A tough day, the only real mountain stage of the tour, with Mont Ventoux on the route. At least it's not a summit finish. I'm still far from form, but I feel strong enough to try something and maybe eke out a result today.
The break went early today, without much hassle. It contained quite a few strong climbers, including Pieter Weening and David Moncoutie.
With 8km to go on the Ventoux and the non-climbers already paying for their extra weight, dangerman Cobo attacked. I followed with Yuri.
In the end, I couldn't make it but, ultimately, they were brought back in after 3 km and by the observatory at the summit Weening returned to the folds of the peloton.
The descent was tight and twisty and I preffered to leave the pacemaking to CSC.
But with 12 km to go, the decent flattened out a little and I decided to make my move there.
CSC were'nt bothered by my attack, so I put the hammer down.
I wanted it so much, this big stage win, that I stole 40 seconds on the descent. I was feeling it in my thighs as we hit the last 5km of flat, but I wasn't going to lose it and romped home to victory.
Paris-Nice is the biggest race before Milan - San Remo and, therefore, this win is probably my best yet.
When I get form, who knows what I will be able to do.
Stage Results:
Rank Name Team Time 1 Yukihiro Doi Bouygues Télécom 4h46'51
2 Michael Albasini Liquigas + 40
3 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
4 Gilberto Simoni Bouygues Télécom s.t.
5 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner s.t.
6 Andrea Tonti Quick·Step s.t.
7 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
8 Bram Tankink Rabobank s.t.
9 Pierre Rolland Crédit Agricole s.t.
10 Pavel Brutt Agritubel s.t.
11 Baoqing Song Skil - Shimano s.t.
12 Kim Kirchen Team High Road s.t.
13 Grischa Niermann Rabobank s.t.
14 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
15 Rémi Pauriol Crédit Agricole s.t.
16 Clément Lhotellerie Skil - Shimano s.t.
17 Jens Voigt Team CSC s.t.
18 Carlos Castaño Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
19 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas s.t.
20 Charles Wegelius Liquigas s.t.
21 Luca Mazzanti Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
22 Juanjo Cobo Team CSC s.t.
23 Joaquim Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
24 Vladimir Efimkin AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
25 Ryder Hesjedal Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
26 José Angel Gómez Marchante Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
27 Matthew Lloyd Française des Jeux s.t.
28 George Hincapie Team High Road s.t.
29 Bauke Mollema Rabobank s.t.
30 Denis Menchov Rabobank s.t.
31 José Antonio Redondo Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
32 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step s.t.
33 Pierrick Fédrigo Bouygues Télécom s.t.
34 Yuri Trofimov Bouygues Télécom s.t.
35 Mauricio Soler AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
36 Tom Danielson Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
37 David Arroyo Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
38 Dioni Galparsoro Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
39 Christian Vandevelde Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
40 Thomas Lövkvist Team High Road s.t.
41 Alexander Efimkin Quick·Step s.t.
42 Kanstantsin Siutsou Team High Road s.t.
43 Amets Txurruka Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
44 David De la Fuente Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
45 Johan Vansummeren Silence - Lotto s.t.
46 David López Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
47 Sébastien Joly Rabobank s.t.
48 Mathieu Sprick Bouygues Télécom s.t.
49 Tadej Valjavec AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
50 Xavier Zandio Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
51 Bernhard Kohl Gerolsteiner s.t.
52 Javier Etxarri Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
53 Johann Tschopp Bouygues Télécom s.t.
54 Matteo Bono Lampre s.t.
55 Sylvester Szmyd Lampre s.t.
56 Vladimir Karpets Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
57 Christian Meier Quick·Step s.t.
58 Mario Aerts Silence - Lotto + 2'21
59 Gianni Meersman Française des Jeux + 2'45
60 Mitja Mahoric Agritubel s.t.
61 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux s.t.
62 Christophe Le Mével Crédit Agricole + 3'25
63 Francis Mourey Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
64 Romain Villa Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
65 Manuele Mori Caisse d'Epargne + 4'13
66 Richard Faltus Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 4'45
67 Kurt-Asle Arvesen Team CSC s.t.
68 Jelle Vanendert Française des Jeux s.t.
69 Rubén Lobato Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
70 Maxime Bouet Agritubel s.t.
71 Andriy Grivko Team Milram s.t.
72 Anthony Roux Française des Jeux s.t.
73 Nicolas Vogondy Agritubel s.t.
74 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC s.t.
75 Edvald Boasson Hagen Team High Road s.t.
76 Paco Lara Quick·Step + 5'24
77 Dominique Cornu Silence - Lotto s.t.
78 Jean-Charles Sénac Silence - Lotto + 5'48
79 Pieter Weening Rabobank s.t.
80 Blaise Sonnery AG2R - La Mondiale + 6'28
81 Dimitry Kozontchuk Rabobank s.t.
82 Salvatore Commesso Liquigas s.t.
83 Romain Feillu Agritubel s.t.
84 Murilo Fischer Liquigas + 7'56
85 Aurélien Passeron Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
86 Heinrich Haussler Gerolsteiner s.t.
87 Julien Simon Crédit Agricole s.t.
88 Bradley McGee Team CSC s.t.
89 Matthias Ruß Skil - Shimano s.t.
90 Craig Lewis Team High Road s.t.
91 Gustav Larsson Team CSC s.t.
92 Hirota Nakasone AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
93 Yoann Bagot Bouygues Télécom s.t.
94 Alexandre Blain Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 8'44
95 Matti Breschel Team CSC s.t.
96 Tim Klinger Gerolsteiner s.t.
97 Damien Monier Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
98 Luboš Pelánek Lampre s.t.
99 Markel Irizar Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
100 Mirko Selvaggi Gerolsteiner s.t.
101 Gert Steegmans Quick·Step s.t.
102 Emanuelle Bindi Lampre s.t.
103 Ludovic Turpin AG2R - La Mondiale + 10'04
104 Tom Boonen Quick·Step s.t.
105 Yoann Le Boulanger Française des Jeux + 10'52
106 Eric Berthou Crédit Agricole + 11'56
107 Steven Cozza Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
108 David Moncoutié Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 12'36
109 Bernhard Eisel Team High Road + 15'56
110 Mikaël Chérel Française des Jeux + 17'00
111 Juan José Oroz Silence - Lotto s.t.
112 Roberto Longo Lampre s.t.
113 Jean-Marc Marino Crédit Agricole s.t.
114 Fabio Sabatini Team Milram s.t.
115 Wim De Vocht Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
116 Koldo Fernández de Larrea Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
117 Tom Stamsnijder Gerolsteiner s.t.
118 Josu Agirre Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
119 Wataru Otsuka Skil - Shimano s.t.
120 Marco Velo Team Milram s.t.
121 Jean-Lou Paiani Crédit Agricole s.t.
122 Kilian Patour Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
123 Alessandro Petacchi Team Milram s.t.
124 Cédric Pineau AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
125 Claudio Corioni Liquigas s.t.
126 Sebastian Langeveld Rabobank s.t.
127 Andreas Klier Team High Road s.t.
128 Ronny Scholz Gerolsteiner s.t.
129 Luca Barla Team Milram s.t.
130 Benoit Sinner Agritubel s.t.
131 Juan José Haedo Caisse d'Epargne + 18'04
132 Jesús Herrada Euskaltel - Euskadi + 19'00
133 Christophe Mengin Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 19'32
134 Jürgen Van de Walle Quick·Step s.t.
135 Enrico Franzoï Liquigas + 21'00
136 Mashahiro Shinagawa Skil - Shimano s.t.
137 Sébastien Chavanel AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
138 Emilien-Benoît Bergès Agritubel s.t.
139 Robert Wagner Skil - Shimano + 25'48
140 Gorik Gardeyn Silence - Lotto s.t.
141 Paolo Tiralongo Lampre s.t.
142 Roy Sentjens Silence - Lotto s.t.
143 Jurgen Roelandts Silence - Lotto s.t.
144 Sander Oostlander Bouygues Télécom s.t.
145 Fabien Bacquet Skil - Shimano s.t.
146 Kenny Van Hummel Skil - Shimano s.t.
147 Mickael Delage Française des Jeux s.t.
148 Sebastian Lang Gerolsteiner s.t.
149 Frederic Guesdon Lampre s.t.
150 Julian Dean Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
151 Stefano Zanini Liquigas s.t.
152 Volodymyr Dyudya Team Milram s.t.
153 Kevin Neirynck Lampre s.t.
154 Mark Renshaw Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
155 Steven Caethoven Agritubel s.t.
156 Dennis Haueisen Team Milram s.t.
157 Hans-Ulrich Kellner Team Milram s.t.
158 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
159 Fred Kirk Crédit Agricole s.t.
I now move into 4th on GC:
Rank Name Team Time
1 Yuri Trofimov Bouygues Télécom 18h09'21
2 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 2'41
3 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 2'50 4 Yukihiro Doi Bouygues Télécom + 3'43
5 Juanjo Cobo Team CSC + 4'01
6 Thomas Lövkvist Team High Road + 4'07
7 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner + 4'09
8 Jens Voigt Team CSC + 4'10
9 Ryder Hesjedal Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 4'14
10 Bauke Mollema Rabobank s.t.
11 Clément Lhotellerie Skil - Shimano + 4'20
12 Michael Albasini Liquigas + 4'21
13 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
14 José Angel Gómez Marchante Saunier Duval - Scott + 4'22
15 George Hincapie Team High Road s.t.
16 Pierrick Fédrigo Bouygues Télécom s.t.
17 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 4'23
18 David Arroyo Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
19 Bernhard Kohl Gerolsteiner s.t.
20 Johann Tschopp Bouygues Télécom + 4'27
21 Carlos Castaño Saunier Duval - Scott + 4'28
22 Sébastien Joly Rabobank + 4'29
23 Mauricio Soler AG2R - La Mondiale + 4'30
24 Bram Tankink Rabobank + 4'31
25 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas + 4'34
26 Pierre Rolland Crédit Agricole + 4'35
27 Kim Kirchen Team High Road + 4'36
28 Pavel Brutt Agritubel + 4'37
29 Mathieu Sprick Bouygues Télécom s.t.
30 Grischa Niermann Rabobank + 4'38
31 Matthew Lloyd Française des Jeux + 4'41
32 Joaquim Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne + 4'42
33 Vladimir Efimkin AG2R - La Mondiale + 4'45
34 Kanstantsin Siutsou Team High Road s.t.
35 David López Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
36 José Antonio Redondo Saunier Duval - Scott + 4'46
37 Tadej Valjavec AG2R - La Mondiale + 4'53
38 David De la Fuente Saunier Duval - Scott + 4'56
39 Rémi Pauriol Crédit Agricole + 4'59
40 Alexander Efimkin Quick·Step + 5'01
41 Gilberto Simoni Bouygues Télécom + 5'08
42 Gianni Meersman Française des Jeux + 6'18
43 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux + 6'43
44 Christian Vandevelde Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 7'25
45 Vladimir Karpets Caisse d'Epargne + 7'43
46 Charles Wegelius Liquigas + 7'44
47 Denis Menchov Rabobank s.t.
48 Tom Danielson Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 7'50
49 Amets Txurruka Euskaltel - Euskadi + 8'01
50 Kurt-Asle Arvesen Team CSC + 8'04
51 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC s.t.
