I had expected a little better too.... ...but the final result is great(if in last stage nothing happens)....Dominik must be really happy because for me he did great...good luck for last stage with Sabatini and Guarnieri..
The last stage is very short (103 km) with a lightly ascending finishing straight. We can expect a mass sprint today.
Dominik's Pre-Race Comment
The main goal for today is, not surprisingly, to finish safely. All the classifications are decided but on this short stage, the peloton might be quite hectic so it's important to stay close to the front to avoid possible crashes. In the final of this stage, we hope for a nice result with one of our three strong sprinters.
Live Ticker
Km 2:
On the short course, a break isn't likely to succeed. Some riders are going to try it nevertheless.
.
Km 8:
As the first group tries to increase their advance over a minute, NetApp starts to work for their leader Daryl Impey. Just behind them, you can see Dominik Nerz, surrounded by his team mates.
.
Km 36:
Nine riders are in front now but Liquigas and NetApp limit their advance.
.
Km 54:
No one cares for the intermediate sprint. The escapees are 30 seconds in front.
.
Km 82:
NetApp makes one last effort and eventually reels in the group. The sprint preparations may begin.
.
Km 98:
Under the 5 kms banner, Caleb Fairly (T-Mobile) tries a late attack. NetApp leads the peloton with Liquigas close behind.
.
Km 100:
While Fairly is only a little in front, Nerz does a fantastic job leading the Liquigas train. Behind him are Dall'Antonia, Guarnieri and finally their main sprinter Sabatini.
.
Km 101,5:
Fairly of course had no chance. Guarnieri leads but Ligthard and Furlan are coming in fast.
.
Km 102:
Sabatini couldn't fight the chasing sprinters. Stauff leads, Ligthard in second position with Baumann (NetApp) and Kopp on his wheel.
.
Km 102,5:
Sabatini loses more and more. Stauff still leads with 300m to go but GreenEdge's Graeme Brown comes with an enormous speed...
.
Km 103:
And the Australian takes it in front of the German duo Stauff and Kopp. Impey on 6, Ligthard on 7, Sabatini on 8. Nerz finishes safely within the pack while Valerio Agnoli gets caught in a split and loses some time. He keeps his 8th overall though.
1
Graeme Brown
GreenEdge Cycling
2h13'52
2
Andreas Stauff
Atlas Personal
s.t.
3
David Kopp
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
4
Jacek Morajko
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
5
Eric Baumann
Team NetApp
s.t.
6
Daryl Impey
Team NetApp
s.t.
7
Pim Ligthart
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
8
Fabio Sabatini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
9
Angelo Furlan
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
10
Stefan Radochla
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Johann Tschopp
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
12
Andreas Dietziker
Team NetApp
s.t.
13
Jacopo Guarnieri
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
14
Janek Tombak
Team Østerhus - Ridley
s.t.
15
Steven Cozza
Team NetApp
s.t.
16
Jens Erik Madsen
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
17
Michele Gaia
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
18
Tiziano Dall'Antonia
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
19
Jesús Del Nero
Team NetApp
s.t.
20
Baden Cooke
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
21
Stanislav Kozúbek
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
22
Rafael Serrano
Team Østerhus - Ridley
s.t.
23
Constantino Zaballa
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
24
Piotr Kieblesz
Bank BGZ
s.t.
25
Michael Rasmussen
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
26
Marek Rutkiewicz
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
27
Josef Hosek
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
28
Tomasz Lisowicz
Bank BGZ
s.t.
29
Scott Davis
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
30
Wesley Sulzberger
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
31
Artur Detko
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
32
Tomasz Marczynski
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
33
Leonardo Pinizzotto
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
34
Caleb Fairly
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
35
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
36
Jesper Odgaard
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
37
Tino Meier
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
38
Dennis Pohl
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
39
Patrick Gretsch
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
40
Barry Markus
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
41
Niki Østergaard
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
s.t.
42
Sergej Fuchs
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
s.t.
43
Zdenek Stybar
Team NSP
s.t.
44
Daniel Schorn
Team NetApp
s.t.
45
William Aranzazu
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
46
Martin Velits
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
47
Stefan Löffler
Team NSP
s.t.
48
Tom Dumoulin
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
49
Tejay Van Garderen
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
50
Jacob Nielsen
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
s.t.
51
Jose Mendes
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
52
Andrey Zeits
Atlas Personal
s.t.
