I've been training a lot and so I have been quiet for a while now. As you know, we just left the National Championships behind us. The team is taking me to Mallorca in a few days for some intensive training, so I have a fairly light racing schedule in my first year, which I don't mind, since racing takes a lot of energy out of me.
Now after the National Championships, I'll be focusing on the second half of the season, trying to peak for the Trtittico Lombardia and (if I'm selected) Il Lombardia. Trittico Lombardia are three seperate races in my home region Lombardia and include: Coppa Agostoni, Coppa Bernocchi and my home race Tre Valli Varesine.
National Championships
The National Championships were kind of a disaster for our team. In the time trial, we had absolute favorite Malori but also someone like myself able to take the victory. To be honest, we really counted on the win here. Instead, we topped the 2nd, 3rd and 4th time, the jersey eluding us.
For me it was a great result, a fourth place on my first championships. But I understand the team came here to win, so it's unfortunate we weren't able to do that.
In the road race, I was set back about 2/3 from the race. With Cunego still in the lead group and me having good legs, I went looking for the head of the race myself, resulting in a mad and energy-sapping 15 km chase. I did catch up, but neither myself nor Cunego had the legs for the real finale, on a very hilly profile. We finished 25th and 26th.
However, there was a small silver lining, but I'll get to that later.
NC - TT
1
Dario Cataldo
Astana Pro Team
1h26'20
2
Adriano Malori
Cattelan Italia
+ 1'26
3
Luca Fassoli
Cattelan Italia
+ 1'50
4
Antonio Andolini
Cattelan Italia
+ 2'09
5
Daniel Oss
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'12
6
Davide Formolo
Team Cannondale - Garmin
+ 2'34
7
Manuele Boaro
Tinkoff-Saxo
+ 2'43
8
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'45
9
Filippo Pozzato
Lampre-Merida
+ 2'48
10
Diego Rosa
Astana Pro Team
+ 3'14
NC - RR
1
Domenico Pozzovivo
Ag2r La Mondiale
6h00'34
2
Diego Ulissi
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
3
Manuele Boaro
Tinkoff-Saxo
+ 1'18
4
Giampaolo Caruso
Team Katusha
s.t.
5
Rinaldo Nocentini
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
6
Daniel Oss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
7
Fabio Felline
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
8
Enrico Battaglin
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
9
Enrico Gasparotto
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
10
Marco Marcato
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
(...)
26
Antonio Andolini
Cattelan Italia
+6'40
Spoiler
11
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
12
Davide Formolo
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
13
Enrico Barbin
Bardiani CSF
+ 3'13
14
Gianluca Brambilla
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
15
Franco Pellizotti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
16
Moreno Moser
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
17
Francesco Gavazzi
Southeast
+ 5'14
18
Fabio Sabatini
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
19
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
20
Damiano Caruso
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
21
Michele Scarponi
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
22
Davide Cimolai
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
23
Francesco Manuel Bongiorno
Bardiani CSF
+ 6'40
24
Davide Malacarne
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
25
Damiano Cunego
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
26
Antonio Andolini
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
27
Daniele Bennati
Tinkoff-Saxo
+ 8'08
28
Filippo Pozzato
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
29
Davide Rebellin
CCC Sprandi Polkowice
s.t.
30
Dario Cataldo
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
31
Manuel Senni
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
32
Ivan Basso
Tinkoff-Saxo
s.t.
33
Giacomo Nizzolo
Trek Factory Racing
+ 9'56
34
Marco Canola
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
35
Elia Viviani
Team Sky
s.t.
36
Matteo Trentin
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
37
Niccolo Bonifazio
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
38
Manuel Belletti
Southeast
s.t.
39
Luca Paolini
Team Katusha
s.t.
40
Mattia Cattaneo
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
41
Daniele Ratto
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
42
Luca Chirico
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
43
Alan Marangoni
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
44
Stefano Pirazzi
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
45
Paolo Ciavatta
D’Amico - Bottecchia
s.t.
46
Simone Stortoni
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
47
Adriano Malori
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
48
Simone Antonini
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
49
Diego Rosa
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
50
Paolo Tiralongo
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
51
Valerio Conti
Lampre-Merida
+ 10'59
52
Matteo Busato
Southeast
+ 12'00
53
Christian Delle Stelle
CCC Sprandi Polkowice
+ 12'42
54
Manuele Mori
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
55
Stefano Nardelli
Team Unieuro Wilier Trevigiani
s.t.
56
Matteo Montaguti
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
57
Mirko Selvaggi
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
58
Valerio Agnoli
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
59
Luca Wackermann
Southeast
+ 13'28
60
Daniele Colli
NIPPO - Vini Fantini
s.t.
61
Fabio Chinello
Team Unieuro Wilier Trevigiani
s.t.
62
Eugenio Alafaci
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
63
Oscar Gatto
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
64
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
65
Davide Appollonio
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
66
Davide Vigano
Team Idea 2010 ASD
s.t.
67
Matteo Spreafico
Team Idea 2010 ASD
s.t.
68
Federico Zurlo
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
69
Alessandro Malaguti
NIPPO - Vini Fantini
s.t.
70
Giorgio Bocchiola
D’Amico - Bottecchia
s.t.
71
Gianfranco Zilioli
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
72
Gianni Moscon
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
73
Edoardo Zardini
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
74
Marco Tizza
Team Idea 2010 ASD
s.t.
75
Giorgio Cecchinel
Southeast
+ 14'35
76
Matteo Pelucchi
IAM Cycling
s.t.
77
Jacopo Guarnieri
Team Katusha
s.t.
78
Marco Frapporti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
79
Nicola Boem
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
80
Sacha Modolo
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
81
Francesco Reda
Team Idea 2010 ASD
s.t.
82
Fabio Taborre
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
83
Pier Andrea Gaudio Pucci
Cattelan Italia
+ 15'30
84
Marco Coledan
Trek Factory Racing
+ 20'39
85
Silvio Giorni
D’Amico - Bottecchia
s.t.
86
Andrea Piechele
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
87
Cesare Benedetti
Bora - Argon 18
s.t.
