Game Info:
Version: Pro Cycling Manager 2010
Patch: 1.0.2.2
DB: PCM.daily Expansion Final (2009 Champions)
Progression: 0.5
Difficulty: Normal
Riders:
Androni Giocattoli enters the 2010 season with 16 riders under contract. The team consists of mainly Italian riders, but also has a fairly strong South American influence with riders from Colombia and Venezuela. The team will be competing on the UCI Pro Continental circuit. The team will not focus on promotion this season, but instead will focus on the Giro d'Itali in May, and the various one-day races that occur all year round on the Italian race calendar.
Michele Scarponi is the unquestioned leader of the Androni Giocattoli team heading into the 2010 season. The veteran Italian climber's main goal for the season will be the Giro d'Italia in May. Additionally, he will look to perform well in the autumn classics.
Francesco Ginanni is the rising star of the team. Having just turned 24 last season, he has emerged as a highly competitive rider in one-day classics. His palmarès already include the Giro del Veneto, Tre Valli Varesine, and Trofeo Laigueglia. Ginnani will look to continue this success in these level of races, but is ultimately hoping to take a step forward. His primary goal this season is victory in Milan-San Remo.
Leonardo is a punchy rider that will benefit both Scarponi and Ginnani in their goals. Additionally, when he gets a chance to lead, he should be good enough to get Androni a few victories.
José Serpa is a talented Colombian climber that has been with the team since 2006. He will definitely race the Giro d'Italia as one of Scarponi's main mountain lieutenants. He will also lead the team in some more exotic races such as Le Tour de Langkawi and the Tour de Qinghai Lake.
Jackson Rodriguez is another strong South American climber, hailing from Venezuela. Since joining the team in 2008, the young 25 year old has showed promise with strong performances in smaller races. It has yet to be seen if he can make the next big step in the European racing calendar.
Season Goals:
Top 3 in Giro d'Italia
Top 5 in GP Beghelli
Top 10 in Trofeo Matteotti
Top 10 in Tirreno-Adriatico
Top 10 in Tre Valli Varesine
Top 10 in Coppa Placci
Surprisingly enough, Androni do have a rider competing in the Australian TT Championships. New signing Cameron Wurf will compete in his first race wearing the Androni jersey. He is pretty decent time trialist, but is no where near race shape. Nothing is expected on him.
Cadel Evans (BMC), Richie Porte (Saxo), and Michael Rogers (HTC) were the pre-race favorites for the 42.3km race.
Cameron Wurf had a rough day in the rain, finishing 32nd out of 33 riders, 2'52" behind the winner.
New Australian citizen Heinrich Haussler being cheered on. He finished in 8th.
Cadel Evans pushes across the line. He finished +57" on the day.
Michael Rogers trying to be as aerodynamic as possible going downhill. The former World Time Trial champ finished in 3rd.
The day belonged to Richie Porte, who set the best time at every time check. He is clearly in good early-season form.
Results:
1 Richie Porte Team Saxo Bank 55'15
2 Cameron Meyer Garmin - Transitions + 14
3 Michael Rogers Team HTC - Columbia + 26
4 Adam Hansen Team HTC - Columbia + 49
5 Cadel Evans BMC Racing Team + 57
6 Matthew Goss Team HTC - Columbia + 1'27
7 Jack Bobridge Garmin - Transitions + 1'30
8 Heinrich Haussler Cervélo Test Team + 1'38
9 Scott Davis Astana + 1'57
10 Christopher Sutton Sky Professional Cycling Team + 2'01
Spoiler
11 Benjamin King Trek Livestrong U23 + 2'03
12 Baden Cooke Team Saxo Bank + 2'04
13 Mitchell Docker Skil - Shimano + 2'07
14 Brett Lancaster Cervélo Test Team + 2'10
15 Trent Lowe Garmin - Transitions + 2'18
16 Luke Roberts Team Milram + 2'22
17 Travis Meyer Garmin - Transitions + 2'23
18 Leigh Howard Team HTC - Columbia + 2'37
19 Wesley Sulzberger Française des Jeux + 2'38
20 Matthew Lloyd Omega Pharma - Lotto + 2'40
21 Johnnie Walker Footon - Servetto s.t.
22 Robbie McEwen Team Katusha s.t.
23 Simon Gerrans Sky Professional Cycling Team + 2'41
24 Matthew Hayman Sky Professional Cycling Team + 2'42
25 Graeme Brown Rabobank s.t.
26 Simon Clarke ISD - Neri + 2'43
27 Nicolas Sanderson Amore & Vita - Conad + 2'44
28 Mark Renshaw Team HTC - Columbia + 2'47
29 Stuart O'Grady Team Saxo Bank s.t.
30 Allan Davis Astana s.t.
31 Matthew Wilson Garmin - Transitions + 2'49 32 Cameron Wurf Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni + 2'52
33 Thimothy Roe Trek Livestrong U23 + 2'56
After a pretty abysmal performance in the time-trial a couple days ago, Cameron Wurf considered not doing the road race. However, after thinking it over, Cameron thought getting some competitive miles in his legs would be better than any training. His goal would be to get into any break that forms today. He simply doesn't have the pedigree to compete with the likes of Evans, Rogers, Porte, and Simon Gerrans over the hilly 175.2km course.
The race did not stay calm for long as Travis Meyer (Garmin) attacked at the base of the first climb of the day. No one initially responded, but at the top of the climb several riders, including Cameron Wurf tried to respond and form a breakaway.
Wurf and Brett Lancaster (Cervelo) on the attack.
After several more attacks, a break of 8 riders formed. Those riders were Wurf, Lancaster, Meyer, Robbie McEwen (Katyusha), Matthew Hayman (Sky), Benjamin King (Trek), Johnnie Walker (Footon), and Mitchell Docker (Skil-Shimano). All the riders were presumably hoping for the same thing as Cameron Wurf, that none of the teams would want to do the work to reel in the break. With 45km left, this looked like it might work, as the gap back to the peloton was 4'00.
The break working well together.
However, at this point, Stuart O'Grady and Mark Renshaw began to work for their two leaders, Richie Porte and Michael Rogers respectively. The work done by O'Grady was especially impressive, as the veteran rider almost single-handedly whittled the lead in half by the 30km to go mark. Sensing their imminent doom, the break began to break apart. Cameron Wurf attacked first with only Johnnie Walker following him. Their futile attempts allowed them to stay out a little longer, but the pack was together with 17km left.
With one more climb left on the day, Wurf knew he was spent and could not attack; he would just have to hang on. As the climb began, Baden Cooke was setting a fairly fast pace. While this pushed the breakaway participants even further into the red, no one attacked! It would come down to a bunch sprint.
As they turned into the final corners, Matthew Goss and his HTC teammates were way out in front.
Matthew Goss and his HTC in prime position.
No one could catch Goss on this rainy day as he became the new RR national champion.
Results:
1 Matthew Goss Team HTC - Columbia 5h05'58
2 Cadel Evans BMC Racing Team s.t.
3 Adam Hansen Team HTC - Columbia s.t.
4 Mark Renshaw Team HTC - Columbia s.t.
5 Allan Davis Astana s.t.
6 Heinrich Haussler Cervélo Test Team s.t.
7 Wesley Sulzberger Française des Jeux s.t.
8 Simon Gerrans Sky Professional Cycling Team s.t.
9 Michael Rogers Team HTC - Columbia s.t.
10 Robbie McEwen Team Katusha s.t.
Spoiler
11 Richie Porte Team Saxo Bank s.t.
12 Trent Lowe Garmin - Transitions s.t.
13 Scott Davis Astana s.t.
14 Baden Cooke Team Saxo Bank s.t.
15 Jack Bobridge Garmin - Transitions s.t.
16 Cameron Meyer Garmin - Transitions s.t.
17 Stuart O'Grady Team Saxo Bank s.t.
18 Matthew Lloyd Omega Pharma - Lotto s.t.
19 Matthew Wilson Garmin - Transitions s.t.
20 Leigh Howard Team HTC - Columbia s.t.
21 Matthew Hayman Sky Professional Cycling Team s.t.
22 Simon Clarke ISD - Neri s.t.
23 Luke Roberts Team Milram s.t.
24 Nicolas Sanderson Amore & Vita - Conad s.t.
25 Benjamin King Trek Livestrong U23 s.t.
26 Mitchell Docker Skil - Shimano s.t.
27 Johnnie Walker Footon - Servetto s.t.
28 Travis Meyer Garmin - Transitions s.t. 29 Cameron Wurf Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
30 Brett Lancaster Cervélo Test Team s.t.
31 Christopher Sutton Sky Professional Cycling Team + 1'26
32 Graeme Brown Rabobank s.t.
33 Thimothy Roe Trek Livestrong U23 s.t.
We declined an opportunity to ask for invitation into the Tour Down Under. However, here are the results.
