Paris – Roubaix.
1
Tom Boonen
Quick·Step Cycling Team
4h53'18
2
Matti Breschel
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Jurgen Roelandts
Cofifis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
…
23
Daniel Oss
Liquigas – Cannondale
+ 4'02
The break of the day consisted of seven minor riders and Alexandr Kolobnev (Rabobank). They challenged the pack with a hard fight but Sky and Quick·Step did an enormous pace and eventually brought them back.
In the sprint, the Sky train with Juan Antonio Flecha bested Quick·Step's lead out by a couple of bike lengths. Boonen still managed to grab Heinrich Haussler's wheel but was way too exhausted and the Aussie took an undisputed win. Boonen even got overtaken by Bobbie Traksel.
Haussler shows his sprinting skills with his first win of 2012.
1
Heinrich Haussler
Sky ProCycling
3h34'44
2
Bobbie Traksel
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
3
Tom Boonen
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
On this very short course, lots of riders tried to attack over and over again but Quick·Step and Sky were very attentive. Eventually, five riders get a gap of 2'30 but they couldn't prevent a bunch sprint.
10 kms before the finish line, a large crash splits the pack and affects lots of riders. Some even have to give up, eventually only 40 riders finish within the time of the winner. After a fantastic lead out by Sky, Haussler again is in a good position but this time, Boonen is directly on his wheel and times his move perfectly. He wins the stage and extends his lead to 16 seconds on Haussler and 48 seconds to tomorrow's favorite Cancellara.
Second stage win, good chances on the overall: A great day for Tom Boonen.
1
Tom Boonen
Quick·Step Cycling Team
2h11'14
2
Heinrich Haussler
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
3
Nico Eeckhout
FDJ
s.t.
Leopard's Matthias Brändle sets the first reasonable time, which holds for a long time. It's eventually bested by his team mate Joost Posthuma. Liquigas' best rider today is Maciej Bodnar, who comes in only one second behind Posthuma, after all he finishes 12th.
In the fight for the overall, Sylvain Chavanel surprises with a very strong time. Neither Devolder nor Phinney can beat him, only Geraint Thomas and top favorite Fabian Cancellara are better. The latter, not surprisingly, takes the stage win. Race leader Tom Boonen easily holds on to the lead and takes his second win in a row. Heinrich Haussler loses his second spot to Cancellara after a bad day. Daniel Oss eventually finishes 19th overall.
Forgot to take a screen
1
Fabian Cancellara
Leopard – Trek
11'03
2
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
+ 19
3
Sylvain Chavanel
Leopard – Trek
+ 23
Classifications
Overall
1
Tom Boonen
Quick·Step Cycling Team
10h50'04
2
Fabian Cancellara
Leopard Trek
+ 15
3
Heinrich Haussler
Sky ProCycling
+ 30
4
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
+ 34
5
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
+ 44
6
Sébastien Rosseler
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 53
7
Thomas De Gendt
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'03
8
Jürgen Roelandts
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 1'05
9
Niki Terpstra
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Bobbie Traksel
Landbouwkrediet
+ 1'06
Spoiler
11
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'08
12
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'09
13
Maarten Neyens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 1'16
14
Matti Breschel
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1'18
15
Nico Eeckhout
FDJ
+ 1'27
16
Stijn Devolder
Skil - Shimano
+ 2'18
17
Rick Flens
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2'35
18
Julien Vermote
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 5'43
19
Daniel Oss
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 5'45
20
Aleksejs Saramotins
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 7'43
21
Dries Devenyns
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 7'48
22
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
+ 8'35
23
Kevyn Ista
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 9'49
24
Bert De Waele
Landbouwkrediet
+ 9'57
25
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 10'09
26
Dario Cioni
Sky ProCycling
+ 10'26
27
Jens Keukeleire
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 10'29
28
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
+ 10'31
29
Gianni Meersman
FDJ
+ 10'35
30
Michael Barry
Sky ProCycling
+ 10'40
31
Preben Van Hecke
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
+ 10'45
32
Jonas Ljungblad