88
Alberto Bettiol
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
89
Rino Gasparrini
Team Unieuro Wilier Trevigiani
s.t.
90
Davide Villella
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
91
Matteo Tosatto
Tinkoff-Saxo
+ 21'12
92
Andrea Fedi
Southeast
s.t.
93
Fabio Aru
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
94
Riccardo Stacchiotti
NIPPO - Vini Fantini
+ 21'51
95
Luca Fassoli
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
96
Davide Ballerini
Team Unieuro Wilier Trevigiani
s.t.
97
Alessandro Bazzana
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
98
Pierpaolo De Negri
NIPPO - Vini Fantini
s.t.
99
Giuseppe Fonzi
Southeast
+ 23'37
100
Marco Zamparella
Amore & Vita - Selle SMP
s.t.
101
Antonio Nibali
NIPPO - Vini Fantini
s.t.
102
Mattia Gavazzi
Amore & Vita - Selle SMP
s.t.
103
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
104
Eugenio Bani
Amore & Vita - Selle SMP
s.t.
105
Marco Tecchio
Team Unieuro Wilier Trevigiani
s.t.
106
Davide Frattini
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
107
Francesco Baldi
D’Amico - Bottecchia
+ 25'06
108
Rino Zampilli
Amore & Vita - Selle SMP
s.t.
109
Alessandro Bisolti
NIPPO - Vini Fantini
s.t.
110
Lorenzo Rota
Team Unieuro Wilier Trevigiani
s.t.
111
Salvatore Puccio
Team Sky
+ 28'29
112
Antonino Parrinello
D’Amico - Bottecchia
s.t.
113
Simone Petilli
Team Unieuro Wilier Trevigiani
s.t.
114
Gabriele Campello
D’Amico - Bottecchia
+ 29'11
115
Adriano Brogi
D’Amico - Bottecchia
s.t.
116
Giovanni Carboni
Team Unieuro Wilier Trevigiani
+ 30'41
117
Matteo Malucelli
Team Idea 2010 ASD
s.t.
118
Alessandro Pettiti
Team Idea 2010 ASD
s.t.
119
Paolo Lunardon
Amore & Vita - Selle SMP
+ 31'57
120
Luca Cappelli
Team Idea 2010 ASD
+ 33'28
121
Liam Bertazzo
Southeast
s.t.
122
Iuri Filosi
NIPPO - Vini Fantini
+ 35'47
123
Mirko Torta
Team Idea 2010 ASD
s.t.
124
Nicola Poletti
D’Amico - Bottecchia
s.t.
Giro d'Italia
Obviously, this means the Giro also has come to an end a while back. Without our top sprinters, a stage win eluded us. De Marchi came close, with a fourth place after being in an attack in the mountains. Malori came even closer, finishing 2nd in the time trial. We had expected more of this Giro and this shows that, despite our ambitions, we're not yet ready for WT so we're doing the right thing in staying at least another year in PCT to build strength. If we want to become an Italian power, we must be patient.
Final Classification
1
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
89h12'17
2
Richie Porte
Team Sky
+ 2'25
3
Alberto Contador
Tinkoff-Saxo
+ 2'32
4
Rigoberto Uran
Etixx - Quick-step
+ 3'27
5
Mikel Landa
Astana Pro Team
+ 4'13
6
Fabio Aru
Astana Pro Team
+ 5'15
7
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
+ 6'44
8
Domenico Pozzovivo
Ag2r La Mondiale
+ 7'11
9
Leopold König
Team Sky
+ 8'58
10
Roman Kreuziger
Tinkoff-Saxo
+ 13'12
Spoiler
11
Wilco Kelderman
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
+ 13'44
12
Ilnur Zakarin
Team Katusha
+ 13'52
13
Esteban Cháves
Orica-GreenEDGE
+ 14'26
14
Dario Cataldo
Astana Pro Team
+ 15'09
15
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
+ 16'27
16
Steven Kruijswijk
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
+ 16'45
17
Damiano Caruso
BMC Racing Team
+ 17'17
18
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ
+ 17'39
19
Rubén Plaza
Lampre-Merida
+ 18'44
20
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre-Merida
+ 19'05
21
Ryder Hesjedal
Team Cannondale - Garmin
+ 19'11
22
Adam Yates
Orica-GreenEDGE
+ 20'18
23
Bart De Clercq
Lotto Soudal
+ 20'47
24
Nicolas Roche
Team Sky
+ 21'06
25
Vasil Kiryienka
Team Sky
+ 21'32
26
Haimar Zubeldia
Trek Factory Racing
+ 22'04
27
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto Soudal
+ 23'58
28
Michael Rogers
Tinkoff-Saxo
+ 25'23
29
Ion Izagirre
Movistar Team
+ 25'28
30
Alessandro De Marchi
Cattelan Italia
+ 27'12
31
Gianluca Brambilla
Etixx - Quick-step
+ 28'45
32
Cameron Meyer
Orica-GreenEDGE
+ 29'02
33
Ivan Basso
Tinkoff-Saxo
+ 29'48
34
Sergey Chernetckii
Team Katusha
+ 30'48
35
Franco Pellizotti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 31'54
36
Ben Gastauer
Ag2r La Mondiale
+ 34'08
37
Carlos Alberto Betancur
Movistar Team
+ 34'21
38
Matthew Busche
Trek Factory Racing
+ 34'48
39
Pieter Serry
Etixx - Quick-step
+ 35'08
40
Jesus Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 36'07
41
Karel Hnik
Cattelan Italia
+ 37'33
42
Francesco Manuel Bongiorno
Bardiani CSF
+ 38'14
43
Christophe Riblon
Ag2r La Mondiale
+ 38'31
44
Maxime Bouet
Etixx - Quick-step
+ 39'07
45
Simon Geschke
Team Giant-Alpecin
+ 39'12
46
Peter Kennaugh
Team Sky
+ 40'00
47
Jérôme Coppel
IAM Cycling
+ 40'35
48
Marcel Wyss
IAM Cycling
+ 40'50
49
Damiano Cunego
Cattelan Italia
+ 41'21
50
Stefan Denifl
IAM Cycling
+ 41'31
51
Edoardo Zardini
Bardiani CSF
+ 42'09
52
Peter Velits
BMC Racing Team
+ 42'14
53
David López García
Team Sky
+ 44'14
54
Egor Silin
Team Katusha
+ 44'50
55
Luca Chirico
Bardiani CSF
+ 44'56
