Well finally, after a couple of months of training, i'm finally read for my first race. The Trofeo is a big race, and has been won by lots of big names over the years, including Eddy Merckx, Lance Armstrong, Fillipo Pozzato, Kim Kirchen and Paolo Salvodelli. It is always held early in the season, and has been since its first edition in 1964.
Liquigas Team
We have brought a strong squad as we aim for our first victory of 2011. Although Ivan Basso is the official leader, we feel either Peter Sagan, Mauro Finetto or myself have the best chances to win here. Our weak form will not hep at all though..
Favourites
Races like this are hard to predict, especialy this early in the season. A nice puncher with good form should be victorious today, here are my favourites...
D. Pietropolli - Lampre - ISD D. Pozzovivo - Colnago - CSF Inox F. Kessiakoff - Pro Team Astana E. Gasparotto - Pro Team Astana S. Garzelli - Acqua & Sapone
Today the course I think may be a tiny bit too climb-heavy for me. My fitness is still not 100%, so I will act as a domestique for Sagan, Finetto, Basso or whoever needs me.
The Race
The race started on flat ground, and lots of attacks came from weak climbers, trying to join a BOTD. Most failed, and we headed uphill as one.
The begging of the ascension of Passo Balestrino is very steep, around 12%. In the peloton, many riders were caught unguarded by the sudden steepness, and struggled. It felt great to be climbing again though, I breezed over the top.
On the next passage, I had worked my way up to the front of the peloton with Ivan Basso and Damiano Caruso. I was leading the two up, and was off my saddle working hard.
As we reached the top, we suddenly headed downhill, and the pack was thinning out into a long line down the mountain.
Soon, on the flat toward Laigueglia, A few riders broke away. Teammate Cam Wurf followed the attacking few, and joined the first real break of the day.
On the base of the 2nd climb of the day, the ascension of Passo del Ginestro, the Wurf group had 4'00". 85kms of up and down racing to go...
As we started to ride up, I was feeling the burn of 5 months without any races. I fell back into the next group, but Ivan was with me so I felt a bit better.
Up ahead, the breakaway had split. Stortoni (Colnago), who was the superior climber in the break, started to ride alone ahead. Cam Wurf was accompanied by 3 others in the chase group, with the other 4 behind a couple minutes.
The riders in the peloton headed downhill, and soon Finetto and Pete Sagan were the only Liquigas riders left in the main group. Basso and myself were still following.
Soon though, with the pointy end of the race coming soon, Basso soloed toward the chase group, With the pace rising, and the gap growing, I decided to attack with Roberto Ferrari (Androni) ,and try join the others.
Soon in the front group, panic started to settle in as they realized Stortoni had a 4'22" gap, with only 38 kms remaining. He was looking strong too, the legs weren't close to buckling.
I had joined the front group, but it wasn't meant to be, as again on the final climb of Cima Paravenna, I started to roll behind into the numerous riders behind.
Soon though, the lone hero Simone Stortoni crossed the line all alone. An amazing victory, that shows impossible is nothing when it comes to cycling.
Soon, with the top-10 over the line, Mauro Finetto closed out a not so strong day for Liquigas with 15th place. Sagan and Basso finished directly afterwards in 16th and 17th respectively.
And then, about 8 and a half minutes after another Simone crossed the line, I ride over the line in 30th place. Not so bad for me, since I finished with Fabio Duarte and 2009/10 champ Francesco Ginanni.
Result
1
Simone Stortoni
Colnago - CSF Inox
5h26'40
2
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'26
3
José Serpa
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
4
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
5
Francesco Failli
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
6
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
7
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
9
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Tomas Vaitkus
Pro Team Astana
+ 4'31
Spoiler
11
Vladimir Miholjevic
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
12
Domenico Pozzovivo
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
13
Fabio Felline
Geox - TMC
s.t.
14
Sergey Rudaskov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
15
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
16
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 5'00
17
Ivan Basso
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 5'30
18
Dmitriy Fofonov
Pro Team Astana
+ 5'49
19
Emanuele Vona
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 6'06
20
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
21
Carlos Betancourt
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
22
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 6'37
23
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
24
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
25
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
26
Andrea Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 8'05
27
Francesco Ginanni
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
28
Roberto Ferrari
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
29
Fabio Duarte
Geox - TMC
s.t.