53
Sebastian Forke
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
s.t.
54
Max Stahr
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
s.t.
55
Matthew Lloyd
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
56
Krzysztof Szczawinski
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
57
Bartosz Huzarski
Team NetApp
s.t.
58
Dimitri Claeys
Team NetApp
s.t.
59
Kristian Sobota
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
60
Daan Olivier
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
61
Rohan Dennis
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
62
Kasper Jebjerg
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
s.t.
63
Derk Abel Beckeringh
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
64
Cristiano Fumagalli
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
65
Alan Marangoni
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
66
René Weissinger
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
67
Joeri Adams
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
68
Héctor Guerra
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
69
Martin Mortensen
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
70
Rasmus Guldhammer
Team Concordia Forsikring – Himmerland
s.t.
71
Robert Radosz
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
72
Benjamin Sydlik
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
s.t.
73
Michael Schweizer
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
s.t.
74
Christian Patron
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
75
René Jørgensen
Team Concordia Forsikring – Himmerland
s.t.
76
Nick Van der Lijke
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
77
Florian Monreal
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
78
Jacob Fiedler
Team NSP
s.t.
79
Daniel Vestergaard
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
80
Luke Durbridge
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
81
Jens Mouris
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
82
Vegard Breen
Joker Merida
s.t.
83
Dirk Finders
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
84
Brian Takacs
Team NSP
s.t.
85
Yannick Mayer
Team NSP
s.t.
86
Rasmus Quaade
Team Concordia Forsikring – Himmerland
s.t.
87
Marcel Meisen
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
88
Matic Strgar
Team Vorarlberg
+ 1'51
89
Carlo Scognamiglio
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
90
Blaz Furdi
Adria Mobil
s.t.
91
Uros Murn
Adria Mobil
s.t.
92
Robert Vrecer
Adria Mobil
s.t.
93
Hubert Schwab
Atlas Personal
s.t.
94
Jordon Hall
Joker Merida
s.t.
95
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
96
Stefan Denifl
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
97
Pawel Sztobryn
Bank BGZ
s.t.
98
Felix Rinker
Atlas Personal
s.t.
99
René Mandri
Team Concordia Forsikring – Himmerland
s.t.
100
Ermanno Capelli
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
101
Raphael Addy
Atlas Personal
s.t.
102
Vegard Stake Laengen
Joker Merida
s.t.
103
Marius Bernatonis
Atlas Personal
s.t.
104
Tomas Danacik
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
105
Pavel Gorenc
Adria Mobil
s.t.
106
Kasper Linde Jørgensen
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
s.t.
107
Marco Haller
Adria Mobil
s.t.
108
Jesper Mørkøv
Team Concordia Forsikring – Himmerland
s.t.
109
Blaz Jarc
Adria Mobil
s.t.
110
Donato Cannone
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
111
Sebastian Lander
Team Concordia Forsikring – Himmerland
s.t.
112
Volodymyr Zagorodny
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
113
Mariusz Witecki
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
114
Gatis Smukulis
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
115
Sondre Sörtveit
Joker Merida
s.t.
116
Christian Moberg Jørgensen
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
s.t.
117
Łukasz Bodnar
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
118
Peter Erdin
Atlas Personal
s.t.
119
Morten Høberg
Team Concordia Forsikring – Himmerland
s.t.
120
Ingar Stokstad
Joker Merida
s.t.
121
Mario Probst
Atlas Personal
s.t.
122
Runar Bjørnstad
Joker Merida
s.t.
123
Jonas Schmeiser
Team NSP
s.t.
124
André Klaus
Team NSP
s.t.
125
Fabian Bruno
Team NSP
s.t.
126
Carlo Favini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
127
Dominik Hrinkow
Team Vorarlberg
+ 2'55
128
Konrad Czajkowski
Bank BGZ
s.t.
129
Patrick Schubert
Bank BGZ
s.t.
130
Michael Stevenson
Team Østerhus - Ridley
s.t.
131
Daniël Baert
Team Østerhus - Ridley
s.t.
132
Karsten Hess
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
133
Robinson Chalapud
Team Østerhus - Ridley
s.t.
134
Petr Benčík
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
135
David Dvorsky
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
136
Gerhard Trampusch
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
137
Marc Reynès
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
138
Piotr Sztobryn
Bank BGZ
s.t.
139
Lasse Bøchman
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
s.t.