52 Johan Vansummeren Silence - Lotto s.t.
53 Sylvester Szmyd Lampre + 8'05
54 Xavier Zandio Caisse d'Epargne + 8'07
55 Javier Etxarri Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
56 Manuele Mori Caisse d'Epargne + 8'14
57 Jelle Vanendert Française des Jeux + 8'52
58 Paco Lara Quick·Step + 9'29
59 Mitja Mahoric Agritubel + 10'04
60 Mario Aerts Silence - Lotto + 10'05
61 Francis Mourey Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 10'38
62 Edvald Boasson Hagen Team High Road + 11'38
63 Maxime Bouet Agritubel + 11'45
64 Heinrich Haussler Gerolsteiner + 11'51
65 Anthony Roux Française des Jeux + 11'56
66 Nicolas Vogondy Agritubel + 11'59
67 Murilo Fischer Liquigas + 12'11
68 Matti Breschel Team CSC + 12'14
69 Rubén Lobato Saunier Duval - Scott + 12'36
70 Matteo Bono Lampre + 12'59
71 Pieter Weening Rabobank + 13'15
72 Tom Boonen Quick·Step + 13'53
73 Luca Mazzanti Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 14'09
74 Romain Villa Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 14'44
75 Baoqing Song Skil - Shimano + 14'45
76 Julien Simon Crédit Agricole + 14'48
77 Andriy Grivko Team Milram + 15'12
78 Matthias Ruß Skil - Shimano + 15'31
79 Richard Faltus Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 16'18
80 Andrea Tonti Quick·Step + 17'12
81 Christophe Le Mével Crédit Agricole + 17'40
82 Dominique Cornu Silence - Lotto + 17'49
83 Bradley McGee Team CSC + 18'24
84 Jean-Charles Sénac Silence - Lotto + 20'55
85 Dimitry Kozontchuk Rabobank + 21'47
86 Romain Feillu Agritubel + 22'34
87 Salvatore Commesso Liquigas + 22'38
88 Gert Steegmans Quick·Step + 23'07
89 Bernhard Eisel Team High Road + 23'14
90 David Moncoutié Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 23'55
91 Juan José Oroz Silence - Lotto + 24'08
92 Sebastian Langeveld Rabobank s.t.
93 Alessandro Petacchi Team Milram + 24'25
94 Christian Meier Quick·Step + 25'28
95 Damien Monier Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 25'41
96 Yoann Le Boulanger Française des Jeux + 25'54
97 Alexandre Blain Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 25'58
98 Aurélien Passeron Saunier Duval - Scott + 27'02
99 Eric Berthou Crédit Agricole + 27'03
100 Mikaël Chérel Française des Jeux + 27'28
101 Yoann Bagot Bouygues Télécom + 27'38
102 Dioni Galparsoro Euskaltel - Euskadi + 28'10
103 Marco Velo Team Milram + 28'12
104 Mirko Selvaggi Gerolsteiner + 29'07
105 Jean-Marc Marino Crédit Agricole + 30'08
106 Emanuelle Bindi Lampre + 30'29
107 Craig Lewis Team High Road + 30'55
108 Gustav Larsson Team CSC s.t.
109 Ronny Scholz Gerolsteiner + 31'01
110 Ludovic Turpin AG2R - La Mondiale + 31'31
111 Markel Irizar Euskaltel - Euskadi + 34'18
112 Blaise Sonnery AG2R - La Mondiale + 35'21
113 Andreas Klier Team High Road + 35'36
114 Steven Cozza Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 36'20
115 Jean-Lou Paiani Crédit Agricole + 37'17
116 Paolo Tiralongo Lampre + 37'44
117 Claudio Corioni Liquigas + 38'47
118 Benoit Sinner Agritubel + 38'48
119 Koldo Fernández de Larrea Euskaltel - Euskadi + 39'12
120 Wim De Vocht Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 39'24
121 Christophe Mengin Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 41'48
122 Josu Agirre Euskaltel - Euskadi + 42'32
123 Tim Klinger Gerolsteiner + 42'47
124 Kilian Patour Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 42'48
125 Wataru Otsuka Skil - Shimano + 42'57
126 Luca Barla Team Milram + 43'15
127 Tom Stamsnijder Gerolsteiner + 43'40
128 Fabio Sabatini Team Milram + 44'02
129 Luboš Pelánek Lampre + 44'19
130 Enrico Franzoï Liquigas + 45'04
131 Emilien-Benoît Bergès Agritubel + 45'27
132 Jürgen Van de Walle Quick·Step + 45'36
133 Jurgen Roelandts Silence - Lotto + 46'41
134 Juan José Haedo Caisse d'Epargne + 47'18
135 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi + 47'20
136 Cédric Pineau AG2R - La Mondiale + 49'32
137 Mickael Delage Française des Jeux + 50'23
138 Frederic Guesdon Lampre + 51'12
139 Mark Renshaw Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 51'31
140 Julian Dean Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 52'14
141 Sébastien Chavanel AG2R - La Mondiale + 52'31
142 Roy Sentjens Silence - Lotto + 53'03
143 Mashahiro Shinagawa Skil - Shimano + 53'34
144 Kenny Van Hummel Skil - Shimano + 54'15
145 Stefano Zanini Liquigas + 55'28
146 Dennis Haueisen Team Milram + 55'44
147 Roberto Longo Lampre + 55'53
148 Sebastian Lang Gerolsteiner + 57'38
149 Hirota Nakasone AG2R - La Mondiale + 57'55
150 Jesús Herrada Euskaltel - Euskadi + 58'37
151 Gorik Gardeyn Silence - Lotto + 1h00'08
152 Robert Wagner Skil - Shimano + 1h03'44
153 Kevin Neirynck Lampre + 1h04'30
154 Sander Oostlander Bouygues Télécom + 1h06'43
155 Fabien Bacquet Skil - Shimano + 1h07'08
156 Fred Kirk Crédit Agricole + 1h16'43
157 Steven Caethoven Agritubel + 1h19'21
158 Volodymyr Dyudya Team Milram + 1h23'47
159 Hans-Ulrich Kellner Team Milram + 1h31'14
A more relaxing hilly stage tommorow, but we will need to be attentive to protect Yuri's yellow jersey.
A hilly stage today, but it is unlikely any major moves will go.
The break was another talented group of riders but it took a long time to form. Nearly half the peloton had seemed to have attacked in the first 30km and finally one group was allowed to go away, giving the rest of us a little bit of respite from the relentless pace.
On the penultimate climb Andriy Grivko was allowed to break from the pack and, by the final ascent was mixing it with the leaders.
Back with the pack, Yuri decided he could gain some time today, so he jumped away, in pursuit of the tiring leaders.
He escaped the clutches of Caisse d'Epargne and quickly passed the shattered remains of the breakawy, before bridging up to Grivko, who had broken away on his own.
They worked for the final 20km until Yuri blew Grivko away in the sprint.
He even gave the chasing peloton a cheeky early celebration.
I contested the final sprint, trying to defend my green points jersey. Grivko was swallowed by the pack and I managed a 4th to retain the jersey by 3 points from Yuri.
Stage Results:
Rank Name Team Time
1 Yuri Trofimov Bouygues Télécom 5h05'06
2 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 33
3 Gert Steegmans Quick·Step s.t. 4 Yukihiro Doi Bouygues Télécom s.t.
5 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux s.t.
6 Gianni Meersman Française des Jeux s.t.
7 Michael Albasini Liquigas s.t.
8 Matthew Lloyd Française des Jeux s.t.
9 Romain Feillu Agritubel s.t.
10 Joaquim Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
11 Tom Boonen Quick·Step s.t.
12 Manuele Mori Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
13 Clément Lhotellerie Skil - Shimano s.t.
14 Heinrich Haussler Gerolsteiner s.t.
15 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner s.t.
16 Jelle Vanendert Française des Jeux s.t.
17 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
18 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas s.t.
19 Sébastien Joly Rabobank s.t.
20 Pavel Brutt Agritubel s.t.
21 Edvald Boasson Hagen Team High Road s.t.
22 Kurt-Asle Arvesen Team CSC s.t.
23 Matti Breschel Team CSC s.t.
24 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step s.t.
25 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC s.t.
