sutty68: Yes pretty ugly, and i did't even notice until i saw the results, i heard about the crash from the commentatos, but i was occupied with the sprint train,
OZrocker: Would be good with a nice sprint or something, to get the team back on track. The moods in the tour bus is kind of depressing
The race continues north from Kuantan, a beautiful ride along the beaches of the South China Sea. A very flat stage with just one minor climb (cat 3) heading for a finish in the small town (Kuala) Dungun. Formerly a thriving mining town, today only known for is night market every Thursday night.
Some Shops in Dungun:
Pre-race strategy: We are still looking for a good sprint finish.
Profile:
After some failed attempts, a morning break get away with 8 riders, the best rider in the GC is Louis Meintjes (MTN – Qhubeka) 13’28 after the race leader.
The point sprints don’t seem to mean anything to the breakaway, they don’t sprint for points, but at the Mountain sprint Meintjes attacks to get the points.
As yesterday the peloton starts the hunt rather late and the break still have a good gab, when we get within 20 km of the finish, as we start to set up our train, bad luck strikes again, Martin Pedersen gets a lose elbow in a sharp corner, he loses control over the bike, and aims for a hard collision with the tarmac.
Again the sprinter get very close, but the podium is all riders from the breakaway, Dan Craven (Synergy Baku Cycling Project) win over Fabio Taborre (Vini Fantini - Selle Italia). All of our rider finish outside top 20.
Rasmussen: Bad luck again, Martin seems to be ok, but we can’t expect to make great result with our best lead-out lying on the ground.
Masjid Kristal (Crystal Mosque). Kuala Terengganu:
The Tour bus have taken us another 78 km north along the coast, to Kuala Terengganu the royal capital of Terengganu sultanate. From Kuala Terengganu the stage moves about 130 km north along the coast to Pasir Puteh, then east the last 35 km to the finish in Tanah Merah, just 35 km from the Thai border.
A street in Tanah Merah:
Pre-race strategy: After some stages won by the breakaway, we might try to get Stefan Schumacher in a break, otherwise we might help pace the peloton. Still hoping to get a good sprint for Francisco José Pacheco.
Profile:
A lot of smaller attacks but we are not involved, some get away, while others are brought back, in the end a large group of 9 riders are formed, fighting to get a solid gap.
But it seems the teams with sprinters are getting tired of breakaway wins, today Orica – GreenEdge, Lampre and other, are working a lot more in the front of the peloton.
The large break are reeled back in, just to inspire others to get away, but this time only 6 riders, they are hunted by a fast peloton, they never gets more than about 3 minutes, this time we are also helping in front.
We get a better sprint setup going today, not perfect but we get Francisco José Pacheco in at 6th, the winner is Allan Davis (Orica – GreenEdge) cementing that he is the strongest sprinter in this field, and most likely will take the points jersey.
Rasmussen: Francisco José Pacheco 6th, is a respectable result, I’m pleased with that, and the fact that we had no major difficulties today.
sutty68: Pedersen got out of that nasty chash without problems.
He was delivering a perfect Leadout before the finish in "Tanah Merah", if anything it was Schumacher who startet his sprint moments to late.
The caravan has moved just 38 km back west for a start in Pasir Puteh on the bank of Sungai Semerak (Semerak River), from here we go south towards Kuala Berang on the bank of Sungai Terengganu (Terengganu River), a very flat stage, without any mountain sprints.
Masjid Sultan Mahmud Mosques, Kuala Berang:
Pre-race strategy: Again we might try to get Stefan Schumacher in a breakaway or help paceing the peloton, hoping to get a good sprint for Francisco José Pacheco if a break does not make it.
Profile:
Today a break get away, without any reaction from the peloton, we get Schumacher in it, as planned. They get a maximum of 4 minutes.
In the break sits also Honorio Machado (Androni Giocattoli – Venezuela) a good sprinter, Schumacher has to get away from him, if he wants to win the stage.
At 10 km, Dennis Van Niekerk (MTN – Qhubeka) attacks, and Schumacher follows, hoping to get rid of Machado. That was a stupid mistake; they are both caught by the others in the front group within a few km.
The two “attackers” have lost energy and get in as 14th. & 16th. but the others in the breakaway crosses the line first, the stage was won by Honorio Machado over Fabio Taborre (Vini Fantini - Selle Italia). Pacheco with the help of Pedersen, did a fine sprint, coming in 10th.
The caravan has moved just 38 km, to at start by Tasik Kenyir (Lake Kenyir) an artificial lake, created by damming for a powerstation, a huge lake of 260 km², from here the race takes us to Kuala Terengganu, for at circuit race finish in the city.
