The last stage of the Tour of Beijing brings us back to the Bird's Nest.
No mass sprint in the final stage, but a surprising breakaway win! Irish Matthew Brammeier (Omega Pharma) wins the sprint for the stage win, beating Gorik Gardeyn (Vacansoleil), Aleksandr Kuschynski (Katusha) and the Saur-duo Rony Martias & Anthony Delaplace.
The peloton finishes '53 behind, with Alex Rasmussen as the fastest sprinter (well, the better sprinters tried really hard to badly position themselves and suddenly with 1km to go, they started to sprint with leadouts......).
Results
1
Matthew Brammeier
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
2h33'41
2
Gorik Gardeyn
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
4
Rony Martias
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
5
Anthony Delaplace
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
6
Alex Rasmussen
Nespresso
+ 53
7
Andrea Grendene
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
8
Mark Cavendish
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
9
André Greipel
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
10
Heinrich Haussler
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
...
34
Pim Ligthart
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
GC
A very nice top 3: newly crowned world champ Philippe Gilbert wins the Tour of Beijing, followed by Vuelta-winner Andy Schleck and Giro-winner Igor Antón.
1
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto - Belisol
13h57'34
2
Andy Schleck
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 27
3
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 33
4
Jure Kocjan
Team Type 1
+ 1'20
5
Juan José Cobo
Nespresso
+ 1'54
6
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sony Ericsson
+ 2'31
7
Gianni Meersman
FDJ
+ 2'44
8
Giampaolo Cheula
Nespresso
+ 2'46
9
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
+ 2'48
10
Luca Solari
Androni Giocattoli
+ 2'49
Points
1
Mark Cavendish
Sky ProCycling
13
53
2
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sony Ericsson
0
51
3
André Greipel
Sony Ericsson
12
47
4
Matthew Goss
Team Qantas
0
33
5
Juan José Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
5
33
KOTM
1
Luca Solari
Androni Giocattoli
0
24
2
Giampaolo Cheula
Nespresso
0
22
3
Manuele Mori
Lampre - Generali
0
20
4
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
0
15
5
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
0
15
Overall winner
Word from the DS
Bad final stage, good outcome in the GC. Happy with the 2nd place, never thought we could get this!
The best preparation for Il Lombardia is the Giro dell'Emilia. In this hilly autumn classic with the finish near Bologna at the steep San Luca, the final climb (1.9km at 10.1%, max. 17%) awaits 5 times.
Only the best hilly riders can win here. Last year, Damiano Cunego was the winner, beating Robert Gesink.
The favourites *** Damiano Cunego (Lampre), Robert Gesink, Giovanni Visconti (Farnese Vini) ** Cadel Evans (Katusha), Cayetano Sarmiento (Acqua et Sapone), Joaquím Rodríguez (Katusha) * Roman Kreuziger (Astana), Miguel Rubiano (D'Angelo), Daniele Pietropolli (Omega Pharma)
The race
75km to go
Mauricio Ardila (Nespresso) leaves his fellow-breakaway-members behind in the ascend of the Monzuno. 1'47 behind follows a first group with Enrico Franzoï, Dariusz Baranowski, Rocchetti and Borchi. The peloton follows at 6'15.
37km to go
The peloton is ascending the San Luca for the first time. Mauricio Ardila leads with 3'18.
10km to go
Ardila has started the penultimate ascend of the San Luca, and has started to struggle. His margin to the chasing peloton has decreased to 1'18, and too many people are looking pretty fresh in there!
9km to go
And here's the first attack out of the peloton. It's not one of the favourites, but one of the outsiders, Acqua et Sapone's Cayetano Sarmiento, and he's followed by Cadel Evans, Roman Kreuziger and Miguel Rubiano.
