Jakstar: Thanks, the shirt really does look good

Ian Butler: I hope we can live up to your expectations - and I agree in regards to the shirt.

Sutty: Thanks, they've just sent back their first report from Downunder

the_hoyle: Thankks

One thing for the 2013 season...
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The sponsors have no goals as such for the teams first World Tour race, but everyone is determined to get off to a good start.

Favourites:
The Australians are highly motivated for this race. Michael Rogers just won Australian Championships in front of teammate Matthew Goss. Rogers showed good form again in the TT by placing second behind Richie Porte, who will not start TDU. The hilly finishes should fit riders like Fränk Schleck, Kreuziger and Leipheimer.

Stage 1
A flat stage. Hushovd will be our man in a bunch sprint. All others will chase the break.
Swedish champion Christofer Stevenson is first Falcon ever to get in a breakaway on the World Tour, and he gets rewarded with winning the only KOM-sprint of the day, thought that break doesn’t last long.



It took a couple of attempts, but in the end a three-man break was allowed to establish and get a decent gap. McDermott, Tosatto and Longo Borghini. With 30 km to go the trio has a lead of just under 2 minutes, and with four teams working in the peloton the break looks doomed. Tosatto goes solo with 20 km to go as Erik is shown first hand, that he still lacks a bit before reaching that level.

In the end we get the expected bunch sprint, but the Falcons fail to get Hushovd placed perfectly and the Astana train pulls everything apart.

Results:
1. Borut Bozic, Astana
2. Matthew Goss, Orica – Greenedge
3. Francisco José Ventoso, Movistar
5. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
Mountains: Christofer Stevenson
Young: Erik Meiniche McDermott





Stage 2
Another flat stage and another stage with a very hectic start. Again today McDermott finds himself in a three-man break. This time it looks like it might have a chance as the keep a lead of 7 minutes with 70 km to go, but at the 25 km mark Orica – GreenEdge really start putting on the pressure narrowing the lead to only a minute with 15 km to go.
Erik tries his luck alone, but is kept close. Again today Hushovd loses a few positions just before the sprint is starting and though Stevenson tried his best it was too much to get Thor back in a good position.

Results:
1. Matthew Goss, Orica – Greenedge
2. Francisco José Ventoso, Movistar
3. Borut Bozic, Astana
8. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
Mountains: Christofer Stevenson
Young: Erik Meiniche McDermott



Stage 3
Many expect this to be the day the race is decided, so the riders should keep alert and Pelle Clapp is awake right from the start finding his way to the BOTD. With 25 km to go they have just under 3 minutes.
With 5 km to go it seems likely that the one of the breakers will take the stage, but since Clapp lost contact on the hill Carlström is not satisfied. He attacks and gets contact with the group, but has spent too much energy to beat Ferrari in the sprint.

Results:
1. Roberto Ferrari – Liquigas - Cannondale
2. Kjell Carlström, Falcon - STARK
3. Luke Roberts, Saxo Bank – Tinkoff Bank





Provisional Standing:
1. Matthew Goss, Orica – GreenEdge
2. Roberto Ferrari, Liquigas – Cannondale
3. Borut Bozic, Astana
4. Kjell Carlström, Falcon – STARK
8. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK



Mountain jersey: Christofer Stevenson, Falcon – STARK
Points Jersey: Roberto Ferrari, Orica – GreenEdge
Young rider: Michael Matthews, Rabobank
Team: Acqua & Sapone

Carlstrom looking Good

Hushovd doing well in his first race for the team

I told you Hushovd wouldn't be a mistake

TheManxMissile: No problems in my end, but I will convert out of concern for those less fortunate than myself

sutty68: Kjell have really proven important for the team

Ian Butler: Never thought Hushovd would be a mistake. Though I have had my doubts whether the other riders can get points to keep us on the WT. But of to a good start anyway. Especially since Thor actually isn't in quite as good form as I would have liked...

That sums him up Perfectly

Stage 4
A fairly flat stage, so we will try same recipe as the first few stages. Stevenson starts at the back of the peloton, and the rest of the team decide that no break should be allowed to get a real gap before Stevenson were there to fight for his jersey – and so it went. Stevenson came to the KOM-sprint along with Schär, Lastras and Bol and places second on the sprint winning 12 important points for the jersey. Shortly after the sprint Orica GreenEdge put an end to the break. No one dared to challenge them until 20 km later when young McDermott decided it all have got a bit boring just sitting in the peloton.



