Today's stage is relatively flat, with a slight uphill finish, so it's not just about the sprinters. It's really wide open. Favorites
+++: A. Roux (FDJ), Y. Offredo (FDJ)
++: L. Duque (COF), R. Nocentini (ALM)
+: P. Fredrigo (FDJ), A. Geslan (ALM), J. Hivert (SAU)
Today has one climb for mountain points, so the team has informed me that I should go in the breakaway to try and secure the polka-dot jersey.
Today, I was forced to wear the green jersey rather than the polka dot jersey, because I technically had the lead in that, because Nibali was wearing yellow. I would rather wear polka dot, but any jersey is great so I was still happy.
Balloni was also given permission to attack today, thanks to his hard work yesterday, so we both attacked early on. I felt great today, my form was amazing. (+5)
Me and Balloni were forced to do most of the work, but I still accomplished what I needed to, and crossed over the summit in first, easily securing the polka dot jersey.
The gap never grew to over a minute however, and we were caught with still 40 kilometers to go.
More attacks were made with about 30 kilometers to go, and this time I chose not to follow.
After another 10k, Bert De Waele of Landboukrediet was the only rider ahead in the lead, with about a 1'40" advantage.
With 5k to go, it was up to 1'55". No teams were chasing very hard, because there were no major sprinters in the race. Realizing this, and knowing we would only lose time in the time trial tomorrow, me and Simon were given the go to attack and try to gain some time.
Meanwhile, as me and Simon tried to stave off the peloton, Bert De Waele could coast across the line, having no clue about what was going on behind him.
Me and Simon were caught by the sprinters at the line, however we did hold on for second and third, getting some small time bonuses.
Getting third place on the stage gave me 8 seconds of bonus time, which gave me equal time as Vincenzo Nibali, so it was a tie for the overall lead! And for whatever reason, they had me stand on the podium wearing yellow! My first ever yellow jersey! I couldn't believe it!
Wow, a yellow jersey! Not that I'll be able to hold onto it tomorrow, but I still couldn't believe it.
Thanks to taking second, I also grabbed the green jersey!
I've got the polka dot jersey all locked up, although most people probably don't see it as impressive, seeing as there are only a handful of climbs throughout the entire race.
Holding onto the white jersey will be a challenge, because Pierre Rolland is a much better time trialist than I. It will be difficult.
The team title was our teams goal coming in, so we should be able to hang on.
Stage Results
Spoiler
1. Bert De Waele Landboukrediet 1h37'33" 2. Simon Spilak Lampre-ISD +1'43" 3. Diego Ulissi Lampre-ISD s.t.
4. Pierrick Fredrigo FDJ s.t.
5. Arnaud Molmy Bigmat-Auber 93 s.t.
6. Jimmy Engoulvent Saur-Sojasun s.t.
7. Koen Barbe Landboukrediet s.t.
8. Denis Flauhaut Roubaix Lille Metropole s.t.
9. Christophe Riblon Ag2r La Mondiale s.t.
10. Mitchell Docker Skil-Shimano s.t.
General Classification
Spoiler
1. Diego Ulissi Lampre-ISD 6h56'15"
2. Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas-Cannondale s.t.
3. Pierre Rolland Europcar +0'12" 4. Simon Spilak Lampre-ISD +0'45"
5. Jerome Coppel Saur-Sojasun +0'57"
1. Diego Ulissi Lampre-ISD 6h56'15"2. Pierre Rolland Europcar +0'12" 3. Simon Spilak Lampre-ISD +0'45"
4. Jerome Coppel Saur-Sojasun 0'57"
5. Alexandre Geniez FDJ +1'34"
Team Competition
Spoiler
1. Lampre-ISD 20h53'11"
2. Saur-Sojasun +2'33"
3. Liquigas-Cannondale +4'05"
4. Ag2r La Mondiale +4'10"
5. Skil-Shimano +5'59"
Wow, I have the lead in every category. I can't believe it. My form right now is as high as it's ever been, and I'm sure that's helped me. I'm simply ecstatic. Hopefully I can hold on to those jerseys tomorrow.
Today is a slightly hilly stage, which will suit a breakaway most likely. There wasn't enough uphill to really make any big changes in the contenders.
That is how it turned out. as Daniel Oss took the solo victory, 6'04" ahead of the peloton. Ben Swift won the peloton sprint for second, in a rather unexciting stage.