26 Kim Kirchen Team High Road s.t.
27 George Hincapie Team High Road s.t.
28 Pierre Rolland Crédit Agricole s.t.
29 Mario Aerts Silence - Lotto s.t.
30 Bauke Mollema Rabobank s.t.
31 Bram Tankink Rabobank s.t.
32 Rémi Pauriol Crédit Agricole s.t.
33 Vladimir Efimkin AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
34 Andrea Tonti Quick·Step s.t.
35 Ronny Scholz Gerolsteiner s.t.
36 Juanjo Cobo Team CSC s.t.
37 Mikaël Chérel Française des Jeux s.t.
38 Jens Voigt Team CSC s.t.
39 Murilo Fischer Liquigas s.t.
40 Gilberto Simoni Bouygues Télécom s.t.
41 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
42 Johan Vansummeren Silence - Lotto s.t.
43 Mauricio Soler AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
44 José Angel Gómez Marchante Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
45 Thomas Lövkvist Team High Road s.t.
46 Andriy Grivko Team Milram s.t.
47 Alexander Efimkin Quick·Step s.t.
48 Bernhard Kohl Gerolsteiner s.t.
49 Tom Danielson Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
50 David Arroyo Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
51 Mathieu Sprick Bouygues Télécom s.t.
52 Ryder Hesjedal Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
53 Carlos Castaño Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
54 David López Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
55 Pierrick Fédrigo Bouygues Télécom s.t.
56 Tadej Valjavec AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
57 Johann Tschopp Bouygues Télécom s.t.
58 Bradley McGee Team CSC s.t.
59 Charles Wegelius Liquigas s.t.
60 David De la Fuente Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
61 Yoann Le Boulanger Française des Jeux s.t.
62 José Antonio Redondo Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
63 Baoqing Song Skil - Shimano s.t.
64 Christian Vandevelde Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
65 Eric Berthou Crédit Agricole s.t.
66 Paco Lara Quick·Step s.t.
67 Vladimir Karpets Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
68 Rubén Lobato Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
69 Francis Mourey Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 2'49
70 Julien Simon Crédit Agricole + 3'37
71 Koldo Fernández de Larrea Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
72 Xavier Zandio Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
73 Maxime Bouet Agritubel s.t.
74 Sebastian Langeveld Rabobank s.t.
75 Juan José Oroz Silence - Lotto s.t.
76 Javier Etxarri Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
77 Grischa Niermann Rabobank s.t.
78 Julian Dean Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
79 Marco Velo Team Milram s.t.
80 Denis Menchov Rabobank s.t.
81 Luca Barla Team Milram s.t.
82 Dimitry Kozontchuk Rabobank s.t.
83 Sylvester Szmyd Lampre s.t.
84 Emanuelle Bindi Lampre s.t.
85 Mitja Mahoric Agritubel s.t.
86 Mickael Delage Française des Jeux s.t.
87 Amets Txurruka Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
88 Yoann Bagot Bouygues Télécom s.t.
89 Jean-Charles Sénac Silence - Lotto s.t.
90 Alessandro Petacchi Team Milram s.t.
91 Wim De Vocht Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 6'17
92 Richard Faltus Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
93 Craig Lewis Team High Road s.t.
94 Romain Villa Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
95 Alexandre Blain Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
96 David Moncoutié Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
97 Christophe Mengin Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
98 Damien Monier Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
99 Mirko Selvaggi Gerolsteiner s.t.
100 Jean-Marc Marino Crédit Agricole s.t.
101 Tom Stamsnijder Gerolsteiner s.t.
102 Kanstantsin Siutsou Team High Road s.t.
103 Andreas Klier Team High Road s.t.
104 Roy Sentjens Silence - Lotto s.t.
105 Benoit Sinner Agritubel s.t.
106 Gustav Larsson Team CSC s.t.
107 Aurélien Passeron Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
108 Luca Mazzanti Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
109 Jurgen Roelandts Silence - Lotto s.t.
110 Christophe Le Mével Crédit Agricole s.t.
111 Claudio Corioni Liquigas s.t.
112 Salvatore Commesso Liquigas s.t.
113 Enrico Franzoï Liquigas s.t.
114 Ludovic Turpin AG2R - La Mondiale + 8'09
115 Jean-Lou Paiani Crédit Agricole s.t.
116 Emilien-Benoît Bergès Agritubel s.t.
117 Matthias Ruß Skil - Shimano s.t.
118 Christian Meier Quick·Step s.t.
119 Frederic Guesdon Lampre s.t.
120 Wataru Otsuka Skil - Shimano s.t.
121 Nicolas Vogondy Agritubel s.t.
122 Kilian Patour Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
123 Anthony Roux Française des Jeux s.t.
124 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi + 9'29
125 Markel Irizar Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
126 Luboš Pelánek Lampre s.t.
127 Dioni Galparsoro Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
128 Juan José Haedo Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
129 Dennis Haueisen Team Milram s.t.
130 Pieter Weening Rabobank s.t.
131 Kenny Van Hummel Skil - Shimano s.t.
132 Bernhard Eisel Team High Road s.t.
133 Kevin Neirynck Lampre s.t.
134 Dominique Cornu Silence - Lotto s.t.
135 Josu Agirre Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
136 Blaise Sonnery AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
137 Matteo Bono Lampre s.t.
138 Mark Renshaw Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
139 Fabio Sabatini Team Milram s.t.
140 Robert Wagner Skil - Shimano + 12'41
141 Cédric Pineau AG2R - La Mondiale + 13'05
142 Jesús Herrada Euskaltel - Euskadi + 14'17
143 Mashahiro Shinagawa Skil - Shimano + 15'37
144 Gorik Gardeyn Silence - Lotto + 16'17
145 Jürgen Van de Walle Quick·Step + 17'45
146 Tim Klinger Gerolsteiner s.t.
147 Steven Cozza Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
148 Roberto Longo Lampre s.t.
149 Stefano Zanini Liquigas + 18'33
150 Sebastian Lang Gerolsteiner s.t.
151 Sébastien Chavanel AG2R - La Mondiale + 19'13
152 Fabien Bacquet Skil - Shimano s.t.
153 Sander Oostlander Bouygues Télécom + 20'09
154 Fred Kirk Crédit Agricole + 21'53
155 Hirota Nakasone AG2R - La Mondiale + 26'41
156 Steven Caethoven Agritubel + 27'05
157 Paolo Tiralongo Lampre + 28'25
158 Volodymyr Dyudya Team Milram + 29'21
159 Hans-Ulrich Kellner Team Milram + 34'57
Yuri extends his GC lead
The penultimate stage is a relentless stage, with multiple climbs at steep gradients and a summit finish. It could decide the tour.
I organised for cyclingnews.com to give live commentary to you. Todays stage has 8 categorised climbs and a summit finish! It will be brutal! I may sit up if it really starts to hurt.
Hello, I'm David Hasselbahner reporting for cyclingnews.com. You join me live, with just under 40km to go. The pack is flying now, trying to catch the remnants of this mornings breakaway. The group ahead of the peloton seems to be tiring, but Matti Breschel is still going strong, out in front. We are approaching the penultimate climb. It isn't majorly steep or long but, with the hard riding beforehand, it could provide an opportunity for early attacks, maybe from the only man close to Trofimov, Alejandro Valverde. I don't think many riders will be able to hang on if this pace continues.
We're on the footslopes of this climb now; the pace hasn't decreased yet. CSC are driving it. Their leader Cobo is having a chat with his team-mates - I wonder what he's saying. The breakaway group have been brought back in.
CSC seem to be slacking off now - maybe Cobo was struggling. Well, L'Hotellerie sees it as a sign to attack, he has been possibly one of the most active riders of the tour. And it's kicking off: Schumacher follows him with Pierre Rolland. There's the biggest danger in the race: Valverde. He's really accelerating away from the pack. But Trofimov is following with our man Doi. This is really hotting up. And Cobo cannot follow!
They're starting to link up near the top of the climb: Trofimov and Valverde are just about to catch a flagging Breschel, with Schumacher, L'Hotellerie and Rolland chasing them. CSC have started to try and pull them back in.
Trofimov is leading Valverde down the descent; this is quick. We're already back on the flat. The final climb is looming ominously into view. Behind these two, CSC have pulled the chasing 3 in. Who knows who will win today?
Our man Doi is sitting in the pack - what will he do today? He has no real aims for it but he has looked good so far.
The leaders have hit the Grand Duc and Trofimov is keeping a steady pace. This is going to be a close one it seems.
Everything is going crazy back in the pack. Cobo seems to have rediscovered his legs and is powering away. Sammy Sanchez and Barredo are doing there best to follow but the rest of the group seems to have imploded - riders are going backwards everywhere. Doi is relaxing now; with no goals he may not want to push himself.
Trofimov is opening up the sprint now. No way! Sprint demon Valverde is wilting behind him and the gap is opening massively. Valverde is blowing cold now. He is almost at a standstill. Cobo is racing up to his wheel - will he catch him?
But this race is about one man: Yuri Trofimov. He is going to take a 3rd stage win and surely the Paris-Nice overall!
Another dominating victory for the Russian.
Valverde is having a torrid time. Cobo has passed him and Sanchez is coming up to his wheel.
Well, he gets to the line before him, but it's not been a great day.
Doi rolls in 23rd.
Stage results:
Rank Name Team Time
1 Yuri Trofimov Bouygues Télécom 5h46'16
2 Juanjo Cobo Team CSC + 56
3 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 1'10
4 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 1'33
5 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 1'46
6 José Angel Gómez Marchante Saunier Duval - Scott + 2'38
7 Michael Albasini Liquigas s.t.
8 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC + 2'50
9 Sebastian Langeveld Rabobank s.t.
10 Kim Kirchen Team High Road s.t.
11 Pierrick Fédrigo Bouygues Télécom + 3'02
12 Mathieu Sprick Bouygues Télécom + 3'10
13 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner s.t.
14 Johan Vansummeren Silence - Lotto s.t.
15 Kurt-Asle Arvesen Team CSC + 3'18
16 Jens Voigt Team CSC s.t.
17 George Hincapie Team High Road s.t.
18 Clément Lhotellerie Skil - Shimano s.t.
19 Gilberto Simoni Bouygues Télécom + 3'26
20 Rémi Pauriol Crédit Agricole s.t.
21 Mario Aerts Silence - Lotto + 3'34
22 Pierre Rolland Crédit Agricole + 3'42 23 Yukihiro Doi Bouygues Télécom s.t.
24 Sébastien Joly Rabobank s.t.
25 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne + 3'50
26 Thomas Lövkvist Team High Road s.t.
27 Edvald Boasson Hagen Team High Road + 3'58
28 David Moncoutié Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 4'06
29 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas s.t.
30 Romain Villa Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
31 Bauke Mollema Rabobank + 4'14
32 Tom Boonen Quick·Step + 4'30
33 Alexander Efimkin Quick·Step s.t.
34 Ryder Hesjedal Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
35 Gert Steegmans Quick·Step s.t.
36 Murilo Fischer Liquigas s.t.
37 Andrea Tonti Quick·Step s.t.
38 Carlos Castaño Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
39 Johann Tschopp Bouygues Télécom + 4'38
40 Mikaël Chérel Française des Jeux s.t.
41 Yoann Le Boulanger Française des Jeux s.t.
42 Anthony Roux Française des Jeux s.t.
43 Javier Etxarri Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
44 Andreas Klier Team High Road s.t.
45 Tadej Valjavec AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
46 Mauricio Soler AG2R - La Mondiale + 4'46
47 Jelle Vanendert Française des Jeux s.t.
48 Bradley McGee Team CSC s.t.
49 Vladimir Efimkin AG2R - La Mondiale + 4'54
50 Bernhard Eisel Team High Road s.t.
51 Matthew Lloyd Française des Jeux + 5'02
52 Gianni Meersman Française des Jeux s.t.
53 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux s.t.
