Anything else than a sprint finish will be a huge surprise in this race. The bookmakers have three Scandinavians as favourites, though none of them riding for Falcon.
Followers of the team will know that the Falcons rarely take it too hard when facing an impossible task, so both Morten Kruse Brink and Michael Færk Christensen decided to go in the break. When things went beat the break had a gap of 8 minutes to the pack lead by FDJ, BMC and Sky.
With 100 km to go Theo Bos crashes, and as no Rabo riders are willing to wait for him. His race is de facto over.
20 km to go and the break is finally broken. Danish national hero Matti Breschel tries to mix things up a bit, but BMC has everything completely under control no matter how many times Breschel attack.
BMC, Sky and FDJ get rewarded for all their hard work while the Falcon-riders have a difficult time in the finish.
The guys got the legs moving again, and that really was all we expected from them in this race.
GP Stad Zottegem
Accent Jobs appear to be the only team aiming for a bunch sprint as they take the lead from the start while everyone else keep attacking. In the end a large break with Carlström get away, and Francis Mourey manage to make it last just long enough to win the race.
Result:
1. Francis Mourey, FDJ - BigMat
2. Kenny Dehaes, Lotto Belisol
3. Stefan Van Dijk, Accent Jobs – Willems Veranda’s 10. Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – Norheim
Just a bit more luck and Carlström would have been there for the finish today, but a top 10 for Kasper is good - look like he's getting ready for Post Danmark Rundt tomorrow.
The sponsors want a stage win. The team want it all!
The riders are all very determined to do well in this race, and with the opposition facing us they should be able to do just that. I have told them, that they should all ride to win. No break must getaway without a Falcon in it!
Stage 1
Five teams working together keeping the speed high in the peloton make it impossible for a break to establish. When realizing a sprint was inevitable the team gave all they had preparing the sprint for Kasper Jebjerg, but he still haven’t found the form he had in the spring.
In the intense last few kilometers the peloton broke and half the riders lost more than a minute in the GC.
Stage results:
1. Daniel Schorn, NetApp
2. Krzysztof Jezowski, Bank BGZ
3. Andreas Stauff, Eddy Merckx - Indeland 4. Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – Norheim
Stage 2
A relatively flat stage, although the route does cross some of the highest points in the country. With a bit of luck this stage could turn in to something slightly more than just a bunch sprint.
The stage starts of the same way as stage 1. An odd sight seeing Michael Rasmussen pull on the flat while his teammate is in the break.
Finally after 80 km of constant attacking a break with Haavardsholm, Ranneries (Concordia), Rake (Joker) Rogina (Adria Mobil) and Prete (PSK Whirlpool) is formed.
Going in to the last 60 km with a 6 min led the break looks like it still has a chance! Sadly once again Ole Haavardsholm show his problems on the flat and won’t be there for the final.
This stage comes down to whoever has the most energy, and since Müller wasn’t in the break all day he made the most of it.
Stage 3
A day with lots of ups and downs and a day it might be possible to win valuable time.
With Carlström in the break Joker had a hard day in front of them defending Rakes GC lead, and with 40 km to go Rake only has one helper left and the break has a gap of nearly three minutes.
When entering the last 20 km Kjell was looking great, but in the end he lacked that last bit and Sobota ran away with everything.
Stage results:
2. Christian Sobota, Christina Watches - Onfone
2. Andreas Stauff, Eddy Merckx – Indeland
3. Daniel Schorn, NetApp 4. Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – Norheim
9. Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – Norheim
Stage 4
A short day on the flat, and the sprint finish was never really in question. Sadly Falcon – Norheim completely mistimed the sprint train.
Stage 5 - TT
Often the TT is decisive in this race, so today would be a good day to pick up that win. Sadly this is not a day, that will be a part of Falcon-history.
