Tour Méditerranéen - Stage 5

It was a pretty boring stage and not much happened. Everything came down to a sprint finish and Bonnet won ahead of Elmiger. Sutton did pretty well and finished in 5th place.



I managed to hold on to 6th overall while Sutton took 8th overall. I did take the U25 jersey but it was still a dissapointing race for me. I'm gonna work hard before Tirreno and make sure I improve.

Stage
1 William Bonnet Bbox Bouygues Télécom 2h57'54
2 Martin Elmiger AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
3 Florian Vachon Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
4 Jimmy Engoulvent Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
5 Christopher Sutton Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
6 Rein Taaramäe Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
7 Guillaume Blot Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
8 Shawn Milne Cycling Club Bourgas s.t.
9 Pierrick Fédrigo Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
10 Allan Davis Quick·Step s.t.
11 Morten Høberg Team Capinordic s.t.
12 Gabriel Rasch Joker Bianchi s.t.
13 Gil Suray Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
14 Alejandro Valverde Quick·Step s.t.
15 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step s.t.
16 Alexandre Pichot Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
17 Hubert Schwab Quick·Step s.t.
18 Fabrice Jeandesboz Besson Chaussures - Sojasun s.t.
19 Normunds Lasis Cycling Club Bourgas s.t.
20 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
21 Tiziano Dall'Antonia Quick·Step s.t.
22 Jérôme Pineau Quick·Step s.t.
23 Mauro Facci Quick·Step s.t.
24 Mitja Mahoric Auber 93 s.t.
25 Andreas Schillinger Differdange s.t.
26 Michael Mørkøv Auber 93 s.t.
27 Julien Mazet Auber 93 s.t.
28 Dimitri Champion Besson Chaussures - Sojasun s.t.
29 Rinaldo Nocentini AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
30 Francesco Masciarelli Quick·Step s.t.


Final General Classification
1 Alejandro Valverde Quick·Step 15h12'46
2 Tadej Valjavec AG2R La Mondiale + 1'27
3 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 2'07
4 Martin Elmiger AG2R La Mondiale + 2'09
5 Dimitry Kozontchuk Team Capinordic + 2'19
6 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream + 2'27
7 Alexander Efimkin AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
8 Christopher Sutton Garmin - Slipstream + 2'45
9 Julien Mazet Auber 93 + 2'54
10 Morten Høberg Team Capinordic + 2'57
11 Allan Davis Quick·Step + 3'01
12 Florian Vachon Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
13 Dominik Eberle Differdange + 3'05
14 Andreas Schillinger Differdange + 3'09
15 Hubert Schwab Quick·Step s.t.
16 Pierrick Fédrigo Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
17 Jérôme Pineau Quick·Step s.t.
18 Alexandre Pichot Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
19 Tiziano Dall'Antonia Quick·Step s.t.
20 Rinaldo Nocentini AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
21 Giovanni Visconti Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
22 Anders Lund Team Capinordic s.t.
23 Rein Taaramäe Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
24 Gaël Malacarne Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
25 Tommy Nankervis Cinelli - Down Under s.t.
26 Pierre Cazaux Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
27 Gabriel Rasch Joker Bianchi s.t.
28 Laurent Lefèvre Besson Chaussures - Sojasun s.t.
29 Sébastien Minard Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
30 Mathieu Sprick Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.


Points
1 Martin Elmiger AG2R La Mondiale 86
2 William Bonnet Bbox Bouygues Télécom 58
3 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step 56
4 Christopher Sutton Garmin - Slipstream 55
5 Alejandro Valverde Quick·Step 51
6 Florian Vachon Roubaix Lille Métropole 49
7 Allan Davis Quick·Step 46
8 Morten Høberg Team Capinordic 43
9 Jimmy Engoulvent Bretagne - Schuller 40
10 Shawn Milne Cycling Club Bourgas 21


Mountain
1 Julien Belgy Bbox Bouygues Télécom 46
2 Ingar Stokstad Joker Bianchi 34
3 Aimé Ba Auber 93 34
4 Giovanni Visconti Cofidis, le crédit en ligne 30
5 Daniel Fleeman Cinelli - Down Under 28
6 Alejandro Valverde Quick·Step 26
7 Frederik Wilmann Joker Bianchi 18
8 Tom Thill Differdange 16
9 Tadej Valjavec AG2R La Mondiale 12
10 Evgeni Panayotov Cycling Club Bourgas 12


Young Rider
1 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream 15h15'13
2 Morten Høberg Team Capinordic + 30
3 Dominik Eberle Differdange + 38

I wll hopefully get all of tirreno done by tomorrow.

