@all: Thank you! I'm really glad that Puccio took his first "win" here in Spain. The jersey really means a lot to him, and i think he fought really well for it. Urán also did an amazing job securing his victory.
All in all... Great day for everyone (except the opponents )
Next race will be the Amstel Gold Race - A major day in Puccio's schedule. I'm really looking forward to see how it goes. I may be up with a little teaser later before the final report
Pre-Race
We're in for a great battle! The first major Ardennes-Classic is closing up, and all eyes slowly turns towards the Netherlands and the Amstel.
Unlike many past springs, there is no significant favorite for the race, since no one have been dominating really in the hilly races until now.
Philippe Gilbert always settles the Amstel Gold Race as one of his main objectives, but due to unknown reasons his results in this spring haven't been near what he've done before. Therefore everythings stands open when talking about chances of winning.
An obvious bid for a winner would be cobblers Boonen and Cancellara. Both have had a really strong cobble-session, and could very well crown themself as king of Amstel. Another strong contender is
J. Rodriguez who've won the Paris-Nice and taken overall 3rd in Vasco, making him a serious threat for the win.
Apart from those, guys like Gerrans, Sánchez and Schleck have also done well towards the Ardennes-Classics with markers in both Vasco, Paris-Nice and Catalunya. And finally, you would do clever in watching out for 4th in both Vasco and Catalunya and winner of TDU and Oman, Rui Costa. He'll be present when going into the final without any doubt.
Favorites
J. Rodiguez
S. Gerrans, F. Cancellara
P. Gilbert, T. Boonen, R. Costa
Pre-Tactics
We're competing with a team build around R. Urán. At the moment Urán is in great shape, and is willing to fight for making a good result, and with his high standard, he'll surely make a great result.
Nordhaug and me have got free roles, to slip into breakaways throughout the day, meaning that i can probably take my chance for the morningbreakaway, while Nordhaug could try something from the middle of the stage. Otherwise we'll keep ourselfs inside the pack to go as far as possible, helping Urán in the final.
I'm looking forward to the race, and i've never been more ready to race one of my absolute favorite races. This is one of the races i've always been dreaming about racing.
Pre-Tactics
As said before, this race is quite open due to no superior favorite.
The possible confusion of who to reel in breakaways could therefore turn out to be an advantage for our team.
I'm in the shape of my life, and i'm feeling great here ahead of the race. It's a crucial turning point in my life as professional bikerider, and i attend to use this opportunity to make a great impression to the world of cycling.
Favorites
J. Rodiguez
S. Gerrans, F. Cancellara
P. Gilbert, T. Boonen, R. Costa
The Race
We had planned that Puccio should, if possible, get into the morning breakaway, but that didn't work out. Instead A. Dyachenko,
K. Wandewalle, K. Fernandez, M. Lloyd and G. Levarlet got away, forming a 5 man group, gaining a solid gap quite early in the race.
The break of the day - containing 5 riders
After slowing down the pace in the pack, Katusha and BMC got to the front, making their stand in a possible Rodriguez - Gilbert duel.
Katusha and BMC in front of the pack
At the 180 km to go sign, the rain started pouring down, as the pack entered the Cauberg climb for the first time of the race.
The pack going up the Cauberg climb in pouring rain
The breakaway quickly built up a gap. With 160 km to the line, the gap had increased being 6 min between the break and the pack.
The breakaway in a rare moment with no rain
Leaded by Katusha and BMC, the pack slowly drove past the fields of Limburg. Puccio felt great at this moment and knew that in the end of the day, this race would bring him something special.
In a steady pace the pack kept going
The breakaway crossed the 75 km to go boundary when driving over the legendary Cauberg climb for the second time of the day.
The breakaway crossing Cauberg second time
In one big piece 5 minutes after the breakaway, the pack got over Cauberg beggining to increase the pace towards the final.
Gap crossing the Cauberg: 5 minutes
There was a reason why the pace had upped significantly. Katusha and Orica-Greenedge had taken over the front, wanting to bring back the breakaway once and for all before the big firework had to begin.
Orica and Katusha upping the pace significantly
With 30 km to go the breakaway was almost back in the pack. Gilbert saw his chance and made his attack, but Katusha quickly reacted and made Gilbert stop his attack. Only 2 km's after Sánchez attacked and Gilbert once again tried his chance.
Sánchez and Gilbert on the run with 30 km to go
Gilbert couldn't make the difference and got back into the pack, leaving Sánchez on the solo. Their attacks made a significant elimination, and only 30 riders formed the pack with 15 km to go.
In the front group, Puccio struggling but present, sat in the group!
Sánchez on solo with the pack of 30 riders behind him
Heroically Puccio fought himself up beside Nordhaug to hear if he could do anything before letting himself drop down again. But Nordhaug could see that Puccio had more to give and encouraged him, making him fight a little harder, trying to keep up with pace.
Nordhaug encourageing Puccio
With about 12 km to the finish Sánchez got caught by a strong Albasini leading the pack. The following moment of stagnation got Urán to see a chance of making a contra-attack, and he didn't hesitate.
