Stage 5, the Kinglake stage, meant all out on attacking Froome. First up was Jack Haig, who went into the breakaway for Orica. Him, van der Lijke and Earle survived from an initial 9 man group to another one, which merged with the first. Oram, Meyer, Hindley, Howson and Brutt managed to jump across.
Sky, already down to 3 until half of the race, then lost Sebastian Henao, who had to counter a first attack of Power. With the group of 9 within half a minute of reach Robert Power's second attack killed the colombian, and also Elissonde couldn't respond really. Also the front group splittered on the penultimate climb, leaving Brutt, Meyer and Oram down the road. Elissonde tried his best, but on top of the climb the group was up the road by one minute again, purely dragged by Howson and Earle.
Soon enough we had another attack, and it was Bayly on the attack, launched by a rather strong Kerrison. And the powerhouse alone brought Bayly up to the first group, while the main helpers dropped back. Elissonde saved the disadvantage of the peloton to around 1'45, when the last climb started.
There Bayly ripped the race apart at front, only Haig and Hindley able to follow while surprisingly Earle struggled and also van der Lijke was gone. Froome took on the race himself, dropping any guys on the road. Pretty early also Robert Power, who was on a horrible day, and also the 2nd overall Shushemoin. Only Morton, Chaves, Storer and Zenovich able to follow, especially the young Kiwi a real surprise up here. Though the later two also blew up on the climb. While Froome reduced his disadvanatage down to one minute with 4 to go it did look like this is one for the break.
Then Chaves attacked Froome, and Haig dropped back to help him. At the front now only Bayly and Hindley left, still working well together. Morton stayed at Froomes wheel, eventhough the Brit was fading. With 2 kilometers left he also went attacking the yellow jersey though. But the race went on at the front. Haig pulling Chaves until 1.5, when the small Colombian gritted his teeth and marched towards the first. But there it was all about Hindley and Bayly. It might have been an agreement, but Bayly didn't even try to sprint but gave the victory to Jai Hindley. Third for Chaves, 21 seconds down in front of Haig (+44). Then Morton (+49), and Froome far down (+1'17).
The GC belonged to Cam Bayly after this stage, in front of Esteban CHaves and Chris Froome. The first time the Kenyan looked attackable for a long time, but mostly due to a much weaker support then he is used to. Like this a great overall victory for Cameron Bayly and IsoWhey, who looks like one of the strongest riders in the Continental Circuit currently.
Stage 3 at the Volta Valenciana was about to end in a mass sprint, when suddenly a big attack by Bialoblocki came. This one was turned down by Cofidis, but they couldn't block the attempt by Sergey Firsanov anymore. The russian took a big win, celebrating ahead of the bunch. In the peloton it was Coquard who could only make it second ahead of Bouhanni. Kreder and Cort on minor places.
Nairo Quintana one of the big ones who strikes first at the Valenciana. His team launched him perfectly on the final climb, where Amador and Moreno dictated the pace. Andrey, the yellow jersey, really reduced the group, until 2 kilometers to go. No attacks from anybody as his pace was two high. Only 8 guys left in the group even, when Quintana took over with 2 kilometers to go. Early victims already the Yates brothers, Pinot and Kruijswijk as well as also the Sky riders. Quintana steadily rode further, dropping more riders in the process: Pello Bilbao and Wouter Poels, then also the surprisingly strong Benat Txoperena.
With 5 left also Zakarin suffered under the pace and lost contact, same for Fuglsang, who is already surprisingly good in form. When de la Cruz had to let go on the final 500 meters only one guy was left, that the Colombian couldn't really drop: Oscar Pujol of Team UKYO. Could the CT guy beat the superstar? Yes indeed, the Oldie can! Oscar Pujol winning the major stage. Second for de la Cruz, who came strong on the final meters and did beat the colombian as well, who still came in on the podium.
