lennybernstein wrote:
I really like your reports. How do you get then nice rounded edges on your photos?

Pre-Tactics
This is it! This is the only race that two of our greatest stars have been training for this spring. Having both Boasson Hagen and world champion Cavendish in our lineup, our team has to be counted as one of the best in this race.

We'll be trying to keep it all together for a mass sprint, at the end of the race. Whether we're going to ride for Cavendish or Boasson, we'll be deciding as the race develops, since it's a question of how much energy Cavendish will spend on the climbs.

My role in this race will be a complete domistique role where i'm giong to get waterbottles, drive in breakaways and protect our leaders. I'm so glad to even be at this lineup, so there's no doubt that i'll know my spot on the team.

	P. Sagan
	M. Cavendish, T. Boonen
	F. Cancellara, A. Greipel, M. Goss

5 riders got away at the start of the race, without containing any true prominent names, exept for F. Reda and Australian individual time trial champion L. Durbridge.


The breakaway quickly gained a great gap between itself and the pack. Eisel and Thomas were send to the front, where especially Liquigas and Lotto seemed active. Maybe it was a warning from Sagan and Greipel.


The pack slowly cut down the gap and with 50 km to go, the gap between the breakaway and the pack was at 3 min. 10 km after, first attack was settled. F. Cancellara tried to bridge the pack, but he was quickly reeled in again. The attack was probably just a warning, since he didn't gave his all.


After conquering the Cipressa climb, F. Reda and M. Selvaggi had dropped their 3 fellow companions, and now only had a minute ahead of the pack. Over the Cipressa climb, Orica-Greenedge had settled so high a pace, that Cavendish was struggling a lot - This could mean that we had to ride for Boasson Hagen instead.


With 15 km to go, the first truly dangerous breakaway got away. Boonen, Voigt and Ballan were all leaded by Swiss Cancellara, in what seemed as a very serious act.


But the pack quickly realized the danger and caught them in again. Reda and Selvaggi was also caught and all was gathered. But just before the final climb of Poggio, a new break containing Chavanel, Hushovd, Zabriskie and Horner tried their luck.


Due to a massive work of Siutsou and Urán, the group of Chavenel was caught right away. Cavendish was fighting to hang on at the front, but managed to stay with Boasson and Flecha who were controlling the pace. We were right where we wanted to be, nearing the top of the Poggio climb.


But of course, Cancellara didn't want it to go that way and tried one final breakaway at the descent of Poggio. Boasson showed great energy by following Cancellara's wheel right away, neutralising the attack.


Unfortunately Cavendish lost a lot of energy trying to hang on the breakaway of Cancellara. But he managed to get up in front again and drive the sprint for Boasson. On the final kilometer Boasson drove in the left side of the road, behind Greipel, Goss and Sagan, who had started his sprint a little early.


Nearing the final hundred metres, 3 riders came out best. Boasson clung himself to the wheel of Greipel, ready to go between him and Goss.


And YES! Boasson Hagen did it. On the final hundred metres, Boasson went between Goss and Greipel, and powered of to the finish line. What a great achievement for Edvald, but also for the team, taking the first monument of the season.

Pre-Race
Is this the Tour de France? Taking a look on the startlist and our own team lineup, you could almost be tricked to think so.

There's no doubt that we won't be satisfied if we doesn't take the overall victory in this years Tour of Catalunya. Wiggins and Froome are in great shape, and wants to end their spring session on the top.
Siutsou and Kness, who is going to this years Tour de France with Wiggins and Froome, are already topping their shape and together with some of this years Ardenne-classics riders, our team is capable of making miracles.

Our GC expectations will probably overshadow my chances for results in this race. But i sense a little light due to my great shape, which hopefully will give me the green light of appointing one particular stage to exploit my own chance.

	B. Wiggins
	S. Gerrans, C. Froome
	A. Schleck, R. Kreuziger, V. Nibali

Personal Goals

Pre-Tactics
Wiggins and Froome together is a deadly match. We won't try anything at the start of the race, as we want to see have the stage develops, and to see where the other teams are. But we might be trying something for Wiggins at the last climb.

