Results
A stage win and the KOTM-jersey for Vanendert in the Dauphiné, one stage win for Rosseler in the Delta Tour Zeeland and the KOTM-jersey in the Tour de Suisse. Not the best month ever, but still 2 nice wins and 2 nice jerseys!
Media-awards
Despite being suspended for some months and being fired by his team, Contador still was awarded with th erider of the month-award. He dominated the Dauphiné, so not strange. Cammaerts wins the young rider of the month-award, thanks to a stage win and 2nd in the GC of the Tour de Luxembourg.
Rankings
World Tour riders
Phil is still in the lead, although having a very quiet month. Antón stays in 2nd, Contador jumps to 3rd. Best of our team is Andy Schleck, dropping one place to 11th.
World Tour teams
Radio Shack - Nissan jumps from 4 to 1, thanks to a 2nd for Klöden in the GC of the Dauphiné and 5 stage wins and the GC in the Tour de Suisse. Lotto is in 2nd, BMC in 3rd and we are in 4th.
Continental Tour riders
French domination, with William Bonnet taking the lead, followed by Jimmy Casper and Jérome Coppel.
Continental Tour teams
The battle for promotion is between Saur - Sojasun, Landbouwkrediet and La Française des Jeux. Liquigas (12th) and Sony Ericsson (13th) are disappointing low in the ranking.
CQ riders
Gilbert leads Antón with 5 points, Andy Schleck is in 3rd.
CQ teams
Monster Energy stays in the lead, Radio Shack jumps to 2nd and Lotto is in 3rd.
Wins riders
4 wins in one month, so Contador leads (and that's it for this year). Casper and Gilbert have won 11 times. Sagan is the best from our team with 5 wins.
Wins teams
We lead with 25 wins, but Radio Shack (22) and Lotto (20) are closely behind.
2 stage wins, 2 KOTM-jersey and 2 National champions make one:
The most important race this month, or even this year, is the Tour de France. An other group of riders show up in the Brixia Tour and the Tour de Wallonie, both 5-stage races. We also take part in 2 one day classics in the Basque country, the Prueba Villafranco - Ordiziaka Klasika and of course the World Tour-race Clásica San Sebastián.
Our goals:
- Top 3 in the Tour with at least one stage win for Robert Gesink, and a sprint win for Sagan or Kittel.
- Top 5 in the Clásica San Sebastián.
The month of July is the month were all cycling fans are focussed at France for Le Tour. It's the 99th edition of the most important cycling race in the world, but it's a strange edition. The reason for it is Alberto Contador, the 4-times winner. 2 weeks before the Tour, the news was spread that he got suspended for a small amount of Clenbuterol in his body. This means that Le Tour is raced without last year's winner.
As the world knows, it seemed impossible to win Le Tour more than 5 times. Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain could win Le Tour 5 times, but never succeeded to win the 6th one. This was untill Lance Armstrong showed up, after he was cured from cancer. The Boss won 7 year in a row.
The route
Running from Saturday July 2th to Sunday July 24th 2011, the 99th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,500 kilometres.
These 21 stages have the following profiles:
10 flat stages,
5 mountain stages,
4 medium mountain stages,
2 individual time-trial stages.
Distinctive aspects of the race
4 mountain finishes,
2 rest days,
82 kilometres of individual time-trials,
17 Category 1, Category 2 and highest level passes will be climbed.
Stage 1-5
Le Tour starts in Bretagne with some hilly stages. The win will either go to a sprinter or to a puncheur. After a flat stage to Nantes, a 29.5km ITT in Cholet will bring some gaps in the GC. The 5th stage to Chateauroux should be for the sprinters again.
Stage 6-8
We enter the Massif-Central, with first the stage to Super-Besse with an uphill finish, the next day to Aurillac is hilly and the 8th stage to Toulouse is hilly in the first part but pretty flat in the last part.
Stage 9-11
In stage 9, the Pyrenées show up. Stage 9 features the Peyresourde and the Aspin, with the last summit 26km before the finish. Stage 10 is the most difficult stage in the Pyrenées, with the mytical Col du Tourmalet and a mountain top finish at the Hautacam. We leave the Pyrenées in stage 11, going to Foix, which should suit a breakaway.
Stage 12-14
3 flat stages, before the Alps show up. Again, the win should go to a sprinter or a breakaway.
