Before I went to the USA, I had a talk with Luca Guercilena about my future. He came with that contract offer:

Monthly Wage:	9, 000 €
Contract Length:	2 years
Team Role:	Young Rider

He didn't impressed me with that kind of offer. Of course, the offers by NetApp and Cult aren't that good, because they are only PCTs. I told Luca that I can't sign this one right now. He expected it so he told me that he's giving me time until the Canadian races, after them we will meet again.

I felt it won't be good day in the saddle when I was standing on the start ramp, but luckily it was just prologue and I didn't go too bad.
I crossed the line with 22' gap on the winner Cadel Evans (BMC) so I was quiet satisfied.
Matt Busche was the best from our team, he came 19'' after Cadel.

After yesterday's prologue today's stage was going to some mountains and with uphill finish I wanted to be in the front at the end!

As the first ascent started almost right after the race director waved with the flag I wanted to test my condition and be in front to take the points to KoM competition.


I initiated the first attack, but peloton didn't want to let me go, so I put my effort down and stayed near to the front. Anyway BMC set the fast pace and nobody wanted to go away, so we were heading towards the top together. I decided to go for the points when just 1km left to the top.


I took the points easily and I knew the next I will go in KoM jersey! But after crossing the top, I went back to the pack and safe energy to the finish.
During the descent BMC slowed down and some riders went into the break. But they didn't get too much space and about 10km to go they were caught and everybody was getting for the uphill finish, especially Garmin riders were very active to prepare good position for Tom-Jelte Slagther.
3km to go he was the first who tried to go away, but I and Greg van Avermaet (BMC) followed him. I was sitting on the 3rd position and I was riding on my level, so when Slagther launched the final sprint I wasn't able to follow him and I just hoped that nobody came from back. Van Avermaet outsprinted Slagther and BMC could celebrate another victory in the USA.

With two 1 category climbs this stage was probably the hardest one in this race. After my solid yesterday's performance I didn't feel good today, I probably went over yesterday and the regeneration wasn't ideal...

the_hoyle wrote:
Shame Mario dropped down the standings on the ITT! 9k for a young rider is a great offer as well!

Lefevere: "This guy from Luxembourg is incredible in his age. He is showing his natural talent for cycling, and when you see him on the bike...he looks incredible on it.
I believe he cold became a real star if he continue his hard work. I think he is ready for World Tour next season and he will not be just riding around!"

So we will see how Rizzi's career will continue. But if Lefevere says something like that, you know you really fasnicate him!

When I got up in the morning I was feeling very good and I believed it's going to be a good day. And a little more than 200 kms were waiting for us.
After 20 kms there were 4 riders in the front, and we had Eugenio Alafaci there. However, Tinkoff-Saxo and Garmin controlled the pace and didn't get them a chance.
In the last 40 kms OPQS went in the front and made a hell pace so nobody was thinking about attack at that time.
At 15 kms to go Rodriguez was the first one to attack and easily drop us to 30'' behind.


He was going really hard and with 5 kms still to go he had 30'' advantage on the second group with me, Martin, Nibali and Battaglin. But nobody wanted to go...
Rodriguez came for the easy win, but behind him we fought for the 2nd place!


I timed my sprint well so I came 2nd just before Dan Martin and Michal Kwiatkowski who came from behind.


When I got off the bike everybody cogratulation me on very good result, also Alex Kirsch phoned me and tell me what a great result it was! I was very happy, but in two days there is the race in Montreal, and I still didn't get what I want.

After great 2nd place in Quebec I wanted to add another great result into my palmares.
Quebec circuit suited me much better, because of the uphill finish, so had to find out some place to make an attack here in Montreal.

The race started very fast and the first 5 laps were run in a second. A lot of riders wanted to be involved in the break, but in the end, there were 4 lucky ones.

Peloton controlled the gap and without any problems we were going closer and closer to the finish line. And about 20 kms from the line Inxausti with Battaglin started it all. But they weren't too much successful and with the last hill to go we were all together, okay not all, there was just about 60 riders in the bunch.


On the top of the hill Michal Kwiatkowski went on the full speed and tried to make a gap, but he was followed by Simon Gerrans and Dan Martin. Also I was really close to them, too.

Going down to the Montreal we still kept a small gap on the peloton. And they were going really fast, especially FDJ was strong.


I was sitting right behind Kwiatkowski and had everything prepared for great finish, but unfortunately FDJ set up Anthony Roux very nicely and he beat me on the line...2nd again...