The final time trial one stage before Madrid will fix the overall classification. It's 36 kms long and almost completely flat.
Dominik's Pre-Race Comment
I am the only one that still has a real challenge today in our team. I have to defend my nineth spot against Moreno and Mosquera. Apart from that, Vincenzo sure aims for a nice day result.
Live Ticker
These are the overall places that are still contested:
.
2nd
Joaquim Rodriguez
3rd
Samuel Sanchez + 58'
.
That will be a very hard piece of work for Sanchez. But a minute on 36 kilometers is possible for the better time trialist.
.
7th
Christophe Le Mével
8th
Frederik Kessiakoff + 24'
.
The Suede is a lot better in these kinds of time trials so we can expect those two to change places.
.
9th
Dominik Nerz
10th
Javier Moreno + 1'
11th
Ezequiel Mosquera + 2'
.
Incredible! After 19 days of racing, three riders are within two seconds! In this battle, Dominik Nerz is the clear favorite since he's the best time trialist and known for a good recovery. Recovery also might be Mosquera's big advance since the Spaniards are pretty equal in terms of flat and time trialing skills.
.
So let the time trial begin!
.
165th
Bruno Ferro (Quick·Step) will carry the lanterne rouge to Madrid tomorrow. Today, he's the first rider on the road.
.
139th
Bert Grabsch is far from his former strength but sets the first decent time today, overtaking Wesley Sulzberger on his way.
53'17
.
102nd
Joost Posthuma (Leopard) is a bit faster.
53'11
.
91st
Under other circumstances, Anthony Roux would a the top favorite today. But after three weeks of racing, the GC riders will probably battle the win out. Nevertheless, the French sets the clear best time so far.
52'29
.
58th
The same applies for Richie Porte, who had a disappointing race. A disappointment that continues today.
53'30
.
49th
A bit of a surprise is this guy: Gustavo Cesar Veloso (Caja) sets the new best time!
52'20
.
9th
Now, Dominik Nerz is on the road!
.
34th
Might this be already a bid for the stage win? Former World Champion David Millar is the fastest so far.
52'13
.
9th
That's a bummer! On the first checkpoint, Dominik Nerz is nine seconds behind Mosquera and 19 behind Moreno. But well, we know the Liquigas tactics is to start slow and power on the later parts.
.
1st
Nibali has started!
.
7th
The fight for seventh place seems to be decided already, as Kessiakoff is about 20 seconds faster than Le Mével on the first checkpoint. It's unlikely that the French can counter that.
.
20th
The runner up of the prologue, David Blanco, continues to shine in time trials. New best time.
52'00
.
1st
After all riders passed the first checkpoint, the situation is as follows: Cobo surprisingly leads with 7 seconds to both Sanchez and Valverde. Igor Anton and Joaquim Rodriguez, who most likely will lose his second place, are already 36 seconds behind.
.
18th
Peter Sagan finishes. Decent time, currently fifth.
52'39
.
9th
Nerz made up some time on Mosquera, he's now only two seconds behind him. Moreno, however, is now 32 seconds in front!
.
6th
Cobo rides incredibly well and overtakes Le Mével, who will definetely lose his seventh place to Kessiakoff. On the second checkpoint, the Spaniard still in front. Valverde on five is 24 seconds behind, Sanchez 28, Nibali 30. Joaquim Rodriguez already lost his second spot by now, being 1'40 slower than Cobo. Anton is only six seconds faster.
.
9th
Now it's time to see whether Dominik Nerz can finish in the Top 10. His time is amazing! Only on the last 10 kilometers, he gained about 45 seconds on Moreno and is now 15 seconds in front of him! Mosquera's another 39 seconds behind! Nineth place overall in this Vuelta: Dominik Nerz!
53'26
.
8th
Kessiakoff rode very well and will probably be very happy with the gained seventh place overall.
53'08
.
6th
But now it's time for the stage win. Here's Cobo's time, eventually only 4 seconds faster than Blanco.
51'56
.
4th
Alejandro Valverde almost caught up with Anton but he has nothing to do with the stage win today.
52'30
.
3rd
Neither does Sanchez. The defending champion of the Vuelta at least overtakes the second spot.
52'36
.
1st
On the last kilometer, Nibali even overtakes Joaquim Rodriguez! But he misses the ultimate climax by four seconds and finishes on place two today.
52'00
1
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
51'56
2
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 4
3
David Blanco
Geox - TMC
s.t.