Stage results:
1. Sergej Fuchs, NSP - Ghost
2. Jimmy Sørensen, Christina Watches - Onfone
3. Lasse Bøchman, Glud & Marstrand - LRØ 9. Michael Færk Christensen, Falcon – Norheim
Stage 6
Last chance to get that stage win. Carlström went in the break and almost managed to make it last. In the last part the frantic pace in the peloton resulted in a huge crash leaving only 36 riders to fight for the win. Among those most of the sprinters. In spite of having a god leadout Jebjerg once again has to realize that he is not the best sprinter in the race.
Mountains: Radoslav Rogina, Adria Mobil
Points: Daniel Schorn, NetApp
Young Rider: Christer Rake, Joker Merida
Team: Falcon – Norheim
Obviously this was a really disappointing race for us. The riders tried hard, but the other teams watched us closely and in the sprints we have to admit that the others simply were better than us. Still our dedication got us the team classification.
In the light of some good results lately Falcon - Norheim decided to offer Jesper Mørkøv a one-year extension of his contract. Mørkøv dismissed the proposal wanting a two-year contract. Things might not be as idyllic as they seem on this Nordic team...
Jespers agent has the following comment on the situation:
Falcon - Norheim had kept Jesper in the unknown throughout the season, suggesting that he shouldn't expect a new contract offer. Then all of the sudden they realize that they will need a lot more riders if getting promoted to the World Tour and they offer Jesper a contract, when it gets clear that they can't get all the riders they had wanted and Jesper start making some good results. We feel that Jesper is too good to just be a temporary substitute, cause they couldn't get anything better to fill the squad.
Luckily Blue Water Cycling see the real class the rider has, and have offered him a contract as a captain of the team.
Team manager on Falcon - Norheim Allan Grønborg isn't quite agreeing with Mørkøvs agent:
It is true, that we waited for a ling time before we offered Jesper a contract for 2013. At first we thought that we should ride another season as a continental team, so we wanted to keep the number of riders on the team a bit lower than when the signing of Hushovd made us target promotion already this year.
Jesper started making some good results, so we decided to offer him another chance to prove himself on the highest level. Though everyone on the team agrees that he doesn't have the potential to become half as good as his older brother. Jesper is a good rider, but he won't get much better than he is now - and that just isn't good enough to be on this team.
We wish Jesper all the best and are happy to announce that we have signed a young talent, who is already at 19 a better addition to the team in mountainous terrain then Jesper would ever be.
The Replacement
Spoiler
Magnus Cort
Magnus is at 19 years already a rider, who can strengthen Falcon - Norheim in the mountains next year. He has a lot of potential left in him, but there are some disagreement how far he can get. Will he become a future king of the mountains or will he be that poor rider, who always get to pull the captain up the first half of the mountain? Only time can tell.
A month with some very disappointing results, especially in Denmark, but decent secondary results still resulted in a small expansion of our lead on the continental ranking.
Rider of the month: Philip Gilbert, BMC. With a victory in both Eneco Tour and the French World Tour race GP Ouest France – Plouay Gilbert was the obvious choice.
September is all about getting as many points as possible. Falcon want a stage in Tour of Britain and Norheim want a stage in Circuit Franco-Belge. That’s fine with us – we’ll be going for the win no matter where we ride!
Press Announcement:
As earlier published Stark will take over after Norheim next season. The last details are now in place and we can make public that Falcon remains as the main sponsor and Stark will step in as secondary sponsor.
The marketing division are currently in contact with a talented young Australian designer to make the 2013-kit. Further details will be made public in the offseason.
We’ll be aiming for a stage win. Stages 2-4 are probably the most likely since they are hilly and the flat stages will be targeted by the likes of Goss, Farrar and Bennati. Surprisingly British Team Sky have decided not to start in their biggest domestical race.
Stage 1
As anyone, who have been following the team will know these riders won’t be stopped by major favorites being present. So in the early face of the stage both Bäckstedt, Kreutzfeldt and Mørkøv are on the attack. Mørkøv even wins the first mountain sprint of the day. Sadly the break is caught early due to a lot of attacking in the peloton. On the second climb Mørkøv attack once again, just getting the win in front of Nick Nuyens. Jesper places second on the last climb of the day after Mouris, who now forms a front duo with Mørkøv.