China Town: Kuala Terengganu
Prerace strategy: Today we have planned to stay in the peloton, help in front if necessary, and hope for a good sprint.
Profile:
Today a huge break takes off with 10 riders, and quite a few good sprinters, Alberto Cecchin (Team Nippo), Youcef Reguigui (MTN – Qhubeka) and Honorio Machado (Androni Giocattoli – Venezuela) stage winner from yesterday. It is Youcef Reguigui in the picture.
To begin with, we help in the peloton, but soon the stronger sprinter teams set the pace very high, so no need to press the lemon any further. The Break is back in the peloton with more than 10 km to go.
We get a perfect sprint setup, very close to the front, when Schumacher starts the sprint with Pacheco glued to his rear tire, Pacheco make a fine sprint although there is stronger rider in the field, he makes is 6th. The winner is Davide Appollonio (Jamis - Hagens Berman) over Fabio Sabatini (Cannondale Pro Cycling).
Rasmussen: A fine ending on the race, we have had our up’s and down’s in this race, but overall I think we did good.
Stage:
1
Davide Appollonio
Jamis - Hagens Berman
2h23'00
2
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
3
Marco Canola
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
4
Allan Davis
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
5
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
6
Francisco José Pacheco
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
7
Steele Von Hoff
Jelly Belly p/b Kenda
s.t.
8
Marcel Sieberg
Cyclingteam De Rijke - Shanks
s.t.
9
Gediminas Bagdonas
Atlas Personal - Jakroo
s.t.
10
Anuar Manan
Synergy Baku Cycling Project
s.t.
GC:
1
Laurens Ten Dam
Bissell Cycling
33h21'19
2
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
+ 1'28
3
Janier Acevedo
Jamis - Hagens Berman
+ 1'32
4
Joseph Dombrowski
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1'58
5
Robert Kiserlovski
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 2'20
6
Julian Arredondo
Team Nippo - De Rosa
+ 3'34
7
Tom Slagter
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'44
8
Kenny Elissonde
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 3'55
9
Matteo Montaguti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 4'07
10
Christopher Butler
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
+ 5'15
Points:
1
Allan Davis
Orica - GreenEdge
14
143
2
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
12
117
3
Davide Appollonio
Jamis - Hagens Berman
25
97
Mountain:
1
Alex Howes
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
36
2
Kenny Elissonde
Christina Watches - Onfone
30
3
Laurens Ten Dam
Bissell Cycling
29
Team: Cannondale Pro Cycling
Young: Diego Ulissi (Lampre - Merida)
Edited by Tamijo on 10-10-2015 16:52
Christina: Today I am in Rome, for the Roma Maxima, Rome is one of the fashion centres of Europe, a very important race for us, we would like a top result (top 5) in this race, but it seems a lot of good World Tour teams are here, so we might settle with less than perfect.
The stage start in the centre of the city, and moves south for a hard climbs to the small town Rocca Massima at the Monte Lupone, and back up north over some up and downs, to a final climb near Monte Cavo, and then down to a finish back in central Rome.
Rocca Massima:
Pre-race strategy: We expect that it will be a climber’s race today, so we want Kenny Elissonde and Lasse Bøchman to stay in front when we hit the mountains, and try to stay with the favorites.
Profile:
Roster
Daniele Aldegheri
Francisco José Pacheco
Kenny Elissonde
Lasse Bøchman
Marc Hester
Mitchell Lovelock-Fay
Morten Høberg
Sebastian Balck
A morning break of 3 riders Rafael Andriato (Vini Fantini - Selle Italia) Johann Van Zyl (MTN – Qhubeka) Oleksandr Polivoda (Atlas Personal) they need a serious gap if they want to win this.
The next action to happen in the race is at the first part of the climb to Rocca Massima, where Fabio Duarte (Colombia) attacks:
Near the top Sébastien Reichenbach (IAM Cycling) and Jesús Herrada (Movistar) also attacks, and the three riders close the gap up the front group fast, now 6 riders are in front. The peloton is riding in a pace where almost everyone is able to follow.
Reichenbach & Herrada:
At the last of the 3 major ascents, the pace gets much higher, and it becomes clear that neither Kenny Elissonde nor Lasse Bøchman, has the legs today. They are both struggling just to hang in with the peloton. Francisco J. Pacheco is feeling better, and I sitting closer to the front.