4
David Millar
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 17
5
Gustavo César Veloso
Caja Rural
+ 24
6
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 28
7
Anthony Roux
FDJ
+ 33
8
Alejandro Valverde
Unicef - Oracle
+ 35
9
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 41
10
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 44
Spoiler
11
Rui Costa
Caja Rural
+ 50
12
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
+ 51
13
Carlos Sastre
Unicef - Oracle
+ 55
14
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
+ 59
15
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'09
16
Kevin De Weert
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'11
17
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
18
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'13
19
Joost Posthuma
Leopard Trek
+ 1'15
20
Bert Grabsch
Team T-Mobile
+ 1'21
21
Riccardo Riccò
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'23
22
Tiago Machado
Unicef - Oracle
s.t.
23
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1'31
24
Johan Vansummeren
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 1'34
25
David Arroyo
Movistar Team
s.t.
26
Richie Porte
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 1'35
27
Jérôme Coppel
Movistar Team
+ 1'37
28
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'40
29
Jan Bakelants
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 1'42
30
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1'45
31
Víctor De la Parte
Caja Rural
+ 1'46
32
Javier Moreno
Caja Rural
s.t.
33
Stefan Schumacher
Team T-Mobile
+ 1'47
34
Mikel Astarloza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
35
Mathieu Sprick
Skil - Shimano
+ 1'48
36
Yaroslav Popovych
Unicef - Oracle
+ 1'49
37
José Belda
Movistar Team
s.t.
38
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'56
39
Íñigo Cuesta
Caja Rural
s.t.
40
Maxim Belkov
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
41
Stijn Devolder
Skil - Shimano
+ 2'02
42
Greg Van Avermaet
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'03
43
David Veilleux
Team Europcar
+ 2'04
44
Peter Velits
Team T-Mobile
+ 2'08
45
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 2'10
46
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
+ 2'11
47
Amets Txurruka
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'12
48
Igor Antón
Leopard Trek
s.t.
49
Marc De Maar
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
50
Marcel Wyss
Geox - TMC
+ 2'16
51
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
+ 2'18
52
Maarten Tjallingii
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'19
53
Caleb Fairly
Team T-Mobile
+ 2'20
54
Vitaliy Buts
Lampre - ISD
+ 2'21
55
Jens Voigt
Leopard Trek
+ 2'22
56
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'23
57
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
58
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
59
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
+ 2'25
60
Ezequiel Mosquera
Movistar Team
s.t.
61
Gatis Smukulis
Team T-Mobile
+ 2'27
62
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
63
Sergueï Ivanov
Katusha Team
+ 2'31
64
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'32
65
Sylwester Szmyd
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
66
Rubén Reig
Caja Rural
+ 2'33
67
Andrey Kashechkin
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
68
Rob Ruijgh
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 2'35
69
Christophe Le Mével
Team Europcar
+ 2'38
70
José Ángel Gómez Marchante
Unicef - Oracle
+ 2'39
71
Rafael Valls
Geox - TMC
s.t.
72
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'40
73
Daniel Navarro
Movistar Team
s.t.
74
Dimitriy Muravyev
Unicef - Oracle
+ 2'42
75
Óscar Sevilla
Unicef - Oracle
+ 2'44
76
Andrew Talansky
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
77
Julián Sánchez Pimienta
Caja Rural
s.t.
78
Juan Manuel Gárate
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2'46
79
Roman Kireyev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
80
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
+ 2'47
81
Oliver Zaugg
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
82
Arturo Mora
Caja Rural
+ 2'50
83
Allan Davis
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 2'51
84
Kristof Vandewalle
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2'53
85
Tadej Valjavec
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
86
Jérôme Pineau
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
87
Martijn Maaskant
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
88
Maarten Neyens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 2'55
89
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
+ 2'56
90
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'57
91
Gert Steegmans
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
92
Sep Vanmarcke
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 2'59
93
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 3'00
94
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
95
Ben Swift
Sky ProCycling
+ 3'03
96
Dennis Van Winden
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
97
David De la Fuente
Geox - TMC
+ 3'08
98
Damiano Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
99
Yevgeniy Nepomnyachshiy
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'09
100
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'10
101
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'11
102
Roger Kluge
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
103
Fabio Sabatini
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 3'13
104
Timothy Roe
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'15
105
Daniel Oss
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 3'16
106
Maxime Vantomme
Katusha Team
+ 3'18
107
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
+ 3'19
108
Marco Marcato
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 3'20
109
Stuart O'Grady
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 3'21
110
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Geox - TMC
+ 3'22
111
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'23
112
Francis Mourey
FDJ
+ 3'26
113
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'28
114
Michael Barry
Sky ProCycling
+ 3'31
115
Grégory Rast
Unicef - Oracle
+ 3'32
116
Alexandr Kolobnev
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 3'36
117
Dimitri Krivtsov
Lampre - ISD
+ 3'37
118
Frederik Willems
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 3'39
119
Matthias Kessler
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
120
Javier Francisco Aramendia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
121
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'42
122
Vitali Kondrut
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
123
Xavier Florencio
Lampre - ISD
+ 3'44
124
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'46
125
Yukihiro Doi
Skil - Shimano
+ 3'50
126
Maxim Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
127
Coen Vermeltfoort
Skil - Shimano
+ 3'52
128
John-Lee Augustyn
Sky ProCycling
+ 3'53
129
Gerben Löwik
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
130
Simon Gerrans
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 3'54
131
Vincent Jérôme
Team Europcar
+ 3'56
132
Arnaud Courteille
FDJ
+ 3'59
133
Sebastian Lang
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
134
Martin Pedersen
Leopard Trek
+ 4'00
135
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
136
Christopher Sutton
Sky ProCycling
+ 4'02
137
Wesley Sulzberger
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
138
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'06
139
John Murphy
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'08
140
Anders Lund
Leopard Trek
+ 4'12
141
Joaquín Sobrino
Caja Rural
+ 4'13
142
Mitchell Docker
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 4'16
143
Matteo Pelucchi
Geox - TMC
+ 4'19
144
Arkimedes Arguelyes
Katusha Team
+ 4'20
145
Andy Cappelle
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'21
146
Travis Meyer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
147
Vicente Reynès
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
148
Harald Morscher
Leopard Trek
s.t.