1km to go
Ardila gets caught at the summit, entering the last lap of 8 kilometres. An elite group of 8 riders arrive at the foot of the last climb with less than 2 kilometres to go: Damiano Cunego, Cadel Evans, Robert Gesink, Roman Kreuziger, Joaquím Rodríguez, Miguel Rubiano, Cayetano Sarmiento, Giovanni Visconti. Gesink has chosen the wheel of Giovanni Visconti, but realizes under the flamme rouge that this is the wrong wheel. Colombian Sarmiento is the first to start the sprint and together with Cadel Evans, he creates a little gap to the others.
Finish
It's too late for Gesink to win the Giro dell'Emilia, but he manages to take the 3rd place behind Evans and Sarmiento. It's the biggest win in the career for the Colombian rider from Acqua et Sapone so far, and probably not the last one!
Results
1
Cayetano Sarmiento
Acqua & Sapone
4h52'30
2
Cadel Evans
Katusha Team
+ 7
3
Robert Gesink
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 13
4
Giovanni Visconti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 22
5
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Generali
+ 28
6
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
+ 49
7
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
+ 55
8
Miguel Rubiano
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
9
Mauricio Alberto Ardila
Nespresso
+ 1'33
10
Jelle Vanendert
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 1'47
The winner
Word from the DS
After last year's 2nd place, now the 3rd place for Gesink. Good results, but he really wants the win next year here!
Edited by dienblad on 05-04-2012 20:38
Back to France for the last classic there, Paris - Tours. An almost flat race near the Loire, with 2 short and steep climbs before the finish, but nearly always ending in a mass sprint.
So did it last year, with Matti Breschel taking the win.
The favourites *** Matti Breschel (Rabobank), Marcel Kittel, Manuel Belletti (Team Type 1) ** Mauro Finetto (Liquigas), Lloyd Mondory (AG2R), Jimmy Casper (Saur) * Jürgen Roelandts (Lotto), Saïd Haddou (Europcar), Peter Sagan
Our goal
Top 3.
The race 28km to go
Cyrille Monnerais (Bretagne) is the last rider from a group of 5 that gets caught by the peloton. Together with Sjef De Wilde (Accent), Jonathan Thiré (Big Mat), Gatis Smukulis (La Pomme) and Yohann Gene (Europcar) he had a maximum margin of 8 minutes to the peloton, but had no chance to stay out of reach.
21km to go
This is an attack people don't expect. Jimmy Casper, the sprinter from Saur - Sojasun, attacks with 21 kilometres to go. For sure, he must have got bad legs and doesn't trust he will ride a good sprint. It's a hara-kiri-action...
Finish
As usual, the race ends in a mass sprint. We try to set up another train, but with many riders with fitness below 80, it's difficult to stay in the front of the peloton. Peter Sagan serves as the last lead out man again, but his fitness of 78 is not doing any good to our chances. He is passed by Manuel Belletti, Matti Breschel and Mauro Finetto, when he kicks off Marcel Kittel. The German rides a good sprint, but doesn't have the legs (fitness 80, daily form 0) to come closer to the first 3. Manuel Belletti wins the race for the Team Type 1-team, beating countryman Mauro Finetto and last year's winner Matti Breschel.
Results
1
Manuel Belletti
Team Type 1
5h24'20
2
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
3
Matti Breschel
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Marcel Kittel
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
5
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
6
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
7
Peter Sagan
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
8
Saïd Haddou
Team Europcar
s.t.
9
Damien Monier
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
10
James Vanlandschoot
Accent.Jobs - Veranda's Willems
s.t.
The winner
Word from the DS
Considering the fitness, we can be happy with the 4th place, although missing the podium is never nice.
And back to Italy, for the G.P. Beghelli (Milano - Vignola). 6 short and steep climbs in 187 kilometres, so another difficult Italian classic. Last year, Mitja Mahoric (Adria Mobil) surprised the peloton and won the race.
