The Czech GC rider of Pro Continental team NetApp - Endura has a good chance of winning this years Tour of California after showing good form in the recent Tour of Basque Country where he secured 8th place in the GC after hanging on to the likes of Contador on stage 5 and then backing that up with a strong time trial. He will have Mitchell Birt for support in the mountains, the young aussie climber.
Po-Ding Kim
The North Korean man mountain of Team Europcar is a first year pro, but you wouldn't have thought so. The Volta a Algarve winner is second to only riders like Tony Martin and Fabian Cancellara when it comes to the art of Time Trialling and certainly has the legs for the mountain stage too. Pierre Rolland, a great climber himself will be vital support for Kim.
Christan De Vries
Another neo-pro comes in the race as a favourite. The Champion Systems rider is a strong 23 year old Dutchman who is a specialists in the long climbers and the long time trials. With the results of other neo-pros this season, don't be surprised if he takes away a very nice result.
Tanel Kangert
The Estonia will have a chance to show himself once again in a leaders role. The last time he was given the opportunity he certainly took it, claiming second in the GC in Argentina. Astana have sent a strong team here so he won't be lacking the support in the race to express himself.
The Spinters
Peter Sagan
This man needs know introduction, the Slovakian took 5 stages of the Tour of California last year and went on later to win the green jersey at the Tour de France. Well known for being the best all rounder, don't be surprised to see him take multiply stage wins here.
Tyler Farrar
The American sprinter may not be his best anymore but on home soil it might give him a spark he'll need to take a victory. Although if he finds himself in the best position towards the end of a stage there is no reason why he can't cause an upset to Sagan.
Bryan Coquard
The Europcar is part of a group of very talented sprinters coming out from France at the moment. 4 Top 10s against the best sprinters in the world isn't to be looked at too lightly. he also came a close second at the Criterium International.
Edited by nacho63 on 15-04-2014 13:28
[img-l]https://www.velowire.com/calendar/racelogos/1873.png[/img-l] Welcome to the 83rd edition of the Baloise Belgium Tour. 16 teams, eight from the World tour and as many from Procontinental level, came together to fight for success over 5 stages, containing cobbles, hills and a time trial. There will be a chance for any kind of rider, except for climbers but noone would send a climber here.
Last year the race was dominated by their home colours, but sorted differently. Four out of the five stages went to Germans, with only the last one being taken by Carlos Betancur. André Greipel and his team were the ones to celebrate on the first three stages. Tony Martin took in the following timetrial the win and the overall classification which he could defend at the last stage.
Let's get to this years route. The first stage is already the longest, but won't be a problem for the favourites, as it is panflat without any obstacles.
On the second stage the fight for the general classification already begins. The peloton will have to tackle three cobbled sectors, one of them pretty close to the finish. Also important, that cobble sector is uphill.
At the following timetrial the field will be shaked up again. Last year the race was decided at the timetrial. This year Tony Martin is not here, though. Who will step up for him?
Stage three is another one for the sprinters, but considering the bumps the chance of a win through a late attack by a puncheur can't be neglected.
At the last stage the punching skills will be important. The entire stage there is almost no flat road, it's either up or down. The final uphill finish will most certainly still bring some shake ups in the Overall Classification.
We saw the route now, it will be interesting now to see who we need to put on our favourites list. For that we will look at every team and their lineup and analyse their chances at the Belgium Tour. First let's take a look at the startlist:
It is very obvious that some big stars made their trip to the start in Lochristi. We will take a look alphabetically on the team the first one is Accent Jobs.
Accent Jobs
The Ronde van Belgium is the home race of the team and should be of major importance for the team. Surprisingly the team management thought different and only send a weak line up. Jempy Drucker will try to surprise at the sprint finishes. Other than that we can expect the team to be seen in breakaways.
BMC
The goal for BMC is obvious. Philippe Gilbert won't be happy with anything less than the General classification. The last stage just seems to be made for him. Also on the team is Greg Van Avermaet who will be an important force on the cobbles. Young sprinter Adam Blythe will compete at the sprint stages.