149
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'25
150
Gene Michael Bates
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
151
Jochen Summer
Leopard Trek
+ 4'26
152
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
+ 4'27
153
Wim Van Huffel
FDJ
+ 4'29
154
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
s.t.
155
Tony Hurel
Team Europcar
+ 4'43
156
Yauheni Hutarovich
FDJ
+ 4'45
157
Andreas Klier
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 4'58
158
Mikhaylo Khalilov
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
159
Bernardo Zanchi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 5'00
160
Marcus Gerber
BMC Racing Team
+ 5'11
161
Guillaume Le Floch
Team Europcar
+ 5'12
162
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
+ 5'22
163
Manuele Mori
Lampre - ISD
+ 5'34
164
Bruno Ferro
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 5'35
165
Steve Chainel
FDJ
+ 6'05
Classifications
Overall
1
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
85h18'54
2
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 7'05
3
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
+ 7'44
4
Alejandro Valverde
Unicef - Oracle
+ 9'16
5
Igor Antón
Leopard Trek
+ 12'04
6
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
+ 12'42
7
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Pro Team Astana
+ 16'49
8
Christophe Le Mével
Team Europcar
+ 17'52
9
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 23'17
10
Javier Moreno
Caja Rural
+ 23'33
Spoiler
11
Ezequiel Mosquera
Movistar Team
+ 24'13
12
Rob Ruijgh
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 27'11
13
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
+ 28'28
14
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
+ 29'05
15
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
+ 29'41
16
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 29'45
17
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 33'25
18
Sylwester Szmyd
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 34'17
19
Amets Txurruka
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 37'27
20
David Blanco
Geox - TMC
+ 37'41
21
Tiago Machado
Unicef - Oracle
+ 42'05
22
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
+ 44'48
23
Oliver Zaugg
Skil - Shimano
+ 45'46
24
Riccardo Riccò
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 46'39
25
David Arroyo
Movistar Team
+ 48'23
26
Kevin De Weert
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 50'56
27
Íñigo Cuesta
Caja Rural
+ 53'16
28
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 55'13
29
Rafael Valls
Geox - TMC
+ 59'01
30
Johan Vansummeren
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 1h01'48
31
Daniel Navarro
Movistar Team
+ 1h02'52
32
Damiano Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1h04'28
33
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h05'14
34
David Millar
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 1h05'15
35
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
+ 1h06'35
36
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
+ 1h09'22
37
Julián Sánchez Pimienta
Caja Rural
+ 1h09'33
38
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
+ 1h10'00
39
Jérôme Pineau
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h11'28
40
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h11'34
41
Jan Bakelants
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 1h12'16
42
Mikel Astarloza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h12'26
43
David De la Fuente
Geox - TMC
+ 1h15'40
44
Rui Costa
Caja Rural
+ 1h17'15
45
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1h17'17
46
Mathieu Sprick
Skil - Shimano
+ 1h17'40
47
Alexandr Kolobnev
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1h20'03
48
Vitaliy Buts
Lampre - ISD
+ 1h23'08
49
Gustavo César Veloso
Caja Rural
+ 1h24'10
50
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h29'18
51
Sergueï Ivanov
Katusha Team
+ 1h32'30
52
Anders Lund
Leopard Trek
+ 1h39'05
53
Peter Velits
Team T-Mobile
+ 1h43'38
54
Wim Van Huffel
FDJ
+ 1h45'08
55
Arnaud Courteille
FDJ
+ 1h45'20
56
Richie Porte
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 1h45'24
57
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
+ 1h45'56
58
John-Lee Augustyn
Sky ProCycling
+ 1h46'34
59
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
+ 1h47'19
60
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
+ 1h48'55
61
Jens Voigt
Leopard Trek
+ 1h49'51
62
Yaroslav Popovych
Unicef - Oracle
+ 1h49'55
63
Stefan Schumacher
Team T-Mobile
+ 1h52'17
64
Maxim Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
+ 1h52'44
65
José Ángel Gómez Marchante
Unicef - Oracle
+ 1h53'42
66
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h53'43
67
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
+ 1h56'36
68
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
+ 1h58'15
69
Andrew Talansky
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 1h59'23
70
Simon Gerrans
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 2h01'46
71
Yukihiro Doi
Skil - Shimano
+ 2h05'04
72
Tadej Valjavec
Lampre - ISD
+ 2h05'15
73
Marc De Maar
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2h07'05
