Saur-Sojasun, a French Pro Continental cycling team enters its second year of existence with a solid roster of 19 riders. Formed in 2009 under the name Besson Chaussures-Sojasun, the team moves up the Continental circuit, filling a void left by the Agritubel's decision to leave cycling. the team is committed to growing and fostering young French cycling talent. For the 2010 season, the team will be racing mostly in France, as it focuses on developing its current crop of talent. Additionally, a focus will be on discovering new French riders, as illustrated by the hiring of legendary scout Jacques Decrion.
Though the team will largely avoid Pro Tour races, the team is hoping to gain wildcards several races such as Paris-Nice, Paris-Roubaix, and some of the Ardennes classics. Lastly, the team will push hard to gain entry into Le Tour de France.
Jimmy Casper is returning for his second year with the Saur-Sojasun team. A veteran of the peloton, Casper is a strong sprinter who took 7 victories last season, and will again be counted on to get results for the team. He won Stage 1 of the 2006 Tour de France, then with Cofidis. However climbing is not a strong suit, and he has finished last in GC twice, winning the infamous laterne rouge. One more would tie him with Wim Vansevenant for the record...
Sébastien Joly is a new recruit to Saur-Sojasun, coming over after 4 season with Fraçaise des Jeux. A punchy rider, Joly has a great fighting spirit, overcoming testicular cancer in 2007. Before his illness, Joly showed promise, including an overall win in the Tour du Limosin in 2005. As a team leader for Saur-Sojasun, Joly will now be counted to rediscover winning ways.
Another Fraçaise des Jeux recruit, Jérôme Coppel is best climber on the team. Coppel is also an accomplished time trialist, winning the French U19 Time Trial Championship in 2004 and the French U23 Time Trial Championship in 2006 and 2007. Not yet ready to compete with the big guns, his climbing ability, combined with his time trialing pedigree, means special attention will be paid to his development.
Jonathan Hivert is another new recruit, this team from Skil-Shimano. Another young climber, Hivert made a name for himself with an 8th place finish in Paris-Nice last year. Perhaps not having the all-around GC talent of Coppel, Hivert will be counted on in mountain stages, perhaps going for some KOM competitions.
Jimmy Engoulvent is Jimmy Casper's main lead-out man. Having worked together last season, the two have developed nice chemistry and will look to build on that success. While his main duties will be to bring Casper to line in good position, Engoulvent will get some opportunities in smaller races to ride for himself.
Season Goals:
Finish as leading climber: Paris-Nice
Wear sprinter's jersey: Critérium International
Stage win(s): 5 Jours de Dunkerque
Top 10: Grand Prix de Plumelec-Morbihan
Win: Tour de Vendée
Top 10: Paris-Tours
What a great team to choose, and I really like your story's.
Only problem I always get with story writing is that when I'm not making a story I want to, but then when I do write a story, I suddenly want to start another career in the backgroun which ends up taking over.
Edit: There is a rise on real stories in the PCM10 section. There's only 9 REAL stories on the first page of the Stories section. Then theres 15 or so opics of random shit that has completely failed, from an unnamed user.
Edited by valverde321 on 16-09-2010 00:13
janne_837 wrote:
Nice, good luck. Saur-Sojasun is cool, and your team is strong enough for "le tour".
@valverde321
I hope you didn't mean my story 'cause my is real.
Grand Prix la Marseillaise: Allauch - Aubagne: 141.9km
This hilly classic will kick off Saur-Sojasun's season, and the team will be looking to get a result. Being the first race of the season, it will be a good test for the team to see who's legs are good in early February.
The race features four climbs, the Pas de la Couelle (7.2km @ 3.9%), the Col de l'Espigoulier (9.5km @ 5.2%), the Col de l'Ange (3.0km @ 3.2km), and the Col de la Gineste (7.5km @ 3.1km). While the gradients may not appear to be the largest, they all feature severe ramps, with parts of the Pas de la Couelle reaching over 17% and sections of the Col de l'Espigoulier hitting 20%.
The team will be led by new recruit Sébastien Joly, who will be the sole leader for the race.
He will face stiff competition, mainly from the other French teams. Française des Jeux, Cofidis, and Bbox Bouygues Télécom have all sent strong squads. Cofidis has won the past two editions, and last years winner, Rémi Pauriol, is in their squad.
The weather conditions were surprisingly nice as the many of the riders began a new season. It was a bit cool, but the sun was shining brightly in the sky.
The first 15km of the race were very calm as the peloton appeared to be out for a Sunday ride. Looking to spice things up, Saur-Sojasun sent Jean-Marc Marino out on the attack.
Marino joined by a Landbouwkrediet rider on the attack.
While this action woke up the field, no breakaway would form under this first attack.
At the 30km mark, Julien Simon found himself trying to initiate a move. After several kilometers of fighting, Simon found himself clear with 12 other riders. However, the combined efforts of Cofidis, Française des Jeux, and Bbox Bouygues Télécom shut this down quickly.
The powers that be decided this breakaway was too big, or too dangerous. Maybe both.
With the peloton all together once again, Marino made another dig 15km before the Pas de la Couelle. And once again, this move was shut down quickly.
Just when it looked like no breakaway would form, Cyril Lemoine shot out of the peloton on at the foot of the Pas de la Couelle. Once seeing no one was following him, and the peloton was letting him go, he put his head down and immediately tried to find his rhythm.
By the top of the climb, Lemoine had managed to create a gap of 2'54" over the main field, which despite a slow pace, was struggling with the climb. By the top, only 69 riders remained in the main body.
Cyril Lemoine descending the Pas de la Coulle.
In the following valley, 4 riders, Steven Van Vooren (Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator), Tomasz Kiendys (CCC Polsat Polkowice), Clément Lhotellerie (Roubaix Lille Métropole), and Noan Lelarge (Bretagne - Schuller) made a move to attempt to bridge the gap to Lemoine.
The four chasers.
If the riders thought the Coulle was tough, the Col de l'Espigoulier would truly make them suffer. Lemoine's lead over the 4 chasers was falling, and it would difficult for him to maintain his advantage over the top.
Lemoine making a lonely climb.
However the climb proved difficult for all, and Lemoine was able to find a pace that kept his advantage steady. He would summit the climb 1'02" ahead of the chasers and 3'48" over the peloton.
At the same time as Lemoine crested the high point of the day, the peloton began working, reducing the numbers even further. 32 riders would make it to the top with the group. Again, it was the French teams of Cofidis, FDJ, and Bbox that set the pace, with particular notice given to Sandy Casar (FDJ).
The peloton, led by Casar, began to work in earnest, causing a lot of riders to suffer.
Lemoine descended well off the climb, and with 45km left to race, found himself with a lot of energy. His pedal strokes were even and he kept plugging away. He reached the top of the Col de l'Ange, 35km from the finish, with a 44" lead over the four chasers and 2'24" ahead of the quick-moving peloton.
It looked for a moment like the chasers would catch Lemoine on the descent, but the Saur-Sojasun rider was able to hold them off and soon found himself distancing them. Whether they were blown or were backing off was not clear, but Lemoine soon found himself with over a minutes advantage over his closest competitors with one climb left.
As he approached the Col de la Gineste, the 4 chasers had been absorbed by the peloton, which had stayed relatively the same size since the Col de l'Espigoulier. Lemoine starting climbing with a 1'19" advantage. If he could hold the field off on the climb, he could likely stay away for the long, solo breakaway win.
Surprisingly, back in the peloton, there were no attacks. Sébastien Joly probably had the legs to try something, but he wasn't going to attack his teammate. Instead, he sat patiently, and unselfishly, at the front of the group.
Lemoine reached the top of the Col de la Gineste first, just as he had over every other climb on the day, and began the descent.
Lemoine descending the final climb of the day, still in the lead.