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
+ 12'12
33
Jetse Bol
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
34
Sandy Casar
FDJ
+ 12'46
35
Karsten Kroon
Skil - Shimano
+ 13'07
36
Nicolas Edet
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 13'11
37
Nico Sijmens
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 13'31
38
Aaron Kemps
Sky ProCycling
+ 14'04
39
Sylvain Chavanel
Leopard Trek
+ 14'11
40
Tom Dumoulin
Rabobank Continental Team
+ 14'30
41
George Hincapie
BMC Racing Team
+ 14'32
42
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
+ 14'36
43
Vladimir Karpets
Tabriz Petrochemical Team
+ 14'39
44
Francis De Greef
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 14'42
45
Mateusz Taciak
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 14'47
46
Barry Markus
Rabobank Continental Team
+ 14'52
47
Bart De Clercq
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 14'58
48
Maciej Bodnar
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 14'59
49
Dennis Van Winden
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 15'00
50
Staf Scheirlinckx
Skil - Shimano
+ 15'05
51
Wim De Vocht
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
+ 15'07
52
Alexandr Kolobnev
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 15'12
53
Coen Vermeltfoort
Skil - Shimano
+ 15'25
54
Roy Curvers
Skil - Shimano
+ 15'28
55
Tosh Van der Sande
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
+ 15'30
56
Rémy Cusin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 15'39
57
Jérôme Baugnies
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
+ 15'44
58
Paolo Longo Borghini
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 15'53
59
Dominique Rollin
FDJ
+ 15'58
60
Tom Stamsnijder
Leopard Trek
+ 16'18
61
Bruno Pires
Leopard Trek
+ 16'38
62
Kristof Goddaert
An Post - Sean Kelly
+ 16'39
63
Blazej Janiaczyk
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 16'40
64
Frédéric Guesdon
FDJ
+ 16'50
65
Anders Lund
Leopard Trek
+ 16'52
66
Frederik Willems
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 17'16
67
Joost Posthuma
Leopard Trek
+ 17'31
68
Christian Poos
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
+ 17'36
69
Jan Bakelants
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 17'53
70
Roger Hammond
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 18'08
71
Tom Slagter
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 18'21
72
Kurt Hovelynck
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
+ 18'26
73
Bert De Backer
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
74
Nicky Cocquyt
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
75
Jonas Vangenechten
FDJ
+ 18'29
76
Ruslan Pidgornyy
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 18'30
77
Jarl Salomein
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
+ 18'35
78
Kevin Claeys
An Post - Sean Kelly
+ 18'45
79
Benjamin Gourgue
Landbouwkrediet
+ 18'49
80
Kalle Kriit
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 18'51
81
Wilfried Cretskens
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
+ 18'54
82
Wilco Kelderman
Rabobank Continental Team
+ 19'04
83
Giuseppe Palumbo
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 19'24
84
Kevin Peeters
Landbouwkrediet
+ 19'31
85
Dylan Van Baarle
Rabobank Continental Team
+ 19'34
86
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
+ 19'35
87
Kamil Zielinski
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
88
Steven Caethoven
Dirk Grepdon Wanzele - Accent
+ 19'37
89
Michael Van Staeyen
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
+ 19'54
90
Cameron Wurf
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 20'14
91
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 20'35
92
Serguei Klimov
Tabriz Petrochemical Team
+ 20'54
93
Serge Pauwels
Sky ProCycling
+ 21'08
94
Thomas Bonnin
Skil - Shimano
+ 21'17
95
Thomas Damuseau
Skil - Shimano
+ 21'30
96
Steve Chainel
FDJ
+ 21'36
97
Hossein Jahabanian
Tabriz Petrochemical Team
+ 21'37
98
Laurens De Vreese
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
+ 21'40
99
Frank Dressler
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
+ 21'44
100
Matthias Brändle
Leopard Trek
+ 22'02
101
Adam Wadecki
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 22'08
102
Mariusz Witecki
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 22'10
103
Jurgen Van Goolen
Dirk Grepdon Wanzele - Accent
+ 22'16
104
Bart Vanheule
FDJ
+ 22'27
105
Fred Rodriguez
BMC Racing Team
+ 22'41
106
Cyrille Heymans
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
+ 22'42
107
Sven Vandousselaere
Dirk Grepdon Wanzele - Accent
+ 22'43
108
Abbas Tanha
Tabriz Petrochemical Team
s.t.