Stage 15-17
3 tough stages in the Alps await the riders. With the first one, the peloton enters Italy over the Col Agnel (2744m) and has a mountain top finish at the Prato Nevoso. Stage 16 features the highest mountain pass in Europe, the Cime de la Bonette - Restefond (2802m) and finishes after a 23km descend in Jausiers. Stage 17 should be an epic stage, with first the Col du Galibier, then the Col de la Croix-de-Fer and the finish at the Alpe d'Huez.
Stage 18-19
After the Alps, 2 difficult stages before the final ITT. Both stages are very hilly and a bad day can make a GC-contender loose some places.
Stage 20-21
Le Tour will probably be decided in the 53km ITT from Cérilly to Saint-Amand-Montrond. After that, the final stage to Paris, Le Champs-Elysées awaits the riders.
2011
The 2011-edition was won by Alberto Contador, winning his 4th Tour. He was able to beat Cadel Evans, whom had to sette with 2nd again. The duel for the 3rd place between Samuel Sánchez and Andy Schleck was won by the Euskaltel-rider.
GC-favourites
At the age of 35, this is probably the last chance for Aussie Cadel Evans to win the Tour. He already rode the Giro, and was pretty invisible there with the 10th place in the GC. He is less strong than last year, and his stamina has declined a bit, but the total package can bring him the maiilot jaune.
Robert Gesink won the Giro and the Vuelta last year, and is now aiming for the win in Le Tour. And the Netherlands want a successor for Joop Zoetemelk, the last Dutch rider winning Le Tour in 1980. Gesink is the best climber in the Tour, but has his TT become good enough to win?
Just as Evans, Vincenzo Nibali raced the Giro, finishing in 4th place. Afterthat, he dominated the Tour de Suisse. Question is if his race days (51) will count against him, in the last week?
Samuel Sánchez took the 3rd place in 2011 and is ambition is to improve that position. Is he good enough at the age of 34? Than he needs a great day in the ITTs, his weakest point.
Another 34-year-old. Denis Menchov is back in Le Tour after one years absence. He showed in the Tour de Suisse (2nd in the GC) that he is in a great form.
His time-trial is amazing, but can he minimize the time loss in the mountains? If so, then Bradley Wiggins is a contender for the podium. If not, that he has to settle with a top 10, just as in the Tour de Suisse.
Exactly the opposite counts for the Belgium hope Jurgen Van den Broeck. He's one of the better climbers, but has to minimize the time loss in the ITTs.
In his first career, before the doping ban, Ivan Basso looked to be the successor of Lance Armstrong. After it, he couldn't bring it in the Tour. He rode a good Tour last year, with the 5th place. Can he surprise with a Top 3?
Last year, Frank Schleck rode a few days in the maillot jaune, untill one terrible stage in the Pyrenées. This year, he's looking for revenge. But can he deal with the co-leaders (Nibali, Klöden) in the Radio Shack team and his weak ITT?
Ryder Hesjedal finished in 9th last year and has become stronger. He has to deal with his team mate Basso, and settle who becomes the leader and who the luxury domestique.
Czech Roman Kreuziger is one of the biggest talents in the cycling world. He has the abilities to get a podium, but has todeal with a weak day every GT. Can he surprise this year?
The second-oldest of the GC-contenders, but absolutely a dark horse. Getting 2nd in the Dauphiné behind Contador, he is one tough guy to watch out for.
Levi Leipheimer is the grandpa among the GC-contender. He finished at the podium once (3rd in 2007) and is eager to make that twice, after his transfer to Omega Pharma.
Joaquím Rodríguez finished in 9th place in the Giro and has raced already 56 racedays. Has he got some energy left to get in the Top 5, or will he aim at a stage win and the polka dot jersey?
Edited by dienblad on 09-02-2012 17:57
The fastest sprinter in the world, and the current world champion. Can he show his supremacy?
Tyler Farrar had a disappointing Giro with no stage wins, but showed in the Tour de Suisse that he's ready for Le Tour, winning both mass sprints.
Matthew Goss was winning already in February and also won 2 stages in the Giro. Can he get his first stage win in Le Tour?
André Greipel is still looking for that big win for his new team Sony-Ericsson, but has the legs to do it. And he's pretty fresh, with 19 racedays less than Goss!
