@ dienblad: Cunego is a beast. I don't recall his stats off hand, but I think its 81-82 HI, 78-79 MO.
@ YvesStevens: Thanks. No one is following Cunego is his current form.
@ sutty68: What button to a press to do that
@ tsmoha, Avin Wargunnson, and Spilak23: Thanks. I've been really happy with Frapporti's form.
Settimana Cicilistica Lombarda
The last stage race of the year for Colnago - CSF Inox will be Settimana Ciclistica Lombarda. Previously a spring race, it has been moved back in the cycling calendar. Not an overly difficult course, the race has 6 stages, beginning with a short, uphill individual time trial, and ending with 3 hilly stages. In between, the sprinters will have their chance to make a mark.
Domenico Pozzovivo has been given the Number 1 bib. His form is not amazing, but the team still thinks they can impact the race.
The race began with the time trial up the Colle Gallo. Pozzovivo did not have the day the team was hoping for. Despite being arguably the strongest climber in the field, he finished in 9th.
Both Danilo Di Luca (Katusha Team) and Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone) showed good form, besting Pozzovivo's effort.
However, the surprise winner was Andrey Zeits (Pro Team Astana). He finished the day in 26'44, 11 seconds faster than Di Luca.
Pozzovivo is 23 seconds back after one stage.
Stage 2 was mostly flat; the peloton rode a circuit course in and around Calcinato. With no true sprinter in the line-up, Colnago sent Simone Stortoni into the breakaway.
Stortoni rides in the break.
40km from the line the escape had a lead of 3'08. Predictably, it was arrested before the line.
The pace heading into the finish line was very fast. Several riders tried to attack on a late hill.
Aleksandr Kuschunski (Katusha Team), Leonardo Bertagnolli (Lampre - ISD), and Matthias Brändle (Geox - TMC) try to break clear.
The hill was not decisive enough, and the sprint trains too aware. The late move never got any real gap.
For the second day in a row, Astana took top honors. This time, Mirco Lorenzetto bested Krzysztof Jezowski (Bank BGZ) and Krzysztof Szczawinski (Miche - Guerciotti) in a tight sprint.
Today, Italy beats Poland.
The third stage was also flat. However, on the team bus, Colnago were very interested in the two intermediate sprint points within the first 28km of the race. The 12 seconds available could be vital.
Therefore, it was none other than Pozzovivo who attacked from the start of the race.
The peloton was not keen on letting the such a big favorite go up the road, but Pozzovivo rode hard, capturing both sprint prizes. With that, his work was done and he sat up, rejoining the peloton.
Savvy riding from Pozzovivo.
The rest of the day was without incident or much excitement. The peloton managed to control the proceedings with Jacopo Guarnieri (Liquigas - Cannondale) crushing the field in the sprint.
Zeits remained the race leader, with Di Luca and Pozzovivo 11 seconds adrift.
Guarnieri takes the third stage with ease.
Up and down, up and down. A very apt description of the 148km fourth stage. Around 3,000m of climbing was to be tackled on the day.
A group of 14 riders got away to form the day's initial breakaway. Colnago tried, but was not able to get a rider in the group.
The break.
The peloton kept a close watch over the group, not wanting to let the lead spiral out of control.
At the third KOM point, about halfway through the stage, Francesco Gavazii (Lampre - ISD) attacked from the peloton.
Gavazzi goes on the offensive.
He easily made it up the breakaway.
After a bit of respite, the hills in the last 50km started to wear on the riders. Gavazzi's hard riding broke the group up. Only Oscar Gatto (Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli) and Vladimir Gusev (Katusha Team) could stay with him.
Gavazzi, Gatto, and Gusev at the head of the race.
Behind them, the peloton was shrinking fast. Soon, only 19 riders were in the lead group. Race leader Zeits was gone; Pozzovivo and Frapporti represented Colnago.
