The last chance.
This is how today feels for me. I have had a formidable season so far, with a victory in Kuurne, a second place in Wevelgem and a third place in De Ronde. But when you feel you are one of the better riders, you want that big victory. Today is the last chance to do that.
It's my all time favorite race.
I feel stronger than ever.
Ready for the Hell!
Profile
Paris - Roubaix is always the same, but then again always different. The race can be opened at any point, and that's the big danger of the race. Miss the decisive attack and it's game over. It's a 250 km battle and you must be at the tip of your saddle all the time.
Today, the race couldn't have started better for me. There was a lot of rain, which made the route very slippery. I'm growing more and more confident by the day on cobblestones, I love this weather.
And then, an interesting move by 4 time winner Tom Boonen. Is he desperate for a fifth, or does he have the best legs ever? It's 70 kilometers left, where are you going, Tom?
My team mates worked themselves to the bone today. I can't thank the guys enough. Mitchell Docker, Bradley Carroll, Leigh Howard, Matthew Hayman: you were all fantastic today! They just reeled Tom Boonen back in.
Hayman tried to keep up the pace, but it was obvious I'd be isolated soon. I didn't want to get in the situation I got in at De Ronde. So that meant I had to make the race myself!
Just when I was about to make my move, Boonen had another go. I was at his wheel instantly and followed.
Now this was interesting. The two of us could definitely hold off a small group, I was sure of that!
We put aside our differences from last week and found each other quite well. We relayed and took about 100 meters.
On the next cobbled section, one man was chasing us hard. It was last year winner Sep Vanmarcke! By now, I was doing most of the work up front.
When I saw he was coming, I upped the tempo just a little bit. No way I was letting him get to us without having to fight hard for it! Boonen wasn't almighty strong today, I just saw it.
The crowd was just amazing. I put all the frustration from the past few weeks in one big acceleration. At the end of the cobbled section, Boonen finally cracked. He had to leave a gap of about bike length, then two, three... I was away!
Back on the tarmac, he seemed to recover a bit, but I wasn't going to let him get back, no way! When I'm gone, I plan to stay away. I have a decent sprint but I'm not taking Tom Boonen to the Vélodrome.
It was man to man, raw power versus raw power. It was me, Boonen, Vanmarcke, all seperated by a mere 15-25 meters.
And then I saw the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. The Vélodrome was packed with people. They were cheering so loud I couldn't hear myself breath! I was the first one to arrive on the Vélodrome. That in itself is a dream coming true.
Under loud applause, I rode the final lap and a half on the Vélodrome. Mostly in disbelief, I crossed the finish line. They can never take this away from me. I have this. I have won Paris - Roubaix 2015 and am forever in the history books!
Vanmarcke caught Boonen just in time to take the second place and complete a full Belgian podium!
As soon as I had crossed the finish line, I found my girlfriend and hugged her. I couldn't say a word and even if I could, what would I say? She was wet from standing there in the rain and I got mud all over her, but she didn't care. I didn't care. It was the most perfect moment of my life!
Result
1
Matthias Vleminckx
Orica GreenEdge
6h03'22
2
Sep Vanmarcke
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'49
3
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Zdenek Stybar
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 4'10
5
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ.fr
+ 4'36
6
Kenneth Vanbilsen
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
+ 5'21
7
Filippo Pozzato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
8
Damien Gaudin
Team Katusha
s.t.
9
Geraint Thomas
Team Sky
+ 6'42
10
Alexander Kristoff
Team Katusha
+ 10'28
Spoiler
11
Niki Terpstra
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
12
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
13
Heinrich Haussler
IAM Cycling
s.t.
14
Sébastien Turgot
Movistar Team
s.t.
15
Sebastian Langeveld
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
16
Sylvain Chavanel
IAM Cycling
s.t.