24-year-old Marcel Kittel rides his first Tour de France. He has one job: getting closer to that win, and no pressure to win one.
According the rumours, this is the last Tour for Alessandro Petacchi. Already 38 years old, but still a sprinter to look out for.
José Joaquín Rojas left Movistar last winter, and with his new team Garmin, he has the joy of having a sprint train. He already won a stage in the Dauphiné and is looking strong.
Romain Feillu is the fastest French sprinter in this Tour. He's at his best when the race is tough and hilly.
Edited by dienblad on 09-02-2012 18:13
The Tour de France kicks off with a "normal" stage, not a prologue. After Le Grand Départ in Brest (Bretagne) the riders go to the east, and after almost 200 hilly kilometres, they finish in Plumelec. The finish isn't suited for sprinters, as the final kilometre goes uphill with 5-6%.
193km to go
The award for th efirst attacker goes to Androni's Ángel Vicioso. The peloton hasn't even left Brest, when he decides to give it a go. At least some TV-time for Androni.
165km to go
Vicioso is joined by 5 other riders and the 4 of them quickly create a gap of several minutes to the peloton. Alan Davis (Qantas), Juan Antonio Flecha (Sky), Tony Gallopin (Cofidis), Sébastien Turgot (Europcar) and Florian Vachon (AG2R) are the ones. Vachon is the first at the summit of the first climb o fthe day, the Côte de Ty-Jopic. The peloton is 5'06 behind.
146km to go
The next climb is the Côte de Kerivarc'h. This time it is Flecha who takes the one point given at the summit. The peloton is having an easy start of Le Tour, already 7'12 behind.
109km to go
A close call at the 3rd KOTM-sprint. Tony Gallopin is the first at the summit of the Col de Toullaëron, nearly beating Flecha and Vachon. The gap to the peloton has even increased to 9'33.
72km to go
Chute! Roman Kreuziger, one of the favourites to get in the GC-Top 10, has crashed. 5 Astana-team mates wait for him and try to bring the Czech-rider back in the peloton. But they won't succeed and Kreuziger will loose 2'37 today. Can he put a cross through his podium-ambitions already?
49km to go
The leading group sprints for the soil point in the last KOTM-sprint, the Côte de Guenervé , and we see a different winner again. Ángel Vicioso wins this time. The peloton is closing the gap, 4'42 behind.
8km to go
Many sprinters loose contact with the peloton on one of the many hills in the Breton countryside. Because of that, there is no organized chase and the gap between the leaders and the peloton is 1'30 with 8km to go. This is the sign for Sylvain Chavanel (Garmin) and Joaquím Rodríguez (Katusha) attack out of the peloton, being followed by Greg van Avermaet (BMC).
4km to go
Juan Antonio Flecha has heard the news of the attack, and nervously attacks. Chavanel, Rodríguez and Van Avermaet follow at 1'07 and the peloton at 1'51.
2km to go
The 6 leaders begin the final ascend in Plumelec. Chavanel is coming close very quickly, and is '27 behind. Van Avermaet and Rodríguez follow at '40 and the peloton at 1'01.
1km to go
Chavanel is about to join the 6 leaders under the flamme rouge. The same for Rodríguez, with the peloton at '48.
Finish
Tony Gallopin wins the sprint of the first group and brings the Cofidis-team, who entered the Tour with a wildcard, a great win. Somehow, Rodríguez outsprinted everyone and finishes in 2nd in the same time.
The rest of the leading group, and the peloton finish at '17. Robert Gesink is the best from our team in 13th.
Results and GC
1
Tony Gallopin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
4h55'04
2
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
3
Sylvain Chavanel
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 17
4
Florian Vachon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
5
Allan Davis
Team Qantas
s.t.
6
Fränk Schleck
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
7
Simon Gerrans
Team Qantas
s.t.
8
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
9
Maxime Monfort
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
10
Jens Voigt
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
12
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
13
Robert Gesink
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
14
Vincenzo Nibali
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
15
Peter Sagan
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
16
Ryder Hesjedal
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
17
Denis Menchov
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
18
Pierre Rolland
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
19
Ángel Vicioso
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
20
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
21
Andreas Klöden
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
22
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
23
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
24
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
25
Christophe Riblon
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
26
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
27
Pavel Brutt
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
28
Fabian Cancellara
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
29
Chris Horner
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
30
Sebastian Langeveld
Team Qantas
s.t.
