While we have a sponsor goal in Italy, the Settimana Coppi e Bartali, there are 3 cobbled races in Belgium. The first one is Dwars door Vlaanderen.
The middle part has several well-known climbs, like the Oude Kwaremont and the Paterberg in quick succession. There will probably be an elite group of 10-20 riders who will be able to make a difference there and sprint for the victory.
Our team will be led by Pozzato and his lieutenant Hulsmans. They will be supported by Giordani, Caccia, Failli, Bertolini, Andriato and de Negri.
Big favorites in other teams are surely Cancellara and Breschel. Boonen isn't here, OPQS bring Terpstra instead. But other than those names and the likes of Langeveld and Vansummeren the field is pretty weak.
The early break consists of 7 unknown riders who get a maximum advantage of 4 minutes. As soon as the hills start de Vocht bridges and under his lead the break remain about 3 minutes clear through the next hills.
But eventually de Vocht has to go solo. He gets his gap back up to about 5 minutes, while the other escapees drif back towards the peloton. But as the Knokteberg, Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg get near Farnese and RadioShack increase the pace. At the foot of the Knokteberg the break is caught by a group of 40 riders, de Vocht is at 3'30".
Over the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg RadioShack really pushes the tempo and only 19 riders make the cut, Pozzato and Hulsmans are there.
On the last cobbled section Cancellara attacks and gets a small gap. Remembering Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Langeveld sets his remaining 2 teammates to chase and Hulsmans does so as well. Cancellara gets about 30" and catches de Vocht with 15 to go. But he breaks down on the final climb and is caught.
This sets off new attacks, as Langeveld followed by Pozzato try to get a gap going into the final 8 km of the race. But they don't get far. Boom tries as well, but he is soon caught as well. Cancellara has found his strength again and leads the others past Boom.
Breschel is the first to start his sprint going into the final k. Pozzato has been able to get onto Cancellaras wheel and counters the Dane. He gets past in the final 200 meters and holds off Langeveld for the win!
For the first time the E3 price will be a World Tour race, it's also the first PT cobbled race of the season. As such all the great riders are there, Cancellara, Boonen, Ballan, Leukemans, Breschel, Langeveld, Flecha and many more will be looking for the win here.
The course in this race is somewhat tougher than Dwars door Vlaanderen, with more climbs and more cobbled sections. The key section seems to be the Paterberg followed by the Oude Kwaremont at the start of the last quarter of the race.
Pozzato will of course be the captain helped by Hulsmans. Earlier on in the race they will be helped by de Negri, Caccia, Andriato, Favilli, Failli and Giordani.
The race
As opposed to many other races so far this season, the break is formed with the first attack. 5 riders will be allowed some time in the spotlights, but none of them seem to pose any threat on this type of terrain. They're not really working hard either, so their maximum advantage is about 3 minutes.
As the first cobbled sections start the peloton accelerates and almost catches the break again. They keep between 1 and 2 minutes until the start of the hill zone. And it's there that disaster strikes once again. Pozzato goes down at the foot of the climb. The peloton splits so we drop everyone back to help Pozzato back to the front.
This succeeds, but 2 riders have attacked clear from the pack. The break of 5 is replaced by 2 far more dangerous men as Bak and Elmiger get a gap of 6 minutes. The peloton is complete again and Pozzato back up front, but it soon becomes clear that he's somewhat injured.
As the hills come fast now the selection starts and Pozzato misses the front 35 group that leaves the rest behind. This is helped by more crashes and a puncture of Ballan that causes all of BMC to drop back. OPQS and RadioShack keep the pace high however and neither Ballan nor Pozzato are able to get back to the front.
The duo Bak/Elmiger keep going strong however and reach the Paterbeg with 4 minutes advantage and 40 km to go. After the Oude Kwaremont Cancellara, Boonen and Leukemans all try to attack, but they can't shake the other favorites. This causes the tempo to drop as there are only 15 riders left chasing. Bak and Elmiger still have 2 minutes going into the final 10 km.
And they will decide the race between themselves. Elmiger leads into the sprint, but Bak is unable to even get alongside him. Elmiger takes a great win!
Pozzato finishes 26th, pretty disappointing, but we hope he will be fine for the rest of the races.
The next cobbled classic is Gent - Wevelgem. It's quite long and as such something for the tough men. Either a sprinter who can survive hills or a very strong cobble puncher can win this. A lot depends on the weather as well.
