I have not yet read everything but I read the intro and do like your approach a lot: you fix yourselves consistent rules (Basque riders, propect young, no over the top hiring...) that will keep the story very much in line with what Euskatel wanted
Plus your idea to edit data base for other leaders to keep things interesting sounds fun too!
I have also read your latest race report. Well I also like your attacking style and your "lessons learnt". I'll definitely catch up on the rest later and follow up the next developments
@duxili: Thanks mate, glad you like my approach to this story. The rules are mainly here for me to ensure that I have fun since for me a career usually turns dull when I have the feeling that I can win anything. Obviously this isn't the case with Euskaltel.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
The Tour de Romandie is the traditional bridge from the spring classics to the time and spotlight of the Grand Tours. The race was founded in 1947 and takes place in the french-speaking Suisse. Next to the Tour de Suisse, it’s the most important cycling event in Switzerland. The race emphasizes strong all-rounders due to its prologue and final time trial as well as some decently tough mountain stages. It is considered to be the big preparation race for the Giro d’Italia but also several riders who focus on the Tour de France have used it in the past as a preparation race for le Tour already. Bradley Wiggins and Cadel Evans won the race in the previous two years and went on to win the Tour in that year too respectively.
Favourites include in this 6-stages long race the Giro d’Italia contenders Vincenzo Nibali (AST), Ryder Hesjedal (GRS), Michele Scarponi (LAM), Bradley Wiggins (SKY), Robert Gesink (BEL) and Rigoberto Urán (SKY). Daniel Martin (GRS) or Spilak look for some more World Tour points after coming from a busy, successful spring campagain. Chris Froome (SKY), Nairo Quintana (MOV), Jakob Fuglsang (AST), Benat Intxausti (MOV), Ivan Basso (CAN) or Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) should have outsider chances but due to their training and racing schedule as well as their quality, one might wonder if they are already up to the demanded performance, which is needed to grant them the win.
Euskaltel will have 8 riders at the Tour de Romandie, which include:
Igor Antón
Gorka Izagirre
Mikel Nieve
Gorka Verdugo
Juan Jose Oroz
Miguel Minguez
Ricardo Garcia
Robert Vrecer
Stage 1
This year’s Tour de Romandie kicks off with a little mountain prologue. Well, at least it says this in the race journal, but this 5 kilometers looks more like a stage that just simply ends a bit higher than where it started from. Still, I am sure with the right team effort, the team can achieve a nice result here today. I listen to Katu carefully, which is kinda tough with my still limited basque, but thankfully he throws in some English translation here and there. The plan is that our riders concentrate their efforts into the last kilometer, who is unusual steep. A gradient of around 10 % awaits the rider and should allow them to catch up enough time that they mave lose on the previous 4 kilometers.
Robert Vrecer is our first rider to go into the race. The TT national champion of Croatia has quite some times to beat already, since riders like Peter Velits, Andy Schleck and Michael Schär have already shown their strength on this 5 km TT.
Strong performance by Gorka Verdugo early on. He is only 18 seconds behind Velits, and look at that - he is has the same time as Bradley Wiggins. A great performance and he looks like to time his form perfectly for the Giro. He hasn’t rode much yet, but his lack of race practice hasn’t shown in this race.
This is the part where Mikel Nieve truly accelerates and drastically increases his pace, compared to other riders. He is 24 seconds behind. The lack of race days definitely shows.
2 seconds for Gorka Izagirre. Strong performance! He doesn’t look a least bit exhausted at the finish and I think he had still much power left.
Igor Antòn waits at the starting line. Peter Velits is still the time to beat, but hopefully not for long.
Up to 12 % is this little climb up to Bruson. Antòn looks like he likes it. He comes in 5th, 9 seconds behind Velits. After Gorka’s strong performance we might have hoped for a bit more, but his form isn’t either perfect.
The further rides don’t bring much surprise. Carlos Betancur is way back from his normal form, due to his injury. Christopher Froome is the last rider to come into the finish and is the first rider to beat Velits time. Nibali, Daniel Martin, Igor Antòn and Quintana are all rather close to Froome.
Stage 1, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
12'04
2
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2
3
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 5
4
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
5
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 6
6
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
+ 9
7
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
+ 10
8
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 11
9
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 12
10
Simon Spilak
Katusha Team
+ 13
11
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 14
12
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 15
13
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
s.t.
14
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - Merida
+ 16
15
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
16
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Sharp
+ 17
17
Michael Rogers
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 19
18
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
+ 20
19
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
20
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
+ 21
Spoiler
21
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
22
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 22
23
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 23
24
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
25
Pieter Weening
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 24
26
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
s.t.
27
David Zabriskie
Garmin - Sharp
+ 26
28
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
29
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
30
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
31
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 27
32
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
33
Petr Ignatenko
Katusha Team
+ 28
34
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
+ 29
35
Rafael Valls
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
36
Moreno Moser
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
37
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
38
Tom Dumoulin
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
39
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
40
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 31
41
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
42
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
43
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
44
Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
45
Tiago Machado
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 32
46
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
+ 33
47
Andreas Klöden
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
48
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
49
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 34
50
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
51
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 35
52
Kristjan Koren
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
53
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
54
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
55
Jos Van Emden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
56
Martin Elmiger
IAM Cycling
+ 36
57
Danny Pate
Sky Procycling
s.t.