17
Greg Van Avermaet
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
18
Johan Vansummeren
Garmin Sharp
+ 12'02
19
Matthew Hayman
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
20
Björn Leukemans
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
+ 13'18
21
Oscar Gatto
Cannondale
+ 14'10
22
John Degenkolb
Team Sky
s.t.
23
Arnaud Demare
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 14'36
24
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
25
Borut Božic
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
26
Silvan Dillier
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
27
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
28
Ian Stannard
Team Sky
+ 15'41
29
Yohan Offredo
FDJ.fr
+ 16'29
30
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
31
Tom Van Asbroeck
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
+ 17'39
32
Bradley Carroll
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
33
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
34
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
35
Mitchell Docker
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
36
Iljo Keisse
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
37
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
38
Sébastien Minard
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
39
Kristjan Koren
Cannondale
+ 18'39
40
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
41
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
42
Elia Viviani
Cannondale
s.t.
43
Leigh Howard
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
44
Gert Steegmans
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
45
Marco Marcato
Cannondale
s.t.
46
Bert De Backer
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
47
Tony Gallopin
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
48
Jan Ghyselinck
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
49
Adrien Petit
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 20'53
50
Mirko Selvaggi
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
51
Michael Mørkøv
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
s.t.
52
Jimmy Engoulvent
Team Europcar
+ 21'59
53
Robert Wagner
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
54
Aurélien Duval
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
55
Salvatore Puccio
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
56
Maciej Bodnar
Cannondale
s.t.
57
Stijn Devolder
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
58
Bob Jungels
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 24'23
59
Paul Voss
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 25'26
60
Tim Declercq
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
61
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
62
Dries Devenyns
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
63
Vladimir Gusev
Team Katusha
s.t.
64
Jonas Vangenechten
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
+ 27'03
65
Sean De Bie
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
66
Sébastien Hinault
IAM Cycling
s.t.
67
Gabriel Rasch
Team Sky
s.t.
68
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
69
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
70
Ben Swift
Team Sky
+ 27'59
71
Wesley Kreder
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
+ 28'30
72
Luka Mezgec
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 28'50
73
Jos Van Emden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
74
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
75
Dominic Klemme
IAM Cycling
+ 29'19
76
Alexis Vuillermoz
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
77
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
s.t.
78
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 30'24
79
Andrew Fenn
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
80
Mattia Cattaneo
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
81
Laurent Beuret
BMC Racing Team
+ 31'37
82
Pim Ligthart
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
83
William Bonnet
Team Europcar
s.t.
84
Julien Fouchard
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
85
Yves Lampaert
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
86
Alexander Porsev
Team Katusha
s.t.
87
Gert Dockx
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
88
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
89
Christian Knees
Team Sky
s.t.
90
Lieuwe Westra
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
91
Markel Irizar
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
92
Alexey Tsatevitch
Team Katusha
s.t.
93
Zico Waeytens
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
94
Andy Schleck
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
95
Bjorn Selander
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
s.t.
96
Guillaume Blot
Team Europcar
s.t.
97
Alex Dowsett
Movistar Team
s.t.
98
Arnaud Gérard
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
99
Nathan Haas
Garmin Sharp
+ 32'54
100
Fumiyuki Beppu
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
101
Jesse Sergent
Trek Factory Racing
+ 33'44
102
Arthur Vichot
FDJ.fr
+ 34'54
103
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ.fr
+ 35'18
104
Edward Theuns
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
+ 35'50
After I recovered from my emotions, there was a reporter ready for me.
Congratulations. You write your name in history forever by taking this monument. How does it feel?
I couldn't even try to explain what this means to you. Roubaix is the most beautiful race there is and I've always dreamed of standing at the highest spot of the podium here. Never did I imagine I would pull it off. It's beyond my wildest dreams. You're only 23 years old, that makes you the youngest winner in a very long time. It's only your second edition, too, yet you ride around like a veteran, how do you explain that?
I won this race in the U23, too. Winning it at the pros at this age makes it even more special. It's hard to explain, I just love this race so much and when I hit those cobbles, I feel like I'm coming home. For a while, it looked like you were have to sprint against Tom Boonen. Did you feel you had to get rid of him or wouldn't it have mattered?