140
Timothy Duggan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
Classifications
Overall
1
Johann Tschopp
GreenEdge Cycling
27h46'38
2
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1'37
3
Michele Gaia
Miche - Guerciotti
+ 3'11
4
Tejay Van Garderen
Team T-Mobile
+ 3'38
5
Marek Rutkiewicz
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 4'21
6
Michael Rasmussen
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 7'49
7
Constantino Zaballa
Miche - Guerciotti
+ 9'03
8
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 11'00
9
Andrey Zeits
Atlas Personal
+ 14'29
10
Stefan Denifl
Team Vorarlberg
+ 16'56
Spoiler
11
Hubert Schwab
Atlas Personal
+ 17'17
12
Robert Vrecer
Adria Mobil
+ 19'10
13
Matthew Lloyd
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 21'40
14
Tomasz Marczynski
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 22'21
15
Steven Cozza
Team NetApp
+ 23'51
16
Héctor Guerra
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 24'00
17
Sergej Fuchs
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
+ 24'56
18
Stanislav Kozúbek
PSK Whirlpool - Author
+ 25'43
19
Jacek Morajko
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 27'25
20
René Mandri
Team Concordia Forsikring – Himmerland
+ 28'59
21
Patrick Gretsch
Team T-Mobile
+ 30'38
22
Nick Van der Lijke
Rabobank Continental Team
+ 31'30
23
Daryl Impey
Team NetApp
+ 35'42
24
Robert Radosz
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 36'10
25
Jose Mendes
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
26
Scott Davis
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 38'19
27
Patrick Schubert
Bank BGZ
+ 39'11
28
Jesús Del Nero
Team NetApp
+ 41'21
29
Konrad Czajkowski
Bank BGZ
+ 41'22
30
Krzysztof Szczawinski
Miche - Guerciotti
+ 42'03
31
Gerhard Trampusch
Team Vorarlberg
+ 42'38
32
Pavel Gorenc
Adria Mobil
+ 44'03
33
Tomasz Lisowicz
Bank BGZ
+ 44'32
34
Rasmus Guldhammer
Team Concordia Forsikring – Himmerland
+ 44'40
35
Fabian Bruno
Team NSP
s.t.
36
Bartosz Huzarski
Team NetApp
+ 45'44
37
Volodymyr Zagorodny
Miche - Guerciotti
+ 45'45
38
Wesley Sulzberger
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 47'12
39
Marco Haller
Adria Mobil
+ 47'52
40
Martin Velits
Team T-Mobile
+ 49'42
41
Rafael Serrano
Team Østerhus - Ridley
+ 50'18
42
Caleb Fairly
Team T-Mobile
+ 52'12
43
Pim Ligthart
Rabobank Continental Team
+ 53'05
44
Tom Dumoulin
Rabobank Continental Team
+ 53'12
45
Robinson Chalapud
Team Østerhus - Ridley
s.t.
46
Cristiano Fumagalli
Miche - Guerciotti
+ 53'41
47
Donato Cannone
Miche - Guerciotti
+ 54'00
48
Leonardo Pinizzotto
Miche - Guerciotti
+ 54'20
49
Baden Cooke
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 54'38
50
Josef Hosek
PSK Whirlpool - Author
+ 54'50
51
Marcel Meisen
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
+ 55'03
52
Zdenek Stybar
Team NSP
+ 55'43
53
Yannick Mayer
Team NSP
+ 56'44
54
René Weissinger
Team T-Mobile
+ 56'50
55
Mariusz Witecki
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 56'52
56
Daniel Schorn
Team NetApp
+ 56'59
57
Jacob Nielsen
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
+ 57'06
58
Andreas Dietziker
Team NetApp
+ 57'11
59
Timothy Duggan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
60
Łukasz Bodnar
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 58'15
61
Artur Detko
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 58'17
62
Joeri Adams
Rabobank Continental Team