58
Dmitriy Gruzdev
Astana Pro Team
+ 37
59
Rick Flens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
60
Maxim Belkov
Katusha Team
s.t.
61
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
62
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
63
Stuart O'Grady
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 38
64
Marc Goos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
65
Martijn Keizer
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
66
Chris Horner
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
67
Mads Christensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 39
68
Thomas Löfkvist
IAM Cycling
s.t.
69
Sébastien Reichenbach
IAM Cycling
+ 40
70
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
71
Tim Wellens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
72
Gatis Smukulis
Katusha Team
s.t.
73
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
74
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
75
David Boucher
FDJ
s.t.
76
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
77
William Bonnet
FDJ
s.t.
78
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
s.t.
79
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
80
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 41
81
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
82
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
s.t.
83
Alan Marangoni
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
84
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
85
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
86
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
87
Nikias Arndt
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
88
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
89
Peter Stetina
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
90
Ángel Vicioso
Katusha Team
+ 42
91
Matteo Trentin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
92
Tom Slagter
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
93
Johannes Fröhlinger
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
94
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
s.t.
95
Brian Bulgac
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
96
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke
Sky Procycling
s.t.
97
Aleksejs Saramotins
IAM Cycling
s.t.
98
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
+ 43
99
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
100
François Parisien
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
101
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
+ 44
102
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
103
Maarten Neyens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
104
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
105
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
106
Hayden Roulston
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 45
107
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
108
Christopher Sutton
Sky Procycling
s.t.
109
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
110
Dirk Bellemakers
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
111
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
112
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 46
113
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
114
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
115
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
116
Francis Mourey
FDJ
s.t.
117
Massimo Graziato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
118
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
119
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
120
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
+ 47
121
Nariyuki Masuda
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
122
Sebastian Lander
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
123
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
124
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
125
Tosh Van der Sande
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
126
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
127
Wesley Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
128
Kristof Goddaert
IAM Cycling
s.t.
129
Jetse Bol
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
130
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
131
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
+ 48
132
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
133
Bert De Backer
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
134
Timothy Duggan
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
135
Edward King
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
136
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 49
137
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
138
Davide Viganò
Lampre - Merida
+ 50
139
Anders Lund
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
140
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
141
Mickaël Delage
FDJ
s.t.
142
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
143
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
144
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
145
Koldo Fernández
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
146
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol
+ 51
147
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
148
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
149
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
150
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
151
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 52
152
Sébastien Hinault
IAM Cycling
s.t.
153
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 53
154
Argiro Ospina
Movistar Team
+ 54
155
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
s.t.
156
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
157
Matteo Pelucchi
IAM Cycling
+ 55
158
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 56
159
Allan Davis
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 57
160
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
Stage 2
Due to the high-pace Sky sets, it is hard for many riders to get into a breakaway. Until the first climb, there isn’t anything safely established and even during the further route, it looks like the breakaway can be caught anytime. This is no good day either for Igor Antòn, as he falls back in the peloton, and has to struggle to hold on. Minguez brings back though, so no damage done.
Heading into the last climb, the breakaway merely has 3 minutes lead. It’s still 40 kilometers to go and despite their lead, things will probably end in a bunch sprint. Considering the rather hilly profile, we may should have brought a sprinter along. There aren’t any topsprinters in the peloton and the fastest men are probably Viviani, Bouhanni, Matthews, Swift and Renshaw.
Meersman (OPQ) takes the stage win ahead of Trentin and Swift. The finish featured a slight uphill. It’s barely worth mentioning but because of this, 7 of our 8 Euskaltel – Euskadi riders get a 50 second loss on Froome. Only Izagirre managed to stay in the first group of 55 riders and keeps his 3rd rank overall. Most of the favourites were in this group too except for Brajkovic, Wiggins and Scarponi. Well, and Antòn. For me, it was a boring day, and now it was even a very bad day for Euskaltel. I head into the hotel and feel like reading up the Giro. I just hear Katu being quite loud when he talks to Nieve and Antòn and demands an explanation how that could happen.
Stage 3
It was a truly used day on the previous stage, but the team is eager to do much better today. Although motivated, the team misses the first initial break and suffers under the high pace of Sky, Garmin-Sharp and Movistar.
A 5 men group is up ahead going into the first mountain, Col de la Combe. Since this route features quite some steep climbs I doubt that Viciso, Geslin or Matthews have a chance at the victory today. Riblon and Löfvkist on the other hand surely could perform great today. In the peloton meanwhile occurs the first split, as riders like Pinot and Spilak fall behind. Betancur is even further behind and shows that he had really no time to recover from his shortly suffered injury.