Of course it would've been different. Boonen is a legend, but I would've done anything to win the sprint. I prefer this way, though [laughs]. Thank you, Matthias Vleminckx.
It's already safe to say my season is a big success. After a few near-victories, I took the one that couldn't have meant more to me. The race of my dreams, Paris - Roubaix.
Orica - GreenEdge for the future?
This victory means so much to me, to be part of history... But let's be practical, too. A victory likes that comes with a certain status, and with my contract ending at the end of the season, it isn't unimportant to write your name in the history books.
My cobbled season has been a success, after an initial disappointment in Wevelgem and De Ronde (albeit both results are fine - the way I had to fight for them was not, in my opinion. There could've been more to it, but I guess that's cycling.), I scored the big one. But at De Ronde I had a bit of a row with the OPQS boys. That resulted in Terpstra saying he didn't very much like me.
I haven't said this before but OPQS showed an interest in me after Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne. I guess the negotiations are off now. I'm happy at Orica, but my manager agrees with me when I say that if I want to achieve my full potential, I need a stronger supporting team in races like this.
The team congratulated me on this big win, and they told me they want to keep me at all costs. So I guess maybe I can have a right in signing a new man for the classics?
I guess we'll have to see.
Thank you for being here at the biggest moment of my life,
Matthias Vleminckx
After my victory in Roubaix, I feel nothing can ruin my season anymore. I ride around without any stress. The past week has been amazing. On my training rides, I got recognized quite a lot. Winning Roubaix will do that for you, I guess.
It was time for one more race and then take a nice little break. The Amstel Gold Race.
Profile
The Amstel Gold Race is a tough race. There are lots of steep hills and the peloton is very nervous on these Dutch roads. Gerrans is our leader here. I am not sure what to expect here, I guess I'll let the legs do their work and see where I end up.
Adam Yates got into the break of the day, which was a good start for us!
With 80 kilometers left to go, I was way too far back in the peloton. As I realized this, Santaromita said he'd take me to the front.
Our race got interesting when Gerrans made his move. The peloton didn't react right away, he had 10 seconds.
But unfortunately, some of the favorites put their heads together and caught him. I was well at the front now, just floating along.
The favorites played their game in a way I've never seen before. Bluffing, accelerating, keeping up the pace, slowing down, going to the other side of the road... I stayed alert and kept my head down, just going from wheel to wheel.
Four riders were going to the foot of the Cauberg: Costa, Sagan, Betancur and ... me.
Nibali made the jump forward and joined up with us on the Cauberg. I expected to get dropped like a brick on this hill, but I was still hanging on for my life. Gerrans had great legs but decided to stay put as he had a team mate (me) in front.
Surviving the cauberg took every ounce of muscle that I had, but I made it. I came to the top as 2nd rider, in Costa's wheel.
I was in the position to sprint for the victory. Unfortunately, I had cramps up to my ears, so sprinting wasn't an option. I just stayed in Costa's shadow, unable to do anything more.
At the finish line, I immediately congratulated Costa with his fantastic win. He turned and quickly congratulated me with formidable Roubaix. Compliments from an ex-World Champion, that's just great.
Result
1
Rui Costa
Lampre - Merida
6h36'25
2
Matthias Vleminckx
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
3
Peter Sagan
Cannondale
s.t.
4
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
5
Carlos Betancur
Movistar Team
s.t.
6
Simon Gerrans
Orica GreenEdge
+ 35
7
Sergio Henao
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 54
8
Robert Kiserlovski
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
9
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
10
Daniel Moreno
Team Katusha
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Tim Wellens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
12
Daniel Navarro
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
13
Daniel Martin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
14
Simon Spilak
Team Katusha
+ 2'17
15
Michael Matthews
Orica GreenEdge
+ 4'32
16
Simon Yates
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
17
Michael Albasini
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
18
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
19
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
20
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
21
Luis León Sánchez
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
22
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
23
Filippo Pozzato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
24
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
25
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
+ 10'50
26
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
+ 11'37
27
Matthias Frank
IAM Cycling
s.t.