Volta ao Algarve - The race started off great with Tyler Farrar winning stage 1. He followed it up with a stage 2 victory. Stage 3 was the only hilly stage which was won by Mikel Astarloza followed by Capecchi. Maaskant finished in 4th place. Stage 4 was won by Wiggins which cemented his 8th overall. Stage 5 was won by Eisel and Farrar took 3rd place. We took 4th, 6th, 8th, and 12th overall.

Giro di Sardegna - There were 3 flat stages and three hilly stages. We didn't have any sprinters so we were focused on the hilly stages. Stage 2 was hilly and that was won by Trent Lowe in a group with Scarponi and Hesjedal. Stage 3 was won by Vona but Hesjedal took 5th and Froome took 6th. Lowe finished 16th and lost his lead. The overall was won by Scarponi followed by Larson. Hesjedal and Lowe took 3rd and 4th.

GP di Lugano - Was won by Damiano Cunego. Lowe finished in 7th place in a race full of talents.

Kuurne - bruxelles - Kuurne - The first cobble race of the year and it was full of the best cobble riders. Devolder won ahead of Pozzato and Ballan. Maaskant finished in 9th 2 minutes behind Devolder. He wasn't on great form so a top ten is great,

Our team has been in talks with a young british sprinter. He has a chance to be one of the best british sprinters along with Cavendish. Garmin decided to hold off on signing him so he could race in the U23 races. The startlist for the next race will be posted soon.

Astana
1. L.Leipheimer
2. E.Gasparotto
3. J.Hernández
4. J.Herrada
5. I.Isasi
6. R.Pérez
7. M.Schär
8. H.Zubeldia

Garmin - Slipstream
11. D.Martin
12. C.Dodds
13. T.Farrar
14. T.Lowe
15. C.Meier
16. D.Millar
17. M.Renshaw
18. B.Wiggins

Saxo Bank
21. A.Schleck
22. A.Bazayev
23. J.Fuglsang
24. A.Kolobnev
25. N.Nuyens
26. S.O'Grady
27. F.Schleck
28. J.Voigt

Liquigas
31. R.Kreuziger
32. S.Devolder
33. J.Guarnieri
34. K.Kirchen
35. A.Kuschynski
36. M.Quinziato
37. F.Sabatini
38. B.Vandborg

Katusha
41. V.Karpets
42. V.Gustov
43. S.Klimov
44. M.Lloyd
45. D.Napolitano
46. A.Serov
47. G.Steegmans
48. J.Tombak

Quick·Step
51. C.Barredo
52. T.Dall'Antonia
53. A.Davis
54. M.Facci
55. F.Pellizotti
56. K.Seeldraeyers
57. F.Tizza
58. J.Van Summeren

Lampre
61. D.Cunego
62. M.Bono
63. M.Bruseghin
64. G.Gasparre
65. F.Gavazzi
66. M.Marzano
67. S.Ponzi
68. L.Solari

AG2R
71. V.Efimkin
72. J.Arrieta
73. M.Elmiger
74. D.Petrov
75. G.Smukulis
76. T.Valjavec
77. T.Voeckler
78. S.Wesemann

Caisse d'Epargne
81. V.Kiryienka
82. D.De la Fuente
83. M.Drujon
84. R.Feillu
85. C.García Acosta
86. D.Moreno
87. F.Ventoso
88. X.Zandio

LPR Brakes
91. D.Di Luca
92. M.Corsini
93. G.Ermeti
94. S.Marinangeli
95. A.Ongarato
96. D.Pietropolli
97. C.Salerno
98. E.Zen

Française des Jeux
101. A.Klöden
102. R.Di Gregorio
103. A.Geslin
104. S.Joly
105. C.Le Mével
106. G.Levarlet
107. G.Meersman
108. L.Mondory

CSF - Navigare
111. D.Pozzovivo
112. M.Corti
113. F.Di Paolo
114. M.Gaia
115. R.Illiano
116. A.Raisoni
117. F.Reda
118. F.Sacchi

Barloworld
121. M.Soler
122. F.Bellotti
123. F.Cárdenas
124. V.Dyudya
125. M.Frapporti
126. R.Hunter
127. P.Longo Borghini
128. E.Rodomonti

