All cycling eyes of the world are fixed upon Belgium. Flanders, to be more precisive, as today the 96th edition of the Ronde van Vlaanderen will be raced. 66 victories went to Belgium, being the most succesful country. The most succesful riders in the history, are Achiel Buysse ('40,'41,'43), Fiorenzo Magni ('49, '50,'51), Eric Leman ('70, '72,'73) and Johan Museeuw ('93,'95,'98).
Due to the many protests of the changed route, the organisation decided in the last weeks, to continue with the old route, including the Muur van Geraardsbergen, the Bosberg and the finish in Meerbeke.
The Big 5
Before the Vlaanderens Mooiste / Vlaanderens Hoogmis, or simply De Ronde starts, there are 5big favourites for the win.
Tom Boonen
The Belgium hope for the win is Tom Boonen. He won the Ronde twice already, and is hungry for his third. He's the king of this cobbled season so far, with wins in the Omloop, Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, Dwars Door Vlaanderen and the E3-Prijs. He didn't participate in the Driedaagse, and the question is if he has peaked already and his form is declining...
Juan Antonio Flecha
The only Spanish rider in the wordl that loves cobbles. Flecha is the only one of the 5 that didn't won the Ronde before, so is lurking for his first win. He won Gent - Wevelgem, so his form is great.
Thor Hushovd
Last year's winner Thor Hushovd showed lack of form in the early cobbled races. But he showed in the Driedaase that his from is rising very fast, with a stage win and the 2nd place in the GC. Hushovd is bringing some Norwegian Thunder to Flanders.
Fabian Cancellara
Swiss Cancellara, winner in 2010, is probably the best cobbler in the world. But he didn't win a cobbled race this season. Okay, he won the Driedaagse, but thanks to his time trial. Is his form good enough to win it?
Alessandro Ballan
The man of the season so far. Alessandro Balla won the Tirreno - Adriatico and Milano - San Remo, and is looking for his 2nd win in De Ronde. Is his form still good enough, and will he ride for his own chance, instead being the helper of Hushovd?
The outsiders
Where to start, there are many! Niki Terpstra & Martijn Maaskant (Monster), George Hincapie, Bjorn Leukemans & Greg van Avermaet (BMC), Gert Steegmans (Omega Pharma), Filippo Pozzato & Leif Hste (Katusha), Matthew Hayman & Geraint Thomas (Sky), Sylvain Chavanel & Johan Vansummeren (Garmin), Matti Breschel, Heinrich Haussler & Lars Boom (Rabobank), Philippe Gilbert & Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto), Nick Nuyens (Saxo Bank), Sebastian Langeveld & Tomas Vaitkus (Qantas) and Stijn Devolder (Vacansoleil).
Our goal
We for sure want to improve our result from last year (16th for Terpstra), but aim for a Top 5.
BTW: at Ballan you say: Alessandro Balla won the Tirreno - Adriatico and Milano - San Remo, and is looking for his 2nd win in De Ronde. I think it must be his 3th.
Guess who's back?
Lets see how many friens are still around...
alexanderlens wrote:
BTW: at Ballan you say: Alessandro Balla won the Tirreno - Adriatico and Milano - San Remo, and is looking for his 2nd win in De Ronde. I think it must be his 3th.
According to Wikipedia: he won in 2007, and that's the only one for him. The official website says the same!
alexanderlens wrote:
BTW: at Ballan you say: Alessandro Balla won the Tirreno - Adriatico and Milano - San Remo, and is looking for his 2nd win in De Ronde. I think it must be his 3th.
According to Wikipedia: he won in 2007, and that's the only one for him. The official website says the same!
Ooooooooohhhhh, i thought you mean for this season...
Guess who's back?
Lets see how many friens are still around...
16 degrees, almost no wind, and lots of sun and blue sky.... Finally, after many, many rainy days on the cobbles, the weather is good!
Early in the race, a group of 15 riders break away from the peloton. In it are world famous cobblers as Oscar Sevilla (Movistar), Thomas Rohregger (Sony Ericsson) and Vladimir Karpets (Katusha). They get a maximum lead of 2'30, but then follows a counter attack by 3 pretty dangerous riders: Geraint Thomas (Sky), Tomas Vaitkus (Qantas) and Filippo Pozzato (Katusha).As soon as these 3 join the 15 leaders, the peloton starts to chase down. The domestiques of BMC and Monster are in the lead of the peloton.
