Hopefully I will have stage 4 done by tonight.

20 pages I have changed Wiggins mountain stat to a 76.

This should be good

Call From the National Team

I got a call from the national team manager, Frank Campbell, before stage 4. He told me that I had a real good chance to be 1 of the 2 riders who will represent Ireland at the Word Championships Road Race. He was impressed by how I did last year and my performance in the Tour Mediterraneen earlier this year. He also said that only 1 rider what race for Ireland in the World Time Trial Championships so I would have to work hard at my time trialing if I wanted to be that 1 rider. The last thing he told me was that he would call me back later in the year to let me know my progress.

The most likely riders to be racing for Ireland are my cousin Nicolas Roche, Philip Deignan, or me.

Stage 4
Today is the only Mountain stage of the race and if the good time trialers can’t limit their loss then they have a chance to take the race. I won’t be able to contend during this stage because my form is so low I will be lucky to finish in the top 30. Wiggins, on the other hand, is on top form. If he can stay with the leaders he can out time trial almost all the other favorites. As usual a break got away during the early part of the stage.



On the final climb the peloton was down to around 60 riders and the only Garmin riders were Wiggo and I. A lot of different riders began attacking but I was patient and waited for the big names. When Contador attacked I followed right behind him.



But as I predicted I couldn’t keep up and fell back to the peloton. Up front Andy Schleck took the stage win and hoped he can hold off Contador during the TT.



I finished in the peloton and lost over 2 minutes and 30 seconds to the leader. Luckily though, Wiggins lost less time then I did. It’s unlikely he will win but he will probably move up.



Next up is a flat stage and then it’s the all important Time Trial.


Stage
1 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank 5h07'04
2 Pierre Rolland Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
3 Danilo Di Luca LPR Brakes Farnese Vini s.t.
4 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
5 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team s.t.
6 Sérgio Paulinho Astana Cycling Team + 28
7 Carlos Barredo Quick•Step s.t.
8 Gianpaolo Caruso Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce s.t.
9 Damiano Cunego Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
10 Matteo Carrara Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team + 50
11 Denis Menchov Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
12 José Serpa Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
13 Nicolas Roche AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
14 Iker Camaño Fuji - Servetto s.t.
15 Daniele Pietropolli LPR Brakes Farnese Vini s.t.
16 Alessandro Vanotti Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce + 1'28
17 Luca Pierfelici LPR Brakes Farnese Vini s.t.
18 Tadej Valjavec AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
19 Vladimir Karpets Team Katusha s.t.
20 Stijn Devolder Quick•Step s.t.
21 Ivan Basso Silence - Lotto s.t.
22 Michael Rogers Team Columbia - High Road + 2'11
23 Joaquím Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
24 Jesús Hernández Astana Cycling Team s.t.
25 Bradley Wiggins Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
26 Benjamín Noval Astana Cycling Team + 2'33
27 Mauricio Soler Barloworld s.t.
28 Pierrick Fédrigo Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
29 Bartosz Huzarski ISD s.t.
30 Jackson Rodríguez Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 2'47
31 Francesco De Bonis Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
32 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
33 David Blanco Fuji - Servetto + 2'55
34 Ricardo Serrano Fuji - Servetto s.t.
35 Morris Possoni Team Columbia - High Road + 3'03
36 Iñigo Landaluze Euskaltel - Euskadi + 3'11
37 Lance Armstrong Team Saxo Bank s.t.
38 Dimitri Muravyev Astana Cycling Team s.t.
39 Alexander Dyachenko Astana Cycling Team s.t.
40 Sébastien Joly Française des Jeux + 3'19



General Classification
1 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank 16h44'27
2 Pierre Rolland Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 4
3 Danilo Di Luca LPR Brakes Farnese Vini + 6
4 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team + 10
5 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
6 Damiano Cunego Lampre - N.G.C + 38
7 Carlos Barredo Quick•Step s.t.
8 Gianpaolo Caruso Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce s.t.
9 Nicolas Roche AG2R La Mondiale + 54
10 Daniele Pietropolli LPR Brakes Farnese Vini + 1'00
11 Matteo Carrara Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
12 Denis Menchov Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
13 José Serpa Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
14 Iker Camaño Fuji - Servetto s.t.
15 Ivan Basso Silence - Lotto + 1'38
16 Alessandro Vanotti Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce s.t.
17 Stijn Devolder Quick•Step s.t.
18 Luca Pierfelici LPR Brakes Farnese Vini s.t.
19 Vladimir Karpets Team Katusha s.t.
20 Tadej Valjavec AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
21 Bradley Wiggins Garmin - Slipstream + 2'21
22 Joaquím Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
23 Michael Rogers Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
24 Mauricio Soler Barloworld + 2'43
25 Pierrick Fédrigo Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
26 Benjamín Noval Astana Cycling Team s.t.
27 Bartosz Huzarski ISD s.t.
28 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream + 2'57
29 Francesco De Bonis Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
30 Jackson Rodríguez Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.

