This is our racing calendar of 2013. We've agreed to aim for higher rated races this year because of the new riders we've contracted (I'll tell you later about them). Our biggest goal is to get a wildcard to the Giro d' Italia, alongside with the danish races, especially Post Danmark Rundt.
Post Danmark Rundt Tre Valli Varesine Coppa Agostoni Dutch Food Valley Classic Vattenfall Cyclassics (Requires wildcard) Gp Quest France - Plouay (Requires wildcard)
Sparkassen Münsterland Giro Giro dell' Emilia Paris - Tours Milano - Torino Chrono des Nations
Now I want to make a brief presentation of our sponsors
[img-r]https://img823.imageshack.us/img823/3937/20060523energifyn.jpg[/img-r] Before I came to this team, the roots in cycling were very well constructed for the main sponsor EnergiFyn. They had been sponsor for the team in many years ahead and agreed on the staff's suggestion about changing the visions to be an international development plan.
EnergiFyn is a mordern energy group which is owned by the consumers.
EnergiFyn is active in the research of finding alternative energy sources and new thinking of energy-systems.
EnergiFyn is established in the Danish city Odense, which is placed on Denmark's second greatest island, Fyn, in southern Denmark.
Actually EnergiFyn is the biggest energy group on Fyn and is delivering power, fibernet and warm to 175.000 homes.
Along with the financial support, EnergiFyn has made some sporting goals they want the team the achieve.
TDC came in as Co-sponsor last year and we have been very happy for the extra financial support they have been giving us.
TDC is the biggest company in all aspects of telecommunication in Denmark with landline, mobile, Internet, VHF maritime borderline-radio etc.
By the end of 2004, the TDC Group had more than 13.4 mil. customers in Europe: 3.5 mil. landline customers, 7.1 mil. mobile customers, 1.8 mil. Internet customers, and 1.0 mil. cable television customers.
Because our team's root and headquarter is placed in Denmark, then it is a huge privilege to by sponsored by this great company.
Along with the financial sponsorship with TDC, there are their goals which they want the team to achieve.
And we do not want to forget our secondary sponsors which provides a huge support to the team in the form of equipment and similar. Thanks to them
Next time I'll be reporting is about our new team roster and is the last time before season start.
As director sportif for Team EnergiFyn - TDC I am glad to stand in front of you today. Today is the day we are going to present the riders of our team. Already throughout last year we've worked really hard to expend our team with more riders and especially riders of a high quality.
This work has paid of since 24 professional riders will stand in front of you in just a moment. You already know the 14 of them, so let me just introduce you to the 10 new...
Alex Rasmussen
->
HTC
Anders Lund
->
Leopard
Michael Valgren Andersen
->
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Ben Swift
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SKY
Jonathan Bellis
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Saxo Bank
Stuart O'Grady
->
Leopard
David Veilleux
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Europcar
Dario Cataldo
->
Quick-Step
Sep Vanmarcke
->
Garmin
Christian Kness
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SKY
These ten new guys will along with the rest of the team, try to achieve our sporting goals. With the reinforce from these strong guys we will be able to aim higher than the previous years and make usselfs noticed in the international cycling world.
We'll now present our full team so you can get to know all the riders and have an insight glimpse of their status' on the team and etc.
Absolute leaders
Ben Swift is one of our new signings. In an age of 25 years, he has already lots of great result, among others 2 Giro d' Italia stages last year and the British road race championship in 2011.
Swift is one of the best sprinters in the world at the moment. But still he's able of following the pace on small hills where other sprinters as ex. Cavendish probably would suffer a lot.
This season Ben Swift will once again aim for the Giro d' Italia if the team gets a wildcard. Beyond the Giro, Swift will aim for the Tour of Britain, Vattenfall Cyclassics and Paris - Tours.
Alex Rasmussen is also new on the team. The signing of him can probably be the greatest signing of all in this season for us. The fact that he is one of the unargued best Danish riders at the moment, fits our Danish main sponsors very well.
The last two seasons he have achieved many great results, ex. lots of top 10 spots in Tour de France, where he was one of the main factors in Cavendish' 8 stage victories, plus an incredible 6th place at the World Championship in time trial last year.
Alex' speciality is time trial. After several succesfull years on the track, he is beggining to be a real road racer with a good average. Because of the years on the track he is now also a good sprinter.
This year Alex will be focusing on the Giro d' Italia, where he will be helping Ben Swift to sprint victories. But his greatest goal of the season is Post Danmark rundt. He will be the main captain to go for the homecountry victory. Also the World Championship will be one of his focus areas.