Elissonde in pain, trying to advance towards the front if the group:
Now half way up, attacking starts between the favourites, Damiano Cunego (Cannondale) Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team) attacks, quickly followed by Elia Favilli (Lampre) Francesco Bongiorno (Bardiani Valvole) Fredrik Kessiakoff (Katusha) Igor Antón (Liberty Seguros) Fränk Schleck (RadioShack – Leopard).
Group Antón trying to close the cap to group Nibali:
It ends with a front group of Antón, Cunego, Duarte, Kessiakoff, Schleck, Herrada, Reichenbach & Nibali, racing downhill towards Rome, Antón is the strongest today winning a close sprint over Cunego.
Behind the front is a group of 20 riders, with Pacheco, Elissonde, & Bøchman, Pacheco takes the wheel of Bøchman, and he has still got some energy left in his body, Pacheco starts a long sprint and manage to beat an empty Kessiakoff, who was dropped from group Antón, Pacheco get in 8th.
Christina: Pacheco saves the day again! I think I will go buy something for is wife.
Result:
1
Igor Antón
Liberty Seguros - Würth
4h21'49
2
Damiano Cunego
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
3
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
4
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
5
Fabio Duarte
Colombia
s.t.
6
Fränk Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
7
Sébastien Reichenbach
IAM Cycling
s.t.
8
Francisco José Pacheco
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 1'35
9
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Katusha Team
s.t.
10
Francesco Ginanni
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
11
Matteo Rabottini
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
12
Sonny Colbrelli
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
13
Rigoberto Urán
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
14
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
15
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
s.t.
16
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
s.t.
17
Julian Arredondo
Team Nippo - De Rosa
s.t.
18
Matthew Busche
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
19
Ion Izagirre
Liberty Seguros - Würth
s.t.
20
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
Team: Astana Pro Team
Edited by Tamijo on 10-10-2015 12:13
Château-Thébaud, Resturant Auberge de la Gaillotière:
Rasmussen: Today we are La Haye-Fouassière, just 15 km southwest of Nantes, France. The race is composed of 11 laps on a circuit between La Haye-Fouassière and Château-Thébaud. The route is composed of many small hills and crosses several bridges over Sévre Nantaise River and La Maine River. The weather is ugly only 6 °C and heavy rain.
One of the bridges over Sévre Nantaise River:
Pre-race strategy: We expect this to be just a fitness ride, so anyone up for at attack is free to go.
Profile:
Roster:
Anders Bjerregård
Anton Grøn
Daniele Aldegheri
Martin Pedersen
Philip Nielsen
Sebastian Balck
Simon Bigum
Yves Lampaert
The morning break was Mathieu Sprick (Team Argos) Francesco Chicchi (Bardiani Valvole). After 20 km Daniele Aldegheri attacks and catch up with the front group.
Another 25 km and Martin Pedersen attacks, hoping to get a situation with two rider in the front:
Martin Pedersen have closed the gap to the front group, with 117 km left, they have got 7’20 to the peloton at this point.
Now Daniele Aldegheri and Martin Pedersen set a higher pace, not much help from the others in the group. After some time Daniele Aldegheri has used all he had, and falls back.
With 12 km left, the front group have got 50”, Martin Pedersen is feeling fine, this could end with a victory if he attacks at the right time. But the road is very wet from the continuous rain, Pedersen lose his grip and fall of the bike, it is not looking good, he takes a long time to get back on his feet:
Any hope for a podium is gone, now is up to Yves Lampaert to get the best possible result for Christina Watches, he is still in the front of the peloton, and make a fine finish ending at 13th. Today winner was Miguel Rubiano (Androni Giocattoli).
Rasmussen: What a bad start of the year, regarding crashes. Anyway Martin got back on his bike, he is not looking too good but he is ok, nothing serious.
Result:
1
Miguel Rubiano
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
4h39'06
2
Sonny Colbrelli
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
3
Paul Martens
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
4
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
s.t.
5
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
6
Ramunas Navardauskas
RusVelo
s.t.
7
Rein Taaramäe
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
8
Ion Izagirre
Liberty Seguros - Würth
s.t.
9
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
10
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
11
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
s.t.
12
Jonathan Hivert
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
13
Yves Lampaert
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
14
Alessandro De Marchi
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
15
Rubén Pérez
Liberty Seguros - Würth
s.t.
16
Ricardo Mestre
Liberty Seguros - Würth
s.t.
17
Francesco Chicchi
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
18
Juan José Oroz
Liberty Seguros - Würth
s.t.
19
Romain Hardy
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
20
Rudy Molard
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
Team: Movistar
Edited by Tamijo on 10-10-2015 16:49