28
Tom Dumoulin
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 17'32
29
Bob Jungels
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
30
Pieter Weening
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
31
Ivan Basso
Cannondale
s.t.
32
Fabian Wegmann
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
33
Diego Rosa
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
34
Pierre Rolland
Team Europcar
s.t.
35
Giampaolo Caruso
Team Katusha
s.t.
36
Cayetano Sarmiento
Cannondale
s.t.
37
Gianluca Brambilla
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
38
Rohan Dennis
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
39
Lachlan Morton
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
40
Tom Slagter
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
41
Heinrich Haussler
IAM Cycling
s.t.
42
Joseph Dombrowski
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
43
Kevin De Weert
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
44
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ.fr
s.t.
45
Moreno Moser
Cannondale
s.t.
46
André Cardoso
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
47
José Serpa
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
48
Fränk Schleck
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
49
Ben Hermans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
50
Daniele Ratto
Cannondale
s.t.
51
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
52
Wout Poels
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
53
Pieter Serry
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
54
Alex Howes
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
55
Johan Le Bon
FDJ.fr
s.t.
56
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
57
Egor Silin
Team Katusha
s.t.
58
Jan Polanc
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
59
Thomas Löfkvist
IAM Cycling
s.t.
60
Adam Yates
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
61
Davide Malacarne
Cannondale
s.t.
62
Gianfranco Zilioli
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
63
Ian Stannard
Team Sky
s.t.
64
Ian Boswell
Team Sky
+ 18'26
65
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
66
Peter Stetina
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
67
John Gadret
Movistar Team
s.t.
68
Nathan Haas
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
69
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ.fr
s.t.
70
Andrey Zeits
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
71
Alexis Vuillermoz
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
72
Patrick Facchini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
73
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
74
Arnold Jeannesson
FDJ.fr
s.t.
75
Tony Martin
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
76
Riccardo Zoidl
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
77
Anthony Delaplace
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
78
Ivan Rovny
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
79
Jérémy Roy
FDJ.fr
s.t.
80
Peter Kennaugh
Jack Wolfskin
s.t.
81
Sergey Lagutin
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
82
Pim Ligthart
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
83
Tom Danielson
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
84
Julian Kern
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
85
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Team Sky
s.t.
86
Janier Acevedo
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
87
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
88
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
89
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
90
Dominik Nerz
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
91
Johnny Hoogerland
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
92
Yury Trofimov
Team Katusha
s.t.
93
Pello Bilbao
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
94
Petr Ignatenko
Team Katusha
s.t.
95
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
s.t.
96
Jesper Hansen
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
97
Paolo Tiralongo
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
98
Marcos García
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
99
Fabrice Jeandesboz
FDJ.fr
s.t.
100
Alberto Losada
Team Katusha
s.t.
101
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
102
Jean-Marc Bideau
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
103
Thomas De Gendt
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
104
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
105
Christian Knees
Team Sky
s.t.
106
Rein Taaramäe
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
107
Lieuwe Westra
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
108
Brice Feillu
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
109
Adriano Malori
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
110
José Mendes
Jack Wolfskin
s.t.
111
David De la Cruz
Jack Wolfskin
s.t.
112
Eduardo Sepulveda
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
113
Mikel Nieve
Team Sky
s.t.
114
Blel Kadri
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
115
Nicolas Roche
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
116
Pierre-Luc Périchon
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
117
Bram Tankink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
118
Andrea Palini
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
119
Andy Schleck
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
120
Jesús Hernández
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
121
Yoann Bagot
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
122
Gediminas Bagdonas
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
123
Xabier Zandio
Team Sky
s.t.
124
David López
Team Sky
s.t.
125
Marcel Aregger
IAM Cycling
s.t.