56
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
+ 45'50
57
Jan Polanc
Lampre-Merida
+ 46'01
58
Eros Capecchi
Movistar Team
+ 46'11
59
Stefano Pirazzi
Bardiani CSF
+ 47'04
60
Enrico Barbin
Bardiani CSF
+ 47'32
61
Diego Ulissi
Lampre-Merida
+ 49'04
62
John Gadret
Movistar Team
+ 49'31
63
Laurens De Plus
Cattelan Italia
+ 51'04
64
Fabio Felline
Trek Factory Racing
+ 51'37
65
André Cardoso
Team Cannondale - Garmin
+ 52'17
66
Chad Haga
Team Giant-Alpecin
+ 55'27
67
Rinaldo Nocentini
Ag2r La Mondiale
+ 57'31
68
Serghei Tvetcov
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 57'38
69
Albert Timmer
Team Giant-Alpecin
+ 58'11
70
Sergio Paulinho
Tinkoff-Saxo
+ 58'54
71
Enrico Battaglin
Bardiani CSF
+ 58'57
72
Eduard Vorganov
Team Katusha
+ 59'32
73
Jérémy Roy
FDJ
+ 1h00'14
74
Paul Martens
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
+ 1h00'37
75
Simone Stortoni
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 1h01'08
76
Larry Warbasse
IAM Cycling
+ 1h04'13
77
Kristijan Koren
Team Cannondale - Garmin
+ 1h05'37
78
Christian Knees
Team Sky
+ 1h05'39
79
Gianfranco Zilioli
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 1h06'33
80
Ángel Vicioso
Team Katusha
+ 1h07'30
81
Alex Howes
Team Cannondale - Garmin
+ 1h07'52
82
Adriano Malori
Cattelan Italia
+ 1h09'09
83
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
+ 1h09'36
84
Lars Van Der Haar
Team Giant-Alpecin
+ 1h09'53
85
Michael Valgren
Tinkoff-Saxo
+ 1h10'37
86
Pavel Brutt
Tinkoff-Saxo
+ 1h10'53
87
Luca Fassoli
Cattelan Italia
+ 1h13'33
88
Matteo Bono
Cattelan Italia
+ 1h15'38
89
Maxim Belkov
Team Katusha
+ 1h16'01
90
Fabio Taborre
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 1h16'45
91
Francesco Gavazzi
Southeast
+ 1h19'09
92
Magnus Cort Nielsen
Orica-GreenEDGE
+ 1h20'41
93
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Soudal
+ 1h20'54
94
Alessandro Bisolti
NIPPO - Vini Fantini
+ 1h24'09
95
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h30'44
96
Filippo Pozzato
Lampre-Merida
+ 1h31'04
97
Anthony Roux
FDJ
+ 1h31'18
98
Koen De Kort
Team Giant-Alpecin
+ 1h37'19
99
Nathan Haas
Team Cannondale - Garmin
+ 1h38'14
100
Jérôme Pineau
IAM Cycling
+ 1h45'59
101
Matteo Busato
Southeast
+ 1h50'48
102
John Degenkolb
Team Giant-Alpecin
+ 1h58'31
103
Kristoffer Skjerping
Team Cannondale - Garmin
+ 1h59'03
104
Oscar Gatto
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 2h00'51
105
Jempy Drucker
BMC Racing Team
+ 2h02'11
106
Davide Appollonio
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 2h04'25
107
Davide Cimolai
Lampre-Merida
+ 2h12'08
108
Giacomo Nizzolo
Trek Factory Racing
+ 2h13'10
109
Manuele Mori
Lampre-Merida
+ 2h13'30
110
Luke Durbridge
Orica-GreenEDGE
+ 2h13'55
111
Sacha Modolo
Lampre-Merida
+ 2h14'01
112
Caleb Ewan
Orica-GreenEDGE
+ 2h17'47
113
Johan Le Bon
FDJ
+ 2h17'54
114
Luca Sterbini
Bardiani CSF
+ 2h21'06
115
Kevin Reza
FDJ
+ 2h28'39
116
Jens Debusschere
Lotto Soudal
+ 2h29'49
117
Silvan Dillier
BMC Racing Team
+ 2h31'31
118
Maciej Bodnar
Tinkoff-Saxo
+ 2h32'37
119
Daniel Oss
BMC Racing Team
+ 2h34'19
120
Tosh Van der Sande
Lotto Soudal
+ 2h37'32
121
Borut Bozic
Astana Pro Team
+ 2h39'05
122
Nicola Boem
Bardiani CSF
+ 2h39'25
123
Alessandro Malaguti
NIPPO - Vini Fantini
+ 2h40'09
124
Laurent Pichon
FDJ
+ 2h40'25
125
Moreno Hofland
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
+ 2h41'14
126
Svein Tuft
Orica-GreenEDGE
+ 2h41'51
127
Maarten Wynants
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
+ 2h42'06
128
Maarten Tjallingii
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
+ 2h42'55
129
Daniele Colli
NIPPO - Vini Fantini
+ 2h43'15
130
Alessandro Petacchi
Cattelan Italia
+ 2h43'20
131
Jack Bauer
Team Cannondale - Garmin
+ 2h43'29
132
Pierpaolo De Negri
NIPPO - Vini Fantini
+ 2h44'31
133
Yves Lampaert
Etixx - Quick-step
+ 2h47'04
134
Roberto Ferrari
Lampre-Merida
+ 2h47'46
135
Matteo Trentin
Etixx - Quick-step
+ 2h48'42
136
Sébastien Turgot
Ag2r La Mondiale
+ 2h48'44
137
Mitchell Docker
Orica-GreenEDGE
+ 2h49'04
138
Patrick Gretsch
Ag2r La Mondiale
+ 2h49'48
139
Anton Vorobyev
Team Katusha
+ 2h50'10
140
Elia Viviani
Team Sky
+ 2h50'18
141
Robert Wagner
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
+ 2h50'31
142
Andrea Fedi
Southeast
+ 2h50'58
143
Grégory Rast
Trek Factory Racing
+ 2h51'39
144
Rüdiger Selig
Team Katusha
+ 2h51'45
145
Alexander Porsev
Team Katusha
+ 2h53'10
146
Jasper Stuyven
Trek Factory Racing
+ 2h54'06
147
Danny Van Poppel
Trek Factory Racing
+ 2h54'07
148
Alan Marangoni
Team Cannondale - Garmin
+ 2h54'39
149
Frederik Ludvigsson
Team Giant-Alpecin
+ 2h54'41
150
Shiki Kuroeda
NIPPO - Vini Fantini
+ 2h54'46
151
Manuel Belletti
Southeast
+ 2h54'51
152
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
+ 2h55'03
153
Nikolas Maes
Etixx - Quick-step
+ 2h55'20
154
Ramon Sinkeldam
Team Giant-Alpecin
+ 2h55'43
155
Hugo Houle
Ag2r La Mondiale
+ 2h55'46
156
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
+ 2h56'21
157
Tom Van Asbroeck