	S. Gerrans
	L. Sánchez, B. Wiggins
	G. Bole, C. Froome, A. Valverde

4 riders got away after a big swarm of breakaways. With riders like
Á. Vicioso, R. Perez, J. Rodriguez and Australian champion C. Meyer, the breakaway had to be taken serious.


With 12 km to go, just after the last climb, everything were united again. Lots of brave riders took their advantage of this moment, but got caught again. After a moment of stagnation, R. Costa tried his luck breaking free - A move Wiggins had to follow.


The other favorites quickly realized the danger of letting Wiggins go, so Gerrans a little hesitant made his move from the pack with Sánchez and a lot of other riders. Wiggins therefore took his chance, breaking away from the other escapies, going solo.


Due to disagreement in the pack, Wiggins were able to keep a small lead before going into the final kilometer, where especially Lampre's
G. Bole came fast from the pack.


But Bole miscalculated his sprint which ended a little uphill. Wiggins looked comfortably to take the victory, as Nordhaug drove a fantastic sprint, looking for a podium spot. Another Sky-rider behind also looked strong on the last hundred metres, and he came with a great speed.


What a great start! Non of this was planned, but Wiggins truly surprised everyone, and settles the reason why he's the leader of the team.


Just behind Wiggins, Nordhaug took an amazingly second! But who's the rider behind him? Is it the young S. Puccio? Yes it is! Following team-mate Nordhuag in the sprint settles an amazing 1-2-3 at this first stage of the Tour of Catalunya. What a result!

1	Bradley Wiggins	Sky Procycling	3h32'20
2	Lars Petter Nordhaug	Sky Procycling	s.t.
3	Salvatore Puccio	Sky Procycling	s.t.
4	Xavier Florencio	Katusha Team	s.t.
5	Jonathan Castroviejo	Movistar Team	s.t.
6	Thibaut Pinot	FDJ - BigMat	s.t.
7	Grega Bole	Lampre - ISD	s.t.
8	Beñat Intxausti	Movistar Team	s.t.
9	Andreas Klöden	RadioShack - Nissan	s.t.
10	Rui Costa	Movistar Team	s.t.

1	Bradley Wiggins	Sky Procycling	3h32'10
2	Lars Petter Nordhaug	Sky Procycling	+ 4
3	Rubén Pérez	Euskaltel - Euskadi	s.t.
4	Salvatore Puccio	Sky Procycling	+ 6
5	Ángel Vicioso	Katusha Team	s.t.
6	Jackson Rodríguez	Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela	+ 8
7	Xavier Florencio	Katusha Team	+ 10
8	Jonathan Castroviejo	Movistar Team	s.t.
9	Thibaut Pinot	FDJ - BigMat	s.t.
10	Grega Bole	Lampre - ISD	s.t.

1	Bradley Wiggins	Sky Procycling	25
2	Lars Petter Nordhaug	Sky Procycling	20
3	Salvatore Puccio	Sky Procycling	16
4	Xavier Florencio	Katusha Team	14
5	Jonathan Castroviejo	Movistar Team	12
6	Thibaut Pinot	FDJ - BigMat	10
7	Grega Bole	Lampre - ISD	9
8	Beñat Intxausti	Movistar Team	8
9	Andreas Klöden	RadioShack - Nissan	7
10	Rubén Pérez	Euskaltel - Euskadi	6

1	Ángel Vicioso	Katusha Team	24
2	Jackson Rodríguez	Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela	21
3	Rubén Pérez	Euskaltel - Euskadi	20
4	Cameron Meyer	Orica - GreenEdge	19
5	Christophe Riblon	AG2R La Mondiale	6
6	David Millar	Garmin - Sharp	6
7	Lars Ytting Bak	Lotto Belisol Team	3
8	Przemyslaw Niemiec	Lampre - ISD	2
9	Assan Bazayev	Astana Pro Team	1
10	Xavier Florencio	Katusha Team	1

1	Salvatore Puccio	Sky Procycling	3h32'20
2	Jonathan Castroviejo	Movistar Team	+ 4
3	Thibaut Pinot	FDJ - BigMat	s.t.
4	Gorka Izagirre	Euskaltel - Euskadi	s.t.
5	Damiano Caruso	Liquigas - Cannondale	s.t.
6	Jesús Herrada	Movistar Team	s.t.
7	Stefan Denifl	Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
8	Rigoberto Urán	Sky Procycling	s.t.
9	Arthur Vichot	FDJ - BigMat	s.t.
10	Rafael Valls	Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team	s.t.