From 24km out, with the leading trio up the road, Eros Capecchi (Liquigas - Cannondale) attacked.
Capecchi is the next to attack.
Ultimately, the entire group came back together. Simone Masciarelli (Acqua & Sapone) did a nice job marshaling the field.
Xavier Florencio (Geox - TMC) led the field up the final climb. Gavazzi was the next closest. Frapporti was coming up on his wheel with Garzelli just behind. Pozzovivo was in the group, but struggling.
The final drag; as Frapporti moves up, Pozzovivo is dropping back.
Frapporti used Gavazzi's slipstream to bolt to the head of the field. However, just as that happened, Garzelli did the same thing to him. The veteran rider used his better positioning to guide him to the stage win. In the process he took over the race lead.
Frapporti once again settles for a minor placing, finishing 2nd.
Pozzovivo finished in 10th, 25 seconds off Garzelli's time; overall he is tied with Constantino Zaballa (Miche - Guerciotti) and Di Luca, all 44 seconds behind the 2000 Giro d'italia winner.
Garzelli spoils Frapporti's day, taking command of the race.
Where Stage 4 was up and down, Stage 5 features one notable climb. It peaks 7km from the line, making it an ideal place for a late attack. Colnago didn't bother sending a rider in the break, knowing the day would come down the final climb.
Still, a picture.
Another doomed breakaway.
Once again, Francesco Gavazzi set off in the middle of the stage. This time from 60km out. While highly entertaining, and equally impressive, one has to wonder whether it would be more prudent for the Lampre rider to save his energy until the decisive attacks.
Gavazzi off on another questionable move.
Gavazzi made the bridge to the breakaway, but on the relatively flat terrain, was not able to make the impact he did yesterday. He simply rode with the group as the peloton chased them down.
Before the final climb, Brändle also attacked. He too reached the breakaway at the bottom of the final climb.
Brändle gets away before the day's real difficulty.
The peloton was closing in on the escapees as the hit the bottom of the climb.
Almost as soon as they began the ascent, Zaballa attacked. In short order, Pozzovivo, Frapporti, Di Luca, and others were in his wheel.
Zaballa makes an early move.
The move splintered the main bunch. As they charged up the hill, they easily caught and passed the much slower breakaway riders.
Ultimately, a small group of 5 got away from the rest. It was made up of Frapporti, Garzelli, Zaballa, Pavel Brutt (Katusha Team), and Maxim Iglinskiy (Pro Team Astana).
Pozzovivo was really suffering, having gone too far into the red when trying to follow Zaballa.
Frapporti climbs with the best.
As the summit neared, several riders climbed back up the lead group. Florencio, Capecchi, Matteo Carrrara (Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team), and Andrey Kashechkin (Lampre - ISD) all fought hard to regain contact.
With 1km to the summit, Florencio and Frapporti, apparently thinking alike, attacked.
Frapporti and Florencio make their moves.
However, neither rider was able to create the gap needed to get away. Everyone was too exhausted, and Garzelli did a nice job protecting his jersey.
While Iglinskiy was dropped by the late attacks, the rest of the group, totaling 8, descended together to the line.
Florencio, making up for earlier, took the sprint. Frapporti came in 6th.
Pozzovivo finished in 37th, 1'21 behind. Thanks to his poor day, he dropped out of the Top 10 to 13th.
On the other hand, Frapporti moved in 10th overall. Garzelli had a 35 second lead heading into the final day.
Florencio celebrates a nice win.
Like yesterday, the final stage of Settimana Ciclistica Lombarda featured one major climb on the day. However, the line was not at the bottom of the descent. There was still a little rise just before the finish in Bergamo.
No breakaway got away in the early parts of the day. Garzelli's Acqua & Sapone team took a tight hold of the proceedings, setting a very fast pace, dissuading any attacks.
Acqua & Sapone control the race.