Garmin Signs Impressive Young Rider

Spaniard Mario Hita will join the team in August as a trainee after agreeing to terms with our team. He can survive in the mountains but will be more suited to the hills in the future. I'm personally very excited with the chance to race with this young rider. I will be riding in the Vuelta this year and he will probably be joining. There has also been rumors of a signing of a young rider from the UK.

tough luck there...

Stage 5
Today's stage is mostly flat with one small climb 30 kilometers into the stage. We tried to get Rollin in an early break and he got in a group of around 9 but they were caught very soon after. After Rollin's group was caught another group went and this time we didn't send anyone. They were let go by the peloton. There were two groups, a large group of 5, and Björn Leukemans who was in front by himself.



He was very successful and was in front alone for almost the whole race. He was only caught with about 10 kilometers left. The sprint was surprising as Mori took the win ahead of Ljungqvist, two riders who aren't known for their sprinting. Farrar did well and finished in 3rd.



Tomorrow is the 19 kilometer time trial that will decide the race. Can Andy Schleck hang onto his small lead?


Stage
1 Manuele Mori Lampre - N.G.C 2h58'40
2 Marcus Ljungqvist Team Saxo Bank s.t.
3 Tyler Farrar Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
4 Sergio Marinangeli LPR Brakes Farnese Vini s.t.
5 Mirko Lorenzetto Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
6 Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank s.t.
7 Ivan Basso Silence - Lotto s.t.
8 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank s.t.
9 Karsten Kroon Team Saxo Bank s.t.
10 Johan Van Summeren Quick·Step s.t.
11 Alessandro Petacchi Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
12 Allan Davis Quick·Step s.t.
13 Roberto Ferrari LPR Brakes Farnese Vini s.t.
14 Luca Solari Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
15 Alessandro Ballan Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
16 Filippo Pozzato Team Katusha s.t.
17 Martin Elmiger AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
18 Lieuwe Westra Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
19 Aleksandr Kuschynski Liquigas s.t.
20 Sylvain Chavanel Quick·Step s.t.
21 Philippe Gilbert Silence - Lotto s.t.
22 Matteo Carrara Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
23 Bernhard Eisel Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
24 Sébastien Delfosse Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
25 Daniele Bennati Liquigas s.t.
26 Marco Marcato Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
27 Francesco Ginanni Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
28 Staf Scheirlinckx Silence - Lotto s.t.
29 Yann Huguet AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
30 Greg Van Avermaet Rabobank s.t.
31 Juan Antonio Flecha Rabobank s.t.
32 Bradley Wiggins Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
33 Edvald Boasson Hagen Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
34 Benoit Vaugrenard Française des Jeux s.t.
35 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
36 Steven Cozza Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
37 Alberto Loddo Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
38 Sylvester Szmyd Liquigas s.t.
39 Sébastien Joly Française des Jeux s.t.
40 Josu Agirre Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.


General Classification
1 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank 19h43'07
2 Pierre Rolland Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 4
3 Danilo Di Luca LPR Brakes Farnese Vini + 6
4 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team + 10
5 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
6 Damiano Cunego Lampre - N.G.C + 38
7 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step s.t.
8 Gianpaolo Caruso Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce s.t.
9 Nicolas Roche AG2R La Mondiale + 54
10 Matteo Carrara Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team + 1'00
11 Daniele Pietropolli LPR Brakes Farnese Vini s.t.
12 Denis Menchov Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
13 Iker Camaño Fuji - Servetto s.t.
14 José Serpa Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
15 Ivan Basso Silence - Lotto + 1'38
16 Alessandro Vanotti Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce s.t.
17 Vladimir Karpets Team Katusha s.t.
18 Tadej Valjavec AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
19 Luca Pierfelici LPR Brakes Farnese Vini s.t.
20 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
21 Bradley Wiggins Garmin - Slipstream + 2'21
22 Joaquím Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
23 Michael Rogers Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
24 Mauricio Soler Barloworld + 2'43
25 Pierrick Fédrigo Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
26 Benjamín Noval Astana Cycling Team s.t.
27 Bartosz Huzarski ISD s.t.
28 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream + 2'57
29 Francesco De Bonis Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
30 Jackson Rodríguez Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.

it's too be expected though. My form is currently in the high 60s while Wiggins is in the mid 90s.I feel a little disappointed in myself. I thought I could still contend even though I had low form. I should have worked for Wiggins instead of Wiggins working for me. I will try to peak during the Tour and late in the Vuelta.