30
Simone Ponzi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
31
Dimitry Ignatiev
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
32
Anton Vorobyev
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
33
Cayetano Sarmiento
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
34
Vitaliy Buts
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
35
Alexander Kvachuk
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
36
Pavel Kochetkov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
37
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
38
Giampaolo Cheula
Geox - TMC
s.t.
39
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
40
Cameron Wurf
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
41
Jiri Hudecek
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
42
Alexander Prishpetniy
Itera - Katusha
+ 11'25
43
Marko Kump
Geox - TMC
+ 11'42
44
Andrea Guardini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
45
Daniele Ratto
Geox - TMC
s.t.
46
Pierpaolo De Negri
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
47
Cristiano Fumagalli
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
48
Omar Bertazzo
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
49
Michael Rasmussen
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
50
Cristiano Benenati
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
51
Daniel Vestergaard
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
52
David Rosch
Atlas Personal
s.t.
53
Valery Kobzarenko
Team Type 1
s.t.
54
Enrico Gasparotto
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
55
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
56
Ángel Vicioso
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
57
Matteo Pelucchi
Geox - TMC
s.t.
58
Igor Frolov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
59
Laurent Beuret
Atlas Personal
s.t.
60
Daniele Callegarin
Team Type 1
s.t.
61
Remmert Wielinga
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
62
Michele Gaia
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
63
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
64
Vitaliy Popkov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
65
Jonathan Monsalve
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
66
Davide Ricci Bitti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
67
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Geox - TMC
s.t.
68
Cristiano Salerno
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
69
Giairo Ermeti
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
70
Balint Szeghalmi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
71
Diego Caccia
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
72
Petr Benčík
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
73
Arkaitz Durán
Geox - TMC
s.t.
74
Volodymyr Bileka
Amore & Vita
s.t.
75
Constantino Zaballa
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
76
Sergey Renev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
77
Manuele Mori
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
78
Daniele Righi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
79
Damiano Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 15'08
80
Gianluca Brambilla
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
81
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 16'03
82
Paolo Ciavatta
Acqua & Sapone
+ 16'45
83
Peter Kusztor
Atlas Personal
s.t.
84
Alessandro Spezialetti
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
85
Luboš Pelánek
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
86
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 18'08
87
Blaz Jarc
Adria Mobil
s.t.
88
Alberto Contoli
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
89
Gianfranco Visconti
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
90
Tomasz Lisowicz
Bank BGZ
s.t.
91
Francesco Di Paolo
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
92
Stanislav Kozúbek
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
93
Krzysztof Szczawinski
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
94
Stefan Schumacher
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
95
Pavel Gorenc
Adria Mobil
s.t.
96
Alessandro Bazzana
Team Type 1
s.t.
97
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
98
Stefano Pirazzi
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
99
Krzysztof Jeżowski
Bank BGZ
s.t.
100
Simone Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
101
Sébastien Reichenbach
Atlas Personal
s.t.
102
Dmytro Grabovskyy
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
103
Volodymyr Kogut
Amore & Vita
s.t.
104
Radoslav Romanik
Bank BGZ
s.t.
105
Paolo Bailetti
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
106
Oleg Opryshko
Amore & Vita
s.t.
107
Alexander Kholodov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
108
Edoardo Girardi
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
109
Blaz Furdi
Adria Mobil
+ 21'36
110
Anatoliy Pakthusov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
111
Pirmin Lang
Atlas Personal
s.t.
112
Aljaz Hocevar
Adria Mobil
s.t.
113
Jonathan Fumeaux
Atlas Personal
s.t.
114
Oleksandr Martynenko
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
115
Pawel Sztobryn
Bank BGZ
+ 22'47
116
Bersvenn Støen
Amore & Vita
s.t.
117
Giuseppe De Maria
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
118
Matej Gnezda
Adria Mobil
s.t.
119
Tomáš Bucháček
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
120
Andrea Grendene
Team Type 1
s.t.