"What happened? Was i third!" - It was my first comment after the stage. I'm so ecstatic, I was preparing the sprint for Nordhaug, going from wheel to wheel. I found the best place to be, in the back of Rabobank's train, but Nordhaug felt like going early, so only seconds after placing him, he passed me - I had done my job, but i felt i had more left, so i tried follow Nordhaug, pulling out to the left side of the road... And the rest of the story, you already know.

I knew i came here in great shape, but taking a third in such prestigious World Tour race, I was never aware i could achieve.

The podium spot means that i'll ride in the youth-jersey tomorrow, and that i've taken some valueable ranking-points - And not least, i've achieved two personal goals, by taking a top-5 in the Tour of Catalunya and being part of 5 victories!

Personal Goals

Pre-Tactics
Wiggins is in the lead which means that we're on to a long day of hard work. I'll spend most of my time in front of the pack dragging in breakaways, but it also means that i can show of my new jersey. Wiggins is feeling even greater than yesterday, so he might be trying something in the final.

	S. Gerrans
	L. Sánchez, B. Wiggins
	C. Horner, C. Froome, R. Costa

The morning breakaway contained 3 strong riders, and since we were the ones to catch them, they were thankfully no threat to the GC.


After stabilizing the pack, we were immediately send of to the front and even though it was a tough job sitting out in the wind, having the youth jersey made it all a little easier.


On the final and biggest climb all were atomized. The breakaway still held a little gap crossing the top first. Behind in the pack several favorites were active, where Gerrans succeeded going solo.


Going to the downhill section over the final climb, a group of 9 favorites were formed where Wiggins, Froome and Siutsou were.
In front with just about a minute to the favorites, the breakaway tried to keep their gap to Gerrans who were closing in on the group.


Gerrans almost caught the frontgroup, but never really reached them.
Wiggins made a magnificent power show of, when dragging in Gerrans by himself, almost splitting up the whole favorite group.
The breakaway seemed to go into stragical mode, making it possible for Froome catching the group and prepare the sprint for Wiggins.


Wiggins was in a fine position, going into the sprint. It was clear that he hadn't the same acceleration as riders like Sánchez and Gerrans, therefore he was hoping for a long and exhausting sprint.


And that was what Wiggins got! All regular sprinters like Elmiger and Gerrans simply didn't have the power to finish of their sprint, improving Wiggins chances for another win. But out of nowhere Lemoine came in the right side of the road, oversprinting Wiggins by a little meter. What a close call!

1	Cyril Lemoine	Saur - Sojasun	3h59'45
2	Bradley Wiggins	Sky Procycling	s.t.
3	Frantisek Rabon	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step	s.t.
4	Luis León Sánchez	Rabobank Cycling Team	s.t.
5	Roman Kreuziger	Astana Pro Team	s.t.
6	Chris Horner	RadioShack - Nissan	s.t.
7	Rui Costa	Movistar Team	s.t.
8	Jürgen Van de Walle	Lotto Belisol Team	s.t.
9	Kanstantsin Siutsou	Sky Procycling	s.t.
10	Simon Gerrans	Orica - GreenEdge	s.t.
...
38	Salvatore Puccio	Sky Procycling	+ 38

1	Bradley Wiggins	Sky Procycling	7h31'49
2	Roman Kreuziger	Astana Pro Team	+ 16
3	Luis León Sánchez	Rabobank Cycling Team	s.t.
4	Rui Costa	Movistar Team	s.t.
5	Chris Froome	Sky Procycling	s.t.
6	Simon Gerrans	Orica - GreenEdge	s.t.
7	Robert Gesink	Rabobank Cycling Team	s.t.
8	Chris Horner	RadioShack - Nissan	s.t.
9	Martin Elmiger	AG2R La Mondiale	s.t.
10	Kanstantsin Siutsou	Sky Procycling	s.t.
...
12	Salvatore Puccio	Sky Procycling	+ 50