Bouygues Télécom
131. P.Rolland
132. W.Bonnet
133. B.Feillu
134. P.Fédrigo
135. D.Gaudin
136. A.Pichot
137. C.Riblon
138. E.Sokolov

Serramenti PVC
141. M.Scarponi
142. T.Bertolini
143. F.De Bonis
144. V.Garofalo
145. E.Rigotto
146. J.Rodríguez
147. R.Traficante
148. R.Vilela

Rabobank
151. S.Clement
152. L.Boom
153. T.Boonen
154. T.Bos
155. Ó.Freire
156. T.Leezer
157. G.Van Avermaet
158. J.Van Emden

Team Columbia
161. K.Siutsou
162. M.Breschel
163. M.Burghardt
164. M.Cavendish
165. A.Greipel
166. G.Hincapie
167. L.Hoste
168. M.Pinotti

Fuji - Servetto
171. E.Capecchi
172. P.Bailetti
173. D.Cataldo
174. D.Cañada
175. R.Kiserlovski
176. B.Shpilevsky
177. A.Tonti
178. D.Viganò

Euskaltel
181. J.Rovira Pous
182. K.Fernández de Larrea
183. A.Galdos
184. M.Irizar
185. B.Muez
186. A.Petacchi
187. �.Vallejo Domínguez
188. G.Verdugo

Silence - Lotto
191. T.Stubbe
192. C.Brandt
193. W.Cretskens
194. K.De Haes
195. P.Gilbert
196. P.Jacobs
197. J.Ljungblad
198. R.Sentjens

CarmioOro
201. L.Sestili
202. A.Bertuola
203. L.Beuret
204. D.Colli
205. M.Finetto
206. W.Proch
207. A.Ratti
208. F.Terrenzio

ISD
211. A.Kvachuk
212. D.Grabovskyy
213. G.Mirenda
214. P.Muto
215. W.Pedraza
216. A.Proni
217. L.Scarselli
218. F.van der Werff

Rabobank CT
221. S.Fuchs
222. T.Berkhout
223. M.Elijzen
224. M.May
225. C.Sokoll
226. B.Tankink
227. B.Van Poppel
228. M.Van Staeyen

Team Preview
We have two different goals for this race. We brought Renshaw, Dodds and Millar to create a train for Farrar. We have Wiggins, Lowe, and Meier to help me in the mountains. Farrar has a great chance to take some stage wins.

Rabobank had Freire, Boonen, and Bos. What a team.

Stage 1
Today's stage is mostly flat that will belong to the sprinters. There are a lot of strong sprinters here so I doubt that a breakaway will have a chance at making it. They still tried though and a group of 4 tried to get away.



Thanks to a bunch of different teams, they were caught with about 20 kilometers to go. Farrar was showing off his new National Champion jersey in the peloton.



Farrar wasn't feeling good today and couldn't hold on to the wheel of Petacchi. If he had he would have surely taken the stage win. Instead Euskatel took a 1-2 finish with Petacchi winning the stage.




Stage
1 Alessandro Petacchi Euskaltel - Euskadi 3h36'24
2 Koldo Fernández de Larrea Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
3 Elia Rigotto Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
4 Simone Ponzi Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
5 Mark Cavendish Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
6 Romain Feillu Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
7 Boris Shpilevski Fuji - Servetto s.t.
8 Danilo Napolitano Team Katusha s.t.
9 Greg Van Avermaet Rabobank s.t.
10 Tom Boonen Rabobank s.t.
11 Fran Ventoso Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
12 Damiano Cunego Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
13 Matti Breschel Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
14 Gert Steegmans Team Katusha s.t.
15 Óscar Freire Rabobank s.t.
16 Marco Marzano Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
17 Tom Leezer Rabobank s.t.
18 Jacopo Guarnieri Liquigas s.t.
19 Tiziano Dall'Antonia Quick·Step s.t.
20 Jos Van Emden Rabobank s.t.
21 Jose Vicente García Acosta Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
22 Francesco Gavazzi Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
23 Leif Hoste Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
24 Graziano Gasparre Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
25 Lars Boom Rabobank s.t.
26 Mauro Facci Quick·Step s.t.
27 Eros Capecchi Fuji - Servetto s.t.
28 Allan Davis Quick·Step s.t.
29 Campbell Dodds Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
30 Davide Viganò Fuji - Servetto s.t.
32 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream s.t.

Stage 2
Stage 2 was much more hilly then the last stage but it was still classified as flat. For me it was another relaxing day in the peloton before the mountains come on stage 4. 3 riders broke away including Elmiger.