The race mainly centers around the Kemmelberg, but a rider who is dropped there can still make it back into the front group as there's over 20 km to race after the last hill.
Being world tour this race has attracted a strong line up, but two names are missing. Boonen and Hushovd, who might be perfect for this race don't start. All the other favorites are there.
Our line up is the same as in the E3.
The race
The weather is clear, but the winds are howling and will make the race a lot harder. The battle for the break is very hard as well. 13 riders get a gap after 70 km, Failli representing us. They don;t get a lot of room, 4'30 being the max advantage. With this gap they also reach the first hill.
In the peloton this is a sign for new attacks. Remembering the successful halfway attack in the E3, Quinziato, Tjalingii, Amorison and Hinault try to bridge. They get up to the break, but RadioShack also increases the speed back in the peloton. This causes big splits as the peloton is divided in 3 parts. And there are big names missing, Haussler, Breschel, Gilbert and Chavanel have all been caught napping. This situation lasts for a while and causes all escapees to be caught.
Only Failli is able to stay clear. And as things calm down and the peloton regroups he gets his gap back up to 3'30. He reaches the Kemmelberg for the first time solo. With 55 to go this is the sign for a new speed increase. 31 riders make it into the first group, Breschel and Gilbert missing out. And they are out of it for real now. Failli is caught before the 2nd ascent of the Kemmel.
And on that hill Pozzato hits the front. This drops half the favorites, Devolder and Langeveld being the most notable. With 17 riders the final 20 km are begun.
Things look pretty steady until Chavanel attacks with 15 to go. He gets 30 seconds before Cancellara, Flecha and Vansummeren attack up to him. Van Avermaet is the next followed by Pozzato. These 6 go into the last 3 km together, Chavanel leading into the sprint.
Vansummeren and Van Avermaet crack in the wheels and so Pozzato faces a small gap. This proves to be too much so he has to settle for 4th. Meanwhile Chavanel keeps going strong, but a well timing Cancellara is able to overtake him and even Flecha moves past the Frenchman in the last meters.
6 stages in Italy, the sponsor wants us to achieve a top 10 in GC. This should be easily doable by Ascani who is in great shape at the moment.
Stage 1
The course of the first stage is a lot flatter than the profile suggests. A prime chance for Guardini to grab a stage win. As it's pretty short Astana shuts down the break quickly. But things go wrong for Astana as Guarnieri is caught in a big crash going into the 2nd to last lap. Modolo and about 60 other riders are held up as well. In the final lap Guardini gets blocked on a narrow roundabout, but Gatto is there to collect the win.
Stage 2
Stage 2 is a TTT. Vacansoleil wins this putting Carrara in the lead. Farnese finishes on a good 4th place, 24" down.
Stage 3
This is another one for the sprinters. Astana and Farnese keep a tight leash on any break over 10 riders. In the end it's Malori who goes solo with over 100 km to go. But the peloton relaxes too much and he gets 8 minutes with 50 to go. OPQS then hits the front and splits the peloton with speeds of over 60 km/h. In the final 20 km there is a big crash, but everything comes together again. Guarnieri and some other sprinters attack into the final 10 as Malori cracks completely. Gatto does a superb lead out and Guardini catches everyone on the line to get a very nice victory.
Stage 4
On this hilly course the GC is expected to be given more form. The break wins however, Brambilla being the strongest of an 8 man break. Ascani and Gatto keep up with the best. Only Carrara and Tiralongo are able to get a small gap. This means Ascani moves into 3rd in GC.
Stage 5
Stage 5 is an ITT. Malori shows why he is the Italian TT champion by winning it, but the battle for GC is important as well. Tiralongo gets a 2nd place and threatens Ascani. But Ascani does very well and gets 7th. He keeps a gap of 5 seconds to Tiralongo. Serpa who is 2nd in GC defends his place and keeps 3 seconds over Ascani. Carrara remains the clear leader.
Stage 6
This tough hilly route will bring the decision in the GC. At the second hill the early break is caught by 80 riders. The others have all been dropped already. Battaglin and Bailetti attack on the following descent and get a 5 minute gap over the first of 4 laps. Benenati and Gatto work hard, but they can't get much closer. Gatto gets a small gap after the second to last hill. This puts pressure on Androni and Vacansoleil helpers, but he's quickly caught. Ascani tries the same on the last hill and he keeps a gap in the descent. Meanwhile Battaglin has beaten Bailetti for the stage win.