On the very steep Col du Chaurmont Nieve tries his luck but so far he fails to get enough time on the peloton. Garmin-Sharp is chasing him really hard. I suppose Daniel Martin hasn’t forgotten about Tirreno – Adriatico just yet? Eventually, seconds before the top, he gets caught by Martin’s boys. Spilak and Pinot are meanwhile back in the peloton.
After the first time climbining the Col du Vaufellin, it is up for a second time now. The peloton is right now in the descent and Garmin-Sharp is hard at work with Omega Pharma to catch the breakaway. It’s roughly 25 kilometers left, and the gap is still nearly 3 minutes. At the foot of the Col du Vaufellin, one can already see the finish line.
Despite the gap to the breakaway, Igor Antòn is the first to try his luck. If not now, when then? I feel like this stage once more just flew passed us.
Moreno Moser joins in his attack and they have quite a gap on the peloton, but will it be enough? Back there, Scarponi, Quintana and Rogers are launching their first attacks.
Antòn and Moser pass Matthews and Löfkvist. There are only Geslin, Vicisio and Riblon up front. Albasini meanwhile tries another attack.
They go into the downhill part. We already know that one.
There’s no beating Moreno Moser. Igor Antòn was nearly done for good but still finished to get a 2nd place. Vicioso gets 3rd. There’s a bit of non-belief though, when the jury decides that the peloton and Moser have the equal time. Thanks for nothing, I think, since this means obviously that Igor Antòn couldn’t get any seconds out of this and still remains with his 50 seconds loss yesterday. Still, we got a nice 2nd place and things are far from being shiny at this year’s Tour de Romandie but we hold our heads up high and Gorka Izagirre is still 3rd in the overall, so all things considering…
Stage 3, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Moreno Moser
Cannondale Pro Cycling
3h52'48
2
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
3
Ángel Vicioso
Katusha Team
s.t.
4
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
5
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
6
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
7
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
9
Pieter Weening
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
10
Michael Rogers
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
11
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
12
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
s.t.
13
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
14
Tom Slagter
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
15
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
16
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
s.t.
17
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
18
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
19
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
20
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
Spoiler
21
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
22
Martin Elmiger
IAM Cycling
s.t.
23
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
s.t.
24
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
s.t.
25
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
26
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
27
Rafael Valls
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
28
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke
Sky Procycling
s.t.
29
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
30
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
31
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
32
Simon Spilak
Katusha Team
s.t.
33
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
s.t.
34
Tim Wellens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
35
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
36
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
37
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
38
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
39
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
40
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
41
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
42
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
43
David Zabriskie
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
44
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
45
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
46
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
47
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
48
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
49
Tom Dumoulin
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
50
Petr Ignatenko
Katusha Team
s.t.
51
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
52
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
53
Tiago Machado
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
54
Chris Horner
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
55
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
56
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
57
Andreas Klöden
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
58
Thomas Löfkvist
IAM Cycling
s.t.
59
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
60
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
61
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
62
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
63
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
64
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
+ 3'19
65
Kristjan Koren
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
66
Maxim Belkov
Katusha Team
s.t.
67
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
68
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
69
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
70
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
s.t.
71
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
72
Danny Pate
Sky Procycling
s.t.
73
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
74
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'48
75
Mads Christensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
76
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
77
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
+ 5'34
78
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
79
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
s.t.
80
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
81
Stuart O'Grady
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
82
Wesley Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
83
Tosh Van der Sande
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
84
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
85
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
86
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
87
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
88
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
89
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
90
Peter Stetina
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
91
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
92
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
93
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
94
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
95
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
96
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
97
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 10'48
98
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
99
Matteo Trentin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 12'36
100
Johannes Fröhlinger
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
101
François Parisien
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 13'38
102
Alan Marangoni
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
103
Marc Goos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
104
Koldo Fernández
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
105
Martijn Keizer
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
106
Davide Viganò
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
107
Francis Mourey
FDJ
s.t.
108
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
109
Brian Bulgac
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
110
Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
+ 15'41
111
Bert De Backer
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 17'04
112
William Bonnet
FDJ
s.t.
113
Gatis Smukulis
Katusha Team
s.t.
114
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
115
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
116
David Boucher
FDJ
s.t.
117
Anders Lund
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
118
Sébastien Reichenbach
IAM Cycling
s.t.
119
Mickaël Delage
FDJ
s.t.
120
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
121
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
122
Massimo Graziato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
123
Jos Van Emden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
124
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
125
Dirk Bellemakers
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
126
Dmitriy Gruzdev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
127
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
128
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
129
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 17'48
130
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
+ 19'11
131
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
132
Aleksejs Saramotins
IAM Cycling
s.t.
133
Maarten Neyens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
134
Sébastien Hinault
IAM Cycling
s.t.
135
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
136
Edward King
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
137
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
138
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
139
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
140
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
s.t.
141
Christopher Sutton
Sky Procycling
s.t.
142
Nikias Arndt
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
143
Sebastian Lander
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
144
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
145
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
146
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
147
Rick Flens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
148
Nariyuki Masuda
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
149
Argiro Ospina
Movistar Team
s.t.