The Saur-Sojasun rider had a large enough gap on the field to go onto victory, but he was really paying for his efforts, and began to really slow down as he went under the 5km to go banner.
In true fighting fashion, Lemoine gave it all he had, but was swept up with 2.3km left by the peloton.
The sprint was really no contest, as Leonardo Duque set up teammate Samuel Dumoulin perfectly, who finished almost completely clear from the rest of the field. Cofidis had won their third straight GP la Marseillaise. Joly would finish 14th and Lemoine would finish 30th, the last man in the leading field. No other Saur-Sojasun rider was in the first group.
Dumoulin was unbeatable in the final straight.
Results:
1 Samuel Dumoulin Cofidis, le crédit en ligne 4h07'36
Held only several days after the Grand Prix la Marseillaise, the Etoile de Bessèges is a 5 day stage race, again taking part in the South of France. The race will favor a punchy rider, with 4 of the 5 stages having hilly parcours. The past three champions include are Nick Nuyens (2007), Yuri Trofimov (2008), and Thomas Voeckler (2009). While none of these riders are here to challenge for the overall again, there is still a solid field.
Caisse d'Epargne have brought most of their French contingent and are led by able veteran Christophe Moreau. Other notable riders in the starting field are Patrik Sinkewitz (ISD), Pierrick Fédrigo (Bbox Bouygues Télécom), Française des Jeux (Sandy Casar), and Leonardo Duque (Cofidis).
Saur-Sojasun will again be led by Sébastien Joly. With a race in his legs and a couple more days of training, he is beginning to find his form. The rest of the line-up is almost identical to the GP la Marseillaise, with the only change being Jonathan Hivert replacing Stéphane Poulhiès.
The first stage would run in a circuit, between the two coastal communes of Aigues Mortes and Le Grau du Roi, with the peloton doing 15 laps before finishing by the Mediterranean Sea. The stage is not pan flat, but there is nothing that should stop this from being a mass sprint.
Surprisingly, there was little fighting done to create the day's breakaway, as after 8.5km, 5 riders had gotten away from the field. They were Julien Simon, Guillaume Faucon (Big Mat - Auber 93), Steven De Neef (Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht), Jesús Del Nero (Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano), and Matthieu Halleguen (Bretagne - Schuller).
The break riding with the medieval walls of Aigues Mortes in the distance.
The attacks were not over, as when the breakaway had around a minutes lead when Daniele Ratto (CarmioOro NGC) successfully bridged the gap. Several other riders thought about following him, but quickly thought better of it.
Ratto working hard to reach the other breakaway riders.
Ratto made contact with the break as they went through the first sprint point, 2'16" ahead of the peloton. Instead of working, the Italian sat at the back of the break, letting others do the work. When Ratto had a quick dig, he was quickly shut down and chastised by De Neef and began to work.
By the 2nd sprint point, the rain had come, making conditions miserable for the riders. Nevertheless, the break pushed on, leading the peloton by 4'05".
With the leisurely part of the ride over, Cofidis went to the front of the peloton and began to work. The break's lead started to come down quickly. By the third and final sprint point, the break was only +1'34" up the road.
The last desperate attacks from the break, just before it was caught.
The break would be caught 17.2km from the line, as the peloton was beginning to move very quickly.
With Cofidis and Bbox driving the peloton on, over one of the last hills, the peloton split. 67 riders were in the lead group. Julien Simon and Anthony Delaplace were the only Saur-Sojasun riders to get caught out. Additionally, Sinkewitz, Moreau, and Casar, all were badly placed and found themselves separated from the other favorites.
Both large groups of the riders pushed on, but it was clear, there would be gaps on the stage.
Cyril Lemoine was the only Saur-Sojasun rider who could compete in the upcoming sprint finish, but he did not have any semblance of a train; he would have to work for himself. With 2km remaining, he found himself on Duque's wheel, shoulder to shoulder with William Bonnet (Bbox Bouygues Télécom).
Mathieu Drujon (Caisse d'Epargne) has a couple bike lengths' lead as the sprint starts.
Lemoine had found the right wheel to take, but he didn't have the strength or finishing power to pass Duque. The Colombian was very strong, passing Drujon with 400m to go, and holding off Bonnet to take the stage.
Duque takes the first stage.
Results:
1
Leonardo Duque
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
3h39'19
2
William Bonnet
Bbox Bouygues Télécom
s.t.
3
Mathieu Drujon
Caisse d'Epargne
s.t.
4
Anthony Geslin
Française des Jeux
s.t.
5
Gaël Malacarne
Bretagne - Schuller
s.t.
6
Cyril Lemoine
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
7
Bart Dockx
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
8
Alexandre Lemair
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
9
Arnold Jeanneson
Caisse d'Epargne
s.t.
10
Lilian Jégou
Bretagne - Schuller
s.t.
Spoiler
11 Guillaume Blot Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
12 Damien Gaudin Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
13 Sébastien Chavanel Française des Jeux s.t.
14 Hans Dekkers Landbouwkrediet s.t.
15 Dirk Bellemakers Landbouwkrediet s.t.
16 Arnaud Labbe Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
17 Sébastien Turgot Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
18 Steven Caethoven Landbouwkrediet s.t.
19 Renaud Dion Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
20 Arnaud Coyot Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
21 Robert Hayles Endura Racing s.t.
22 Ian Wilkinson Endura Racing s.t.
23 Lloyd Mondory AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
24 David Boucher Landbouwkrediet s.t.
25 Steven Tronet Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
26 Jean-Luc Delpech Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
27 Ángel Madrazo Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
28 Bert Scheirlinckx Landbouwkrediet s.t.
29 Arnaud Gérard Française des Jeux s.t.
30 Giovanni Bernaudeau Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
31 Stéphane Bonsergent Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
32Jonathan HivertSaur - Sojasuns.t.
33 David Deroo Skil - Shimano s.t.
34 Cédric Pineau Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
35 Gianni Meersman Française des Jeux s.t.
36 Morgan Kneisky Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
37 Benoît Vaugrenard Française des Jeux s.t.
38 Yann Huguet Skil - Shimano s.t.
39 Scott Thwaites Endura Racing s.t.
40 Alexandre Blain Endura Racing s.t.
41 Damien Monier Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
42 Tom Van den Haute Landbouwkrediet s.t.
43 Vincent Jérôme Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
44 Christophe Kern Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
45 Pierrick Fédrigo Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
46 Matthieu Ladagnous Française des Jeux s.t.
47 José Vicente García Acosta Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
48Sébastien JolySaur - Sojasuns.t.
49 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
50 Benoît Daeninck Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
51 Dimitri Champion AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
52 Johan Le Bon Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
53 James Moss Endura Racing s.t.
54 Yuriy Krivtsov AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
55 Alexander King Endura Racing s.t.
56 Bartosz Huzarski ISD - Neri s.t.
57 Julien Bérard AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
58 Noan Lelarge Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
59Rony MartiasSaur - Sojasuns.t.
60 Maxime Bouet AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
61 Constantino Zaballa Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
62 Florian Morizot Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
63 Ruslan Pidgornyy ISD - Neri s.t.
64Jean-Marc MarinoSaur - Sojasuns.t.
65 Pedro Lopes Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
66Yannick TalabardonSaur - Sojasuns.t.
67 Guillaume Faucon Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
68 Matthieu Halleguen Bretagne - Schuller + 1'14
69 Steve Houanard Skil - Shimano + 1'51
70 Davy Commeyne Landbouwkrediet s.t.
71 Tom Veelers Skil - Shimano s.t.
72 Jasper Ockeloen Rabobank CT s.t.
73Julien SimonSaur - Sojasuns.t.