+ 58'25
63
Blaz Furdi
Adria Mobil
+ 58'58
64
Daniel Vestergaard
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 1h00'11
65
David Kopp
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
+ 1h00'12
66
Piotr Kieblesz
Bank BGZ
+ 1h00'29
67
Daan Olivier
Rabobank Continental Team
+ 1h00'52
68
William Aranzazu
Miche - Guerciotti
+ 1h01'04
69
Graeme Brown
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 1h01'17
70
Carlo Scognamiglio
Team Vorarlberg
+ 1h01'46
71
Niki Østergaard
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
+ 1h01'50
72
Jacob Fiedler
Team NSP
+ 1h02'43
73
Vegard Stake Laengen
Joker Merida
+ 1h02'56
74
René Jørgensen
Team Concordia Forsikring – Himmerland
+ 1h03'07
75
Jesper Mørkøv
Team Concordia Forsikring – Himmerland
+ 1h03'08
76
Dominik Hrinkow
Team Vorarlberg
+ 1h03'48
77
Benjamin Sydlik
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
+ 1h04'11
78
Morten Høberg
Team Concordia Forsikring – Himmerland
+ 1h05'00
79
Jesper Odgaard
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
80
Petr Benčík
PSK Whirlpool - Author
+ 1h05'53
81
Dennis Pohl
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
+ 1h07'25
82
Gatis Smukulis
Team T-Mobile
+ 1h07'32
83
Ingar Stokstad
Joker Merida
+ 1h07'42
84
Dirk Finders
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
+ 1h08'06
85
Michael Stevenson
Team Østerhus - Ridley
+ 1h08'27
86
Tiziano Dall'Antonia
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1h08'39
87
Martin Mortensen
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 1h09'06
88
Rohan Dennis
Rabobank Continental Team
+ 1h09'50
89
Dimitri Claeys
Team NetApp
+ 1h10'48
90
Carlo Favini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
91
Blaz Jarc
Adria Mobil
+ 1h10'53
92
Jonas Schmeiser
Team NSP
+ 1h10'54
93
Runar Bjørnstad
Joker Merida
+ 1h11'51
94
Christian Moberg Jørgensen
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
+ 1h12'08
95
Kasper Jebjerg
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
+ 1h12'37
96
Uros Murn
Adria Mobil
+ 1h12'44
97
Barry Markus
Rabobank Continental Team
+ 1h12'56
98
Tomas Danacik
PSK Whirlpool - Author
+ 1h13'35
99
Peter Erdin
Atlas Personal
+ 1h14'05
100
Jens Erik Madsen
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 1h14'26
101
Janek Tombak
Team Østerhus - Ridley
+ 1h15'14
102
Lasse Bøchman
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
+ 1h15'59
103
Derk Abel Beckeringh
Rabobank Continental Team
+ 1h16'09
104
Karsten Hess
Team T-Mobile
+ 1h16'22
105
Kristian Sobota
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 1h19'05
106
Sondre Sörtveit
Joker Merida
+ 1h19'38
107
Angelo Furlan
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 1h19'55
108
Jens Mouris
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 1h21'24
109
Vegard Breen
Joker Merida
+ 1h22'03
110
Sebastian Forke
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
+ 1h23'22
111
Eric Baumann
Team NetApp
+ 1h24'14
112
Fabio Sabatini
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1h28'26
113
Michael Schweizer
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
+ 1h28'31
114
Mario Probst
Atlas Personal
+ 1h29'09
115
Ermanno Capelli
Team Vorarlberg
+ 1h30'55
116
Brian Takacs
Team NSP
+ 1h31'24
117
Luke Durbridge
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 1h32'58
118
Andreas Stauff
Atlas Personal
+ 1h33'33
119
Sebastian Lander
Team Concordia Forsikring – Himmerland
s.t.