At the beginning of the real climbing of the day, with 57km left, Pozzovivo, decided to attack. 2'05 down in the general classification, with the road going up for the better part of 33km, and with Frapporti riding well, the team figured there was nothing to lose.
Pozzovivo goes.
His attack immediately put the peloton on notice. The pace was quickly raised in response, shredding the weaker riders. The last third of this race would be very difficult.
Pozzovivo got the first KOM point, with 45km to go on the day, 1'14 ahead of a racing peloton.
Pozzovivo is riding hard, but still has a ways to go.
Pozzovivo continued to push on, but as the kilometers dragged on, he grew tired.
Just as he reached the summit of the final climb, the leading group brought him back into the fold.
While Pozzovivo did not get away, he managed to blow apart the race. Only 20 riders were in the lead group, with highly placed riders like Carrara, Florencio, and Di Luca all distanced.
Pozzovivo is finally caught after nearly 33km of hard riding.
Exhausted from his efforts, Pozzovivo relaxed on the descent. Overall, not his best race, but still good riding. He ended up finishing the race in 14th.
While Pozzovivo's day was done, Frapporti still had strength to give it a go. 8km from the line, he attacked.
Wearing polka dots, Frapporti is in great form.
Unfortunately, once again, it was not to be for Frapporti. The run-in to the line was too flat and he was easily caught.
Kashechkin narrowly defeated Garzelli from a group of 14 to take the final stage.
Garzelli, who never was really troubled, took the overall win, ahead of Zaballa and Brutt.
For his efforts, Frapporti finished in 8th overall.
@ Pellizotti2: Agreed. With no win or real prize, I thought the team performed well.
@ dienblad: Pozzo's form isn't that bad, just not peak. He's a bit fatigued from the long season. He is going to rest until the October fall classics.
@ sutty68: Soon!
@ baia: Frapporti has really been carrying the team.
@ FreitasPCM: It is hard to win with some of the other riders in such great form. Still, good results are good results.
News
Vuelta in Full Swing
The final grand tour of the year is currently running in Spain as the 66th Vuelta a España is well underway. Having started on August 20th in Benidorm, the participants are in the midst of Stage 12 from Ponteareas to Pontevedra.
Currently, Samuel Sánchez of Euskaltel - Euskadi is leading the race. The Olympic Champion has worn the red jersey since his victory on Stage 4 to Sierra Nevada. He has been in fine form, winning two additional stages.
In the trail positions are Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek) and Denis Menchov (Geox - TMC).
Schleck, a frequent bridesmaid, has looked good too, winning two stages. He sits 1'43 adrift.
Two-time winner Menchov has also grabbed a stage win. The Russian, looking for his fourth grand tour title, is further off the pace at 2'37.
A full report will be forthcoming when La Vuelta is over.
@ baia and sutty68: Pozzovivo's schedule isn't likely full enough to win the CT. His last major goal is Lombardy. Still, he should end up solidly in the Top 10.
Giro della Romagna
Lugo - Lugo: 192.9km
Not far from Colnago headquarters, the Giro della Romagna is set to take place in Lugo. A slightly jagged, but flat race, the sprinters will be here as the season begins to wind down.
Notably, Tom Boonen (Quick·Step Cycling Team), likely in preparation for the upcoming World Championships is in the start field. Colnago come with their full complement of fast men; Sacha Modolo, Manuel Belletti, Marco Frapporti, and to a lesser extent, Federico Canuti and Andrea Pasqualon,
Near their home base, the team desperately wanted to get a rider into the break for their sponsors. Pasqualon tried three times. Everytime, his group was pulled back.
Pasqualon on the offensive.
Gianluca Brambilla also tried, but his group too was arrested.
With the free riders exhausted, Colnago went unrepresented in the breakaway. The team figured free television exposure wasn't worth risking the race ambitions; the sponsor likely disagreed.
A group of 11 riders got away. Included in the group was Sylwester Szmyd and Daniel Oss (Liquigas - Cannondale) and Stefan Schumacher (Miche - Guerciotti). A strong group.