31
Matti Breschel
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
32
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
33
Kevin De Weert
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
34
Lieuwe Westra
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
35
Jelle Vanendert
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
36
Cadel Evans
Katusha Team
s.t.
37
Thomas Dekker
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
38
Karsten Kroon
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
39
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
s.t.
40
Franco Pellizotti
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
41
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
42
Christian Vande Velde
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
43
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
44
Ivan Basso
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
45
Tom Danielson
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
46
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
47
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
48
Joost Posthuma
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
49
Levi Leipheimer
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
50
Thomas Rohregger
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
51
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
s.t.
52
Wout Poels
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
53
Enrico Gasparotto
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
54
Jakob Fuglsang
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
55
Luca Solari
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
56
Matteo Montaguti
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
57
Johan Vansummeren
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
58
Trent Lowe
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
59
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
60
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
61
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
62
Clément Lhotellerie
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
63
Staf Scheirlinckx
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
64
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
65
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
66
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
67
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
68
Rob Ruijgh
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
69
José Joaquín Rojas
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
70
Bradley Wiggins
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
71
Linus Gerdemann
Katusha Team
s.t.
72
Wesley Sulzberger
Team Qantas
s.t.
73
Samuel Dumoulin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
74
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
75
Rigoberto Urán
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
76
Matthew Goss
Team Qantas
s.t.
77
Luca Barla
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
78
Sébastien Minard
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
79
Simon Spilak
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
80
Marcel Kittel
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
81
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
s.t.
82
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
83
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
84
Grégory Rast
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
85
Tyler Farrar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
86
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
87
Fabio Felline
Nespresso
s.t.
88
Filippo Pozzato
Katusha Team
s.t.
89
Nick Nuyens
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
90
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
91
Dimitri Champion
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
92
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
s.t.
93
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1'57
94
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
95
Martin Mortensen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
96
Chris Anker Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
97
Aleksejs Saramotins
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
98
Albert Timmer
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
99
Tomas Vaitkus
Team Qantas
s.t.
100
Pierre Cazaux
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
101
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
102
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
103
Sergio Hernandez
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
104
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
105
Brian Vandborg
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
106
Stuart O'Grady
Team Qantas
s.t.
107
Bart De Clercq
Lotto - Belisol
+ 2'37
108
Geert Omloop
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
109
Julien Loubet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
110
Jonathan Monsalve
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
111
Rick Flens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
112
Marco Bandiera
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
113
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
114
Angelo Furlan
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
115
Sébastien Chavanel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
116
Steve Houanard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
117
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
118
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
+ 3'21
119
Jos Van Emden
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 4'20
120
Björn Leukemans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
121
Rafael Valls
Nespresso
s.t.
122
Joost Van Leijen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
123
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Nespresso
s.t.
124
Yukiya Arashiro
Team Europcar
s.t.
125
Alexandre Pichot
Team Europcar
s.t.
126
Kevin Hulsmans
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
127
Jean-Eudes Demaret
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
128
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
129
Bernhard Eisel
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
130
Iban Mayoz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
131
Martin Elmiger
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
132
Dominique Cornu
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
133
George Hincapie
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
134
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
135
Eduardo Gonzalo
Movistar Team
s.t.
136
Daniele Righi
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
137
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
138
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
139
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
140
Pablo Urtasun
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
141
Marcel Wyss
Nespresso
s.t.
142
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
143
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
144
Leonardo Piepoli
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
145
Heinrich Haussler
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
146
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
147
Luis Pasamontes
Movistar Team
s.t.
148
Óscar Freire
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
149
André Greipel
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
150
Óscar Sevilla
Movistar Team
s.t.
151
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
152
Anders Lund
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
153
Vasil Kiryienka
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
154
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
155
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
156
Alex Rasmussen
Nespresso
s.t.
157
Gerald Ciolek
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
158
Mark Cavendish
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
159
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
s.t.
160
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
161
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
162
Gabriele Bosisio
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
163
Roberto Ferrari
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
164
Nicolas Edet
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
165
Marek Rutkiewicz
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
166
Ben Swift
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
167
Alexandre Lemair
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
168
Yohann Gène
Team Europcar
s.t.