120
Felix Rinker
Atlas Personal
+ 1h34'27
121
Christian Patron
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
+ 1h35'45
122
Piotr Sztobryn
Bank BGZ
+ 1h39'48
123
Alan Marangoni
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1h40'04
124
Rasmus Quaade
Team Concordia Forsikring – Himmerland
+ 1h41'04
125
Raphael Addy
Atlas Personal
+ 1h43'26
126
Jacopo Guarnieri
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1h43'29
127
Kasper Linde Jørgensen
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
+ 1h43'52
128
Tino Meier
Team T-Mobile
+ 1h45'04
129
Stefan Radochla
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
+ 1h46'42
130
Stefan Löffler
Team NSP
+ 1h49'49
131
Max Stahr
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
+ 1h50'13
132
Matic Strgar
Team Vorarlberg
+ 1h50'34
133
Pawel Sztobryn
Bank BGZ
+ 1h51'04
134
André Klaus
Team NSP
+ 1h51'20
135
Marius Bernatonis
Atlas Personal
+ 1h51'51
136
Marc Reynès
PSK Whirlpool - Author
+ 1h51'58
137
Jordon Hall
Joker Merida
+ 1h52'09
138
Daniël Baert
Team Østerhus - Ridley
+ 1h52'25
139
David Dvorsky
PSK Whirlpool - Author
+ 1h52'54
140
Florian Monreal
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
+ 1h53'24
Points
1
Johann Tschopp
GreenEdge Cycling
106
2
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
92
3
Tejay Van Garderen
Team T-Mobile
66
4
Michele Gaia
Miche - Guerciotti
64
5
Marek Rutkiewicz
CCC Polsat Polkowice
62
Mountain
1
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
78
2
Johann Tschopp
GreenEdge Cycling
74
3
Michele Gaia
Miche - Guerciotti
56
4
Andrey Zeits
Atlas Personal
42
5
Marek Rutkiewicz
CCC Polsat Polkowice
40
Young Riders
1
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
27h48'15
2
Tejay Van Garderen
Team T-Mobile
+ 2'01
3
Stefan Denifl
Team Vorarlberg
+ 15'19
4
Sergej Fuchs
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
+ 23'19
5
Patrick Gretsch
Team T-Mobile
+ 29'01
Teams
1
CCC Polsat Polkowice
84h05'46
2
Miche - Guerciotti
+ 2'53
3
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 14'48
4
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 18'22
5
Team T-Mobile
+ 33'57
Dominik's Comment
So, the Österreich-Rundfahrt came to an end. Time for a resumé:
The last stage was okay. After the nice lead-out, a bit more than an 8th place would have been nice but I guess we have to realize that Sabatini isn't able to fight for wins. In total, the sprint stages were decent, with Top 10s in all three of them.
In general, we can be very pleased with our, especially with my performance here. We achieved Top 10s in all further stages as well, including the three podium finishes by me. Only a stage win couldn't be achieved.
Considering the classifications, we did the best we could: Above all, I finished second overall behind Johan Tschopp, who was simply untouchable. He proved his extreme shape with his 11th in the bunch sprint today, which is almost ridiculous. Also, I won the mountain classification and the young riders classification, nice additions to my palmarès.
We'll have a couple of days of resting, during whose I'll report the Tour to you, until we head to Italy for the Brixia Tour.
Solid ride by Nerz, good luck in Brixia Tour and later on, la Vuelta. It will be interesting to see the report from Tour the France, will you report like the Giro, in small parts, or with one big report?
Thank you all very much for the comments! It's great to see that the story is so well received.
@ laidbackmarc: I'll report it just like the Giro: One relatively big and detailed preview (which is almost ready, so expect it later today or tomorrow) and then summaries of three stages each. The Brixia Tour reports follow when the Tour is finished. I don't like to report to races simultaneously, especially when Dominik participates in one. After the Tour, I'll also start with the presentation of the transfers!
In its 99th edition, the Tour de France takes it relatively easy. With lots of flat and hilly kilometers, the Tour will be decided on the few mountain stages. Also, the time trialing will play an important role. Here's the route review step by step:
The race starts with a rather long and hilly stage, finishing shortly uphill and leaving the first yellow jersey to a puncheur, most probably. It continues with two flat stages for the sprinters until the overall contenders firstly have to show something in the 29 kms long time trial in Cholet.
Spoiler
After another very long, flat stage, we can firstly see the peloton going uphill on stage six to Super Besse. Although the last kilometers are ascending, it's classified as hilly and we might not see too large gaps. Still it's an early highlight and the pack returns to lower terrain afterwards with another hilly and a completely flat stage.
Spoiler
Eventually, we reach the pyrenees. Stage 9 is the first classified mountain stage of this year's edition. On the 222 kms long ride, the riders pass the two large mountains of the Col de Peyresourde and the Col d'Aspin. The finish is preceded by 25 kms of downhilling though.
Following the first rest day is one of the hardest stages of the Tour: Firstly, the legendary Col du Tourmalet awaits the riders until the first real battle among the favorites begins. The climb up to the Hautacam is the first of only three mountain top finishes.
The last stage in the pyrenees then isn't really worth calling it a mountain stage. The Cold de Portel may be quite hard but on the 50 following kilometers until the finish, the favorites normally should reunite.
Spoiler
The three transfer stages towards the Alps are then for the sprinters: Though not being completely flat, the sprinter teams should be able to get them if they want. Still, the chance for a breakaway is always there.