Belkin
Not the strongest lineup possible for Belkin, but Theo Bos will ceratinly be able to keep up with the best at stage 1 and 4. On the cobbles Wynants and Tjallingi will share leadership.
Bretagne
The only chance of success for Bretagne is through breakaways. Anyone of their riders would be a strong rider for a break but for nothing more.
Caja Rural
Caja Rural goes for the flat stages. Francesco Lasca is not a top favourite, but could certainly score some valuable points. He is supported by Cardoso and youngster Pietor Furan.
Cannondale
Jakub Krizan is a strong favourite for a Top 10 spot, as he is capable of riding over hills and over cobbles. His support is rather weak though, Kristjan Koren being the strongest helper on every terrain.
Champion Systems
It will be interesting to see what Kakhi can do after his podium finish in Dunkerque. He will be a major threat on the hills for the top favourites, but his cobbles skill is rather weak. It can be expected to see some Champion Systems rider taking a spot in break aways.
Cofidis
Cofidis has two leaders that could surprise. On the one hand there is Petre Lixandru, a strong cobbler, but he will loose a lot of time in the time trial. To solve that issue there is Rein Taaramäe. He speculates on not loosing too much time on the cobbles and getting that back in the timetrial. It can for sure be expected that he will be among the best on the hilly last stage.
Crelan
Maxime Vantomme could surprise many. He is not the strongest on all of the important specialities for this race, but has no weakness in any of them. WIth a little luck, a top ten is possible for him.
Europcar
Europcar is one of the strongest teams here. Sébastian Turgot is one of the best cobblers and Christian Schröder one of the best puncheurs represented in the race. Both will loose time in the special terrain of the other and in the time trial. In the end Schröder will probably finish ahead of Turgot.
Euskaltel
The team is lead by young Belgian Rudy Verboven, who would have, if it wasn't for the timetrial, had a chance to finish very high in the overall. It's a shame for him that my dog can better timetrial than him. Fortunately there is Ion Izagirre to step up for him and fight for a great overall placement. On top of that JJ Lobato can bring good results in the sprints.
Lotto
Lotto is going for the sprints, what a surprise, but here they are going for oldie Greg Henderson. He will be able to get some got placings but nothing superior. A little weird seems the decision to send De Clercq here. It will be hard for him to score anything in the final stage. His racedays could have been spent better.
Omega Pharma
Without a doubt is Tom Boonen one of the top favourites. He is not only maybe the best cobbler, but also a good sprinter, who could secure with the help of his team bonus seconds in the sprints. Also he is not a worse timetrialer than his concurrents. Before the last stage he will probably have margin on Gilbert. The question is whether it will be enough.
Sky
Sithembile and Boasson Hagen will be joined leaders in this race. Both could fight for a podium in the general. Due to the time trial EBH probably a little bit higher than Sithembile. Let's not forget their strong support team! Bernhard Eisel, Geraint Thomas, Ian Stannard, Matthew Hayman.. Some teams here would be happy to have a rider like this as their leader here.
Topsport
Van Staeyen is a force to be reckoned with in the mass sprints. Other than that this is typical team that will try to get into breaks.
Vacansoleil
Juan Antonio Flecha, supported by Leukemans is one of the bigger favourites to take this race. Also Barry Markus is one of the stronger sprinters that came here. We can expect Vacansoleil to do good here.
Now we know all the teams and riders and can look forward to an awesome five day period of racing!
Stage Favourites:
*****Greipel
***Ciolek ***Kristoff
The final stage is here. We end, once more, with a stage for the sprinters. After Griepel won on the uphill sprint on stage 3 he looks to have found his sprinting legs after a poor start to the race.
Kristoff can jump from 4th to 3rd if he finishes on the podium.
Finetto makes his third break.
Mauro Finetto, wearing the polka dots, attacked from the off today. He would make his third break of this tour, the only rider to do so. He is definitely the most aggressive rider here.
Finetto (52nd @ 2'53) would be the best placed in GC of the seven man break today. He would be joined by: Delaplace, Cammaerts, Manakov, Lequatre, Thwaites and Parrinello.