Tour Down Under:
1 Dominique Rollin Cervélo Test Team 23h30'12
2 Lars Boom Rabbobank +3"
3 Scott Davis Astana +4"
4 Francisco Pérez Caisse d'Epargne +5"
5 Sebastian Lang Astana +11"
6 Frédéric Guesdon Française des Jeux +11"
7 Maxim Iglinskiy Astana +16"
8 Filippo Pozzato Team Katusha +20"
9 Tom Boonen Quick·Step +31"
10 José Iván Guitérrez Caisse d'Epargne +32"
Bennati and McEwen each won two stages, but it appears as if a breakaway got away on the queen stage, resulting in the somewhat surprising GC results.
Androni Giocattoli's first race of the season would be the Giro della Calabria.
Being the first race of the season for the Androni-Giocattoli team, we wanted to make sure we got a rider into the breakaway to appease our sponsors. Additionally, those two hills at the end of the stage could greatly aid a breakaway if it has enough time. Young Thomas Bertolini was selected for this task.
There were a lot of riders vying to the get into the day's break at it took nearly 40kms before the peloton would let a group of 11 escape. Bertolini did his job and was a part of this group.
The break going through the first mountain sprint of the day. They had a 5'30" lead at this point.
BMC, Lampre, Liquigas, and Katusha all worked together on the front to close down the breakaway. The gap began to come down after the first climb, but not quickly.
Liquigas working hard on the front for Daniele Bennati.
The breakaway's lead had been cut to 2'00" at the base of the penultimate climb of the day. It would take something special to stay away until the end. As the break began climb the last climb of the day, Bertolini knew if he could crest the hill still ahead of the peloton, he could likely win. With 7.9km left, he attacked.
Bertolini, one of the real animators of the stage, attacking with the top of the climb in sight.
Bertolini was followed by Claudio Corioni, Volodymyr Zagorodny, Bert De Backer, and Luca Celli. These 5 had a lead of around 1 minute near the top of the hill, when Celli went off by himself. The other 4 riders had nothing left to react, and he was certainly headed for the stage victory. The other breakaway riders could only try to hold off from the surging peloton.
Bertolini and other remnants of the break prepare for the sprint for second...if they can remain clear of the fast approaching peloton.
The peloton wouldn't quite catch the break, although it was very close. They finished virtually together, although the breakaway riders would take the higher places. Bertolini finished in 5th.
Luca Celli celebrates his first victory of the season.
Disappointing that Bertolini didn't have the strength for the stage victory, but a great ride and result from our young rider. It was made even better after Francesco Ginnani's disappointing sprint.
Results:
1 Luca Celli Ceramica Flaminia 3h26'00
2 Volodymyr Zagorodny Miche s.t.
3 Claudio Corioni De Rosa - Stac Plastic s.t.
4 Mauro Finetto Liquigas - Doimo s.t. 5 Thomas Bertolini Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
6 Bert De Backer Skil - Shimano s.t.
7 Daniele Bennati Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
8 Mirco Lorenzetto Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
9 Robbie McEwen Team Katusha s.t.
10 Karsten Kroon BMC Racing Team s.t.
This stage should end in a sprint, even with the climb of the Goraiolo in the middle. The 8.5km climb at an average of 6.8% should create some gaps, but is likely far enough from the end to allow the peloton to come back together. The four circuits we do through the town of Montecatini Terme are hilly, so some sprinters may be gassed. We will be working for Francesco Ginnani in the stage.
The break did not start to form until the peloton neared the climb when Ruggero Marzoli (Acqua & Sapone) attacked. He was joined by 6 other riders including Davide Bonuccelli (CDC - Cavaliere), Fabio Terrenzio (CarmioOro), and Matteo Montaguti (De Rosa). No Androni rider was in position to join the breakaway.
The breakaway climbing to Goraiolo. They had a lead of 4'37" at this point.
Our lack of presence in the breakaway dictated that we must do some of the chasing in order to preserve a potential stage victory for Ginnani, and to appease our sponsors. For this purpose Fabrice Piemontesi was sent to the front and began the chase. On the descent, Daniele Bennati of Liquigas fell, but was able to recover fairly quickly.
As the breakaway crested the Goraiolo, it was clear that Marzoli, Bonuccelli, Terrenzio, and Montaguti were the strongest as they climbed away from their other 3 companions. As they entered Montecatini Terme for the first time, they had a lead of 6'30".
With only 4 riders, the break was never going to succeed.
As the chase began to heat up, another Liquigas rider fell. This time, Vincenzo Nibali seemed to clip wheels with the rider ahead of him, and landed hard on the pavement. Liquigas, who were doing the majority of the chasing did not slow down, or send back help. He would try valiantly to get back in contact, but would end up losing 2.5 minutes on the day.
Nibali struggling to get up after crashing.
The break was caught fairly early, with 28km to go. Liquigas, not wanting to encourage any fresh attacks, kept the pass high as the teams began to prepare their sprint trains. Androni had kept Ginnani fresh with plenty of protection during the stage and the 24 year old began to move up towards the front of the peloton. However, as he did so, he was a bit too zealous, and quickly found Bennati and Alessandro Petacchi on his wheel.
Ginnani ahead of Bennati and Petacchi, not ideal positioning.
Knowing he was not faster than either of the two veteran sprinters, Ginnani waited before opening up. As the finishing line approached, Petacchi grew impatient and went before the others. With 1km to go, Ginnani went for the line quickly passing Petacchi who had gone too early. But no strategy was a match for Bennati's form, as he easily sprinted past the field, and took the stage. Ginnani would settle for 2nd. Another top 10 performance from the Androni team.
Bennati was so good today he was able to coast to the line.
Results:
1 Daniele Bennati Liquigas - Doimo 4h35'51" 2 Francesco Ginnani Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
3 Alessandro Petacchi Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
4 Robbie McEwen Team Katusha s.t.
5 Mirco Lorenzetto Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
6 Peter Sagan Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
7 Mauro Finetto Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
8 Karsten Kroon BMC Racing Team s.t.
9 Nicolas Roche AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
10 Grega Bole Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
This should be another stage for the sprinters. It finishes in the commune of Monsummano Terme after going over 3 short hills. The final hill, the San Baronto is 18km from the finish. Probably too far for any attack to stick, but also close enough that we should see some. Again, Androni will be working for Ginnani. Today, we will be looking to send a man in the break again.
A little rise in the profile around 10km into the race saw Fabio Taborre attack the peloton. He was followed by 6 other riders as the peloton did not but up much of a fight. They were Taborre, Matic Strgar, José Luis Arrieta, Roy Curvers, Igor Abakoumov, Alberto Ongarato, and Roberto De Patre.
Taborre fighting to create a breakaway.
The breakaway worked very well together, with all 7 riders taking equal turns. They had a lead of 6 minutes while descending the first of the 3 hills.
The break descending fast to try to stave off the peloton.
As the peloton descended, Sacha Modolo, the sprinter for Colnago - CSF Inox fell. He was only able to recover thanks to the hard work from teammates Alan Marangoni and Marcello Pavarin.
Again, the team doing the work was that of Liquigas - Doimo. After missing out on the first stage, they clearly wanted another stage victory.
The Liquigas team chasing. A scene we may see a lot this season.
As the breakaway's lead was shrinking. De Patre took off at the foot of the San Baronto. Arrieta, Curvers, and Taborre all tried to respond, but none of them had the strength.
Despite making a strong move, De Patre would not make it to the finish.