126
Sebastian Henao
Team Sky
s.t.
127
Jérôme Coppel
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
128
Romain Sicard
Team Europcar
s.t.
129
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
130
Jonathan Fumeaux
IAM Cycling
s.t.
131
Maxime Bouet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
132
Clément Koretzky
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
133
Nick Van der Lijke
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
134
Rick Zabel
Jack Wolfskin
s.t.
135
Natnael Berhane
Team Europcar
s.t.
136
Niels Albert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
137
Sander Armee
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
138
Bryan Nauleau
Team Europcar
s.t.
139
Carlos Verona
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
140
Maxim Belkov
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
141
Guillaume Levarlet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
142
Evgeni Petrov
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
143
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
s.t.
144
Luis Ángel Maté
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
145
Ghader Mizbani
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
146
Peter Velits
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
147
Valerio Conti
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
148
Stefan Denifl
IAM Cycling
s.t.
149
Sea Keong Loh
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
150
Bruno Pires
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
151
Johann Tschopp
IAM Cycling
s.t.
152
George Bennett
Cannondale
s.t.
153
Calvin Watson
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
154
Ben Gastauer
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
155
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
156
Amets Txurruka
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
157
Vladimir Isaychev
Team Katusha
s.t.
158
Barry Markus
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
159
Fumiyuki Beppu
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
160
Roy Curvers
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
161
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
s.t.
162
Óscar Pujol
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
163
Marc Goos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
164
Sérgio Paulinho
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
165
Cristiano Salerno
Cannondale
s.t.
166
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
167
Andreas Schillinger
Jack Wolfskin
s.t.
168
Perrig Quemeneur
Team Europcar
s.t.
169
Tom Veelers
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
170
José Luis Roldán
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
171
Emilien Viennet
FDJ.fr
s.t.
172
Vegard Breen
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
173
Ivan Santaromita
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
174
Jordi Simón
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
175
Javier Francisco Aramendia
Movistar Team
s.t.
176
Francesco Failli
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
177
Yonder Godoy
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
178
Dylan van Baarle
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
179
Lars van der Linden
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
180
Julien Fouchard
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
181
Frantisek Padour
Jack Wolfskin
s.t.
182
Blaz Jarc
Jack Wolfskin
s.t.
183
Cesare Benedetti
Jack Wolfskin
s.t.
184
Clément Venturini
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
185
Noa de Jager
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 20'23
186
Axel Tison
FDJ.fr
+ 28'54
187
Corentin Jegou
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
188
Marc Baillet
Team Europcar
+ 35'53
189
Arturo Cecchini
Androni Giocattoli
+ 40'18
This is fantastic. On the podium, I couldn't believe my eyes. I was really standing on the podium of the Gold Race. I don't think anybody expected this. Hell, I didn't expect this, never in the world.
I think I should keep this race on my calendar for next year. Maybe one day I can do one place better here?
Anyway, now I'm off for my competitive break, I feel like I really earned it this time!
We're in June. It's been a month and a half so I decided to update the blog again. I've kept myself busy these past few weeks. I must've done the route of the National Championship Road Race like a million times, it's perfect for me. It's my next main goal, too. But first I'll ride the Tour de Suisse.
Anyway, here's what happened at the Giro!