Finetto secures the polka dots.
In the fight for the KOM jersey Finetto and Pedrovski started the day level on 28 points. Thanks to being in the break, and crossing the only KOM sprint point on the day 1st, Finetto would secure the polka dots for Vini Fantini.
KOM results
Spoiler
97 KM to go:
Finetto 10 points
Thwaites 8 points
Manakov 6 points
Delaplace 4 points
Parrinello 2 points
Finetto showed he was the best of the break once again today. He would pass through the three intermediate sprint points first.
Intermediate sprint results.
Spoiler
135 KM to go:
Finetto 6 points/ 6 seconds
Parrinello 4 points/ 4 seconds
Manakov 2 points/ 2 seconds
83 KM to go:
Finetto 6 points/ 6 seconds
Manakov 4 points/ 4 seconds
Lequatre 2 points/ 2 seconds
20 KM to go:
Finetto 6 points/ 6 seconds
Thwaites 4 points/ 4 seconds
Delaplace 2 points/ 2 seconds
The 'big 3' closing down the break.
Katusha, MTN and Lotto would close down the break with ease. All teams were hungry for one last stage win here.
Europcar: What a tour!
Europcar will enter bigger races than this, but they probably won't forget this race and the great success they have achieved here.
Julien Simon puts in a late attack.
We go under the 10 KM to go banner, with the original break caught, and Simon puts in an attack. The last attack of this tour. It is a brave effort but he only survives for a few meters before being swallowed up.
Selig leads out Kristoff with 350 meters to go.
Katusha take up the sprint first today. Can they get Kristoff on the podium for the fourth time? Greipel, however, is poised on the wheel and the points leader, Ciolek, is not too far behind.
Kristoff strikes for home.
With 240 meters to go Kristoff leads the race. On his wheel is .... Chicchi! We haven't seen the streaky Italian all race, but he is having a good go of it today.
Greipel and Ciolek, however, after losing some ground come storming up the finishing straight. There can be only one winner...
Greipel takes his second stage win in style!
The German powers away to win by two bike lengths over Ciolek, and proves he is the top sprinter here, when he gets it right. Ciolek finishes in 2nd that is good enough for him to take home the points jersey. Kristoff just manages to hold off Božic and Chicchi for 3rd, he moves up to third in the GC. Van Poppel, for the first time, misses out on the top four. The top three finished on the podium on all of the stages bar the TT.
Po-ding Kim wins the Bayern Rundfahrt.
The jerseys.
Finetto wraps up the polka dots and he deserves it after three days in the breakaway. Ciolek, may have not won as many stages as Greipel, but he was the most consistent, he takes home the points jersey.
Po-ding Kim showed phenomenal form in the TT. He wraps up the white jersey and the yellow jersey. His team Europcar take home the accolade of winning the team classification.
STAGE RESULTS:
1
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
3h52'20
2
Gerald Ciolek
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
3
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
s.t.
4
Borut Božic
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
5
Francesco Chicchi
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
6
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
s.t.
7
Roger Kluge
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
8
Florian Vachon
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
9
Lue Khamse Khamphan
Team Europcar
s.t.
10
Bobbie Traksel
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Po-ding Kim
Team Europcar
s.t.
12
Stéphane Poulhiès
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
13
Danny Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
14
Mattia Gavazzi
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
15
Arnaud Gérard
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
16
Christian De Vries
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
17
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
18
Julien Simon
Sojasun
s.t.
19
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
20
Andreas Stauff
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
21
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
22
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
s.t.
23
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
24
Mauro Finetto
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
25
Abraham Denisov
Katusha Team
s.t.
26
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
27
Wesley Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
28
Matthew Brammeier
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
29
Andrey Zeits
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
30
Jan Barta
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
31
Martin Reimer
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
32
Geoffroy Lequatre
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
33
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
34
Scott Thwaites
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
35
Jordan Birtles
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
36
Wouter Mol
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
37
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
s.t.
38
Matteo Rabottini
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
39
Paul Voss
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
40
Ángel Vicioso
Katusha Team
s.t.