Thomas, Pozzato and Vaitkus drop the other breakaways on the cobbled Paddestraat, so the 3 are alone up front. But thanks to our domestiques, they get caught with 112km to go, shortly before the Kruisberg.
The real race starts 80 kilometres before the finish, with the ascend of the Oude Kwaremont, immediately followed by the Patersberg. Our teams leads the first group, consisting of 55 riders. 2 outsiders / luxury domestiques are missing in this group.
Inr the ascends of the Koppenberg, the Steenbeekdries, Taaienberg and Eikenberg, the peloton breaks in a few pieces. 17 riders from the first group: Terpstra, Maaskant, Vermeltfoort & Vanmarcke, Van Avermaet, Ballan, Hincapie, Hushovd & Quinziato (BMC), Roulston, Rast & Cancellara (Nissan), Hoste & Pozzato (Katusha), Nuyens (Saxo), Devolder (Vacansoleil) & Chavanel (Garmin). One minute behind is the second group, with the riders from Rabobank, Lotto and Omega Pharma in it.
But 43 kilometres before the finish in Meerbeke, the 2 groups merge. 29 riders will battle for the win in Meereke!
The favourites take it easy, and rest their legs before the last 2 hills of the day, the Muur van Geraardsbergen and the Bosberg. A few kilometres before entering the town of Geraardsbergen, Leif Hoste can't control his nerves and attacks.
But surprisingly, the favourites use this attack as the opportunity to launch their attacks. Fabian Cancellara, Sylvain Chavanel and Tom Boonen attack even before the climb of the Muur starts.
When they catch Hoste, the pace drops, so the peloton catches them again. But now it's Tom Boonen to launch his attack in the steep ascend of the Muur van Geraardsbergen. In 2010, he got dropped by Spartacus in this part of the race, now he wants to do the opposite!
4 riders can follow this attack: Cancellara, Chavanel, Philippe Gilbert and ....... Niki Terpstra. The chasing group, with BMC and Sky in the lead is only '18 behind. This is the sign for Cancellara to launch another attack, shortly before the Bosberg.
After the ascend and descend of the Bosberg, Spartacus has created a gap of 26 seconds to a group of . Gilbert and the BMC-duo Ballan and Hushovd, who have used the Bosberg to close the gap to the group with Terpstra, and leaving them behind, are cooperating perfectly in the chase of Cancellara. The "peloton" is '48 behind.
Spartacus can't fight against Gilbert and 2 BMC's. som entering the last 5 kilometres, there's a regrouping. Cancellara, Ballan, Hushovd, Gilbert and Flecha (where has he been all day?) are in the lead. At '39 follow Vansummeren, Leukeman, Chavanel and Boonen. A group with Terpstra follows at 1'10. What happened in the last 8 kilometres to Terpstra? Well, the response to the attack of Boonen blew up his legs and he collapsed at the Bosberg....
After Hushovd and friends have closed the gap to Cancellara, the pace drops in the leading group. So the 2nd group joins them and 9 riders will battle for the win. Cancellara is in the worst position with 2km to go, as he leads the group.
Spartacus amazes everybody after his previous attack, as he still leads the sprint going into the last kilometre. But from the left is coming some guy from Norway. Hushovd is looking to repeat his win from last year!
And with some fantastic sprinting demonstration, Hushovd wins the Ronde, just as last year! Gilbert takes the 2nd place, Cancellara 3rd. Ballan, Boonen and Flecha miss the podium.
Niki Terpstra finishes completely wasted in 15th position, as the last rider of the 2nd group. Martijn Maaskant also finishes in the top 20, with place 19.
Results
1
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
6h20'37
2
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
3
Fabian Cancellara
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
4
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
5
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
6
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
7
Sylvain Chavanel
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 32
8
Björn Leukemans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
9
Johan Vansummeren
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
10
Nick Nuyens
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 1'22
Spoiler
11
Leif Hoste
Katusha Team
s.t.
12
Matti Breschel
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
13
Sebastian Langeveld
Team Qantas
s.t.