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
+ 2h57'25
158
Iljo Keisse
Etixx - Quick-step
+ 2h57'32
159
Nikolai Trusov
Tinkoff-Saxo
+ 2h57'59
160
Matteo Pelucchi
IAM Cycling
+ 2h58'02
161
Bernhard Eisel
Team Sky
+ 2h59'33
162
Rafael de Mattos Andriato
Southeast
+ 3h00'50
163
Tom Veelers
Team Giant-Alpecin
+ 3h01'54
164
Greg Henderson
Lotto Soudal
+ 3h01'57
165
Iuri Filosi
NIPPO - Vini Fantini
s.t.
166
Sébastien Chavanel
FDJ
+ 3h02'07
167
Andrea Piechele
Bardiani CSF
+ 3h02'31
168
Gert Steegmans
Trek Factory Racing
+ 3h03'29
169
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto Soudal
+ 3h03'51
170
Eduard-Michael Grosu
NIPPO - Vini Fantini
+ 3h06'00
171
Francesco Chicchi
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 3h06'39
172
Antonio Viola
NIPPO - Vini Fantini
+ 3h07'24
173
Mattia Pozzo
NIPPO - Vini Fantini
+ 3h09'43
Buiding Towards the Future!
And related to that, here's the good news for today! Cattelan Italia wants to become a home for Italy's biggest talents. Despite staying in the PCT, we have signed our first really big name to the team. We'll be extremely welcome to welcome and assist in the rest of his career, the very Dominico Pozzovivo!
We hope that others will follow. Next year, we might well challenge for the Giro d'Italia podium with this strong climbing talent.
More transfer news as July is coming to an end.
I've been training like crazy this past month and I'm getting ready to finish my season in style. In the late season Italian classics I want to show my value to the team and maybe get a second professional victory, that'd be amazing. But I'll need all my power and wits to do it.
Have you seen the Tour de France, by the way? I saw some stages and Contador was really impressive, winning the Tour again after nobody still believed he could. Froome and Valverde were amazing in their own rights, too, but I believe Contador was the smartest one this year.
Team Building
The first great news is that everyone, besides one rider, has extented their contract for Cattelan. We're keeping our team together to give us all a chance to grow. Only Hnik was not entirely happy here and he'll be joining Cult-Energy. Best of luck for him there, he's a good guy.
And then, even better news. After Pozzovivo, the Italian Champion, put his signature under a contract, other names followed. Next year we'll have the following riders on our payroll as well: Dario Cataldo, time trial champion Damiano Caruso, a well known, strong rider Davide Appollonio, another fine sprinter to add to our squad. Maurizio Grancitelli, a very promising young rider.
Hnik will be leaving the team and Petacchi will retire from racing and join the staff in another function. That means we'll probably see a few more names signed, but since budget is getting tight, I think we'll have some more young riders added for a modest wage. Still, with guys like Pozzovivo and Caruso, our goal of reaching WT in 2017 should be guaranteed.
Shame the national title couldn't be picked up, especially the TT would've been good. Next year should be good. In any case, the transfers look good, and you get an NC on board The team is not WT ready, but it's coming closer and closer now.
Selwink - Yeah, that TT was a tragedy, close to I think we're on schedule for WT 2017. That gives us next season to get the promotion and sign some more interesting names. That also gives Antonio, Fontana, Colbrelli and co another season to develop into WT worthy riders. Which they already are at times
After a long training period without competitive racing, I've finally returned. With some very specific late season targets (Plouay, Trittico Lombardia, Il Lombardia), I still have a lot to give this season. I want to make the most of it!
On a very positive note, I'm in the preselection for the World Championships. I'm on the list for both the Time Trial and the Road Race, so depending on how well I perform the upcoming races, I might make the team for one or both occasions.
Vattenfall Cyclassics
Pre-Race
Vattenfall will be all about form-building for me. I want to give a good performance in Plouay, so I will use these kilometers to get back in racing shape.
The Race
It was a quiet race for about an hour, which suited me fine, to get back in the rhythm.
With about 150 km left to go, I put myself at the head of the peloton. I stayed there until 70 km to go, which means I had a real good training!
Unfortunately a big crash held up most of the peloton, including 6 of our 8 riders. Fontana was never in the position to prove himself in the sprint. I finished 69th after one hell of a training. Kittel won.
Full Result
1
Marcel Kittel
Etixx - Quick-step
4h57'47
2
Niccolo Bonifazio
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
3
Maxime Daniel
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
4
John Degenkolb
Team Giant-Alpecin
s.t.
5
Giacomo Nizzolo
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
6
Mark Cavendish
MTN-Qhubeka
s.t.
7
Aleksejs Saramotins
IAM Cycling
s.t.