Spoiler
Eventhough the Pyrenees aren't too hard this year, the Alps display an enormous challenge. They start with the least hard of the three stages including the Col Agnel and the second mountain top finish up to Prato Nevoso. But that should only be the warm up for the next two stages:
After the second rest day, the 16th stage features two monster climbs! After 71 kms, the riders pass the Col de la Lombarde and after a short downhill, the very long climb up to the Cime de la Bonette-Restefond puts the peloton to a real acid test. The stage is a bit defused by the 25 km long downhill to Jausiers.
Stage 17 is undoubtly the queen stage of the Tour and the last chance for inferior time trialists to gain some time. After less than 30 flat kilometers, the riders hit the huge and famous Col du Galibier. After a – shortly interrupted by another small climb – descent, the Col de la Croix de Fer is the next test. But as if that wouldn't be enough, after another descent, the riders have to face the third and last mountain top finish of the Tour. And which place would be suited better to end a stage like this than the Alp d'Huez?
Spoiler
Those riders who made it within the time limit until then have an easy programm left on the last four stages. Stage 18 with its two hills towards the finish provides a nice opportunity for a break or a puncheur as, although classified as flat, it's probably too hard for pure sprinters. In contrary to stage 19, where we indeed should see a bunch sprint, if nothing extraordinary happens.
Stage 20 will then finally decide the overall. 52 long, flat kilometers of time trial provide a last test for the contenders – or a last chance, depending on your point of view. And as usual, the Tour de France comes to an end with the riders rolling towards Paris on the last stage.
Spoiler
In conclusion, we have:
81 kms of time trialing
6 mountain stages of which three finish uphill
3 stages classified as hilly
10 stages classified as flat
Result in 2011
1
Alberto Contador
Saxo Bank - Sungard
2
Samuel Sanchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
3
Ivan Basso
Liquigas - Cannondale
4
Robert Gesink
Rabobank
5
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
Alberto Contador took the win completely undisputed last year. Sanchez and Basso proved to be the best of the rest while Gesink scored the best GT result of his career. The points classification was surprisingly won by Edvald Boasson Hagen.
Click here for a detailed review of last year's Tour.
Favorites
General Classification
Alberto Contador (Movistar)
Since his first Tour win 5 years ago, you the Spaniard has to be named the top favorite in every stage race he participates in. Being both the best climber and by far the best time trialists among the overall contenders, he'll be the man to beat.
Andy Schleck (Leopard)
Leopard provides an enormously strong squad for their leader Andy Schleck. Along with his team mate Igor Antón, he should be the only one to challenge Contador in the mountains. Both of them are just bad time trialists so they really have to play their cards well to beat Contador on the few occasions they'll get.
Robert Gesink (Rabobank)
Robert Gesink developed into one of the best climbers worldwide, almost as good as the likes of Antón and Schleck – but just way better in time trials. Still, he's not as good as Contador in any of them, but let's face it: No one is. So the Dutch is one of the top contenders for at least the podium!
Cadel Evans (BMC)
The old Australian lost quite a bit of his former climbing strength but considering the importance of both hilly and time trialing stages in this edition, he still might be up for a Top 5 finish, or even the podium. His team would really need it, but at the same time the team is his weak point. He has literally no mountain support at all.
Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel)
Last year's second is still in the game, but lots of other riders got ahead of him in terms of climbing. He has still decent time trialing and more than decent hilly skills and proved to be in shape right to the point, so you always have to count on him if you consider the contenders for the Top 5.
Ivan Basso (Katusha)
Still riding for Liquigas, Ivan Basso achieved a fantastic third spot last year. It'll be very hard for him to repeat that, but in Joaquim Rodriguez, he has a strong support and he still belongs to the top class climbers, stronger than the likes of Evans or Sanchez. The long kilometers of time trialing might come in his way, though.
Jurgen Van den Broeck (Omega Pharma)
Janez Brajkovic (Liquigas)
Igor Antón (Leopard)
Andreas Klöden (T-Mobile)
Bradley Wiggins (Sky)
Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas)
Michael Rogers (Sky)
Nicholas Roche (Ag2r)
Levi Leipheimer (Unicef)
Sprinters
Mark Cavendish (T-Mobile)
Mark Cavendish is one of the two best sprinters. Last year was a major disappointment but he's coming back with the support of Gerald Ciolek and Bernhard Eisel to finally win his green jersey. The chances are quite good considering the amount of flat stages this year.