As the two others, Cataldo is also new on the team. The 27 year old italian haven't had any superior results the last two years, except for the overall win in Brixia Tour last season. There shall be no doubt that he is a very good rider, but he just needed some fresh air. And therefore he agreed to ride for our team.
Dario is a pure climber with lot of experience. But actually he is also capable of driving a good time trial, which he proved in 2010 with a 2nd place in the Italian time trial championship. So therefore he can make some good general classifications.
This year Cataldo is focusing mainly on the Giro d' Italia. But also the two Canadian Pro Tour races in september. Along with that, he is going to drive some of the early races in January and february.
Mauro came to the team last year and were one of the most succesfull riders that year. With several one day race wins he is now going to change a little, as he is going to ride several stage races this year.
Mauro Finetto is a really great sprinter which have developed very much over the last couple of years. But along with his fantastic sprint, he is also a very good puncher. Uphill sprint is in fact one of his specialites and on longer hills and short mountains he is still able to follow the pace if it isn't super high.
This year Mauro is going to focus on the Giro. And actually he is going to have a racing schedule quite similar to Ben Swift's.
Niki Østergaard have been in the team since i've started as director sportif.
In the last two years he has been the topleader of the team, but now things have changed. But still i've been giving him a leader role because of his unique talent for one day races.
Niki is still young in an age of 24 years, but his results still shows a great experience. From the very beggining it was clear that Niki was going into a great future in cycling. In 2006 he won silver at the junior world championship in Francorchamps, and in 2010 he became 2nd in Liege-Bastogne-liege espoirs. And in the previous two years where I have been able of following him, he have won Bayern Rundfahrt, Gp di Lugano and the Danish national championship.
Niki is a puncher. His fantastic ability of riding uphill, combined with his good sprint finishing, is together a very strong cocktail and have achieved many great victories.
Niki Østergaard's racing schedule is starting in the early classics in January and February. After this he is going to build up his shape to the Danish Classics in the late April. After this intensive section he will focus on the Danish championships, Post Danmark Rundt and maybe the World Championship.
Free riders
Adriano came to the team last year. And throughout that year he have developed much.
Adriano is a pure time trial specialist. Therefore he is going to be our man for the smaller stage races which includes a time trial, but he is also going to help our absolute leaders in some races. As helper he is among others a perfect man for a leadout train.
Adriano's biggest individual goals are the italian TT championships and especially the World TT championship where he finished 7th last year, and is this year hoping for a top 5 or a medal.
Also Peter came to the team last year. He made some strong results by winning Österreich - Rundfahrt and Giro della Calabria. Peter is still under a very solid development, and is still only 23 years old.
Peter is on track to become a very skilled stage racer because of his great climbing and his allround attributes.
This year his racing schedule is quite similar to the one he had last year with Österreich - Rundfahrt as the top goal. He is starting out in the early races from January to March. After this he is only focusing on Österreich - Rundfahrt and then the late October one day races.
Serge Pauwels is one of our greatest climbers. This year he is going to be a super helper in the mountains for our absolute leaders. Last year was quite a disappointment in terms of results, where the only point of light was a 6th place in Österreich - Rundfahrt. So this year he won't have as many leader roles as last year.
The 29 years old belgian is going to have a racing schedule which is similar to Kennaugh's. This means that his top goal also is going to be the Österreich - Rundfahrt.
Another Belgian is the 24 year old Sep Vanmarcke. Vanmarcke was bought to the team this year to be an all round helper, but also to drive his own chances in the cobbled classics.
Sep is having a bright future in front of himself, because of his possibilities of development. His speciality is the cobbles, but he masters almost everything and therefore he is a very talented rider.
This year Sep is going to have his main focus on the Giro d' Italia and some of the cobbled classics in the start of the season.
In an age of 39 years, Stuart O'grady is the oldest guy on the team. This can also seen, since he is no longer the strongest man in the peloton. But still he got some irreplaceable experience which our generally young team can benefit from.
He will be the man for the cobbles together with Vanmarcke. But he is also going to the Giro d' Italia to make use of his experience, especially in the leadouts for Swift.
The strong 31 year old German have had some quiet years at Team Sky. Therefore he were glad to join our team, to get a more free role.
Knees is a very good stage racer with a very strong ability of riding time trials. This year Knees is going to focus on the Giro d' Italia, where he will try to make a good result in the general classification or go for stage victories together with Cataldo.