Stage 6
The 19 kilometer time trial will decide the outcome of this race.Wiggins and Cancelarra are probably the two most likely to win. The first rider to set a good time was Sébastien Rosseler who beat his former teammate, Leif Hoste's time by 7 seconds. He ended up in 8th place.



His time stood until Fabian Cancellara came through and demolished his time by over a minute!



Cancelarra's lead still stood when I left the start gate. I'm not a great time trialer but I do want to prove to the National Coach that I am better than Roche who is also racing today. When I finished I was in 33rd place and ended the day in 50th but Roche finished in 35th.



Wiggins was very strong and had a better time than Cancelarra at the 1st time check. Unfortunately though Wiggins couldn't beat Cancellara and finished in 2nd 15 seconds behind Cancelarra.



The real battle was between Contador and Andy Schleck. Contador only needed 10 seconds to take the leaders jersey from him. It would be very tough for Schleck to finish that close to Contador. Contador took risks and finished in 4th place.



There was no way Andy Schleck could keep up with Contador and finished in 25th place losing his jersey to Contador.



Wiggins moved up to 14th and I moved up 1 place to 27th. I'm happy with myself especially with me not even being close to having good form.


Stage
1 Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank 23'29
2 Bradley Wiggins Garmin - Slipstream + 16
3 Vladimir Karpets Team Katusha + 24
4 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step + 37
5 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team + 45
6 Michael Rogers Team Columbia - High Road + 46
7 Alessandro Ballan Lampre - N.G.C + 56
8 Sébastien Rosseler Silence - Lotto + 1'02
9 Dominique Cornu Française des Jeux s.t.
10 Filippo Pozzato Team Katusha + 1'04
11 Ivan Basso Silence - Lotto s.t.
12 Denis Menchov Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
13 Benoit Vaugrenard Française des Jeux + 1'09
14 Rick Flens Rabobank s.t.
15 Leif Hoste Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
16 Sérgio Paulinho Astana Cycling Team + 1'11
17 Mikhail Ignatiev Team Katusha s.t.
18 Damiano Cunego Lampre - N.G.C + 1'12
19 Josu Agirre Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
20 Lieuwe Westra Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team + 1'13
21 Lance Armstrong Team Saxo Bank + 1'17
22 Sylvain Chavanel Quick·Step + 1'19
23 Pavel Brutt Team Katusha s.t.
24 Danilo Di Luca LPR Brakes Farnese Vini s.t.
25 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank s.t.
26 Denys Kostyuk ISD + 1'20
27 Sébastien Joly Française des Jeux + 1'23
28 Markus Eichler Team Milram + 1'24
29 Sébastien Delfosse Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team + 1'25
30 Bartosz Huzarski ISD + 1'26
31 Enrico Gasparotto Liquigas s.t.
32 Giovanni Visconti ISD + 1'27
33 Manuel Quinziato Liquigas s.t.
34 Steven Cozza Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
35 Nicolas Roche AG2R La Mondiale + 1'28
36 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step s.t.
37 Maurizio Biondo Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce s.t.
38 Edvald Boasson Hagen Team Columbia - High Road + 1'33
39 Juan Antonio Flecha Rabobank s.t.
40 Evgeni Sokolov Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 1'35
41 José Serpa Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 1'36
42 Iker Camaño Fuji - Servetto s.t.
43 Andreas Klöden Astana Cycling Team s.t.
44 Joaquím Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne + 1'42
45 Daniele Bennati Liquigas s.t.
46 Mathieu Sprick Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 1'43
47 Yuri Trofimov Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
48 Sergei Matveyev ISD + 1'45
49 David Blanco Fuji - Servetto + 1'46
50 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
51 Dominique Rollin Garmin - Slipstream + 1'49