The breakaway moves through city streets.
As the day dragged on, the peloton led the break's lead grow large. Eventually, Colnago, along with some helpers from Quick·Step and Farnese Vini, moved to the fornt.
Up ahead, the break split. 7 riders, led by Oss broke free.
At 30km to go, their lead was 3'49 over the peloton.
The break, while smaller, keeps going strong.
In the peloton, Angelo Pagani, Alberto Contoli, and Canuti were drilling it on the front of the group. They were desperately trying to bring the move back in.
The lead was not coming down fast enough as the finish neared.
In the break, Pawel Cieslik (Bank BGZ) used a late attack to create separation. He had 5km to go.
Cieslik breaks free in a solo bid.
Seemingly, everyone was exhausted. Despite not creating a huge gap, Cieslik held onto his slim lead all the way to the line in Lugo. He took the shock win from the breakaway.
His former companions came in 22 seconds later.
A further 2 minutes back, Peter Sagan (Liquigas - Cannondale) led the peloton in.
Frapporti finished well again, losing out to only Sagan and nabbing 10th in the process. Modolo and Belletti finished in 14th and 19th respectively.
The Giro del Lazio marks the last race for the team before a break for the World Championships. A hilly classic, with the climbs ending 25km before the line, expect a sprint from a group.
Marco Frapporti has been in great form recently, and given his fast finish, this course could be ideal for his breakthrough.
A group of 8 riders from some of the smaller teams in the field made up the day's break. There was no one notable in its make-up.
The break begins to climb.
The breakaway never had a real chance as their lead never got above 3 minutes.
After the second climb of the day, three riders attacked on the descent. They were Ivan Basso (Liquigas - Cannondale), Guillaume Bonnaford (AG2R La Mondiale), and Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone). It was surprising to see them attack from so far out.
Some of the big favorites attack halfway through the day.
The response from the peloton was almost immediate. The pace of the race raised dramatically.
While they had the move under control, it still took a lot of effort to reel in riders of such quality. The conditions wore on everyone.
On the final climb, everything was back together. The lead group was not much bigger than 20 riders. At the very top of the climb, Frapporti found himself in trouble.
Without a teammate, he was dropped.
Frapporti loses contact at the top of the climb.
Just behind Frapporti, was his teammate Stefano Pirazzi. On the descent, Pirazzi flew down, and reconnected with his leader. With the front group not going full gas, Pirazzi worked hard, bringing Frapporti back into the fold.
With 14km left, he was back at the front.
By this time, the rain had intensified. Nevertheless, Frapporti had recovered from whatever ailed him on the climb and was near the front of the group.
The sprint opened up and Frapporti moved to the outside of the final corner.
Rounding the bend, he was level with Garzelli at the front.
Frapporti and the rest race around the final turn.
Frapporti was closing in on the line quickly. But once again, a rider jumped from his slipstream to pass him on the final straight. Yury Trofimov (Katusha Team) astutely took up position behind the Colnago rider and used his wheel to guide him to the win.
Great stage from Frapporti...for a moment i thought...damn,it´s all over for Colnago today...but then,coming from nowhere,Pirazzi brings his leader to the front and he responds with this great 2nd place....great.
@ dienblad: Hah, it is getting a little frustrating. The team is having a great season, but I'd trade all these Top 10s for a couple of wins.
@ Pellizotti2: Thanks for the encouragement, keeps me trying.
@ sutty68: Frapporti is on great form. Usually a lot of the AI riders are tired by now, but a couple i.e. Cunego, Basso, etc. are still really strong.
@ Avin Wargunnson and YvesStevens: One can hope!
@ baia: Yeah, Frapporti was doing fine, but dropped because the group accelerated before I could react. I kind of got complacent thinking the climb was pretty much over; thankfully he had a teammate right there!