Giro d'Italia 2015
1
Chris Froome
Team Sky
90h13'15
2
Andrew Talansky
Trek Factory Racing
+ 1'19
3
Richie Porte
Orica GreenEdge
+ 1'37
4
Thibaut Pinot
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 7'54
5
Rafal Majka
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 8'25
6
Domenico Pozzovivo
Team Katusha
+ 10'17
7
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Team Sky
+ 10'51
8
Cameron Meyer
Orica GreenEdge
+ 12'08
9
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
+ 12'51
10
Joaquím Rodríguez
Team Katusha
+ 13'27
Spoiler
11
José Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 13'49
12
Andy Schleck
Trek Factory Racing
+ 20'08
13
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
+ 21'06
14
Janier Acevedo
BMC Racing Team
+ 21'08
15
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
+ 23'17
16
Matthias Frank
IAM Cycling
+ 26'21
17
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 29'29
18
Adam Yates
Orica GreenEdge
+ 31'07
19
Stefano Pirazzi
Bardiani CSF
+ 34'14
20
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
+ 37'45
21
Maxime Monfort
Astana Pro Team
+ 38'17
22
Robert Kiserlovski
Trek Factory Racing
+ 39'16
23
Davide Rebellin
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 39'28
24
Esteban Chaves
Orica GreenEdge
+ 39'35
25
Igor Antón
Trek Factory Racing
+ 43'04
26
Francesco Bongiorno
Bardiani CSF
+ 45'32
27
Michele Scarponi
Astana Pro Team
+ 47'19
28
Wilco Kelderman
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 47'27
29
Peter Kennaugh
Jack Wolfskin
+ 49'10
30
André Cardoso
Garmin Sharp
+ 50'02
31
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
+ 51'23
32
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
+ 51'38
33
Riccardo Zoidl
Trek Factory Racing
+ 54'45
34
Alberto Losada
Team Katusha
+ 55'17
35
Ivan Santaromita
Orica GreenEdge
+ 56'02
36
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 57'31
37
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 59'54
38
Peter Velits
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h00'52
39
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h00'58
40
Eros Capecchi
Movistar Team
+ 1h01'11
41
Gianluca Brambilla
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h01'58
42
Christian Knees
Team Sky
+ 1h03'27
43
Michael Matthews
Orica GreenEdge
+ 1h04'03
44
Matteo Rabottini
YellowFluo
+ 1h04'38
45
Mikel Nieve
Team Sky
+ 1h06'33
46
Fränk Schleck
Trek Factory Racing
+ 1h06'49
47
Brent Bookwalter
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h08'34
48
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h09'30
49
Dries Devenyns
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 1h10'28
50
Nicolas Roche
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 1h11'53
51
Jens Voigt
Trek Factory Racing
+ 1h12'43
52
Tom Slagter
Garmin Sharp
+ 1h12'47
53
Giampaolo Caruso
Team Katusha
+ 1h13'10
54
Gianni Meersman
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 1h13'54
55
Rafael Valls
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h16'04
56
Nicolas Edet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1h18'24
57
Sérgio Paulinho
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 1h19'35
58
Paolo Tiralongo
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h21'57
59
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h23'39
60
Ben Hermans
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h25'15
61
Branislau Samoilau
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 1h25'28
62
Thomas Peterson
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 1h25'58
63
Stefano Locatelli
Bardiani CSF
+ 1h26'03
64
Davide Malacarne
Cannondale
+ 1h27'33
65
Oliver Zaugg
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 1h29'16
66
John Gadret
Movistar Team
+ 1h29'30
67
Stefan Denifl
IAM Cycling
+ 1h35'22
68
Enrico Battaglin
Bardiani CSF
+ 1h35'26
69
Patrick Schelling
IAM Cycling
+ 1h36'28
70
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h36'48
71
Jan Polanc
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h38'02
72
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h39'08
73
Franco Pellizotti
Cannondale
+ 1h40'12
74
Bob Jungels
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 1h43'11
75
Luis Ángel Maté
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1h43'14
76
Mauro Santambrogio
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
77