8
Alexey Lutsenko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
9
Tiesj Benoot
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
10
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
(...)
69
Antonio Andolini
Cattelan Italia
+ 17'20
Spoiler
11
Jens Debusschere
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
12
Nikolai Trusov
Tinkoff-Saxo
s.t.
13
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
14
Luca Paolini
Team Katusha
s.t.
15
Adam Hansen
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
16
Bob Jungels
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
17
Joey Rosskopf
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
18
Anthony Roux
FDJ
s.t.
19
Michal Golas
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
20
Maxim Belkov
Team Katusha
s.t.
21
Blel Kadri
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
22
Laurens De Vreese
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
23
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
24
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
MTN-Qhubeka
s.t.
25
Bradley Wiggins
Team Sky
s.t.
26
Danny Pate
Team Sky
s.t.
27
Christian Knees
Team Sky
s.t.
28
Fabian Wegmann
CULT Energy Pro Cycling
s.t.
29
Michael Valgren
Tinkoff-Saxo
s.t.
30
Loïc Vliegen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
31
Leigh Howard
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
32
Sylvain Chavanel
IAM Cycling
s.t.
33
Stijn Vandenbergh
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
34
Warren Barguil
Team Giant-Alpecin
s.t.
35
Vicente Reynès
IAM Cycling
s.t.
36
Johannes Fröhlinger
Team Giant-Alpecin
s.t.
37
Stephen Cummings
MTN-Qhubeka
s.t.
38
Luca Fassoli
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
39
Simon Pellaud
IAM Cycling
+ 2'28
40
Ian Boswell
Team Sky
s.t.
41
Ruben Fernandez
Movistar Team
+ 3'03
42
Marc Sarreau
FDJ
s.t.
43
Petr Vakoc
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
44
Roy Curvers
Team Giant-Alpecin
s.t.
45
Miguel Angel Lopez
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
46
David Tanner
IAM Cycling
s.t.
47
Brent Bookwalter
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
48
Grégory Rast
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
49
David De la Cruz
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
50
Markel Irizar
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
51
Peter Kennaugh
Team Sky
s.t.
52
Philip Deignan
Team Sky
s.t.
53
Jonas Vangenechten
IAM Cycling
+ 4'48
54
Roger Kluge
IAM Cycling
s.t.
55
Rüdiger Selig
Team Katusha
s.t.
56
Quentin Jauregui
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
57
Jay McCarthy
Tinkoff-Saxo
s.t.
58
Martin Velits
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
59
Ivan Santaromita
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
60
Gatis Smukulis
Team Katusha
s.t.
61
Patrick Gretsch
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
62
Lorenzo Manzin
FDJ
+ 6'18
63
Dylan Teuns
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
64
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
65
Daniil Fominykh
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
66
Jesus Hernandez
Tinkoff-Saxo
s.t.
67
Oliver Zaugg
Tinkoff-Saxo
s.t.
68
Maarten Wynants
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
+ 10'41
69
Antonio Andolini
Cattelan Italia
+ 17'20
70
Eugenio Alafaci
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
71
Nathan Haas
Team Cannondale - Garmin
+ 20'24
72
Jasper Stuyven
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
73
Ruben Zepunkte
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
74
Fabio Felline
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
75
Shane Archbold
Bora - Argon 18
s.t.
76
Fernando Gaviria
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
77
Kevin Reza
FDJ
s.t.
78
Andrew Fenn
Team Sky
s.t.
79
Tyler Farrar
MTN-Qhubeka
s.t.
80
Sean De Bie
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
81
Kristian Sbaragli
MTN-Qhubeka
s.t.
82
Koen De Kort
Team Giant-Alpecin
s.t.
83
Magnus Cort Nielsen
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
84
Gorka Izagirre
Movistar Team
s.t.
85
Paul Voss
Bora - Argon 18
s.t.
86
Davide Malacarne
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
87
Benoit Vaugrenard
FDJ
s.t.
88
Martin Mortensen
CULT Energy Pro Cycling
s.t.
89
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
90
Hugo Houle
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
91
Diego Ulissi
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
92
Scott Thwaites
Bora - Argon 18
s.t.
93
Kristoffer Skjerping
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
94
Zakkari Dempster
Bora - Argon 18
s.t.
95
Lasse Hansen
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
96
Mitchell Docker
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
97
Zico Waeytens
Team Giant-Alpecin
s.t.
98
Yury Trofimov
Team Katusha
s.t.
99
Nick Van Der Lijke
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
s.t.
100
Dennis Van Winden
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
s.t.
101
Michael Carbel
CULT Energy Pro Cycling
s.t.
102
Mikael Chérel
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
103
Arnaud Courteille
FDJ
s.t.
104
Andreas Stauff
MTN-Qhubeka
s.t.
105
Michele Scarponi
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
106
Timo Roosen
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
s.t.
107
Dominik Nerz
Bora - Argon 18
s.t.
108
Jan Polanc
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
109
Francesco Fontana
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
110
Russell Downing
CULT Energy Pro Cycling
s.t.
111
Sébastien Minard
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
112
Mario Costa
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
113
Luke Durbridge
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
114
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
s.t.
115
Vladimir Isaychev
Team Katusha
s.t.
116
Daniel Schorn
Bora - Argon 18
s.t.
117
Matteo Bono
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
118
Gediminas Bagdonas
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
119
Rasmus Guldhammer
CULT Energy Pro Cycling
s.t.
120
Alex Dowsett
Movistar Team
s.t.
121
Marco Haller
Team Katusha
s.t.
122
Jasper De Buyst
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
123
John Gadret
Movistar Team
s.t.
124
Alessandro Petacchi
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
125
Arman Kamyshev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
126
Sam Bewley
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
127
Jan Barta
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
128
Alberto Losada
Team Katusha
s.t.
129
Paul Martens
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
s.t.
130
Benjamin King
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
131
Jack Bauer
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
132
Adam Yates
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
133
Brian Bulgac
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
s.t.
134
Jasha Sütterlin
Movistar Team
s.t.