Tyler Farrar (Garmin)
Tyler Farrar developed imensely, and has to be considered equally strong as Cavendish, on the paper they are a cut above the rest. With Thor Hushovd he has a great lead out and we can expect a nice battle.
José Joaquin Rojas (Movistar)
Since Movistar has the main overall favorite in their team, Rojas is pretty much on his own in the sprints. Still he's a great sprinter and a very decent puncheur (for a sprinter) which makes him one of the contenders for green as well.
André Greipel (Omega Pharma)
Matthew Goss (GreenEdge)
Tom Boonen (Quick·Step)
Young Riders
Rein Taaramäe (Cofidis)
Cofidis' leader is the big favorite for the white jersey this year. He's his team's leader which is a big advantage, but he's also the most complete stage racer of all contenders for this ranking.
Rigoberto Uran (Sky)
Rigoberto Uran should be Taaramäe's main rival. In contrary to the Estonian, he will have to work for his leader, Bradley Wiggins. Also, he's a weaker time trialist but if he plays his cards right on the hills, his big stregth, he might have realistic chances on the jersey.
Romain Sicard (Euskaltel)
Romain Sicard is the third major contender for the white jersey. He's a bit better on the climbs than Uran but lacks a lot of hilly qualities. He'll need an enormous performance if he wants to have any chances.
Not much to say. Everybody who is anybody is present here, with Contador supposedly one league above the rest. If he is in decent shape and doesn't make any big mistakes, it'll be almost impossible to beat him, also considering his strong support. But we can expect an intense fight for the places behind him.
Team Liquigas
We basically have three leaders here:
Janez Brajkovic: He will go for the general classification as he's both our best climber, time trialist and has a decent recovery. On the other hand, he has two deficits: Firstly, he is not the best hillly rider. But what should be far more grave: He has a really weak stamina. On a course with four stages over 200 kilometers, two of them hard mountain stages, that can cost him a lot of time. All in all, we would be happy with a Top 10 finish, more shouldn't be possible.
Roman Kreuziger: As our possibilities regarding the GC are limited, our Czech champion seeks for success on another terrain. He'll go for the mountain jersey and, at the same time, stage wins. One stage win is our minimum goal, we'd be very happy if we could repeat last year's two victories.
Simone Ponzi: Our man for the sprints. Though his pure sprinting qualities are among the best worldwide, his secondary skills are rather weak and we would be surprised if he really competed with the best. One podium finish would be great, the Top 10 are the goal on every sprint stage.
Those are our major goals and the men who shall achieve them. Here are the supporting riders:
Alessandro Vanotti and Thomas Peterson: Our mountain support. Truly not the best you can get, but they'll work really hard and should be able to support our leaders at least on the first kilometers of the climbs.
Matthew Busche and Paolo Longo Borghini: Both provide solid allround support. While good in the hills, Busche prefers the mountains over flat terrain, for Longo Borghini is the reverse true. They might get some chances to ride on their own on later hilly stages.
Davide Cimolai and Maciej Cimolai: Although it hurts to say but those two aren't much more than fill-ups. Sure, Cimolai is a great sprinter, theoretically, but he proved to be overchallenged on such a high level. And Maciej Paterski isn't even on the paper good enough to compete here. Both will have water carrier dues and it would be a great success if they finish the Tour in Paris.
Where is Nibali?
And I think Evans will fail in the mountains, just like (surprisingly) Contador, and Schleck will win the battle with Geesink. Also, Cavendish will probably be in shape this Tour.
The golden duo Brajkovic and Kreuziger will win a stage!
@ roturn: Didn't know it was yours. I played 15 stages already and can say that it's a very nice variant. Very enjoyable to play. So thanks for that And about Farrar: When I made the preview, I was very surprised as well. Didn't expect that development. Random potential
@ FreitasPCM: Thanks! I'll need a little luck to achieve my goals
@ sutty68: Thanks a lot! Glad you like it.
@ fcancellara: Nibbles goes for the Giro-Vuelta double this year. In my opinion, that would be more valuable than Top 3-5 in the Tour. As the Giro was kind of mandatory, the Tour would have been very hard with him.
By the way, I like the guesses by fcancellara. Any more predictions would be highly appreciated First three stages tomorrow, stay tuned!
...but the final result is great(if in last stage nothing happens)....Dominik must be really happy because for me he did great...good luck for last stage with Sabatini and Guarnieri..