121
Gianluca Maggiore
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
122
Kristian Sobota
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
123
Paolo Locatelli
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
124
Vojtěch Dlouhý
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
125
Marc Reynès
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
126
Piotr Kieblesz
Bank BGZ
s.t.
127
Yuriy Agarkov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
128
Raphael Addy
Atlas Personal
+ 24'09
129
Martijn Verschoor
Team Type 1
+ 24'58
130
Joe Eldridge
Team Type 1
s.t.
131
Mads Hardahl
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
132
Fabio Piscopiello
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
133
William Dugan
Team Type 1
s.t.
134
Angelo Pagani
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
135
Nicolas Sanderson
Amore & Vita
s.t.
136
Daniel Malmros
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
137
Oleksandr Sheydyk
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
138
Sergiy Gretchyn
Amore & Vita
s.t.
139
Mads Moltke Steen
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
140
Andrea Piechele
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
141
Filippo Baggio
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
+ 27'06
142
Leopoldo Rocchetti
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
143
Marc Hester
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
144
Scott Stewart
Team Type 1
s.t.
145
Giuseppe Di Salvo
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
146
Jakob Madsen
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
147
Felix Rinker
Atlas Personal
s.t.
148
Marcin Urbanowski
Bank BGZ
s.t.
149
Jure Zagar
Adria Mobil
s.t.
150
Gianluca Randazzo
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
A very good race by Colnago's Simone Stortoni!
All in all, an interesting first race for me, and the team. Although we aimed for a win or top-5, we only got a 15th. But three in the top-20 is okay, and I'm satisifed with my finish since my form was so poor.
I still felt great today, and riding fast up those hills really gives me that great rush I love in cycling! Very excited for more races!
This is the driving force behind Liquigas - Cannondale! Get it? Get it?
I'm writing to you from the Liquigas bus. We're all pretty wiped out, since we just came back from a 235km training ride through Liege. Danny Oss is having a sleep, while Ed King and Alan Marangoni are chatting about basketball. Alan loves his Boston Celtics, but Ed's got a strong case against him, for some other team, Miami Suns or something?
Anyway, we are on our way to Kuurne, where we are checking in to our hotel, and having some dinner, before we wake up bright and early tomorrow for another, shorter, ride in prep for the Kuurne - Brussells - Kuurne the next day. It is a cobbled classic, and I struggle on cobbles so the race will be a real test. The KBK is not the toughest of cobbled races though, and I hope to make it to the end unscathed.
I am pretty sleepy myself and may doze off myself soon, but before I go I want to show you something. Here it is....
From sun and sand, to slippery, muddy cobblestones. Cool
I'm in Kuurne, and ready to race! The forecast for today is prett grim, with rain expected for most of the day. The cobbles are something I'm not so fond of, and can sometimes be quite horrendous to ride on, especially with weather like today's. Let's hope for the best..
Liquigas Team
We have brought probably the best cobbles team we can assemble. Our leaders are Daniel Oss and Peter Sagan, and with Sagan's good form, we aim for a top-10. Oss and Dall-Antonio can also put in good results.
Favourites
Today's race is quite unique in that, any rider can win really. If a rider who is awful on cobbles (cough cough) can survive the whole day up front, and unscathed, then they can sprint to victory if they get lucky. But with riders like Hushovd and Boonen here, it may be a bit harder.
T. Boonen - Quickstep T. Hushovd - Garmin - Cervelo M. Breschel - Rabobank S. Langeveld - Rabobank P. Sagan - Liquigas - Cannondale
Today I am truly, a domestique. I will collect bottles, run the relay at the front, and anything else needed to get Peter or Danny a good result.
The Race
At the start of the day, lots of riders attempted to attack. A strong BOTD is always dangerous in cobbled races. Juraj Sagan (Liquigas) was one of the guys to attack first but he would not succeed today...
The first cobbled section sneaked up on the peloton, but I was ready, getting in good position in the peloton. I was riding on the far side of the road, almost on the grass!
Now on the flat road, I worked my way up the road on the wheel of Paolo Longo Borghini. I was now rubbing shoulders, literally, with the big names like Devolder (Vaconsoleil) and Hushovd (Garmin)..
Up ahead, a 9 - man break had formed, but was very weak cobbles wise, and had a 5'45" break. 105kms remaining...