General Classification
1 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team 20h07'31
2 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank + 24
3 Danilo Di Luca LPR Brakes Farnese Vini + 30
4 Damiano Cunego Lampre - N.G.C + 55
5 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne + 1'06
6 Vladimir Karpets Team Katusha + 1'07
7 Denis Menchov Caisse d'Epargne + 1'09
8 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 1'11
9 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step + 1'20
10 Nicolas Roche AG2R La Mondiale + 1'27
11 Pierre Rolland Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 1'40
12 Iker Camaño Fuji - Servetto + 1'41
13 José Serpa Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
14 Bradley Wiggins Garmin - Slipstream + 1'42
15 Ivan Basso Silence - Lotto + 1'47
16 Gianpaolo Caruso Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce + 1'51
17 Michael Rogers Team Columbia - High Road + 2'12
18 Matteo Carrara Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team + 2'13
19 Daniele Pietropolli LPR Brakes Farnese Vini + 2'29
20 Tadej Valjavec AG2R La Mondiale + 2'56
21 Luca Pierfelici LPR Brakes Farnese Vini + 3'04
22 Joaquím Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne + 3'08
23 Bartosz Huzarski ISD + 3'14
24 Alessandro Vanotti Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce + 3'15
25 Lance Armstrong Team Saxo Bank + 3'43
26 Pierrick Fédrigo Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 3'46
27 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream + 3'48
28 Benjamín Noval Astana Cycling Team + 3'54
29 David Blanco Fuji - Servetto + 3'56
30 Sébastien Joly Française des Jeux + 3'57

Paris Nice
The race was pretty successful for the team. Dekker took a stage win despite having a low form. He finished in 8th place which we can be happy with. So overall it was a decent race for us and for Dekker.

Stage 7
The final stage is as flat of a stage as you can get with an average gradient of 0%. The stage will either go to the sprinters or a breakaway but we still have to be careful because the wind is very strong and there are likely to be splits in the peloton. When the attacks began early in the stage we sent Trent Lowe with them.



It was no surprise that they were caught with 15 kilometers to go and the sprinters began to set up for the finish. Farrar decided to take Gasparotto's wheel.



For some reason no one took Farrar's wheel and Gasparotto was almost a perfect leadout for Farrar despite the fact that he is supposed to be setting up Bennati. There was no way anyone could catch Farrar as he took a big stage win for the team. Petacchi finished in a distant 2nd.



Overall it was a successful race with a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finish and I'm happy with my position.

Standings coming up next ...

Stage Results
1 Tyler Farrar Garmin - Slipstream 4h52'31
2 Alessandro Petacchi Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
3 Mirko Lorenzetto Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
4 Yann Huguet AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
5 Lieuwe Westra Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
6 Daniele Bennati Liquigas s.t.
7 Johan Van Summeren Quick·Step s.t.
8 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team s.t.
9 Filippo Pozzato Team Katusha s.t.
10 Sergei Lagutin Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
11 Sérgio Paulinho Astana Cycling Team s.t.
12 Sergei Ivanov Team Katusha s.t.
13 Dimitri Muravyev Astana Cycling Team s.t.
14 Rinaldo Nocentini AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
15 Enrico Gasparotto Liquigas s.t.
16 Rick Flens Rabobank s.t.
17 Andreas Klöden Astana Cycling Team s.t.
18 Gerald Ciolek Team Milram s.t.
19 Assan Bazayev Team Saxo Bank s.t.
20 Luca Mazzanti Team Katusha s.t.
21 Steven Cozza Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
22 Bernhard Eisel Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
23 Manuele Mori Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
24 Julian Dean Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
25 Greg Van Avermaet Rabobank s.t.
26 Aleksandr Kuschynski Liquigas s.t.
27 Martin Elmiger AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
28 Markus Eichler Team Milram s.t.
29 Marco Marcato Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
30 Sébastien Delfosse Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
39 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream s.t.