74
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 2h07'28
75
Matthias Kessler
Team T-Mobile
+ 2h11'23
76
Marcel Wyss
Geox - TMC
+ 2h12'33
77
Óscar Sevilla
Unicef - Oracle
+ 2h14'33
78
Carlos Sastre
Unicef - Oracle
+ 2h15'29
79
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
+ 2h18'43
80
Juan Manuel Gárate
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2h19'09
81
Frederik Willems
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 2h19'53
82
Víctor De la Parte
Caja Rural
+ 2h21'51
83
Maarten Tjallingii
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2h25'02
84
Andrey Kashechkin
Lampre - ISD
+ 2h26'01
85
Stijn Devolder
Skil - Shimano
+ 2h27'49
86
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
+ 2h28'32
87
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2h33'39
88
Anthony Roux
FDJ
+ 2h37'48
89
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2h39'18
90
Francis Mourey
FDJ
+ 2h39'53
91
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Pro Team Astana
+ 2h39'55
92
José Belda
Movistar Team
+ 2h41'06
93
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
+ 2h41'44
94
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 2h42'14
95
Maxim Belkov
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2h42'28
96
Dimitriy Muravyev
Unicef - Oracle
+ 2h47'34
97
Xavier Florencio
Lampre - ISD
+ 2h47'35
98
Jérôme Coppel
Movistar Team
+ 2h56'12
99
Gatis Smukulis
Team T-Mobile
+ 2h58'37
100
David Veilleux
Team Europcar
+ 2h59'04
101
Bernardo Zanchi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3h02'36
102
Joost Posthuma
Leopard Trek
+ 3h07'06
103
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3h11'35
104
Marco Marcato
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 3h13'13
105
Vincent Jérôme
Team Europcar
+ 3h13'24
106
Marcus Gerber
BMC Racing Team
+ 3h14'30
107
Allan Davis
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 3h17'46
108
Sep Vanmarcke
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 3h18'32
109
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3h22'52
110
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
+ 3h26'23
111
Stuart O'Grady
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 3h27'29
112
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Geox - TMC
+ 3h32'51
113
Rubén Reig
Caja Rural
+ 3h40'31
114
Harald Morscher
Leopard Trek
+ 3h43'04
115
Greg Van Avermaet
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3h43'42
116
Kristof Vandewalle
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3h46'16
117
Vicente Reynès
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 3h49'46
118
Matteo Pelucchi
Geox - TMC
+ 3h49'48
119
Caleb Fairly
Team T-Mobile
+ 3h50'01
120
Martin Pedersen
Leopard Trek
+ 3h53'08
121
Michael Barry
Sky ProCycling
+ 3h54'52
122
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
+ 4h04'15
123
Ben Swift
Sky ProCycling
+ 4h05'27
124
Timothy Roe
BMC Racing Team
+ 4h07'28
125
Daniel Oss
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 4h09'04
126
Gert Steegmans
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4h09'24
127
Mitchell Docker
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 4h09'53
128
Arturo Mora
Caja Rural
+ 4h12'02
129
Roger Kluge
Skil - Shimano
+ 4h12'07
130
Javier Francisco Aramendia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4h13'52
131
Martijn Maaskant
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 4h14'22
132
Maxime Vantomme
Katusha Team
+ 4h14'47
133
Grégory Rast
Unicef - Oracle
+ 4h14'52
134
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
+ 4h15'53
135
Roman Kireyev
Pro Team Astana
+ 4h17'48
136
Gerben Löwik
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 4h17'49
137
Bert Grabsch
Team T-Mobile
+ 4h17'50
138
Manuele Mori
Lampre - ISD
+ 4h18'22
139
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
+ 4h18'48
140
Wesley Sulzberger
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 4h25'48
141
Fabio Sabatini
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 4h27'54
142
Dennis Van Winden
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 4h33'45
143
Gene Michael Bates
Sky ProCycling
+ 4h36'24
144
Maarten Neyens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 4h38'17
145
Mikhaylo Khalilov
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 4h40'13
146
Arkimedes Arguelyes
Katusha Team
+ 4h41'34
147
Yevgeniy Nepomnyachshiy
Pro Team Astana
+ 4h42'14
148
Coen Vermeltfoort
Skil - Shimano
+ 4h44'46
149
Joaquín Sobrino
Caja Rural
+ 4h47'03
150
Andy Cappelle
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4h52'06
151
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
+ 4h57'22
152
Guillaume Le Floch
Team Europcar
+ 5h07'47
153
Christopher Sutton
Sky ProCycling
+ 5h11'57
154
Steve Chainel
FDJ
+ 5h13'46
155
Vitali Kondrut
Lampre - ISD
+ 5h21'52
156
Andreas Klier
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 5h23'53
157
John Murphy
BMC Racing Team
+ 5h23'54
158
Yauheni Hutarovich
FDJ
+ 5h28'40
159
Sebastian Lang
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 5h31'59
160
Tony Hurel
Team Europcar
+ 5h34'09
161
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
+ 6h04'00
162
Jochen Summer
Leopard Trek
s.t.