109
Tomasz Marczynski
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 22'49
110
Thomas Vernaeckt
Dirk Grepdon Wanzele - Accent
+ 22'54
111
Evert Verbist
Dirk Grepdon Wanzele - Accent
+ 22'57
112
Alan Marangoni
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 22'58
113
Jasper Ockeloen
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
+ 22'59
114
Ingmar De Poortere
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
+ 23'01
115
Derk Abel Beckeringh
Rabobank Continental Team
+ 23'03
116
Dominic Klemme
Leopard Trek
+ 23'48
117
Dariusz Batek
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 24'34
118
Jacobus Venter
Dirk Grepdon Wanzele - Accent
+ 24'46
119
Ramon Sinkeldam
Rabobank Continental Team
+ 25'02
120
Pieter Ghyllebert
An Post - Sean Kelly
+ 25'04
121
Nuno Ribeiro
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
+ 25'44
122
Arnoud Van Groen
Dirk Grepdon Wanzele - Accent
+ 25'51
123
Philip Lavery
An Post - Sean Kelly
+ 25'54
124
Thomas Degand
Dirk Grepdon Wanzele - Accent
s.t.
125
Joeri Adams
Rabobank Continental Team
+ 25'55
126
Dries Hollanders
An Post - Sean Kelly
+ 25'58
127
Rudy Lesschaeve
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
+ 26'00
128
Egidijus Juodvalkis
Landbouwkrediet
+ 26'02
129
Markus Eibegger
Tabriz Petrochemical Team
+ 26'03
130
Benny De Schrooder
An Post - Sean Kelly
+ 26'17
131
Donny Jaspers
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 26'26
132
Hendrik Van den Bossche
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
+ 28'05
133
Rafal Ratajczyk
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 28'34
134
Cédric Gaoua
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
+ 29'02
135
Jonathan Breyne
Landbouwkrediet
+ 29'41
136
Matthias Van Mechelen
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
+ 30'06
137
Gerben De Knegt
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 30'18
138
Alain Van der Velde
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
+ 31'18
139
Kess Heytens
An Post - Sean Kelly
+ 35'01
140
Pasban Hamed
Tabriz Petrochemical Team
+ 35'26
141
Marco Pauly
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
+ 36'29
142
James Spragg
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
+ 36'30
143
Arvin Moazzemi
Tabriz Petrochemical Team
+ 38'36
144
Kristof Heymans
An Post - Sean Kelly
+ 39'01
145
Gerardo Palla
BMC Racing Team
+ 39'02
Points
1
Tom Boonen
Quick·Step Cycling Team
76
2
Heinrich Haussler
Sky ProCycling
56
3
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
52
4
Matti Breschel
Rabobank Cycling Team
37
5
Fabian Cancellara
Leopard Trek
37
Mountain
1
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
28
2
Bert De Waele
Landbouwkrediet
22
3
Frederik Willems
Omega Pharma - Lotto
8
4
Alexandr Kolobnev
Rabobank Cycling Team
5
5
Kevin Peeters
Landbouwkrediet
3
Young Riders
1
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
10h50'48
2
Julien Vermote
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'59
3
Daniel Oss
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 5'01
4
Jens Keukeleire
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 9'45
5
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
+ 9'47
Teams
1
Sky ProCycling
32h32'55
2
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1
3
BMC Racing Team
+ 9'10
The Winner
Tom Boonen aims for the win in both big cobbled classics. He seems to have the form to do that, and sure he has the confidence. We will sure see some interesting fights.