Spoiler
1. Pujol
2. de la Cruz
3. Quintana
4. Fuglsang
5. Txoperena
6. Zakarin
7. Bilbao
8. Poels
9. Anton
10. Vinhas
GC
1. Quintana
2. de la Cruz
3. Zakarin
4. Poels
5. Fuglsang
6. Amador
7. Bilbao
8. Roglic
9. de la Parte
10. Grosschartner
Bryan Coquard was the dominating factor in the sprints so far, only Bouhanni looked so far able to contend him. But could they hold off the breakaway in the city of Valencia? Well, the breakaway looked strong with Oliver Naesen, Bohli, Campenaerts and Mullen. Cofidis and Direct Energie were too strong for those, also a late attack by Cort Nielsen was turned down. But then it was time for Stybar to attack, and Tony Martin with him. The perfect duo to attack with their power and technique. One man with them, Gediminias Bagdonas.
The Lithuanian though missed most of his turns, but at then end it was far too much. Almost 20 seconds they had on the peloton, which was never about to see them on the final 2 kilometers. With the two strong menwatching each other Bagdonas tried his luck with 200 to go, and his move succeeded. Stybar sprinted for second, Martin only third. In behind Bouhanni beating Coquard ahead of Porsev and Wippert.
The third stage was a lot hillier than the previous ones, so another duel of the giants of sprints was no expected. Indeed, many sprinters, like Boeckmans, McLay, and Jans, dropped in this process. But both Demare and Kristoff made it into the final group in the very decimized group. Still, Demare had Vichot to control the race and played smart to share with Katusha. Like this FDJ controlled the early stages, and Katusha the later ones with first Taaramae and then Pollitt on the flatter sections. The young classicsman really turned down any attack incoming, so that Würtz Schmidt lead the peloton on the final kilometer.
There Gallopin was the first guy to take action with an early attack, but Calmejane marked him. A move by Combaud wasn't strong enough to break Würtz. The next move, coming from Backaert, found a strong reaction by Kristoff, who then started a long and tyring sprint. Yellow jersey Demare in his wheel waited a little longer, but at the end of the day the road was slightly too long for Kristoff. Within the final 50 meters Demare came round him and could raise a party for FDJ. Kristoff still second, third for Cristophe Laporte.
Another bumpy stage, Kristoff vs. Demare for the fourth time? Yes indeed! From the breakaway though Valentin Baillefard (Roth) took over the mountains jersey before the break was caught on the final 8 kilometers.
There again Kristoffs train was stronger with the normal leadouts gone again. Again Kristoff sprinted from the wheel of Würtz, but this time Demare couldn't overtake him. With pure fighting spirit Kristoff threw his bike over the line to win it and making it a 2:2 this time. Maxime Vantomme making it a nice podium for WB ahead of the closing TT.
The Time Trial in Alès should be the decicive one. Can Demare hold on to his lead, or will the time triallists with a good climb take it? The two sprinters have 32 seconds over the specialists, which normally shouldn't be enough.
The strongest rider of the guys that already lost sgnificant time was Arnold Jeanesson, but the first really intersting time came from Politt. He was even faster than his teammate Würtz; the two of us look very decent to make this a great race for Katusha. Interestingly Latour was far off, same for dark horses Pardini and Backaert. Instead it was Fumeaux, stealing himself in between the two Katusha guys. Faster than the couple though Lilian Calmejane, who was one of the big three of the french favourites (Latour not up to it though). The other one, Tony Gallopin, with a good but not great time trial in provisional 4th. But then Kristoff came. 8th at the final, which meant in time to take over the provisional GC lead! He even was the second fastest on the first passage, right between Politt and Würtz. Katushas Canyon TT bikes seem to do miracles on the flat!
Now to the GC decision, on which Demare was not really up. Loosing 1'15 he really suffered, but at least managed to stay in the Top 10 of the overall standings.
On the roads all the way from San Vincenzo to Donoratico it has been a fight between punchy sprinters and puncheurs. Either way, the big favourite on the startlist was #1 Diego Ulissi (UAE).
His team, fully italian, controlled most of the racing. That included catching the breakaway of 4, contending Lizde (Italy), Fiek (0711), Ficara (Amore) & Samparisi (d'Amico). All together as a group of 30 they did head into the final climb of the day, where Marcato and Petili were leftover to control. The first attacks though came from the AUstrian coorperation of Brkic and Zoidl, who really set things under pressure. As then Ulissi went himself, only a small number of guys were able to follow: Zardini, Lienhard and Gazzara.