150
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
151
Timothy Duggan
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
152
Allan Davis
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 23'05
153
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
154
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
155
Matteo Pelucchi
IAM Cycling
s.t.
156
Kristof Goddaert
IAM Cycling
s.t.
157
Jetse Bol
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
158
Hayden Roulston
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
159
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
s.t.
160
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 24'39
General Classification, After Stage 3
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
7h15'22
2
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2
3
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 5
4
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
5
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 6
6
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
+ 9
7
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
+ 10
8
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 11
9
Simon Spilak
Katusha Team
+ 13
10
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 14
11
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
+ 15
12
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
13
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - Merida
+ 16
14
Moreno Moser
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 19
15
Michael Rogers
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
16
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 20
17
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
+ 23
18
Pieter Weening
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 24
19
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 26
20
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
21
David Zabriskie
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
22
Petr Ignatenko
Katusha Team
+ 28
23
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
+ 29
24
Rafael Valls
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
25
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
Spoiler
26
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
27
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
+ 31
28
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
29
Tiago Machado
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 32
30
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 33
31
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 34
32
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 40
33
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 41
34
Tom Slagter
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 42
35
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
+ 44
36
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
37
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 46
38
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 47
39
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 56
40
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
+ 1'06
41
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1'07
42
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'10
43
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
+ 1'11
44
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
+ 1'14
45
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1'17
46
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
47
Tom Dumoulin
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1'19
48
Ángel Vicioso
Katusha Team
+ 1'22
49
Andreas Klöden
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1'23
50
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1'25
51
Martin Elmiger
IAM Cycling
+ 1'26
52
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
+ 1'27
53
Chris Horner
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1'28
54
Thomas Löfkvist
IAM Cycling
+ 1'29
55
Tim Wellens
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'30
56
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
57
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
+ 1'31
58
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke
Sky Procycling
+ 1'32
59
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
+ 1'33
60
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
61
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'36
62
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
63
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1'39
64
Kristjan Koren
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 3'54
65
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
+ 3'59
66
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'30
67
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'32
68
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 4'44
69
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
70
Danny Pate
Sky Procycling
+ 4'45
71
Maxim Belkov
Katusha Team
+ 4'46
72
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
+ 4'52
73
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
+ 4'55
74
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 5'54
75
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 6'05
76
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 6'09
77
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 6'14
78
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
79
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
80
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
+ 6'15
81
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
82
Mads Christensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 6'17
83
Tosh Van der Sande
Lotto Belisol
+ 6'21
84
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
85
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 6'30
86
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
+ 6'57
87
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 6'58
88
Stuart O'Grady
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 7'02
89
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
+ 7'05
90
Peter Stetina
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
91
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 7'09
92
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 7'10
93
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
94
Wesley Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 7'11
95
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 7'15
96
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 7'16
97
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 11'33
98
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 11'38
99
Matteo Trentin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 13'12
100
Johannes Fröhlinger
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 14'08
101
Davide Viganò
Lampre - Merida
+ 14'28
102
Marc Goos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 15'06
103
Martijn Keizer
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
104
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 15'08
105
Brian Bulgac
Lotto Belisol
+ 15'10
106
François Parisien
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 15'11
107
Francis Mourey
FDJ
+ 15'14
108
Koldo Fernández
Garmin - Sharp
+ 15'18
109
Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
+ 17'02
110
Jos Van Emden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 18'29
111
Dmitriy Gruzdev
Astana Pro Team
+ 18'31
112
Gatis Smukulis
Katusha Team
+ 18'34
113
Sébastien Reichenbach
IAM Cycling
s.t.
114
William Bonnet
FDJ
s.t.
115
David Boucher
FDJ
s.t.
116
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 18'35
117
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
118
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
119
Dirk Bellemakers
Lotto Belisol
+ 18'39
120
Massimo Graziato
Lampre - Merida
+ 18'40
121
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
+ 18'41
122
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 18'42
123
Anders Lund
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 18'44
124
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 19'04
125
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 20'02
126
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 20'09
127
Aleksejs Saramotins
IAM Cycling
+ 20'43
128
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
+ 20'46
129
Sebastian Lander
BMC Racing Team
+ 20'48
130
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
+ 20'49
131
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 20'52
132
Sébastien Hinault
IAM Cycling
+ 20'53
133
Alan Marangoni
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 20'55
134
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
s.t.