Daryl Impey
Orica GreenEdge
+ 1h44'47
78
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h45'47
79
Alexandr Kolobnev
Team Katusha
+ 1h46'44
80
David Millar
Garmin Sharp
+ 1h46'58
81
Davide Villella
Cannondale
+ 1h48'26
82
Ivan Rovny
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 1h55'20
83
Steven Kruijswijk
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h57'47
84
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h59'08
85
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h59'31
86
Bram Tankink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2h00'13
87
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2h01'51
88
Maciej Paterski
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 2h10'15
89
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
+ 2h10'45
90
Michel Kreder
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 2h10'48
91
Fabian Wegmann
Garmin Sharp
+ 2h16'14
92
Marco Marcato
Cannondale
+ 2h19'44
93
Daniele Ratto
Cannondale
+ 2h26'48
94
Sonny Colbrelli
Bardiani CSF
+ 2h27'32
95
Johannes Fröhlinger
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 2h29'48
96
Kristjan Koren
Cannondale
+ 2h29'49
97
Silvan Dillier
BMC Racing Team
+ 2h30'01
98
Pieter Serry
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2h32'07
99
Stijn Devolder
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2h35'38
100
Giacomo Nizzolo
Garmin Sharp
+ 2h38'02
101
Daniele Bennati
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 2h40'47
102
Bartosz Huzarski
Jack Wolfskin
+ 2h42'09
103
Matteo Trentin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2h43'28
104
Nelson Oliveira
Lampre - Merida
+ 2h43'41
105
Cristiano Salerno
Cannondale
+ 2h57'52
106
Luca Paolini
Jack Wolfskin
+ 2h58'27
107
Jérôme Pineau
IAM Cycling
+ 2h59'21
108
Johan Vansummeren
Garmin Sharp
+ 3h00'27
109
Manuele Boaro
YellowFluo
+ 3h02'57
110
Mikhail Ignatiev
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 3h08'30
111
Borut Božic
Astana Pro Team
+ 3h09'32
112
Iker Camaño
Jack Wolfskin
+ 3h16'07
113
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3h21'12
114
Jesse Sergent
Trek Factory Racing
+ 3h21'45
115
Ian Stannard
Team Sky
+ 3h24'01
116
Francesco Lasca
Team Katusha
+ 3h26'05
117
Aleksejs Saramotins
IAM Cycling
+ 3h27'50
118
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
+ 3h30'47
119
Koen De Kort
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 3h36'28
120
Alexander Porsev
Team Katusha
+ 3h37'41
121
Tomasz Smolen
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 3h41'58
122
Nacer Bouhanni
Lotto Belisol
+ 3h45'19
123
Nicki Sørensen
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 3h46'35
124
Egoitz García
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 3h47'13
125
Leigh Howard
Orica GreenEdge
+ 3h49'22
126
Fabio Felline
Trek Factory Racing
+ 3h53'06
127
Alex Dowsett
Movistar Team
+ 3h54'49
128
Robert Wagner
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 3h57'14
129
Fabio Taborre
Bardiani CSF
+ 3h57'45
130
Gert Joeaar
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 3h58'42
131
Roger Kluge
IAM Cycling
+ 4h01'16
132
Roberto Ferrari
Lampre - Merida
+ 4h04'54
133
Kris Boeckmans
Lotto Belisol
+ 4h09'37
134
Julien Simon
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 4h10'42
135
Kristian Sbaragli
YellowFluo
+ 4h11'24
136
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
+ 4h11'55
137
Jarosław Marycz
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 4h16'14
138
Julien Fouchard
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 4h17'33
139
Iljo Keisse
Lotto Belisol
+ 4h18'01
140
Martin Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4h19'04
141
Jos Van Emden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 4h19'34
142
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
+ 4h20'09
143
Greg Henderson
Lotto Belisol
+ 4h21'16
144
Raymond Kreder
Garmin Sharp
+ 4h23'25
145
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4h23'35
146
Mauro Finetto
YellowFluo
+ 4h23'36
147
Tyler Farrar
Garmin Sharp
+ 4h26'10
148
Blaz Jarc
Jack Wolfskin
+ 4h26'39
149
Steele Von Hoff
Garmin Sharp
+ 4h28'28
150
Adrien Petit
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 4h30'34
151
David Tanner
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 4h31'07
152
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto Belisol
+ 4h31'29
153
Brett Lancaster