Type 1
221. A.Efimkin
222. A.Bazzana
223. R.Bertogliati
224. O.Kerkhof
225. M.Verschoor
226. R.la Rosa
Our team
The favourites ***Robert Gesink, Enrico Gasparotto (Lampre), Fabio Felline (Nespresso) ** Joaquím Rodríguez (Katusha), Stefano Garzelli (Acqua et Sapone), E. Capecchi (Liquigas) *Jelle Vanendert, Rory Sutherland (Christina), Domenico Pozzovivo (Colnago)
Our goal
Top 3
The race 8km to go
A group of 7 riders, including Julien El Fares (Cofidis), Matthew Lloyd (Astana) and Cristiano Salerno (Androni) has attacked early in the race and formed the BOTD. When the peloton starts the final climb, the margin of the 7 riders is still 1'10.
Shortly before the summit Matthew Lloyd attacks out of the leading group. He's for sure the strongest of the 7 riders and arrives at the summit with a lead of 57 seconds. Next to follow is Robert Gesink who tries to close the gap to the Aussie The peloton follows at 1'12.
Finish
But with only the descend remaining, Matthew Lloyd has no problems in staying in the lead. He takes his first win of the season, with a 27 second-margin to the peloton. Gesink has been caught in the peloton and finishes in 16th position.
The sprint for the 2nd place is won by Alessandro Proni, getting another great result for the water and soap team, followed by Czech Pavel Zitta (PSK). Best placed rider from our team is Jelle Vanendert in 13th.
Results
1
Matthew Lloyd
Pro Team Astana
4h30'56
2
Alessandro Proni
Acqua & Sapone
+ 27
3
Pavel Zitta
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
4
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
5
Fabio Felline
Nespresso
s.t.
6
Simone Ponzi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
7
Mikhail Ignatiev
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
8
Enrico Gasparotto
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
9
Bernardo Riccio
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
10
Henry Frusto
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
...
13
Jelle Vanendert
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
...
16
Robert Gesink
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
The winner
Word from the DS
At least we tried, in contrary to the other 140 riders that finished inside the peloton....
The penultimate Italian hilly autumn classic we ride is Milano - Torino. It's a 193 kilometre long route, that's mostly boring. Only the last 20 kilometres are entertaining, including a ascend that features a lot of short and steep steps. After a descend, the riders finish outside Torino.
Last year, Damiano Cunego was in top form and did beat Jelle Vanendert.
The Favourites *** Damiano Cunego (Lampre), Cayetano Sarmiento (Acqua et Sapone), Andy Schleck ** Giovanni Visconti (Farnese Vini), Roman Kreuziger (Astana), Pavel Zitta (PSK) * Joaquím Rodríguez (Katusha), Enrico Gasparotto (Lampre), Domenico Pozzovivo (Colnago)
Our goal
It's getting boring, but the Top 3 again.
The race 15km to go
Because of hard work by mostly our domestiques, the BOTD gets caught even before the final climb begins. After being helped perfectly by Jelle Vanendert in the lower slopes of the climb, Andy Schleck is riding in first position with a few ascending kilometres to go. He's accompanied by Farnese's Giovanni Visconti. Joaquím Rodríguez and Cayetano Sarmiento follow at '25, but the Colombian is closing in after being badly placed earlier in the climb. A next group with last year's winner Damiano Cunego and Robert Gesink follows at '48.
10km to go
Sarmiento leaves Purito behind and closes the gap to the 2 leaders. It's Visconti who's the first attacker, but he can't ride away. Than Schleck takes over and already descending with 10km to go to Torino, he has created a gap of 12 seconds to Visconti and Sarmiento. Cunego, Zitta and Rodríguez follow at '49 and Gesink at 1'31.
Finish
With the luck that also his 2 chasers aren't good downhillers, Andy Schleck manages to keep his margin over the 2 and wins Milano - Torino, showing some great form for Il Lombardia.
Sarmiento wins the sprint for the 2nd place, followed by Visconti. Cunego follows at '46 and the 2 Czechs Zitta and Kreuziger at 1'02. Robert Gesink finishes in 8th place.