De Patre tried valiantly, but was caught 2km from the summit. In communication with the team car, Ginnani contemplated attacking before the top of the climb, hoping to create some separation from the peloton. But with the Liquigas team still riding hard, the decision was made to wait.
As the peloton began to descend, race leader Daniele Bennati attacked.
Bennati created a 20" gap.
Most of the other contenders were caught out, but before anyone could panic, Bennati, sensing he did not have the strength, sat up and the teams quickly went about setting up for a sprint finish. After surviving some empty attacks, the peloton entered the final few kilometers. This time, Ginnani was better positioned, this time sitting on Bennati's wheel. It remained to be seen whether he would have the speed to overtake him.
Ginnani had a good sprint, but could not compete with Bennati. However, no one could compete with Robbie McEwen today who took his 3rd victory of the early season.
Despite being February 3rd, McEwen is in great shape.
Stage Results:
1 Robbie McEwen Team Katusha 3h49'24
2 Daniele Bennati Liquigas - Doimo s.t. 3 Francesco Ginanni Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
4 Enrico Rossi Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
5 Nicolas Roche AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
6 Karsten Kroon BMC Racing Team s.t.
7 Sacha Modolo Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
8 Daniele Pietropolli Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
9 Marco Frapporti Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
10 Luca Mazzanti Team Katusha s.t.
Spoiler
11 Simone Ponzi Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
12 Johnny Hoogerland Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
13 Sebastian Siedler Vorarlberg - Corratec s.t.
14 Bert De Waele Landbouwkrediet s.t.
15 Andrea Tonti CarmioOro NGC s.t.
16 Francesco Failli Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
17 Luca Celli Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
18 Geert Verheyen Landbouwkrediet s.t.
19 Ruggero Marzoli Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
20 Gorik Gardeyn Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
21 Carlo Scognamiglio ISD - Neri s.t.
22 Davide Bonuccelli CDC - Cavaliere s.t. 23 Damiano Margutti Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
24 Domenico Pozzovivo Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
25 Daniele Callegarin CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
26 Steve Morabito BMC Racing Team s.t.
27 Luca Ascani CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
28 Donato Cannone Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
29 Krzysztof Szczawinski Miche s.t.
30 Volodymyr Zagorodny Miche s.t.
31 Robert Wagner Skil - Shimano s.t.
32 Paride Grillo CarmioOro NGC s.t.
33 Brent Bookwalter BMC Racing Team s.t.
34 Yuri Metlushenko Amore & Vita - Conad s.t. 35 Fabio Taborre Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
36 Reto Hollenstein Vorarlberg - Corratec s.t.
37 Marcin Sapa Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
38 Michael Schär BMC Racing Team s.t.
39 Grega Bole Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
40 Martin Mortensen Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
41 Francesco Masciarelli Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
42 Tiziano Dall'Antonia Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
43 Silvère Ackermann Vorarlberg - Corratec s.t.
44 Giuseppe Muraglia CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
45 Wout Poels Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
46 Peter Sagan Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
47 Raffaele Ferrara CarmioOro NGC s.t.
48 Mirco Lorenzetto Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
49 Davide D'Angelo CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
50 Enrico Peruffo CarmioOro NGC s.t.
51 Mauro Santambrogio BMC Racing Team s.t.
52 Michele Gaia Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
53 Mikhaylo Khalilov Team Katusha s.t.
54 Yuriy Krivtsov AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
55 Alberto Ongarato Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
56 Alessandro Petacchi Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
57 Fabio Sabatini Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
58 Fabio Terrenzio CarmioOro NGC s.t.
59 Igor Abakoumov ISD Continental Team s.t.
60 Mauro Finetto Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
61 Jure Kocjan CarmioOro NGC s.t.
62 Massimo Codol Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t. 63 Leonardo Bertagnolli Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
64 Lorenzo Bernucci Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
65 Pasquale Muto Miche s.t.
66 Bart Dockx Landbouwkrediet s.t.
67 Frederik Willems Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
68 Daniele Colli Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
69 Roberto De Patre Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
70 Roy Curvers Skil - Shimano s.t.
71 Fortunato Baliani Miche s.t.
72 Alexandre Moos BMC Racing Team s.t.
73 Cyril Dessel AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
74 Alessandro Spezialetti Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
75 Christophe Riblon AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
76 Denis Galimzyanov Team Katusha s.t.
77 Joost Van Leijen Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t. 78 Thomas Bertolini Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
79 Rubens Bertogliati Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
80 Federico Canuti Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
81 David Boucher Landbouwkrediet s.t.
82 Luca Pierfelici Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
83 Koen Barbé Landbouwkrediet s.t.
84 Dirk Bellemakers Landbouwkrediet s.t.
85 Evgeni Petrov Team Katusha s.t.
86 Giampaolo Caruso Team Katusha s.t.
87 Paolo Bailetti Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
88 Laurent Beuret CarmioOro NGC s.t.
89 Andrea Noè Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
90 Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
91 Massimiliano Gentili Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
92 Frédéric Amorison Landbouwkrediet s.t.
93 Yann Huguet Skil - Shimano s.t.
94 Cristiano Benenati De Rosa - Stac Plastic s.t.
95 Floris Goesinnen Skil - Shimano s.t.
96 Volodymyr Bileka Amore & Vita - Conad s.t.
97 Emanuele Vona ISD - Neri s.t.
98 Marco Cattaneo De Rosa - Stac Plastic s.t.
99 Denys Kostyuk ISD - Neri s.t.
100 Matteo Carrara Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
101 Emanuele Sella CarmioOro NGC s.t.
102 Giairo Ermeti De Rosa - Stac Plastic s.t.
103 Marco Marcato Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
104 Rinaldo Nocentini AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
105 Davide Ricci Bitti ISD - Neri s.t.
106 Giovanni Visconti ISD - Neri s.t.
107 Manuel Belletti Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
108 Matteo Montaguti De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 2'56
109 Fausto Fognini Amore & Vita - Conad s.t.
110 René Mandri AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
111 Kristof Goddaert AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
112 Steven Caethoven Landbouwkrediet s.t.
113 Marco Bandiera Team Katusha s.t.
114 Leopoldo Rocchetti Miche s.t.
115 José Luis Arrieta AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
116 Matic Strgar Vorarlberg - Corratec s.t.
117 Claudio Corioni De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 3'44
118 Volodymyr Rybin ISD Continental Team s.t.
119 Vitaliy Popkov ISD Continental Team s.t.
120 Bartosz Huzarski ISD - Neri s.t.
121 Anatoliy Pakthusov ISD Continental Team s.t.
122 Marcello Pavarin Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
123 Alexandre Usov ISD Continental Team s.t.
124 Riccardo Chiarini De Rosa - Stac Plastic s.t.
125 Chad Beyer BMC Racing Team s.t.
126 Denis Flahaut ISD Continental Team s.t.
127 Fabrizio Lucciola Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
128 Piergiorgio Camussa Vorarlberg - Corratec s.t.
129 Han Feng Skil - Shimano s.t.
130 Volodymyr Kogut Amore & Vita - Conad s.t.
131 Roberto Cesaro Miche s.t.
132 Job Vissers Skil - Shimano s.t.
133 Alan Marangoni Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
134 Koen De Kort Skil - Shimano s.t.
135 Yuriy Agarkov ISD Continental Team s.t.
136 Andrea Capelli Vorarlberg - Corratec s.t.
137 Oscar Gatto ISD - Neri s.t. 138 Cameron Wurf Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
139 Bert De Backer Skil - Shimano s.t.
140 Alessandro Donati Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
141 Paolo Ciavatta Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
142 Gianluca Mirenda ISD - Neri s.t.
143 Clemens Fankhauser Vorarlberg - Corratec s.t.
144 Jakub Novak Amore & Vita - Conad s.t.
145 Chris Barton BMC Racing Team s.t.
146 Francesco Chicchi Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
147 Nikolai Trussov Team Katusha + 7'01
148 Danilo Andrenacci CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
149 Oleksandr Sheydyk ISD Continental Team s.t.
150 Sergio Laganà De Rosa - Stac Plastic s.t.
151 Alexander Gufler Vorarlberg - Corratec s.t.
152 Giorgio Brambilla De Rosa - Stac Plastic s.t. 153 Fabrice Piemontesi Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