Final General Classification
1 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team 25h00'02
2 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank + 24
3 Danilo Di Luca LPR Brakes Farnese Vini + 30
4 Damiano Cunego Lampre - N.G.C + 55
5 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne + 1'06
6 Vladimir Karpets Team Katusha + 1'07
7 Denis Menchov Caisse d'Epargne + 1'09
8 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 1'11
9 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step + 1'20
10 Nicolas Roche AG2R La Mondiale + 1'27
11 Pierre Rolland Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 1'40
12 José Serpa Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 1'41
13 Iker Camaño Fuji - Servetto s.t.
14 Bradley Wiggins Garmin - Slipstream + 1'42
15 Ivan Basso Silence - Lotto + 1'47
16 Gianpaolo Caruso Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce + 1'51
17 Michael Rogers Team Columbia - High Road + 2'12
18 Matteo Carrara Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team + 2'13
19 Daniele Pietropolli LPR Brakes Farnese Vini + 2'29
20 Tadej Valjavec AG2R La Mondiale + 2'56
21 Luca Pierfelici LPR Brakes Farnese Vini + 3'04
22 Joaquím Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne + 3'08
23 Bartosz Huzarski ISD + 3'14
24 Alessandro Vanotti Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce + 3'15
25 Lance Armstrong Team Saxo Bank + 3'43
26 Pierrick Fédrigo Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 3'46
27 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream + 3'48
28 Benjamín Noval Astana Cycling Team + 3'54
29 David Blanco Fuji - Servetto + 3'56
30 Sébastien Joly Française des Jeux + 3'57
31 Pavel Brutt Team Katusha + 4'09
32 Sylvain Chavanel Quick·Step + 4'17
33 Giovanni Visconti ISD s.t.
34 Mauricio Soler Barloworld + 4'18
35 Alexander Dyachenko Astana Cycling Team + 4'23
36 Francesco De Bonis Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 4'28
37 Jackson Rodríguez Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 4'36
38 Iñigo Landaluze Euskaltel - Euskadi + 4'39
39 Yuri Trofimov Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 4'41
40 Johan Van Summeren Quick·Step + 4'43
41 Sérgio Paulinho Astana Cycling Team + 4'52
42 Dimitri Muravyev Astana Cycling Team s.t.
43 Ricardo Serrano Fuji - Servetto s.t.
44 Morris Possoni Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
45 Dimitry Kozontchuk Rabobank + 4'55
46 Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank + 4'58
47 David López Caisse d'Epargne + 5'01
48 Pablo Lastras Caisse d'Epargne + 5'13
49 Luca Mazzanti Team Katusha + 5'14
50 Paolo Bailetti Fuji - Servetto + 5'29


Points
1 Mirko Lorenzetto Lampre - N.G.C 42
2 Tyler Farrar Garmin - Slipstream 28
3 Daniele Bennati Liquigas 23
4 Alessandro Petacchi Euskaltel - Euskadi 22
5 Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank 20
6 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team 19
7 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank 18
8 Filippo Pozzato Team Katusha 17
9 Martin Elmiger AG2R La Mondiale 17
10 Manuele Mori Lampre - N.G.C 12


Mountain
1 Benoit Vaugrenard Française des Jeux 15
2 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank 12
3 Björn Leukemans Silence - Lotto 10
4 Marlon Pérez Caisse d'Epargne 10
5 René Mandri AG2R La Mondiale 9
6 Pierre Rolland Bbox Bouygues Télécom 8
7 Jérôme Pineau Quick·Step 8
8 Fabian Wegmann Team Milram 8
9 Gianluca Mirenda ISD 8
10 Danilo Di Luca LPR Brakes Farnese Vini 6


Young Rider Classification
1 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank 25h00'26
2 Pierre Rolland Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 1'16
3 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream + 3'24

I have made out my schedule with my Manager and Trainer. We have decided that I should take a long break and wait until the Dauphine Libere before I race again. By doing this I won't peak too early and I can be fit for the Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana, and the World Championships. The schedule is here below.

Garmin Inks Another Young Spaniard
The team has signed Luis Leon Donoso. He has a chance at being a great stage racer in the future. He was thought to be a future great by the scout and so they signed him to 3 years. He will join the team next season.

Garmin Signs Another Young Star

I'm honored to say that the team has signed a young rider named Sammy Close. He is the best young Irish cyclist. He probably won't win any Grand Tours but he does have the potential to be a good climber and a good time trialer. He will definitely be a force in stage races in the upcoming future. With my contract expiring this may be another reason to come back to Garmin. Although I haven't ruled out a team change but it wouldn't be for the money.

Good luck in the Dauphine!!! Go for the young jersey!

good job with Farrar on the final stage

Whose the man for le tour? Vandevelde?

Yep Vandevelde. The team will most likely be Rollin/Sutton, Farrar, Lowe, Wiggins, Zabriskie, Millar, Dekker, Vandevelde, and me.