Liquigas Resumé
A Top 20 plus third in the young riders classification. We can be reasonably pleased with that outcome. We hope that Daniel can repeat a Top 20 in the big classics.
The most important result was of course Tom Boonen's triumph at Milano - San Remo. Damiano Cunego impressed with three wins, among them Tirreno - Adriatico. The sensation of the month was Dominique Rollin, who surprised everyone at Gent - Wevelgem.
World Tour Ranking
Damiano Cunego extends his World Tour lead as well as his team. A strong Stijn Devolder leads Skil to a surprisingly high place so far.
Although the ranking isn't too important at this moment, it provides a reference point for the team's performances. The new teams T-Mobile and GreenEdge have their problems while the pre-season "favorites" for relegation, Skil, FDJ and Euskaltel, are nowhere to be seen. Sky should benefit from Flecha and Haussler in the cobbled classics soon.
CQ Ranking
Due to his good results, Tom Boonen is Cunego's chaser No 1. Liquigas with two and Movistar with three men in the Top 10 are the top teams at the moment, but Lampre and Katusha are strong as well.
Saur has a small advance to the other contenders for promotion but everything is still very close. Plus, the strong teams like Vacansoleil and Geox haven't really opened their seasons yet.
Victory Ranking
Liquigas is in a league of their own, the best teams of the other rankings are on top here as well.
Monthly Awards
Damiano Cunego gets his second awards for three overall wins. Katusha's neo-pro Giuseppe Sartori won a stage at the Settimana Coppi e Bartali.
Thanks for the kind comments. I really enjoyed playing with Cunego so far, he has great qualities. Nevertheless, he's not necessarily our leader for the Ardennes. Peter Sagan's recent development made him the better hill rider (83 to 81), still Cunego's secondary skills are better. It will depend on their fitness and daily shape, but either way we'll be very competitive I think.
The Spanish one day classic is held since 1951 under four different names. Since 1999, it has its current name Miguel Indurain, who himself won the race in 1987.
The course begins with some flat kilometers until the riders enter a circuit and pass the combination of a big and three small hills. The finish is flat though.
Liquigas povides the top favorite in Peter Sagan but Euskaltel, Saur and Nokia have strong teams to challenge them.
Team Liquigas
Peter Sagan aims for the win but his shape isn't perfect yet. Marco Marcato should be able to support him well.
Report
Daniel Oss was in today's six men break. They got an advance of eight minutes but were caught shortly in front of the last big ascent. Only Barbot's Angel Vallejo was still a minute in front as Sammy Sanchez attacked and opened the battle for the win.
Peter Sagan countered and they both reached Vallejo. Barbot's man surprised with another brave move but soon, Sanchez and Sagan left him behind. The Spaniard set another attack and creates a small gap. Sagan approaches him with an imense speed and at first, it looked as if he could overtake Sanchez. But then, he rapidly lost his speed and Euskaltel's rider could hold on to the win.
Angel Vallejo is swept by the approaching chase group but holds on to his fourth spot. A strong performance. Marcato finishes within that group as well.
We might see that duel often in the upcoming weeks. This time, Sammy Sanchez wins.
Result
1
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
4h42'22
2
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
3
Anthony Geslin
Saur - Sojasun
+ 37
4
Ángel Vallejo
Barbot - Efapel
s.t.
5
Tadej Valjavec
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
6
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
7
Davy Commeyne
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
8
Jonathan Hivert
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
9
John Gadret
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
10
David Moncoutié
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Jussi Veikkanen
Nokia - SunGard
s.t.
12
Iban Mayoz
Burgos 2016 - Castilla y León
s.t.
13
Eddy Mazzoleni
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
14
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
15
Sébastien Joly
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
16
Freddy Montaña
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
s.t.
17
Hubert Dupont
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
18
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
19
Marco Marcato
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
20
Danilo Di Luca
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
21
Chris Anker Sørensen
Nokia - SunGard
s.t.
22
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Nokia - SunGard
s.t.
23
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
24
Nicolas Vogondy
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
25
Mattia Cattaneo
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
26
Vitor Rodrigues
Tavira - Prio
s.t.