54 Bram Tankink Rabobank s.t.
55 Manuele Mori Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
56 Maxime Bouet Agritubel + 5'10
57 Pavel Brutt Agritubel + 5'18
58 Nicolas Vogondy Agritubel s.t.
59 Bernhard Kohl Gerolsteiner + 5'26
60 Paco Lara Quick·Step + 5'34
61 Tom Danielson Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 5'42
62 David Arroyo Saunier Duval - Scott + 5'50
63 Wim De Vocht Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
64 Rubén Lobato Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
65 Julian Dean Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
66 Charles Wegelius Liquigas + 5'58
67 Francis Mourey Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
68 Vladimir Karpets Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
69 Jean-Charles Sénac Silence - Lotto + 6'06
70 Joaquim Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
71 Mitja Mahoric Agritubel s.t.
72 Dominique Cornu Silence - Lotto + 6'22
73 Jurgen Roelandts Silence - Lotto + 6'30
74 Amets Txurruka Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
75 Koldo Fernández de Larrea Euskaltel - Euskadi + 6'38
76 Claudio Corioni Liquigas + 7'50
77 Grischa Niermann Rabobank + 7'58
78 Matthias Ruß Skil - Shimano s.t.
79 Eric Berthou Crédit Agricole s.t.
80 David López Caisse d'Epargne + 8'06
81 Julien Simon Crédit Agricole s.t.
82 Damien Monier Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
83 Wataru Otsuka Skil - Shimano + 8'14
84 Kenny Van Hummel Skil - Shimano s.t.
85 Christian Vandevelde Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
86 Tom Stamsnijder Gerolsteiner s.t.
87 Roy Sentjens Silence - Lotto + 8'22
88 Josu Agirre Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
89 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi + 8'30
90 Emilien-Benoît Bergès Agritubel s.t.
91 Dioni Galparsoro Euskaltel - Euskadi + 8'38
92 Yoann Bagot Bouygues Télécom + 8'46
93 Gustav Larsson Team CSC + 9'34
94 Jean-Lou Paiani Crédit Agricole s.t.
95 Ronny Scholz Gerolsteiner + 9'42
96 Richard Faltus Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
97 Alessandro Petacchi Team Milram s.t.
98 Marco Velo Team Milram + 9'50
99 Enrico Franzoï Liquigas s.t.
100 Kanstantsin Siutsou Team High Road + 9'58
101 Matti Breschel Team CSC + 10'06
102 Xavier Zandio Caisse d'Epargne + 10'54
103 Markel Irizar Euskaltel - Euskadi + 11'26
104 Frederic Guesdon Lampre + 11'50
105 Emanuelle Bindi Lampre + 11'58
106 Sylvester Szmyd Lampre s.t.
107 Christophe Mengin Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 13'10
108 Juan José Haedo Caisse d'Epargne + 13'18
109 Luca Mazzanti Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
110 Alexandre Blain Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 13'34
111 David De la Fuente Saunier Duval - Scott + 14'54
112 Mirko Selvaggi Gerolsteiner s.t.
113 Christophe Le Mével Crédit Agricole + 15'26
114 José Antonio Redondo Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
115 Baoqing Song Skil - Shimano + 15'34
116 Dimitry Kozontchuk Rabobank + 15'42
117 Denis Menchov Rabobank s.t.
118 Mark Renshaw Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
119 Pieter Weening Rabobank + 15'50
120 Jean-Marc Marino Crédit Agricole + 15'58
121 Gorik Gardeyn Silence - Lotto s.t.
122 Craig Lewis Team High Road + 16'06
123 Kilian Patour Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
124 Benoit Sinner Agritubel s.t.
125 Heinrich Haussler Gerolsteiner + 16'30
126 Mickael Delage Française des Jeux + 16'38
127 Steven Cozza Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
128 Aurélien Passeron Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
129 Dennis Haueisen Team Milram + 17'02
130 Tim Klinger Gerolsteiner + 17'10
131 Cédric Pineau AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
132 Romain Feillu Agritubel s.t.
133 Andriy Grivko Team Milram + 17'18
134 Luca Barla Team Milram s.t.
135 Fabio Sabatini Team Milram + 17'26
136 Sander Oostlander Bouygues Télécom + 20'06
137 Salvatore Commesso Liquigas + 20'14
138 Ludovic Turpin AG2R - La Mondiale + 21'50
139 Blaise Sonnery AG2R - La Mondiale + 21'58
140 Luboš Pelánek Lampre + 22'54
141 Kevin Neirynck Lampre s.t.
142 Matteo Bono Lampre + 23'10
143 Christian Meier Quick·Step + 23'58
144 Stefano Zanini Liquigas s.t.
145 Sébastien Chavanel AG2R - La Mondiale + 24'06
146 Fabien Bacquet Skil - Shimano + 24'14
147 Roberto Longo Lampre + 24'22
148 Sebastian Lang Gerolsteiner s.t.
149 Robert Wagner Skil - Shimano + 24'46
150 Steven Caethoven Agritubel + 25'02
151 Juan José Oroz Silence - Lotto + 25'10
152 Mashahiro Shinagawa Skil - Shimano + 25'58
153 Jürgen Van de Walle Quick·Step + 26'54
154 Jesús Herrada Euskaltel - Euskadi + 27'02
155 Fred Kirk Crédit Agricole + 28'14
156 Paolo Tiralongo Lampre + 35'26
157 Hirota Nakasone AG2R - La Mondiale + 36'14
158 Hans-Ulrich Kellner Team Milram + 36'30
159 Volodymyr Dyudya Team Milram + 41'18
GC:
Rank Name Team Time
1 Yuri Trofimov Bouygues Télécom 29h00'31
2 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 4'30
3 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 5'21
4 Juanjo Cobo Team CSC + 5'38
5 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 6'41
6 Michael Albasini Liquigas + 7'44
7 José Angel Gómez Marchante Saunier Duval - Scott + 7'45
8 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner + 8'04
9 Pierrick Fédrigo Bouygues Télécom + 8'09 10 Yukihiro Doi Bouygues Télécom + 8'10
11 Kim Kirchen Team High Road + 8'11
12 Jens Voigt Team CSC + 8'13
13 Clément Lhotellerie Skil - Shimano + 8'23
14 George Hincapie Team High Road + 8'25
15 Mathieu Sprick Bouygues Télécom + 8'32
16 Thomas Lövkvist Team High Road + 8'42
17 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne + 8'56
18 Sébastien Joly Rabobank s.t.
19 Pierre Rolland Crédit Agricole + 9'02
20 Rémi Pauriol Crédit Agricole + 9'10
21 Bauke Mollema Rabobank + 9'13
22 Gilberto Simoni Bouygues Télécom + 9'19
23 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas + 9'25
24 Ryder Hesjedal Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 9'29
25 Carlos Castaño Saunier Duval - Scott + 9'43
26 Johann Tschopp Bouygues Télécom + 9'50
27 Mauricio Soler AG2R - La Mondiale + 10'01
28 Alexander Efimkin Quick·Step + 10'16
29 Tadej Valjavec AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
30 Bram Tankink Rabobank + 10'18
31 Vladimir Efimkin AG2R - La Mondiale + 10'24
32 Matthew Lloyd Française des Jeux + 10'28
33 Bernhard Kohl Gerolsteiner + 10'34
34 Pavel Brutt Agritubel + 10'40
35 David Arroyo Saunier Duval - Scott + 10'58
36 Joaquim Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne + 11'33
37 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC + 11'39
38 Johan Vansummeren Silence - Lotto + 11'59
39 Gianni Meersman Française des Jeux + 12'05
40 Kurt-Asle Arvesen Team CSC + 12'07
41 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux + 12'30
42 David López Caisse d'Epargne + 13'36
43 Manuele Mori Caisse d'Epargne + 14'01
44 Tom Danielson Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 14'17
45 Jelle Vanendert Française des Jeux + 14'23
46 Mario Aerts Silence - Lotto + 14'24
47 Vladimir Karpets Caisse d'Epargne + 14'26
48 Charles Wegelius Liquigas + 14'27
49 Paco Lara Quick·Step + 15'48
50 Edvald Boasson Hagen Team High Road + 16'21
51 Christian Vandevelde Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 16'24
52 Grischa Niermann Rabobank + 16'25
53 Javier Etxarri Saunier Duval - Scott + 16'34
54 Murilo Fischer Liquigas + 17'26
55 Amets Txurruka Euskaltel - Euskadi + 18'20
56 Tom Boonen Quick·Step + 19'08
57 Rubén Lobato Saunier Duval - Scott + 19'11
58 Francis Mourey Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 19'37
59 Mitja Mahoric Agritubel + 19'59
60 David De la Fuente Saunier Duval - Scott + 20'35
61 Maxime Bouet Agritubel + 20'44
62 José Antonio Redondo Saunier Duval - Scott + 20'57
63 Kanstantsin Siutsou Team High Road + 21'12
64 Andrea Tonti Quick·Step + 22'27
65 Xavier Zandio Caisse d'Epargne + 22'50
66 Matti Breschel Team CSC + 23'04
67 Sylvester Szmyd Lampre + 23'52
68 Bradley McGee Team CSC + 23'55
69 Anthony Roux Française des Jeux + 24'55
70 Romain Villa Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 25'19
71 Nicolas Vogondy Agritubel + 25'35
72 Julien Simon Crédit Agricole + 26'43
73 Denis Menchov Rabobank + 27'15
74 Gert Steegmans Quick·Step + 28'20
75 Heinrich Haussler Gerolsteiner + 29'03
76 Sebastian Langeveld Rabobank + 30'47
77 Jean-Charles Sénac Silence - Lotto + 30'50
78 Baoqing Song Skil - Shimano + 31'04
79 Yoann Le Boulanger Française des Jeux + 31'17
80 Matthias Ruß Skil - Shimano + 31'50
81 Richard Faltus Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 32'29
82 Mikaël Chérel Française des Jeux + 32'51
83 Andriy Grivko Team Milram + 33'10
84 Dominique Cornu Silence - Lotto + 33'52
85 Luca Mazzanti Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
86 David Moncoutié Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 34'30
87 Eric Berthou Crédit Agricole + 35'46
88 Bernhard Eisel Team High Road + 37'49
89 Alessandro Petacchi Team Milram + 37'56
90 Pieter Weening Rabobank + 38'46
91 Christophe Le Mével Crédit Agricole + 39'35
92 Yoann Bagot Bouygues Télécom + 40'13
93 Damien Monier Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 40'16
94 Romain Feillu Agritubel + 40'29
95 Dimitry Kozontchuk Rabobank + 41'18
96 Ronny Scholz Gerolsteiner + 41'28
97 Marco Velo Team Milram + 41'51
98 Matteo Bono Lampre + 45'50
99 Alexandre Blain Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 46'01
100 Emanuelle Bindi Lampre + 46'16
101 Dioni Galparsoro Euskaltel - Euskadi + 46'29
102 Andreas Klier Team High Road + 46'43
103 Gustav Larsson Team CSC + 46'58
104 Salvatore Commesso Liquigas + 49'19
105 Koldo Fernández de Larrea Euskaltel - Euskadi + 49'39
106 Aurélien Passeron Saunier Duval - Scott + 50'09
107 Mirko Selvaggi Gerolsteiner + 50'30
108 Wim De Vocht Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 51'43
109 Jean-Marc Marino Crédit Agricole + 52'35
110 Juan José Oroz Silence - Lotto + 53'04
111 Claudio Corioni Liquigas + 53'06
112 Craig Lewis Team High Road + 53'30
113 Jean-Lou Paiani Crédit Agricole + 55'12
114 Markel Irizar Euskaltel - Euskadi + 55'25
115 Christian Meier Quick·Step + 57'47
116 Tom Stamsnijder Gerolsteiner + 58'23
117 Wataru Otsuka Skil - Shimano + 59'32
118 Jurgen Roelandts Silence - Lotto + 59'40
119 Josu Agirre Euskaltel - Euskadi + 1h00'35
120 Enrico Franzoï Liquigas + 1h01'23
121 Benoit Sinner Agritubel s.t.
122 Christophe Mengin Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 1h01'27
123 Ludovic Turpin AG2R - La Mondiale + 1h01'42
124 Julian Dean Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 1h01'53
125 Emilien-Benoît Bergès Agritubel + 1h02'18
126 Luca Barla Team Milram + 1h04'22
127 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi + 1h05'31
128 Blaise Sonnery AG2R - La Mondiale + 1h06'58
129 Kilian Patour Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 1h07'15
130 Roy Sentjens Silence - Lotto + 1h07'54
131 Juan José Haedo Caisse d'Epargne + 1h10'17
132 Mickael Delage Française des Jeux + 1h10'50
133 Steven Cozza Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 1h10'54
134 Fabio Sabatini Team Milram + 1h11'09
135 Frederic Guesdon Lampre + 1h11'23
136 Kenny Van Hummel Skil - Shimano + 1h12'10
137 Mark Renshaw Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 1h16'54
138 Luboš Pelánek Lampre s.t.
139 Tim Klinger Gerolsteiner + 1h17'54
140 Cédric Pineau AG2R - La Mondiale + 1h19'59
141 Dennis Haueisen Team Milram + 1h22'27
142 Jürgen Van de Walle Quick·Step + 1h30'27
143 Gorik Gardeyn Silence - Lotto + 1h32'35
144 Mashahiro Shinagawa Skil - Shimano + 1h35'21
145 Sébastien Chavanel AG2R - La Mondiale + 1h36'02
146 Kevin Neirynck Lampre + 1h37'05
147 Stefano Zanini Liquigas + 1h38'11
148 Roberto Longo Lampre + 1h38'12
149 Jesús Herrada Euskaltel - Euskadi + 1h40'08
150 Sebastian Lang Gerolsteiner + 1h40'45
151 Robert Wagner Skil - Shimano + 1h41'23
152 Paolo Tiralongo Lampre + 1h41'47
153 Sander Oostlander Bouygues Télécom + 1h47'10
154 Fabien Bacquet Skil - Shimano + 1h50'47
155 Hirota Nakasone AG2R - La Mondiale + 2h01'02
156 Fred Kirk Crédit Agricole + 2h07'02
157 Steven Caethoven Agritubel + 2h11'40
158 Volodymyr Dyudya Team Milram + 2h34'38
159 Hans-Ulrich Kellner Team Milram + 2h42'53
That's the end of our coverage for today. Tune in tommorow for the traditional mountain time trial up the Col d'Eze where Yuri Trofimov will surely be the winner of the 2009 Paris-Nice.
Goodbye!
Not a great day for me then: I moved down to 10th on GC. I'm gonna relax tommorow: there is no advantage of wasting my energy on it. I will probably relinquish 10th spot as well: 20th placed Remi Pauriol is only a minute behind.
I relaxed in the TT up the Eze today. A loss of 1'04 to winner Juanjo Cobo was my reward. It meant I finished 17th on GC, 9"02 back on winner, team-mate and friend, Yuri Trofimov.
Stage:
Rank Name Team Time
1 Juanjo Cobo Team CSC 20'40
2 Thomas Lövkvist Team High Road + 4
3 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 8
4 Sébastien Joly Rabobank + 12
5 Yuri Trofimov Bouygues Télécom s.t.
6 Clément Lhotellerie Skil - Shimano + 20
7 Kim Kirchen Team High Road s.t.
8 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne + 28
9 Mathieu Sprick Bouygues Télécom s.t.
10 George Hincapie Team High Road s.t.
11 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
12 Johan Vansummeren Silence - Lotto + 32
13 Bauke Mollema Rabobank + 36
14 Jens Voigt Team CSC s.t.
15 Carlos Castaño Saunier Duval - Scott + 40
16 Pierre Rolland Crédit Agricole + 44
17 Pierrick Fédrigo Bouygues Télécom s.t.
18 José Angel Gómez Marchante Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
19 Tadej Valjavec AG2R - La Mondiale + 48
20 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner + 52
21 Jelle Vanendert Française des Jeux + 56
22 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux s.t.
23 Gianni Meersman Française des Jeux s.t.
24 Joaquim Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
25 Matthew Lloyd Française des Jeux s.t.
26 Vladimir Efimkin AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
27 Mauricio Soler AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
28 Johann Tschopp Bouygues Télécom s.t.
29 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas s.t.
30 Michael Albasini Liquigas s.t.
31 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 1'00
32 Christian Vandevelde Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 1'04
33 Charles Wegelius Liquigas s.t.
34 Tom Danielson Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
35 Manuele Mori Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
36 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC s.t.