135
Mattia Cattaneo
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
136
Emanuel Buchmann
Bora - Argon 18
s.t.
137
Ben Hermans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
138
Davide Villella
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
139
José Mendes
Bora - Argon 18
s.t.
140
Christian Meier
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
141
Troels Vinther
CULT Energy Pro Cycling
s.t.
142
Luke Rowe
Team Sky
s.t.
143
Edward King
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
144
Stef Clement
IAM Cycling
s.t.
145
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
146
Johann Van Zyl
MTN-Qhubeka
s.t.
147
Chun Kai Feng
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
148
Carter Jones
Team Giant-Alpecin
s.t.
149
Valerio Conti
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
150
Gianni Moscon
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
151
Daniel Teklehaimanot
MTN-Qhubeka
s.t.
152
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
153
Christian Mager
CULT Energy Pro Cycling
s.t.
154
Olivier Le Gac
FDJ
s.t.
155
Dayer Quintana
Movistar Team
s.t.
156
Ivan Rovny
Tinkoff-Saxo
s.t.
157
Jesper Hansen
Tinkoff-Saxo
s.t.
158
Rick Flens
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
s.t.
159
Lawson Craddock
Team Giant-Alpecin
s.t.
160
Stig Broeckx
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
161
Pawel Poljanski
Tinkoff-Saxo
s.t.
162
Linus Gerdemann
CULT Energy Pro Cycling
s.t.
163
Laurent Didier
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
164
Karel Hnik
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
165
Gang Xu
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
166
Dennis Vanendert
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
GP Ouest France - Plouay
Pre-Race
A very interesting profile. I can suit sprinters, punchers or downright attackers. Fontana is our option for the sprint, but todat I get a free role. In San Remo I was able to play on the surprise. Who expected a young Italian nobody to make it? Today, I'm no longer a nobody, but I can still ride my bike as well, even better, than I could in San Remo.
The Race
The race was without any exciting incidents until the last lap. Burghardt, riding in service for Van Avermaet, attacked in the hope of surprising the sprinters.
I was at the front and didn't hesitate. I followed!
I was a bit too intense in the corners and I dropped Burghardt. The peloton wasn't far behind, but with a small incline coming up, I decided to keep riding hard. Even if only to give Fontana and the team a small advantage.
All I needed was a small hesitation from the peloton. When the troops of Van Avermaet had to pass on the incline and the troops of Sagan were nowhere to be seen, exactly that happened!
Using all my strength, I kept as low as possible and just kept riding hard. I knew the sprinters were coming, but tbe finish wasn't too far off now.
And I made it! Sweet, sweet victory! This time I had the time to celebrate and, boy, did I enjoy it! YES!
If this isn't an invitation for the World Championships, I don't know what is!
Full Result
1
Antonio Andolini
Cattelan Italia
5h45'37
2
Peter Sagan
Tinkoff-Saxo
+ 25
3
John Degenkolb
Team Giant-Alpecin
s.t.
4
Francesco Fontana
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
5
Florian Vachon
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
6
Giacomo Nizzolo
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
7
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
8
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
9
Simon Gerrans
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
10
Jens Debusschere
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Anthony Delaplace
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
12
Fabian Cancellara
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
13
Romain Feillu
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
14
Moreno Hofland
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
s.t.
15
Simon Spilak
Team Katusha
s.t.
16
Julian Alaphilippe
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
17
Alexey Lutsenko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
18
Kevin Reza
FDJ
s.t.
19
Geoffrey Soupe
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
20
Samuel Sánchez
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
21
Yves Lampaert
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
22
Maxim Belkov
Team Katusha
s.t.
23
Tiesj Benoot
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
24
Jan Polanc
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
25
Sylvain Chavanel
IAM Cycling
s.t.
26
Diego Ulissi
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
27
Blel Kadri
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
28
Frederik Veuchelen
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
29
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
30
Jérôme Pineau
IAM Cycling
s.t.
31
Steve Chainel
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
32
Leigh Howard
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
33
Alessandro Petacchi
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
34
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
35
Domenico Pozzovivo
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
36
Aleksejs Saramotins
IAM Cycling
s.t.
37
Loïc Vliegen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
38
Elia Favilli
Southeast
s.t.
39
Bradley Wiggins
Team Sky
s.t.
40
Martin Elmiger
IAM Cycling
s.t.
41
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
MTN-Qhubeka
s.t.
42
Rohan Dennis
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
43
Maxime Daniel
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
44
Davide Malacarne
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
45
Tyler Farrar
MTN-Qhubeka
s.t.
46
Pirmin Lang
IAM Cycling
s.t.
47
Benoit Vaugrenard
FDJ
s.t.
48
Vincent Jérôme
Team Europcar
s.t.
49
Hugo Houle
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
50
Johan Le Bon
FDJ
s.t.
51
Magnus Cort Nielsen
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
52
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
53
Clément Chevrier
IAM Cycling
s.t.
54
Eduardo Sepulveda
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
55
Bob Jungels
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
56
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
57
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
58
Daniel Navarro
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
59
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
60
Petr Vakoc
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
61
Peter Kennaugh
Team Sky
s.t.
62
Vicente Reynès
IAM Cycling
s.t.
63
Matteo Tosatto
Tinkoff-Saxo
s.t.
64
Armindo Fonseca
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
65
Luca Fassoli
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
66
Ramon Sinkeldam
Team Giant-Alpecin
s.t.
67
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
s.t.
68
Jan Barta
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
69
Cyril Lemoine
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
70
Adrien Petit
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
71
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
72
Gianni Moscon
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
73
Damiano Caruso
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
74
Michael Valgren
Tinkoff-Saxo
s.t.
75
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
76
Karel Hnik
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
77
Pieter Serry
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
78
Angelo Tulik
Team Europcar
s.t.
79
Warren Barguil
Team Giant-Alpecin
s.t.
80
Alberto Contador
Tinkoff-Saxo
s.t.
81
George Bennett
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
s.t.
82
Fernando Gaviria
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
83
Kristoffer Skjerping
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
84
Leopold König
Team Sky
s.t.