135
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
136
Bert De Backer
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 21'14
137
Mickaël Delage
FDJ
+ 21'16
138
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 22'01
139
Rick Flens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 23'10
140
Matteo Pelucchi
IAM Cycling
+ 24'00
141
Christopher Sutton
Sky Procycling
+ 24'31
142
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
143
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
+ 24'36
144
Hayden Roulston
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 24'40
145
Timothy Duggan
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 25'15
146
Allan Davis
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 26'18
147
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
+ 26'25
148
Nikias Arndt
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 26'28
149
Maarten Neyens
Lotto Belisol
+ 26'31
150
Edward King
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 26'35
151
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
+ 26'38
152
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
+ 28'08
153
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 28'14
154
Argiro Ospina
Movistar Team
+ 28'15
155
Jetse Bol
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 30'28
156
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 30'31
157
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
158
Kristof Goddaert
IAM Cycling
+ 32'02
159
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 32'12
160
Nariyuki Masuda
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 36'34
“Yeah, not sure, I like though where this race is going”, I write later in an internet forum. Maybe I just got too used of stellar performances by Euskaltel riders in the WT stage races that I forgot how tough and unforgiving they can be. Still, there's one thing I just can't get off my mind: "It's a ridiculous jury decision, they hand 50 seconds to us at Euskaltel, but none today to the others... that's just stupid", and I claim, "... honestly, to me it looks like they don't want Euskaltel riders to do good. Or just prefer that Froome wears that jersey for the sake of it... whatever." I get an equally high amount of Sky hating posts as well as claims of paranoia towards me. I guess, both arn't too far off.
"And even if so, you guys have still Gorka Izagirre on 3rd, you should be about that", a guy states. I guess it's a fair point.
At least, Igor Antòn likes his 2nd place. I interview him on the following day and he says: “It’s okay that Moreno won. We worked perfect together and he definitely was way stronger than we others at the finish. My form isn’t as good as I hoped for the Romandie, but it’s still only my build-up for the Tour de France… And the stage I am truly eyeing is yet to come.”
@Atlantius: It would certainly show everybody that one bad day doesn't knock Euskaltel down.
@welker3257: That would be absolutey amazing but hard to pull off with such competition.
@Dippofix: I suppose the trip to Switzerland has already paid off, since 2 podiums are indeed quite decent. It's bitter for Gorka Izagirre though: If he hadn't started so early, I am sure he could have even won that stage. His form was stellar that day.
Edited by Shonak on 14-12-2013 19:22
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
The Rider wrote:
A shame Sami Sanchez is not riding here.
Don't worry, 3 weeks of Sánchez at the Giro are ahead of us.
Hope you are keeping an eye on the smaller Spanish teams or maybe south American teams for potential signings and riders who are having a good season.
Well, so and so. I planned to make a report about Euskadi's CT season after the Tour de France, and I'll also look at possible signings on PCT & CT level once the transfer window is open. Focus will be for this season basque or basque-developed riders since the sponsor Euskaltel even demands more basque riders. Edited by Shonak on 14-12-2013 19:31
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
@Selwink: I was honestly a bit disapointed, but Moreno Moser sure deserved the victory and was just too strong in the finish. The group probably would have got caught if it wasn't for Moser so all's good.
Edited by Shonak on 15-12-2013 14:45
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Stage 4
We have no false hope for stage 4 and know that it is likely to end in a bunch sprint. Our breakaway attempts in Switzerland havn’t been much yet, so we decide to take it slow and rather rest for tomorrow. Nacer Bouhanni takes the stage win and the peloton arrives in complete manner Payerne.
Meanwhile, the Vuelta Asturias starts where Samu Sánchez should have gone as a preparation for the Giro, but he now gets a much deserved break. He will ride the Giro d’Italia though and try to go for stage wins, but alas, it’s definitely time to rest a bit and collect your power for future tasks, boy.
Stage 5
This stage is definitely more to our liking, I think as I look on the board and eat my breakfast. Mostly eggs and bread, a breakfast for champions I think and nearly eat too much from the riders away. But then I notice, they hardly touch this stuff and prefer other things at the buffet. Fine by me. But anyway, Col des Mosses opens up the stage, followed by the Col de la Croix. This mountain will be also the one decisive one, as his descent leads into Les Diablerets. Between the two times Col de la Croix there’s also the Col de Sépa, which should break up the peloton into tiny little pieces.
Tour de Romandie surely knows why it’s here. As a well-known preparation race for the Giro d’Italia is already makes advertisement for the race. Well. Suit yourself I suppose.
We ain`t fucking around today. Euskaltel – Euskadi always have a rider in any breakaway attempt that happens. Nieve, Oroz, Vrecer… in the end, Verdugo is the lucky one. His shape is good so far, though still in build-up and he is a far decent climber, so he might even have chances. The group consists of quite some formidable riders. Klöden and Stetina (GRS) will probably be his toughest opponents, but on such days and climbs, it’s dumb to underestimate any rider. The gap is by now over 3 minutes. Best rider in the group is Martens with 43 seconds behind. Verdugo doesn’t treat any danger, he is already over 4 minutes in GC. Maybe the perfect rider for a breakaway win?
6 minutes when they take on the Col de la Croix the first time. We can see the finish from here and next time Verdugo rides this road, it will be downhill and he will hopefully still be in the first group. Quite a nice route, I think, it’s smart planning.
Omega Pharma paces for… whom exactly? Do they think Velits has a shot here today against Froome, Nibali and Co? They can’t be serious. But anywhere, their specialists for the flat set the pace of the peloton and the gap decreases.
About 10 % gradient… this first half isn’t easy of the Col de Sépa. Still, the second half higher up, is the part where it really hurts.