37 Bernhard Kohl Gerolsteiner s.t.
38 Gilberto Simoni Bouygues Télécom s.t. 39 Yukihiro Doi Bouygues Télécom s.t.
40 Pieter Weening Rabobank + 1'11
41 David López Caisse d'Epargne + 1'12
42 Kurt-Asle Arvesen Team CSC s.t.
43 Ryder Hesjedal Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
44 Sebastian Lang Gerolsteiner + 1'15
45 Rémi Pauriol Crédit Agricole + 1'16
46 Sander Oostlander Bouygues Télécom + 1'18
47 David Moncoutié Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 1'19
48 Edvald Boasson Hagen Team High Road + 1'20
49 David Arroyo Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
50 Pavel Brutt Agritubel s.t.
51 Bram Tankink Rabobank s.t.
52 Alexander Efimkin Quick·Step s.t.
53 Volodymyr Dyudya Team Milram + 1'21
54 Kilian Patour Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 1'27
55 Luca Barla Team Milram s.t.
56 Josu Agirre Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
57 Jurgen Roelandts Silence - Lotto s.t.
58 Christian Meier Quick·Step s.t.
59 Markel Irizar Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
60 Sebastian Langeveld Rabobank s.t.
61 Denis Menchov Rabobank s.t.
62 Steven Cozza Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
63 Fred Kirk Crédit Agricole + 1'28
64 Grischa Niermann Rabobank s.t.
65 Vladimir Karpets Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
66 Emilien-Benoît Bergès Agritubel + 1'35
67 Gustav Larsson Team CSC s.t.
68 Marco Velo Team Milram s.t.
69 Ronny Scholz Gerolsteiner s.t.
70 Damien Monier Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
71 Dominique Cornu Silence - Lotto s.t.
72 Andriy Grivko Team Milram s.t.
73 Anthony Roux Française des Jeux s.t.
74 Bradley McGee Team CSC s.t.
75 Mark Renshaw Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
76 Javier Etxarri Saunier Duval - Scott + 1'36
77 Paco Lara Quick·Step s.t.
78 Mario Aerts Silence - Lotto s.t.
79 Tim Klinger Gerolsteiner + 1'38
80 Jürgen Van de Walle Quick·Step s.t.
81 Hans-Ulrich Kellner Team Milram + 1'39
82 Blaise Sonnery AG2R - La Mondiale + 1'43
83 Enrico Franzoï Liquigas s.t.
84 Yoann Le Boulanger Française des Jeux s.t.
85 Nicolas Vogondy Agritubel s.t.
86 Matti Breschel Team CSC s.t.
87 Xavier Zandio Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
88 Maxime Bouet Agritubel s.t.
89 Hirota Nakasone AG2R - La Mondiale + 1'44
90 Amets Txurruka Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
91 Gorik Gardeyn Silence - Lotto + 1'46
92 Kevin Neirynck Lampre + 1'47
93 Jesús Herrada Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
94 Roberto Longo Lampre s.t.
95 Mickael Delage Française des Jeux + 1'51
96 Roy Sentjens Silence - Lotto s.t.
97 Tom Stamsnijder Gerolsteiner s.t.
98 Juan José Oroz Silence - Lotto s.t.
99 Andreas Klier Team High Road s.t.
100 Luca Mazzanti Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
101 Baoqing Song Skil - Shimano s.t.
102 Sylvester Szmyd Lampre s.t.
103 Fabio Sabatini Team Milram s.t.
104 Mitja Mahoric Agritubel s.t.
105 Francis Mourey Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
106 Luboš Pelánek Lampre + 1'54
107 Cédric Pineau AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
108 Dennis Haueisen Team Milram s.t.
109 Mashahiro Shinagawa Skil - Shimano + 1'55
110 Sébastien Chavanel AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
111 Stefano Zanini Liquigas s.t.
112 Paolo Tiralongo Lampre s.t.
113 Robert Wagner Skil - Shimano s.t.
114 Juan José Haedo Caisse d'Epargne + 1'59
115 Ludovic Turpin AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
116 Benoit Sinner Agritubel s.t.
117 Wataru Otsuka Skil - Shimano s.t.
118 Craig Lewis Team High Road s.t.
119 Mirko Selvaggi Gerolsteiner s.t.
120 Koldo Fernández de Larrea Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
121 Emanuelle Bindi Lampre s.t.
122 Dimitry Kozontchuk Rabobank s.t.
123 Yoann Bagot Bouygues Télécom s.t.
124 Bernhard Eisel Team High Road s.t.
125 Mikaël Chérel Française des Jeux s.t.
126 Matthias Ruß Skil - Shimano s.t.
127 Gert Steegmans Quick·Step s.t.
128 Romain Villa Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
129 Kanstantsin Siutsou Team High Road s.t.
130 José Antonio Redondo Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
131 David De la Fuente Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
132 Frederic Guesdon Lampre s.t.
133 Kenny Van Hummel Skil - Shimano s.t.
134 Steven Caethoven Agritubel + 2'00
135 Fabien Bacquet Skil - Shimano s.t.
136 Tom Boonen Quick·Step s.t.
137 Julian Dean Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 2'07
138 Christophe Mengin Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
139 Jean-Lou Paiani Crédit Agricole s.t.
140 Claudio Corioni Liquigas s.t.
141 Jean-Marc Marino Crédit Agricole s.t.
142 Wim De Vocht Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
143 Aurélien Passeron Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
144 Salvatore Commesso Liquigas s.t.
145 Alexandre Blain Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
146 Matteo Bono Lampre s.t.
147 Romain Feillu Agritubel s.t.
148 Eric Berthou Crédit Agricole s.t.
149 Richard Faltus Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
150 Jean-Charles Sénac Silence - Lotto s.t.
151 Heinrich Haussler Gerolsteiner s.t.
152 Julien Simon Crédit Agricole s.t.
153 Rubén Lobato Saunier Duval - Scott + 2'08
154 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi + 2'15
155 Dioni Galparsoro Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
156 Christophe Le Mével Crédit Agricole s.t.
157 Alessandro Petacchi Team Milram s.t.
158 Murilo Fischer Liquigas + 2'16
159 Andrea Tonti Quick·Step + 2'23
Paris-Nice 2009 Final Overall Standings:
Rank Name Team Time
1 Yuri Trofimov Bouygues Télécom 29h21'23
2 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 4'46
3 Juanjo Cobo Team CSC + 5'26
4 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 6'09
5 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 6'37
6 José Angel Gómez Marchante Saunier Duval - Scott + 8'17
7 Kim Kirchen Team High Road + 8'19
8 Michael Albasini Liquigas + 8'28
9 Clément Lhotellerie Skil - Shimano + 8'31
10 Thomas Lövkvist Team High Road + 8'34
11 Jens Voigt Team CSC + 8'37
12 George Hincapie Team High Road + 8'41
13 Pierrick Fédrigo Bouygues Télécom s.t.
14 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner + 8'44
15 Mathieu Sprick Bouygues Télécom + 8'48
16 Sébastien Joly Rabobank + 8'56 17 Yukihiro Doi Bouygues Télécom + 9'02
18 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne + 9'12
19 Pierre Rolland Crédit Agricole + 9'34
20 Bauke Mollema Rabobank + 9'37
21 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas + 10'09
22 Carlos Castaño Saunier Duval - Scott + 10'11
23 Gilberto Simoni Bouygues Télécom s.t.
24 Rémi Pauriol Crédit Agricole + 10'14
25 Ryder Hesjedal Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 10'29
26 Johann Tschopp Bouygues Télécom + 10'34
27 Mauricio Soler AG2R - La Mondiale + 10'45
28 Tadej Valjavec AG2R - La Mondiale + 10'52
29 Vladimir Efimkin AG2R - La Mondiale + 11'08
30 Matthew Lloyd Française des Jeux + 11'12
31 Alexander Efimkin Quick·Step + 11'24
32 Bernhard Kohl Gerolsteiner + 11'26
33 Bram Tankink Rabobank s.t.
34 Pavel Brutt Agritubel + 11'48
35 David Arroyo Saunier Duval - Scott + 12'06
36 Joaquim Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne + 12'17
37 Johan Vansummeren Silence - Lotto + 12'19
38 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC + 12'31
39 Gianni Meersman Française des Jeux + 12'49
40 Kurt-Asle Arvesen Team CSC + 13'07
41 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux + 13'14
42 David López Caisse d'Epargne + 14'36
43 Manuele Mori Caisse d'Epargne + 14'53
44 Jelle Vanendert Française des Jeux + 15'07
45 Tom Danielson Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 15'09
46 Charles Wegelius Liquigas + 15'19
47 Vladimir Karpets Caisse d'Epargne + 15'42
48 Mario Aerts Silence - Lotto + 15'48
49 Paco Lara Quick·Step + 17'12
50 Christian Vandevelde Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 17'16
51 Edvald Boasson Hagen Team High Road + 17'29
52 Grischa Niermann Rabobank + 17'41
53 Javier Etxarri Saunier Duval - Scott + 17'58
54 Murilo Fischer Liquigas + 19'30
55 Amets Txurruka Euskaltel - Euskadi + 19'52
56 Tom Boonen Quick·Step + 20'56
57 Rubén Lobato Saunier Duval - Scott + 21'07
58 Francis Mourey Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 21'16
59 Mitja Mahoric Agritubel + 21'38
60 Maxime Bouet Agritubel + 22'15
61 David De la Fuente Saunier Duval - Scott + 22'22
62 José Antonio Redondo Saunier Duval - Scott + 22'44
63 Kanstantsin Siutsou Team High Road + 22'59
64 Xavier Zandio Caisse d'Epargne + 24'21
65 Matti Breschel Team CSC + 24'35
66 Andrea Tonti Quick·Step + 24'38
67 Bradley McGee Team CSC + 25'18
68 Sylvester Szmyd Lampre + 25'31
69 Anthony Roux Française des Jeux + 26'18
70 Nicolas Vogondy Agritubel + 27'06
71 Romain Villa Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
72 Denis Menchov Rabobank + 28'30
73 Julien Simon Crédit Agricole + 28'38
74 Gert Steegmans Quick·Step + 30'07
75 Heinrich Haussler Gerolsteiner + 30'58
76 Sebastian Langeveld Rabobank + 32'02
77 Baoqing Song Skil - Shimano + 32'43
78 Jean-Charles Sénac Silence - Lotto + 32'45
79 Yoann Le Boulanger Française des Jeux + 32'48
80 Matthias Ruß Skil - Shimano + 33'37
81 Richard Faltus Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 34'24
82 Andriy Grivko Team Milram + 34'33
83 Mikaël Chérel Française des Jeux + 34'38
84 Dominique Cornu Silence - Lotto + 35'15
85 Luca Mazzanti Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 35'31
86 David Moncoutié Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 35'37
87 Eric Berthou Crédit Agricole + 37'41
88 Bernhard Eisel Team High Road + 39'36
89 Pieter Weening Rabobank + 39'45
90 Alessandro Petacchi Team Milram + 39'59
91 Christophe Le Mével Crédit Agricole + 41'38
92 Damien Monier Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 41'39
93 Yoann Bagot Bouygues Télécom + 42'00
94 Romain Feillu Agritubel + 42'24
95 Ronny Scholz Gerolsteiner + 42'51
96 Dimitry Kozontchuk Rabobank + 43'05
97 Marco Velo Team Milram + 43'14
98 Matteo Bono Lampre + 47'45
99 Alexandre Blain Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 47'56
100 Emanuelle Bindi Lampre + 48'03
101 Gustav Larsson Team CSC + 48'21
102 Andreas Klier Team High Road + 48'22
103 Dioni Galparsoro Euskaltel - Euskadi + 48'32
104 Salvatore Commesso Liquigas + 51'14
105 Koldo Fernández de Larrea Euskaltel - Euskadi + 51'26
106 Aurélien Passeron Saunier Duval - Scott + 52'04
107 Mirko Selvaggi Gerolsteiner + 52'17
108 Wim De Vocht Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 53'38
109 Jean-Marc Marino Crédit Agricole + 54'30
110 Juan José Oroz Silence - Lotto + 54'43
111 Claudio Corioni Liquigas + 55'01
112 Craig Lewis Team High Road + 55'17
113 Markel Irizar Euskaltel - Euskadi + 56'40
114 Jean-Lou Paiani Crédit Agricole + 57'07
115 Christian Meier Quick·Step + 59'02
116 Tom Stamsnijder Gerolsteiner + 1h00'02
117 Jurgen Roelandts Silence - Lotto + 1h00'55
118 Wataru Otsuka Skil - Shimano + 1h01'19
119 Josu Agirre Euskaltel - Euskadi + 1h01'50
120 Enrico Franzoï Liquigas + 1h02'54
121 Benoit Sinner Agritubel + 1h03'10
122 Christophe Mengin Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 1h03'22
123 Ludovic Turpin AG2R - La Mondiale + 1h03'29
124 Emilien-Benoît Bergès Agritubel + 1h03'41
125 Julian Dean Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 1h03'48
126 Luca Barla Team Milram + 1h05'37
127 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi + 1h07'34
128 Blaise Sonnery AG2R - La Mondiale + 1h08'29
129 Kilian Patour Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 1h08'30
130 Roy Sentjens Silence - Lotto + 1h09'33
131 Juan José Haedo Caisse d'Epargne + 1h12'04
132 Steven Cozza Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 1h12'09
133 Mickael Delage Française des Jeux + 1h12'29
134 Fabio Sabatini Team Milram + 1h12'48
135 Frederic Guesdon Lampre + 1h13'10
136 Kenny Van Hummel Skil - Shimano + 1h13'57
137 Mark Renshaw Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 1h18'17
138 Luboš Pelánek Lampre + 1h18'36
139 Tim Klinger Gerolsteiner + 1h19'20
140 Cédric Pineau AG2R - La Mondiale + 1h21'41
141 Dennis Haueisen Team Milram + 1h24'09
142 Jürgen Van de Walle Quick·Step + 1h31'53
143 Gorik Gardeyn Silence - Lotto + 1h34'09
144 Mashahiro Shinagawa Skil - Shimano + 1h37'04
145 Sébastien Chavanel AG2R - La Mondiale + 1h37'45
146 Kevin Neirynck Lampre + 1h38'40
147 Roberto Longo Lampre + 1h39'47
148 Stefano Zanini Liquigas + 1h39'54
149 Jesús Herrada Euskaltel - Euskadi + 1h41'43
150 Sebastian Lang Gerolsteiner + 1h41'48
151 Robert Wagner Skil - Shimano + 1h43'06
152 Paolo Tiralongo Lampre + 1h43'30
153 Sander Oostlander Bouygues Télécom + 1h48'16
154 Fabien Bacquet Skil - Shimano + 1h52'35
155 Hirota Nakasone AG2R - La Mondiale + 2h02'34
156 Fred Kirk Crédit Agricole + 2h08'18
157 Steven Caethoven Agritubel + 2h13'28
158 Volodymyr Dyudya Team Milram + 2h35'47
159 Hans-Ulrich Kellner Team Milram + 2h44'20
So, a good race for me with a stage win, but it also showed that I lack in form. Next race is Milan-San Remo, before I ride the hilly classics. Then I will begin my Tour build-up proper.