14
Stijn Devolder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
15
Niki Terpstra
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
16
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto - Belisol
+ 3'56
17
Grégory Rast
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
18
George Hincapie
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
19
Martijn Maaskant
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 4'15
20
Filippo Pozzato
Katusha Team
+ 4'30
21
Heinrich Haussler
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
22
Bernhard Eisel
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
23
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
24
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
25
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto - Belisol
+ 6'18
26
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
+ 8'40
27
Hayden Roulston
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
+ 10'09
28
Daniele Bennati
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
29
Sep Vanmarcke
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
30
Maarten Wynants
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 11'13
31
Tomas Vaitkus
Team Qantas
s.t.
32
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
33
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
34
Stuart O'Grady
Team Qantas
s.t.
35
Sébastien Rosseler
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 12'28
36
Lieuwe Westra
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
37
Frédéric Amorison
Landbouwkrediet
+ 13'34
38
José Joaquín Rojas
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 14'00
39
Kevin Van Impe
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
40
Grega Bole
Lampre - Generali
+ 14'17
41
André Greipel
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
42
Mark Cavendish
Sky ProCycling
+ 15'10
43
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
44
Bert Scheirlinckx
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
45
Job Vissers
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
46
Davy Commeyne
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
47
Julien Vermote
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
48
Sébastien Minard
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
49
Jens Keukeleire
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 15'39
50
Ben Hermans
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
+ 17'09
51
Coen Vermeltfoort
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
52
Yury Trofimov
Pro Team Astana
+ 17'43
53
Kristof Goddaert
Lotto - Belisol
+ 18'27
54
Koen Barbé
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
55
Adrien Petit
Team Europcar
s.t.
56
Aleksejs Saramotins
Sony Ericsson
+ 18'56
57
David Millar
Sky ProCycling
+ 19'19
58
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
+ 19'34
59
Sébastien Chavanel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 20'33
60
Gerald Ciolek
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 20'53
61
Jimmy Engoulvent
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
62
Steven Kruijswijk
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
63
Jeremy Hunt
Sky ProCycling
+ 21'39
64
Martin Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 21'56
65
Jesse Sergent
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
66
Robert Kiserlovski
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 23'05
67
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
68
Andrew Talansky
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
69
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
+ 23'49
70
Gorik Gardeyn
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
71
Matteo Tosatto
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
72
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
73
Kevin Peeters
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
74
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
75
Matthew Hayman
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
76
Steven Caethoven
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
77
Bart Dockx
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
78
Sven Vandousselaere
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
79
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
80
Ian Stannard
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
81
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
s.t.
82
Joost Van Leijen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 25'07
83
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
84
Bram Schmitz
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
85
James Vanlandschoot
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
86
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
87
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
88
Yuriy Krivtsov
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
89
Sam Bewley
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
90
Gustav Erik Larsson
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
91
Joeri Stallaert
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
92
David Veilleux
Team Europcar
s.t.
93
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
s.t.
94
Saïd Haddou
Team Europcar
s.t.
95
Sven Nys
Landbouwkrediet
+ 26'13
96
Gert Steegmans
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
97
Wesley Sulzberger
Team Qantas
s.t.
98
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
99
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
100
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
101
Jacobus Venter
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
102
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
103
Laurent Lefèvre
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
104
Simone Masciarelli
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
105
Jurgen Van Goolen
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
106
Maxim Gourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
107
Michael Albasini
Team Qantas
+ 27'49
108
Fumiyuki Beppu
Team Qantas
+ 28'26
109
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
110
Igor Abakoumov
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 29'57
111
Juan José Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
112
Alexandre Pichot
Team Europcar
s.t.
113
Matthew Busche
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
114
Thomas Rohregger
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
115
Americo Novembrini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
116
Tom Slagter
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
117
Aidis Kruopis
Team Qantas
+ 30'57
118
Piet Rooijakkers
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
119
Jens Mouris
Team Qantas
s.t.
120
Jonathan Bellis
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
121
Davide Malacarne
Team Europcar
s.t.
122
Jérôme Coppel
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
123
Anders Lund
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
124
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
125
Alessandro Bertolini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
126
Martijn Keizer
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
127
Emanuele Sella
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
128
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
129
Thomas Degand
Veranda's Willems - Accent
+ 32'11
130
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
131
Ivan Rovny
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
132
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
133
Maxime Vantomme
Katusha Team
s.t.
134
David López
Movistar Team
s.t.