Results
1
Andy Schleck
Monster Energy - Ford
4h27'57
2
Cayetano Sarmiento
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
3
Giovanni Visconti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
4
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Generali
+ 46
5
Pavel Zitta
PSK Whirlpool - Author
+ 1'02
6
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
7
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
8
Robert Gesink
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 1'46
9
Carlos Betancourt
Acqua & Sapone
+ 2'19
10
Miguel Rubiano
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
The winner
Word from the DS
And that's another win in the pocket. Now all focus is at Il Lombardia!
The season traditionally ends with the last of the 5 monuments, Il Lombardia. The 260 kilometre race between Milano and Como features some tough hills in the regio of Lombardia.
The winner of the race has to be in great shape after a tough and long season, and also needs some great hilly and puncheur-skills. Last year, Monster Energy ended 2011 in a great way, as Robert Gesink took the win.
With a length of 260 kilometres, and about 3000 height metres, and the highest point at 1118 metres above sea level, Il Lombardia is one of the toughest one day races there is. The final of the race includes the Madonna del Ghisallo (10.9km at 9.0%), with the famous church at the summit, the Colma di Sormano (9.4km and 6.5%) with the summit 38km before the finish and shortly before the finish the San Fermo della Battaglia (2.2km at 8.7%).
The race 188km to go
After numerous attacks in the first 65 kilometres of the race, no breakaway has been succesful. WHile climbing the first bigger climb of the day, Wout Poels attacks and quickly creates a gap. Unfortunately, nobody tries to follow him, so the Dutch rider has to go solo in his last race for the team. At the summit, he has a margin of 3'49 to the peloton.
54km to go
Also in the descend and the flat part, nobody tries to closes the gap to Poels. And as the peloton is taking it pretty easy, the margin grows to a maximum of 10 minutes!
But the long solo attack costs a lot of energy, and at the summit of the Madonna del Ghisallo, Poels is about to get caught, only 33 seconds remaining.
39km to go
The peloton has started to ascend of the Colma di Sormano. One kilometre before the summit, Il Lombardia starts, when World champ Philippe Gilbert attacks. Only Carlos Betancourt (Acqua et Sapone, with strangly no Cayetano Sarmiento in the lineup) tries to follow this fierce attack.
25km to go
After finishing the descend of the Colma di Sormano, Gilbert and Betancourt have a margin of 1'08 to the chasing group of 36 riders. The question is of behind the 2 leaders a chase can be organized along the shores of Lake Como, or that attacks occurs, which will help especially Gilbert.
24km to go
Well, no organized chase for sure.... As soon as the descend is finished, Damiano Cunego attacks, followed by Jan Bakelants. This is the sign for many riders to attack. We try to keep a high pace in the first peloton, to bring it all together before the San Fermo della Battaglia begins.
10km to go
And not for the first time this season (See Clasica San Sebastian), we made the wrong choice. Philippe Gilbert enters the last 10 kilometres, and ha sa lead of 32 seconds over Roman Kreuziger. 13 seconds behind Kreuziger follows a group of 9 with Cunego, Nibali, Wiggins, Soler, Paulinho, Bakelants, Betancourt, Mori and Rodríguez.
Cadel Evans follows at 1'05 and the peloton (26 riders), led by Robert Gesink, at 1'35.
7km to go
Gilbert starts the ascend of the San Fermo della Battaglia, with still a margin of 52 seconds to the chasing group. Kreuziger has been caught by the group Cunego. Evans follows at 1'14 and the group Monster Energy at 1'51. The win is out of reach now....
3km to go
Gilbert is showing some incredible cycling skills at the San Fermo della Battaglia, as he even extends his leads each metre he rides. He ascends the 2.2 kilometres 30 seconds (!) faster than the chasing group, what an unbelievable demonstration!
Cunego and Kreuziger could drop the others in the chasing group and follow at 1'25. Andy Schleck has managed to close the gap to the 3rd group, and even passed these riders and follows at 1'49.