'La Primavera" was this year's greatest race. A fantastic parcours and drama from start to finish.
I had no real goals for the race but I still scanned the profile as, apparently, there was a new climb. It was a big one and the final one, so it could well decide the race.
The breakaway escaped with ease and it's lead peaked at 13'15.
Their lead came to an end on the Capi climbs. The first meaningful attack was on the final climb and it was the form man, Yuri Trofimov. Others tried to go with him but couldn't follow his acceleration.
He hit a high rythmn while I languished in the pillowy folds of the peloton.
Bettini and Boonen were chasing Trofimov, but they could not bridge and neither could Sebastien Langeveld.
With 1km to go, Yuri had a seemingly unnasailable lead as he powered along the Via Roma.
It would be a first Monument for the young Russian to add to his already rapidly growing palmares, including Paris-Nice, less than a week before.
He raises his arms to celebrate, while the fans go crazy. But what are they cheering?
Behind is Boonen, travelling at outlandish speed towards the line, with Bettini in tow. Trofimov looks back to his mother in the crowd to see a flash of Quickstep and AG2R blue fly towards him. He tries one final acceleration to hold his speed. Can he hold it?
No!!! Boonen and Bettini pass him and Boonen triumphs in Milan - San Remo for the first time in his illustrious career. Another sprinter takes it on the Via Roma, but not in the way I would have imagined.
I sprint in for 15th in the pack and see Yuri slumped against the barriers. He is heartbroken. I try to console him, but his anger at his own complacency cannot be calmed. I just hope he can use his inner fire to his advantage in the hilly classics.
Rank Name Team Time
1 Tom Boonen Quick·Step 7h23'57
2 Paolo Bettini AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
3 Yuri Trofimov Bouygues Télécom s.t.
4 Sebastian Langeveld Rabobank + 1'58
5 Juan Antonio Flecha Rabobank + 3'20
6 Davide Rebellin Quick·Step s.t.
7 Daniele Bennati Liquigas s.t.
8 Gert Steegmans Quick·Step s.t.
9 Leonardo Duque Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
10 André Greipel Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
11 Heinrich Haussler Gerolsteiner s.t.
12 Stuart O'Grady Française des Jeux s.t.
13 Alessandro Ballan Lampre s.t.
14 Matteo Carrara Quick·Step s.t.
15 Yukihiro Doi Bouygues Télécom s.t.
16 Martijn Maaskant Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
17 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
18 Filippo Pozzato Liquigas s.t.
19 Thor Hushovd Crédit Agricole s.t.
20 Christopher Sutton Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
21 Matti Breschel Team CSC s.t.
22 Xavi Florencio Bouygues Télécom s.t.
23 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC s.t.
24 Pierrick Fédrigo Bouygues Télécom s.t.
25 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
26 Kurt-Asle Arvesen Team CSC s.t.
27 Karsten Kroon Liquigas s.t.
28 José Joaquín Rojas Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
29 Mirko Lorenzetto Lampre s.t.
30 Leif Hoste Silence - Lotto s.t.
31 Fabian Wegmann Gerolsteiner s.t.
32 Nick Nuyens Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
33 René Mandri Barloworld s.t.
34 Damiano Cunego Lampre s.t.
35 Enrico Franzoï Liquigas s.t.
36 Daryl Impey Barloworld s.t.
37 Benoit Vaugrenard Française des Jeux s.t.
38 Stéphane Poulhiès Liquigas s.t.
39 Koldo Fernández de Larrea Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
40 Jelle Vanendert Française des Jeux s.t.
41 Mathieu Sprick Bouygues Télécom s.t.
42 Giovanni Visconti Française des Jeux s.t.
43 Jesús Del Nero Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
44 Gianni Meersman Française des Jeux s.t.
45 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
46 Gilberto Simoni Bouygues Télécom s.t.
47 Juanjo Cobo Team CSC s.t.
48 Manuele Mori Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
49 Staf Scheirlinckx Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
50 Joaquim Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
51 Fränk Schleck Team CSC s.t.
52 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas s.t.
53 Juanma Gárate Quick·Step s.t.
54 Marc De Maar Rabobank s.t.
55 Sébastien Rosseler Quick·Step s.t.
56 Gerben Löwik Rabobank s.t.
57 Johan Vansummeren Silence - Lotto s.t.
58 Geert Steurs Silence - Lotto s.t.
59 Olivier Kaisen Silence - Lotto s.t.
60 Jérémy Roy Française des Jeux s.t.
61 Erik Zabel Gerolsteiner s.t.
62 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom s.t.
63 Damien Gaudin Bouygues Télécom s.t.
64 Danny Pate Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
65 Manuel Quinziato Liquigas s.t.
66 Christophe Laurent Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
67 Robbie McEwen Silence - Lotto s.t.
68 Pieter Jacobs Silence - Lotto s.t.
69 Arnaud Coyot Gerolsteiner + 5'56
70 Jurgen Van Goolen Team CSC s.t.
71 Juan José Haedo Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
72 Ivan Rovny Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
73 Wim De Vocht Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
74 Paolo Longo Borghini Barloworld s.t.
75 Rein Taaramäe Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
76 Christian Pfannberger Rabobank s.t.
77 Christian Knees Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
78 Christophe Moreau Team CSC s.t.
79 Ricardo Serrano Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
80 Alexander Gottfried Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
81 Guillaume Levarlet Barloworld s.t.
82 David Blanco Barloworld s.t.
83 Pietro Caucchioli Crédit Agricole s.t.
84 Stijn Vandenbergh AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
85 Joost Posthuma Rabobank s.t.
86 Rubén Pérez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 7'11
87 Lucas Haedo Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 7'35
88 Sébastien Chavanel AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
89 Danilo Napolitano Lampre s.t.
90 Yukiya Arashiro Euskaltel - Euskadi + 8'15
91 Mathieu Ladagnous Française des Jeux s.t.
92 Nicolas Rousseau AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
93 Niki Ostergaard CSF Group - Navigare + 8'39
94 Stefan Denifl Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
95 Yauheni Hutarovich Silence - Lotto s.t.
96 Mathieu Drujon Caisse d'Epargne + 9'19
97 Mauro Santambrogio Lampre s.t.
98 Hubert Dupont AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
99 Aarón Villegas Barloworld s.t.
100 Wouter Weylandt Quick·Step + 10'23
101 Marco Frapporti CSF Group - Navigare + 10'47
102 Koos Moerenhout Rabobank s.t.
103 Eduardo Gonzalo Barloworld s.t.
104 Francesco Chicchi Liquigas s.t.
105 Bert Roesems Rabobank s.t.
106 Egoi Martínez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
107 Iñaki Isasi Euskaltel - Euskadi + 11'19
108 Lucas Euser Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
109 Davide Malacarne CSF Group - Navigare + 11'51
110 Erik Hoffmann CSF Group - Navigare s.t.
111 Lloyd Mondory AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
112 Oliver Zaugg Gerolsteiner + 12'31
113 Francesco Tomei CSF Group - Navigare s.t.
114 Edgar Pinto CSF Group - Navigare s.t.
115 Aitor Hernández Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
116 Donato Cannone NGC Medical - OTC Industria Porte + 13'43
117 Alberto Loddo Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
118 Tony Gallopin Crédit Agricole s.t.
119 William Bonnet Crédit Agricole s.t.
120 Alberto Contoli CSF Group - Navigare s.t.
121 Chris Froome Barloworld s.t.
122 Tanel Kangert AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
123 Raffaele Illiano Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
124 Robert Förster Gerolsteiner s.t.
125 Simone Ponzi Lampre + 14'23
126 Volodymyr Zagorodny NGC Medical - OTC Industria Porte s.t.
127 Sebastian Siedler Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
128 Angelo Furlan Crédit Agricole s.t.
129 Enrico Rossi NGC Medical - OTC Industria Porte s.t.
130 Christophe Edaleine AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
131 Jonathan Patrick McCarty Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
132 Wim Vansevenant Silence - Lotto s.t.
133 Olaf Pollack Crédit Agricole + 15'51
134 Guido Trenti Française des Jeux + 16'15
135 Daniele Ratto Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
136 Juan Olmo NGC Medical - OTC Industria Porte s.t.
137 Martín Garrido Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
138 Jason Donald Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
139 Roberto Cobo Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 17'03
140 Nikita Eskov Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
141 Alessio Signego NGC Medical - OTC Industria Porte s.t.
142 Giovanni Bernaudeau NGC Medical - OTC Industria Porte s.t.
143 Rony Martias Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
144 Etienne Pierret Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
145 Matthew Goss Lampre + 20'07
146 Federico Canuti CSF Group - Navigare s.t.
147 Jackson Rodríguez Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
148 Alexei Kolessov NGC Medical - OTC Industria Porte s.t.
149 Peter Velits Crédit Agricole + 20'39
150 Piergiorgio Camussa NGC Medical - OTC Industria Porte + 24'15
151 Kevin De Weert Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 25'59
152 Blake Caldwell Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 26'47
153 Daniele Righi Lampre + 27'11
154 Alberto Ongarato Gerolsteiner + 27'43
155 Nazareno Rossi Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 29'27
156 Christopher Juul-Jensen Team CSC s.t.
157 Emiliano Donadello Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 30'31
158 Dimitri Fofonov Crédit Agricole + 32'47
Quite a successful race for me, my highest placing in a proper classic. Next, I head to the Ardennes for Amstel, Fleche and Liege.