When we last reported on La Vuelta, Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel - Euskadi) held a lead over Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek) and Denis Menchov (Geox - TMC). The 33 year old rider managed to fend off all challenges, completing a dream race, wearing red all the way to Madrid.
Sánchez took race leadership over after a win in Stage 4, up Sierra Nevada. His lead came under serious threat from Schleck, Menchov, and Juan José Cobo (Geox - TMC) in the high mountains at the end of Week 2. On the slopes of the Angliru, Sánchez did just enough to hold off a rampant Schleck.
As the race headed to Basque Country, Sánchez found a renewed strength, riding strongly over the hilly terrain, capturing Stage 18 in the process. While his closest rivals faltered, Samu thrived, riding into Madrid with a hero's welcome.
Sánchez embraces victory.
For most of the race, it was once again Andy Schleck sitting the in the runner-up position. However, a disastrous Stage 18, where he lost nearly 6 minutes, saw him lose motivation. He finished in 5th, marking the first time he's completed the Vuelta.
In Schleck's place, emerged Cobo and the entire Geox - TMC team. Throughout the race, Mauro Gianetti's squad was unquestionably the deepest in the field. Led by the trio of Cobo, Menchov, and Carlos Sastre, the team took the positions between the winner Sánchez and Schleck.
Cobo is a real revelation. Coming off a horrendous 2010 season, the Cantabrian was able to find his climbing legs. His rise back to prominence was punctuated with a magnificent win on Angliru.
Following Cobo, was Menchov. Similarly to Schleck, Menchov lost steam as the race wore on. He never suffered a disastrous day like Schleck, but he did struggle on the punchy terrain that characterized the final days of the race. Still, it was the Russian's 5th grand tour podium.
Last, but not least, is 2008 Tour de France winner, Carlos Sastre. Many had said his career was over and he should retire, but ever the consummate professional, Sastre silenced his critics with his riding. Sastre steadily rode the race, often serving as a helper for Cobo or Menchov. Undoubtedly, there must have been some real satisfaction when leapfrogged his old teammate Schleck on Stage 20.
With 3 riders in the Top 5 overall, Geox easily won the team classification.
The battle for blue polka dots came down to two riders, Mauro Santambrogio (BMC Racing Team) and Gorka Izagirre (Euskaltel - Euskadi). While the Basque had better stage finishes, it was the Italian who went into more breaks, allowing him to accumulate the necessary total to take the jersey.
The green points jersey did not return to the shoulders of Mark Cavendish (HTC - Highroad). Despite his 5 stage wins, it was Sánchez's 4 wins in addition to other high placings that won out. Nevertheless, the Manx rider is looking in fine form for the upcoming World Championships...
Dutch Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank Cycling Team) took his second U25 title in a grand tour for 2011. Despite not finishing in the Top 10, the young man from Nuenen, has proven he demands to be watched.