Young talents
Luca is an upcomming star, no doubt about that. The 20 year old Italian came to the team as trainee in 2011 and after some races we thought that he deserved a full contract. In his time as U23, he showed his great talent by finishing in the top 10 in the world rankings and by winning two stages in Tour de L'Avenir.
Luca actually got his first professional victory last year, by winning the 3rd stage of Giro della Calabria from a long term solo escape.
Luca has won most of his victories in sprint finishes, and therefore we will try to develop his ability for sprints, as we are thinking it is the right way to go for him.
He still needs a lot of development to make use of his abilities against the professional peloton, so therefore he is only riding as helper for our leaders this year.
Rasmus is one of our greatest Danish talents. Since I started as director sportif, I have been able to follow his great talent. Still he is only 21 years old, but he have already made lots of great results, with the Post Danmark Rundt win as the greatest - And that victory being probably the biggest result for our team ever.
Rasmus is developing into an allround rider, with the speciality of riding a great time trial, but also by driving very well in the mountains. Therefore he is also turning in to a stage racing rider.
Even though Rasmus is still very young, we have given him the opportunity to ride the Giro d' Italia this year. We've done this because this years Giro got a perfect route for him, where he can benefit from his strength.
Helpers
Full team and stats
Soon we'll begin our journey into the new season which stands in front of us. Lets hope the season will be unforgetable and revelutionary for our team. Tomorrow I'll be flying to Australia to help O'grady and Tanner to some good results in the Australian Championships.
@Pellizotti2: Thank you, and thank you for comment on the realistic team. I really think i've made a great team, but still realistic, so it's great that you also agree on that.
@kitface: Thanks. And I got absolutely no idea of why I choose Veilleux to ride for my team
@dienblad: Thank you very much, i've also used a lot of time making it look good.
Just for clearing up, I want you to know who's riding the Pro Tour.
Since I won the Continental Tour's team classification last year, I should have moved up to Pro Tour. But because I wanted to keep it realistic, I prefered to stay in the Continental tour.
In 2011 no one moved up or down from the Pro Tour and the Continental Tour.
In 2012 Vacansoleil and Euskatel moved down to Continental Tour, and Cofidis and FDJ moved up in the Pro Tour.
Nice layout,but I really dont like that you just purchase riders from all over the world^^.When you start a career with a only national continental team,you should try to only have riders from that country.Just my opinion.
@Spilak23: Thanks mate. I also think it is quite strange, that there is no sponsor changes. But actually some were made, but only the Co-sponsors like Cannondale left Liquigas, also Cervelo left Garmin and HTC is now named HTC-FedEx.
@alkjlownhjgtln: Thanks. Yeah i see what you mean. I actually agree with you, that i should have bought more Danish riders. But It's probably because I wasn't patient enough - I just wanted to make the team international in a hurry
Australian Championship - Road Race
After we arrived to Australia, Tanner and O'grady had some days to fine tune their shape in the warm weather of Australia, which was quite controversial to the weather in Denmark - or Europe in general.
We knew we weren't the favourites here, but O'grady won this race last year, so he seems quite motivated.
Pre-tactics
We doesn't have much opportunities in this race, since we only are competing with 2 riders. Therefore we have planned that Tanner have to go in the early break and O'grady have to save his energy.
We've calculated that the route is quite too hilly for O'grady to stay in the peleton waiting for a mass sprint, so therefore we'll maybe send him in a breakaway at the middle of the stage.
The race started out with a lot of drama. First a group of nine riders got away including David Tanner. But they were caught again. Then some got away again, but they were also caught. It went on like that till a group of 4 riders came away - Sadly David Tanner couldn't respond because he crashed just about 10 km before this happened. But luckily he got back in the peloton.
The 4 escapies - R. McEwen (CCC), L. Howard (Saur - Sojasun), Z. Dempster (UnitedHealthcare) and T. Roe (Saxo Bank)
The breakaway builded up their gap to the pack, since no one wanted to catch them.
With About 80 km to go the pack got active. It was Baden Cooke who started trying to gap the pack. This was the moment O'grady had waited on, but it came as quite a surprise, so he didn't came right away with the new break, but he tried catching them up, and he did it in just a few hundred meters.
B. Cooke (HTC) attacks and gets J. Bobrigde (Østerhus) and W. Sulzberger (FDJ) on his wheel. S. O'grady follows in just a moment.
After the new followers had gapped the pack, they were fighting to reach the front breakaway, and after about 10 km hard work, they cathed the break.