163
Dimitri Krivtsov
Lampre - ISD
+ 6h15'14
164
Travis Meyer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 6h18'20
165
Bruno Ferro
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 6h37'57
Points
1
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
216
2
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
157
3
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
143
4
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
132
5
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
107
Mountain
1
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
123
2
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
111
3
Vitaliy Buts
Lampre - ISD
94
4
Damiano Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
80
5
Igor Antón
Leopard Trek
69
Young Riders
1
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
85h42'11
2
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 10'08
3
Rafael Valls
Geox - TMC
+ 35'44
4
Damiano Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 41'11
5
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
+ 46'43
Teams
1
Liquigas - Cannondale
256h09'24
2
Geox - TMC
+ 59'26
3
Katusha Team
+ 1h04'39
4
Unicef - Oracle
+ 1h05'04
5
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h16'08
Dominik's Comment
That went pretty well. A 23rd place in a flat time trial is still very good for me, but way more important than the daily result is that we now look at the final general classification (given that nothing happens tomorrow) and that I'm on place nine! That's absolutely fantastic!
For the team, only Nibbles and Peter Sagan gave everything and both achieved a very good result. Although it wasn't enough for the eigth stage win, two men in the Top 10 is perfectly fine for a time trial.
So the Vuelta slowly comes to a close. Tomorrow is the last stage around Madrid where we'll be able to try one last good sprint result. I'm looking forward to it!
Very good tactical racing to defend the 9th place. Funny fact that also in my story, with the same Vuelta-version, Cobo also won the last ITT
Be careful for the last stage, as crashes can occur!
The last stage around and with the finish in Madrid is pretty flat. Although there are some smalls ups and downs, we can expect a bunch sprint. As for the GC, it will be a celebration roll-out for Vincenzo Nibali.
Dominik's Pre-Race Comment
Most important thing today is that everyone arrives at Madrid safe and in the pack. Apart from that, we'll try to get someone into the break again. Not that we think it would succeed but just to underline our standing as an aggressive team. Finally, if it comes down to the expected mass sprint, Mauro Finetto, supported by Peter Sagan, will try to add another good result to his three Top 10s so far.
Live Ticker
Km 5:
It took a while but now, two men in green are giving it a try. Vincent Jerome (Europcar) and Fabio Sabatini attack. The Italian couldn't show anything so far and gets the freedom for an attack today.
.
Km 18:
Unfortunately, they didn't succeed. The next attacks are coming.
.
Km 58:
A 15 men group including Marco Marcato and, attention, three (!) riders from Rabobank is two minutes away but they seem to be too large to really get away.
.
Km 79:
The break of the day eventually consists of only two riders. Caleb Fairly and Daniel Oss are two minutes in front.
.
Km 101:
Later on, they're joined by the strong rouleurs Burghardt (BMC), Maaskant (Garmin) and Voigt (Leopard). The pack has to be attentive now!
.
Km 108:
Movistar and Vacansoleil ride a high pace now and the advance is decreasing.
.
Km 117:
With 20 kms to go, the escapees are 1'50 away.
.
Km 125:
Then, suddenly, a couple of riders hit the ground! We'll see later who's affected. The chase, however, falters. 12 kms and still 1'30 for the escapees.
.
Km 133:
With 4 kms to go, Vacansoleil builds a train but the escapees are still a bit in front.
.