154 Kristof Vollon Amore & Vita - Conad s.t.
155 Sergiy Gretchyn Amore & Vita - Conad + 8'45
156 Eugenio Loria CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
157 Roman Vishnevskiy Amore & Vita - Conad s.t.
GC:
1 Daniele Bennati Liquigas - Doimo 11h50'43
2 Robbie McEwen Team Katusha + 12 3 Francesco Ginanni Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
4 Luca Celli Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
5 Volodymyr Zagorodny Miche + 20
6 Ruggero Marzoli Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
7 Davide Bonuccelli CDC - Cavaliere + 22
8 Alessandro Petacchi Lampre - Farnese Vini + 24
9 Yuri Metlushenko Amore & Vita - Conad + 28
10 Igor Abakoumov ISD Continental Team s.t.
11 Fabio Terrenzio CarmioOro NGC + 30 12 Thomas Bertolini Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
13 Roy Curvers Skil - Shimano s.t.
14 Karsten Kroon BMC Racing Team + 32
15 Nicolas Roche AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
16 Sacha Modolo Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
17 Enrico Rossi Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
18 Luca Mazzanti Team Katusha s.t.
19 Mirco Lorenzetto Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
20 Daniele Pietropolli Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
21 Marco Frapporti Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
22 Mauro Finetto Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
23 Johnny Hoogerland Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
24 Andrea Tonti CarmioOro NGC s.t.
25 Sebastian Siedler Vorarlberg - Corratec s.t.
26 Paride Grillo CarmioOro NGC s.t.
27 Mikhaylo Khalilov Team Katusha s.t.
28 Simone Ponzi Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
29 Steve Morabito BMC Racing Team s.t.
30 Peter Sagan Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
31 Carlo Scognamiglio ISD - Neri s.t.
32 Marco Marcato Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
33 Daniele Callegarin CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
34 Federico Canuti Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
35 Lorenzo Bernucci Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
36 Cristiano Benenati De Rosa - Stac Plastic s.t.
37 Francesco Failli Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
38 Tiziano Dall'Antonia Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
39 Raffaele Ferrara CarmioOro NGC s.t.
40 Rinaldo Nocentini AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
41 Silvère Ackermann Vorarlberg - Corratec s.t.
42 Martin Mortensen Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
43 Michele Gaia Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
44 Giovanni Visconti ISD - Neri s.t.
45 Giairo Ermeti De Rosa - Stac Plastic s.t.
46 Reto Hollenstein Vorarlberg - Corratec s.t.
47 Luca Ascani CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
48 Mauro Santambrogio BMC Racing Team s.t.
49 Emanuele Vona ISD - Neri s.t.
50 Bert De Waele Landbouwkrediet s.t. 51 Fabio Taborre Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
52 Matteo Carrara Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
53 Geert Verheyen Landbouwkrediet s.t.
54 Alexandre Moos BMC Racing Team s.t.
55 Alessandro Spezialetti Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
56 Frederik Willems Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
57 Donato Cannone Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
58 Grega Bole Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
59 Yuriy Krivtsov AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
60 Cyril Dessel AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
61 Alberto Ongarato Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
62 Francesco Masciarelli Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t. 63 Leonardo Bertagnolli Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
64 Evgeni Petrov Team Katusha s.t.
65 Marcin Sapa Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
66 Christophe Riblon AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
67 Gorik Gardeyn Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
68 Wout Poels Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
69 Michael Schär BMC Racing Team s.t. 70 Rubens Bertogliati Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
71 Brent Bookwalter BMC Racing Team s.t.
72 Giuseppe Muraglia CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
73 Domenico Pozzovivo Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
74 Fabio Sabatini Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
75 Yann Huguet Skil - Shimano s.t.
76 Giampaolo Caruso Team Katusha s.t.
77 Massimo Codol Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
78 Emanuele Sella CarmioOro NGC s.t.
79 Joost Van Leijen Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
80 Andrea Noè Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
81 Krzysztof Szczawinski Miche s.t.
82 Pasquale Muto Miche s.t.
83 Denys Kostyuk ISD - Neri s.t.
84 Laurent Beuret CarmioOro NGC s.t.
85 Floris Goesinnen Skil - Shimano s.t.
86 Massimiliano Gentili Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
87 Enrico Peruffo CarmioOro NGC s.t.
88 Fortunato Baliani Miche s.t.
89 Jure Kocjan CarmioOro NGC s.t.
90 Daniele Colli Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
91 Denis Galimzyanov Team Katusha s.t.
92 Luca Pierfelici Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
93 Roberto De Patre Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
94 Frédéric Amorison Landbouwkrediet s.t.
95 Koen Barbé Landbouwkrediet s.t.
96 Davide D'Angelo CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
97 Paolo Bailetti Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
98 Davide Ricci Bitti ISD - Neri s.t.
99 Bart Dockx Landbouwkrediet s.t.
100 Dirk Bellemakers Landbouwkrediet s.t.
101 Volodymyr Bileka Amore & Vita - Conad s.t.
102 Manuel Belletti Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
103 Marco Cattaneo De Rosa - Stac Plastic s.t.
104 Matteo Montaguti De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 3'16
105 José Luis Arrieta AG2R La Mondiale + 3'22
106 Kristof Goddaert AG2R La Mondiale + 3'28
107 René Mandri AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
108 Fausto Fognini Amore & Vita - Conad s.t.
109 Marco Bandiera Team Katusha s.t.
110 Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas - Doimo + 3'50
111 Claudio Corioni De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 4'08
112 Denis Flahaut ISD Continental Team + 4'16
113 Volodymyr Rybin ISD Continental Team s.t.
114 Marcello Pavarin Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
115 Chad Beyer BMC Racing Team s.t.
116 Vitaliy Popkov ISD Continental Team s.t.
117 Yuriy Agarkov ISD Continental Team s.t.
118 Bartosz Huzarski ISD - Neri s.t. 119 Cameron Wurf Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
120 Paolo Ciavatta Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
121 Job Vissers Skil - Shimano s.t.
122 Chris Barton BMC Racing Team s.t.
123 Fabrizio Lucciola Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
124 Koen De Kort Skil - Shimano s.t.
125 Alan Marangoni Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
126 Anatoliy Pakthusov ISD Continental Team s.t.
127 Riccardo Chiarini De Rosa - Stac Plastic s.t.
128 Gianluca Mirenda ISD - Neri s.t.
129 Alexandre Usov ISD Continental Team s.t.
130 Francesco Chicchi Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
131 Robert Wagner Skil - Shimano + 6'41
132 David Boucher Landbouwkrediet s.t. 133 Fabrice Piemontesi Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni + 7'33
134 Nikolai Trussov Team Katusha s.t.
135 Giorgio Brambilla De Rosa - Stac Plastic s.t.
136 Clemens Fankhauser Vorarlberg - Corratec + 8'34
137 Volodymyr Kogut Amore & Vita - Conad + 10'25 138 Damiano Margutti Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni + 13'03