Almost suddenly, a nice ride in the suburbs of Belgium, turned into chaos, with riders all over the roads. The main cobbled section had hit the pleoton, and about 10 riders had punctures or mechanical problems. I was starting to hurt, and this section really forced some selection, leaving Oss and Pete Sagan as the only options for Liquigas.
Meanwhile in the breakaway, they were now riding what is the toughgest section of the day no doubt. The cobbles here are especially bumpy, and with up to 13% gradient to deal with, this translated to pain for the riders.
And now the peloton was on it. The favourites soon rode to the front, while mere minions like myself grimaced in pain as the legs started to melt under the pressure. I still managed to stay in the front group though, but once it was over, I was in real pain...
With 65kms to ride, the rain began to fall. I was hoping we'd stay dry all day, but ow things were gonna get messy. Rain + Cobbles = I want to go home...
The now 10-man break had reached and passed the penultimate cobbled section, and led by 3'45" with 55kms to ride.
The peloton, seeing the break's lead, began to chase. Rabobank, Quickstep and Garmin were the main instigators of the lift of pace.
1 cobbled section to go, 45 kms, and I was feeling okay. Although my legs were burning like holy hell, my whole team was still around me, and I felt sure I could make it to the line in the front group...
Finally, all the cobbles were gone, and it was flat riding form here on in. i felt pretty ruined, but I was pushing hard. to achieve my goal.
15kms left, and Thor is off! With the break in sight, the God of Thunder tried to join them! But no, he was caught with the rest of the break with just 6kms left. The sprint was inevitable now!
2.5kms, Thor is again in front! He gets a nice early lead, could he hold on?
He does! Thor Hushovd wins ahead of a fast closing Boonen, and Peter Sagan in 3rd! Great result by him. Danny Oss comes in 11th after leading out Pete. Great work by the two of 'em.
And finally, I arrive in 44th position, with the same time as Hushovd. I am happy with the result, and with Alan Marangoni by my side on the way over, I feel good. On the inside. My outside feels like shit.
Result
1
Thor Hushovd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
4h32'16
2
Tom Boonen
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
4
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
5
Martijn Maaskant
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
6
Matti Breschel
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Kevyn Ista
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
8
Andreas Klier
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
9
Sven Nys
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
10
Kenny De Ketele
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Daniel Oss
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
12
Staf Scheirlinckx
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
13
Stijn Joseph
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
14
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
15
Johan Vansummeren
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
16
George Hincapie
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
17
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
18
Bert Scheirlinckx
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
19
Stuart O'Grady
Leopard Trek
s.t.
20
Rob Goris
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
21
Mitchell Docker
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
22
Paolo Longo Borghini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
23
Thomas Vernaeckt
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
24
Sep Vanmarcke
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
25
Gerald Ciolek
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
26
Grégory Rast
Team RadioShack
s.t.
27
Christophe Le Mével
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
28
Joel Zangerle
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
29
Arnaud Courteille
FDJ
s.t.
30
Gert Steegmans
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
31
Sylvain Chavanel
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
32
Sebastian Langeveld
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
33
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
34
Kevin Peeters
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
35
Koen Barbé
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
36
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
37
Niki Terpstra
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
38
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
39
Nico Sijmens
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
40
Geert Verheyen
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
41
Chad Beyer
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
42
Mariusz Witecki
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
43
Stefan Ganser
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
44
Simone Ponzi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
45
Wilco Kelderman
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
46
Alan Marangoni
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
47
Tiziano Dall'Antonia
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
48
Kristof Vandewalle
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
49
Jérôme Pineau
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
50
Philippe Legrand
Wallonie Bruxelles - Crédit Agricole
s.t.
51
Arne Van Snick
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
52
Edward King
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
53
Laurens Ten Dam
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1'48
54
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
55
Chris Barton
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
56
Bauke Mollema
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2'12
57
Davy Commeyne
Landbouwkrediet
+ 2'55
58
Aleksejs Saramotins
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
59
Sébastien Delfosse
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
60
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
61
Stijn Devolder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
62
Tristan Valentin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
63
Romain Zingle
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
64
Joost Van Leijen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
65
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
66
Joost Posthuma
Leopard Trek
s.t.