Poor Belkov, surely feels the 21 % gradient now. The group is still mostly paced by Dumoulin, Verdugo and Klöden. Behind them, Janez Brajkovic attacked from the peloton and will surely catch up rather soon. Intxausti and Weening try their luck too.
Klöden aims for the mountain jersey too. He has decided every mountain sprint for himself today and things are looking good. But Verdugo isn’t willing to just let him ride away. He rides up in his own pace and shows his good form, when he fairly easily snatches the former german Grand Tour contender. Brajkovic has meanwhile caught up to the group. Strong performance by him.
Peraud & Dupont (both ALM) as well as Albasini (OGE) and Valls (VCD) catch up to the group upfront in the downhill. Peraud shows his great downhill skills and his determination to win today by taking immediately charge. The same can’t be said about Brajkovic.
Woah, what the hell?! Froome lost contact to the peloton and Wiggins tries to bring him back. How the hell did that happen, I wonder, and will make sure to catch the replay. Omega Pharma look to really make that count and pace hard upfront. It tunrs out that Froome just... dropped. No puncture, no attack, nothing. Just dropped over the summit.
Brajkovic and Peraud sure want that the breakaway to feel the pain. Various riders are already dropped and also Verdugo has to bite already to keep up with their pace. Meanwhile, Wiggins has brought back Froome into the peloton.
Peraud and Brajkovic keep it high and Urán, who is pacing back in the peloton, hardly makes up ground. Klöden meanwhile has a puncture (in the back). Poor boy. Still 11 kilometers to go up the Col de la Croix.
Urán is a beast, but the time just doesn’t decrease. Can you spot Froome in the crowd? He’s somewhere around the 20 kilometer sign.
Verdugo is finished. Where are the fans and the basque flags, the ikurrinas, when you need them? Well, I know my duty now as I shout: “Gora Gorka!”
Dippo, I mean... Daniel Martin is the first to attack from the peloton for quite some time. Quintana is quick to follow. And so was the plan of Spilak and Antón too, but they just power themselves out.
While Gorka Izagirre really tries to hang onto the group and get a decent overall ranking, Froome is miles away from his top shape, just as he is already two minutes behind Antón.
And now Antòn can’t hold onto the pace either, which is set by Van den Broeck, Fuglsang and Nibali.
Nibali shows his impressive Pre-Giro Form. He catches Dupont and Peraud. Daniel Martin looks to be the only capable of following Nibali. Quintana and Nibali’s teammate Brajkovic are upfront and both have quite a lead to Nibali. It looks good for the Shark of the Strait
Quintana is the first to go into the downhill, 20 seconds ahead of Nibali. But we all know how good Nibali is in any downhill, right?
When Igor goes into the descent, he isn’t too far away from the Peloton with riders such as Spilak, Hesjedal or Basso and Van den Broeck.
The shark catches up to the promising Columbian young gun Quintana….
… but fails to take the victory. Quintana wins this mountain stage at the Tour de Romandie, while Nibali takes the leader’s jersey, only one second ahead of Quintana. Good enough for both I suppose. Daniel Martin takes 3rd. Our riders come into the finish far behind. Antòn is the best with a 22nd place, and that’s honestly not quite good enough for Katu. “You shouldn’t have followed that attack by Quintana”, he tells Igor and he knows too. And I think, well – better to risk something and miserably fail than just stay anonymously in the peloton. But I keep these words to myself. Katu sure isn’t in the mood and able to cope with my deluded comments today.
Stage 5, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
5h52'08
2
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
3
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
+ 40
4
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
5
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'33
6
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
7
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2'22
8
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
9
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
10
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
11
Rafael Valls
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
12
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
13
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
14
Michael Rogers
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
15
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
16
Simon Spilak
Katusha Team
s.t.
17
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
18
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
s.t.
19
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
20
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
21
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'07
22
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'38
23
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
+ 3'59
24
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'58
25
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 5'33
Spoiler
26
José Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 6'29
27
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
28
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
29
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
+ 7'48
30
Pieter Weening
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
31
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
32
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
33
Sébastien Reichenbach
IAM Cycling
s.t.
34
Tiago Machado
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
35
Tom Slagter
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
36
Petr Ignatenko
Katusha Team
s.t.
37
Peter Stetina
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
38
Moreno Moser
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
39
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
40
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
41
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
s.t.
42
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
43
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
s.t.
44
Thomas Löfkvist
IAM Cycling
s.t.
45
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 11'47
46
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
s.t.
47
Chris Horner
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
48
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
49
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
50
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
51
David Zabriskie
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
52
Andreas Klöden
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
53
Tim Wellens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
54
Mads Christensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 13'38
55
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
56
Francis Mourey
FDJ
+ 14'16
57
Kristjan Koren
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
58
Tom Dumoulin
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
59
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
60
Maxim Belkov
Katusha Team
s.t.
61
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
62
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
63
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
64
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
+ 16'20
65
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 17'10
66
Martin Elmiger
IAM Cycling
+ 17'49
67
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
68
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
+ 20'06
69
Brian Bulgac
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
70
Ángel Vicioso
Katusha Team
s.t.