Finish
Winning Il Lombardia after a 40 kilometre solo attack, means Gilbert has truly shown to deserve the rainbow-jersey. It's the 15th win of the season, after also being the fastest in the Ardennes classics.
2nd place Schleck has done a great job in the descend, almost closing the gap of 24 seconds to Cunego and Kreuziger. But it's too late to sprint for the podium. Roman Kreuziger surprises with the 2nd place, followed by Cunego and Schleck.
And Poels? He finished the race, completely empty, in last place.
Results
1
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto - Belisol
6h48'17
2
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'31
3
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
4
Andy Schleck
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
5
Juan Mauricio Soler
Movistar Team
+ 1'59
6
Bradley Wiggins
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
7
Sérgio Paulinho
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
8
Jan Bakelants
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
9
Carlos Betancourt
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
10
Vincenzo Nibali
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
12
Cadel Evans
Katusha Team
s.t.
13
Robert Gesink
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
14
Morris Possoni
Sky ProCycling
+ 3'14
15
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
16
José Rujano
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
17
Manuele Mori
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
18
Ivan Basso
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
19
Denis Menchov
Sony Ericsson
+ 4'01
20
Daniele Pietropolli
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
21
Christian Moreni
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
22
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
23
Gabriele Bosisio
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
24
Rigoberto Urán
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
25
Simon Gerrans
Team Qantas
s.t.
26
Janez Brajkovič
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
27
Jelle Vanendert
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
28
Kristjan Koren
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
29
Dario Cataldo
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
30
Francesco Masciarelli
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
31
Franco Pellizotti
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
32
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
33
Ben Hermans
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
34
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 5'44
35
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
s.t.
36
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
37
Chris Horner
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
38
Emanuele Sella
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
39
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
+ 9'04
40
Filippo Savini
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
41
Enrico Gasparotto
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
42
Marek Rutkiewicz
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
43
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
44
Kim Kirchen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
45
Davide Ricci Bitti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
46
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
47
Jakob Fuglsang
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
48
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
49
Tom Stubbe
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
50
Vasil Kiryienka
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
51
Christophe Le Mével
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
52
Daryl Impey
Team Qantas
+ 9'49
53
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
54
Peter Kennaugh
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
55
Martijn Maaskant
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
56
Francesco Bellotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
57
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
58
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
59
Mikel Astarloza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
60
Gustavo César Veloso
Movistar Team
+ 10'27
61
Rob Ruijgh
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 10'48
62
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
+ 13'18
63
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
64
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
s.t.
65
Yevgeniy Nepomnyachshiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
66
Levi Leipheimer
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
67
José Serpa
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
68
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
69
David Loosli
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
70
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
71
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
72
Linus Gerdemann
Katusha Team
s.t.
73
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Barracuda
+ 14'01
74
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
75
Francesco Failli
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
76
Steven Kruijswijk
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
77
Luca Solari
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
78
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
79
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
80
Leonardo Moser
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
81
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
82
Jussi Veikkanen
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
83
Massimo Codol
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
84
Andrea Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
85
Pietro Caucchioli
Katusha Team
+ 14'52
86
Federico Canuti
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 15'28
87
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
88
Michael Albasini
Team Qantas
s.t.
89
Christophe Riblon
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
90
Iban Mayoz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
91
Leonardo Piepoli
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
92
Jens Voigt
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
93
Alessandro Bertolini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
94
Maxime Monfort
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
95
Laurens Ten Dam
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
96
Kevin De Weert
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
97
Bruno Pires
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
98
Massimo Giunti
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 16'01
99
Cristiano Salerno
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
100
Luca Zanasca
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 19'05
101
Emanuele Vona
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
102
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
103
Bauke Mollema
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
104
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
105
Timothy Roe
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
106
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
107
Francesco Reda
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
108
Rémy Di Gregorio
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
109
Pavel Brutt
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
110
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
111
David López
Movistar Team
s.t.