27
Marcos García
Tavira - Prio
s.t.
28
Javier Moreno
Caja Rural
s.t.
29
Diego Milán
Caja Rural
s.t.
30
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
31
Pieter Vanspeybroeck
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
32
Amaël Moinard
Landbouwkrediet
+ 2'11
33
Miguel Rubiano
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
+ 3'34
34
Davide Frattini
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
s.t.
35
Roberto Ferrari
LA - Antarte
s.t.
36
Hugo Sabido
LA - Antarte
s.t.
37
Enrique Salgueiro
Tavira - Prio
s.t.
38
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
39
Nairo Quintana
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
s.t.
40
Daniel Oss
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
41
Jesús Del Nero
Team NetApp
s.t.
42
Francisco Pérez
Tavira - Prio
s.t.
43
Ricardo Vilela
Onda
s.t.
44
Rory Sutherland
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
s.t.
45
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
46
Kjell Carlström
Nokia - SunGard
s.t.
47
Omar Fraile
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
48
Markus Fothen
Team NSP
s.t.
49
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
50
Luis Felipe Laverde
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
s.t.
51
Ludovic Turpin
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
52
Geert Verheyen
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
53
Miguel Ángel Candil
LA - Antarte
s.t.
54
Daniel Schorn
Team NetApp
s.t.
55
Alejandro Marque
Onda
s.t.
56
José Antonio De Segovia
Burgos 2016 - Castilla y León
s.t.
57
Dirk Bellemakers
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
58
Santiago Pérez
Barbot - Efapel
s.t.
59
Yoann Bagot
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
60
Bartosz Huzarski
Team NetApp
+ 5'08
61
Giuseppe Muraglia
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
62
Michael Mørkøv
Nokia - SunGard
s.t.
63
Alan Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
64
Fabrice Jeandesboz
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
65
Aitor Pérez Arrieta
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
66
Dalivier Ospina
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
s.t.
67
Koen Barbé
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
68
André Vital
LA - Antarte
s.t.
69
Ricardo García
Onda
s.t.
70
Sven Forberger
Team NSP
s.t.
71
Gustav Erik Larsson
Nokia - SunGard
s.t.
72
Jesús Rosendo
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
73
Delio Fernández
Onda
s.t.
74
João Cabreira
Onda
s.t.
75
Trent Lowe
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
s.t.
76
Edwin Parra
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
s.t.
77
André Steensen
Nokia - SunGard
s.t.
78
Ibon Zugasti
Orbea Continental
s.t.
79
Víctor Hugo Peña
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
s.t.
80
Christopher Jones
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
+ 6'08
81
Pieter Jacobs
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
+ 6'38
82
Jure Golcer
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
83
Francisco Mancebo
Orbea Continental
+ 7'53
84
Francisco José Pacheco
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
85
Óscar Pujol
Burgos 2016 - Castilla y León
s.t.
86
Johannes Fröhlinger
Team NetApp
s.t.
87
Daryl Impey
Team NetApp
s.t.
88
Jarosław Marycz
Nokia - SunGard
s.t.
89
Vergílio Dos Santos
LA - Antarte
s.t.
90
Steven Van Vooren
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
91
Damien Monier
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
92
Jean-Eudes Demaret
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
93
Joseba Larralde
Orbea Continental
s.t.
94
Boy Van Poppel
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
s.t.
95
Johan Coenen
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
96
Bram Schmitz
Dirk Grepdon Wanzele - Accent
s.t.
97
Luca Ascani
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
98
Sven Nys
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
99
Marlón Pérez
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
s.t.
100
Frédéric Amorison
Dirk Grepdon Wanzele - Accent
s.t.
101
Dídac Ortega
Burgos 2016 - Castilla y León
s.t.
102
Fortunato Baliani
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
103
Luis Ángel Maté
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
104
Dominique Cornu
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
105
Rui Sousa
Barbot - Efapel
s.t.
106
Leopold König
Team NetApp
s.t.