RESULTS
GC:
1
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
84h04'22
2
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
+ 3'57
3
Denis Menchov
Geox - TMC
+ 6'08
4
Carlos Sastre
Geox - TMC
+ 10'25
5
Andy Schleck
Leopard Trek
+ 10'34
6
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 11'12
7
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 19'28
8
Bradley Wiggins
Sky ProCycling
+ 20'33
9
Javier Moreno
Caja Rural
+ 23'32
10
José Herrada
Caja Rural
+ 24'31
KOM:
1
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
125
2
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
118
3
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
90
4
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
67
5
Serguei Ivanov
Katusha Team
62
6
Denis Menchov
Geox - TMC
60
7
Andy Schleck
Leopard Trek
58
8
Óscar Pujol
Omega Pharma - Lotto
56
9
Josep Jufré
Pro Team Astana
55
10
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
54
Points:
1
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
201
2
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
138
3
Mark Cavendish
HTC - Highroad
129
4
Denis Menchov
Geox - TMC
127
5
Andy Schleck
Leopard Trek
121
6
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
113
7
Gerald Ciolek
Quick·Step Cycling Team
106
8
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
99
9
Carlos Sastre
Geox - TMC
90
10
José Joaquin Rojas
Movistar Team
89
U25:
1
Steven Kruijswijk
Rabobank Cycling Team
84h33'12
2
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
+ 6'36
3
Rafael Valls
Geox - TMC
+ 7'23
4
Robert Kiserlovski
Pro Team Astana
+ 12'43
5
Wout Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 18'31
6
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
+ 20'43
7
Arkaitz Duran
Geox - TMC
+ 30'42
8
Stefan Denifil
Leopard Trek
+ 31'46
9
Francesco Masciarelli
Pro Team Astana
+ 37'36
10
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 51'52
Team:
1
Geox - TMC
251h48'47
2
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 35'11
3
Caja Rural
+ 56'35
4
Leopard Trek
+ 1h33'54
5
Sky ProCycling
+ 1h45'55
6
Movistar Team
+ 1h50'38
7
Pro Team Astana
+ 1h58'00
8
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2h05'40
9
Andalucia Caja Granada
+ 2h07'22
10
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2h10'38
Stage 1: Benidorm - Benidorm: 16.0km (TTT)
1
Team RadioShack
17'50
2
HTC - Highroad
+ 16
3
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 31
4
Geox - TMC
+ 42
5
Sky ProCycling
+ 46
6
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 50
7
Movistar Team
+ 51
8
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 58
9
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'01
10
Caja Rural
+ 1'07
Stage 2: La Nucia - Playas de Orihuela: 172.5km
1
Mark Cavendish
HTC - Highroad
3h54'36
2
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
3
José Joaquin Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
4
Gerald Ciolek
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Matthew Goss
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
6
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Óscar Freire
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
s.t.
9
Robert Hunter
Team RadioShack
s.t.
10
Tom Leezer
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
Stage 3: Petrer - Totana: 164.1km
1
Mark Cavendish
HTC - Highroad
3h19'59
2
Gerald Ciolek
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Matthew Goss
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
4
José Joaquin Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
5
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
6
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Davide Appollonio
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
8
Robert Hunter
Team RadioShack
s.t.
9
Óscar Freire
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
s.t.
Stage 4: Baza - Sierra Nevada: 172.0km
1
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
5h04'38
2
Andy Schleck
Leopard Trek
s.t.
3
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 42
4
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 51
5
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
s.t.
6
Wout Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'16
7
Javier Moreno
Caja Rural
s.t.
8
Carlos Sastre
Geox - TMC
s.t.
9
Kevin De Weert
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'31
Stage 5: Sierra Nevada - Valdepenas de Jaen: 200.2km
1
Andy Schleck
Leopard Trek
4h55'02
2
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
s.t.
3
Steven Kruijswijk
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Bradley Wiggins
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
5
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 9
6
Javier Moreno
Caja Rural
s.t.
7
Simon Gerrans
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
8
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 42
9
Serguei Ivanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
10
Jelle Vanendert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
Stage 6: Ubeda - Cordoue: 184.8km
1
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
4h26'21
2
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
+ 24
3
Gerald Ciolek
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 40
4
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
5
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
6
Peter Velits
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
7
Francesco Masciarelli
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
8
José Joaquin Rojas
Movistar Team
+ 56
9
Sébastien Rosseler
Team RadioShack
s.t.
10
Javier Moreno
Caja Rural
s.t.
Stage 7: Almaden - Talavera de la Reina: 181.2km
1
Mark Cavendish
HTC - Highroad
3h59'33
2
Gerald Ciolek
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
3
José Joaquin Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
4
Matthew Goss
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
5
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
6
Elia Viviani
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
7
Óscar Freire
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
9
Robert Hunter
Team RadioShack
s.t.
10
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
s.t.
Stage 8: Talavera de la Reina - San Lorenzo de El Escorial: 185.3km