Urán on the move 12 km from the line
Urán's attack really exploded the group and got Puccio to suffer a lot. But Urán was quickly caught back by Albasini which made the pace slow down only just enough to make Puccio able to hang on again.
The pack down to 16 riders after Urán's attack
Puccio didn't have the time to enjoy this moment because of serious pain in his legs. So what he didn't realized was that he drove in shelter of the wind just behind his biggest idol O. Freire in the final of the 2012 Amstel Gold Race - Here is something to show the grandchilds!
Puccio between three former world champions - Cancellara, Boonen and Freire
A group behind the front group with riders like Sánchez, Schleck and Leukemans, was only a few seconds behind, but with 10 km to the line it was a question whether they could get back or not.
The view from the second front group with 10 km to go
When reaching Cauberg for the last time of the race, Gerrans accelerated amazingly uphill, gaining a fine gap quickly. Urán was placed well and tried to follow Cunego for the final sprint.
The sprint begins as Gerrans flies away
Side by side with fellow team-mate Nordhaug and fellow world stars Gilbert and Freire, Puccio drog himself through the pain.
Puccio trying to defeat Cauberg
As Rodriguez flew past Urán, Gerrans' gap seemed to be reduced more and more. From behind, Albasini was also closing in on Urán.
Urán fighting for top 5
But eventually Gerrans simply had a gap too big on the rest and took a beautiful victory where his team-mate Albasini really placed him perfectly and leaved himself to do the rest. Rodriguez took 2nd and Cunego took 3rd, while Urán ended up in 5th.
Gerrans takes a totally deserved victory for Orica - Greenedge
But of greater importance, Puccio sprints over the finish line as 2nd from behind, taking 15th in his first Amstel Gold Race ever!
15th! Me? Yeah, i cannot believe it either. I know a came here in the shape of my life, but this was against the very best riders in the world. To become 15th in a race like this is something which exceeds all my thoughts of where i actually stand. I'm so happy with my performance and i'm sure that this has to be my biggest achievement in all my career. It's an incredible feeling!
After the race even O. Freire, my big hero, came to me telling me how good a performance he thought i had made. Eventually our little chat changed to be more about how awesome i thought he was ;-)
The whole team worked perfectly together today, and especially Urán delivered a great result. A special thanks goes to Nordhaug who encouraged me at one of my hardest moments in the race - I'm sure my result wouldn't have looked near the same if it wasn't for him!
I gotta say, man, this was an amazing report. For me, this is one of the best stories at the moment. The reports are just so easy to read and well organized, and with that touch of Puccio it's just perfect
Definitely a story to keep going, so please do
Ian Butler wrote:
I gotta say, man, this was an amazing report. For me, this is one of the best stories at the moment. The reports are just so easy to read and well organized, and with that touch of Puccio it's just perfect
Definitely a story to keep going, so please do
Agreed.
I dont comment as much, but this is one of my favourites (sidenote, I bet we will see you two in the One Rider Awards vote).
I really love the graphics you have made, and the round corners are an amazing touch.
Wow! Logging on 1st time after making last report is spectacular. Seeing all the great comments, really makes me happy. Thank you!
@FreitasPCM: Thanks!
@fcancellara: Yeah! 15th is insane. I know Puccio was in really great shape, and the top contenders wasn't at their peak yet, but taking 15th is really something special!
@ste_18: I'm glad that you're mentioning Urán. He was very strong today! Thanks
@dienblad: Thank you
@Ian Butler: Thank you so much Ian! Knowing how amazing you are at making one-rider stories, really makes me feel great when saying such about my work! Thank you
@valverde321: Thank you valverde! I'm so glad that you're liking the story. When talking about graphics i really have to admit that i admire your Caisse d'Epargne graphics - They are the creme dela creme!
When already mentioning admire of your work, i have to say that you were actually one of the main reasons that i'd even start, writing one-rider stories, due to your Veilleux-story. But anyway, thanks for the comment, it really means a lot to me
@sutty68: Thanks! Yeah, what he did today was amazing, there must be some team managers recognising Salvatore's development through the last couple of races - Let's hope his personal manager Lombardi is doing great, in finding impressed managers
Rodriguez has to be counted as one of the biggest contenders for the win today. The route suits him much more than the route for Amstel and therefore he looks really strong after being the only one capable of getting close to Gerrans in the Amstel Gold Race.
Gerrans is also in great shape, proving that by winning the Amstel a few days ago. But with a much more exhausting route, it's a question whether he's going to finish in the top of the table.
One of the disappointments in the Amstel Gold Race, was Gilbert. Ending up in 7th after some weak attacks really wasn't what the world of cycling was expecting from such big star. But no matter his result in Amstel, it's sure he's going to give his all - Never count out Gilbert!
Riders like Voeckler, Schleck, Costa, Albasini and especially Cunego, you'll also have to have an eye on, taking a big risk in letting them gain just a little gap in the final.
Favorites
J. Rodiguez
P. Gilbert, S. Gerrans
D. Cunego, T. Voeckler, A. Schleck
Pre-Tactics
Rigoberto feels great and really wants to bring home a similar result as in the Amstel Gold Race where he became 5th. He'll try to stay in the pack all the way through, trying to play the waiting game till the final.