The followers catches the front breakaway, and are formed into an 8-mans break, including S. O'grady.
The pack didn't seem to reacht, and the breakaway gained time with every pedalstroke. Therefore S. Clarke (Astana) tried to gap the pack with about 40 km to, but he was caught again.
When all was neutral again, S. Clarke (Astana) went of again, this time with H. Haussler (Garmin) on his wheel.
S. Clarke (Astana) with H. Haussler (Garmin) on his wheel, as they are trying to gap the pack.
At this time the breakaway had about 10 minutes down to the pack. And were almost secured on the win. With 35 km to go, Team Sky started to pull back the break with Clarke and Haussler. And they did catch them, but it was too late for the pack to fight for the victory with 25 km to go, where the break had about 9 minutes.
Team Sky starts chasing, while the break seems secured on the win
As the break were closing in on the last kilometres. It was clear that the break would win the Australian Championship. Nobody seemed to want to breakaway, so it came down to a sprint, which suited O'grady very well. He tried to get in the wheel of B. Cooke (HTC), but couldn't get room enough from W. Sulzberger (FDJ), and therefore he was forced to get in his wheel.
The breakaway preparing for the sprint. O'Grady behind Sulzberger and Cooke.
O'Grady tries to play the waiting game, and wait for sulzberger to make his move from Cooke's wheel. But as Sulzberger tries to go past Cooke, O'Grady gets blocked. But luckily he gets free again, but unfortunately too late when Cooke takes the victory in front of Sulzberger and O'Grady, who just reaches the 3rd place in front of L. Howard,.
B. Cooke (HTC) wins in front of W. Sulzberger (FDJ) and O'Grady
As the Breakaway takes the 8 first places, the pack only have to sprint for top 10 spots. Tanner is still in the pack, and moves up to find someone to follow. Actually he gets in the wheel of M. Matthews and makes a very great sprint, where he finishes as number 11.
H. Haussler (Garmin) wins the pack sprint in front of S. Gerrans (Omega Pharma) and D. Tanner.
@Tuco the ugly: Thank you very much, I agree with you, it was a good result for O'Grady and the team.
Australian Championship - Time Trial
Tanner, O'Grady and I have spend some days in Australia to get to know each other. But our main objective for this week is the Australian Championships. After O'Grady's third place in the RR, he is confident about his shape, and is ready to put in an effort in the time trial. Tanner also felt good in the RR, but he have never really achieved any great result in a time trial, so his expections aren't very high.
Pre-tactics
Time trial ain't Tanner and O'grady's favourite disciplin. But with O'Grady's third place in the RR, his shape is good and therefore we've decided that he is going to ride for a top 10 spot in the final results.
Tanner won't have a specific result as goal, instead he is going to do his best and get some important race experience.
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
101. S.O'Grady
102. D.Tanner
Type 1
111. Benj.King
Astana
121. S.Clarke
Skil
131. M.Docker
132. A.Davis
Endura
141. J.Anderson
FDJ
151. W.Sulzberger
Saur
161. L.Howard
LA
171. G.M.Bates
Jardar
181. N.Walker
CCC Polsat
191. R.McEwen
Favourites
C. Evans
M. Rogers, J. Boobridge
R. Sutherland, C. Meyer, B. Lancaster
Quite peculiar the last 2 years winner of the Australian Time Trial Championship, Richie Porte, has choosed to not compete this year due to unfounded reasons.
The first to start for our team was David Tanner whose only wish was to finish in a descent time. At the first intermediate time check he was + 1'01 down on the leading rider, and at the finsh he came in as provisional 6th + 1'28 down on the leader. So far a fine result for David, who gave himself all in.
David Tanner starts putting in an effort
Our next man Stuart O'Grady, went of the launching ramp before all the greatest favourites. As I told in the pre-tactics, O'Grady's goal was to finish in the top 10. At the first intermediate time, he looked very good, with only + 5 secs down on the leader.
Stuart O'Grady looking for a top 10 spot
Meanwhile the greatest favourites started, Brett Lancaster (Garmin) had set the best intermediate time and is here seen crossing the finish line in the greatest time so far at 56'17.
Brett Lancaster (Garmin) just overtaking the rider in front of him when he reaches the finishing line.
When every fovourite was launched, Bobrigde (Østerhus) was the first to overtake the intermediate time check in front of Lancaster (Garmin). But it didn't last very long. First Sutherland (United Healthcare) overtook it, then Rogers (Sky) and then Evans (BMC) which was the last to get through the time check in the time 19'55 - 9 seconds ahead of Rogers (Sky).