Over the climb they went on, only overtaking and dropping the Austrians as well as Lienhard. Gazzara stayed at the back, while Ulissi and Zardini shared well on the descent. In behind Nippo really pulling it only 15 seconds back for Edward Grosu, with Bagioli and Filosi still there. Also Konstantin Klimiankou pulling, and all together they were close to 6 seconds on the final 3 kilometers! There it was Filippo Pozzato jumping across and making it up to Ulissi and Zardini (and still Gazzara). This move though troubled the group even more, cause the other 3 didn't want to coorperat with Pippo. Like this strong Baglioli brought all together on the final straight.
There it was Mathias Krizek who launched an attack with 600 to go, and nobody ready to follow at first. But then it was Marcato, again burying himself for Ulissi, to catch him at 200 and launch Diego. But he paid the price for the attacking effort, having to see Edward Grosu streamiung past him. On his wheel Francesco Gavazzi, who just wasn't able to come around him.
That meant that the Romanian Grosu stealt the victory of the hands of the Italian, that completed the podium with Gavazzi and Wackermann. 4th for Stanislau Bazhkou ahead of Gazzara in 5th and Ulissi in 6th.
Vuelta Ciclista a la Region de Murcia 'Costa Calida' (1.1)
All eyes on Alejandro Valverde, who is obviously the big favourite on a hilly 1-day race in Spain. His team Movistar controlled the first half of the race until the huge climb started. There it's just a shootout race: First Arcas, Sütterlin and Pedrero paced it up, then Gorka and Soler took over. As a result of that the group was highlly reduced already after the first mountain checkpoint, then Ruben Fernandez did the job for Valverde. Only Konrad, Buchmann, Navarro, Ion Izagirre and Belda were up to the challenge, but on a further acceleration only Ion and Valverde were together anymore. The duo worked well together, eventhough the Bora duo could come back on the descent with Fernandez in their wheel.
This meant 5 men heading towards Murcia, far before the next groups which were all over the place. Buchmann and Fernandez doing the major work until 4 to go, when they were 2'30 ahead still. Nobody willing to attack until the final 800 to go, where Konrad made his move.
Valverde up to the chase, with Izagirre in his wheel. He was caught with 400 to go, and then it was about timing. Valverde looked strong, but Izagirre was stronger. A first victory for the Bahrain rider. Second for Valverde, third for Konrad. Buchmann able to finish fourth ahead of Ruben Fernandez. Spilak in 6th winning the sprint of the next group.
You don't often sprint in Spain, but today was a day looking like it. Although many racers already dropped on the parcour, still it was a reasonably big group joining the final kilometers. Gorka Izagirre and Ion Irisarri tried their moves late, but at the end it was Katusha leading on the straight.
Spilak and Belkov brought Restrepo in position, who lead it out for Planckaert. The Belgian could wait until 150, then he took his attempt. Coquard, the biggest name left in the group, far down as well as Mezgec & Cort, Kreder, Capiot and the whole team Lotto-Soudal, so the man on Planckaerts wheel was Dylan Page. But instead Maikin came right big time, outpacing the belgian and winning the race. Planckaert second, Tratnik third from way behind for CCC Sprandi. Barbero and Page on the minor places.
Ulissi to make it his first win in the second Italian hill spring classic? His team, UAE, controlled the race together with team Italy. The full-italian breakaway was never going to win, and on the final circuit it was the Slovenian duo of Polanc and Mohoric to do the damage. On the final climb then Ulissi made his move out of a group of around 25, but couldn't shake of Felline who is much faster than him.
With this in mind the couple slowed down again, and Androni and Bardiani brought everything back together for their fast men. On the line then it was Felline leading out Trentin, with Wackermann in his wheel. The fastest man for a short time seemed to be Gaffurini, but the Italian faded big time on the final meters. Instead, Aristi had his showing and came up strong. But the real deal came up from Gavazzis wheel and was Lilian Calmejane. His problem was that Diego Ulissi was slightly faster.
Not fast enough though to beat Matteo Trentin, who was perfectly launched and celebrated a big win ahead of Ulissi and Calmejane. Another good race for both Wackermann and Aristi following. On another wave of his good looking in Etruschi Baglioli in 7th.