Km 134:
After all, the escapees watched each other too much. They are caught. On the inside, Peter Sagan drags Mauro Finetto to the front.
.
Km 136:
Sagan is still leading with Finetto and Gilbert on his wheel. Vacansoleil lost a bit but is still in contention.
.
Km 137:
The finish line is very, very close as Finetto is in front. But Rojas and world champion Allan Davis are coming closer!
.
Km 137:
And Rojas takes it. Finetto comes in on a nice second spot in front of Davis.
.
Km 137:
Nerz crosses the line in eleventh place. A fantastic ending for a fantastic race for the German youngster.
.
Km 137:
The dominator of Spain, Vincenzo Nibali, finishes easily in the first part of the pack. It was an absolutely impressive race by the Italian and he is now, after Eddy Merckx, Giovanni Battaglin and Alberto Contador the fourth rider to win both the Giro and La Vuelta in one year.
.
Km 137:
Two important riders were affected by the crash: Katusha's Daniel Moreno falls back from 13 to 16 and Amets Txurruka (Euskaltel) loses two places falls out of the Top 20.
1
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
3h23'53
2
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
3
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
4
Allan Davis
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
5
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
6
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Gert Steegmans
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Ben Swift
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
9
Maxime Vantomme
Katusha Team
s.t.
10
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
12
Greg Van Avermaet
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
13
Matteo Pelucchi
Geox - TMC
s.t.
14
Stefan Schumacher
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
15
Jens Voigt
Leopard Trek
s.t.
16
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
17
Sep Vanmarcke
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
18
Riccardo Riccò
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
19
Joaquín Sobrino
Caja Rural
s.t.
20
Alejandro Valverde
Unicef - Oracle
s.t.
21
Yauheni Hutarovich
FDJ
s.t.
22
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
23
David Millar
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
24
Maxim Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
25
Grégory Rast
Unicef - Oracle
s.t.
26
Dimitriy Muravyev
Unicef - Oracle
s.t.
27
Ezequiel Mosquera
Movistar Team
s.t.
28
Sergueï Ivanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
29
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
30
Íñigo Cuesta
Caja Rural
s.t.
31
Caleb Fairly
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
32
Martijn Maaskant
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
33
Peter Velits
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
34
David Veilleux
Team Europcar
s.t.
35
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
36
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
37
Maarten Neyens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
38
Roger Kluge
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
39
Daniel Oss
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
40
Mikel Astarloza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
41
Oliver Zaugg
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
42
Joost Posthuma
Leopard Trek
s.t.
43
Gatis Smukulis
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
44
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
45
Julián Sánchez Pimienta
Caja Rural
s.t.
46
Tiago Machado
Unicef - Oracle
s.t.
47
John-Lee Augustyn
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
48
Christophe Le Mével
Team Europcar
s.t.
49
Jan Bakelants
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
50
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
51
Christopher Sutton
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
52
Sylwester Szmyd
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
53
Michael Barry
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
54
Igor Antón
Leopard Trek
s.t.
55
Javier Moreno
Caja Rural
s.t.
56
Marco Marcato
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
57
Óscar Sevilla
Unicef - Oracle
s.t.
58
David De la Fuente
Geox - TMC
s.t.
59
Wesley Sulzberger
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
60
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
s.t.
61
Maxim Belkov
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
62
Andreas Klier
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
63
Damiano Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
64
Fabio Sabatini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
65
Richie Porte
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
66
José Belda
Movistar Team
s.t.
67
Marcel Wyss
Geox - TMC
s.t.
68
Carlos Sastre
Unicef - Oracle
s.t.
69
Rafael Valls
Geox - TMC
s.t.
70
David Blanco
Geox - TMC
s.t.
71
Anthony Roux
FDJ
s.t.
72
Yukihiro Doi
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
73
Matthias Kessler
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
74
Rob Ruijgh
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
75
Gustavo César Veloso
Caja Rural
s.t.
76
Yaroslav Popovych
Unicef - Oracle
s.t.
77
Tadej Valjavec
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
78
Xavier Florencio
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
79
Vitaliy Buts
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
80
Rui Costa
Caja Rural
s.t.
81
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
82
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
s.t.
83
José Ángel Gómez Marchante
Unicef - Oracle
s.t.
84
Alexandr Kolobnev
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
85
Kevin De Weert
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
86
Johan Vansummeren
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
87
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
88
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
89
Stijn Devolder
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
90
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Geox - TMC
s.t.
91
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
92
Jérôme Pineau
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
93
Yevgeniy Nepomnyachshiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
94
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
95
Arnaud Courteille
FDJ
s.t.
96
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
97
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
s.t.
98
Kristof Vandewalle
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
99
Daniel Navarro
Movistar Team
s.t.