Bobridge (Østerhus) setting the best intermediate so far, but in the end Evans (BMC) overrules his time.
After a very good perfomance, O'Grady crosses the line in 6th position only + 1'28 down on Lancaster (Garmin). The question is now now, if it is enough to keep his top 10 spot.
Stuart O'Grady crossing the line in 6th place
As it was Bobridge (Østerhus) which overtook Lancaster's (Garmin) intermediate time check, it goes the same way in the finish, where Bobridge gets in, in the time: 55'56 - 20 sec. in front of Lancaster.
Bobridge (Østerhus) in the best finish time so far
After Bobridge's (Østerhus) new leading time, R. Sutherland (United Healthcare) came in setting the best time in front of Bobridge. But this did also not last for a very long time, since the former world time trial champion M. Rogers (Sky) crossed the line in 55'26 - 28 secs. in front of Sutherland.
M. Rogers (Sky) setting the best time in front of R. Sutherland (United Healthcare)
While O'Grady was now moved down to the 9th place, he was secured a top 10 spot since Cadel Evans (BMC) was the last rider to reach the finish. After his convincing intermediate checkpoint, Evans was looking as a very big favourite for the victory. And as he a little minute later crosses the line, he can call himself Australian time trial champion 2013.
Cadel Evans (BMC) crossing the line as Australian Time Trial Champion 2013
Congratulations to Cadel Evans with the great victory. Also congratulations to Stuart O'Grady which achieved his goal for this time trial being in the top 10. Stuart seems to be in very good shape, and we'll therefore be looking forward to the upcomming races.
Thanks Pellizotti2. I've also put in a lot of hard work to make it look good. But i'm quite satisfied with the full view.
O'Grady rode very well today, and he is appearently the leader of the individual continental tour rankings. So lets hope he'll stay there until next race.
The rounded pics seem easier to look at, don't know why, but I feel it. And I'm liking the layout too, nice presentations aswell, and not to forget that it's a very interesting team and looks like fun to play with.
Thanks FreitasPCM. Nice to hear that you also like the rounded pics. I agree so much with you, that they make you feel good
Yeah. It's a very good team i think, there are lots of possibilites, and it's fun to play with.
Before heading towards Italy to Giro della Calabria, a report of the first Pro Tour race this year, Santos Tour Down Under, is appropriate.
The first Pro Tour race of the season is always a goal for riders who want to be the first rider riding in the UCI Pro Tour Rankings leader jersey.
Being Australia's greatest and far most important race, the Australian riders always wants to do a great job here and get some results for their team.
This years lineup however didn't contain the biggest Australian riders, with Mark Renshaw for HTC-FedEx being the most famous name.
Stage 2 was quite surprising, where Lucas Sebastián Haedo (Saxo Bank) which normally have his strength in a mass sprint, won in a solo break gapping the pack with just a minute.
Stage 3 was the most difficult stage which included a lot of hills. Johan Van Summeren (Saxo Bank) brought his new team a second victory in the race. The leaders jersey changed this stage, where Thomas De Gendt (Leopard) who was a part of stage 1's 3-man break rode in a third spot, taking the leaders jersey.
Stage 4 ended up in a mass sprint which was a duel between Kittel (Leopard) and Greipel (Omega Pharma), where Kittel outbeated Greipel.
Stage 5 also ended up in a mass sprint, this time in favour of Greipel (Omega Pharma) outsprinting Bennati (Lampre) on the finish line.
Stage 6 was the last stage. A very short and flat stage which provided the best conditions for a mass sprint, and in the end Greipel (Omega Pharma) took his second win ahead of Bennati (Lampre) again.
The general classification didn't change since stage 3, which concluded in a victory for T. De Gendt (Leopard) in front of J. Van Summeren (Saxo Bank) and P. Fedrigo (FDJ).
Congratulations to Thomas De Gendt who is going to wear the UCI Pro Tour leaders jersey as the first rider this season. Next Pro Tour race is Paris - Nice in March - Probably with De Gendt in the lineup, showing his new jersey.
At our team we are preparing our lineup for the next race Giro della Calabria . We'll hope to see you soon.
We are ready to start our first real race of the 2013 season.
After some great days in Australia with the national championships, we are ready to ride in Europe first time this year.
Giro della Calabria 2013 contains 3 stages and were last year won by our own Peter Kennaugh. Therefore he is very motivated for doing a great result this year.