41
Christopher Sutton
Sky Procycling
s.t.
42
Boy Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
43
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
s.t.
44
Oscar Gatto
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
45
Jimmy Engoulvent
Sojasun
s.t.
46
Edwig Cammaerts
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
47
Renaud Dion
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
48
Egor Silin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
49
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
50
Josef Hintermuller
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
51
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
52
Ruslan Tleubayev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
53
Antonino Parrinello
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
54
Joshua Edmonson
Sky Procycling
s.t.
55
Anthony Delaplace
Sojasun
s.t.
56
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
s.t.
57
Assan Bazayev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
58
Richard Löwenherz
Katusha Team
s.t.
59
Alexander Wetterhall
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
60
Gang Xu
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
61
Gert Joeaar
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
62
Tony Hurel
Team Europcar
s.t.
63
Stefano Garzelli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
64
Giairo Ermeti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
65
Francesco Failli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
66
Patrick Facchini
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
67
Clinton Avery
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
68
Tristan Valentin
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
69
Nicolas Edet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
70
Alex Fischer
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
71
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
s.t.
72
Chun Feng
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
73
Omar Bertazzo
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
74
Pieter De Vries
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
75
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
s.t.
76
Yoann Bagot
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
77
Brice Feillu
Sojasun
s.t.
78
Martin Wesemann
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
79
Drago Di Silvestro
Team Europcar
s.t.
80
Alexey Lutsenko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
81
Thomas Schwabe
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
82
Zakkari Dempster
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
83
Johann Van Zyl
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
84
Alexander Mironov
RusVelo
s.t.
85
Marouane Shaqif
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
86
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
s.t.
87
Rémi Pauriol
Sojasun
s.t.
88
Songezo Jim
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
89
Dermot Walker
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
90
Matteo Di Serafino
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
91
Alessandro Malaguti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
92
Xabier Zandio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
93
Joseph Dombrowski
Sky Procycling
s.t.
94
Jonathan Hivert
Sojasun
s.t.
95
Victor Manakov
RusVelo
s.t.
96
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
97
Jean-Luc Delpech
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
98
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
s.t.
99
Maarten Neyens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
100
Wladi Pedrovski
RusVelo
s.t.
101
Jose Alberto Juárez
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
102
Sergei Pomoshnikov
RusVelo
s.t.
103
Serguei Klimov
RusVelo
s.t.
104
Javier Francisco Aramendia
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
105
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
106
Rob Ruijgh
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
107
Marcos García
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
108
Sergey Firsanov
RusVelo
s.t.
109
Pierre-Luc Périchon
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
110
Yonder Godoy
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
111
Igor Boev
RusVelo
s.t.
112
Francisco Javier Moreno
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
113
Karol Domagalski
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
114
André Cardoso
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
115
Iván Velasco
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
116
Harald Totschnig
Tirol Cycling Team
+ 3'53
117
Biao Liu
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
118
Zachary Bell
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
119
Hannes Kapeller
Tirol Cycling Team
s.t.
120
David Wöhrer
Tirol Cycling Team
s.t.
121
Martin Weiss
Tirol Cycling Team
s.t.
122
Stefan Praxmarer
Tirol Cycling Team
s.t.
123
Marc Obkircher
Tirol Cycling Team
s.t.