85
Sébastien Minard
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
86
Matteo Montaguti
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
87
Joey Rosskopf
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
88
Sebastián Henao
Team Sky
s.t.
89
Alexandre Pichot
Team Europcar
s.t.
90
Laurent Pichon
FDJ
s.t.
91
Marc Sarreau
FDJ
s.t.
92
Mauro Finetto
Southeast
s.t.
93
Jonathan Hivert
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
94
Miguel Angel Lopez
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
95
Yannick Eijssen
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
96
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
97
Adam Hansen
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
98
Luke Durbridge
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
99
Kevin Van Melsen
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
100
Koen De Kort
Team Giant-Alpecin
s.t.
101
Julien Vermote
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
102
Kristijan Koren
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
103
Sean De Bie
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
104
Maarten Tjallingii
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
s.t.
105
Alex Dowsett
Movistar Team
s.t.
106
Francesco Gavazzi
Southeast
s.t.
107
Rafael de Mattos Andriato
Southeast
s.t.
108
Carlos Alberto Betancur
Movistar Team
s.t.
109
Ivan Rovny
Tinkoff-Saxo
s.t.
110
Mikael Chérel
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
111
Frederique Robert
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
112
Julian Arredondo
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
113
Sergey Lagutin
Team Katusha
s.t.
114
Dmitry Kozontchuk
Team Katusha
s.t.
115
Romain Guillemois
Team Europcar
s.t.
116
Michele Scarponi
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
117
Thomas Boudat
Team Europcar
s.t.
118
Gatis Smukulis
Team Katusha
+ 3'50
119
Björn Leukemans
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
120
Boris Dron
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
121
Tom Dumoulin
Team Giant-Alpecin
s.t.
122
Julien Bérard
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
123
Marco Haller
Team Katusha
+ 4'34
124
Cameron Meyer
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
125
Clément Venturini
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
126
Pawel Poljanski
Tinkoff-Saxo
s.t.
127
David López García
Team Sky
s.t.
128
Yoann Bagot
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
129
Lawson Craddock
Team Giant-Alpecin
s.t.
130
Salvatore Puccio
Team Sky
s.t.
131
Jesper Hansen
Tinkoff-Saxo
s.t.
132
Maarten Wynants
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
s.t.
133
Mike Teunissen
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
s.t.
134
Francis Mourey
FDJ
s.t.
135
Nick Van Der Lijke
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
+ 5'17
136
Kristian Sbaragli
MTN-Qhubeka
s.t.
137
Theo Bos
MTN-Qhubeka
s.t.
138
Natnael Berhane
MTN-Qhubeka
s.t.
139
Brice Feillu
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
140
Martin Velits
Etixx - Quick-step
s.t.
141
Andrey Zeits
Astana Pro Team
+ 6'25
142
André Cardoso
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
143
Andrea Dal Col
Southeast
+ 6'57
144
Lasse Hansen
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
145
Pavel Kochetkov
Team Katusha
s.t.
146
Jack Bauer
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
147
Edward King
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
148
Jens Mouris
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
149
Dennis Van Winden
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
s.t.
150
Danny Pate
Team Sky
s.t.
151
Jay McCarthy
Tinkoff-Saxo
s.t.
152
Tony Hurel
Team Europcar
s.t.
153
Calvin Watson
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
154
Valerio Conti
Lampre-Merida
+ 8'07
155
Alberto Losada
Team Katusha
s.t.
156
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
s.t.
157
Louis Verhelst
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
158
Manuele Mori
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
159
Ruben Zepunkte
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
160
Dennis Vanendert
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
161
Yohann Gène
Team Europcar
s.t.
162
Sam Bewley
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
163
Tim De Troyer
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
164
Simon Pellaud
IAM Cycling
s.t.
165
Enrique Sanz
Movistar Team
+ 10'03
166
Tsgabu Grmay
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
167
Eugenio Alafaci
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
168
Daniel Teklehaimanot
MTN-Qhubeka
s.t.
169
Luke Rowe
Team Sky
s.t.
170
Maxime Cam
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
171
Sander Armée
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
172
Mattia Cattaneo
Lampre-Merida
s.t.
173
Eugert Zhupa
Southeast
s.t.
174
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ
+ 10'56
175
Fumiyuki Beppu
Trek Factory Racing
+ 11'33
176
Nathan Brown
Team Cannondale - Garmin
s.t.
177
Ruben Fernandez
Movistar Team
s.t.
178
Cheng Ji
Team Giant-Alpecin
s.t.
179
Fabio Silvestre
Trek Factory Racing
+ 12'52
180
Carter Jones
Team Giant-Alpecin
s.t.
181
Songezo Jim
MTN-Qhubeka
s.t.
182
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
183
Arman Kamyshev
Astana Pro Team
+ 14'21
184
Brian Bulgac
Team LottoNL - Jumbo
s.t.
185
Nicolas Dougall
MTN-Qhubeka
s.t.
186
Liam Bertazzo
Southeast
+ 15'02
187
Matteo Bono
Cattelan Italia
+ 16'52
188
Mirko Tedeschi
Southeast
+ 17'15
189
Ivan Santaromita
Orica-GreenEDGE
+ 18'49
190
Gang Xu
Lampre-Merida
+ 23'02
191
Luka Pibernik
Lampre-Merida
+ 23'24
It's just unbelievable. If someone told me I'd win two races in my debut year, I would've said: wow.
If someone had told me they would be Milan - San Remo and Plouay, I would've asked them to GET REAL!
With some important home races coming up, my form is good, my confidence is only growing and my sense for adventure couldn't be greater.
I can't wait for the rest of the season!
Can't believe the team doesn't want to go Pro Tour, they're really holding back Antonio! Reminds me a bit of the real life Colbrelli who stayed PCT for too long. Except Antonio has won two WT classics already.
Ollfardh - Hmm, yes and no. Decision not to go Pro Tour next season is mostly because they've only signed 24-25 riders and that's not enough, especialy with many young riders. But you are right that Antonio has trumped all expectations with 2 WT wins so he looks definitely ready for WT. On the other hand, Cattelan is bound to get any Wildcard they want, so I think Antonio has only a race for the asking and he can start. Giro, San Remo, Lombardia, Liège...