But Carrara is too strong and beats him in the sprint. Ascani has to settle for 4th and 3rd in GC. Gatto moves up to 5th after his excellent ride today.
Sadly another one and his form was 97-99 for this race. He can't take wins in the GC so far.
In other news we have just received a wild card for Paris Roubaix. Our spring season is complete now. Hopefully Pozzato doesn't crash a third time.
Edited by tyriion on 14-05-2012 16:28
Before we go to the Ronde van Vlaanderen we first have this 3 day 4 stage event to keep or get up the form.
Line up
Pozzato will see what he can do here, but with Boonen, Hushovd and Cancellara the competition will be hard.
Stage 1
This stage can be the most decisive one, as it's the only stage that will allow favorites to get a gap before the time trial on the last day. 14 riders are allowed in the break, most notably Vanmarcke joins the early move. But they don't get much room and continuous attacks keep them within touching distance of the pack. On the first cobbled climb it's over and the big break is replaced by a duo. Sijmens and Scheirlinckx get 4' advantage, but as soon as the hills and cobbles start again the pack speeds up. Pozzato tests his legs on one climb and the pack starts to be reduced, Nuyens missing out. Scheirlincks can resist the longest, but with 30 to go there's an elite group of 25 up front. Cancellara, Hushovd and Boonen all put in attacks between 20 and 10 to go, but 17 riders will sprint for the stage. Boonen proves he is the strongest right now and takes it.
Stage 2
Today we will bet on the break and Balloni joins 10 others in this. But 1T4I has Kittel and they chase hard. The break is caught with 10 to go, but some small lumps sap Kittels strength. Boonen takes the stage ahead of Hushovd again, Kittel only manages 3rd.
Stage 3
The short morning stage seems even more suited to Kittel and so 1T4I once again catch the break. Benenati and 10 others tried, but there was no chance. Pozzato gets a better position in the sprint, but is nowhere near the win. Boonen and Hushovd are by far the strongest, Hushovd times very well and beats Boonen on the line.
Stage 4
The short ITT in the afternoon is an easy prey for Cancellara. Boonen defends his GC lead, while Pozzato manages 26th. This is enough for 10th in GC.
We still have 5 riders in the top 10, pretty dominant. Ascani came within 28 points of Kittel.
In the teams ranking we are clearly ahead. But from now on racing will slow down for us, as will the form. Just the peaks for RvV and P-R in this month, then some Italian races like Trentino where we don't have much hope. In May we won't race at all.
None of the big names are missing. Cancellara and Boonen seemed strongest so far this year, Cancellara winning Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Boonen taking Gent-Wevelgem, but both will be looking for that really big win.
Of course the route has changed this year, focusing on Oude Kwaremont/Paterberg. What this will mean for the riders is unknown, but it will surely be a hard race.
The sponsor goal is top 5 and we feel this should be possible with Pozzato. But a lot will depend on the form of the day. With some luck a top 5 is achievable, anything better would be amazing.
Edited by tyriion on 15-05-2012 11:44
The race
At the start of the Ronde there's pretty bad weather. Pouring rain and some wind will tax the riders long before the hills start. 12 riders get 2 minutes after 45 km.
No big names here. But as more riders think they should be in the break, RadioShack starts controlling. Bennati finally catches the break of now 17 riders as the first cobbles draw near.
Now we decide to use a different tactic. Hulsmans attacks with 5 other riders. Hulsmans is clearly the strongest on the cobbles, but they get 3 minutes quickly.
Then we get the first serious hill of the day, as Hulsmans powers up the Taaienberg. The others are in trouble now, but Hulsmans needs a bigger gap and the others can't go faster.
He's now 3'30 ahead of the peloton, where BMC is caught napping. 20 riders led by RadioShack have a small gap, but Hushovd isn't there.
BMC manages to get back, but on the Molenberg the same happens again. Hulsmans now has 5'40 over the 50 riders in the pack, while Guesdon starts to bridge. Pozzato is all alone in the pack.
In the hilly region without cobbles Guesdon joins Hulsmans and as they cooperate they get 8'15 on the pack.
But then the pace is picked up and the gap starts going down. The first ascent of the Oude Kwaremont draws near. 75 to go and the front duo have 6'35 left.
In the pack BMC is now at the front, punishing the pack.