Nordhaug has also kept his shape high and wants to try a breakaway today. He's probably going to see if he can get a chance in the last 3rd of the race, just before the favorites starts opening up.
Speaking for myself, i only feel better than i did before the Amstel Gold Race. When training, i can feel the great difference in my pedalstrokes, being able to work out a huge amount of watts, higher than i've ever done before. With Nordhaug looking for a breakaway, i'll probably just try staying together with Rigoberto for as long as possible, without going for any breakaways.
The Race
6 riders got away early, forming the breakaway of the day. Among these 6 riders, Wegmann, Kelderman and Vaugrenard had to be counted as the strongest without being a real threat to the win.
6 riders making the break of the day
The breakaway quickly gained a great gap due to a relaxed pack.
At this point Puccio knew he was strong and felt very well.
The pack staying cool
With about 90 km to go the pack began upping the pace dramatically which caused the 7 min. gap between the break and the pack to fall strongly. Mainly Katusha and BMC were active in front.
Through the forrest while the pack increases the pace
With 50 km to the finish, Nordhaug saw his chance of slipping away.
A couple of riders got away first, so when G. Meersman therefore tried to slip away also, Nordhaug got on the run with D. Devenyns behind.
Nordhaug on the run
40 km to the line, Nordhaug's group and the group in front of them, reached the morning break, making a very strong group of 12 riders.
Unification of all breakaways, creating a group of 12
Radioshack got to the front and joined Katusha in the fight of bringing the escape back. Interesting to see, was that Gerrans started to realy in the front, giving a clear signal that Orica focused on Albasini today.
Radioshack and Gerrans in front of the pack
But with only 15 km to the finish, the breakaway was reeled in. Due to a loss of rhythm, the gap suddenly fell significantly fast, and then it was only a matter of seconds before they were back in the pack.
A moment of silence, just before the storm
With 10 km to go, everything exploded. Rodriguez started out, with an extreme acceleration. Both Albasini and Sánchez tried to follow him, but in the end it didn't work out, and Andy Schleck suddenly went solo.
Schleck on the solo after attack from Rodriguez
But Schleck only kept it going for 5 km, which once again settled a similar scenario as in the Amstel. It was a very big group who now seemed to be driving for the win and Puccio was of course in this group and actually felt quite well, when judging from the very fast pace.
Puccio in the front group/pack with 5 km to go
But somehow, and yet quite predictable, Gilbert didn't want it to go that way! With 3 km left, Gilbert stroke amazingly fast away from the pack, going solo towards the Mur de Huy.
Gilbert alone in front
On the relatively short distance, Gilbert gained a fine gap on the pack. Sprinting uphill the first section of the Mur, Gilbert still kept a small lead, where especially Rodriguez came fast from behind.
Gilbert in the lead on the Mur de Huy
But did Gilbert overestimate his powers? Rodriguez drove up beside him with both Iglinskiy and Urán close to the front, with only about a hundred metres to the finish. Right after the front favorites, another Sky rider drove in the very front of the final. Nordhaug was a long way down, so who was this guy then?...
Rodriguez catches Gilbert
It was Puccio! Due to perfect positioning before the climb, Puccio was able to keep up with the strongest guys in the league!
Puccio up front in the very finale
Taking a look from his position, Puccio actaully kept a provisional 5th just before the finish. Only a hundred metres could stand between him and the greatest result of his career so far...
Puccio's view just before the finish
But back to the front! Rodriguez did everything he could to take over the front from Gilbert, but appearently he didn't have the strength to do so. Gilbert wins with Rodriguez in 2nd, and Urán takes an amazing podium spot, by taking the bronze medal ahead of Iglinskiy.
Gilbert crosses the line in first - Urán becomes 3rd
Puccio amazingly didn't drop down and stayed in front, now going for the sprint for 5th! He led, only hundred metres from the finish, but Gasparotto and Moreno came fast from behind...
The sprint for 5th - Will Puccio take it?
So close, but still so far away! Puccio had to give his everything to be able to get into top 5. A result he hadn't dreamed about before the race, but now was realistic and a thing he now wanted so badly.
Puccio looking for the finish
It looked great! Puccio seemed to keep his pace, although Moreno and Gasparotto got very near. He just had to put down his final strokes...
If the Amstel Gold Race was great... No words can describe this.
I kept myself near Urán in the final and started out the climb in a perfect position. Suddenly i found myself sitting in the very front of the race, driving for results only the greatest riders can achieve!
First of all i want to congratulate Urán. He has been fighting so hard to get this podium spot, and thereby he completes our objective for the Ardennes-Classics! He helped me on the last couple of kilometres, when things got tough, and surely was a part of my own fantastic result.
My result won't only mean a lot for my self-esteem when racing and training, but also when talking about contracts. This means that i now have some attractive World-Tour points, which every manager will take into account before signing a rider. It therefore gives me a freedom and calmness to focus on my racing, when practically being secured a new contract.
I can't imagine how much fun we're going to have tonight at the hotel. Two riders in top 5 isn't something which happens everyday in such prestigious race, so we'll have to celebrate it with manner!
) 