71
Marc Goos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
72
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
73
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 20'32
74
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
75
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
76
Martijn Keizer
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 21'23
77
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
+ 22'08
78
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
79
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
80
Argiro Ospina
Movistar Team
s.t.
81
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
82
Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
83
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
84
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
85
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
86
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 24'06
87
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 25'04
88
Timothy Duggan
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
89
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
90
Matteo Pelucchi
IAM Cycling
+ 25'47
91
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
92
Gatis Smukulis
Katusha Team
s.t.
93
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
94
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
95
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
96
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
97
Matteo Trentin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
98
Tosh Van der Sande
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
99
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
100
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
101
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
102
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
103
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
104
Edward King
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
105
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
106
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
107
Dirk Bellemakers
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
108
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
s.t.
109
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
110
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol
+ 26'54
111
Davide Viganò
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
112
Anders Lund
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 31'23
113
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
+ 32'24
114
Mickaël Delage
FDJ
s.t.
115
Johannes Fröhlinger
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
116
Stuart O'Grady
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
117
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 33'04
118
Aleksejs Saramotins
IAM Cycling
s.t.
119
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
120
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
121
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
122
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
123
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
124
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
125
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
126
Christopher Sutton
Sky Procycling
s.t.
127
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
128
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
129
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
130
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
131
Sébastien Hinault
IAM Cycling
s.t.
132
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
133
Koldo Fernández
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
134
Kristof Goddaert
IAM Cycling
s.t.
135
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
136
Sebastian Lander
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
137
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
138
Bert De Backer
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
139
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
140
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
141
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
142
Hayden Roulston
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
143
Dmitriy Gruzdev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
144
Massimo Graziato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
145
Maarten Neyens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
146
Wesley Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
147
Nariyuki Masuda
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
148
François Parisien
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
149
Alan Marangoni
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
150
Danny Pate
Sky Procycling
s.t.
151
William Bonnet
FDJ
+ 34'18
152
David Boucher
FDJ
s.t.
153
Nikias Arndt
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
154
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
155
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
s.t.
156
Rick Flens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
157
Jetse Bol
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 36'17
158
Jos Van Emden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
159
Allan Davis
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
General classification before Stage 6 (Time Trial)
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
16h04'52
2
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
+ 1
3
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
+ 47
4
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'52
5
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2'30
6
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
+ 2'33
7
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 2'39
8
Simon Spilak
Katusha Team
+ 2'41
9
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'43
10
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - Merida
+ 2'44
Spoiler
11
Michael Rogers
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2'47
12
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'51
13
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
+ 2'54
14
Rafael Valls
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'55
15
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
+ 2'57
16
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2'59
17
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'27
18
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
+ 3'34
19
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 3'45
20
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
+ 4'34
21
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'40
22
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 5'09
23
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
+ 6'45
24
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 7'01
25
José Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 7'06
Stage 6
The last stage features a nearly 17 kilometer long time trial from Versoix to Collonge, which features a cheering mass and nice impressions of the lake of Genf and its many boats of the rich or fishing-fanatics.
Gorka Izagirre looks to maintain his Top 25 ranking and wants to do another good time trial at this year’s Tour de Romandie…
… Igor Antòn just wants the day to end. Bradley Wiggins has meanwhile the best time at the intermediate, but who will be the victor at the end of the day?
Nibali heads into the final kilometer of the Time Trial and takes this year’s Tour de Romandie. He will be surely the guy to beat at the Giro d’Italia. Then again, he is splendid form, who could even think about beating him at this point – but this isn’t the strategy. The Giro hasn’t even started yet... I realize. TT World Champion Tony Martin takes the stage win by the way, so business as usual for the Panzerwagen.
Yeah, sure… nice move, Tour de Romandie oranzigators. You may have preferred another rider or want advertise your beautiful region but having a freaking field in front of the podium isn’t really the best way to present your wonderful landscape.
Stage 6, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
21'08
2
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
+ 2
3
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
s.t.
4
David Zabriskie
Garmin - Sharp
+ 13
5
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
+ 27
6
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 32
7
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
+ 34
8
Moreno Moser
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 36
9
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 38
10
Tiago Machado
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 39
Spoiler
11
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 40
12
Andreas Klöden
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 44
13
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 45
14
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
+ 46
15
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
16
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
+ 47
17
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Sharp
+ 48
18
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 49
19
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 50
20
Mads Christensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 51
21
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
22
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
23
Gatis Smukulis
Katusha Team
s.t.
24
Dmitriy Gruzdev
Astana Pro Team
+ 52
25
Kristjan Koren
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
26
Tom Dumoulin
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
27
Martin Elmiger
IAM Cycling
+ 53
28
Thomas Löfkvist
IAM Cycling
+ 54
29
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
+ 55
30
Michael Rogers
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
31
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 56
32
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
33
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
+ 57
34
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
35
Chris Horner
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 58
36
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
37
Jos Van Emden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 59
38
Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
+ 1'00
39
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'01
40
Ángel Vicioso
Katusha Team
s.t.