Unfortunately no one else dared to challenge the Australians, so even though he quickly build a lead of more than one and a half minute, Orica had him under control.
Carlström and Stevenson delivered Hushovd well and Thor paid them back with a 5th place

Results:
1. Tyler Farrar, Garmin - Sharp
2. Alessandro Petacchi, Lampre - ISD
3. Matthew Goss, Orica – Greenedge
5. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
Mountains: Christofer Stevenson



Stage 5
For a long time it looked like Jeppe Lykke Hartvig Nielsen had found his way to the big break, but a lot of riders kept attacking from the peloton thus increasing the speed. And nearly catching the break. After a lot more attacking Jeppe got away with another ten riders. On the last climb Mikel Landa lost his breakaway companions and in spite of a lot of work by Falcon – STARK he just manage to keep the lead to the end.

Results:
1. Mikel Landa, Euskaltel - Euskadi
2. Matthew Goss, Orica – Greenedge
3. Anthony Ravard, AG2R La Mondiale
8. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
Mountains: Christofer Stevenson



Stage 6
A short and flat stage. We will chase the win, but since Stevenson holds the KOM-jersey with the same number of points as Iván Gutiérrez we should do our best to support him in winning that jersey. All day the sprinters teams work hard to keep things together and no break manage to get a decisive lead.
With 10 km to go Carlström put on the pressure on the last small hill and in the following confusion a lot of riders crash in the peloton. Among those Tyler Farrar.
With 8 km to go that leaves Kjell with a gap of 1 minute to the now 46 rider peloton. It is looking good, but with 100 m to go Goss the sprinters catch up with him.

Results:
1. Matthew Goss, Orica – Greenedge
2. Alessandro Petacchi, Lampre - ISD
3. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK



Final Standing:
1. Matthew Goss, Orica – Greenedge
2. Roberto Ferrari, Liquigas - Cannondale
3. Borut Bozic, Astana
4. Kjell Carlström, Falcon - STARK
5. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK


Mountains: Christofer Stevenson, Falcon – STARK
Points: Matthew Goss, Orica – Greenedge
Young rider: Luke Durbridge, Orica – Greenedge
Team: Movistar

A nice result for the team! Hushovd well fifth and the KoM jersey, very nice!

Three more good stage finishes from Hushovd, resulting in a nice 5th on the Overall GC

And Great to see Stevenson bring home the Mountains Jersey

amazing performance in Australia!

Huhovd was getting better and better and good job with the mountain jersey.

Thanks everyone. Nice to know someone is following

This race it mostly warmup for our first goal of the season: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. So we don't have any specific goals, but obviously we will chase the opportunities that may arise.

Stage 1
Hushovd was considered one of the major favorites for this flat stage, but another Norwegian was first to draw the attention as Havard Nybö found his way into the break. In the end the break isn’t allowed to survive and the battle for positioning in the peloton begins with mass crashes as a result in the hectic final phase.
With 5 km to go it is a battle between Euskaltel and Falcon – STARK in the front. Euskaltel got full value for their work, while Hushovd got caught in the positioning unable to get a clean sprint.

Stage Results:
1. Victor Cabedo, Euskaltel - Euskadi
2. Shawne Milne, UnitedHealthcare
3. Laurent Pichon, Sauer - Sojasun
9. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK



Stage 2
In many ways similar to yesterdays stage, though with a couple of decent hills on the way.
No one seems to mind Lars Bak taking the first KOM of the race.
Euskaltel drive a hard bargain in the first part of the race but in the end they let Gunnar Grönlund, Juan Mauricio Soler and four other riders get a gap of 5 minutes with 60 km to go. It still appears the sprinters got it all under control, but then the peloton is starting to losen the grip not gaining any time the next ten km.
With 20 km to go on the last climb of the day Grönlund and Soler try to get away but the rest of the break quickly wheels them in. Grönlund wins the mountain jersey for his trouble though.
18 km left and 1’36’’ between the break and the peloton. With 8 km to go everything is brought back together. Time to get ready for the sprint. Madsen delivers Hushovd a bit further back than could have been wished, but still it turns in to a very close sprint.