67
Gorik Gardeyn
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
68
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
69
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
70
Jens Voigt
Leopard Trek
s.t.
71
Arnaud Labbe
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
72
Jens Mouris
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
73
Damien Monier
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
74
William Bonnet
FDJ
+ 5'16
75
Nico Eeckhout
An Post - Sean Kelly
s.t.
76
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
77
Johan Coenen
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
78
Jarl Salomein
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
79
Dominique Cornu
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
80
Pieter Serry
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
81
David Moncoutié
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
82
Martin Mortensen
Leopard Trek
+ 5'57
83
Kenny Terweduwe
An Post - Sean Kelly
+ 10'42
84
Darijus Dzervus
An Post - Sean Kelly
s.t.
85
Joeri Calleeuw
Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht
s.t.
86
Joaquim Durant
Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht
s.t.
87
Kevin Verwaest
Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht
s.t.
88
Kess Heytens
An Post - Sean Kelly
s.t.
89
Maxim Debusschere
An Post - Sean Kelly
s.t.
90
Steven De Neef
Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht
s.t.
91
Sibrecht Pieters
Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht
s.t.
92
Bjorn De Decker
Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht
s.t.
93
Francesco Van Coppernolle
Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht
s.t.
94
Garrit Broeders
Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht
s.t.
95
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ
s.t.
96
Anders Lund
Leopard Trek
s.t.
97
Francis Mourey
FDJ
s.t.
98
Pawel Charucki
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
99
Davide Viganò
Leopard Trek
s.t.
100
Mathieu Sprick
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
101
Jonathan Dufrasne
Wallonie Bruxelles - Crédit Agricole
s.t.
102
Oliver Zaugg
Leopard Trek
s.t.
103
Tiago Machado
Team RadioShack
s.t.
104
Matthew Busche
Team RadioShack
s.t.
105
Alex Meenhorst
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
106
Manuel Cardoso
Team RadioShack
s.t.
107
Vytautas Kaupas
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
108
Steven Caethoven
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
109
Jonas Vangenechten
Wallonie Bruxelles - Crédit Agricole
s.t.
110
Sébastien Rosseler
Team RadioShack
s.t.
111
Wilfried Cretskens
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
112
Ronan Van Zandbeek
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
113
Kurt Hovelynck
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
114
Steve Chainel
FDJ
s.t.
115
Sven Jodts
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
116
Fabio Polazzi
Wallonie Bruxelles - Crédit Agricole
s.t.
117
Frank Dressler
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
118
Cédric Gaoua
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
119
Gianni Meersman
FDJ
s.t.
120
David Kopp
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
121
Gaetan Bille
Wallonie Bruxelles - Crédit Agricole
s.t.
122
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
123
Gediminas Kaupas
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
124
Sven Van den Houte
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
125
Jurgen Van Goolen
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
126
Graeme Brown
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
127
Marc De Maar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
128
Dieter Cappelle
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
129
Robert Wagner
Leopard Trek
s.t.
130
Ben Hermans
Team RadioShack
s.t.
131
Marcel Kittel
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
132
Fang Han
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
133
Kamil Zielinski
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
134
Christian Patron
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
135
Jonathan Breyne
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
136
Barry Markus
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
137
Michael Tronborg
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
138
Robin Chaigneau
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
139
Steve Schets
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
140
Pieter Weening
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
141
Simon Zahner
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
142
Jonathan Bertrand
Wallonie Bruxelles - Crédit Agricole
s.t.
143
Dylan Van Baarle
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
144
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
145
Tomasz Kiendyś
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
146
Sérgio Paulinho
Team RadioShack
s.t.
147
Jetse Bol
Rabobank Continental Team
+ 12'40
148
Michael Kurth
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
149
Joop De Gans
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
150
Jacek Morajko
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
151
Łukasz Bodnar
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
152
Roy Curvers
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
153
Albert Timmer
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
154
Tom Dumoulin
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
155
Jelle Wallays
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
156
Jesse Sergent
Team RadioShack
s.t.