FINAL POINTS:
1
Gerald Ciolek
MTN - Qhubeka
85
2
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
80
3
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
78
4
Danny Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
49
5
Borut Božic
Astana Pro Team
43
6
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
43
7
Mauro Finetto
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
36
8
Francesco Chicchi
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
34
9
Po-ding Kim
Team Europcar
30
10
Jonathan Hivert
Sojasun
27
Spoiler
11
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
25
12
Mattia Gavazzi
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
23
13
Christian De Vries
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
21
14
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
20
15
Florian Vachon
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
17
16
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
16
17
Jordan Birtles
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
14
18
Assan Bazayev
Astana Pro Team
12
19
Wladi Pedrovski
RusVelo
12
20
Stéphane Poulhiès
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
12
21
Julien Simon
Sojasun
12
22
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
10
23
Jan Barta
Team NetApp - Endura
9
24
Arnaud Gérard
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
9
25
Roger Kluge
Team NetApp - Endura
9
26
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
8
27
Bobbie Traksel
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
8
28
Edwig Cammaerts
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
8
29
Victor Manakov
RusVelo
8
30
Lue Khamse Khamphan
Team Europcar
7
31
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
7
32
Marouane Shaqif
MTN - Qhubeka
7
33
Josef Hintermuller
MTN - Qhubeka
6
34
André Cardoso
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
6
35
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
6
36
Oscar Gatto
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
6
37
Scott Thwaites
Team NetApp - Endura
6
38
Thomas Schwabe
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
5
39
Andreas Stauff
MTN - Qhubeka
5
40
Antonino Parrinello
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
4
41
Wesley Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
4
42
Drago Di Silvestro
Team Europcar
4
43
Clinton Avery
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
4
44
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
3
45
Geoffroy Lequatre
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
3
46
Matthew Brammeier
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
3
47
Christopher Sutton
Sky Procycling
2
48
Francesco Failli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
2
49
Anthony Delaplace
Sojasun
2
50
Sergey Firsanov
RusVelo
2
51
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
1
52
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
1
FINAL KOM:
1
Mauro Finetto
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
38
2
Wladi Pedrovski
RusVelo
28
3
Assan Bazayev
Astana Pro Team
26
4
Scott Thwaites
Team NetApp - Endura
26
5
Julien Simon
Sojasun
24
6
Francesco Failli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
16
7
Clinton Avery
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
16
8
Victor Manakov
RusVelo
16
9
Jonathan Hivert
Sojasun
14
10
Karol Domagalski
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
10
Spoiler
11
Gert Joeaar
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
10
12
André Cardoso
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
8
13
Francisco Javier Moreno
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
8
14
Wesley Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
6
15
Edwig Cammaerts
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
4
16
Anthony Delaplace
Sojasun
4
17
Arnaud Gérard
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
4
18
Antonino Parrinello
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
2
19
Matteo Rabottini
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
2
20
Dermot Walker
Team NetApp - Endura
2
FINAL GC:
1
Po-ding Kim
Team Europcar
18h59'42
2
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
+ 27
3
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
+ 52
4
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
+ 55
5
Jordan Birtles
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1'01
6
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'03
7
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
+ 1'07
8
Christian De Vries
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'08
9
Jan Barta
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
10
Josef Hintermuller
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 1'22
Spoiler
11
Thomas Schwabe
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1'28
12
Gerald Ciolek
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 1'31
13
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'41
14
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
+ 1'43
15
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'44
16
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
+ 1'51
17
Jimmy Engoulvent
Sojasun
+ 1'58
18
Jonathan Hivert
Sojasun
+ 2'01
19
Alexander Wetterhall
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 2'02
20
Alexey Lutsenko
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'07
21
Danny Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'08
22
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Belisol
+ 2'15
23
Rob Ruijgh
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'16
24
Paul Voss
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 2'17
25
Ángel Vicioso
Katusha Team
+ 2'18
26
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
27
Nicolas Edet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 2'19
28
Assan Bazayev
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'20
29
Borut Božic
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'22
30
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
+ 2'25
31
Egor Silin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
32
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
s.t.
33
Joseph Dombrowski
Sky Procycling
s.t.
34
André Cardoso
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
+ 2'26
35
Wladi Pedrovski
RusVelo
+ 2'28
36
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
+ 2'29
37
Javier Francisco Aramendia
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
+ 2'30
38
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
+ 2'31
39
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
+ 2'32
40
Omar Bertazzo
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
41
Mauro Finetto
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
+ 2'35
42
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'37
43
Xabier Zandio
Sky Procycling
+ 2'38
44
Bobbie Traksel
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'40
45
Christopher Sutton
Sky Procycling
s.t.