169
Davide Cimolai
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
170
Jussi Veikkanen
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
171
Daniel Navarro
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
172
Julian Dean
Team Qantas
s.t.
173
Giuseppe Palumbo
Nespresso
s.t.
174
Andrey Mizourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
175
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
176
Francisco Pérez
Movistar Team
s.t.
177
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
178
Alessandro Spezialetti
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
179
Martin Kragh
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
180
Nuno Ribeiro
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
181
Arnaud Labbe
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
182
Aidis Kruopis
Team Qantas
s.t.
183
Yoann Bagot
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
184
Daniele Bennati
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
185
Francisco José Pacheco
Movistar Team
s.t.
186
David Tanner
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
187
Perrig Quemeneur
Team Europcar
s.t.
188
Kristof Goddaert
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
189
Gorazd Stangelj
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
190
Tomas Alberio
Nespresso
s.t.
191
Mathieu Claude
Team Europcar
s.t.
192
Valentin Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
193
Christopher Schmidt
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
194
Vincent Jérôme
Team Europcar
s.t.
195
Frederique Robert
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
196
Daniele Ratto
Nespresso
s.t.
197
Juan José Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 7'07
198
Filippo Bortolotti
Nespresso
+ 8'17
Points
1
Tony Gallopin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
50
2
Florian Vachon
AG2R La Mondiale
36
3
Allan Davis
Team Qantas
30
4
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
25
5
Sylvain Chavanel
Team Garmin - Cervélo
22
KOTM
1
Florian Vachon
AG2R La Mondiale
1
2
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
1
3
Tony Gallopin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
1
4
Ángel Vicioso
Androni Giocattoli
1
U25
1
Tony Gallopin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
4h55'04
2
Peter Sagan
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 17
3
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
4
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
s.t.
5
Wout Poels
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
Teams
1
Katusha Team
14h45'46
2
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
3
Radio Shack - Nissan
+ 17
4
Team Qantas
s.t.
5
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
Today's winner
Word from the DS
Happy that the Tour has started. We saw a surprising winner today, with only Purito taking 17 seconds. No damage done, except for Kreuziger, curious to see how he recovers before the first ITT.
Stage 2, and we are still in Bretagne. The route starts in Auray and after a hilly first part, including the Côte de Mûr-de-Bretagne, the riders face a flatter second part towards Saint-Brieux. The last 2 kilometres are ascending.
138km to go
After yesterday's succesful breakaway, a lot of riders want to try the same. So a group of 19 (!) riders attack early in the race, and battle it out for the sole given KOTM-point at the Côte de Bieuzy-Lanvaux. Saxo's Nick Nuyens takes it.
Of course, this 19-man group doesn't stand a chance, it's way too big.
118km to go
In the next ascend, 2 groups of 3 riders are found in the front of the race. Sebastian Langeveld (Qantas), who takes the point at the Côte de Kergroix, Angel Furlan (Androni) and Alessandro Ballan (BMC) form the first group, closely followes by Dmitry Kozontchuk (Nespresso), Sébastien Chavanel (AG2R), and Marzio Bruseghin (Movistar).
71km to go
The 2 groups emerge and the 6 riders take a lead of over 4 minutes. Ballan takes the 2 points given at today's most difficult climb, the Côte de Mûr-de-Bretagne, followed by Bruseghin.
67km to go
A few kilometres after, the 6 leaders fight for the point given at the summit of the Côte de Saint-Mayeux. Brusgehin takes it, but Ballan will wear the polka dot-jersey tomorrow.
37km to go
When the gap to the peloton decreases, some riders use this opportunity to attack out of the peloton. Sylvain Chavanel (Garmin), Lars Boom (Rabobank) and Fabian Cancellara (Radio Shack) are the first ones, a while later joined by Thor Hushovd (BMC), Alex Rasmussen (Nespreso) and Marek Rutkiewicz (Vacansoleil).
20km to go
These 6 close the gap to the 6 leaders, and a strong leading group is formed, However, the peloton is still near by, only 1'14 with 20km to go.
10km to go
Thanks to the work by Cofidis (GC-leader Gallopin) and Team Sky, the gap decreases and is less than half a minute. 3 riders decide that it isn't over yet (well, decide... they think...), namely Séb. Chavanel, Langeveld and Kozontchuk.