Orica GreenEdge
+ 4h31'49
154
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
+ 4h33'45
155
Bartlomiej Matysiak
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 4h34'11
156
Davide Appollonio
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4h34'47
157
Jack Bobridge
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 4h35'21
158
Filippo Fortin
Bardiani CSF
+ 4h36'57
159
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4h37'42
160
Tosh Van der Sande
Lotto Belisol
+ 4h38'50
161
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
+ 4h39'27
162
Marco Haller
Team Katusha
+ 4h39'33
163
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
+ 4h39'49
164
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 4h41'29
165
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Belisol
+ 4h44'52
166
Steve Chainel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4h45'20
167
René Weissinger
Jack Wolfskin
+ 4h45'38
168
Tiziano Dall'Antonia
YellowFluo
+ 4h49'27
169
Matthias Krizek
Cannondale
+ 4h49'28
170
Christopher Sutton
Team Sky
+ 4h49'34
171
Andrea Piechele
Bardiani CSF
+ 4h50'11
172
Ralf Matzka
Jack Wolfskin
+ 4h53'23
173
Alessandro Petacchi
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4h54'06
174
Louis Verhelst
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 4h55'06
175
Adrian Honkisz
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 4h55'32
176
Jonas Ahlstrand
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 4h58'22
177
Jonathon McEvoy
Jack Wolfskin
+ 4h59'47
178
Bert De Backer
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 4h59'58
179
Danilo Napolitano
Team Sky
+ 5h00'13
180
Sébastien Hinault
IAM Cycling
s.t.
181
Matteo Tosatto
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 5h00'56
182
Francesco Chicchi
YellowFluo
+ 5h01'15
183
Adam Wadecki
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 5h01'29
184
Stefan Radochla
Jack Wolfskin
+ 5h04'55
185
Massimo Graziato
YellowFluo
+ 5h05'03
186
Federico Pozzetto
YellowFluo
+ 5h13'19
Points: Chris Froome Mountain Points: Davide Rebellin Young Rider: Thibaut Pinot Best Team: Orica - GreenEdge
With a stage win from Matthews, Meyer and Santaromita, our Giro was quite good. Porte actually got in the leader's jersey one week from the finish. 3 stages from the end, he was 4 seconds before Froome and 12 seconds before Talansky. But the final days were tough on him and he dropped to a 3rd place. Still a great Giro result for him and the team!
No banana this time but what a great result again for Matthias..
Right now, he´s at the top, it would be no wonder if Matt finishes the season inside the top10 best.. keep it up.
Great result at the Giro too.
Matthias was lucky real life Gilbert wasn't there, or he wouldn't have hung on for 2nd place
Thanks, baia!
And now, my dear friends, the pace is really dropping.
Maybe I'll get a few updates today and tomorrow, but Tuesday marks a new era. School starts up for real again, I will buy and start to play a Tenor Saxophone and at the same time I'll be practising my Guzheng daily.
My goal is to keep this at minimum 1 update a day, which I should definitely manage
But now, two more days of fun, fun fun!
I'm sorry for not reporting back from the Tour de Suisse. But if you've followed the race, you'll understand why. The profile didn't profit sprinters like myself. In the stages where I had a chance, I was either too far back or just not good enough. I didn't feel like sharing races where I just did so bad.
General Classification
1
Alberto Contador
Tinkoff - Saxo
33h59'57
2
Nicolas Roche
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 10
3
Rui Costa
Lampre - Merida
+ 1'51
4
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'34
5
Daniel Martin
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3'38
6
Sergio Henao
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3'55
7
Sébastien Reichenbach
IAM Cycling
+ 4'31
8
Joaquím Rodríguez
Team Katusha
+ 4'46
9
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 5'34
10
Michael Rogers
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 7'42
I'm fully focused on the Road Race now. The National Championships are nearing. My form is questionable, but I've prepared for it so long I will definitely give it all I got!
Paris - Roubaix 2015 
Amstel Gold Race 2015 
Giro d'Italia 2015 
Tour de Suisse 2015 