46
Oscar Gatto
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
+ 2'46
47
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'49
48
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
+ 2'50
49
Boy Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'51
50
Alex Fischer
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
51
Maarten Neyens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
52
Abraham Denisov
Katusha Team
+ 2'52
53
Francesco Failli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
+ 2'54
54
Martin Reimer
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 2'56
55
Marcos García
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
+ 2'58
56
Richard Löwenherz
Katusha Team
+ 3'01
57
Edwig Cammaerts
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
58
Stéphane Poulhiès
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 3'03
59
Lue Khamse Khamphan
Team Europcar
s.t.
60
Andrey Zeits
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
61
Ruslan Tleubayev
Astana Pro Team
+ 3'06
62
Andreas Stauff
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 3'08
63
Scott Thwaites
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 3'14
64
Mattia Gavazzi
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 3'24
65
Antonino Parrinello
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 3'37
66
Francesco Chicchi
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
+ 3'45
67
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
+ 3'58
68
Matteo Rabottini
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
+ 4'13
69
Jose Alberto Juárez
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 4'19
70
Anthony Delaplace
Sojasun
+ 4'49
71
Johann Van Zyl
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 4'50
72
Wesley Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'53
73
Tristan Valentin
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 4'54
74
Martin Wesemann
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 5'14
75
Arnaud Gérard
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
+ 5'26
76
Matteo Di Serafino
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 5'27
77
Francisco Javier Moreno
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
+ 5'45
78
Renaud Dion
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
+ 6'05
79
Roger Kluge
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 7'09
80
Joshua Edmonson
Sky Procycling
+ 7'14
81
Florian Vachon
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
+ 7'21
82
Julien Simon
Sojasun
+ 7'26
83
Karol Domagalski
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
+ 7'28
84
Drago Di Silvestro
Team Europcar
+ 7'51
85
Pieter De Vries
Lotto Belisol
+ 8'16
86
Stefano Garzelli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
+ 8'28
87
Patrick Facchini
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 8'32
88
Geoffroy Lequatre
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
+ 8'35
89
Sergey Firsanov
RusVelo
+ 8'42
90
Brice Feillu
Sojasun
+ 9'09
91
Songezo Jim
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
92
Tony Hurel
Team Europcar
+ 9'26
93
Gang Xu
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
+ 9'29
94
Pierre-Luc Périchon
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
95
Wouter Mol
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 9'36
96
Giairo Ermeti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 9'38
97
Rémi Pauriol
Sojasun
+ 9'39
98
Matthew Brammeier
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
+ 9'40
99
Chun Feng
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
+ 9'46
100
Serguei Klimov
RusVelo
+ 10'00
101
Clinton Avery
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
+ 11'01
102
Sergei Pomoshnikov
RusVelo
+ 11'58
103
Jean-Luc Delpech
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
+ 12'11
104
Alessandro Malaguti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 12'12
105
Igor Boev
RusVelo
+ 12'47
106
Alexander Mironov
RusVelo
+ 12'48
107
Yoann Bagot
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 12'49
108
Dermot Walker
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 13'05
109
Victor Manakov
RusVelo
+ 13'58
110
Yonder Godoy
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 14'29
111
Gert Joeaar
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 15'30
112
Zakkari Dempster
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 16'02
113
Iván Velasco
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
+ 18'35
114
Harald Totschnig
Tirol Cycling Team
+ 19'05
115
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 19'30
116
Marouane Shaqif
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 19'34
117
Biao Liu
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
+ 22'59
118
David Wöhrer
Tirol Cycling Team
+ 38'01
119
Martin Weiss
Tirol Cycling Team
+ 38'52
120
Stefan Praxmarer
Tirol Cycling Team
+ 47'53
121
Hannes Kapeller
Tirol Cycling Team
+ 48'29
122
Marc Obkircher