74 Nico Sijmens Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
75 Stéphane Augé Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
76 Evan Oliphant Endura Racing s.t.
77 Saïd Haddou Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
78 Boy Van Poppel Rabobank CT s.t.
79 Steve Schets Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
80 Nicolas Rousseau AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
81 Piet Rooijakkers Skil - Shimano s.t.
82 Pedro Soeiro Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
83 Fabien Bacquet Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
84 Jean-Eudes Demaret Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
85 James McCallum Endura Racing s.t.
86 Vitali Kondrut ISD - Neri s.t.
87 Anthony Roux Française des Jeux s.t.
88 Vytautas Kaupas Continental Team Differdange s.t.
89Anthony DelaplaceSaur - Sojasuns.t.
90 Blel Kadri AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
91 Pablo Lastras Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
92 Nico Schneider Continental Team Differdange s.t.
93 Andrea Tonti CarmioOro NGC s.t.
94 Evgueni Popov Itera - Katusha s.t.
95 Rikke Dijkxhoorn Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
96 Alessandro Raisoni CarmioOro NGC s.t.
97 César Quitério Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
98 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux s.t.
99 Nadir Haddou Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
100 Denys Kostyuk ISD - Neri s.t.
101 Laurent Lefèvre Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
102 Dimitri Kryvtsov ISD - Neri s.t.
103 Thierry Hupond Skil - Shimano s.t.
104 Sébastien Harbonnier Continental Team Differdange s.t.
105 Sven Van Dousselaere Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
106 Joeri Calleeuw Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
107 Alexander Mironov Itera - Katusha s.t.
108 Gianluca Mirenda ISD - Neri s.t.
109 Bart Van Haaren Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
110 Yoeri Havik Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
111 Ramon Sinkeldam Rabobank CT s.t.
112 Patrik Sinkewitz ISD - Neri s.t.
113 Frank Dressler Continental Team Differdange s.t.
114 Gert-Jan Van Immerseel Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
115 Jonathan Thiré Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
116 Tjarco Cuppens Continental Team Differdange s.t.
117 Sébastien Fournet CarmioOro NGC s.t.
118 Alexandre Geniez Skil - Shimano s.t.
119 Alexander Porsev Itera - Katusha s.t.
120 Arkimedes Arguelyes Itera - Katusha s.t.
121 Roy Curvers Skil - Shimano s.t.
122 Robert Retschke Continental Team Differdange s.t.
123 Enrico Peruffo CarmioOro NGC s.t.
124 Bruno Pinto Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
125 Petr Ignatenko Itera - Katusha s.t.
126 Christophe Moreau Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
127 Bas Stamsnijder Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
128 Stefan Cohnen Continental Team Differdange s.t.
129 Leonardo Scarselli ISD - Neri s.t.
130 Diego Tamayo CarmioOro NGC s.t.
131 Romain Lemarchand Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
132 Sergey Rudaskov Itera - Katusha s.t.
133 Nikita Novikov Itera - Katusha s.t.
134 Vyacheslav Kuznetsov Itera - Katusha s.t.
135 Joaquim Durant Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
136 Tom Slagter Rabobank CT s.t.
137 Eric Berthou CarmioOro NGC s.t.
138 Stefan Vreugdenhil Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
139 Nicolas Jouanno Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
140 Diego Genovesi CarmioOro NGC s.t.
141 Brian Bulgac Rabobank CT s.t.
142 Tom Thill Continental Team Differdange s.t.
143 Gatis Smukulis AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
144 Wesley Kreder Rabobank CT s.t.
145 Coen Vermeltfoort Rabobank CT s.t.
146 Remco Broers Rabobank CT s.t.
147 Jeffrey Wiersma Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
148 Pieter Schepmans Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
149 Jack Vermeulen Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
150 Bram Schmitz Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
151 Steven De Neef Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
152 Sibrecht Pieters Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
153 Jesús Del Nero Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
Etoile de Bessèges: Stage 2: Nimes - St. Ambroix: 136.6km
The second stage would begin in the historic city of Nimes and head inland, north to St. Ambroix. Along the way, the peloton would have to negotiate several hills before making 5 circuits in and around St. Ambroix. With 3 more hilly stages to follow, today's stage would not determine the final GC, but help separate the contenders from the rest.
Attacks began from the outset, with many riders trying to make a breakaway. Notably, Christophe Moreau (Caisse d'Epargne), who lost time yesterday tried to slip into several of the moves. However, the peloton was vigilant, and despite his low position in the GC tables, would not let him get away.
Approaching the first KOM sprint of the day, there was still no one in front. Saur-Sojasun decided to send Jonathan Hivert on the attack, in hopes of gaining the points. The team decided that Hivert did not have the strength to contend in the GC, but could go for the KOM jersey. 3km from the sprint point, Hivert made his move. Anthony Roux (FDJ) followed.
Hivert and Roux both went for the KOM points.
Behind them, Andrea Tonti (CarmioOro NGC), Steve Houanard (Skil-Shimano), and Davy Commeyne (Landbouwkrediet), would also go on the attack. They would reach Hivert and Roux at the bottom of the climb to form a 5-man break.
In the valley before the next climb, 4 other riders would go on the attack. Nicolas Rousseau (AG2R), Evan Oliphant (Endura Racing), Pablo Lastras (Caisse d'Epargne), and Patrik Sinkewitz (ISD), all tried to bridge the gap to the five leading riders. All of these men had lost time on the first stage.
They would successfully bridge the gap at the 3rd mountain sprint (completion of first circuit), where Hivert still took full points.
The now 9 man breakaway had a 2'57" lead over the field at this point. Despite the quality of riders in the lead group, they still did not look overly dangerous at this point with 33km remaining in the stage.
This fact mattered very little to Pierrick Fédrigo (Bbox) who would go on the attack, catching most by surprise. Only Anthony Geslin (FDJ), could follow the move.
Fédrigo goes onto the attack following the completion of the first circuit.
When Fédrigo went on the attack, Saur-Sojasun found themselves very unprepared, with leader Sébastien Joly nowhere near the front. Hoping that Cofidis would start to work until they could organize themselves, Saur-Sojasun ordered Jean-Marc Marino and Cyril Lemoine to bring the leader to the front of the group. They sent Yannick Talabardon and Julien Simon to the front to begin taking relays.
However, before they could fully organize, more attacks came, with Yann Huguet (Skil-Shimano), Lloyd Mondory (AG2R), Gianni Meersman (FDJ), and Leonardo Duque (Cofidis) leaving the peloton behind. Saur-Sojasun now found themselves without allies in the peloton and sent all available riders to the front to begin to work.
Race leader Duque went on the attack early to defend his jersey.
As the field began the 4th, and penultimate circuit, there were several groups on the road. First, a leading group of 9 riders, including Hivert, Roux, Sinkewitz, and Lastras. Behind them by 57" were Fédrigo and Geslin. A further 1'24" behind was the group of Duque, Meersman, Huguet, and Mondory. The peloton was 2'28" behind.
At this point, the Saur-Sojasun riders were cooked, and Joly needed to do what he could. With 12km remaining, he would go on the attack. No one followed.
Isolated and alone, Joly would have to do what he could to limit his losses.
Joly's task was always going to be difficult, but the rider began to make headway, as by the beginning of the last circuit, he was only down 1'24" on the leading riders on the rode. The problem was, ahead of him, all the riders had come together to form a 15-man strong group. Saur-Sojasun would have sent Hivert back to help the team captain, but the young rider was empty and simply trying to hang on. He would've been no help to his team captain.
In the leading group, Hivert was fully expecting attacks from the stronger riders, knowing he could not follow the smallest acceleration. Surprisingly, none came, and as the group went under the flamme rouge, it appeared as if the group would finish together.
The man with the fastest finish was Steve Houanard, who finished well ahead of everyone else. Hivert managed to finish in 10th, and suddenly found himself in 3rd overall, as well as leading the KOM and young rider competitions.
Joly would lose some time on the final circuit, finishing alone, 1'47" down. Still, he would be 9th in the overall standings.
Results:
1
Steve Houanard
Skil - Shimano
3h27'18
2
Pierrick Fédrigo
Bbox Bouygues Télécom
s.t.