1	Bradley Wiggins	Sky Procycling	45
2	Cyril Lemoine	Saur - Sojasun	30
3	Lars Petter Nordhaug	Sky Procycling	22
4	Frantisek Rabon	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step	21
5	Luis León Sánchez	Rabobank Cycling Team	18
6	Roman Kreuziger	Astana Pro Team	17
7	Salvatore Puccio	Sky Procycling	16
8	Rui Costa	Movistar Team	15
9	Xavier Florencio	Katusha Team	14
10	Jonathan Castroviejo	Movistar Team	12

1	Ángel Vicioso	Katusha Team	24
2	Cyril Lemoine	Saur - Sojasun	22
3	Jackson Rodríguez	Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela	21
4	Rubén Pérez	Euskaltel - Euskadi	20
5	Cameron Meyer	Orica - GreenEdge	19
6	Frantisek Rabon	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	14
7	Jürgen Van de Walle	Lotto Belisol Team	14
8	Simon Gerrans	Orica - GreenEdge	8
9	David Millar	Garmin - Sharp	7
10	Roman Kreuziger	Astana Pro Team	6

1	Salvatore Puccio	Sky Procycling	7h32'39
2	Jonathan Castroviejo	Movistar Team	+ 4
3	Gorka Izagirre	Euskaltel - Euskadi	+ 4
4	Thibaut Pinot	FDJ - BigMat	+ 4
5	Damiano Caruso	Liquigas - Cannondale	+ 4
6	Rigoberto Urán	Sky Procycling	+ 4
7	Arthur Vichot	FDJ - BigMat	+ 3'55
8	Cameron Meyer	Orica - GreenEdge	+ 5'05
9	Egor Silin	Astana Pro Team	+ 5'05
10	Dennis Van Winden	Rabobank Cycling Team	+ 5'05

That's what is called a tough day at work! Wiggins, Froome and Siutsou did a great job in the final, and Wiggins really showed which power he possess.

I was so close to exploding when driving over the top of the final climb. I tried everything to hang on to the group who was following the group of favorites.

But with a little help from Kness, i got myself placed in the middle of the group - What a gesture from Kness, who made me finish together with the second group, just 38 seconds behind the front group.

I'm looking forward for tommorrow with another day in white, but it will probably be the day i'm losing the jersey, since there're some enormous mountains on the profile - But let's see how it develops.

His contract with Sky ends this season - Whether he's going to stay or change will be found out during the season (We're after all only in March now )

You can check out his contract situation here.

This page will be updated throughout the season, but i'll let you all know when it happens

Pre-Tactics
This third stage is quite massive. We're going over lots of huge mountains, and i doubt the degree of help that i can provide race leader Wiggins. There'll probably be a lot of attacks nearing the final climb, and therefore we'll try to ride in a fast pace all the way up to neutralize the attacks - Just like Wiggins likes it.

	B. Wiggins
	C. Froome, R. Gesink
	A. Schleck, V. Nibali, R. Kreuziger

6 riders formed the morning-breakaway which included riders like S. Cummings, N. Sørensen and A. Kashechkin. Later on Androni's
J. Rodriguez also joined the group.


With 60 km to go, D. Caruso and D. Millar broke free, chasing the breakaway ahead of the pack leaded by Team Sky.


When the pack reached the final climb, all were united again and the pace were increased dramatically. Going up along, several tried to gap the pack, but only one suceeded - Roman Kreuziger, 2nd in GC.


Siutsou did everything he could to bring back Kreuziger, but despite being in the shape of his life, he couldn't finish it. With 3 km to the finish, Froome had to take over with Wiggins in his wheel.


Froome was able to catch Kreuziger, increasing the favorite group to 7 riders including Wiggins and Froome who kept the pace at its maximum to prevent any attack.