Stage 1 sees a sprinters stage for us, and the man to beat could well be Alexander Kristoff. Several fast men on the starlist though, and especially Boonen had a strong team here. Both Katusha and Quick Step as well as BMC really drained a fast pace, so that a lot of GC men already had to give up their hopes in the wind. Same went for a couple of sprinters, such as Enger, Mareczko, Kump or Sbaragli. Going onto the finishing line it all looked good for Boonen to have the strongest leadout, when at the end Drucker came round him with van Avermaet in his wheel.
Only 30 riders going onto the finishing line together, with BMC leading. But van Avermaet was too early and lacking the strength in these days, as from his wheel van Lerberghe came round. But still well too early as the contenders must have underestimated the headwind. Instead, it was Kristoff waiting for a long time which seemed to be perfect. Boonen wasn't able to come round from third position, and from Kristoffs wheel Walscheid could only just jump away. Far enough from beating the Norwegian though, who takes stage 1 of the Tour of Oman. Second for Max Walscheid, third for Kenny Dehaes.
A hilly day. Can Kristoff keep his leaders jersey? The two hilly waves will clearly hurt him.
And indeed. Katusha controlled the race until the Al Jissah climb. There it was only Kusnetzov left, but instead Lutsenko took over for Aru. Then it was Bardet letting it fly. Aru on the move able to follow with his teammate Fuglsang, also de la Cruz and Kudus with him. This group came over the climb together, 15 seconds in behind some guys including Kristoff and Colbrelli.
They would reduce their disadvantage over the descent to 8 seconds, but couldn't come close enough. At the front was Fuglsang leading out Aru, kind of strange given the fact that he is the better sprinter. Bardet went outside and sprinting faster, taking advantage of the leadout. Aru couldn't come up strong enough though, instead he couldn't even overtake Jakob. It was up to de la Cruz to challenge Bardet, and he really did so. But at the end it's a win for the Frenchman, who also seem to have a faible for these tough sprints.
In the group behind Kristoff the fastest, then Colbrelli and Jungels.
Spoiler
1. Bardet
2. de la Cruz
3. Fuglsang
4. Aru
5. Kudus
6. Kristoff +8
7. Colbrelli
8. Jungels
9. S.K. Andersen
10. van Avermaet
A first stage perfectly suited for Alejandro Valverde. On the final climb of the day it was Anacona that took him up until Sky with their numbers isolated the Spaniard. Nieve really pulled down the hammer for Landa and Rosa to break several riders. However, over the top still some riders together:
On the descent then Izagirre with Wellens on a move that was turned down by Rosa. But Cink really caught Sky by surprise and opened up a 10 seconds gap until the end of the descent. Sky didn't take it up properly then, which was in favour of the Czech. With 1.5 to go the group the reach back to him. Attacks by Pinot and Rolland did lead to nothing, so that it was a final group sprint.
There it was sky leading it out for Rosa, Izagirre in the right wheel of Valverde. These three would make up for the first places together with Barguil, who really came strong. Only Valverde to match his speed, and indeed the Spaniard once again was too strong in a small bunch sprint. Second for Barguil, third for Rosa
Spoiler
1. Valverde
2. Barguil
3. Rosa
4. Izagirre
5. Wellens
6. Uran
7. Pinot
8. Pardilla
9. Contador
10. Navarro
The first stage clearly one for the sprinters. Some of the best are here, including Gaviria, Cavendish, Greipel, Bouhanni, Demare, Degenkolb and Groenewegen.
The strongest leadout here though was brought by QuickStep Floors, bringing on Gaviria. In his wheel Greipel and Groenewegen. Richeze and Trentin brought the rather successful San Juan sprinter up, but he wasn't fully up to the challenge. Greipel was faster, so was also Greoenewegen. But in the end the Gorilla in the perfect position as he often is in the early sprints. Second for Groenewegen, third for Gaviria. Cavendish only 4th as he wasn't quite up to the speed, similarly for Degenkolb. The frenchmen with a disappointing result outside the Top 10.
Stage 3 saw a puncheurs stage determining the first GC hopes. Kristoff did a good job of hanging on, but he wasn't strong enough on the final ramp. Instead several riders passed him, in first instance Bardet. Though Fuglsang was the guy to pull once again, and he did a tremendous job to bring on Aru. The italian didn't have the punch to win the stage though, this was on offer for Giovanni Visconti. The Bahrain man was the fastest of a decently big group ahead of Hermans and de la Cruz.