3
Nicolas Rousseau
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
4
Evan Oliphant
Endura Racing
s.t.
5
Anthony Roux
Française des Jeux
s.t.
6
Pablo Lastras
Caisse d'Epargne
s.t.
7
Davy Commeyne
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
8
Patrik Sinkewitz
ISD - Neri
s.t.
9
Anthony Geslin
Française des Jeux
s.t.
10
Jonathan Hivert
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
Spoiler
11 Gianni Meersman Française des Jeux s.t.
12 Leonardo Duque Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
13 Yann Huguet Skil - Shimano s.t.
14 Lloyd Mondory AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
15 Andrea Tonti CarmioOro NGC s.t.
16Sébastien JolySaur - Sojasun+ 1'41
17 Mathieu Drujon Caisse d'Epargne + 2'23
18 Ian Wilkinson Endura Racing s.t.
19 Guillaume Blot Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
20 Denys Kostyuk ISD - Neri s.t.
21 Thierry Hupond Skil - Shimano s.t.
22 Lilian Jégou Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
23 Jesús Del Nero Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
24 Arnaud Coyot Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
25 Bart Van Haaren Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
26 Pedro Lopes Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
27 Noan Lelarge Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
28 Evgueni Popov Itera - Katusha s.t.
29 Diego Tamayo CarmioOro NGC s.t.
30Jean-Marc MarinoSaur - Sojasuns.t.
31Cyril LemoineSaur - Sojasuns.t.
32 Joeri Calleeuw Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
33 Alessandro Raisoni CarmioOro NGC s.t.
34 Arnold Jeanneson Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
35 Renaud Dion Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
36 Ángel Madrazo Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
37 José Vicente García Acosta Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
38 Blel Kadri AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
39Rony MartiasSaur - Sojasuns.t.
40 Sibrecht Pieters Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
41Yannick TalabardonSaur - Sojasuns.t.
42 Ruslan Pidgornyy ISD - Neri s.t.
43Julien SimonSaur - Sojasuns.t.
44 Alexandre Blain Endura Racing s.t.
45 Sven Van Dousselaere Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
46 Alexandre Geniez Skil - Shimano s.t.
47 Christophe Moreau Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
48 Nadir Haddou Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
49 Bert Scheirlinckx Landbouwkrediet s.t.
50 Morgan Kneisky Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
51 Alexandre Lemair Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
52 Piet Rooijakkers Skil - Shimano s.t.
53 Nico Schneider Continental Team Differdange s.t.
54 Nico Sijmens Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
55 Steven Tronet Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
56 Cédric Pineau Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
57 Jean-Eudes Demaret Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
58 Guillaume Faucon Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
59 Steve Schets Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
60 Coen Vermeltfoort Rabobank CT s.t.
61 Jasper Ockeloen Rabobank CT s.t.
62 Gert-Jan Van Immerseel Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
63 Alexander Porsev Itera - Katusha s.t.
64 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
65 Nikita Novikov Itera - Katusha s.t.
66 Diego Genovesi CarmioOro NGC s.t.
67 Jean-Luc Delpech Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
68 Bram Schmitz Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
69 Leonardo Scarselli ISD - Neri s.t.
70 Dirk Bellemakers Landbouwkrediet s.t.
71 Robert Retschke Continental Team Differdange s.t.
72 Bruno Pinto Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
73 Fabien Bacquet Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
74 Boy Van Poppel Rabobank CT s.t.
75 Constantino Zaballa Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
76 David Boucher Landbouwkrediet s.t.
77 Maxime Bouet AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
78 Vitali Kondrut ISD - Neri s.t.
79 Gaël Malacarne Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
80 Arnaud Labbe Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
81Anthony DelaplaceSaur - Sojasuns.t.
82 Frank Dressler Continental Team Differdange s.t.
83 Dimitri Champion AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
84 William Bonnet Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
85 Stéphane Bonsergent Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
86 Stéphane Augé Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
87 Bartosz Huzarski ISD - Neri s.t.
88 Tom Veelers Skil - Shimano s.t.
89 Steven De Neef Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
90 Christophe Kern Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
91 Alexander King Endura Racing s.t.
92 Sergey Rudaskov Itera - Katusha s.t.
93 Florian Morizot Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
94 Damien Monier Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
95 Robert Hayles Endura Racing s.t.
96 Yuriy Krivtsov AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
97 Pedro Soeiro Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
98 Bart Dockx Landbouwkrediet s.t.
99 Benoît Daeninck Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
100 César Quitério Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
101 Rikke Dijkxhoorn Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
102 David Deroo Skil - Shimano s.t.
103 Pieter Schepmans Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
104 Julien Bérard AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
105 Jonathan Thiré Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
106 Daniele Ratto CarmioOro NGC s.t.
107 Ramon Sinkeldam Rabobank CT s.t.
108 Eric Berthou CarmioOro NGC s.t.
109 Vytautas Kaupas Continental Team Differdange s.t.
110 Bas Stamsnijder Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
111 Petr Ignatenko Itera - Katusha s.t.
112 Romain Lemarchand Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
113 Matthieu Halleguen Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
114 Gatis Smukulis AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
115 Johan Le Bon Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
116 Tom Van den Haute Landbouwkrediet s.t.
117 Sébastien Turgot Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
118 Steven Caethoven Landbouwkrediet s.t.
119 Hans Dekkers Landbouwkrediet s.t.
120 Sébastien Chavanel Française des Jeux s.t.
121 Enrico Peruffo CarmioOro NGC s.t.
122 Laurent Lefèvre Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
123 Damien Gaudin Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
124 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux s.t.
125 Giovanni Bernaudeau Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
126 Alexander Mironov Itera - Katusha s.t.
127 Roy Curvers Skil - Shimano s.t.
128 James Moss Endura Racing s.t.
129 Scott Thwaites Endura Racing s.t.
130 Benoît Vaugrenard Française des Jeux s.t.
131 Saïd Haddou Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
132 Sébastien Fournet CarmioOro NGC s.t.
133 Tom Slagter Rabobank CT s.t.
134 Tjarco Cuppens Continental Team Differdange s.t.
135 Matthieu Ladagnous Française des Jeux s.t.
136 Vincent Jérôme Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
137 Stefan Cohnen Continental Team Differdange s.t.
138 Gianluca Mirenda ISD - Neri s.t.
139 Sébastien Harbonnier Continental Team Differdange s.t.
140 James McCallum Endura Racing s.t.
141 Joaquim Durant Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
142 Arkimedes Arguelyes Itera - Katusha s.t.
143 Nicolas Jouanno Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
144 Wesley Kreder Rabobank CT s.t.
145 Arnaud Gérard Française des Jeux s.t.
146 Tom Thill Continental Team Differdange s.t.
147 Remco Broers Rabobank CT s.t.
148 Jeffrey Wiersma Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
149 Stefan Vreugdenhil Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
150 Dimitri Kryvtsov ISD - Neri + 4'45
151 Vyacheslav Kuznetsov Itera - Katusha + 6'05
152 Yoeri Havik Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
153 Brian Bulgac Rabobank CT s.t.
154 Jack Vermeulen Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
GC:
1 Leonardo Duque Cofidis, le crédit en ligne 7h06'17
2 Pierrick Fédrigo Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 8
3Jonathan HivertSaur - Sojasun+ 14
4 Anthony Geslin Française des Jeux + 20
5 Lloyd Mondory AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
6 Gianni Meersman Française des Jeux s.t.
7 Yann Huguet Skil - Shimano s.t.
8 Steve Houanard Skil - Shimano + 1'47
9Sébastien JolySaur - Sojasun+ 2'01
10 Nicolas Rousseau AG2R La Mondiale + 2'03
Points:
1
Leonardo Duque
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
29
2
Steve Houanard
Skil - Shimano
29
3
William Bonnet
Bbox Bouygues Télécom
24
4
Anthony Geslin
Française des Jeux
21
5
Pierrick Fédrigo
Bbox Bouygues Télécom
20
KOM:
1Jonathan HivertSaur - Sojasun21
2 Pablo Lastras Caisse d'Epargne 15
3 Anthony Roux Française des Jeux 8
4 Patrik Sinkewitz ISD - Neri 6
5 Pierrick Fédrigo Bbox Bouygues Télécom 5
U25:
1 Jonathan HivertSaur-Sojasun7h06'31
2 Gianni Meersman Française des Jeux + 6
3 Steev Houanard Skil - Shimano + 1'33
4 Anthony Roux Française des Jeux + 1'57
5 Alexandre Lemair Roubaix Lille Métropole + 2'23
Team:
1 Française des Jeux 21h19'51
2 AG2R La Mondiale + 2'23
3Saur - Sojasun+ 4'04
***If anyone knows why some of my results format properly with the table function on the forum and some don't I'd greatly appreciate it.***
Etoile de Bessèges: Stage 3: Gran Prix du CC Rhone - Ceze-Languedoc: 151.1km
The third stage would be a bit longer in length then its predecessor, but would also a bit more gentle. The stage featured 3 sprint points and 5 KOM sprints. The last climb of the day finishes nearly 20km from the line; likely too far for any attack to stick.
Twelve men would get themselves into a breakaway today. Saur-Sojasun was again present, with Yannick Talabardon making the move. He was mostly here to protect Jonathan Hivert's interests in the KOM competition, Hivert's goal coming into the race. However, after yesterday, Hivert now finds himself in 3rd overall, and would not be allowed the freedom he previously enjoyed.
The other riders making the move were Blel Kadri (AG2R), Nico Schneider (Continental Team Differdange), Alexandre Geniez (Skil - Shimano), Johan Le Bon (Bretagne - Schuller), Cédric Pineau (Roubaix Lille Métropole), Sibrecht Pieters (Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht), Nadir Haddou (Big Mat - Auber 93), Bart Van Haaren (Van Vliet EBH Elshof), Vitali Kondrut (ISD), and José Vicente García Acosta (Caisse d'Epargne) with teammate Arnaud Coyot.
The days break, moving through the rolling French countryside.
The break worked well, gaining a 3'54" advantage over the peloton at the 1st mountain sprint. By the 3rd mountain sprint, this lead had grown to 4'22".
The flat area between the 3rd mountain and the 4th mountain saw Cofidis start to work in the peloton, working to protect Duque's lead and reel in the break. The break didn't stand much of a chance, and by the top of the 4th climb, their lead was only 34".
Heading into the last climb of the day, there were still over 100 riders together.
Having missed out yesterday, Saur-Sojasun team leader Sébastien Joly would not be taken by surprise again. 22km from the finish, 2km from the top of the final climb, he attacked. Only Pierrick Fédrigo (Bbox), reacted.
Fédrigo working hard to stay on Joly's wheel.
The two riders seemed to have created a small gap, when veteran Stéphane Augé (Cofidis) closed down the attack. While Joly cause the damage he wished, he had startled the slumbering peloton, and reduced the numbers to around 50.
After several moments of respite, Joly again attacked, this time with 10km remaining. Again, Fédrigo went with him, and again, Cofidis shut the move down.
Joly was at the forefront of the action today, but Cofidis smothered every attack.
Somewhat halfheartedly, Joly made another dig with 4km remaining, but could not create much, if any separation.
The sprint finish would be dominated by Cofidis, with the squad finishing 1-2-3, with 2 more riders in the top 20. Leonardo Duque would take his 2nd stage victory and grow his GC lead to 28" due to time bonuses. Joly and Hivert, who was too out of shape to make any attacks, finished comfortably in the group at 22nd and 39th respectively.
Shockingly, the race commissaire gave the first 135 riders to finish the same time. Protests from several teams were turned away and the results stood.
Cofidis look to have this race very much in control after today's stage.
Results:
1
Leonardo Duque
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
3h56'14
2
Stéphane Augé
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
3
Christophe Kern
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
4
Gianni Meersman
Française des Jeux
s.t.
5
Yann Huguet
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
6
Benoît Vaugrenard
Française des Jeux
s.t.
7
Ruslan Pidgornyy
ISD - Neri
s.t.
8
Noan Lelarge
Bretagne - Schuller
s.t.
9
Patrik Sinkewitz
ISD - Neri
s.t.
10
José Vicente García Acosta
Caisse d'Epargne
s.t.
Spoiler
11 Florian Morizot Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
12 Pierrick Fédrigo Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
13 Laurent Lefèvre Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
14 Sébastien Turgot Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
15 Alexandre Geniez Skil - Shimano s.t.
16 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
17 Damien Monier Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
18 Arnaud Coyot Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
19 Nico Sijmens Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
20Yannick TalabardonSaur - Sojasuns.t.
21 Vitali Kondrut ISD - Neri s.t.
22Sébastien JolySaur - Sojasuns.t.
23 Bart Van Haaren Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
24 Sibrecht Pieters Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
25 Pablo Lastras Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
26 Ian Wilkinson Endura Racing s.t.
27 Steve Houanard Skil - Shimano s.t.
28 Johan Le Bon Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
29 Guillaume Blot Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
30 Cédric Pineau Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
31Jean-Marc MarinoSaur - Sojasuns.t.
32 Davy Commeyne Landbouwkrediet s.t.
33 Lloyd Mondory AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
34 Jean-Eudes Demaret Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
35 Constantino Zaballa Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
36 Andrea Tonti CarmioOro NGC s.t.
37 Blel Kadri AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
38 Maxime Bouet AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
39Jonathan HivertSaur - Sojasuns.t.
40 Arnaud Labbe Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
41 Lilian Jégou Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
42 Nico Schneider Continental Team Differdange s.t.
43 Diego Tamayo CarmioOro NGC s.t.
44 Anthony Geslin Française des Jeux s.t.
45 Bert Scheirlinckx Landbouwkrediet s.t.
46Julien SimonSaur - Sojasuns.t.
47Cyril LemoineSaur - Sojasuns.t.
48 Thierry Hupond Skil - Shimano s.t.
49 Pedro Lopes Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
50 Anthony Roux Française des Jeux s.t.
51 Evan Oliphant Endura Racing s.t.
52 Nicolas Rousseau AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
53 Nadir Haddou Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
54 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux s.t.
55 Matthieu Ladagnous Française des Jeux s.t.
56 Dimitri Champion AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
57 Coen Vermeltfoort Rabobank CT s.t.
58 Gaël Malacarne Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
59 Jesús Del Nero Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
60 Renaud Dion Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
61 Joeri Calleeuw Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
62 Denys Kostyuk ISD - Neri s.t.
63 Sébastien Chavanel Française des Jeux s.t.
64 Sven Van Dousselaere Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
65 Vincent Jérôme Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
66 Dirk Bellemakers Landbouwkrediet s.t.
67 Bartosz Huzarski ISD - Neri s.t.
68 Saïd Haddou Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
69 Evgueni Popov Itera - Katusha s.t.
70 Hans Dekkers Landbouwkrediet s.t.
71 Damien Gaudin Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
72 Morgan Kneisky Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
73 Steven Caethoven Landbouwkrediet s.t.
74 Sergey Rudaskov Itera - Katusha s.t.
75 Jasper Ockeloen Rabobank CT s.t.
76 Jean-Luc Delpech Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
77 Bram Schmitz Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
78 Mathieu Drujon Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
79 Gatis Smukulis AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
80 Christophe Moreau Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
81 Ramon Sinkeldam Rabobank CT s.t.
82 Giovanni Bernaudeau Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
83 Arnold Jeanneson Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
84 Pedro Soeiro Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
85 Eric Berthou CarmioOro NGC s.t.
86 Rikke Dijkxhoorn Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
87 David Boucher Landbouwkrediet s.t.
88 Yuriy Krivtsov AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
89 Diego Genovesi CarmioOro NGC s.t.
90 William Bonnet Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
91 Tom Veelers Skil - Shimano s.t.
92 Alessandro Raisoni CarmioOro NGC s.t.
93 Arnaud Gérard Française des Jeux s.t.
94 David Deroo Skil - Shimano s.t.
95 Alexandre Blain Endura Racing s.t.
96 Ángel Madrazo Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
97 Boy Van Poppel Rabobank CT s.t.
98 Gianluca Mirenda ISD - Neri s.t.
99 Leonardo Scarselli ISD - Neri s.t.
100 Julien Bérard AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
101 Fabien Bacquet Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
102 Nikita Novikov Itera - Katusha s.t.
103 Piet Rooijakkers Skil - Shimano s.t.
104 Vytautas Kaupas Continental Team Differdange s.t.
105 Guillaume Faucon Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
106Anthony DelaplaceSaur - Sojasuns.t.