Stage Results
Spoiler
1. Daniel Oss Liquigas-Cannondale 5h06'12"
2. Ben Swift Team Sky +6'04"
3. Michael Rogers Team Sky s.t.
4. Pavel Britt Katusha s.t.
5. Eduard Verganov Katusha s.t.
The Gent Wevelgem contained a stacked field, including Thor Huschovd and Fabian Cancellara, who was coming off of a victory at the G3 Harelbeke.
Petacchi was Lampre's leader, but he wasn't strong enough on the cobblestones to stay with the leaders. A four man breakaway formed late in the stage, lead by Huschovd, leaving behind notables such as Fabian Cancellara, Fillipo Pozzato, and Juan Antonio Flecha.
In the end, no one could match the God of Thunder's tremendous sprint, and he won going away, just minutes before The time trial at the Criterium International
Petacchi finished back in 39th place, 3'20" back on Huschovd.
Results
Spoiler
1. Thor Huschovd Garmin-Cervelo 5h24'44"
2. Matti Breschel Rabobank s.t.
3. Sebastien Langeveld Rabobank s.t.
4. Alessandor Ballan BMC Racing Team +0'33"
5. Heinrich Haussler Garmin-Cervelo s.t.
I'm thinking of changing my reporting style. Should I report the stages in the third person, and have Ulissi's comments in italics, or keep it how it is now? I'm going to experiment with the next stage, tell me what you think!
I agree with that, but I do just want to try this out. You're right, and the new way may be worse.
I've already gotten a report on the next stage, although it was accidentally deleted. I'm going to make a new one, and if the new layout is bad, I'll change it.
It's possible to keep it personal I think, so that's what I'll try to do.
The next stage will most likely be up tomorrow, thanks for the support.
Well, here it is. The third and final stage of the Criterium International. It was just seven, quick, flat kilometers to the finish. I went to bed early last night, but was too nervous to sleep very well. I woke up in the middle of the night several times. But finally it's morning, and I'm ready for the biggest time trial of my career so far. The course is more like a prologue than anything else. It would only take most riders just over 10 minutes. Me and my team previewed the course last night, riding it easy a few times. It has one small uphill at the start, then dips downward for a fast finish. There was one checkpoint, at the 5 kilometers to go sign, at the top of the hill. Going into today's stage, I have the lead in all four individual categories, and the team leads the best team competition. The only problem is, I'm not a very good time trialist. All Vincenzo Nibali needs to do is beat me by one second, and he will win the overall. That will almost definately happen. He can also probably take the green jersey from me, as my lead is just 11 points. A high finish in the stage for him will win him that jersey. The polka dot jersey I have already won, as there are no points available on todays stage. The white jersey is up for grabs. Pierre Rolland trails me by 12 seconds, but he is the better time trialist. I am thankful that the race is only 7 kilometers long. Well, it's time for me to go get prepped for the stage, wish me luck!
The first fast time of the day was set by Jimmy Engoulvent of Saur-Sojasun. He stormed out, crossing the line in 11'00", obliterating all previous times.
The first Lampre rider out was Balint Szeghalmi. He started rather slow, before picking it up near the finish, but still finished 58 seconds behind Engoulvent. He would place 119th.
Vitaliy Buts and Alexander Kvachuk went back to back for Lampre, finishing 53 and 49 seconds behind Engoulvent respectively.
The first to break Engoulvent's time at the checkpoint was Anthony Roux of FDJ.
Roux only sped up on the downhill, and finished 7 seconds ahead of Engoulvent.
Vitaly Kondrut was next for Lampre, and he raced well, finishing 54 seconds behind Roux, and would place 77th.
I heard all of the times coming back from my teammates as I pedaled on the stationary bike. None of them were even approaching Roux. Balloni was up soon, and then Niemiec would be up not too long after him. Then the favorites would be on their way. I was really getting nervous now.
Balloni had a decent ride, finishing 51 seconds behind Roux. He would eventually finish 62nd.
Eventually it was Przemyslaw Niemiec for Lampre to go. He was Lampre's best chance at a high finish on the stage.
Niemiec was in provisional 5th place at the first checkpoint, 9 seconds behind Roux. he would slow down a little on the second half, ending up in provisional 6th, 22 seconds off of Roux. He would end up in tenth place.
After Niemiec, other favorites who were also strong time trialists such as Jerome Coppel and Jonathan Hivert were up. They both bested Niemiec's time, but neither could match Roux. It seemed as though no one would match the Frenchman.
Eventually, it was Simon's turn, and he fired out of the ramp, sporting a fresh pair of shades and wearing the green jersey.
After Spilak went Rolland and Nibali, and then it was Ulissi's turn.