I have to say that a mountain skill of 81, hill of 77 and time trial of 70 and something doesn't sound natural because of a mythical trainer and 2 levels....He hasn't begun to get experience at level 4 and he is one of the best riders in the world...You can't be that with Doi in 1 season, even if you are having a mythical trainer
ember wrote:
I have to say that a mountain skill of 81, hill of 77 and time trial of 70 and something doesn't sound natural because of a mythical trainer and 2 levels....He hasn't begun to get experience at level 4 and he is one of the best riders in the world...You can't be that with Doi in 1 season, even if you are having a mythical trainer
Why do you not show his stats?
How do you know what Doi's stats are if Wacko has never posted them?
He did post his savegame once, I don't remember where, I wanted to download it to my computer as I also wanted to play with Doi, but then I saw the stats and I found it a bit unrealistic
Anyway I will continue to read this story, first of all because it is great. Second; because I want to see a Japanese winning Le Tour I hope you can do it Wacko!
ember wrote:
I have to say that a mountain skill of 81, hill of 77 and time trial of 70 and something doesn't sound natural because of a mythical trainer and 2 levels....He hasn't begun to get experience at level 4 and he is one of the best riders in the world...You can't be that with Doi in 1 season, even if you are having a mythical trainer
Why do you not show his stats?
How do you know what Doi's stats are if Wacko has never posted them?
Yeah, he could just be playing on easy
I like the story, but would also like to see stats occasionally. That's what i like really Keep it up.
i have found what i did wrong with the savegame - when editing other riders on the game ( call me clumsy, a liar, i really don't care) i changed his potential to 8 (trying to edit l'hotellerie). this shows why he had a training of 150%
should i re-edit his stats(a vague guess) or should i continue?
sorry - i really did not mean to cheat - i couldn't figure out the training bonusesops:ops:ops:ops:ops:ops::cry:
I think that there are 2 types of story, ones which take it completly seriously on PCM stats training Levels what every. They are great!
There are also storys which are actually Stories. having a sort of plot. The writer planning everything, changing stats here and there. All in the interest of the reader.
Both are as good as one another... As long as it is a good story i dont think there is a too much of a problem.
I hold no targets for this race but Yuri has this down as a potential victory and would love a first classic triumph.
31 climbs will split the riders up today and only the strongest should be near the front at the finish.
The fans had camped out the night before and were cheering the break on fervently, beside a slippy and dangerous road.
But, the break was never going to get anywhere and I was still floating near the front of the pack when they came back in.
With 40km to go, a restless Yuri decided to kick things off.
A lead group of 7 formed with 30km left. Vanendert had been aggressive all day and, at 23km to go, decided to try and break the group up.
However, Yuri wasn't going to let him get away and stamped on the pedals to bring him back.
Visconti kicked with 15 to go and again it was Yuri who pulled him back.
Then, with 11 km remaining, Rebellin decided it was time to go.
This time, Trofimov didn't want to work so he sat on and looked round. Through came Sammy Sanchez and Vanendert and soon Rebellin was back in the fold.
The pace was high and nobody attacked until the foot of the Cauberg finisihng climb. Schleck jumped away and, finally, Trofimov played his card.
Halfway up, they were neck and neck, not wanting to budge an inch as they tried to break each other.
Someone had to crack. Surely?
And it was Trofimov who began to stretch the elastic as the fans went wild, spurring the riders in a whirlwind of alcohol and cycling-fuelled madness.
There it was, as Schleck cracked. Yuri Trofimov wins Amstel Gold!
The team manager went crazy in my earpiece and I almost fell off my bike in joy for my team-mate. We'll be cracking open the bubbly tonight.
I felt surprisingly good and finished a quite respectable 35th, without expending excess energy.
Rank Name Team Time
1 Yuri Trofimov Bouygues Télécom 7h07'33
2 Davide Rebellin Quick·Step + 48
3 Giovanni Visconti Française des Jeux s.t.
4 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
5 Jelle Vanendert Française des Jeux s.t.
6 Fränk Schleck Team CSC + 1'20
7 Joaquim Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne + 1'32
8 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 5'24
9 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner + 5'34
10 Damiano Cunego Lampre s.t.
11 Fabian Wegmann Gerolsteiner s.t.
12 Danilo Di Luca LPR Brakes - Ballan s.t.
13 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas s.t.
14 Gilberto Simoni Bouygues Télécom s.t.
15 Manuele Mori Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
16 Rinaldo Nocentini Team High Road s.t.
17 Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas + 5'54
18 Juanjo Cobo Team CSC s.t.
19 Karsten Kroon Liquigas + 6'07
20 Pierrick Fédrigo Bouygues Télécom s.t.
21 Kim Kirchen Team High Road + 6'42
22 Mathieu Sprick Bouygues Télécom + 6'54
23 John Gadret AG2R - La Mondiale + 7'06
24 Luca Mazzanti Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 7'22
25 Thomas Dekker Rabobank s.t.
26 Benoit Vaugrenard Française des Jeux s.t.
27 Johann Tschopp Bouygues Télécom s.t.
28 Maarten Tjallingii Silence - Lotto s.t.
29 Matthew Lloyd Française des Jeux + 7'46
30 Tony Martin Team Astana s.t.
31 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas s.t.
32 Jens Voigt Team CSC s.t.
33 Ángel Vicioso Française des Jeux s.t.
34 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux + 8'06 35 Yukihiro Doi Bouygues Télécom + 8'26
36 David Blanco Barloworld s.t.
37 Óscar Pereiro Caisse d'Epargne + 8'34
38 Floris Goesinnen Liquigas + 8'46
39 Laurent Lefèvre Bouygues Télécom + 8'58
40 Xavi Florencio Bouygues Télécom + 9'54
41 Anthony Roux Française des Jeux + 10'34
42 Rémy Di Gregorio Française des Jeux + 11'06
43 Andrea Moletta Gerolsteiner + 11'14
44 Eros Capecchi Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
45 Paolo Savoldelli Quick·Step + 11'22
46 Mauricio Soler AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
47 Juanma Gárate Quick·Step s.t.
48 Rafaele Ferrara LPR Brakes - Ballan + 11'30
49 Nicki Sörensen Team CSC s.t.
50 Pablo Lastras Caisse d'Epargne + 12'10
51 Rigoberto Urán Caisse d'Epargne + 12'58
52 Riccardo Riccò Saunier Duval - Scott + 13'38
53 Christian Pfannberger Rabobank s.t.
54 José Antonio Redondo Saunier Duval - Scott + 14'50
55 Amets Txurruka Euskaltel - Euskadi + 14'58
56 Josep Jufré Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
57 Francesco Bellotti LPR Brakes - Ballan + 15'30
58 Igor Antón Euskaltel - Euskadi + 15'38
59 Marco Pinotti Team High Road s.t.
60 Aarón Villegas Barloworld s.t.
61 Ruslan Pidgornyy LPR Brakes - Ballan + 15'46
62 Tadej Valjavec AG2R - La Mondiale + 15'54
63 Mathieu Drujon Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
64 Thomas Lövkvist Team High Road s.t.
65 Dimitri Muravyev Team Astana + 16'02
66 Grischa Niermann Rabobank + 16'18
67 Francesco Ginanni Team High Road + 16'34
68 Jan Ghyselinck Quick·Step s.t.
69 David Kopp Cycle Collstrop s.t.
70 Damien Monier Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 16'42
71 Jurgen Van den Broeck Silence - Lotto s.t.
72 Matej Mugerli Liquigas + 17'14
73 David Moncoutié Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 17'30
74 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
75 Marzio Bruseghin Lampre + 17'38
76 Maxim Iglinskiy Team Astana s.t.
77 Rémi Pauriol Crédit Agricole + 17'46
78 Enrico Gasparotto Barloworld + 17'54
79 Kenny De Ketele Topsport Vlaanderen + 18'02
80 Geraint Thomas Barloworld s.t.
81 Philip Deignan AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
82 Marc De Maar Rabobank s.t.
83 Iñigo Landaluze Euskaltel - Euskadi + 18'10
84 Paul Martens Rabobank s.t.
85 Dani Moreno Caisse d'Epargne + 18'18
86 Baden Cooke Barloworld + 18'42
87 Héctor Guerra Team Astana s.t.
88 Dimitri Fofonov Crédit Agricole + 18'50
89 Janez Brajkovic Team Astana + 19'14
90 Patrice Halgand Crédit Agricole + 19'22
91 Sylvain Calzati AG2R - La Mondiale + 19'30
92 Alexandr Kolobnev Team CSC + 19'46
93 Toni Colom Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 20'42
94 Egoi Martínez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 20'50
95 Alexandre Botcharov Crédit Agricole s.t.
96 Ricardo Van der Velde Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 20'58
97 Tom Criel Cycle Collstrop s.t.
98 Gorka Verdugo Euskaltel - Euskadi + 21'06
99 Christophe Le Mével Crédit Agricole s.t.
100 Pieter Weening Rabobank + 21'14
101 Daryl Impey Barloworld + 21'22
102 Daniel Martin Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
103 Simon Spilak Lampre s.t.
104 Manuel Lloret LPR Brakes - Ballan s.t.
105 Alexandre Pliuschin Silence - Lotto + 21'30
106 Carlos Oyarzun Topsport Vlaanderen s.t.
107 Cadel Evans Silence - Lotto + 21'38
108 Sylvester Szmyd Lampre s.t.
109 Koos Moerenhout Rabobank + 21'46
110 Lucas Persson Cycle Collstrop s.t.
111 Paolo Tiralongo Lampre s.t.
112 Iker Camaño Saunier Duval - Scott + 21'54
113 Bauke Mollema Rabobank s.t.
114 Jason Donald Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
115 Christophe Laurent Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
116 Carlos Castaño Saunier Duval - Scott + 22'02
117 Allan Davis AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
118 Koen De Kort Team Astana + 22'10
119 Juan José Oroz Silence - Lotto + 22'34
120 Alessandro Proni Quick·Step + 22'58
121 Nicolas Jalabert Team High Road + 23'22
122 Branislav Samoilau Quick·Step + 23'46
123 Robert Hunter Barloworld s.t.
124 Pieter Jacobs Silence - Lotto + 23'54
125 Daniele Righi Lampre + 24'02
126 Sven Krauss Gerolsteiner + 24'10
127 Bas Giling Cycle Collstrop + 24'34
128 Christian Vandevelde Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 24'42
129 Tanel Kangert AG2R - La Mondiale + 25'54
130 Serge Pauwels Topsport Vlaanderen + 26'10
131 Matthias Frank Gerolsteiner + 26'18
132 Kevin Van Impe Team CSC + 26'42
133 Alan Pérez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
134 Tom Stamsnijder Gerolsteiner + 26'50
135 Geert Steurs Silence - Lotto + 26'58
136 Claus Michael Möller Quick·Step + 27'46
137 Steven De Jongh Quick·Step + 28'10
138 Vladimir Bileka Silence - Lotto + 28'18
139 Luca Celli LPR Brakes - Ballan + 29'22
140 Johannes Fröhlinger Gerolsteiner s.t.
141 Alessandro Spezialetti LPR Brakes - Ballan + 29'30
142 Cristiano Salerno LPR Brakes - Ballan + 29'46
143 Aurélien Passeron Saunier Duval - Scott + 30'18
144 Yannick Talabardon Crédit Agricole s.t.
145 Alexandre Blain Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 30'42
146 Jason McCartney Team CSC + 30'58
147 Levi Leipheimer Team Astana + 31'06
148 Anders Lund Topsport Vlaanderen + 32'26
149 Javier Mejías Saunier Duval - Scott + 33'14
150 Blake Caldwell Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 33'22
151 Frederik Veuchelen Topsport Vlaanderen + 33'30
152 Frantisek Rabon Team High Road + 33'38
153 Maxime Méderel Crédit Agricole + 33'54
154 Kevin Neirynck Lampre + 34'26
155 Stefan Van Dijk AG2R - La Mondiale + 34'42
156 Kristof Goddaert Topsport Vlaanderen s.t.
157 Kenny De Haes Topsport Vlaanderen + 34'50
158 Jean-Eudes Demaret Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 35'38
159 Ger Soepenberg Cycle Collstrop + 35'46
160 Iljo Keisse Topsport Vlaanderen + 35'54
161 Maciej Bodnar Liquigas + 36'10
162 Olaf Pollack Crédit Agricole + 36'18
163 Sebastian Lang Gerolsteiner + 37'06
164 Samuel Dumoulin Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 37'38
165 Etienne Pierret Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 38'42
166 Thomas Frei Team Astana + 39'14
167 Dimitri Medvedev Barloworld + 40'34
168 Mathieu Heijboer Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 40'42
169 Oscar Gatto Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 40'50
170 Sergio Ghisalberti Cycle Collstrop + 41'38
171 Vidal Celis Cycle Collstrop + 42'58
172 Manuel Belletti Cycle Collstrop + 43'54
173 Greg Henderson Team High Road + 44'26
174 Antonio Cancellara Lampre + 46'26
175 Kasper Klostergaard Team CSC + 48'42
I travel with the squad to Belgium for the rest of the hilly classics, continuing with the Fleche Wallone, which finishes on the gruesome Mur de Huy.