107 Alexandre Lemair Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
108 Alexander Porsev Itera - Katusha s.t.
109 Petr Ignatenko Itera - Katusha s.t.
110 Daniele Ratto CarmioOro NGC s.t.
111 Bart Dockx Landbouwkrediet s.t.
112 Jonathan Thiré Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
113 Alexander Mironov Itera - Katusha s.t.
114 Roy Curvers Skil - Shimano s.t.
115 Steven De Neef Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
116 Sébastien Fournet CarmioOro NGC s.t.
117 James McCallum Endura Racing s.t.
118 Tom Slagter Rabobank CT s.t.
119 Steve Schets Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
120 Stefan Cohnen Continental Team Differdange s.t.
121 Robert Retschke Continental Team Differdange s.t.
122 Tjarco Cuppens Continental Team Differdange s.t.
123 Enrico Peruffo CarmioOro NGC s.t.
124 Remco Broers Rabobank CT s.t.
125 Steven Tronet Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
126 Scott Thwaites Endura Racing s.t.
127 Wesley Kreder Rabobank CT s.t.
128 Frank Dressler Continental Team Differdange s.t.
129Rony MartiasSaur - Sojasuns.t.
130 Alexander King Endura Racing s.t.
131 Tom Van den Haute Landbouwkrediet s.t.
132 James Moss Endura Racing s.t.
133 Bruno Pinto Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
@ Pellizotti2: I see the similarities; although the 3 Cofidis riders kind of throws off the image.
Etoile de Bessèges: Stage 4: Gran Prix d'Ales en Cevennes: 125.1km
The fourth stage of the 2010 Etoile de Bessèges would likely be the most decisive. The first climb of the day, which crested 53km into the stage, would be the largest ascent navigated by the peloton. There would be no respite for the riders, who would have 4 more climbs to deal with on the rest of the day.
For the first time in this race, Saur-Sojasun found themselves without a rider in the breakaway. This was not due to bad luck, but rather design, as the team wanted to work to set up an attack from either Sébastien Joly or Jonathan Hivert.
Nevertheless, Saur-Sojasun's lack of participation did not cause other riders to give up hope, with 13 riders getting into the break of the day: Leonardo Scarselli (ISD), Morgan Kneisky (Roubaix Lille Métropole), Coen Vermeltfoort (Rabbobank CT), Alexandre Blain (Endura Racing), Steven De Neef (Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht), Daniele Ratto (CarmioOro NGC), Bram Schmitz (Van Vliet EBH Elshof), Alexander Porsev (Itera - Katusha), Fabien Bacquet (Big Mat - Auber 93), Jean-Luc Delpech (Bretagne - Schuller), Bart Dockx (Landbouwkrediet), Bruno Pinto (Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano), and Benoît Daeninck (Roubaix Lille Métropole). None were of any danger in the GC.
The break riding towards the first climb of the day.
Despite there being no danger men in the break, they stood no chance today. As peloton was approaching the bottom of the climb, Saur-Sojasun put Rony Martias and Anthony Delaplace on the front of the group, and the two began to set a high pace. At the bottom of the climb, the break only had a 1'23" advantage, as Martias and Delaplace were replaced by fresher riders in the forms of Julien Simon and Yannick Talabardon.
Half-way through the climb, the peloton was still nearly all together, but really beginning to suffer.
At this point, Jean-Marc Marino took up the pace making, setting a high pace that immediately began shedding riders. With sections ramping up to 23%, all of the riders were really suffering.
Marino did a great deal of work for Saur-Sojasun during the stage.
By the top of the climb, the breakaway had been caught and only 42 riders remained in the leading group.
Marino would continue to lead the peloton down the climb and over the next climb of the day.
Marino continues to lead the peloton. Joly and Hivert remain attentive and alert at the front of the group.
By the end of the third climb, Marino was cooked and had to pull off the front. He had done a great deal of work and managed to whittle the leading group down to 28 riders. However, all of the favorites were still present. Saur-Sojasun still had Joly, Hivert, and Cyril Lemoine there. Lemoine and Hivert were nearly cooked, but Joly was incredibly fresh. Despite Hivert being higher placed in GC, Joly was the team leader and would be ordered to attack.
Hivert and Lemoine went to the front and continued to set a high pace up and down the fourth climb.
In the foothills of the last climb, with 22km to the finish, Joly attacked the group.
Joly going on the offensive.
No rider would follow Joly and he initially found himself with a gap of 45" as he began to climb. Behind Joly, there appeared to be some confusion as to who should be responsible for chasing him down. FDJ, Cofidis, and Bbox all looked a bit stunned and no chase was organized.
This infighting would greatly benefit Joly, who would finish the climb with an advantage of nearly 2 minutes. With 17km remaining, the stage victory would come down to two factors; how quickly a chase could be organize, and how much damage Saur-Sojasun's early work had truly done.
Joly is attempting to ride to victory with the peloton far in the background.
As Joly pedaled away, and the finish line approached, the gap began to come down. However, it would diminish fast enough, with Joly going under the 5km banner with a 1'42" lead.
Joly would continue to try to push, and would cross the line for the stage victory, 1'27" ahead of the rest of the group. This result would move him to 4th overall in the GC, one spot ahead of teammate Jonathan Hivert and give Saur-Sojasun their first victory of the season!
Joly celebrates his stage victory!
Results:
1
Sébastien Joly
Saur - Sojasun
3h32'37
2
Gianni Meersman
Française des Jeux
+ 1'27
3
Pierrick Fédrigo
Bbox Bouygues Télécom
s.t.
4
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
5
Anthony Geslin
Française des Jeux
s.t.
6
Leonardo Duque
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
7
Yann Huguet
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
8
Sandy Casar
Française des Jeux
s.t.
9
Christophe Moreau
Caisse d'Epargne
s.t.
10
Constantino Zaballa
Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano
s.t.
Spoiler
11 Florian Morizot Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
12 Benoît Vaugrenard Française des Jeux s.t.
13Jonathan HivertSaur - Sojasuns.t.
14 Noan Lelarge Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
15 Damien Monier Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
16 Davy Commeyne Landbouwkrediet s.t.
17 Christophe Kern Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
18Cyril LemoineSaur - Sojasuns.t.
19 Anthony Roux Française des Jeux s.t.
20 Stéphane Augé Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
21 Andrea Tonti CarmioOro NGC s.t.
22 Nico Sijmens Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
23 Patrik Sinkewitz ISD - Neri s.t.
24 Arnaud Labbe Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
25 Steve Houanard Skil - Shimano s.t.
26 Pablo Lastras Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
27 Ruslan Pidgornyy ISD - Neri s.t.
28 Thierry Hupond Skil - Shimano s.t.
29 Jean-Eudes Demaret Cofidis, le crédit en ligne + 3'01
30 Steven De Neef Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
31Jean-Marc MarinoSaur - Sojasun+ 3'25
32 Evan Oliphant Endura Racing s.t.
33 Matthieu Ladagnous Française des Jeux s.t.
34 Diego Tamayo CarmioOro NGC s.t.
35 Ian Wilkinson Endura Racing s.t.
36 Dimitri Champion AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
37 Laurent Lefèvre Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 6'45
38 Bartosz Huzarski ISD - Neri s.t.
39 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
40 Nicolas Rousseau AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
41 Mathieu Drujon Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
42 Nadir Haddou Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
43 William Bonnet Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
44 Gaël Malacarne Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
45 Guillaume Blot Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
46Julien SimonSaur - Sojasuns.t.