135
José Serpa
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
136
Alfredo Balloni
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
137
Anthony Charteau
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
138
Tadej Valjavec
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
Today's winner
Word from the DS
Of course we are disappointed with the result, but we are very satisfied with the way the guys rode today. The domestiques really worked well in the middle part of the race. And Terpstra took the risk to follow the what looked liked the decisive attack. He could have stayed in the chasing group, but if the result was that the 4 (Cancellara, Boonen, Chavanel, Gilbert) would have taken the first 4 places, then he would be pissed of. At least, he tried! And he performed better than last year, improving with 1 place.
Now, let's have a good preparation for Paris - Roubaix, that we can shine there!
Terpstra did a good job, as did the whole team. All your team finished very well in rankings, so overall it's great team performance Good Luck at Roubiax now, hope you can improve the 15th position
The riders that hate cobbles, show up in Pais Vasco. Some use the 77th edition of the Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco as the ultimate preparation for the Ardennes classics, others want to shine here and ride a good GC. And of course, some want to do both!
44 of the previous editions were won by a Spanish rider. José Antonio González Linares is the record winner, with 4 wins in the 70s. Last year's edition was also won by a Spanish rider, namely Joaquim Rodríguez.
The race consists of 6 stages. 5 are classified as hilly (varying from flat- hilly, to almost mountain-hilly) and the final stage is a hilly ITT.
Stage 1
On of the toughest stages, is the first one, with start and finish in Zierbana.
Stage 2
The 2nd stage from Zierbana to Viana is more easy, with the most difficult climbs in the first part of the route. Nevertheless, don't expect a mass sprint here.
Stage 3
Probably the easiest stage, the 3rd one from Viana to Amurrio.
Stage 4
One day after the easiest, the riders will face the hardest stage of this year's Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco. The 152km from Murgia Zuia to Eibar contain 7 KOTM-sprints, including a mountain-top-finish. Today's winner will probably win the GC!
Stage 5
In stage 5 can happen a lot, from Eibar to Orio. 6 climbs, and the last summit only 9km before the finish.
Stage 6
The last stage is a 20 km hilly individual time trial around Orio. Difficult enough to cause some changes in the GC!
The favourites *** Joaquim Rodríguez (Katusha), Igor Antón (Euskaltel), Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) ** Damiano Cunego (Lampre), Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel), Carlos Barredo (Rabobank) *Robert Gesink, Chris Horner (Lotto), Rigoberto Urán (Sky)
Our goal
The main goal of this Vuelta Pais Vasco is to get in shape for the Ardennes Classics. But of course we'll aim for a stage win, and possibly the KOTM-jersey. When Gesink gets a top 5 in the GC, we'll be thrilled!
The Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco kicks off with a very difficult hilly stage with start and finish in the town of Zierbana. Today's winner must be a great puncheur!
After a group with Wilco Kelderman tried to break away without succes (although Kelderman won the first KOTM-sprint), an other group with Sébastien Minard (Sony Ericsson), Wout Poels, Daniel Teklehaimanot (Qantas) and Matteo Tosatto (Saxo Bank) attacks succesfully. Poels wins the 2nd KOTM-sprint, already 5 minutes in front of the peloton with 680km to go.
Poels also wins the 3rd KOTM-sprint, again in front of Minard. Shortly before the summit, Teklehaimanot has to let the others go. The gap to the peloton has grown with one minute, and 61km remaining.
Back in the peloton, the 3rd climb splits it. And it shows that some of the riders are oly here to prepare for the Ardennes Classics. Frank Schleck and Bradley Wiggins are the 2 most famous names that get dropped and they will loose over 9 minutes at the finish today!
The last climb has started, and when the peloton has almost caught Teklehaimanot, we see the first attack out of it. And of course, the colour of the attacker is orange. Euskaltel's Igor Antón is the one and he gets followed by Garmin's Iván Basso. 25.5 kilometres before the finish, they're still 2'49 behind Poels and Minard, who have dropped Tosatto.
Wout Poels was in the lead of the duo already the entire climb, and decides he's better off on his own. 3 kilometres before the summit, 23 before the finish, he attacks and leaves Minard behind.
In the peloton we see a reaction to Antón's attack (Basso fell back in the peloton). Joaquim Rodríguez and Rigoberto Urán are the ones to do, with 22km to go. Our riders (Gesink, Kelderman, Sagan & Vanendert) continue in their own pace.