4km to go
And after 6 kilometres of struggling, Chavanel is about to get swallowed by the peloton. We are in the lead with our train, with Kittel serving as the last leadout for Sagan, as the Slovakian feels better today ad has more chances with the uphill finish.
1500m to go
But our train is loosing speed and Kittel is starting to slow down, so we get passed by Sky and the amazing Omega Pharma train, with Tom Boonen leading Gerald Ciolek and Tyler Farrar.
Finish
And that train is that strong, that they even finish in first and second. Tyler Farrar wins the first mass sprint in this Tour with some great suprmacy. Ciolek makes it a 1-2 for Omega Pharma - Quick Step, and 3rd place is for aging Oscar Freire. Sagan finishes in 10th place, a little bit disappointing with this uphill finish. All riders finish within the peloton, in the same time.
Results
1
Tyler Farrar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
3h52'15
2
Gerald Ciolek
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
3
Óscar Freire
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
4
Samuel Dumoulin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
5
Mark Cavendish
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
6
Filippo Pozzato
Katusha Team
s.t.
7
André Greipel
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
8
Matthew Goss
Team Qantas
s.t.
9
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Peter Sagan
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Heinrich Haussler
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
12
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
13
Ben Swift
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
14
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
15
Bernhard Eisel
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
16
Maxime Monfort
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
17
Lieuwe Westra
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
18
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
19
Marcel Kittel
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
20
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
21
Fabian Cancellara
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
22
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
s.t.
23
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
24
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
25
Robert Gesink
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
26
Alex Rasmussen
Nespresso
s.t.
27
Pierre Rolland
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
28
Marek Rutkiewicz
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
29
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
30
Ryder Hesjedal
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
31
Jens Voigt
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
32
Cadel Evans
Katusha Team
s.t.
33
Vincenzo Nibali
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
34
Christophe Riblon
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
35
Joost Posthuma
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
36
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
37
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
38
Sylvain Chavanel
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
39
Kristof Goddaert
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
40
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
41
Fränk Schleck
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
42
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
43
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
44
Marco Bandiera
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
45
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
46
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
47
Jakob Fuglsang
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
48
Chris Horner
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
49
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
50
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
s.t.
51
Matti Breschel
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
52
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
53
Rob Ruijgh
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
54
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
55
Pavel Brutt
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
56
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
57
Enrico Gasparotto
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
58
Sébastien Chavanel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
59
Bradley Wiggins
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
60
Jelle Vanendert
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
61
Rigoberto Urán
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
62
Tomas Vaitkus
Team Qantas
s.t.
63
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
64
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
65
Thomas Dekker
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
66
Tony Gallopin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
67
Simon Gerrans
Team Qantas
s.t.
68
Alexandre Lemair
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
69
Sebastian Langeveld
Team Qantas
s.t.
70
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
71
Aidis Kruopis
Team Qantas
s.t.
72
Allan Davis
Team Qantas
s.t.
73
George Hincapie
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
74
Julian Dean
Team Qantas
s.t.
75
Fabio Felline
Nespresso
s.t.
76
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
77
Wout Poels
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
78
Florian Vachon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
79
Stuart O'Grady
Team Qantas
s.t.
80
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
81
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
82
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
83
Giuseppe Palumbo
Nespresso
s.t.
84
Steve Houanard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
85
Daniele Ratto
Nespresso
s.t.
86
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
87
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
s.t.
88
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
89
Christian Vande Velde
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
90
Jean-Eudes Demaret
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
91
Simon Spilak
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
92
Julien Loubet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
93
Wesley Sulzberger
Team Qantas
s.t.
94
Joost Van Leijen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
95
Yukiya Arashiro
Team Europcar
s.t.
96
Dimitri Champion
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
97
Linus Gerdemann
Katusha Team
s.t.
98
Geert Omloop
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
99
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
s.t.
100
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
101
Angelo Furlan
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
102
Marcel Wyss
Nespresso
s.t.
103
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Nespresso
s.t.
