Sammy is a prime candidate for the win along with Valverde. He only lost a minute today and will look to take considerable time back in the time trial, so we'll see how it goes for him!
It wasn't so much of a surprise to see Sammy Sanchez win today's stage, but the manner in which he did so was hard to ignore, beating specialists like Devolder and Phinney by 40 seconds.
Alejandro Valverde
Valverde and Quintana both lost around 2'20" but it could have been worse for them given Sanchez's form. Valverde has 46 seconds to find on Sanchez in the closing stages, which seems likely to happen.
Valverde might have looked good before, but Sammy Sanchez had no intention of making life easy for him.
Samuel Sanchez
He broke clear early on the penultimate climb and Caisse and Liberty failed to keep things under control. He flew up the final sharp incline and ended up making 2 further minutes on Valverde who was next in. Things have swung drastically in the Asturian's favour.
Up the Angilru was Valverde's last chance to bite back at Sanchez. He put him under pressure and took back 2 minutes, but that's still 1 minute short ahead of the procession around Madrid. Further up the road, Quintana thrived on the steep roads and clinched a solo victory.
Unbelievable! Sammy Sanchez went down 8km from the line, and was unable to claw his way back to the peleton before the finish. Which means Valverde finally breaks his curse, but only in the cruelest and most dubious of manners.
Jose Joaquin Rojas
Valverde still might not have convinced everyone yet, but team-mate Rojas has put on many convincing displays of late, and rounded off a joyful day for Caisse with his second stage of La Vuelta.
Last two races of the season coming up and then I'll round everything up.
Jimmy Engoulvent
Jimmy Engoulvent went out and pleased the home crowds today and took a fairly comfortable win to add to his 2nd place at the GP Luxembourg. A good season for him. Next fastest were Stijn Devolder and Magno Prado Nazaret.
4 men made it over the final climb - defending champion Cunego, along with Gerrans, Jim and Quintana (who needed to win today if he wanted to be this year's League Champion). However, it was the Australian Simon Gerrans who outwitted the others at the finish to take his only win of the season.
It's time for the moment you've all been waiting for... *Drum roll please*
Spoiler
We have a new champion!
Podiums at the Giro and Suisse, top 10 at Le Tour, and winning La Vuelta won Valverde the League Championship through consistency.
Quite the contrast of the dominance that Robert Gesink, only 4th this time round, displayed last year, but most will credit Valverde as the strongest rider this year.
Quintana just edged out Sanchez for 2nd thanks to his performance at Il Lombardia.
Spoiler
They took the lead prior to La Vuelta and there was no chance of them dropping it after that - Caisse are this year's best team!
Valverde took over half their points, but considerable thanks must also go to Rojas, Contador and Luis Leon Sanchez for their contributions.
At the bottom, we must say good-bye to Vacansoleil and Tinkoff, two teams who struggled throughout the season to make their mark on the Diamond League.
Spoiler
Not too much to comment on here as Spain wrap up consecutive best nation awards.
Particuarly impressive was the South American influence on the league this year: Colombia, Venezuala and Brazil occupying places 5-7.
Before we close up for the season, we should take a quick look at who will replace our relegated teams for next season:
Spoiler
Yeah they can't afford fancy background colours down in Divison 2
Anyway, Coca-Cola clinched the title for promotion. Behind, Diamond League rules stipulate that only 2 teams from one country may participate in the top division. Thus Allianz go up despite finishing 5th. Best of luck to them in surviving next season, just as Bouygues and Joker managed this year!
That's this season done, although team transfers are already well under way and will be presented before we move onto season 3.
Thanks a lot for everyone who tuned into the Diamond League for it's first 'proper' season. I hope you enjoyed this season, and hopefully I'll see you all next season too!
I've got a couple other things to keep us occupied during the off-season. For starters, I forgot to do a 'summary in pictures' so I'll create one tommorow. For now, here is a list of riders who are hanging up their wheels at the season end:
Spoiler
Juan Antonio Flecha
Cadel Evans
Haimar Zubeldia
Leif Hoste
Robbie Hunter
Ivan Basso
Maarten Tjallingii
David Millar
Bjorn Leukemans
Cadel Evans perhaps didn't live up to expectations in the diamond league and he particuarly struggled to make an impression on his final season. However, his best memory is surely winning the TdF time trial in season 1.
Bjorn Leukemans will be fondly remembered for his solo victory at the inaugural Ronde Van Vlaanderen.
Ivan Basso made sure to leave his mark on the Diamond League with a memorable solo victory in the penultimate stage of the Giro d'Italia. In addition, he only narrowly missed out on 2nd place at the Giro, and the mountains jersey at the Vuelta this year, after serving as a loyal domestique to Vincenzo Nibali much of last year.