139 Danilo Andrenacci CDC - Cavaliere + 13'42
140 Kristof Vollon Amore & Vita - Conad s.t.
141 Piergiorgio Camussa Vorarlberg - Corratec + 15'43
142 Andrea Capelli Vorarlberg - Corratec s.t.
143 Han Feng Skil - Shimano s.t.
144 Matic Strgar Vorarlberg - Corratec + 16'21
145 Bert De Backer Skil - Shimano + 17'03
146 Jakub Novak Amore & Vita - Conad + 17'09
147 Alexander Gufler Vorarlberg - Corratec + 19'00
148 Oscar Gatto ISD - Neri + 19'11
149 Roberto Cesaro Miche + 19'31
150 Leopoldo Rocchetti Miche + 20'04
151 Steven Caethoven Landbouwkrediet + 20'19
152 Sergio Laganà De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 20'26
153 Alessandro Donati Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci + 21'07
154 Eugenio Loria CDC - Cavaliere + 22'10
155 Roman Vishnevskiy Amore & Vita - Conad s.t.
156 Oleksandr Sheydyk ISD Continental Team + 24'04
157 Sergiy Gretchyn Amore & Vita - Conad + 24'56
Points:
1 Daniele Bennati Liquigas - Doimo 20 54
2 Robbie McEwen Team Katusha 25 46 3 Francesco Ginanni Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni 16 36
4 Luca Celli Ceramica Flaminia 0 25
5 Karsten Kroon BMC Racing Team 10 24
6 Mauro Finetto Liquigas - Doimo 0 23
7 Volodymyr Zagorodny Miche 0 20
8 Alessandro Petacchi Lampre - Farnese Vini 0 20
9 Mirco Lorenzetto Lampre - Farnese Vini 0 20
10 Nicolas Roche AG2R La Mondiale 12 20
11 Sacha Modolo Colnago - CSF Inox 9 19
12 Enrico Rossi Ceramica Flaminia 14 18
13 Claudio Corioni De Rosa - Stac Plastic 0 16
14 Bert De Backer Skil - Shimano 0 16 15 Thomas Bertolini Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni 0 14
16 Ruggero Marzoli Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci 0 12
17 Matteo Montaguti De Rosa - Stac Plastic 0 12
18 Davide Bonuccelli CDC - Cavaliere 0 10
19 Peter Sagan Liquigas - Doimo 0 10
20 Daniele Pietropolli Lampre - Farnese Vini 8 8
21 Simone Ponzi Lampre - Farnese Vini 5 8
22 Marco Frapporti Colnago - CSF Inox 7 7
23 Marco Marcato Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team 0 6
24 Luca Mazzanti Team Katusha 6 6
25 José Luis Arrieta AG2R La Mondiale 6 6
26 Grega Bole Lampre - Farnese Vini 0 6
27 Yuri Metlushenko Amore & Vita - Conad 0 4
28 Johnny Hoogerland Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team 4 4
29 Igor Abakoumov ISD Continental Team 4 4
30 Sebastian Siedler Vorarlberg - Corratec 3 3
31 Fabio Terrenzio CarmioOro NGC 0 2
32 Mikhaylo Khalilov Team Katusha 0 2
33 Bert De Waele Landbouwkrediet 2 2
34 Roy Curvers Skil - Shimano 2 2
35 Andrea Tonti CarmioOro NGC 1 1
The fourth and final stage of the the Giro della Calabria would be a long one, 242km. The profile of the stage would not allow for a bunch sprint and would certainly determine the final GC of the race. The hilly profile of the race will test the riders early season form.
There were several riders trying to get into the break today, hoping that the hilly profile might aid their escape. The peloton acted aggressively and defensive until it let a group of 9 escape after 40km. The break away included riders like Michael Schär (BMC) and Martin Mortensen (Vacansoleil). Cyril Dessel (AG2R) set off with Koen De Kort (Skil - Shimano) to bridge the gap, and did so successfully, making contact after 70km had been raced.
The peloton climbing a hill on a beautiful day.
On such a long stage, the peloton gave the breakaway a long leash. With 140km to go, the break had a lead of around 10 minutes. In the Androni team car, we believed this was intentionally done by the Liquigas team. A fast pace on the harder second half would accomplish two things; close down the break, and make the riders suffer.
Not shortly after sending Piemontesi up to start slowly reeling the break in, Liquigas sprung into action, with Nibali leading the charge. With his crash on stage 2 removing his chances for GC, Nibali, who is also not in shape, has been working for Daniele Bennati.
Nibali was a great asset to his team, working hard to chase down the break.
There were several attacks from the peloton very early, but everything was closed down very quickly.
The breakaway was caught with 20km to go, as the peloton had shrunk to about 60 men. There were only two climbs to go and it was clear the contenders were eying each other closely. Nibali and neo-pro Peter Sagan sent a blistering pace up the penultimate climb. This resulted in no attacks. It would all come down to the final climb up towards the finish.
As the leading group, which was now down to 29 reached the flat beforehand, Androni, only had two riders, Ginnani and Leonardo Bertagnolli. Bertagnolli used his veteran experience to move Ginnani up towards the front, in order to react better to the inevitable attacks.
Robbie McEwen, the points leader, was the first to go.
McEwen had victory in mind when he set out on the base of the climb.
Ginnani looked around to see if anyone would react. Bennati looked under pressure from the fast pace his own team was setting. As he took his eyes off Bennati, the blue jersey of Alessandro Petacchi shot past and Ginnani knew he needed to react.
Bertagnolli worked hard to quickly close down the attack, and once he did that Ginnani, who was following in his wheel, unleashed a furious counterattack.
Ginnani sitting in his teammate's slipstream before attack himself.
The attack from Ginnani seemed to wake up the field as all the other favorites began to react. With only 3km to go, Ginnani found himself in a leading group with Rinaldo Nocentini and Karsten Kroon. They three had a lead of 30" on the next closest riders (Petacchi and Bennati), and Ginnani knew if he could maintain this position the overall victory was in his sight.
The three riders worked together to maintain their lead as it seemed no one else in the peloton had the strength to close down their lead. As the group neared the top of the climb, Kroon attacked. And try as the might, neither Ginnani or Nocentini could keep his wheel.
Kroon launches his attack from behind with the flamme rouge in sight.
With Kroon gone, Ginnani concentrated on limiting his losses. He was 20 seconds ahead of Kroon entering the stage. Given the time bonuses, if he could limit his loses to 11 seconds or less, he would still win overall GC.
Kroon celebrating the stage victory as Ginnani works hard for 2nd place. But who would win overall GC?
Kroon's victory by 14" in the final stage gave him the overall victory.
Ginnani would have to settle for the best young rider prize.
Results:
Spoiler
Stage:
1 Karsten Kroon BMC Racing Team 6h25'08 2 Francesco Ginanni Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni + 14
3 Rinaldo Nocentini AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
4 Robbie McEwen Team Katusha + 52
5 Alessandro Petacchi Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
6 Daniele Bennati Liquigas - Doimo s.t. 7 Leonardo Bertagnolli Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni + 1'08
8 Andrea Tonti CarmioOro NGC s.t.
9 Nicolas Roche AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
10 Luca Mazzanti Team Katusha + 1'20
11 Johnny Hoogerland Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
12 Mirco Lorenzetto Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
13 Marco Marcato Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
14 Grega Bole Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
15 Bert De Waele Landbouwkrediet s.t.
16 Reto Hollenstein Vorarlberg - Corratec s.t.
17 Peter Sagan Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
18 Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
19 Daniele Callegarin CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
20 Andrea Noè Ceramica Flaminia + 1'37
21 Lorenzo Bernucci Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
22 Carlo Scognamiglio ISD - Neri s.t.
23 Simone Ponzi Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
24 Christophe Riblon AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
25 Emanuele Vona ISD - Neri s.t.
26 Mauro Finetto Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
27 Ruggero Marzoli Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci + 1'45
28 Emanuele Sella CarmioOro NGC s.t.
29 Federico Canuti Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
30 José Luis Arrieta AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
31 Daniele Pietropolli Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
32 Giovanni Visconti ISD - Neri s.t.
33 Matteo Carrara Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team + 1'53
34 Evgeni Petrov Team Katusha s.t.
35 Francesco Failli Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
36 Enrico Rossi Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
37 Davide Bonuccelli CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
38 Luca Celli Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
39 Massimiliano Gentili Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
40 Marco Frapporti Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
41 Francesco Masciarelli Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
42 Mikhaylo Khalilov Team Katusha s.t. 43 Thomas Bertolini Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni + 2'01
44 Alessandro Spezialetti Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t. 45 Rubens Bertogliati Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