100
Vicente Reynès
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
101
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
102
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
103
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
104
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
105
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
106
Wim Van Huffel
FDJ
s.t.
107
Andrey Kashechkin
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
108
Stuart O'Grady
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
109
Simon Gerrans
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
110
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
111
Juan Manuel Gárate
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
112
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
113
David Arroyo
Movistar Team
s.t.
114
Coen Vermeltfoort
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
115
Mikhaylo Khalilov
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
116
Francis Mourey
FDJ
s.t.
117
Arkimedes Arguelyes
Katusha Team
s.t.
118
Marc De Maar
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
119
Arturo Mora
Caja Rural
s.t.
120
Dennis Van Winden
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
121
Roman Kireyev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
122
Gerben Löwik
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
123
Víctor De la Parte
Caja Rural
s.t.
124
Vincent Jérôme
Team Europcar
s.t.
125
Gene Michael Bates
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
126
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'18
127
Jérôme Coppel
Movistar Team
s.t.
128
Guillaume Le Floch
Team Europcar
s.t.
129
Sebastian Lang
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
130
Bernardo Zanchi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
131
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
132
Travis Meyer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 3'07
133
Mitchell Docker
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 4'23
134
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
135
Harald Morscher
Leopard Trek
s.t.
136
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
137
John Murphy
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
138
Bert Grabsch
Team T-Mobile
s.t.
139
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
140
Andy Cappelle
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
141
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
s.t.
142
Marcus Gerber
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
143
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
144
Martin Pedersen
Leopard Trek
s.t.
145
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
146
Anders Lund
Leopard Trek
s.t.
147
Bruno Ferro
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
148
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
+ 6'06
149
Timothy Roe
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
150
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
151
Javier Francisco Aramendia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
152
Mathieu Sprick
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
153
Andrew Talansky
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
154
Maarten Tjallingii
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
155
Dimitri Krivtsov
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
156
Tony Hurel
Team Europcar
s.t.
157
Steve Chainel
FDJ
s.t.
158
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
s.t.
159
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
160
Amets Txurruka
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
161
Vitali Kondrut
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
162
Frederik Willems
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 8'11
163
Rubén Reig
Caja Rural
s.t.
164
Jochen Summer
Leopard Trek
+ 9'28
Dominik's Comment
What a nice ending to this Vuelta for us. Our train worked well and Finetto did great but Rojas is just too strong at the moment. Nevertheless, it's Finetto's best result in Spain and a good end to his season.
Just for fun, I tested myself in the sprint once again and tried to hang on to one of the sprint trains. It went pretty well, 11th is really nice. But simply overwhelming were the emotions on the final podium. Hundreds and hundreds of people celebrates us and it was an amazing feeling to present the white jersey. The highlight of my career so far!
Well, my season ends now. I will give you a detailed review of the Vuelta soon, also of the Canadian classics and our last transfer is yet to be revealed.
I don't know if there has ever been a more deserved winner at a Grand Tour. Five stage wins, 16 days in red, seven minutes in front of the second-placed Samuel Sanchez - Vincenzo Nibali totally dominated La Vuelta 2012. Sanchez, although he couldn't repeat his win from last year, is surely a positive appearance as well. The biggest surprise is probably Dominik Nerz. In general, the Spaniards did very well and occupied six places of the Top 10.
Final Points Classification
1
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
216
2
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
173
3
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
143
4
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
132
5
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
107
The overall contenders were in charge of this ranking, except for Philippe Gilbert who convinced with four stage wins and several more top rankings. But just as in the GC, no one could come close to Nibali.
Final Mountain Classification
1
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
123
2
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
111
3
Vitaliy Buts
Lampre - ISD
94
4
Damiano Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
80
5
Igor Antón
Leopard Trek
69
Rodriguez was very close to Nibali here but the Italian, in contrary to the Giro earlier this year, was eager to take this jersey as well. Vitaliy Buts and Damiano Caruso were in several breaks and collected a fair amount of points there.
Final Young Riders Classification
1
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
89h06'04
2
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 10'08
3
Rafael Valls
Geox - TMC
+ 35'44
4
Damiano Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 41'11
5
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
+ 46'43
For a while, Peter Sagan seemed to be the best young rider but after a while, his bad recovery stroke and Dominik Nerz had no problems to bring the white jersey to Madrid. A stunning performance by the German youngster in only his second Grand Tour ever.
Final Team Classification
1
Liquigas - Cannondale
266h21'03
2
Geox - TMC
+ 59'26
3
Katusha Team
+ 1h04'39
4
Unicef - Oracle
+ 1h05'04
5
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h20'31
Looking at the rankings above, this doesn't come as a surprise: Liquigas is by far the best team of this race. Almost an hour faster than Geox, the Italians exceeded even the highest expectations and were the non plus ultra during the Vuelta.