Leif Hoste may have only had 2 seasons in the Diamond League but he leaves us with many fond memories, least of all his victory at Paris-Roubaix in season 1. His farewell gift this season was the overall classification at the Tour of Belgium, and earning his 2nd "Cobblestoner of the year" award, which will be renamed in his honour.
Cancer Research Classic Murilo Fischer got his season off to a flier in Melbourne. Just like Petacchi did last year, Fischer went on to finish as the season's highest ranked sprinter.
Tour of Qatar And, with the help of leadout man Benatti, he took a stage and the overall in Qatar to establish a sizeable lead at the top of the league rankings.
Tour of the Kenyan Highlands Remember this? Frank Schleck thought he'd won in Kenya, but was horrified to see young Dominik Nerz spring up on him on the line. Fortunately the Luxembourger was spared his blushes as he still crossed the line first.
Giro dell'Emilia Gio Visconti made it two wins on the trot for Joker on their way to survival in the top league. The other promotees, Bouygues, have similarly managed to stick around for another year.
Ronde Van Vlaanderen Then it was time to head onto the cobblestones, where Lars Boom had no opposition in winning this year's Ronde.
Paris-Roubaix However, we had a more surprising winner at Paris-Roubaix, where Italian Quinziato burst away from the others and held on to celebrate in the velodrome.
GP Luxembourg Closing out the classic season, another surprise was produced. A strong breakaway spoiled the show for the puncheurs and "Lulu" Sanchez was on hand to take the honours on the treacherous course.
Giro d'Italia Surely this year's most memorable moment was produced atop Isola 2000 in the Giro, where the now-retired Ivan Basso produced a breathtaking "Landis-style" solo win which almost won him the maglia rosa.
But the coveted jersey was ultimately to be contested between these two men. "The Wonderkid" Quintana ultimately prevailed on Isola to wrest the pink jersey from Valverde. Some began to wonder whether Valverde was simply cursed to never win a Grand Tour in the Diamond League.
Tour de Suisse Onto Suisse, where Robert Gesink gave us another taste of the talent which won him 2 grand tours last year, dominating both mountain stages at Sante-Croix and (pictured) Verbier.
Le Tour But it was not to be for Robert at Le Tour. Despite earning the maillot jaune on stage 4, it was Jose Rujano who got into all the right moves in the mountains and ultimately eased to victory in the final time trial.
La Vuelta Valverde took control on Sierra Nevada and looked to be on his way to finally breaking his GT curse. He didn't bargain on Sammy Sanchez making 4 minutes on him in the next 2 stages, but ultimately it was 6th time lucky for Alejandro, after Sanchez fell victim to the cruellest of crashes in Madrid.
Il Lombardia So it was time to close out the season, and it was Simon Gerrans who prevailed in Lombardy. His points saved Drapac from the drop this year, but rumour has it he is nonetheless in negotiations with Rabobank for coming season.
Funny calendar in this one Nice story, but I'm not sure I've quite grabbed the concept here. Are the riders with random stats or something?
Must admit it was very surprising to see Fischer so dominant in the early races of the calendar and later, on the TdF. And Magno Nazaret placing 2nd on the Tour ITT, something's clearly not right But Rujano won the Tour, that was great. Well deserved after that early attack Edited by lluuiiggii on 03-02-2013 15:40
Yep definitely something is not right with this story
The stats are calculated using a tiered system. Lvl 4s have the best stats, Lvl1s only have basic stats. At the end of the season, your level can go up or down based on your performances, which will be presented along with the teams and transfers soon.
But for now, I'm keeping the exact distribution of stats a secret
The new German set-up are looking to do better than the embarrassment of 'Thorn' in Season 1. They've done well to bring in Dyachenko, whose consistency in the Grand Tours last season nearly single-handedly spared Tinkoff from the drop. However, given Ciolek's inexperience on the big stage thus far, Dyachenko may have to replicate or perhaps better those results to spare the Germans.
ASTANA
Last Season
17th
Name
Specialisation
Level
2012 Team
Assan Bazayev
Sprinter
3
Astana
Thomas De Gendt*
Stage Racer
2
Vacansoleil
Denis Galimzyanov
Sprinter
2
Astana
Maxim Iglinsky
Puncheur
4
Astana
Daniel Oss*
Cobblestones
3
Saunier
Egor Silin
Stage Racer
2
Astana
Thomas Vaitkus
Sprinter
3
Astana
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Stage Racer
3
Astana
Leader(s)
Maxim Iglinsky
Computer Prediction
4th
Comment
After struggling through last season, Astana have done well in the off-season, bringing in Oss for the classics and De Gendt as extra support for Van den Broeck. Iglinsky's progression sees them with a chance of taking a big win or two this season, and Bazayev and Vaitkus should pick up a few scraps in sprint finishes. A very well-rounded squad, although they will have to do well to live up to the 4th place ranking predicted by the computer.