41
Simon Spilak
Katusha Team
s.t.
42
Rick Flens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'02
43
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
+ 1'03
44
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
45
Maxim Belkov
Katusha Team
+ 1'04
46
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
+ 1'07
47
Martijn Keizer
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
48
Pieter Weening
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
49
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
s.t.
50
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
51
Stuart O'Grady
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1'09
52
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'13
53
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
54
Alan Marangoni
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1'14
55
William Bonnet
FDJ
s.t.
56
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
57
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
s.t.
58
Marc Goos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'15
59
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
60
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
61
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
62
Nikias Arndt
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1'16
63
David Boucher
FDJ
s.t.
64
Petr Ignatenko
Katusha Team
s.t.
65
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
66
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'17
67
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
+ 1'18
68
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
+ 1'19
69
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
70
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'20
71
Tim Wellens
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'21
72
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
73
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
+ 1'22
74
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
75
Aleksejs Saramotins
IAM Cycling
+ 1'23
76
Danny Pate
Sky Procycling
s.t.
77
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1'25
78
Peter Stetina
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
79
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
80
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1'26
81
Jetse Bol
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'27
82
Hayden Roulston
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
83
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
84
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
85
Sébastien Reichenbach
IAM Cycling
+ 1'28
86
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
+ 1'29
87
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'30
88
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
89
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1'31
90
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
91
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'32
92
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
93
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'33
94
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1'34
95
Maarten Neyens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
96
Tom Slagter
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
97
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
98
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
99
Dirk Bellemakers
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
100
Kristof Goddaert
IAM Cycling
+ 1'36
101
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
102
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
103
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
104
Matteo Trentin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'38
105
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
106
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
107
Christopher Sutton
Sky Procycling
+ 1'39
108
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
109
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
110
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
111
François Parisien
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1'40
112
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
113
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1'41
114
Rafael Valls
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
115
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
116
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'42
117
Sebastian Lander
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'43
118
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'44
119
Brian Bulgac
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
120
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'47
121
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
122
Nariyuki Masuda
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1'49
123
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'51
124
Wesley Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
125
Bert De Backer
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1'52
126
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
127
Massimo Graziato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
128
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
129
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
130
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'53
131
Johannes Fröhlinger
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
132
Tosh Van der Sande
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'54
133
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
134
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
+ 1'56
135
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
+ 1'57
136
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
137
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
138
Mickaël Delage
FDJ
+ 2'00
139
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
140
Koldo Fernández
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2'01
141
Timothy Duggan
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2'03
142
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'04
143
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
144
Anders Lund
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2'05
145
Francis Mourey
FDJ
s.t.
146
Allan Davis
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 2'09
147
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
148
Edward King
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
149
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol
+ 2'13
150
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
151
Sébastien Hinault
IAM Cycling
+ 2'15
152
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2'16
153
Davide Viganò
Lampre - Merida
+ 2'19
154
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2'20
155
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2'21
156
Matteo Pelucchi
IAM Cycling
+ 2'23
157
Argiro Ospina
Movistar Team
+ 2'25
158
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
159
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2'51
Overall classification
1. Vincenzo Nibali (AST)
2. Nairo Quintana (MOV)
3. Daniel Martin (GRS)
The team leaves at the end with a bit disappointed faces the Tour de Romandie. We didn’t expect much, but we expected more than this. Igor Antòn and Gorka Izagirre both finish in the Top 25, but it’s not much more. Two close times the riders were close to winning a stage but it wasn`t enough. At least, these two podium rankings show the spirit of the team is intact and they are eager to take stage wins no matter the cost. This is a good sign for the Giro d'Italia I suppose.
The Tour de Romandie might be a lot for the swiss people, but for Euskaltel – Euskadi it merely pops up as another sign that things rarely play out than you wish them to be. Mikel Nieve and Igor Antòn were not really up to the task of providing a decent challenge to other riders. Their form was just too far away, maybe they are even lacking something far more crucial. I don’t know yet. Maybe Samuel Sánchez would have done better, but that of course, is pure speculation. Yet however, one thing is certain for me: If things continue like this, and Samuel Sánchez will remain the only trusty WT points deliverer in the team, things can get pretty grim next season. But let’s not be too depressive… the Giro is coming!
Call to all readers: Ever wanted some advice from professional cyclists? Have a question that's really nagging on you concering the Izagirre brothers? Or just really need something to get off your chest? Send a private message to me in your questions to Ion & Gorka Izagirre. The interview will be published on the first rest day of the Giro d'Italia!
Edited by Shonak on 15-12-2013 17:28
@sutty: Cycling ain`t no picnic. Hopefully the Giro d'Italia will bring a stage win at least.
@Ian Butler: Really like Quintana in this story, he will show great attacking spirit.
@Blueprint: Thanks for the question mate. Quintana won't ride Giro, but Purito, Wiggins, Scarponi, Hesjedal and many other riders will try their luck against Nibali, who is in an enormous form already.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