I watched Simon, Rolland, and Nibali all take off of the ramp, each wearing their own jerseys. Finally it was my turn. I approached the top of the ramp, wearing the yellow jersey. I was nervous, and my legs were shaking, but having that yellow jersey on seemed to inspire confidence in me. I was ready to try and defend my jerseys. I hoped to atleast keep the white jersey. the official in front of me held out his hand, and then I heard the beep, and I fired down the ramp.
Meanwhile, Simon crossed the first checkpoint 18 seconds behind Roux.
Just moments later, Nibali crossed the checkpoint in 4th place, 5 seconds off of Roux's time.
As I passed the one kilometer mark, I heard in my earpiece from my manager that Nibali had crossed the checkpoint just 5 seconds behind roux. I knew I had to speed up. I started up the hills, firing on all cylinders.
Through the first checkpoint, Ulissi was in 29th place, 17 seconds behind Roux.
I heard my time was 12 seconds slower than Nibali's at the first checkpoint. I didn't expect to beat him, I was more concerned about Rolland's time. My manager was unsure of it, but he told me nonetheless that I had to pick it up. I crossed the summit of the hill, and shot down the small descent. The downhill was the time to really speed it up.
As Ulissi continued on the downhill, Simon was finishing. He ended up 37 seconds slower than Roux's time. He would place 28th.
Just after Simon came Rolland, who finished in 14th place, 29 seconds behind Roux.
Nibali ended up in 4th place, splitting up the all french top 5 sweep, 8 seconds behind Roux.
I heard Nibali and Rolland's finishing time. I knew I had to go faster to beat Rolland. I gave it my all. With 1k to go, I was sprinting.
I crossed the finish, and looked up the scoreboard, seeing that I placed 20th, just 33 seconds behind Roux. That means that I had only lost to Rolland by 4 seconds, so I kept the white jersey!
I got off my bike at the finish, and shook Nibali and Rolland's hand. Simon came sprinting towards me and told me and congradulated me on winning the white jersey. I was a little upset at losing the overall, but it was a long shot anyway, and second place is still very impressive. I was ecstatic.
Winning my second polka dot jersey of the year is a huge confidence booster to say the least. Who knows, maybe I'll get another one!
My very first white jersey win. Boy am I happy!
I can't take the credit for the team. Everyone contributed, we all did great.
Stage Results
Spoiler
1. Anthony Roux FDJ 10'53"
2. Jimmy Engoulvent Saur-Sojasun +0'07"
3. Jerome Coppel Saur-Sojasun s.t.
4. Vincenzo Niblai Liquigas-Cannondale +0'08"
5. Jonathan Hivert Saur-Sojasun +0'16"
6. Cyril Lemoine Saur-Sojasun +0'17"
7. Raivis Belohvosciks Team Vorarlberg +0'21"
8. Paul Voss Endrua Racing s.t.
9. Rinaldo Nocentini Ag2r La Mondiale +0'22" 10. Przemyslaw Niemiec Lampre-ISD s.t. 20. Diego Ulissi Lampre-ISD +0'33"
Winning the polka dot jersey wasn't much of a difficulty, thanks to the scarcness of climbs, nothing like at the Paris-Nice, but I'm not one to complain, I was definately happy.
Best Young Rider Results
Spoiler
1. Diego Ulissi Lampre-ISD 7h07'41"
2. Pierre Rolland Europcar +0'08"
3. Jerome Coppel Saur-Sojasun +0'31" 4. Simon Spilak Lampre-ISD +0'56"
5. Alexandre Geniez Skil-Shimano +1'34"
Best Team Results
Spoiler
1. Lampre-ISD 21h27'22"
2. Saur-Sojasun +1'31"
3. Liquigas-Cannondale +3'52"
4. Ag2r La Mondiale 4'18"
5. Skil-Shimano +6'05"
An overall amazing Criterium International for our team, I really couldn't be more happy.
The final stage of the Vuelta Ciclista a Cataluna was won by Brett Lancaster, from a three man breakaway, followed by a two man chase group. Also in the breakaway was Jerome Pineau, who took the overall win away from Daniel Marano. It must be heartbreaking for Marano to be losing the Tour because of a breakaway.
Stage Results
Spoiler
1. Brett Lancaster Garmin - Cervelo 3h59'50"
2. Jerome Pineau Quickstep s.t.
3. Sebastien Lang Omega Pharma - Lotto s.t.
4. Jose Luis Cano Andalucia - Caja Granada +2'30"
5. Mikel Nieve Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