Tirol Cycling Team
+ 51'31
123
Zachary Bell
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
+ 53'02
TEAM CLASSIFICATION:
Spoiler
1
Team Europcar
57h01'44 (1)
2
Lotto Belisol
+ 3'36 (9)
3
Katusha Team
+ 2'36 (4)
4
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 2'30 (3)
5
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'05 (8)
6
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'49 (10)
7
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
+ 9'26 (15)
8
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'46 (6)
9
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
+ 4'45 (12)
10
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 2'48 (7)
11
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 2'10 (2)
12
Sojasun
+ 4'17 (11)
13
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 5'34 (14)
14
Sky Procycling
+ 2'39 (5)
15
RusVelo
+ 18'39 (16)
16
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
+ 5'04 (13)
17
Tirol Cycling Team
+ 1h31'21 (17)
YOUNG:
Spoiler
1
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
+ 2'31 (14)
2
Lue Khamse Khamphan
Team Europcar
+ 3'03 (21)
3
Po-ding Kim
Team Europcar
18h59'42 (1)
4
Danny Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'08 (7)
5
Christian De Vries
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'08 (3)
6
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
+ 2'32 (15)
7
Abraham Denisov
Katusha Team
+ 2'52 (19)
8
Wesley Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'53 (28)
9
Scott Thwaites
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 3'14 (22)
10
Jordan Birtles
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1'01 (2)
11
Boy Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'51 (17)
12
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
+ 2'25 (9)
13
Egor Silin
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'25 (10)
14
Josef Hintermuller
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 1'22 (4)
15
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
+ 2'18 (8)
16
Antonino Parrinello
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 3'37 (23)
17
Joshua Edmonson
Sky Procycling
+ 7'14 (30)
18
Anthony Delaplace
Sojasun
+ 4'49 (26)
19
Richard Löwenherz
Katusha Team
+ 3'01 (20)
20
Patrick Facchini
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 8'32 (34)
21
Alex Fischer
Lotto Belisol
+ 2'51 (18)
22
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
+ 3'58 (24)
23
Chun Feng
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
+ 9'46 (36)
24
Omar Bertazzo
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 2'32 (16)
25
Pieter De Vries
Lotto Belisol
+ 8'16 (33)
26
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
+ 2'29 (13)
27
Drago Di Silvestro
Team Europcar
+ 7'51 (32)
28
Alexey Lutsenko
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'07 (6)
29
Thomas Schwabe
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1'28 (5)
30
Johann Van Zyl
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 4'50 (27)
31
Marouane Shaqif
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 19'34 (43)
32
Songezo Jim
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 9'09 (35)
33
Dermot Walker
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 13'05 (39)
34
Joseph Dombrowski
Sky Procycling
+ 2'25 (11)
35
Victor Manakov
RusVelo
+ 13'58 (40)
36
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 19'30 (42)
37
Wladi Pedrovski
RusVelo
+ 2'28 (12)
38
Jose Alberto Juárez
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 4'19 (25)
39
Sergei Pomoshnikov
RusVelo
+ 11'58 (37)
40
Yonder Godoy
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 14'29 (41)
41
Igor Boev
RusVelo
+ 12'47 (38)
42
Francisco Javier Moreno
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
+ 5'45 (29)
43
Karol Domagalski
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
+ 7'28 (31)
44
Biao Liu
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
+ 22'59 (44)
45
Hannes Kapeller
Tirol Cycling Team
+ 48'29 (48)
46
David Wöhrer
Tirol Cycling Team
+ 38'01 (45)
47
Martin Weiss
Tirol Cycling Team
+ 38'52 (46)
48
Stefan Praxmarer
Tirol Cycling Team
+ 47'53 (47)
49
Marc Obkircher
Tirol Cycling Team
+ 51'31 (49)
That ends our coverage of the Bayern Rundfahrt. Thanks for tuning in!
Indeed, marvellous reporting The Rider. Fast, compact and always enjoyable!
Not really pleased with the results for NetApp, however it's clear by now that the team has better chances winning the lottery than getting a stage win here in such a sprinter dominated field. Another goal failed, c'est la vie.
At least Löwenherz helped a little bit getting Kristoff that podium. Strong race by him, however a second stage win would have been sweeter for the team.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Oh come on, Kristoff you just had to ride it home after your team mates put you off, still happy about the third place in GC though especially as Kristoff almost lost his third spot on the stage.