They were caught 30 kilometers from the finish and today we were more organized. Millar was up front, followed by Dodds, Renshaw, and then Farrar. With 2 kilometers to go, Farrar was in great position.



The Columbia train on the left was trying to set up Cavendish. They didn't do very well and he finished way back. Boonen was the strongest and Farrar could only manage a 5th place finish.



Boonen takes a big win and proves he's the best rider in the whole world.(84 sprint, 84 acceleration, 85 cobbles, 83 flat, and 85 stamina, and much more )


Stage
1 Tom Boonen Rabobank 4h29'39
2 Boris Shpilevski Fuji - Servetto s.t.
3 Simone Ponzi Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
4 Danilo Napolitano Team Katusha s.t.
5 Tyler Farrar Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
6 Romain Feillu Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
7 Fran Ventoso Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
8 Greg Van Avermaet Rabobank s.t.
9 Elia Rigotto Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
10 Boy Van Poppel Rabobank CT s.t.
11 Theo Bos Rabobank s.t.
12 Marcus Burghardt Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
13 Mark Renshaw Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
14 Mark Cavendish Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
15 Enrico Gasparotto Astana Cycling Team s.t.
16 Jos Van Emden Rabobank s.t.
17 Alessandro Petacchi Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
18 Tom Leezer Rabobank s.t.
19 Allan Davis Quick·Step s.t.
20 Koldo Fernández de Larrea Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
21 Leif Hoste Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
22 Trent Lowe Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
23 Óscar Freire Rabobank s.t.
24 Xabier Zandio Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
25 Michele Gaia CSF Group - Navigare s.t.
26 Davide Viganò Fuji - Servetto s.t.
27 Bram Tankink Rabobank CT s.t.
28 Fabio Sacchi CSF Group - Navigare s.t.
29 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
30 Matteo Bono Lampre - N.G.C s.t.

Stage 3
Stage 3 starts out with a long climb but once you get over that, its all downhill. On the climb a group of riders broke away. There were 2 riders who were stronger than everyone else and they led for most of the race.



Despite chasing hard, with 3 kilometers left, one rider still had a pretty big gap.



Farrar was in great position thanks to Lowe and Millar. Lowe had taken a long turn out the front and opened a small gap to some of the other sprinters. Then Millar took over and delivered Renshaw and Farrar past the final breakaway rider and kept them in front with 2 kilometers to go. Renshaw had a great sprint and Farrar easily took the win.



Renshaw took 5th and Millar even took 7th because of the gap he had created. He celebrated as he crossed the line, knowing what he had done.



A great day by the team and a complete success thanks to teamwork. Tomorrow will be the most important stage.


Stage
1 Tyler Farrar Garmin - Slipstream 3h22'29
2 Fran Ventoso Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
3 Allan Davis Quick·Step s.t.
4 Mark Cavendish Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
5 Mark Renshaw Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
6 Tom Boonen Rabobank s.t.
7 David Millar Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
8 Danilo Napolitano Team Katusha s.t.
9 Francesco Gavazzi Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
10 Alessandro Petacchi Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
11 Tiziano Dall'Antonia Quick·Step s.t.
12 Simone Ponzi Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
13 Thomas Voeckler AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
14 Mauro Finetto CarmioOro - A-Style s.t.
15 Romain Feillu Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
16 Elia Rigotto Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
17 Boris Shpilevski Fuji - Servetto s.t.
18 Matti Breschel Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
19 Daniele Colli CarmioOro - A-Style s.t.
20 Koldo Fernández de Larrea Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
21 Enrico Gasparotto Astana Cycling Team s.t.
22 Tom Leezer Rabobank s.t.
23 Jacopo Guarnieri Liquigas s.t.
24 Trent Lowe Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
25 Johan Van Summeren Quick·Step s.t.
26 Greg Van Avermaet Rabobank s.t.
27 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
28 Jos Van Emden Rabobank s.t.
29 Damiano Cunego Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
30 Marcus Burghardt Team Columbia - High Road s.t.

Speaking of Millar,
Millar's stats keep decreasing. it doesn't look like he will be back next year. He's down to a 76 in tt.

omg look at the team of rabobank
boonen freire bos van emden van avermaet
what´s that????
they can´t loose a sprint

I know. Its almost unfair.

matt could it be that you sometimes post another screenshot that is not from this stage?only a question

Stage 4
Today is the only Mountain stage so all the favorites will be prepared for today. On the first climb two riders, got a gap and worked together, picking up huge time on the peloton.