Stage profiles
Spoiler
The Team
Our team is a combination between young talents and old experienced riders.
With last years winner, Peter Kennaugh, on the team we have a very good chance of doing a great GC.
In the mountains he'll get support from Pauwels, Olesen and Valgren. And in the flat lands O'Grady, Bak, Latini and Tanner can help a lot and ride their own chances. Especially Tanner is looking forward to a good result in stage 3 in an expected mass sprint.
Last year Peter Kennaugh won this race for our team, so our expectations are high though the startlist contains some very good riders.
Everybody in the team seems to be in great shape, judged by being in the very start of the season.
Pre-tactics
It's a crucial stage for the general classification, so we'll stay in the front at the critical points of the stage. We are not the favourites here, so getting in the morning breakaway would be very nice for us. When we'll arrive to the final mountain we'll be at the front and stay defensive until the right moment comes for us.
Stage favourites
G. Caruso
J. Hoogerland, D. Devenyns
G. Bosisio, W. Poels, S. Garzelli
From the very start a lot of escapies took their chances. A big breakaway which at it's biggest point included 14 riders got away and in the break we got Micheal Valgren Andersen to secure our appearence at the front.
In the break a lot of great names were included, for example D. Rebellin (Colnago) M. Giunti (Liquigas) and M. Belletti (Colnago). This wasn't the best situation for us, so luckily the pack began to ride them back immediately.
The big morning break which the pack luckily wanted to catch back
But right before the breakaway was caught, the first intermediate sprint was to be decided in the break. Valgren was in a perfect spot in the wheel of R. Jørgensen (Christina Watches), and strongly won the sprint.
Right after the sprint the breakaway was caught by the pack.
M. Valgren wins the first intermediate sprint in the breakaway which is caught right after
When all was neutralized I. Melero (Type 1) broke away from the pack, Nicolaj Olesen was in the right spot at the right time, and saw his chance of slipping away. But the 2 riders didn't have a chance, since the pack saw them as a threat. They were caught some kilometres after.
I. Melero (Type1) and M. Valgren breaks away - They were caught right after
Shortly after D. Rebellin (Colnago) made a strong attack. He got R. Jørgensen (Christina Watches) on his wheel. M. Valgren was in the front at the time and saw yet another possibility for him and therefore he followed Jørgensen.
A strong trio is formed including D. Rebellin (Colnago), R. Jørgensen (Christina Watches) and M. Valgren
Michael Valgren was feeling very great in the breakaway, and won the following 2 sprints. In the meantime M. Hebik (PSK - Whirlpool) broke away from the pack alone. After a strong ride he catched up the trio.
M. Hebik (PSK - Whirlpool) cathes up the trio
The race started to near the final climb. At the bottom of the climb the breakaway got about 3 minutes to the pack. First attacks from the pack came from G. Bosisio (Lampre) and S. Schumacher (Telecom Italia).
G. Bosisio (Lampre) and S. Schumacher (Telecom Italia) breaks away from the pack
After attacks from Rebellin and Jørgensen in the breakaway, it was clear that they wasn't as strong as Valgren and Hebik. At the steepest climb Valgren took the lead and gapped Rebellin and Jørgensen. Soon Hebik also droped his pace.
Valgren drops Rebellin and Jørgensen
In the pack a lot of riders attacked. Kennaugh was actually feeling fine on the climb, but he got blocked. Therefore he couldn't respond the attacks. Some made their attacks through and J. Hoogerland (Vacansoleil), A. Moletta (Liquigas) and D. Devenyns (Quick-Step) got thorugh. S. Pauwels was placed very well, so he tried to ride his own chances in the absence of Kennaugh.
Up in the break Valgren reached the line. He just managed to keep G. Bosisio (Lampre) behind him, so a fantastic and surprising victory for Valgren in his first race for our team ever.
M. Valgren wins the stage by keeping G. Bosisio (Lampre) just behind him.
With the victory to Michael Valgren, he also took the leaders jersey. With the bonus seconds in the sprints, he got 36' second down to G. Bosisio (Lampre). This is not what we expected, so we have to redo our tactics and if Valgren seems fine tommorow we'll probarbly ride for him.
Tommorows stage will also be very decisive for the final result.
With the leader jersey we'll have to control the breakaways but still try to remain Valgren's first place. More about the tactics tomorrow - See you.
And I'm liking the layout too, nice presentations aswell, and not to forget that it's a very interesting team and looks like fun to play with. 