With 10 km to go the two have a lead of just under a minute. This is going to be a close call.
Stage results:
1. Giacomo Nizzolo, Radioshack - Nissan
2. Manuel Cardoso, Caja Rural
3. Boy Van Poppel, UnitedHealthcare 7. Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – Norheim
Mountain: Jesper Mørkøv
Stage 2
Today is supposed to be one of the deciding days for the race. After a lot of struggle a break with both Daniel Kreutzfeldt and Jesper Mørkøv is formed and gets a decent lead.
As Mørkøv lead the break over the first mountain sprint of the day the pack starts breaking up following pressure from Radioshack – Nissan. Bäckstedt lose contact, but all other Falcon riders remain in the 40-man pack.
On the second and last climb Docker and Fortin try challenging Mørkøv, but Jesper is really showing some good form in this race.
In the finish Falcon – Norheim places Jebjerg nearly perfect, and Kasper repays their work with a good sprint, but Nuyens had a good lead from an early attack and couldn’t be caught
Stage results:
1. Nick Nuyens, Saxo Bank – Tinkoff Bank
2. Michael Reihs, Christina Watches - Onfone
3. Manuel Cardoso, Caja Rural 4. Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – Norheim
9. Kjell Carlström, Falcon – Norheim
Mountain: Jesper Mørkøv
Stage 3
With the biggest mountain in the tour and a steep hill just 3 km from the goal, this is the King stage of the Tour of Britain. The bookmakers have Carlström among the favorites for today.
Once again Jesper Mørkøv win the first mountain sprint, but with a maximum of 32 pts on the last two climbs his jersey is far from secure just yet.
In the front Kreutzfeldt yet again find him in the big break of the day. Nearing the summit of Black Mountain Kreutzfeldt attack and win the sprint securing that the Mountain jersey will be on Falcon-shoulders for another day.
With 18 km to go the front group has a gap of 2’39 to the peloton. Looks like a decision. At this point Tejay Van Garderen is the favorite above all, but with a bit of luck Kreutzfeldt should be able to mix in there in the finish. Tejay attacks early and Daniel is right in his wheel, but loses contact on the flat. Wallays and Van Garderen will decide, but Kreutzfeldt get the 3rd.
Luckily both Wallays and Van Garderen lost a lot of time on the previous stages, so Kreutzfeldt has the GC lead after the King stage!
Stage Results:
1. Jelle Wallays, Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
2. Tejay Van Garderen, BMC Racing Team
3. Daniel Kreutzfeldt, Falcon - Norheim
This race is really going much better than we had expected. Now we will have to find a balance between going for the stage win our sponsor want and securing the overall win. It's going to be five exiting stages the coming days!
Stage 4
Another hilly stage, but today we start in the hills and end on the flat. It starts fairly quiet as the day begins with a climb with portions of more than 22 % not many riders want to risk breaking this early on the stage. Still when a few riders attack Mørkøv goes with them to pick up as many mountain points as possible, but Van Garderen make a surprise attack and gain 4 pts on Mørkøvs jersey. On the second climb no one challenge Mørkøv, who now have a 9 pts lead to Van Garderen.
Back in the peloton Caja Rural and Type 1 are doing all the hard work tearing things apart with both Kreutzfeldt and Carlström in the first group behind the break. Mørkøv pick up yet another KOM-sprint, while the peloton is gaining time fast on the break.
A small hill near the finish surprises the sprinters, and Carlström sees the opportunity and attacks along with Kreutzfeldt. What a day for the team!