104
Ivan Basso
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
105
Andreas Klöden
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
106
Jos Van Emden
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
107
Kevin Hulsmans
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
108
Tom Danielson
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
109
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
110
Trent Lowe
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
111
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
112
Thomas Rohregger
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
113
Kevin De Weert
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
114
Alessandro Spezialetti
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
115
Denis Menchov
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
116
Martin Mortensen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
117
Clément Lhotellerie
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
118
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
119
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
120
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
121
Johan Vansummeren
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
122
Yoann Bagot
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
123
Nick Nuyens
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
124
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
125
Tomas Alberio
Nespresso
s.t.
126
Arnaud Labbe
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
127
Pierre Cazaux
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
128
Anders Lund
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
129
Daniele Bennati
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
130
Levi Leipheimer
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
131
Gabriele Bosisio
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
132
José Joaquín Rojas
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
133
Franco Pellizotti
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
134
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
s.t.
135
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
136
Luca Barla
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
137
Alexandre Pichot
Team Europcar
s.t.
138
Roberto Ferrari
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
139
Rafael Valls
Nespresso
s.t.
140
Iban Mayoz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
141
Matteo Montaguti
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
142
Pablo Urtasun
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
143
Chris Anker Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
144
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
145
Yohann Gène
Team Europcar
s.t.
146
Jonathan Monsalve
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
147
Davide Cimolai
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
148
Daniele Righi
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
149
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
150
Óscar Sevilla
Movistar Team
s.t.
151
Grégory Rast
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
152
Juan José Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
153
Nicolas Edet
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
154
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
155
Aleksejs Saramotins
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
156
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
s.t.
157
Ángel Vicioso
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
158
Sergio Hernandez
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
159
Daniel Navarro
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
160
Luca Solari
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
161
Rick Flens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
162
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
163
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
164
Mathieu Claude
Team Europcar
s.t.
165
Staf Scheirlinckx
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
166
Bart De Clercq
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
167
David Tanner
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
168
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
169
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
170
Vincent Jérôme
Team Europcar
s.t.
171
Brian Vandborg
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
172
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
173
Vasil Kiryienka
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
174
Björn Leukemans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
175
Luis Pasamontes
Movistar Team
s.t.
176
Christopher Schmidt
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
177
Dominique Cornu
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
178
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
179
Sébastien Minard
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
180
Francisco José Pacheco
Movistar Team
s.t.
181
Jussi Veikkanen
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
182
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
183
Leonardo Piepoli
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
184
Eduardo Gonzalo
Movistar Team
s.t.
185
Perrig Quemeneur
Team Europcar
s.t.
186
Gorazd Stangelj
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
187
Martin Kragh
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
188
Martin Elmiger
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
189
Frederique Robert
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
190
Karsten Kroon
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
191
Valentin Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
192
Albert Timmer
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
193
Andrey Mizourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
194
Francisco Pérez
Movistar Team
s.t.
195
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
196
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
197
Nuno Ribeiro
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
198
Filippo Bortolotti
Nespresso
s.t.
GC
Because of a better result in this stage, Joaquím Rodríguez overtakes the lead in the GC. Further no changes.
1
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
8h47'19
2
Tony Gallopin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
3
Maxime Monfort
Radio Shack - Nissan
+ 17
4
Peter Sagan
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
5
Robert Gesink
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
6
Sylvain Chavanel
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
7
Jens Voigt
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
8
Pierre Rolland
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
9
Ryder Hesjedal
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
10
Fränk Schleck
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
Points
1
Tony Gallopin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
0
50
2
Tyler Farrar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
50
50
3
Óscar Freire
Team Garmin - Cervélo
38
38
4
Florian Vachon
AG2R La Mondiale
0
36
5
Gerald Ciolek
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
35
35
KOTM
1
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
2
2
2
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
2
2
3
Tony Gallopin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
0
1
4
Florian Vachon
AG2R La Mondiale
0
1
5
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
0
1
Today's winner
Word from the DS
We'd thought more about this stage, as the finish should suited Sagan more. Even with a great train (Westra Fl 80 & Sp 72 and Kittel Fl 78 & Sp 81), we got passed on both sides.... Oh well, tomorrow is another change.
Dear cycling followers, the Monster Energy - Ford cycling team is very pleased to announce the signing of one of the world's best and promising cobbled riders:
Spoiler
With this signing, we believe that we have a great chance to get a win in one of the big cobbled races the next few season, as this rider will join Niki Terpstra and Martijn Maaskant in the battle to win De Ronde or Paris - Roubaix.