Stage 4 then was one for the sprinters again. Well, not exactly sprinters, as there was a big move by Marcato and one by Hermans to attack the sprinters on the climbs. Katusha held all together though, which lead into a solid win for ALex Kristoff, beating Colbrelli and Kump.
Up next was the Green Mountain one deciding the GC. Again Fuglsang and Frank the powerhouses, until Aru let it fly. Debesay though with a strong move to pull him back for Kudus, and the african really did some damage. Only Bardet, Aru and de la Cruz able to follow this alongside a surprisingly strong Arredondo. Also Diaz in the wheels, when first de la Cruz had to leade it. When Kudus attacked only Arredondo and Aru able to follow. Then the colombian swept away, only Aru and Kudus together on the final kilometer. There they worked well together, but at the top it was Merhawi Kudus being the strongest here. Aru in second, and Diaz in third at s.t. with Arredondo. 5th for Bardet ahead of Debesay and another surprise in Ilia Koshevoy.
The final stage then was back to normal business, a day for the sprinters. Kristoff has been dominant so far, but he was taken by surprise as Modolo got a great leadout by Kump and was able to leave it late. In a battle of Italians Sbaragli was close to him, but it was Modolo winning. Third for Kristoff ahead of Grosu, Walscheid, Mareczko, Kump and Colbrelli.
Spoiler
1. Kudus
2. Aru
3. Bardet
4. de la Cruz
5. Diaz
6. Arredondo
7. Debesay
8. Taaramae
9. Koshevoy
10. Grmay
Stage 2: The perfect one to determine the GC before the TT. Sky tried their best and were all out for Landa, and doing so they reduced the bunch radically. When Rosa was done it was 4 spaniards against 2 french. It turned out that Bertie was the strongest of those, leaving Valverde and Landa on the road for minor places. Then Barguil, Pinot and Ion up following ahead of a small group in behind containing Nieve, Reichenbach, Rolland, and Pardilla.
Stage 3: GCs are made in chronos, but here it wasn't the case. The fastest man of the day was Brändle, beating Kiriyenka and Vorobyev. Ludvigsson and Campenaerts on minor places ahead of the first GC guy: Ion Izagirre. The basque climbed on the podium of this race with that performance, being now second behind Bertie. Valverde in third, slightly ahead of Thibaut.
Stage 4: Bryan Coquard vs. them all was the prediction, and Direct Energie was strong enough to control the break. Petit really was contested by the Gazprom train that brought Roman Maikin up there. The Russian sprinted from the perfect position, and the guy coming round him surprisingly was Cycling Academy rider Mikhel Räim. He wasn't strong enough to win though, but instead good enough to hold off Hofland and Coquard, who came from a long way back, for second. Minor ones for Farazijn, Garcia Cortina, Paterski and Lopez
Stage 5: Should've been the second sprint stage, was completely different. 20 kilometers before the finishing line in a steep section it was young Novak setting up an attack by Ion, that was immediately followed by Valverde and Wellens. Also in the move from a former attempt also Cink and Großschartner, Rosa managed to bridge over with Paterski in his wheel and also Reichenbach and Uran. Around 15 seconds were between the groups after the small inclimb, but then Contador suffered his weak team and only had Felline left for him. Also Coquard without helpers left. Instead the group, in which Novak, Großschartner and Cink did the major work for their captains, pulled away up to 35 seconds.
One by one the helpers then fell away, and Giant-Sunweb joined the chase in behind, but it was still enough coorperation between the big guns of Valverde, Rosa, Reichenbach, Uran and Izagirre to pull away. They reached the final kilometer 40 seconds clear, where it was then Paterski to launch an attack. Only Wellens able to follow, as those 2 haven't had to do work yet. Batteling for the stage win it was Maciej Paterski who could win the sprint of two against Wellens. Valverde in third managing to strike out for a tiny gap, and the three seconds indeed made him winning the GC over Ion.
Another big one for Valverde, who can't stop winning this race even when he looks deadbeaten. Second for Ion, third stays at Contador.