112
Coen Vermeltfoort
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
113
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
+ 21'01
114
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 21'32
115
Martin Kragh
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
116
Gene Michael Bates
Lotto - Belisol
+ 22'08
117
Sep Vanmarcke
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
118
Wim Van Huffel
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
119
Eduardo Gonzalo
Movistar Team
s.t.
120
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
+ 23'43
121
Francisco Pérez
Movistar Team
s.t.
122
Anders Lund
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
123
Pieter Weening
Team Qantas
s.t.
124
Chris Barton
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
125
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
126
Richie Porte
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
127
Maciej Paterski
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
128
Vincenzo Garofalo
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
129
Amets Txurruka
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
130
René Mandri
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
131
Christopher Butler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
132
Nico Keinath
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
133
Tiago Machado
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
134
Grischa Niermann
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
135
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
136
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
137
Stefano Pirazzi
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
138
Angelo Pagani
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 26'00
139
Anthony Colby
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
140
Jeff Louder
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
141
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
142
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
143
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
144
Bert Grabsch
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
145
Walter Proch
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
146
Mitchell Docker
Team Qantas
s.t.
147
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
148
Wout Poels
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
The winner
Word from the DS
What a demonstration of power and puncheur-skills by Gilbert. He finishes a dream-season (winning the AMsel, Fleche Wallone, Liege and the Worlds) with winning Lombardia. Amazing!
A 2nd place was ossible for us, but we made the mistake not to jump with the numerous attacks along Lake Como, but to try to chase them. Anyway, a great season has ended!
Results
Also the last month of the 2012-season brought us some wins. Firstly, Marcel Kittel won (simulated) the Sparkassen Giro Münsterland. After Robert Gesink finishes 3rd in the Giro Dell'Emilia and Andy Schleck 2nd in the GC of the Tour of Beijing, Schleck brought us the 2nd win of the season in Milano - Torino.
World Tour riders
Philippe Gilbert won a World Tour stage race, and a World Tour classic in the last 2 weeks of the season, and finds himself on top of the WT-ranking. Andy Schleck jumped to 2nd, after getting 2nd in Beijing and 4th in Lombardia. Igor Antón is in 3rd, Vincenzo Nibali in 4th and Robert Gesink is in 5th place.
World Tour teams
The battle for the first place in the World Tour teams-ranking was between Radio Shack and Monster Energy. And due to the good results by Andy Schleck, the first place goes to Monster Energy - Ford! Lotto - Belisol finishes in 3rd place, almost completely thanks to Gilbert.
Continental Tour riders
William Bonnet (FDJ) wins the Continental Tour-ranking. In the end, it was close, thanks to Cayetano Sarmiento. The win in Emilia brought the Acqua et Sapone-rider to the 2nd place. Jerome Coppel finishes in 3rd.
Continental Tour teams
Saur - Sojasun kept the lead and wins the CT-teams ranking. La Française des Jeux finishes in 2nd, and Team Type 1 pushes Landbouwkrediet out of the top 3, thanks to wins by Manuel Belletti (Paris-Tours, Giro del Piemonte) and Jure Kocjan (Japan Cup).
CQ ranking riders Andy Schleck is the most consistent rider of 2012 and wins the CQ-ranking. Philippe Gilbert jumps over Igor Antón, who has to settle with the 3rd place.
CQ ranking teams
No changes in the Top 3. Monster Energy - Ford wins the CQ-ranking teams, with Radio Shack in 2nd place and Lotto - Belisol in 3rd.
Wins riders
2 wins for Gilbert (GC of the Tour of Beijing and Il Lombardia) bring him the most wins of the season, 15! Matthew Goss takes 14 wins, and Igor Antón and Andy Schleck 13 wins.
Wins teams
An amazing 52 wins for Monster Energy - Ford, mostly thanks to Schleck and Gesink. Team Qantas takes 37 wins, and Radio Shack - Nissan and Omega Pharma - Quick Step 28 wins.
Winning 4 rankings (teams World Tour, CQ and wins, as well as CQ-riders), means 4 Monster Energy-girls!