107
Rubens Bertogliati
Barbot - Efapel
s.t.
108
Fabian Bruno
Team NSP
s.t.
109
Pedro Cardoso
LA - Antarte
s.t.
110
Geert Steurs
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
+ 9'23
111
Paolo Longo Borghini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
112
José Luis Roldán
Andalucía Caja Granada
+ 9'50
113
Óscar Álvarez
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
+ 10'18
114
Ryohei Komori
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
115
Hélder Oliveira
Onda
s.t.
116
Rubén Reig
Caja Rural
s.t.
117
Davide Torosantucci
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
118
Mário Carneiro
Onda
s.t.
119
Julien Fouchard
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 11'32
120
Alessandro Spezialetti
Tavira - Prio
s.t.
121
Jan Kuyckx
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
122
Sérgio Ribeiro
Barbot - Efapel
s.t.
123
Grégory Habeaux
Dirk Grepdon Wanzele - Accent
s.t.
124
Jonathan Clarke
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
s.t.
125
Yannick Mayer
Team NSP
s.t.
126
Hernâni Brôco
LA - Antarte
s.t.
127
Jan Ghyselinck
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
128
Rony Martias
Saur - Sojasun
+ 12'28
129
José Antonio Barrios
Burgos 2016 - Castilla y León
s.t.
130
Joeri Stallaert
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
131
Nacer Bouhanni
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
132
Sheldon Deeny
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
+ 14'15
133
Karl Menzies
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
s.t.
134
Luis Silva
Tavira - Prio
s.t.
135
Kris Boeckmans
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
136
Tino Thömel
Team NSP
s.t.
137
Hugo Sancho
LA - Antarte
s.t.
138
Antonio Cabello
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
139
Adrián Sáez de Arregi
Orbea Continental
s.t.
140
Garikoitz Bravo
Caja Rural
s.t.
141
Robert Retschke
Team NetApp
s.t.
142
David Bernabéu
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
143
Mário Santiago
Tavira - Prio
s.t.
144
Matias Lozano
Caja Rural
s.t.
145
Sjef De Wilde
Dirk Grepdon Wanzele - Accent
s.t.
146
Guillermo Lana
Caja Rural
s.t.
147
Andoni Blázquez
Orbea Continental
s.t.
148
Dieter Cappelle
Dirk Grepdon Wanzele - Accent
s.t.
149
Léo Menville
Team NSP
+ 15'08
150
Cesare Benedetti
Team NetApp
+ 15'35
151
Antonio Filipe Oliveira Amorim
Barbot - Efapel
s.t.
152
Jon Pardo
Onda
s.t.
153
Xabier Zabalo
Orbea Continental
s.t.
154
Kevin Van Melsen
Dirk Grepdon Wanzele - Accent
s.t.
155
Brian Takacs
Team NSP
s.t.
156
Igor Romero
Caja Rural
+ 16'18
157
Diogo Nunes
Tavira - Prio
s.t.
158
José Luis Cano
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
159
Rui Costa
Caja Rural
s.t.
160
Carlos Verona
Burgos 2016 - Castilla y León
s.t.
161
Dino Frattini
Lampre - ISD
+ 17'13
162
Thomas Fothen
Team NSP
+ 17'35
163
David Kemp
Dirk Grepdon Wanzele - Accent
s.t.
164
Manuel Fedele
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
+ 18'31
165
Sven Van den Houte
Dirk Grepdon Wanzele - Accent
+ 19'13
166
Alan Marangoni
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
The Winner
Euskaltel will have a hard time fighting for the remain in World Tour. They have to rely on strong results by their absolute leader, Samuel Sanchez. With their home race in the Basque Country coming up shortly, this win is a good sign.
Liquigas Resumé
We aimed for the win but have to admit that today, Sanchez was just a bit stronger. Still, we're pleased with Sagan's performance and look optimistically into the future.
Not bad at all.. outstanding performance by Rollin!
Still, nice top-30, with a rider that isn't top in cobbles. Also, nice to see a Malaysian rider in the top-10. 