Tops
Vincenzo Nibali
Not much to add here: Four stage wins, overall, mountain and points classification with solid advance - Vincenzo Nibali was the measure of all things in Spain and now lines up with the biggest legends of the sport, having won two grand tours in a year.
Philippe Gilbert
The Belgian was the second outstanding figure of the race. On the hilly stages, he convinced with four stage wins, almost conquering the points classification. He's in top shape for the things to come, especially the worlds and Il Lombardia.
Vitaliy Buts
Maybe the most convincing "minor" rider of this race. With one stage win, another second and several breakaway attempts, the Ukranian was a major enrichment for the race and Lampre's only real success.
Other positive appearances:
Dominik Nerz – Nineth overall, best young rider, and all that with 23 years.
Frederik Kessiakoff – With place seven, the Swede achieved his most important result in his career.
Samuel Sanchez – The defending champion lost a bit of his strength due to his aging, therefore, he wasn't one of the top favorites. His second place is a strong performance.
Marco Marcato– He was one of the most active riders, took part in four successful breaks and scored the places 2-5. He was only denied a win for a perfect race.
Flops
Richie Porte
Due to many time trialing kilometers, this might have been Richie Porte's best chance for a nice overall in a GT ever. I even listed him as one of the six top favorites. But he failed enormously, eventually ending up + 1h45'24 behind Nibali. And even in the time trials, he couldn't shine.
The sprinters
There were (more or less) eight chances for the sprinters to get good results. They used two of them. Joaquin Rojas won two stages, Goss Cavendish and the others came away empty handed. This is probably also the only part where Liquigas couldn't do anything.
Romain Sicard
The Euskaltel rider started as the top favorite for the white jersey but couldn't live up with the expectations at any point. He didn't even finished the race!
Other negative appearances:
Euskaltel (except for Sanchez) – the team started with high ambitions, and well, Sanchez delivered. But the likes of Sicard, Izagirre, Astarloza or Nieve failed pretty badly.
Peter Velits – Started with ambitions for a Top 10 spot, ended up 53rd.
Liquigas Résumé
Along with Caja Rura, we're the only team that made it to Madrid with all nine riders. That's pretty great. But that's just the beginning. The Vuelta was a complete domination and pretty much every rider did really, really well:
Vincenzo Nibali: Our goal was to win this Vuelta, Vincenzo was the top favorite and he delivered. And pretty spectacularly, taking four stage wins and both additional classifications on the way. It couldn't have went better.
Dominik Nerz: Next to Vincenzo Nibali, he's our most outstanding rider in Spain. We all hoped for him to conquer white but we didn't expect it to go that well. In his second Grand Tour, he showed how much potential he has.
Mauro Finetto: A second spot and three further Top 10s aren't quite the optimum but still decent.
Peter Sagan and Sylvester Szmyd: The two did really well. Both won a stage, finished in the Top 20 overall and also supported their other team mates perfectly. We couldn't have hoped for much more.
Damiano Caruso and Marco Marcato: Both were very active in breakaways but without a final success. Otherwise, they were very loyal and strong helpers. Nothing to criticize.
Daniel Oss and Fabio Sabatini: Both were eventually more or less fill-ups. They were domestiques on the flat stages and I'm just happy that they finished the race.
really nice wrap-up for the vuelta and amazing result for dom in the end - i am really glad he was able to "beat" sagan at some point in the race to get the white jersey
NEXT STOP: white jersey in the next tour (he should still be young enough at least, right?!?) Edited by johannes-w on 16-04-2012 09:04
This was an absolutely fantastic Vuelta for the team and for Dominik, so for both a fully deserved .
Hope you'll continue the story to another great season!
Great ending to the Vuelta. Complete dominance Well done Cunego, hope you didn't beat me that much in FIFA as you did with opponents in Vuelta Remember though, the keeper is always there for me Edited by Alakagom on 16-04-2012 15:57
Geez, guys Those are some very nice comments, thanks! It's great that you still like this story so much, despite the lack of updates recently. Really reenforces my motivation! I hope that I will find the time soon to catch up with your respective stories as well (@those who have one ). Anyway, I have almost finished the season, just Lombardia is missing, and the "raw" reports are mostly written. I'll try to get them done soon as I'm really looking forward to all the editing, composing new teams etc.
Anyway, thanks again for your fantastic support! Canadian Classics should be up soon.
Oh, and:
@ johannes-w: Well, Dominik is 23 at the moment, so he has both next year and the year after for white at the Tour. That should be possible
@ Alakagom: I'm in incredibly bad FIFA-shape, but I'll challenge you again sometime soon. Beware...
Remember though, the keeper is always there for me 