Poels is the first at the summit and knows that he will wear the KOTM-jersey tomorrow. A group with Minard, Antón, Rodríguez, Chris Horner and Urán follows at 1'05, Roman Kreuziger at 1'30 and the first peloton at 1'54.
The chasing group doesn't cooperate that well, so the peloton reels them in. Then in the descend, Igor Antón attacks again and he joins a completely exhausted Poels 13km before the finish in Zierbana. The peloton (22 riders) follows at '38.
The chasing group catches the 2 leaders, and immediately the next attacks comes. Jakob Fuglsang (Nissan) tries it, but he hasn't got the legs to continue it. So he gets passed by the counterattacking Chris Horner and Igor Antón.
The two get caught, but Antón tries attack. Where the *%* is he getting the energy from (Monster?)?? This time, Alberto Contador, the winner of the Vuelta al Pais Vasco in '08 and '09, follows him.
Antón has wasted his energy and can't follow Contador. So entering the last kilometre, going uphill with 4-5%, El Pistolero is still in th elead. But the chasing group is shortly behind and Damiano Cunego starts the sprint. Peter Sagan tries to follow Cunego, but the lactic acid is streaming into his legs!
Cunego passes Contador and is going to win. But then comes Purito from behind! No one knows where he got that energy from, but Joaquim Rodríguez outsprints Cunego and takes his 4th win of the year (2 stages and GC in Giro di Sardegna). Cunego finishes in 2nd, Contador in 3rd and Sagan in 7th. Also Gesink & Vanendert finish in this 21-man group.
Results & GC
1
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
3h51'32
2
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
3
Alberto Contador
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
4
Chris Horner
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
5
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
6
Rigoberto Urán
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
7
Peter Sagan
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
8
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
9
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
10
Jakob Fuglsang
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Alessandro Bertolini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
12
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
13
Mikel Astarloza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
14
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
15
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
16
Linus Gerdemann
Katusha Team
s.t.
17
Julián Sánchez Pimienta
Caja Rural
s.t.
18
Javier Moreno
Caja Rural
s.t.
19
Robert Gesink
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
20
Cadel Evans
Katusha Team
s.t.
21
Jelle Vanendert
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
22
Wilco Kelderman
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 48
23
Franco Pellizotti
Lampre - Generali
+ 2'05
24
Simon Gerrans
Team Qantas
s.t.
25
Sébastien Minard
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
26
Wout Poels
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
27
Emanuele Sella
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
28
Levi Leipheimer
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
29
Francesco Ginanni
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
30
Richie Porte
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
31
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
32
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
33
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
34
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
35
Daniel Navarro
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
36
Gabriele Bosisio
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
37
Maxime Monfort
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
38
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
39
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
s.t.
40
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
s.t.
41
Jan Bakelants
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
42
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
43
Iban Mayoz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
44
Ivan Basso
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
45
Wim Van Huffel
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
46
Alberto Losada
Katusha Team
s.t.
47
Andreas Klöden
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
48
Rafael Valls
Nespresso
s.t.
49
Romain Zingle
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 3'25
50
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 4'06
51
Vincenzo Nibali
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
+ 4'32
52
Arkaitz Durán
Nespresso
s.t.
53
Michael Albasini
Team Qantas
s.t.
54
Ángel Vicioso
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
55
Tadej Valjavec
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
56
Óscar Sevilla
Movistar Team
s.t.
57
Jens Voigt
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
58
Íñigo Cuesta
Caja Rural
s.t.
59
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
60
Stephen Cummings
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
61
Denis Menchov
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
62
Thomas Rohregger
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
63
Pierre Rolland
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
64
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
65
Frederik Willems
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
66
Daniel Martin
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
67
Leonardo Duque
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
68
Sergio Pardilla
Movistar Team
s.t.
69
Matteo Tosatto
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 5'27
70
Karsten Kroon
BMC Racing Team
+ 6'18
71
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
72
Simon Spilak
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
73
Gustavo César Veloso
Movistar Team
s.t.
74
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
75
Kevin De Weert
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
76
Leonardo Moser
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
77
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
78
Óscar Pujol
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
79
Alexandre Botcharov
Katusha Team
s.t.
80
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
81
Roberto Ferrari
Androni Giocattoli
+ 7'05
82
Davide Malacarne
Team Europcar
s.t.