47 Gatis Smukulis AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
48 José Vicente García Acosta Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
49 Ángel Madrazo Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
50 Lilian Jégou Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
51 Maxime Bouet AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
52 Dirk Bellemakers Landbouwkrediet s.t.
53 Renaud Dion Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
54 Alexandre Geniez Skil - Shimano s.t.
55 Arnold Jeanneson Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
56 Coen Vermeltfoort Rabobank CT s.t.
57 Jesús Del Nero Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
58 Bram Schmitz Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
59 Sergey Rudaskov Itera - Katusha s.t.
60 Pedro Lopes Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
61 Sibrecht Pieters Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
62 Denys Kostyuk ISD - Neri s.t.
63Yannick TalabardonSaur - Sojasuns.t.
64 David Deroo Skil - Shimano s.t.
65 Vincent Jérôme Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
66 Alexandre Blain Endura Racing + 9'41
67 Piet Rooijakkers Skil - Shimano + 11'41
68 Morgan Kneisky Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
69 Leonardo Scarselli ISD - Neri s.t.
70 Julien Bérard AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
71 Daniele Ratto CarmioOro NGC + 13'41
72 Alexander Porsev Itera - Katusha s.t.
73 Fabien Bacquet Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
74 Bruno Pinto Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
75 Sébastien Chavanel Française des Jeux s.t.
76 Sébastien Turgot Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
77 Damien Gaudin Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
78 Bert Scheirlinckx Landbouwkrediet s.t.
79 Arnaud Coyot Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
80 James McCallum Endura Racing s.t.
81 Jean-Luc Delpech Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
82 Alexandre Lemair Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
83 Nikita Novikov Itera - Katusha s.t.
84 Sven Van Dousselaere Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
85 David Boucher Landbouwkrediet s.t.
86 Jasper Ockeloen Rabobank CT s.t.
87Anthony DelaplaceSaur - Sojasuns.t.
88 Blel Kadri AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
89 Vitali Kondrut ISD - Neri s.t.
90 Nico Schneider Continental Team Differdange s.t.
91 Evgueni Popov Itera - Katusha s.t.
92 Joeri Calleeuw Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
93 James Moss Endura Racing s.t.
94 Gianluca Mirenda ISD - Neri s.t.
95 Yuriy Krivtsov AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
96 Arnaud Gérard Française des Jeux s.t.
97 Alexander King Endura Racing s.t.
98 Robert Retschke Continental Team Differdange s.t.
99Rony MartiasSaur - Sojasuns.t.
100 Alessandro Raisoni CarmioOro NGC s.t.
101 Rikke Dijkxhoorn Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
102 Guillaume Faucon Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
103 Bart Van Haaren Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
104 Eric Berthou CarmioOro NGC s.t.
105 Pedro Soeiro Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
106 Benoît Daeninck Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
107 Romain Lemarchand Big Mat - Auber 93 + 15'29
108 Bart Dockx Landbouwkrediet s.t.
109 César Quitério Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
110 Roy Curvers Skil - Shimano s.t.
111 Diego Genovesi CarmioOro NGC s.t.
112 Tom Veelers Skil - Shimano + 17'01
113 Cédric Pineau Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
114 Jeffrey Wiersma Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
115 Bas Stamsnijder Van Vliet EBH Elshof + 17'41
116 Scott Thwaites Endura Racing s.t.
117 Matthieu Halleguen Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
118 Vytautas Kaupas Continental Team Differdange s.t.
119 Enrico Peruffo CarmioOro NGC s.t.
120 Ramon Sinkeldam Rabobank CT + 18'05
121 Tjarco Cuppens Continental Team Differdange s.t.
122 Stéphane Bonsergent Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
123 Robert Hayles Endura Racing s.t.
124 Giovanni Bernaudeau Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
125 Frank Dressler Continental Team Differdange s.t.
126 Boy Van Poppel Rabobank CT s.t.
127 Johan Le Bon Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
128 Saïd Haddou Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
129 Sébastien Fournet CarmioOro NGC s.t.
130 Stefan Cohnen Continental Team Differdange + 20'13
131 Sébastien Harbonnier Continental Team Differdange s.t.
132 Steve Schets Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
133 Remco Broers Rabobank CT s.t.
134 Steven Caethoven Landbouwkrediet s.t.
135 Petr Ignatenko Itera - Katusha s.t.
136 Tom Slagter Rabobank CT s.t.
137 Alexander Mironov Itera - Katusha s.t.
138 Hans Dekkers Landbouwkrediet s.t.
139 Steven Tronet Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
140 Arkimedes Arguelyes Itera - Katusha s.t.
141 Gert-Jan Van Immerseel Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
142 Jonathan Thiré Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
143 Tom Thill Continental Team Differdange s.t.
144 Joaquim Durant Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht + 21'25
145 Pieter Schepmans Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht + 24'29
Etoile de Bessèges: Stage 5: Gran Prix d de Bessèges: 132.9km
The final stage would again be hilly, although the climbs were relatively small compared to some of those seen earlier in the race. The peloton will complete 5 circuits in and round the commune of Bessèges. Leonardo Duque (Cofidis) enters the day still leading in the GC competition, with a 20 second lead over Pierrick Fédrigo (Bbox).
The attacking began from the very beginning of the stage, with Jonathan Hivert going on the attack. With a KOM sprint only 2km from the start line, Hivert wanted to consolidate his victory in the competition.
Hivert would get maximum points at the top of the climb, all but wrapping up the best climber's jersey.
After securing those important points, Hivert dropped back, as he had no plans to go on a breakaway ride. It was also unlikely the peloton would let him go.
With the initial excitement of the stage passing, the pace of the riders settled as they all rode together until nearly the end of the first circuit. Then, 7 riders formed a breakaway. They were Gatis Smukulis (AG2R), Bram Schmitz (Van Vliet EBH Elshof), Bert Scheirlinckx (Landbouwkrediet), Denys Kostyuk (ISD), Piet Rooijakkers (Skil - Shimano), Jean-Luc Delpech (Bretagne - Schuller), and Alexandre Lemair (Roubaix Lille Métropole).
The breakaway, just before finishing the first circuit.
The breakaway, despite not containing any major threats, was not given much freedom. FDJ was setting a fast pace, perhaps to set up an attack for either Gianni Meersman or Anthony Geslin, who were 3rd and 6th in the GC respectively.
With 64km remaining, an FDJ rider would attack. However, surprisingly, it was Sandy Casar, who was over 4 minutes behind in the GC. He quickly passed the fading breakaway.
Casar launches a surprise attack.
Saur-Sojasun were prepared to let Casar go, but several kilometers down the rode, Fédrigo took off in an attempt to join his fellow countryman. Sébastien Joly had to follow this move.
Fédrigo has a bit of a gap on a chasing Joly.
Despite the gap, Joly was able to get onto Fédrigo's wheel. At the beginning of the fifth and last circuit, the two linked up with Casar. The peloton was only 45" behind.
The three leading riders worked hard, but Cofidis brought the riders back together shortly after the last main climb. The fast attacking pace of the day had resulted in much more attrition then expected. In what was expected to be a fairly easy day, only 33 riders remained in the leading group. One of the casualties was Jonathan Hivert, who could not keep up with the pace today.
Most of the run-in to the finish was flat, with only two small climbs. Both less than a kilometer in distance, it would take a scathing attack to gain separation. Joly tried to launch such an attack, 6km from the line.