Froome gave his all in the sprint with Wiggins in his wheel. The two riders forgot looking back, and never realized that they immediately bridged the other favorites. Wiggins passed Froome on the last metres making it a Sky double!

1	Bradley Wiggins	Sky Procycling	6h27'29
2	Chris Froome	Sky Procycling	s.t.
3	Robert Gesink	Rabobank Cycling Team	s.t.
4	Chris Horner	RadioShack - Nissan	s.t.
5	Rui Costa	Movistar Team	s.t.
6	Roman Kreuziger	Astana Pro Team	s.t.
7	Beñat Intxausti	Movistar Team	s.t.
8	Andreas Klöden	RadioShack - Nissan	+ 1'17
9	Luis León Sánchez	Rabobank Cycling Team	+ 2'17
10	Jonathan Castroviejo	Movistar Team	s.t.
...
36	Salvatore Puccio	Sky Procycling	+ 9'21

1	Bradley Wiggins	Sky Procycling	13h59'08
2	Chris Froome	Sky Procycling	+ 20
3	Robert Gesink	Rabobank Cycling Team	+ 22
4	Roman Kreuziger	Astana Pro Team	+ 26
5	Rui Costa	Movistar Team	s.t.
6	Chris Horner	RadioShack - Nissan	s.t.
7	Beñat Intxausti	Movistar Team	+ 1'04
8	Andreas Klöden	RadioShack - Nissan	+ 2'21
9	Luis León Sánchez	Rabobank Cycling Team	+ 2'43
10	Martin Elmiger	AG2R La Mondiale	s.t.
...
32	Salvatore Puccio	Sky Procycling	+ 10'21

1	Bradley Wiggins	Sky Procycling	70
2	Cyril Lemoine	Saur - Sojasun	33
3	Roman Kreuziger	Astana Pro Team	27
4	Rui Costa	Movistar Team	27
5	Luis León Sánchez	Rabobank Cycling Team	25
6	Chris Froome	Sky Procycling	24
7	Chris Horner	RadioShack - Nissan	24
8	Lars Petter Nordhaug	Sky Procycling	22
9	Frantisek Rabon	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step	21
10	Robert Gesink	Rabobank Cycling Team	19
...
13	Salvatore Puccio	Sky Procycling	16

1	Jackson Rodríguez	Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela	62
2	Nicki Sørensen	Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank	40
3	Bradley Wiggins	Sky Procycling	33
4	David Le Lay	Saur - Sojasun	32
5	Mikel Astarloza	Euskaltel - Euskadi	30
6	Stephen Cummings	BMC Racing Team	28
7	Chris Froome	Sky Procycling	26
8	Andrey Kashechkin	Astana Pro Team	26
9	Ángel Vicioso	Katusha Team	24
10	Andrew Fenn	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step	24

1	Jonathan Castroviejo	Movistar Team	14h02'29
2	Thibaut Pinot	FDJ - BigMat	+ 0
3	Rigoberto Urán	Sky Procycling	+ 0
4	Gorka Izagirre	Euskaltel - Euskadi	+ 1'39
5	Damiano Caruso	Liquigas - Cannondale	+ 1'39
6	Cameron Meyer	Orica - GreenEdge	+ 6'40
7	Salvatore Puccio	Sky Procycling	+ 7'00
8	Egor Silin	Astana Pro Team	+ 12'18
9	Jesús Herrada	Movistar Team	+ 14'01
10	Ricardo García	Euskaltel - Euskadi	+ 18'06

God i'm exhausted! The stage today was really difficult and tough. Therefore i was so glad when crossing the line, being told that Wiggins and Froome took the double on this great stage.

The guys are really keeping an insane level of racing these days, so it's really fun to be a part of this team.

It felt like i was dropped a lot of places going upwards the final climb, but when checking the results, i actually finished very high when taking the stage profile into account.

I'm feeling okay and i'm confident to continue tommorrow even though i dropped the youth jersey today. It was expected, so there's nothing to be sad about - Urán also seems to have a good chance to take it, so lets hope it will return to the team.