46 Roberto De Patre Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
47 Frederik Willems Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
48 Geert Verheyen Landbouwkrediet s.t.
49 Giampaolo Caruso Team Katusha s.t.
50 Mauro Santambrogio BMC Racing Team + 2'09
51 Denys Kostyuk ISD - Neri s.t.
52 Tiziano Dall'Antonia Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
53 Alexandre Moos BMC Racing Team s.t.
54 Steve Morabito BMC Racing Team + 2'17
55 Sacha Modolo Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
56 Massimo Codol Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci + 2'25
57 René Mandri AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
58 Domenico Pozzovivo Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
59 Job Vissers Skil - Shimano + 2'33
60 Marcello Pavarin Colnago - CSF Inox + 2'49
61 Krzysztof Szczawinski Miche s.t.
62 Martin Mortensen Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team + 3'53
63 Floris Goesinnen Skil - Shimano + 4'33
64 Joost Van Leijen Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
65 Cyril Dessel AG2R La Mondiale + 4'41
66 Giuseppe Muraglia CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
67 Silvère Ackermann Vorarlberg - Corratec + 5'05
68 Davide D'Angelo CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
69 Luca Pierfelici Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci + 5'13
70 Luca Ascani CDC - Cavaliere s.t. 71 Fabio Taborre Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
72 Fabio Terrenzio CarmioOro NGC + 5'21
73 Roy Curvers Skil - Shimano s.t.
74 Michael Schär BMC Racing Team + 5'29
75 Laurent Beuret CarmioOro NGC + 5'37
76 Cristiano Benenati De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 6'01
77 Wout Poels Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team + 6'33
78 Raffaele Ferrara CarmioOro NGC s.t.
79 Volodymyr Bileka Amore & Vita - Conad + 6'41
80 Chris Barton BMC Racing Team s.t.
81 Denis Galimzyanov Team Katusha s.t.
82 Igor Abakoumov ISD Continental Team s.t.
83 Fortunato Baliani Miche s.t.
84 Donato Cannone Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
85 Volodymyr Zagorodny Miche s.t.
86 Davide Ricci Bitti ISD - Neri s.t.
87 Pasquale Muto Miche + 6'57
88 Koen Barbé Landbouwkrediet + 7'53
89 Alexandre Usov ISD Continental Team s.t.
90 Koen De Kort Skil - Shimano + 8'01
91 Giairo Ermeti De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 8'09
92 Marco Cattaneo De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 8'57
93 Michele Gaia Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
94 Marcin Sapa Lampre - Farnese Vini + 9'05
95 Kristof Goddaert AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
96 Fausto Fognini Amore & Vita - Conad s.t.
97 Frédéric Amorison Landbouwkrediet + 9'13
98 Brent Bookwalter BMC Racing Team s.t.
99 Chad Beyer BMC Racing Team s.t.
100 Paolo Bailetti Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
101 Alberto Ongarato Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t. 102 Cameron Wurf Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
103 Yuriy Krivtsov AG2R La Mondiale + 9'21
104 Dirk Bellemakers Landbouwkrediet + 11'37
105 Gorik Gardeyn Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team + 12'01
106 Gianluca Mirenda ISD - Neri s.t.
107 Riccardo Chiarini De Rosa - Stac Plastic s.t.
108 Volodymyr Kogut Amore & Vita - Conad + 12'09
109 Bartosz Huzarski ISD - Neri s.t.
110 Paolo Ciavatta Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci + 12'17 111 Fabrice Piemontesi Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
112 Matteo Montaguti De Rosa - Stac Plastic s.t.
113 Sebastian Siedler Vorarlberg - Corratec + 12'25
114 Leopoldo Rocchetti Miche s.t.
115 Bart Dockx Landbouwkrediet s.t.
116 Enrico Peruffo CarmioOro NGC s.t.
117 Claudio Corioni De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 12'33
118 Vitaliy Popkov ISD Continental Team s.t.
119 Jure Kocjan CarmioOro NGC s.t.
120 Denis Flahaut ISD Continental Team + 12'41
121 Yuri Metlushenko Amore & Vita - Conad s.t.
122 Clemens Fankhauser Vorarlberg - Corratec s.t.
123 Marco Bandiera Team Katusha + 12'57
124 Paride Grillo CarmioOro NGC s.t. 125 Damiano Margutti Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
126 Piergiorgio Camussa Vorarlberg - Corratec + 13'05
127 Robert Wagner Skil - Shimano s.t.
128 Yuriy Agarkov ISD Continental Team s.t.
129 Fabio Sabatini Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
130 Fabrizio Lucciola Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
131 Kristof Vollon Amore & Vita - Conad s.t.
132 Giorgio Brambilla De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 13'13
133 Danilo Andrenacci CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
134 Anatoliy Pakthusov ISD Continental Team s.t.
135 Andrea Capelli Vorarlberg - Corratec + 13'29
136 Eugenio Loria CDC - Cavaliere + 13'37
137 Alessandro Donati Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
138 Matic Strgar Vorarlberg - Corratec + 14'33
139 Jakub Novak Amore & Vita - Conad s.t.
140 Volodymyr Rybin ISD Continental Team + 17'21
141 Bert De Backer Skil - Shimano s.t.
142 Daniele Colli Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
143 Alan Marangoni Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
144 David Boucher Landbouwkrediet + 17'37
145 Alexander Gufler Vorarlberg - Corratec + 17'45
146 Oleksandr Sheydyk ISD Continental Team s.t.
147 Han Feng Skil - Shimano + 17'53
148 Roberto Cesaro Miche + 18'09
149 Steven Caethoven Landbouwkrediet + 18'17
150 Roman Vishnevskiy Amore & Vita - Conad + 19'05
151 Sergio Laganà De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 19'13
152 Francesco Chicchi Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
153 Manuel Belletti Colnago - CSF Inox + 20'33
154 Sergiy Gretchyn Amore & Vita - Conad + 21'05
155 Oscar Gatto ISD - Neri + 21'13
156 Nikolai Trussov Team Katusha s.t.
GC:
1 Karsten Kroon BMC Racing Team 18h16'03 2 Francesco Ginanni Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni + 2
3 Rinaldo Nocentini AG2R La Mondiale + 26
4 Daniele Bennati Liquigas - Doimo + 40
5 Robbie McEwen Team Katusha + 52
6 Alessandro Petacchi Lampre - Farnese Vini + 1'04
7 Nicolas Roche AG2R La Mondiale + 1'28
8 Andrea Tonti CarmioOro NGC s.t. 9 Leonardo Bertagnolli Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
10 Luca Mazzanti Team Katusha + 1'40
11 Mirco Lorenzetto Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
12 Johnny Hoogerland Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
13 Peter Sagan Liquigas - Doimo s.t.
14 Marco Marcato Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
15 Daniele Callegarin CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
16 Reto Hollenstein Vorarlberg - Corratec s.t.
17 Bert De Waele Landbouwkrediet s.t.
18 Grega Bole Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
19 Luca Celli Ceramica Flaminia + 1'53
20 Ruggero Marzoli Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
21 Mauro Finetto Liquigas - Doimo + 1'57
22 Simone Ponzi Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
23 Carlo Scognamiglio ISD - Neri s.t.
24 Lorenzo Bernucci Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
25 Emanuele Vona ISD - Neri s.t.
26 Christophe Riblon AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
27 Andrea Noè Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
28 Davide Bonuccelli CDC - Cavaliere + 2'03
29 Daniele Pietropolli Lampre - Farnese Vini + 2'05
30 Federico Canuti Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
31 Giovanni Visconti ISD - Neri s.t.
32 Emanuele Sella CarmioOro NGC s.t.
33 Enrico Rossi Ceramica Flaminia + 2'13
34 Marco Frapporti Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
35 Mikhaylo Khalilov Team Katusha s.t.
36 Francesco Failli Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
37 Matteo Carrara Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
38 Evgeni Petrov Team Katusha s.t.
39 Francesco Masciarelli Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
40 Massimiliano Gentili Ceramica Flaminia s.t. 41 Thomas Bertolini Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni + 2'19