Stage results:
1. Kjell Carlström, Falcon - Norheim
2. Jean-Luc Delpech, Bretagne - Schuller
3. Fabian Cancellara, Radioshack - Nissan 4. Daniel Kreutzfeldt, Falcon – Norheim
8. Ole Haavardsholm, Falcon – Norheim
10. Jesper Mørkøv, Falcon – Norheim
Leader: Daniel Kreutzfeldt
Mountain: Jesper Mørkøv
Young rider: Daniel Kreutzfeldt
Now most of the hills are done with and the last four stages is really all about defence for us. That and stage wins of course…
Stage 5
It can hardly be a surprise for anyone to hear that Mørkøv went in the early break to gather a few more points to secure the polkadots. Everything is brought back together, but Jebjerg still haven’t found the winning formula.
Stage results:
1. Michael Reihs, Christina Watches - Onfone
2. Jure Kocjan, Type 1 - Sanofi
3. Manuel Cardoso, Caja Rural 8. Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – Norheim
Leader: Daniel Kreutzfeldt
Mountain: Jesper Mørkøv
Young rider: Daniel Kreutzfeldt
Stage 6
Hopefully this will be another day at the office with an early break, and a bunch sprint in the end.
But no break was allowed and the sprinters teams controlled the race right to the line.
Stage results:
1. Koldo Fernandez, Garmin - Sharp
2. Jure Kocjan, Type 1 - Sanofi
3. Alexia Markov, RusVelo 20. Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – Norheim
Leader: Daniel Kreutzfeldt
Mountain: Jesper Mørkøv
Young rider: Daniel Kreutzfeldt
Stage 7
Another simple stage. Break gets away, but never has a chance. Koldo Fernandez untouchable.
Stage results:
1. Koldo Fernandez, Garmin - Sharp
2. Manuel Cardoso, Caja Rural
3. Michael Reihs, Christina Watches - Onfone 12. Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – Norheim
Leader: Daniel Kreutzfeldt
Mountain: Jesper Mørkøv
Young rider: Daniel Kreutzfeldt
Stage 8
Last stage. 101 km of small ups and downs all day. Lets see if that can mess things up a bit…
The ups and downs made it a chaotic finish with a lot of crashes. But still no one was in the same league as Garmin – Sharp and Fernandez.
Early in the season Falcon – Norheims manager were asked to be in charge of the Danish National Team. For the TT not Falcon – Norheim riders have been selected. The highest hope for a good Nordic result lies on Alex Rasmussen, Edvald Boasson-Hagen and Gustav Erik Larsson.
Alex rides a good WC and has provisional 4th best time when finishing. Shortly after the only Swede in the TT Gustav Larsson crosses 1 second slower than Alex. Edvald prove to be completely out of shape as he crosses the line as provisional 23rd.
With only Cancellara, Wiggins and Martin yet to finish no one have been able to threaten Joost Posthuma’s lead. That would be a very surprising World Champion!
First up: Cancellara. 1 second slower than Posthuma Wiggins: 2’21’’ slower than Posthuma. He really didn't look good today.
But no sensation for the Netherlands: Tony Martin is the best!
Results:
1. Tony Martin
2. Joost Posthuma
3. Fabian Cancellara 8. Alex Rasmussen
9. Gustav Erik Larsson
28. Edvald Boasson-Hagen
Dutch Food Valley Classic 
Yauheni Hutarovich, FDJ - BigMat
Edvald Boasson-Hagen, Sky
Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – Norheim
GP Stad Zottegem 
Francis Mourey, FDJ - BigMat
Daniel Schorn, NetApp
Krzysztof Jezowski, Bank BGZ
Andreas Stauff, Eddy Merckx - Indeland
Rogina (Adria Mobil) and 
Prete (PSK Whirlpool) is formed. 
Radoslav Rogina, Adria Mobil
Kjell Carlström, Falcon – Norheim 
Enrico Franzoï, Miche - Guerciotti
Magnus Bäckstedt, Falcon – Norheim 
Igor Anton, Euskaltel - Euskadi, 2100 pts 
Radioshack – Nissan, 7023 pts 
BMC Racing, 6506 pts
Team Sky, 6446 pts
Manuel Cardoso, Caja Rural
Jure Kocjan, Type 1 - Sanofi
Alexia Markov, RusVelo