It will be Gibo's last classic before he heads off to his final warm-up race before the Giro.
This prestigous classic includes the infamous Mur de Huy climb, with gradients reaching 26%!!!. I will try to take my highest placing in a classic to date, while Yuri will be hoping for another win.
We arrived in the Ardennes to news of flooding, but thankfully it wasn't affecting the roads and the BOTD sped away from the pack, who were riding at quite a docile pace.
With 35km to go Rodriguez of Caisse d'Epargne led the attacks and Yuri followed.
Yuri formed a group of 4 with Schleck, Vanendert and Rebellin, with Rodriguez alone in front. Despite a huge man advantage Trofimov's group could not close the gap.
At the foot of the Mur, Yuri had fire in his legs and stormed away from his companions.
He soon passed a struggling Rodriguez as he wrestled the bike up the climb.
The vicious gradients of the Mur were taking their toll on everyone, but Yuri was handling them the best.
And he wins the Fleche Wallonne.
I managed my best ever result in a classic, a fine 12th to my name.
Rank Name Team Time
1 Yuri Trofimov Bouygues Télécom 5h40'21
2 Fränk Schleck Team CSC + 1'07
3 Jelle Vanendert Française des Jeux s.t.
4 Davide Rebellin Quick·Step + 2'41
5 Joaquim Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne + 2'44
6 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 3'18
7 Mathieu Sprick Bouygues Télécom s.t.
8 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 3'26
9 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner s.t.
10 Gilberto Simoni Bouygues Télécom + 3'34
11 Johann Tschopp Bouygues Télécom s.t. 12 Yukihiro Doi Bouygues Télécom s.t.
13 Riccardo Riccò Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
14 Rinaldo Nocentini Team High Road + 3'42
15 Benoit Vaugrenard Française des Jeux s.t.
16 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas + 3'50
17 Juanjo Cobo Team CSC s.t.
18 Manuele Mori Caisse d'Epargne + 3'58
19 Andy Schleck Team CSC + 4'06
20 Giovanni Visconti Française des Jeux + 4'14
21 Pierrick Fédrigo Bouygues Télécom + 4'22
22 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne + 4'54
23 Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas s.t.
24 Damiano Cunego Lampre + 5'02
25 Fabian Wegmann Gerolsteiner + 5'26
26 Kim Kirchen Team High Road + 5'50
27 Markus Fothen Gerolsteiner + 6'06
28 Xavi Florencio Bouygues Télécom + 6'14
29 Laurens Ten Dam Gerolsteiner + 6'22
30 Eros Capecchi Saunier Duval - Scott + 6'38
31 José Angel Gómez Marchante Saunier Duval - Scott + 6'46
32 Karsten Kroon Liquigas + 6'54
33 Ángel Vicioso Française des Jeux + 7'02
34 Laurent Lefèvre Bouygues Télécom s.t.
35 David Zabriskie Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 8'46
36 Thomas Dekker Rabobank s.t.
37 Patxi Vila Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner + 8'54
38 Matej Mugerli Liquigas s.t.
39 Jens Voigt Team CSC s.t.
40 David Moncoutié Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 9'02
41 Pavel Brutt Agritubel s.t.
42 Iker Camaño Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
43 Paolo Savoldelli Quick·Step + 9'10
44 Alexandre Botcharov Crédit Agricole s.t.
45 Tadej Valjavec AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
46 Maxime Monfort Quick·Step s.t.
47 Rory Sutherland Cycle Collstrop + 9'18
48 Kevin Seeldraeyers Skil - Shimano s.t.
49 Gianpaolo Caruso Silence - Lotto + 9'26
50 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
51 Óscar Pereiro Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
52 Trent Lowe Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 9'34
53 Alberto Losada Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
54 Egoi Martínez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
55 Maarten Tjallingii Silence - Lotto + 9'42
56 Vladimir Karpets Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
57 Igor Antón Euskaltel - Euskadi + 9'50
58 Thor Hushovd Crédit Agricole + 9'58
59 Pieter Weening Rabobank s.t.
60 Jürgen Van de Walle Quick·Step s.t.
61 Tom Stubbe Française des Jeux + 10'06
62 Cadel Evans Silence - Lotto s.t.
63 Kenny De Ketele Topsport Vlaanderen + 10'14
64 Theo Eltink Rabobank + 10'22
65 Alexandre Pliuschin Silence - Lotto s.t.
66 Gerben Löwik Rabobank + 10'30
67 Christian Vandevelde Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
68 Rob Ruijgh Skil - Shimano + 10'38
69 Hubert Dupont AG2R - La Mondiale + 11'18
70 Carlos Sastre Team CSC s.t.
71 Pablo Lastras Caisse d'Epargne + 11'26
72 Jonathan Patrick McCarty Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
73 Grischa Niermann Rabobank s.t.
74 Marco Pinotti Team High Road + 11'42
75 Dmytro Grabovskyy Quick·Step + 11'50
76 Josep Jufré Saunier Duval - Scott + 11'58
77 Floris Goesinnen Liquigas + 12'06
78 Andrea Tonti Quick·Step + 12'14
79 José Antonio Redondo Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
80 Allan Davis AG2R - La Mondiale + 12'22
81 Marzio Bruseghin Lampre s.t.
82 Simon Spilak Lampre + 12'30
83 Alexander Efimkin Quick·Step s.t.
84 Kjell Carlström Liquigas + 12'38
85 Kristof Vandewalle Team CSC s.t.
86 Yoann Le Boulanger Française des Jeux + 12'46
87 Ryder Hesjedal Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
88 Thomas Lövkvist Team High Road s.t.
89 Mikaël Chérel Française des Jeux + 12'54
90 Mario Aerts Silence - Lotto + 13'02
91 Bauke Mollema Rabobank + 13'34
92 Ricardo Van der Velde Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O s.t.
93 Domenico Pozzovivo Agritubel s.t.
94 Rob Hollington Silence - Lotto + 13'42
95 Stijn Vandenbergh AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
96 Andriy Grivko Team Milram + 13'58
97 Alexandr Kolobnev Team CSC + 14'06
98 Mitja Mahoric Agritubel s.t.
99 Ronny Scholz Gerolsteiner + 14'14
100 Javier Aramendía Gerolsteiner + 14'22
101 Patrice Halgand Crédit Agricole s.t.
102 Tom Criel Cycle Collstrop + 14'38
103 Evgeni Petrov Skil - Shimano s.t.
104 Kevyn Ista Agritubel s.t.
105 Yauheni Sobal Team High Road + 14'54
106 Serge Pauwels Topsport Vlaanderen s.t.
107 Damien Monier Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 15'02
108 Pieter Jacobs Silence - Lotto s.t.
109 Alessandro Petacchi Team Milram + 15'10
110 Aurélien Passeron Saunier Duval - Scott + 15'18
111 Ignas Konovalovas Crédit Agricole s.t.
112 Matej Jurco Team Milram + 15'26
113 Rein Taaramäe Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 15'34
114 Benoit Salmon Agritubel s.t.
115 Pietro Caucchioli Crédit Agricole + 15'58
116 Carlos Oyarzun Topsport Vlaanderen s.t.
117 Blaise Sonnery AG2R - La Mondiale + 16'06
118 Emanuelle Bindi Lampre s.t.
119 Nicolas Jalabert Team High Road + 16'14
120 Jacques Janse Van Rensburg Française des Jeux + 16'22
121 Yukiya Arashiro Euskaltel - Euskadi + 16'30
122 José Vicente Toribio Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner + 17'26
123 Tristan Valentin Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 17'50
124 Nico Eeckhout Liquigas + 17'58
125 Samuel Dumoulin Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 18'38
126 Bram De Groot Rabobank + 18'46
127 Silvère Ackermann Skil - Shimano s.t.
128 Wataru Otsuka Skil - Shimano + 20'06
129 Lloyd Mondory AG2R - La Mondiale + 20'14
130 Etienne Pierret Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
131 Dominik Roels Team Milram + 20'22
132 Sébastien Delfosse Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner + 20'30
133 Nikolas Maes Topsport Vlaanderen + 20'38
134 Iñaki Isasi Euskaltel - Euskadi + 21'10
135 Óscar Pujol Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner + 21'18
136 Sebastian Lang Gerolsteiner + 21'34
137 Bert Scheirlinckx Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner s.t.
138 Taylor Phinney Caisse d'Epargne + 21'50
139 Vladimir Bileka Silence - Lotto s.t.
140 Daniele Righi Lampre + 21'58
141 Frederic Guesdon Lampre s.t.
142 Mirko Selvaggi Gerolsteiner + 22'06
143 Martin Müller Team Milram + 22'22
144 Sven Renders Topsport Vlaanderen + 22'46
145 Rob Peeters Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner s.t.
146 Gabriel Rasch Crédit Agricole + 23'02
147 Bert Roesems Rabobank s.t.
148 Cédric Hervé Agritubel + 23'26
149 Dirk Bellemakers Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner s.t.
150 Roberto Longo Lampre s.t.
151 Laszló Bodrogi Crédit Agricole + 23'34
152 Johan Coenen Topsport Vlaanderen s.t.
153 Kristof De Zutter Team CSC + 23'50
154 Beñat Intxausti Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
155 Alejandro Ramírez Skil - Shimano + 23'58
156 Benjamin Gourgue Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner + 24'06
157 Fabio Sabatini Team Milram + 24'22
158 Lander Aperribay Euskaltel - Euskadi + 24'38
159 Andoni Lafuente Euskaltel - Euskadi + 25'02
160 Alexandre Usov AG2R - La Mondiale + 25'10
161 Marco Marcato Cycle Collstrop + 25'18
162 Mathieu Heijboer Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 25'58
163 Ger Soepenberg Cycle Collstrop + 26'14
164 William Bonnet Crédit Agricole + 26'22
165 Wilfried Cretskens Quick·Step + 26'30
166 Sebastian Schwager Team Milram + 26'38
167 Kristof Goddaert Topsport Vlaanderen + 27'26
168 Anthony Ravard Agritubel + 28'14
169 Borut Božic Cycle Collstrop + 28'22
170 Adam Hansen Team High Road + 29'50
171 Marco Brus Skil - Shimano + 30'14
172 Gil Suray Cycle Collstrop + 30'22
173 Alex Howes Team High Road + 30'46
174 Mashahiro Shinagawa Skil - Shimano + 31'18
175 Kevin Neirynck Lampre + 32'38
176 Niki Terpstra Team Milram + 32'54
177 Tanel Kangert AG2R - La Mondiale + 34'38
178 Rolando Birindelli Liquigas + 36'06
179 Marthijn Edelenbos Cycle Collstrop + 38'14
180 Donato Jaén Slipstream - Chipotle powered by H3O + 40'30
181 Bart Vanheule Topsport Vlaanderen + 41'02
182 Florent Bonnet Agritubel + 41'26
183 Robin Chaigneau Cycle Collstrop + 41'50
Next stop: Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Can Yuri make it 3 from 3?
I hope you can do it Wacko!