42 Geert Verheyen Landbouwkrediet + 2'21
43 Alessandro Spezialetti Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
44 Frederik Willems Liquigas - Doimo s.t. 45 Rubens Bertogliati Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
46 Giampaolo Caruso Team Katusha s.t.
47 Roberto De Patre Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
48 Tiziano Dall'Antonia Liquigas - Doimo + 2'29
49 Mauro Santambrogio BMC Racing Team s.t.
50 Alexandre Moos BMC Racing Team s.t.
51 Denys Kostyuk ISD - Neri s.t.
52 Sacha Modolo Colnago - CSF Inox + 2'37
53 Steve Morabito BMC Racing Team s.t.
54 Domenico Pozzovivo Colnago - CSF Inox + 2'45
55 Massimo Codol Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
56 Krzysztof Szczawinski Miche + 3'03
57 Martin Mortensen Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team + 4'09
58 Joost Van Leijen Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team + 4'53
59 Floris Goesinnen Skil - Shimano s.t.
60 José Luis Arrieta AG2R La Mondiale + 4'55
61 Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas - Doimo + 4'58
62 Cyril Dessel AG2R La Mondiale + 5'01
63 Giuseppe Muraglia CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
64 Silvère Ackermann Vorarlberg - Corratec + 5'25
65 Davide D'Angelo CDC - Cavaliere s.t.
66 Luca Ascani CDC - Cavaliere + 5'33 67 Fabio Taborre Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
68 Luca Pierfelici Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci s.t.
69 Fabio Terrenzio CarmioOro NGC + 5'39
70 Roy Curvers Skil - Shimano s.t.
71 René Mandri AG2R La Mondiale + 5'41
72 Michael Schär BMC Racing Team + 5'49
73 Laurent Beuret CarmioOro NGC + 5'57
74 Cristiano Benenati De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 6'21
75 Job Vissers Skil - Shimano + 6'35
76 Marcello Pavarin Colnago - CSF Inox + 6'45
77 Volodymyr Zagorodny Miche + 6'49
78 Raffaele Ferrara CarmioOro NGC + 6'53
79 Wout Poels Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
80 Igor Abakoumov ISD Continental Team + 6'57
81 Davide Ricci Bitti ISD - Neri s.t.
82 Donato Cannone Ceramica Flaminia + 7'01
83 Fortunato Baliani Miche s.t.
84 Denis Galimzyanov Team Katusha s.t.
85 Volodymyr Bileka Amore & Vita - Conad s.t.
86 Pasquale Muto Miche + 7'17
87 Koen Barbé Landbouwkrediet + 8'13
88 Giairo Ermeti De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 8'29
89 Michele Gaia Colnago - CSF Inox + 9'17
90 Marco Cattaneo De Rosa - Stac Plastic s.t.
91 Marcin Sapa Lampre - Farnese Vini + 9'25
92 Alberto Ongarato Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team + 9'33
93 Brent Bookwalter BMC Racing Team s.t.
94 Frédéric Amorison Landbouwkrediet s.t.
95 Paolo Bailetti Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
96 Yuriy Krivtsov AG2R La Mondiale + 9'41
97 Chris Barton BMC Racing Team + 10'45
98 Dirk Bellemakers Landbouwkrediet + 11'57
99 Alexandre Usov ISD Continental Team s.t.
100 Koen De Kort Skil - Shimano + 12'05
101 Kristof Goddaert AG2R La Mondiale + 12'21
102 Gorik Gardeyn Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
103 Fausto Fognini Amore & Vita - Conad s.t.
104 Sebastian Siedler Vorarlberg - Corratec + 12'45
105 Enrico Peruffo CarmioOro NGC s.t.
106 Bart Dockx Landbouwkrediet s.t.
107 Jure Kocjan CarmioOro NGC + 12'53
108 Yuri Metlushenko Amore & Vita - Conad + 12'57
109 Paride Grillo CarmioOro NGC + 13'17
110 Chad Beyer BMC Racing Team s.t. 111 Cameron Wurf Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
112 Fabio Sabatini Liquigas - Doimo + 13'25
113 Matteo Montaguti De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 15'21
114 Riccardo Chiarini De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 16'05
115 Gianluca Mirenda ISD - Neri s.t.
116 Bartosz Huzarski ISD - Neri + 16'13
117 Marco Bandiera Team Katusha s.t.
118 Paolo Ciavatta Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci + 16'21
119 Claudio Corioni De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 16'29
120 Vitaliy Popkov ISD Continental Team + 16'37
121 Denis Flahaut ISD Continental Team + 16'45
122 Yuriy Agarkov ISD Continental Team + 17'09
123 Fabrizio Lucciola Ceramica Flaminia s.t.
124 Anatoliy Pakthusov ISD Continental Team + 17'17
125 Daniele Colli Ceramica Flaminia + 17'41
126 Robert Wagner Skil - Shimano + 19'34 127 Fabrice Piemontesi Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni + 19'38
128 Giorgio Brambilla De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 20'34
129 Manuel Belletti Colnago - CSF Inox + 20'53
130 Clemens Fankhauser Vorarlberg - Corratec + 21'03
131 Volodymyr Rybin ISD Continental Team + 21'25
132 Alan Marangoni Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
133 Volodymyr Kogut Amore & Vita - Conad + 22'22
134 Francesco Chicchi Liquigas - Doimo + 23'17
135 David Boucher Landbouwkrediet + 24'06 136 Damiano Margutti Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni + 25'48
137 Kristof Vollon Amore & Vita - Conad + 26'35
138 Danilo Andrenacci CDC - Cavaliere + 26'43
139 Nikolai Trussov Team Katusha + 28'34
140 Piergiorgio Camussa Vorarlberg - Corratec + 28'36
141 Andrea Capelli Vorarlberg - Corratec + 29'00
142 Matic Strgar Vorarlberg - Corratec + 30'42
143 Jakub Novak Amore & Vita - Conad + 31'30
144 Leopoldo Rocchetti Miche + 32'17
145 Han Feng Skil - Shimano + 33'24
146 Bert De Backer Skil - Shimano + 34'12
147 Alessandro Donati Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci + 34'32
148 Eugenio Loria CDC - Cavaliere + 35'35
149 Alexander Gufler Vorarlberg - Corratec + 36'33
150 Roberto Cesaro Miche + 37'28
151 Steven Caethoven Landbouwkrediet + 38'24
152 Sergio Laganà De Rosa - Stac Plastic + 39'27
153 Oscar Gatto ISD - Neri + 40'12
154 Roman Vishnevskiy Amore & Vita - Conad + 41'03
155 Oleksandr Sheydyk ISD Continental Team + 41'37
156 Sergiy Gretchyn Amore & Vita - Conad + 45'49
Points:
1 Daniele Bennati Liquigas - Doimo 64
2 Robbie McEwen Team Katusha 60 3 Francesco Ginanni Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni 56
4 Karsten Kroon BMC Racing Team 49
5 Alessandro Petacchi Lampre - Farnese Vini 32
6 Nicolas Roche AG2R La Mondiale 27
7 Luca Celli Ceramica Flaminia 25
8 Mirco Lorenzetto Lampre - Farnese Vini 24
9 Mauro Finetto Liquigas - Doimo 23
10 Volodymyr Zagorodny Miche 20
11 Sacha Modolo Colnago - CSF Inox 19
12 Enrico Rossi Ceramica Flaminia 18
13 Rinaldo Nocentini AG2R La Mondiale16
14 Claudio Corioni De Rosa - Stac Plastic 16
15 Bert De Backer Skil - Shimano 16 16 Thomas Bertolini Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni 14
17 Ruggero Marzoli Acqua & Sapone - D'Angelo & Antenucci 12
18 Luca Mazzanti Team Katusha 12
19 Matteo Montaguti De Rosa - Stac Plastic 12
20 Davide Bonuccelli CDC - Cavaliere 10
21 Peter Sagan Liquigas - Doimo 10
22 Johnny Hoogerland Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team 9
23 Andrea Tonti CarmioOro NGC 9
24 Marco Marcato Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team 9 25 Leonardo Bertagnolli Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni 9
26 Daniele Pietropolli Lampre - Farnese Vini 8
27 Simone Ponzi Lampre - Farnese Vini 8
Mountain:
1 Luca Celli Ceramica Flaminia 8
2 Volodymyr Zagorodny Miche 6
3 Frédéric Amorison Landbouwkrediet 6
4 Claudio Corioni De Rosa - Stac Plastic 6
5 Igor Abakoumov ISD Continental Team 5
6 Karsten Kroon BMC Racing Team 5
7 Lorenzo Bernucci Lampre - Farnese Vini 5
8 Giampaolo Caruso Team Katusha 5
9 Krzysztof Szczawinski Miche 5
10 Matteo Montaguti De Rosa - Stac Plastic 5
This race belongs to Alessandro Petacchi, who has won it 5 years in a row. And Ale-Jet is back to try to make it six. Petacchi and Daniele Bennati have to be early favorites.
As the race began, Androni immediately sent Luis Ángel Maté onto the attack. If he could successfully stay away from the peloton, the Androni team would not be expected to help the chase, allowing our riders to stay fresh for Francesco Ginnani and Leonardo Bertagnolli.
Maté, forcing the creation of the breakaway.
Initially 7 riders got away, with a group of 5 in between, chasing the break down. As the break started to climb the second hill of the day, the group came together, and it was 12 riders against the peloton. Interestingly enough, Robbie McEwen was included in this break. Giving his sprinting prowess and all the evidence of great early season form, Androni were a bit worried about his presence, but would not chase down their own rider.