They were caught on the final climb thanks to Astana and Lampre who kept the peloton going.



6 kilometers into the final climb and no one had attacked. Finally there was an attack, and from Leipheimer. I followed him and we were by ourselves going up the mountain.



Eventually, all the other favorites joined us and formed a group of about 14.



A minute behind us was another group. They had some of the favorites, so they were pushing hard to catch back up with us. We got to the finish and the chasing group had caught up. Capecchi showed the talent that he failed to show in the Vuelta, and took the stage win ahead of Pierre Roland.



I came in a minute behind them finishing in a brilliant 11th place.



I'm behind both Capecchi and Rolland in the U25 classification but I'm not worried because neither of them can time trial. My biggest threat is Kreuziger, who is only 8 seconds behind me.


Stage
1 Eros Capecchi Fuji - Servetto 5h02'20
2 Pierre Rolland Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 12
3 Michele Scarponi Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
4 Dani Moreno Caisse d'Epargne + 28
5 Michele Gaia CSF Group - Navigare s.t.
6 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 36
7 Jackson Rodríguez Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
8 Damiano Cunego Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
9 Kanstantsin Siutsou Team Columbia - High Road + 54
10 Fränk Schleck Team Saxo Bank s.t.
11 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
12 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team s.t.
13 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank + 1'02
14 Franco Pellizotti Quick·Step s.t.
15 Dario Cataldo Fuji - Servetto s.t.
16 Roman Kreuziger Liquigas s.t.
17 Mauricio Soler Barloworld + 1'10
18 David De la Fuente Caisse d'Epargne + 1'18
19 Robert Kiserlovski Fuji - Servetto s.t.
20 Jakob Fuglsang Team Saxo Bank + 1'34
21 Enrico Zen LPR Brakes Farnese Vini + 1'42
22 Gorka Verdugo Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
23 Marco Marzano Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
24 Pieter Jacobs Silence - Lotto s.t.
25 Paolo Bailetti Fuji - Servetto + 1'50
26 Kim Kirchen Liquigas s.t.
27 Domenico Pozzovivo CSF Group - Navigare s.t.
28 Stijn Devolder Liquigas + 1'58
29 Trent Lowe Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
30 José Herrada Astana Cycling Team s.t.
31 Bradley Wiggins Garmin - Slipstream + 2'06
32 David Cañada Fuji - Servetto s.t.
33 Vasil Kiryienka Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
34 Christian Meier Garmin - Slipstream + 2'14
35 Kevin Seeldraeyers Quick·Step + 2'22


GC
1 Eros Capecchi Fuji - Servetto 16h30'42
2 Pierre Rolland Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 16
3 Michele Scarponi Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 18
4 Michele Gaia CSF Group - Navigare + 38
5 Dani Moreno Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
6 Damiano Cunego Lampre - N.G.C + 46
7 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step s.t.
8 Jackson Rodríguez Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
9 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream + 1'04
10 Kanstantsin Siutsou Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
11 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team s.t.
12 Fränk Schleck Team Saxo Bank s.t.
13 Franco Pellizotti Quick·Step + 1'12
14 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank s.t.
15 Dario Cataldo Fuji - Servetto s.t.
16 Roman Kreuziger Liquigas s.t.
17 Mauricio Soler Barloworld + 1'20
18 David De la Fuente Caisse d'Epargne + 1'28
19 Robert Kiserlovski Fuji - Servetto s.t.
20 Jakob Fuglsang Team Saxo Bank + 1'44
21 Marco Marzano Lampre - N.G.C + 1'52
22 Gorka Verdugo Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
23 Enrico Zen LPR Brakes Farnese Vini s.t.
24 Pieter Jacobs Silence - Lotto s.t.
25 Domenico Pozzovivo CSF Group - Navigare + 2'00
26 Paolo Bailetti Fuji - Servetto s.t.
27 Kim Kirchen Liquigas s.t.
28 Trent Lowe Garmin - Slipstream + 2'08
29 Stijn Devolder Liquigas s.t.
30 José Herrada Astana Cycling Team s.t.

No, it's photobucket that screws up my screenshots. I copy the link for the picture I want but it gives me one from a random stage.

they have j.j. haedo too. There team is fully of sprinters.

Daniel, could you please post stage profile before reports? At least important or mountain ones

btw I´ll do my best to sign you for next season in my 08 story

OK. I will try. Good luck trying to sign me

thanks!