Spoiler
1. Valverde
2. Izagirre
3. Contador
4. Pinot
5. Uran
6. Reichenbach
7. Landa
8. Barguil
9. Rosa
10. Rolland
Stage 2: A first glance of how the GC might look like. A first big move by Vinhas and Brandao was sucked off, then it was mostly Katusha pacing. The big move came from Stybar, pulling it up for Dan Martin. Only Machado, Roglic, Costa and Antunes able to follow the fast kick. Then it was Antunes letting it fly, but the portuguese couldn't shake off Martin. Instead he was left behind by the duo of Martin and Costa batteling for the stage win. That one was for Rui Costa, who could celebrate an early victory in home regions.
Stage 3: The TT up and early some strong times by the Movistar Duo Castroviejo and Oliveira. Of the real favourites though Tony Martin was the fastest, giving him third overall. Roglic, 6th of the day, now in the GC lead ahead of Costa and the German. With Machado and Spilak then 2 more Katusha guys following.
The victory of the day though belongs to Nelson Oliveira, ahead of Martin and Castroviejo. Following up Würtz, a rather strong Boasson Hagen and Roglic.
Stage 4: This should be have well been one for the sprinters, but at the end of a very fast stage not too many guys were left in the peloton. Jose Goncalves took the opportunity and attacked successfully from a thinned out peloton. That powerful attempt was successful and did really hurt the sprinters, as they missed a big opportunity. Gaviria in second ahead of Degenkolb, Demare and Greipel.
Stage 5: The queen stage. QuickStep again pacing it with Stybar, 6th overall, for Dan Martin, who then really continued. His strong connection with Costa allowed the couple another go. This time though they had a companion in RUben Guerreiro. Roglic, lost without a team, tried to limit the damage, but it wasn't enough to keep the GC. Instead, the trio in front batttled out the winner. Ruben Guerreiro took the stage, Dan Martin another second and Rui Costa third and the GC. Two Spaniards in behind - Garcia de Mateos and Roson - and then another portuguese couple in Antunes and Vilela. The next group was lead by Machado, limitting his losses together with Spilak, Roglic, Foliforov, Herklotz, Bilbao, Benoot and Nocentini.
The GC was one for Costa here, he takes it ahead of Dan Martin. 3rd for Roglic, 4th for Guerreiro, and fifth for the first of many Katushas in Machado.
Spoiler
1. Costa
2. Dan Martin
3. Roglic
4. Guerreiro
5. Machado
6. Spilak
7. Benoot
8. Garcia de Mateos
9. Antunes
10. T. Martin
11. Vilela
12. Stybar
13. Foliforov
14. Kwiatkowski
15. Boasson Hagen
19/02/2017
Tour Cycliste International du Haut Var-matin (2.1)
A 2-day weekend affair in france saw two stages for the puncheurs.
Stage 1: The first one lead to a reduced bunch sprint that Cofidis and FDJ tried to set up for their men. Simon got the perfect leadout, but from his wheel it was Arthur Vichot that was that little bit faster. The frenchman won it ahead of Julien Simon and Maxime Vantomme, minor places for Gavazzi and Jaun.
Stage 2: Here the race was quite selective, but similar to the former stage Vichot survived this one with Molard on his side. Though Direct Energie and Fortuneo constantly attacked him. A move by Voeckler and Jeannesson looked really good. But with the last of his abilities Molard pulled him back. Latour with a move then, which was countered by Bouet. The frenchmen with a strong move, dropping Latour and winning both stage and the race! The others finished in a bunch sprint seconds after him. Vichot there again the fastest, stronger than Calmejane (3rd), Finetto, Simon and Fumeaux.
A hilly race with a flat finish. Similar to last year a strong group of around 10 riders made their move on the tougher part of the race and never seen again:
For quite a long time Sangemini and Hrinkow tried to bring those back, but too many strong teams had a guy upfront. At the end the group did loose some guys on the last climb, where Vorganov paced it up for Bazhkou. Zoidl, Golcer, Carboni and Bazhkou survived, and raced together until the final sprint. There indeed the Belorussian was the strongest, beating Golcer and Carboni ahead of the unlucky 4th Zoidl.