157
Wesley Kreder
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
158
Mateusz Taciak
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
159
Pieter Ghyllebert
An Post - Sean Kelly
s.t.
160
Jochen Deweer
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
161
Mickaël Delage
FDJ
s.t.
162
Bjorn Brems
An Post - Sean Kelly
s.t.
163
James Spragg
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
164
Robin Steenuit
Wallonie Bruxelles - Crédit Agricole
s.t.
165
Kevin Claeys
An Post - Sean Kelly
s.t.
166
Jasper Bovenhuis
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
167
Rafal Ratajczyk
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
168
Michael Vanderaerden
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
169
Stefan Cohnen
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
170
David Kemp
Veranda's Willems - Accent
+ 17'22
171
Jesper Asselman
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
172
Ludovic Mottet
Wallonie Bruxelles - Crédit Agricole
s.t.
173
Frederik Geerts
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
174
Florian Monreal
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
The Norwegian has had great form so far this season, his 4th win of 2011!
Well, my first cobbled classic in a while, and all I can say is, I'm hoping it's my last for a while. Although I'm very satisfied with my, and the team's results, cobbles just aren't for me.
Still, I learnt a lot, and I'm feeling better each day!
February, the first month of the European Tour, has finished. and here is a wrap-up of all the racing that has captivated all spectators and riders alike all this month.
A big month of racing is highlighted by three riders. Tyler Farrar, with 6 stage wins in Qatar and Oman, Thor Hushovd with 2 cobbled wins and the overall in Oman, and Bert Da Waele who won 2 races in 2 days. The month also featured Liquigas' first two wins of 2011, with Fabio Sabatini at the GP Etrushci bunch sprint, and Vinnie Nibbles at the Classica Sarda with a blistering late attack. Congrats to both.
Cyclingnews.com Awards
With 6 wins in the space of two weeks, Tyler Farrar earns the rider of the month award. I'm personally surprised that Thor Hushovd didn't take out the award, but 6 wins is quite impressive.
The young man Evaldas Siskevicius of Lithuania, from team La Pomme Marseiile, takes the best young rider award after an impressive performance in the Tour de Haut Var, in which his 2nd place on stage 2 gifted him 2nd overall, and a deserved award.
The Giro del Friuli, which races through the province of Friuli, is a hilly one day classic. The route goes flat for about 75kms, and then the circuit of the town of San Floriano del Collio begins, which is highlighted by the steep but short climb up to the town centre. This will separate the main riders from the pack, but I feel riders like me, with nice hill skills, can sprint to victory.
Liquigas Team
A similar team to the Trofeo Laiguelia, we have brought Sagan and Basso as our two main men. Sagan's great form means he is the leader, but Basso will still try an attack on the last hill if he can, and I will ride for myself...
Favourites
Today, I have got to say that Peter Sagan is my favourite for the race. His from is near peaking, and he is the strongest looking rider in the field. He will be challenged though, by lots of strong Italians...
P. Sagan - Liquigas - Cannondale L. Bertagnolli - Lampre - ISD E. Gasparotto - Pro Team Astana O. Gatto - Geox - TMC D. Pozzovivo - Colnago - CSF Inox
My role today is as a free rider. Although Sagan is still our leader, I will do everything I can to win, or breakaway late! I don't think I can win, but a top-25 is my goal. Let's see!
The Race
I started the race near the back of the peloton, and worked very hard. I got to the front, but was distracted by Andrea Noe who started talking to me.
I took a long while for a break to form here, as the peloton wasn't ready to let any large group go. Teh 12 man group contained some nice names like Dario Cataldo (Quickstep) and Rafa Valls (Geox)..
With 105kms, the break had 5'00". 3 of our riders were chasing at the front, but I was told not to join in by the DS.
The riders hit the first climb, and the peloton was closing as they rode up toward the city centre of Floriano dell Collio.
Tiziano Dall'Antonio (Liquigas) was leading the pack up the hill for the second time. Break was all but caught now...
Soon after 4 climbs, the front group formed. 35 riders made up the group, with a few big names missing in Bertagnolli (Lampre), Masciarelli (Astana), Callegarin (TeamType 1) and Danilo Di Luca (Katusha.