The peloton leisurely descending the second hill of the day.
The break continued to work well, while AG2R, Liquigas, and Lampre all contributed riders to the chase. Their intense efforts even split the peloton several times, however it always managed to come back together.
With five circuits involving a small rise and fall, the break started the believe it could make it the finish line. With 12 riders all contributing, they had a chance. They worked feverishly, which did result in 4 riders falling off the pace. With 17km to go, Simon Geschke (Skil - Shimano) set off in hopes of the victory. Luis Ángel Maté, attempted to counterattack, but neither got very far.
Maté timed his attack well, but didn't have the energy.
As the peloton realized they may have waited too long, the contenders began to get nervous. Petacchi moved off on his own with 14km left, but being 2 minutes down on the break away leaders, failed.
Petacchi's face is full of concern, as he realizes he likely won't successfully defend.
With 5km to go, Davy Commeyne (Landbouwkrediet) attacked the group, and managed to created a little gap. Only McEwen and Fabio Felline (Footon), could keep up a steady pace. As they entered the chicanes, McEwen found himself only 5 bike lengths behind Commeyne.
Ideal situation for McEwen, by far the best sprinter of the three.
McEwen would win easily over the other 2 break away riders.
As McEwen took first, there was still a battle for fourth. Maté, Geschke, and Bernardo Riccio (CDC - Cavaliere) were still trying to stem the inevitable tide that was the peloton. Maté and Geschke would make it to line just ahead of Petacchi and three Vacansoleil riders. A well deserved result for Maté, made better by Ginnani's lackluster sprint, who came in 21st.
Francesco Ginnani enters the race trying to defend his victory from the 2009 season. While the Trofeo Laigueglia is not the biggest race on the Italian racing calendar, if Ginnani can repeat, he will be in select company, as only Eddy Merckx and Filippo Pozzato have been able to do so. In addition, this would be Michele Scarponi's first race of the season as he begins to prepare for the Giro d'Italia. He is not in form yet, and will be a helper to Ginnani.
Androni were not going to send a man in the break today, as we wanted as many riders around to support Ginnani in his quest to repeat as champion. However, other teams obviously had different plans, as riders began to attack on the the Passo Balestrino.
The Passo Balestrino was the launching pad for the day's first attacks.
The peloton set a very fast pace early on, as AG2R and Quick-Step both did not want to let a break get away. Even Footon worked on the front.
Footon working on the front was a bit of a surprise for all involved.
Eventually, the break away was able to break free from the grasp of the peloton. Danilo Wyss (BMC), Alberto Ongarato (Vacasoleil), and Francesco Di Paolo (Acqua & Sapone) were the most dangerous men in the 6 man break. The men were not working particularly well together, and never built much of a lead.
When the peloton had around 100km to go, and still the last three climbs, the breakaway had a 2'30" lead. At this point, Androni decided to move to the front and start working. We knew that by most likely reeling in the breakaway early, we would have to keep a high pace to discourage any new attacks. There was a risk that we would work too early and be left with little support for Ginnani on the final climb, but with Scarponi and Bertagnolli, we felt there was enough support.
Luca Solari and Fabio Piemontesi working for Androni.
As the peloton reached the top of the first climb, the break away was caught. As they climbed the Passo di Ginestro, the penultimate climb, Fabrice Taborre took up the pace-making duties with Solari and Piemontesi. The peloton had only been reduced to 110 men, with all the favorites still there. With only Michele Scarponi and Leonardo Bertagnolli left, all of Androni's efforts began to look bleak.
As the peloton made the final climb, Scarponi moved to the front and picked up the pace, while Bertagnolli made sure Ginnani stayed out of trouble and out of the wind.
Michele Scarponi's pace put the pressure on the entire peloton.
Nearing the summit, the attacks began to come. Pavel Brutt (Katusha) was the first to make a move.
Brutt on the attack, 30km from the finish.
Next, Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil) and Sylwester Szmyd (Liquigas) accelerated away.
Szmyd and Hoogerland created a 20" gap on the peloton, and were 20" back from Brutt.
The Androni team thought about sending Ginnani on the attack, but while Scarponi and Bertagnolli still had some energy left, they remained patient, and with 26 km to the finish, were confident they could pull the 4 attackers (as Nocentini had joined them) back. Scarponi pushed himself way into the red, as he descended like a mad man, leading the peloton of 45 riders with him.
Near the bottom of the descent, Scarponi caught Brutt and Nocentini. It looked as if the 49 riders would sprint it out for victory.
Scarponi was a major influence in the race, despite not being in mid-season shape.
As the peloton neared the finish, Francesco Ginnani began to look around the peloton for any sprinting threats that remained. By his accounts, only Grega Bole (Lampre) and Lloyd Mondory (AG2R) remained. With Bole clearly suffering towards the rear, Ginnani attached himself behind Mondory's wheel.
If Ginnani could outsprint Mondory, victory looked like a very real possibility.
In the final straights, Mondory opened up, but it was clear he didn't have much in the tank. Ginnani, however, raced out of his slipstream and seemed poised for victory.
Ginnani racing past the competition with the finish around the corner.
Ginnani proved he was the strongest sprinter in the group as he gave Androni Giocattoli their first victory of the season.
Ginnani crossing the line ahead of the field.
This was a great team victory as the entire Androni team worked hard to deliver a situation where Ginnani could win.
A 5-stage race held on the Italian island of Sardinia will be the race on the Androni Giocattoli schedule. Big names from Liquigas (Ivan Basso and Daniele Bennati) and Lampre (Damiano Cunego and Petacchi) will be present, as well as a very strong Katusha team featuring Kim Kirchen, Kolobnev, McEwen Napolitano, and Joaquim Rodriguez. Androni is bringing leader Michele Scarponi as their main GC man. We aren't expecting much, but we will probably try to get him to test his legs out. Additionally, Alberto Loddo is here to hopefully contest the sprints.
This should be a stage for the sprinters. Our sprinting hope, Loddo, does not like climbing (too be kind) and we hope he can get over the hills with enough energy to contest. Given the form we've seen so far this season, I'd say it was a three man race between Bennati, Petacchi, and McEwen for the stage.
Despite Ginnani's great early season results, our sponsors were not pleased with our two week layoff in the middle of February. While we argued we wanted to focus on Italian races and did not have the squad size to support so many race days, our financial backers were less than pleased. We took the hint and wanted to begin the race in an attacking fashion. The night before, several riders volunteered to be in the break, but we settled on Rubens Bertogliati. We felt he was strong enough to win the stage if opportunity presented itself.
Bertogliati starting the breakaway under the dim lighting of a tunnel.
A breakaway of 7 formed, including Bertogliati, Mikhail Ignatiev (Katusha), and Pasquale Muto (Miche). They quickly edged out a lead of 9 minutes over the peloton. Because of the length of the stage, the break was given a long leash. Back in the peloton, Leonardo Bertagnolli fell descending a minor climb, but was unharmed and able to rejoin the peloton.
The one climb in the middle saw Bertogliati and Muto try to ride off the front of the breakaway group. While they created a gap of 30 seconds, they couldn't hold off their 5 less than happy companions.
As the breakaway's cooperation faltered, the peloton began to crank up the pace. The little rises and falls took a lot out of Loddo, despite his great form (+5). As the breakaway rode under the 20km to go banner, the peloton was nearing, and more attacks were launched, but nothing would stick. Today would be a day for the sprinters.
Ruben Bertogliati launched one final attack just as the break was caught. He made sure he was the last rider ahead.
As the teams started making their trains, disaster happened. A mass crash!
No Androni riders were involved, but the crash marred the day.
Since the crash was towards the rear, the damage inflicted was less than there could have been. However Domenico Pozzovivo (fractured hand), Konstantin Volik (fracture hand), Cyril Gautier (dislocated elbow), and Tom Faiers (broken arm) all had to withdraw.
With the madness behind, the Bennati and Petacchi dueled for victory with the Liquigas man coming out on top. Loddo and McEwen both disappointed coming in 29th and 34th respectively.
But 2nd place it's very good result for your team! Good Luck in another races. I'm sure you can win!