@The Rider: Why are the numbers of the riders white?
After all the previews, we are finally at the start line for the opening stage of thr Amegen Tour of California. It is a hilly route, will the sprinters survive or will it be one for the punchers?
We have our breakaway from the off! It's a trio of Calabrin (TNN), Mironov (RVL) and Friedmann (CSS)
Intermediate Spint
Mironov takes the sprint. The break has a 4 minute advantage over the peloton.
120km to go
No action at the moment, the pace setting duties are shared among the teams while the break put in another 30 seconds
Cat 3 KOM
Friedmann takes full points, the trio have a 5'26" lead.
80km to go
At the bottom of the first Cat 2 KOM, Radioshack & Movistar take control of the peloton, Cannondale don't seem to be interested. The breakaway's lead is reduced to 4'27"
Cat 2 KOM 1
Friedmann once again takes the KOM points followed by Mironov. He pushes on after the descent by the 3 come back together.
Birt (TNE) and Deignan (UHC) fight for the last points a push on down the descent in attempt to bridge over to the front group. Birt is too fast and leaves Deignan to swept by the peloton.
60km to go
On the descent 4 riders open up including Chaves (COL), Deignan, Failli (VIN) and Martin (OPQS).
45 km to go
Birt bridges over to the duo, they have a 1'07" gap over the 4 chasers, Chaves, Deignan, Failli and Martin who are 1'48" in front of the peloton.
30km to go
We near the bottom of the last KOM of the day, another Cat 2. Notable riders have been dropped including Farrar (GRS) and Phinney (BMC).
Cat 2 KOM 3
Birt isn't hanging around any longer, who drops his breakaway compatriots and goes it alone.
25km to go
It's foot down, full gas for Birt now, he must hold off the pack by himself for the last 25kms which is flat. Friedmann and Mironov in E2 are trying to catch him but they are running out of steam. Chaves and Deignan follow closely behind them.
Split in the peloton!
Garmin are laying down a pace that causing a big split in the field, the legs are feeling sore of some of the riders after the 3 climbs. Caja Rural are the ones that miss out, they try and get Amets Txurruka back into the main bunch.
20km to go
Birt flies under the 20km to go banner with 1'45" back to the peloton, they don't seem to be giving him the respect that he deserves and has a real chance here.
Movistar on the front now, Chaves and Deignan are swallowed up by the peloton
15km to go
Radioshack come through, Friedmann and Miranov are finished for the day.
10km to go
Birt is still out in front and still have a 1'26" gap! There isn't enough fight in the peloton at the moment! This is all that is left of the peloton, it's 50 riders. All the main GC riders are here but the sprinters have been dropped, if they can get Birt, it's going to be a Sagan day.
5km to go
But that doesn't seem likely, Birt still has a 1'13" gap to the peloton with Radioshack still on the front but there is no impetus.
3km to go
He can see the finish line now (because my settings are so low but oh well), he has only lost 6 seconds, he can do this!
1km to go
He rides under the 1km banner solo, sure it's his now!
The peloton sweep around the corner in an unorganised fashion and hit 1km to go, Sagan opens up his sprint, he'll
win the bunch sprint for sure but surely they have left it too late.
The Finish
Birt takes the victory but with not much time to spare. The peloton timed it wrong but it was all about the power Mitchell Birt showed today, a fantastic win for himself and NetApp who still have more fun to come with Konig.
@ Bikex - If you mean the numbers on the back of the jerseys ....... it is like that because I had one texture per rider turned off.
--- Good stage there for RadioShack racking up some good points from Gallopin and pulling on the peloton more than any other team. We have faith in Horner!
-- Nice exciting win for Birt, but if Sagan had a competent team on the front another California stage win was his for the taking.
@The Rider - Indeed, pulled any faster you would have caught Birt and given Sagan an easy win, so you got it spot on Your right Cannondale was not seen at all, a pull here or there with increased intensity in the last 20km probably would have given Sagan the victory.
Edited by nacho63 on 15-04-2014 23:00
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
Another goal failed, c'est la vie. 