83
Janez Brajkovič
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
+ 7'30
84
Gianni Meersman
FDJ
s.t.
85
Arthur Vichot
FDJ
s.t.
86
Javier Francisco Aramendia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
87
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
88
Kim Kirchen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
89
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
90
Andrey Zeits
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
91
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
92
Fumiyuki Beppu
Team Qantas
s.t.
93
Nuno Ribeiro
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
94
Carlos José Ochoa
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
95
Maarten Wynants
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
96
Pavel Brutt
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
97
José Ángel Gómez Marchante
Team Europcar
s.t.
98
Jack Bobridge
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
99
Daniel Teklehaimanot
Team Qantas
s.t.
100
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
+ 8'51
101
Vasil Kiryienka
Pro Team Astana
+ 9'14
102
Fränk Schleck
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
103
Xavier Florencio
Nespresso
s.t.
104
Juan José Cobo
Nespresso
s.t.
105
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
106
Anthony Colby
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
107
Christian Vande Velde
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
108
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
109
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
110
Bradley Wiggins
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
111
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
112
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
113
David Loosli
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
114
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
115
Iñaki Isasi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
116
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
117
Remmert Wielinga
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
118
Pablo Urtasun
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 9'53
119
Mathieu Sprick
Team Europcar
+ 10'31
120
Dennis Van Winden
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
121
Aitor Pérez Arrieta
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
122
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
123
Rubén Martínez
Caja Rural
s.t.
124
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
+ 11'04
125
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
s.t.
126
Matteo Pelucchi
Nespresso
s.t.
127
Vicente Reynès
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
128
Anthony Roux
FDJ
s.t.
129
Carlos Oyarzun
Movistar Team
s.t.
130
Dominique Rollin
FDJ
s.t.
131
Martijn Keizer
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
132
Albert Timmer
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
133
Chad Beyer
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
134
Daniele Ratto
Nespresso
s.t.
135
Simone Masciarelli
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
136
Adam Hansen
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
137
William Bonnet
FDJ
s.t.
138
Luis Pasamontes
Movistar Team
+ 13'14
139
Gustav Erik Larsson
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 13'39
140
Simon Clarke
Team Qantas
s.t.
141
Travis Meyer
Team Qantas
+ 14'15
142
Matthias Brändle
Nespresso
s.t.
143
Mirco Lorenzetto
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
144
Peter Stetina
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
145
Marcel Kittel
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
146
Davide Bonuccelli
Nespresso
+ 15'23
147
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 15'42
148
Robert Hunter
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 16'32
149
Gert Steegmans
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
150
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
151
Americo Novembrini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
152
Roman Kireyev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
153
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
154
Garikoitz Bravo
Caja Rural
s.t.
155
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 17'53
156
Shawn Milne
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
157
José Herrada
Caja Rural
s.t.
158
Jarosław Marycz
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 21'03
159
Valentin Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
+ 22'49
160
Vincent Jérôme
Team Europcar
s.t.
161
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 23'31
162
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
163
Sam Bewley
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
164
Joaquín Sobrino
Caja Rural
s.t.
165
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
s.t.
166
Guillaume Le Floch
Team Europcar
s.t.
167
Brett Lancaster
Team Qantas
+ 25'06
168
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
s.t.
169
Aidis Kruopis
Team Qantas
+ 25'49
170
Eloy Teruel
Caja Rural
+ 26'53
171
Graeme Brown
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
172
John Murphy
BMC Racing Team
+ 27'45
173
Kalle Kriit
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
174
Wouter Mol
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
175
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
176
Mathieu Claude
Team Europcar
s.t.
Points
1
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
25
2
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Generali
20
3
Alberto Contador
Saxo Bank SunGard
16
4
Chris Horner
Lotto - Belisol
14
5
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
12
KOTM
A proud Wout Poels gets to kiss the girls and is showing the red jersey!
1
Wout Poels
Monster Energy - Ford
17
2
Sébastien Minard
Sony Ericsson
15
3
Matteo Tosatto
Saxo Bank SunGard
4
4
Wilco Kelderman
Monster Energy - Ford
3
5
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
2
Today's winner
Word from the DS
It's a very good start of the Vuelta al Pais Vasco for the team. Poels is in the lead of the KOTM-rankings and Sagan, Gesink & Vanendert are among the 21 riders that wil lbattle for the GC-win.
I hate Ligthart