Stage Results:
1. Daniel Oss, Efapel - Glassdrive
2. Stefan Van Dijk, Accent Jobs – Willem’s Verandas
3. Liam Holohan, Endura Racing
7. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
Mountain: Gunnar Grönlund



Stage 3
A couple of big hills today, but a downhill finish. The press keep mentioning Hushovd as a potential stage winner, but we’ll see how the race develops on the uphill sections.
On the mountain Euskaltel have put Astarloza, Navarro and Zubeldia to the front to shake things up a bit, and it seems to be working. But not on Bak and Hushovd – at least not until 4 km from the top, when the two start hanging a bit in the back of the group. The peloton cracks on the middle and both riders are in the rear group. They fight hard, but Bak has nothing more to offer. Thor on the other hand just manage to find the resources to get over the top in the 13-rider front group.
Again and again the other riders in the break try to get rid of the Norwegian realizing they can't beat him in a clean sprint. In the final phase Dupont goes on the attack and none of the other rides seem willing to follow him giving him a big gap, so Thor has to go early if he is to have any chance of catching the Frenchman, but too late.

Stage Results:
1. Hubert Dupont, UnitedHealthcare
2. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
3. Yaroslav Popovych, Andalucía





Stage 4
Another tough day, but the uphill sections doesn’t appear as hard as yesterday. Now Thor just has to hang in there again today. Three riders get in a break, but no Falcon riders are with them – they wouldn’t be able to match the others on the hills anyway, so they might as well save their energy for a more important day.
As soon as the uphill part start Euskaltel is back in front putting on the pressure like yesterday. And Hushovd is right in their wheel looking good.
As predicted the big hill of the day was not quite as hard yesterday. That resulted in a very hectic finish as two of the breakers still hadn’t been caught. Hushovd did good to hang in there, but he used too much energy to do much in the sprint.

Stage Results:
1. Aitor Hernández, Orbea Continental
2. Enrico Battaglin, Colnago – CSF Inox
3. Yaroslav Popovych, Andalucía
8. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
Points: Thor Hushovd



Stage 5
Another very hilly stage. Especially Col de Soler about two thirds into the race could prove to be problematic for Hushovd as it is very steep.
Right from the start Dupont starts fighting for his GC-lead. Kind of odd to see the yellow jersey leading the peloton 15 km from the start.

A break got away, but the Falcon’s didn’t have the legs to join them today. After much considering we decided not to help catch the break. If they lasted to goal it would increase Hushovds chance of winning the points jersey, as the biggest points would be removed from his closet rivals. If on the other hand things got brought back together the last couple of days have shown that we need to wear the competition out a bit if we are to beat them on these hilly roads.

As the other days Euskaltel take responsibility and lead the peloton over the mountain. Thor seem very pleased, that they are not pushing too hard uphill today. The slippery wet descents are the real killer today, and the peloton breaks in to pieces fast when going down from Col de Soler.
12 km to go and only downhill left. Hushovd is sitting comfortably in the front group looking strong. And in a downhill sprint no one beats a Hungry Hushovd!



Stage Results:
1. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
2. Julien El Fares, Type 1 - Sanofi
3. Hubert Dupont, UnitedHealthcare



Final standing:
1. Hubert Dupont, UnitedHealthcare
2. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
3. Yaroslav Popovych, Andalucía



Mountain: Leopold König, NetApp
Points: Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
Young rider: Joseph Dombrowski, Type 1 – Sanofi
Team: Euskaltel - Euskadi

Hushovd really getting into shape

I just knew it wouldn't take long for Thor to get his first stage win for the Team
Five top ten finishes in five stages resulting in a second place on the GC

And his first Points jersey for Falcon-STARK

First stage won for Huhovd at falcon. Great Job

Great win with Hushovd!

Time for the non-cobblers participating in Paris – Nice and Tirreno – Adriatico to get a bit of racing in the legs. As it is the first race of the season for most of the riders we expect nothing in terms of results.
Stage 1
A flat stage with an uphill finish. None of our guys made it to the break and we were no where near affecting the finish.