With the penultimate hill just passed, I fell behind! On the downhill I just couldn't keep up, but Basso and Sagan are still up ahead.
And Matteo Carrara attacks! He gets a small gap, but is caught once the climb starts...
Up the hill now, and everybody attacks! Sagan can follow with ease, but Basso is struggling! The final sprint was up ahead!
And it begins, with Oscar Gatto (Geox) grabbing an early lead. Sagan is in great position, a win is on the cards!
And Sagan overtakes Gatto, and wins by a large margin! A great victory, with Gatto 2nd, and Carrara 3rd. Basso rolls over the line in the next group...
And 5'00" after, in the third group, I sprint for 27th place. A good result, but not the top-202 I was looking for...
Result
1
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
4h42'09
2
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
3
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Mikhail Ignatiev
Katusha Team
s.t.
5
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
6
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
s.t.
7
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
8
Francesco Failli
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
9
Marco Frapporti
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
10
Sergey Firsanov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Federico Canuti
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
12
Manuel Belletti
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
13
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
14
Miguel Rubiano
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
15
Ruggero Marzoli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 1'37
16
Sacha Modolo
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
17
Maxim Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
18
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
19
Alessandro Proni
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
20
Enrico Gasparotto
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
21
Andrea Noè
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
22
Ivan Basso
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
23
Filippo Savini
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
24
Andrea Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
25
Dimitry Ignatiev
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
26
Pierpaolo De Negri
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 5'12
27
Simone Ponzi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
28
Alexander Kvachuk
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
29
Roberto De Patre
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
30
Domenico Pozzovivo
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
31
Luca Ascani
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
32
Maciej Paterski
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
33
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
34
Henry Frusto
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
+ 6'02
35
Mikhail Antonov
Itera - Katusha
+ 7'01
36
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
37
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
38
Tiziano Dall'Antonia
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
39
Alexander Prishpetniy
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
40
Simone Stortoni
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
41
Anton Vorobyev
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
42
Dmitry Mokrov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
43
Kristjan Koren
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
44
Vitaliy Popkov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
45
Matteo Rabottini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
46
Andrey Solomennikov
Itera - Katusha
+ 8'05
47
Michael Reihs
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
48
Tomasz Lisowicz
Bank BGZ
s.t.
49
Michael Rasmussen
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
50
Alessandro Donati
Acqua & Sapone
+ 9'04
51
Pavel Kochetkov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
52
Andrea Guardini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 10'10
53
Bernardo Riccio
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
54
Josep Jufré
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
55
Paolo Ciavatta
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
56
Ryohei Komori
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
57
Danilo Andrenacci
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
58
Fabio Taborre
Acqua & Sapone
+ 10'38
59
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
s.t.
60
Michal Golas
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
61
Dries Devenyns
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
62
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
63
Joan Horrach
Katusha Team
s.t.
64
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
65
Artur Detko
Bank BGZ
s.t.
66
Krzysztof Jeżowski
Bank BGZ
s.t.
67
Rafael Valls
Geox - TMC
s.t.
68
Petr Benčík
PSK Whirlpool - Author
+ 11'36
69
Krzysztof Szczawinski
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
70
Daniele Callegarin
Team Type 1
s.t.
71
Kevin De Weert
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
72
Michele Gaia
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
73
Xavier Florencio
Geox - TMC
s.t.
74
Stanislav Kozúbek
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
75
Nikolai Trussov
Katusha Team
s.t.
76
Valery Kobzarenko
Team Type 1
s.t.
77
Tomáš Bucháček
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
78
Alexander Zdanov
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
79
Pavel Gorenc
Adria Mobil
s.t.
80
Junya Sano
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
81
Dario Cataldo
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
82
Marcel Wyss
Geox - TMC
+ 12'40
83
Volodymyr Bileka
Amore & Vita
s.t.
84
Blaz Jarc
Adria Mobil
s.t.
85
Stefan Schumacher
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
86
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
87
Giampaolo Cheula
Geox - TMC
s.t.
88
Zdenek Stybar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
89
Paolo Bailetti
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
90
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
91
Oleksandr Martynenko
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
92
Jure Kocjan
Team Type 1
s.t.