Antonio turned 23 this season, so there's still plenty of time
I was in Italy, back home, preparing for the Trittico Lombardia, coming up in a while, when the team management called me up. They asked if I wanted to race the Tour of Britain as a prep race, but also as a leader of the team, alongside De Marchi. The course should suit me and there's a time trial perfect for me. I didn't hesitate and went down there. Cattelan had a very strong squad at the start line.
Tour of Britain
Pre-Race
At the beginning of the season, the Tour of Britain was talked about, but by this time I didn't think I'd be racing here anymore. Still, the terrain should suit me. There are many stages with some minor hills, enough to drive sprinters insane but none big enough to really worry me. If I look at the races I've won, Plouay and San Remo, they are both races with enough bumps to attack away but not so hilly as to leave it to specialists.
The Race
The first stage was your typical sprinter's stage. On the second day, however, the hills were more prominent.
On one of the steeper ones, I tried my move. There were still 20 km to go.
Simon Gerrans followed and we were off on our own. The peloton was put back a minute. We might just make it to the finish line!
Our gap only grew as the peloton was completely disoriented. The lack of strong teams with strong team leaders sort of gave us a free pass. Gerrans shook me off on the final hill of the day. I was determined to fight back and sprint him for the stage win on a rolling finish.
I caught him with one kilometer to go. In the sprint, I came late, and I came with all my remaining strength. Surprised to beat Gerrans on an uphill finish, I raised my arms. So quickly after my second victory, here's my third! First non-solo finish!
Stage 2
1
Antonio Andolini
Cattelan Italia
5h16'30
2
Simon Gerrans
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
3
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Soudal
+ 3'58
4
Sonny Colbrelli
Cattelan Italia
+ 4'29
5
Mark Cavendish
MTN-Qhubeka
s.t.
6
Gianni Moscon
Cattelan Italia
+ 4'46
7
Oscar Gatto
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 5'00
8
Elia Favilli
Southeast
+ 5'13
9
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Team Sky
s.t.
10
Sergio Pardilla
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
The next day was the time trial. Fassoli held the best time for quite a while. I had amazing legs and powered through the 16 km course. I passed Roelandts on the way to my second consecutive victory here in Britain. Looking at the result, I really demolished the opposition today. I never felt stronger!
Stage 3
1
Antonio Andolini
Cattelan Italia
20'58
2
Luca Fassoli
Cattelan Italia
+ 55
3
Danny Pate
Team Sky
s.t.
4
Jan Barta
Cattelan Italia
s.t.
5
Sam Bewley
Orica-GreenEDGE
+ 58
6
Christian Knees
Team Sky
+ 1'03
7
Jens Mouris
Orica-GreenEDGE
+ 1'04
8
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Soudal
s.t.
9
Sean De Bie
Lotto Soudal
+ 1'06
10
Tyler Farrar
MTN-Qhubeka
+ 1'07
GC after stage 3
1
Antonio Andolini
Cattelan Italia
9h50'19
2
Simon Gerrans
Orica-GreenEDGE
+ 1'14
3
Mark Cavendish
MTN-Qhubeka
+ 5'51
4
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Soudal
+ 5'54
5
Sonny Colbrelli
Cattelan Italia
+ 5'59
6
Gianni Moscon
Cattelan Italia
+ 6'35
7
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Team Sky
+ 6'54
8
Oscar Gatto
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 6'58
9
Elia Favilli
Southeast
+ 7'03
10
Sergio Pardilla
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
+ 7'10
The rest of the Tour of Britain was spend trying to defend this comfortable lead. Only on the 6th stage, I almost slipped up. Gerrans attacked with 10 km to go and we were unable to recall him. He came nerve-wreckingly close to overtaking me in the GC. Final verdict? 5 seconds. Thank God for that time trial!
On the way to my first GC win, both Colbrelli and Fontana took a stage themselves. A highly successful Tour of Britain for Cattelan!
Final Classification
1
Antonio Andolini
Cattelan Italia
27h31'47
2
Simon Gerrans
Orica-GreenEDGE
+ 5
3
Sonny Colbrelli
Cattelan Italia
+ 5'38
4
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Team Sky
+ 5'47
5
Mark Cavendish
MTN-Qhubeka
+ 7'24
6
Gianni Moscon
Cattelan Italia
+ 7'26
7
Sergio Pardilla
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
+ 7'36
8
Oscar Gatto
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 7'48
9
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Soudal
+ 8'09
10
Maurits Lammertink
Team Roompot-Oranje Peloton
+ 8'21
Points Classification
1
Sonny Colbrelli
Cattelan Italia
110
2
Simon Gerrans
Orica-GreenEDGE
100
3
Mark Cavendish
MTN-Qhubeka
90
4
Antonio Andolini
Cattelan Italia
87
5
Francesco Fontana
Cattelan Italia
81
KoM: Maxime Méderel (Team Europcar) Best Team: Cattelan Italia
Forza Cattelan Italia?
This Tour of Britain is a major game-changer for our team, and for myself. I have come here in full force and took the GC win in a manner I couldn't see myself doing. I have really grown a lot this season and so did guys like Fontana, Colbrelli, Fassoli...
The race made a major impact on the entire team. Even so much that the management has decided to make a bid for a WT license after all. We hope it's not too late yet and maybe we will start in the WT come January. We'll need a few more signings to make it happen, but with the incoming talent and our own talent growing stronger, we feel it could be the right choice.
Either way, I'm just perfectly happy right now. I know how to finish a race, I know how to win a race. I will now head home to tackle the Trittico Lombardia with strong confidence.
National Championships 
I think we're on schedule for WT 2017. That gives us next season to get the promotion and sign some more interesting names. That also gives Antonio, Fontana, Colbrelli and co another season to develop into WT worthy riders. Which they already are at times 
Vattenfall Cyclassics 
GP Ouest France - Plouay 
Tour of Britain 