Results:
1. Matteo Rabottini, Farnese Vini – Selle Italia
2. Luca Ascani, Farnese Vini – Selle Italia
3. Joaquím Rodriguez, Katusha
42. Jesper Hansen, Falcon – STARK

Stage 2
A lot larger hills on the course today. Again today the riders made no show of the jersey…

Results:
1. Joaquím Rodriguez, Katusha
2. Simone Pozi, Astana
3. Maciej Paterski, Liquigas - Cannondale
28. Jesper Hansen, Falcon – STARK

Stage 3
Basically same story as the last two days.

Results:
1. Carlos Betancour, Acqua & Sapone
2. Julien Antomarchi, Type 1 - Sanofi
3. Joaquím Rodriguez, Katusha
49. Jesper Hansen, Falcon – STARK

Final standing:
1. Joaquím Rodriguez, Katusha
2. Maciej Paterski, Liquigas - Cannondale
3. Simone Pozi, Astana
21. Jesper Hansen, Falcon – STARK

Mountains: Matteo Rabottini, Farnese Vini – Selle Italia
Points: Joaquím Rodriguez, Katusha
Young rider: Carlos Betancour, Acqua & Sapone
Team: Katusha

Now we should begin to see some decent riding from the riders getting their chance in the early March-tours.

Stage 1
A day for the sprinters. None of our riders were in the break, but that’s OK since everything came down to the expected bunch sprint.

Results:
1. Alessandro Petacchi, Lampre - ISD
2. Andrea Guardini, Farnese Vini – Selle Italia
3. Daniele Bennati, Androni Giacottoli - Venezuela
8. Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – STARK

Stage 2
Another stage flat as a pancake, and the bunch sprint was never in question.

Results:
1. Andrea Guardini, Farnese Vini – Selle Italia
2. Alessandro Petacchi, Lampre - ISD
3. Daniele Bennati, Androni Giacottoli - Venezuela
9. Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – STARK



Stage 3
Yet another 144 completely flat km in the desert. And yet another time it was all up to the Italians.

Results:
1. Andrea Guardini, Farnese Vini – Selle Italia
2. Alessandro Petacchi, Lampre - ISD
3. Daniele Bennati, Androni Giacottoli - Venezuela
11. Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – STARK

Stage 4
First about 145 km of flat terrain, but then 10 km straight up. Time for Jeppe Lykke Hartvig Nielsen and Jesper Hansen to show their talent.

A group with Nilsson went away early, but was caught before the climb began leaving it a head-to-head between the favourites. Jesper Hansen showed great promises on the climb, but in the end he was not fit enough to mix in the top-battle today.

Results:
1. Hubert Dupont, UnitedHealtcare
2. David Moncoutié, Cofidis, le credit en ligne
3. Robinson Chalapud, Colombia - Coldeportes
16. Jesper Hansen, Falcon – STARK



Stage 5 - TT
We haven’t got any top-TT’ers in the squad, so we’ll just see what happens today.
With four of our riders past the first intermediate time on top of a hill we hold places 1-3, but none of the riders were able to keep the same speed on the flat. The most noticeable Nordic rider today was Alexander Wetterhall of Endura Racing, who held provisional best for a long time, finishing 4th. When all riders had finished it became clear that Jesper Hansens 24th was much better than expected as Jesper now holds the Youth Jersey.

Results:
1. Tom Dumoulin, Argos - Shimano
2. Enrico Gasparotto, Astana
3. David Moncoutié, Cofidis, le credit en ligne
24. Jesper Hansen, Falcon – STARK
Young rider: Jesper Hansen



Stage 6
Final stage of the race. There is a small hill at the start, but otherwise completely flat. Our goal for the day is mainly to defend Jesper Hansen’s youth jersey.
Riis covered the break and the Italian sprinters’ teams made sure it came down to a bunch sprint. Except only 40 riders avoided the giant crash in the peloton…

Results:
1. Daniele Bennati, Androni Giacottoli - Venezuela
2. John Degenkolb, Argos - Shimano
3. Andrea Guardini, Farnese Vini – Selle Italia
6. Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – STARK



Final Standing:
1. Hubert Dupont, UnitedHealtcare
2. Daniele Pietropolli, Lampre - ISD
3. Emanuele Sella, Androni Giacottoli - Venezuela
5. Jesper Hansen, Falcon – STARK

Mountains: Hubert Dupont, UnitedHealthcare
Points: Andrea Guardini, Farnese Vini – Selle Italia
Young Rider: Jesper Hansen, Falcon – STARK
Team: Cofidis, le crédit en ligne