BMC
Last Season
18th
Name
Specialisation
Level
2012 Team
Marcus Burghardt*
Cobblestones
2
Lotto
Ali Horsfall*
Puncheur
1
neopro
Daryll Impey*
Sprinter
2
Barloworld
Songezo Jim*
Puncheur
3
Barloworld
Paul Kearns*
Stage Racer
1
neopro
Adriano Malori
Time Trial
2
BMC
Nico Sijmens
Cobblestones
3
BMC
Andrew Talansky
Stage Racer
1
BMC
Leader(s)
Songezo Jim, Nico Sijmens
Computer Prediction
15th
Comment
A season to forget last year was concluded with the announcement that their leader, Tyler Farrar, was headed to greener pastures in Belgium (Lotto). They rallied to bring in Songezo Jim, still a risky move given Jim's dissapointing stint as a Lvl 4 Puncheur. And I'm not convinced that a couple of neo-pros are going to be enough to keep BMC out of the relegation battle once more.
BOUYGUES
Last Season
16th
Name
Specialisation
Level
2012 Team
Eros Capecchi
Stage Racer
2
Bouygues
BOU
Jonathan Castroviejo
Time Trial
2
Bouygues
BOU
Sebastien Chavanel
Sprinter
2
Bouygues
BOU
Mathias Frank
Climber
1
Bouygues
BOU
Vasil Kiryienka
Time Trial
1
Bouygues
BOU
Gregory Rast*
Cobblestones
3
Tinkoff
BOU
Nicolas Roche
Stage Racer
4
Bouygues
BOU
Sebastien Turgot
Cobblestones
2
Bouygues
BOU
Leader(s)
Nicolas Roche
Computer Prediction
12th
Comment
Bouygues have decided to stick with the same core of riders that saved them from the drop last season, although they lost top point scorer Johnny Hoogerland, who was replaced by Gregory Rast. The focus of the team this year is clear: Roche, Roche, Roche. And if they succeed in that sense, they could be set up for a strong showing during their second season in the top flight.
CAISSE
Last Season
1st
Name
Specialisation
Level
2012 Team
Alberto Contador
Stage Racer
3
Caisse
Thor Hushovd
Sprinter
3
Caisse
Matthieu Ladagnous
Cobblestones
2
Caisse
Daniel Navarro
Climber
1
Caisse
Joaquin Rodriguez
Puncheur
2
Caisse
Juan Jose Rojas
Sprinter
4
Caisse
Samuel Sanchez*
Stage Racer
4
Saunier
Alejandro Valverde
Climber
4
Caisse
Leader(s)
Alejandro Valverde, Samuel Sanchez, Jose Joaquin Rojas
Computer Prediction
1st
Comment
Wow. Just one transfer, but it's only Samuel-frigging-Sanchez who links up with reigning champion Valverde and Contador. Their presence in the Tours and sprints (Rojas + Hushovd) will be unquestionable - the only question is: will their leading trio start to get in the way of each other?
CERVELO
Last Season
15th
Name
Specialisation
Level
2012 Team
Tom Boonen*
Cobblestones
3
QuickStep
Fabian Cancellara
Time Trial
4
Cervelo
Gert Dockx
Cobblestones
4
Cervelo
Pierrick Fedrigo
Puncheur
1
Cervelo
Heinrich Haussler
Sprinter
3
Cervelo
Ryder Hesjedal
Stage Racer
2
Cervelo
Gustav Larsson
Time Trial
2
Cervelo
Oliver Zaugg
Puncheur
1
Cervelo
Leader(s)
Gert Dockx, Fabian Cancellara
Computer Prediction
6th
Comment
A good signing comes in the form of Tom Boonen, however sources suggest that his pre-season preparations have since been badly disrupted. We'll see how that affects his performances come Spring.
Whilst they will be a force to be reckoned with on the cobbles, I don't really see them living up to the 6th place prediction - that is unless Gert Dockx has some huge results up his sleeve.
1
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Tour of Qatar
Tour of the Kenyan Highlands
Ronde Van Vlaanderen
Paris-Roubaix
GP Luxembourg
Netherlands Tour
Murilo Fischer (Liquigas)
Nice story, but I'm not sure I've quite grabbed the concept here. Are the riders with random stats or something?
Juan Jose Haedo*
Denis Galimzyanov
Thomas Vaitkus
Daryll Impey*
Vasil Kiryienka
Thor Hushovd
Ryder Hesjedal
Gustav Larsson