But Hushovd clearly has a bad day as he gets dropped by his teammates. They drop back to help him and Ballan get back into the front group.
Over the Paterberg BMC brings back the peloton to the first 15 riders, but up the Koppenberg it's Pozzato who accelerates.
In the aftermath of the Koppenberg Pozzato finds himself with Boonen and some minor helpers in a group of 8, with the remains of the peloton scattered far and wide.
But they decide 50 km is too far for the decisive move and drop back again. Some riders won't get back though, Chavanel the most notable victim of the first time over Kwaremont and co. Up ahead Hulsmans and Guesdon still have 2 minutes, but the Frenchman decides to move on and drops Hulsmans over the Hotondberg.
This means Hulsmans' job is done after getting Pozzato some food. Guesdon starts fading as with 40 to go the Oude Kwaremont has to be climbed for the second time. Cancellara and Boonen confidently pace up a group of 22 riders.
And at the top Boonen makes his move. He attacks and catches Guesdon.
Pozzato bides his time as it's still far, but Cancellara and Leukemans are more impatient. They attack over the Paterberg and catch Boonen. 1 minute down of this trio are Pozzato, Flecha, Nuyens, Langeveld, Haussler, Breschel, Ballan, Devolder and Vansummeren. Hushovd is out of it for good now together with Gilbert.
The trio up ahead hesitate and the 9 behind cooperate so over the last flat cobbled section the favorites regroup again.
Over the final time Kwaremont/Paterberg Cancellara only pushes the tempo without attacking really. Others try, like Haussler, but they can't get away from Spartacus. Devolder can't keep up and is dropped.
Pozzato had to rest up somewhat at the back of the group going into the sprint. But as Cancellara starts sprinting some riders feel the strain and have to sit down again. This means Pozzato has to start his sprint a little back.
Cancellara followed by Leukemans, Boonen and Ballan are clearly the strongest. Nuyens is fading, so Pozzato is really riding for 5th place now. The win is decided as Boonen makes his move and easily gets a gap to the others.
Boonen is the deserved victor. Pozzato passes Nuyens and can be happy with a 5th place after a good race.
To keep up the racing legs as we approach the Hell of the North we take part in de Scheldeprijs in Belgium. This race doesn't suit Pozzato at all and Guardini is resting from his full spring season.
The riders here are partly on the decline already as we prepare for our resting period in May.
Sadly this stage doesn´t work so I simulated it. Next year I´ll probably replace it.
Back to Italy for a hilly race. We don't really target this race as it's on the same day as Paris - Roubaix, and you can see this in the line up. Failli and Gatto are both taking it easy on the training at the moment, so they aren't in the best shape.
The course has several tough climbs in the second half of the race. But you will have to be very strong to arrive in Genova solo. Gasparotto, Callegarin and Cataldo are mentioned as possible winners.
The race
In the early stages a massive break of 19 riders forms. Giordani and Favilli are in there, but the pack won't stand for it and chases it down. Klimov, Zanasca and Favilli try to set up a new group, but on the first serious climb Klimov decides he doesn't need the other 2 and embarks on a 100 km solo. Sarmiento, Baliani, Pizzaballa and Pirazzi try to bridge, but they never reach Klimov.
On the biggest climb with about 60 km to go most escapees are caught as a selection leaves 50 riders in the pack. Klimov has 3 minutes left. On the next climb Failli gets in trouble and sees 15 favorites go. They're powered by Astana, who have 3 riders set the pace for Gasparotto. This group eventually catches Klimov and sprints for the victory after no one is able to stay away solo. In the sprint it's a surprising Szmyd who gets the win on the last climb to the finish line.
And it's time for our last big race in the first half of 2012. The Hell of the North will surely challenge Pozzato to achieve a top 5 the sponsor would like to see.
50 km of cobbled section stand between the riders and the velodrome in Roubaix. Anything from 10 riders to 1 rider solo can arrive here and determine who gets a cobble stone.
Our team will revolve around Pozzato of course. His form was slightly better last week at the Ronde, but it should still be good enough for a decent result.
The startlist is similar as at the Ronde, all the big names in cobbles are there. Hushovd is expected to do better here than in the Ronde though, so competition at the top should be a bit harder.
All in all the top 5 goal will be hard. Everything has to go perfectly for Pozzato to finish t5. But we will try everything we can to make it so.