Joly goes on the penultimate little bump.
Fédrigo and Geslin would try to follow. Only Fédrigo could chase Joly down, getting on his wheel with 2.7km remaining. Geslin was 10" behind and the Cofidis-led peloton was 19" behind.
As the Joly and Fédrigo entered the final kilometer, Fédrigo's advantageous position was clear, as he shot out of Joly's slipstream and passed the Saur-Sojasun rider with 0.4km remaining. The Bbox Bouygues Télécom strongman would take the stage, with Joly coming in second. Geslin finished in 3rd.
Attention now turned to the race judges as the gaps would determine the overall race win. Much like in stage 3, the first 33 riders were given the same time, despite clear gaps. Thus, the overall victory would go to Leonardo Duque, who would finish on the same overall time as Pierrick Fédrigo. However Joly would move into 3rd thanks to time bonuses.
Fédrigo celebrating the stage win. However, the celebration would be short-lived once he found out he hadn't won the overall.
Results:
1
Pierrick Fédrigo
Bbox Bouygues Télécom
3h33'30
2
Sébastien Joly
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
3
Anthony Geslin
Française des Jeux
s.t.
4
Nico Sijmens
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
5
Laurent Lefèvre
Bbox Bouygues Télécom
s.t.
6
Stéphane Augé
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
7
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
8
Leonardo Duque
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
9
Benoît Vaugrenard
Française des Jeux
s.t.
10
Gianni Meersman
Française des Jeux
s.t.
Spoiler
11 Christophe Kern Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
12 Pablo Lastras Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
13 Christophe Moreau Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
14 Guillaume Blot Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
15 Thierry Hupond Skil - Shimano s.t.
16 Maxime Bouet AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
17 Yann Huguet Skil - Shimano s.t.
18 Dirk Bellemakers Landbouwkrediet s.t.
19 Evan Oliphant Endura Racing s.t.
20 Steve Houanard Skil - Shimano s.t.
21 Florian Morizot Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
22 Ruslan Pidgornyy ISD - Neri s.t.
23 Anthony Roux Française des Jeux s.t.
24 Constantino Zaballa Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
25 Ian Wilkinson Endura Racing s.t.
26 Andrea Tonti CarmioOro NGC s.t.
27Cyril LemoineSaur - Sojasuns.t.
28 Damien Monier Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
29 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
30 Patrik Sinkewitz ISD - Neri s.t.
31 Davy Commeyne Landbouwkrediet s.t.
32 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux s.t.
33 Noan Lelarge Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
34 Diego Tamayo CarmioOro NGC + 1'25
35 Bartosz Huzarski ISD - Neri s.t.
36Jonathan HivertSaur - Sojasuns.t.
37 Blel Kadri AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
38 Gatis Smukulis AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
39 Nadir Haddou Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
40 Nicolas Rousseau AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
41 Damien Gaudin Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
42 Evgueni Popov Itera - Katusha s.t.
43 Jean-Eudes Demaret Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
44 Sergey Rudaskov Itera - Katusha s.t.
45 Matthieu Ladagnous Française des Jeux s.t.
46 Denys Kostyuk ISD - Neri s.t.
47 Gaël Malacarne Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
48Julien SimonSaur - Sojasuns.t.
49Jean-Marc MarinoSaur - Sojasuns.t.
50 Arnaud Labbe Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
51 Pedro Lopes Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
52 Bert Scheirlinckx Landbouwkrediet s.t.
53 Jesús Del Nero Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
54 David Deroo Skil - Shimano + 2'57
55 Sébastien Chavanel Française des Jeux s.t.
56 Diego Genovesi CarmioOro NGC s.t.
57 Alessandro Raisoni CarmioOro NGC s.t.
58 Sven Van Dousselaere Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
59 Bart Van Haaren Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
60 Mathieu Drujon Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
61 Alexandre Geniez Skil - Shimano s.t.
62 Leonardo Scarselli ISD - Neri s.t.
63 Sibrecht Pieters Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
64Yannick TalabardonSaur - Sojasun+ 3'37
65 Dimitri Champion AG2R La Mondiale + 4'25
66 Guillaume Faucon Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
67 Renaud Dion Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
68 Alexandre Lemair Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
69 Joeri Calleeuw Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
70 Bram Schmitz Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
71 Fabien Bacquet Big Mat - Auber 93 + 5'13
72 Jonathan Thiré Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
73 Alexandre Blain Endura Racing + 5'53
74 Rikke Dijkxhoorn Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
75Rony MartiasSaur - Sojasun+ 6'17
76Anthony DelaplaceSaur - Sojasuns.t.
77 Romain Lemarchand Big Mat - Auber 93 s.t.
78 Arnaud Gérard Française des Jeux s.t.
79 Eric Berthou CarmioOro NGC s.t.
80 Bruno Pinto Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano + 7'13
81 Jasper Ockeloen Rabobank CT + 8'57
82 Robert Retschke Continental Team Differdange s.t.
83 David Boucher Landbouwkrediet s.t.
84 Nico Schneider Continental Team Differdange s.t.
85 Coen Vermeltfoort Rabobank CT s.t.
86 Piet Rooijakkers Skil - Shimano s.t.
87 Jean-Luc Delpech Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
88 Alexander Porsev Itera - Katusha + 9'29
89 Tom Veelers Skil - Shimano s.t.
90 Nikita Novikov Itera - Katusha s.t.
91 Cédric Pineau Roubaix Lille Métropole + 11'37
92 Gianluca Mirenda ISD - Neri s.t.
93 Julien Bérard AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
94 Steven De Neef Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
95 William Bonnet Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
96 Arnaud Coyot Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
97 Sébastien Turgot Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
98 Vincent Jérôme Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
99 Lilian Jégou Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
100 José Vicente García Acosta Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
101 Morgan Kneisky Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
102 Arnold Jeanneson Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
103 Ángel Madrazo Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
104 Frank Dressler Continental Team Differdange s.t.
105 Bas Stamsnijder Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
106 Daniele Ratto CarmioOro NGC s.t.
107 Jeffrey Wiersma Van Vliet EBH Elshof s.t.
108 Stefan Cohnen Continental Team Differdange s.t.
109 Roy Curvers Skil - Shimano s.t.
110 Tjarco Cuppens Continental Team Differdange s.t.
111 Boy Van Poppel Rabobank CT s.t.
112 Steven Caethoven Landbouwkrediet s.t.
113 Ramon Sinkeldam Rabobank CT s.t.
114 Robert Hayles Endura Racing s.t.
115 Pedro Soeiro Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
116 Steven Tronet Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
117 Giovanni Bernaudeau Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
118 Stéphane Bonsergent Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
119 Vitali Kondrut ISD - Neri s.t.
120 Gert-Jan Van Immerseel Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
121 Nicolas Jouanno Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
122 Petr Ignatenko Itera - Katusha s.t.
123 Alexander King Endura Racing s.t.
124 Tom Van den Haute Landbouwkrediet s.t.
125 Scott Thwaites Endura Racing s.t.
126 Steve Schets Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
127 Saïd Haddou Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
128 Hans Dekkers Landbouwkrediet s.t.
129 Bart Dockx Landbouwkrediet s.t.
130 Sébastien Harbonnier Continental Team Differdange s.t.
131 César Quitério Centro Ciclismo de Loulé - Louletano s.t.
132 James Moss Endura Racing s.t.
133 Enrico Peruffo CarmioOro NGC s.t.
134 Sébastien Fournet CarmioOro NGC s.t.
135 Yuriy Krivtsov AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
136 Johan Le Bon Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
137 Matthieu Halleguen Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
138 James McCallum Endura Racing s.t.
139 Pieter Schepmans Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht + 17'05
140 Joaquim Durant Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht s.t.
141 Vytautas Kaupas Continental Team Differdange + 19'05
Too bad. But Joly isn't a sprinter. I hope you can get your first win quickly.