93
Santo Anza
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
94
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
95
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
96
Daniele Righi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
97
Mauricio Alberto Ardila
Geox - TMC
s.t.
98
Vladislav Borisov
Amore & Vita
s.t.
99
Marko Kump
Geox - TMC
+ 13'15
100
Giuseppe De Maria
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
101
Mirco Lorenzetto
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
102
Emanuele Vona
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
103
Francesco Masciarelli
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
104
Alessandro Bazzana
Team Type 1
s.t.
105
William Aranzazu
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
106
Laurent Beuret
Atlas Personal
+ 14'09
107
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
108
Rafaâ Chtioui
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
109
Andrea Piechele
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
110
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
111
Laszló Bodrogi
Team Type 1
s.t.
112
Andrea Grendene
Team Type 1
s.t.
113
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
s.t.
114
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
115
Anatoliy Pakthusov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
116
Cristiano Fumagalli
Miche - Guerciotti
+ 14'38
117
Elia Viviani
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
118
Blaz Furdi
Adria Mobil
+ 15'05
119
Edoardo Girardi
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
120
Adriano Malori
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
121
Sławomir Kohut
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
122
Andrey Klyuev
Amore & Vita
s.t.
123
Bersvenn Støen
Amore & Vita
s.t.
124
Sébastien Reichenbach
Atlas Personal
s.t.
125
Mauro Da Dalto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
126
Benjamin King
Team Type 1
s.t.
127
Philip Nielsen
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
128
Kristjan Fajt
Adria Mobil
+ 15'48
129
Angelo Furlan
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 17'29
130
Daniele Colli
Geox - TMC
s.t.
131
Leopoldo Rocchetti
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
132
Yuriy Agarkov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
133
Oleksandr Sheydyk
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
134
Gianfranco Visconti
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
135
Vojtěch Dlouhý
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
136
Konrad Czajkowski
Bank BGZ
s.t.
137
Josef Hosek
PSK Whirlpool - Author
+ 18'37
138
Marc Hester
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
139
Roman Kireyev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
140
Aldo Ino Ilesic
Team Type 1
s.t.
141
Mads Hardahl
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
142
Jonathan Fumeaux
Atlas Personal
s.t.
143
Andy Cappelle
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
144
David Gutiérrez Gutiérrez
Geox - TMC
s.t.
145
Jesper Odgaard
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
146
Patrick Schubert
Bank BGZ
s.t.
147
Damiano Margutti
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
+ 19'24
148
Matej Gnezda
Adria Mobil
s.t.
149
Gianluca Maggiore
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
150
Volodymyr Zagorodny
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
151
Alfredo Balloni
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
152
Niv Libner
Amore & Vita
s.t.
153
Nicolas Sanderson
Amore & Vita
s.t.
154
Peter Erdin
Atlas Personal
s.t.
155
Lilian Pommier
Atlas Personal
s.t.
156
Tomasz Nose
Adria Mobil
s.t.
157
Jakob Madsen
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
158
Matteo Fedi
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
+ 20'01
159
Marco Bandiera
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
160
Artem Topchanyuk
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
161
David Dvorsky
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
162
Raphael Addy
Atlas Personal
s.t.
163
Nicolas Baldo
Atlas Personal
s.t.
164
Federico Rocchetti
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
+ 21'48
165
Marcin Urbanowski
Bank BGZ
+ 22'27
166
Felix Rinker
Atlas Personal
+ 26'08
Peter Sagan was a happy man today!
It feels great to earn a win for the team, and with 3 already this season, the DS was very pleased post-race. I was slightly dissapointed about 27th, but my form is still sub-par, but improving!
The Strade Bianche is next, before the T - A!
Ciao for now,
Simone..
P.S. The team said they'd love it if I posted the new promo for the team here! So here it is, with a shot straight from today's race.
Hey guys thanks for the comments, and baia especially for his question..
Here is his answer!
Hey baia,
If you look at my schedule, I've got a few races were I will work for Peter and Vincenzo, but then before the Ardennes, I will enter a few classics with some good form, and I may get the leader's role. GP Miguel Indurian, Giro dell'Appennino and Tour du Finistere are the races, let's hope a few good performances will get me the captain's spot.
