The final stage of the STDU, is a chance for sponsors to get some time on show to the fans, its an 85km critérium event around adelaide, which despite having a moderately vicious profile, should still come down to a sprint, due to the very short length of the days racing.
Chad Beyer may have missed out on the Ochre jersey due to the break on Old Wilunga, but he was still favourite for the KOM and Sprint competitions, he joined the breakaway this morning, made up of 10 men, and took the first, and was second in the other, meaning he secures the points jersey in the Santos Tour Down Under.
The breakaway were reeled in with 20km to go, and the pace was extremely high, thanks to work by Leopard for there leader Bennati, suddenly disaster for L-Trek! Bennati hits the deck and is slightly injured, he never makes it back to the peloton, meaning Arvesen who was second, moves up into the Race leaders position.
The sprint was hard fought, with Petacchi eventually taking it from Hushovd (2nd) and Farrar (3rd) We are pleased with this result, meaning we can take a podium, the sprint and mountain and youth jerseys back to the USA, we've shown the world that Exxon-Duke mean business!
This 3 day race is a good race for breakaway specialists, or hilly climbers to take the win, thanks to the failry difficult routes of days 2 and 3, combined with an asent to the finish on day 1.
We sent a team based around our protected riders, Danny Pate, Danny would try and get involved in the summit finishes if an opportunity arose, and our up-and-coming breakaway specialist, Chad Beyer, would also see if he could make good of any opportunities out in front.
The first day, saw a break group hold on all the way to the end, Chad Beyer was present, and was able to hold onto 4th place, with the peloton not quite able to close the gap to the group up front.
1
Arnoud Van Groen
Veranda's Willems - Accent
4h20'56
2
Alexander Mironov
Katusha Team
s.t.
3
Thomas Bertolini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
4
Chad Beyer
Exxon Duke
s.t.
5
Thomas Bonnin
Skil - Shimano
+ 28
6
Gianluca Brambilla
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 44
7
Alessandro Bazzana
Team Type 1
+ 56
8
Staf Scheirlinckx
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
9
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
10
Sébastien Joly
Saur - Sojasun
+ 1'08
11
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
12
Francesco Bellotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
13
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
14
Alexander Efimkin
Team Type 1
s.t.
15
Jérôme Coppel
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
The rest of the team were all present in the 1'08" group, but Chad showed good legs and is currently second just behind Bertolini of team Farnese-Veni in the standings.
Stage 2
Stage 2 saw a bunch sprint for the line, Fred Rodriguez claimed 6th place for Exxon-Duke, after Ben Jacques-Maynes spent the day in the breakaway, collecting 12 points. Beyer was part of the main group, meaning he continues to hold 4th place, 16" down on the overall lead.
Stage Results
1
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
5h06'36
2
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
s.t.
3
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
4
Tomasz Kiendyś
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
5
Alexander Mironov
Katusha Team
s.t.
6
Fred Rodriguez
Exxon Duke
s.t.
7
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
s.t.
8
René Mandri
Endura Racing
s.t.
9
Staf Scheirlinckx
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
10
Manuele Mori
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
General Classification
1
Arnoud Van Groen
Veranda's Willems - Accent
9h27'10
2
Alexander Mironov
Katusha Team
+ 6
3
Thomas Bertolini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 8
4
Chad Beyer
Exxon Duke
+ 16
5
Thomas Bonnin
Skil - Shimano
+ 40
6
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 58
7
Gianluca Brambilla
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 1'04
8
Staf Scheirlinckx
Veranda's Willems - Accent
+ 1'18
9
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
s.t.
10
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'22
11
Pasquale Muto
Miche - Guerciotti
+ 1'28
12
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
+ 1'30
13
Jack Bauer
Endura Racing
s.t.
14
Fred Rodriguez
Exxon Duke
s.t.
15
René Mandri
Endura Racing
s.t.
Stage 3
Chad Beyer once again made his way into the break on the final day of the GdeCalabria, he picked up two points in both the KOM and Sprint contests, before the break was caught with around 12km left to go. The sprinters set up, and Rodriguez was able to take 15th place, with the stage victory going to Polish sprinter, Tomasz Kiendys.
Stage Results
1
Tomasz Kiendys;
CCC Polsat Polkowice
4h20'16
2
Arnoud Van Groen
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
3
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
s.t.
4
Jack Bauer
Endura Racing
s.t.
5
Tomasz Smolen
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
6
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
7
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
8
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
9
Francesco Bellotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
10
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
s.t.
Final GC
1
Arnoud Van Groen
Veranda's Willems - Accent
13h47'14
2
Alexander Mironov
Katusha Team
+ 18
3
Thomas Bertolini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 20
4
Chad Beyer
Exxon Duke
+ 26
5
Thomas Bonnin
Skil - Shimano
+ 52
6
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1'10
7
Gianluca Brambilla
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 1'16
8
Tomasz Kiendyś
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 1'22
9
Staf Scheirlinckx
Veranda's Willems - Accent
+ 1'30
10
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
s.t.
11
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'34
12
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
s.t.
13
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'36
14
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'38
15
Manuele Mori
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'40
Sprint Contest
1
Arnoud Van Groen
Veranda's Willems - Accent
47
2
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
42
3
Tomasz Kiendyś
CCC Polsat Polkowice
39
4
Alexander Mironov
Katusha Team
36
5
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
30
6
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
26
7
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
25
8
Thomas Bertolini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
22
9
Chad Beyer
Exxon Duke
22
10
Thomas Bonnin
Skil - Shimano
22
King of the Mountains
1
Arnoud Van Groen
Veranda's Willems - Accent
6
2
Francesco Gavazzi
Lampre - ISD
6
3
Rubén Martínez
Caja Rural
6
4
Laurent Beuret
Atlas Personal
6
5
Alexander Mironov
Katusha Team
4
6
Pasquale Muto
Miche - Guerciotti
4
7
Francesco Bellotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
4
8
Kamil Zielinski
CCC Polsat Polkowice
4
9
Thomas Bertolini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
2
10
Chad Beyer
Exxon Duke
2
Youth Classification
7
Thomas Bertolini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
13h47'34 (1)
16
Chad Beyer
Exxon Duke
s.t.
+ 6 (2)
6
Thomas Bonnin
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
+ 32 (3)
20
Gianluca Brambilla
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
+ 56 (4)
3
Jacopo Guarnieri
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
+ 1'22 (5)
4
Jérôme Coppel
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
+ 1'22 (6)
5
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
+ 1'22 (7)
11
Simon Geschke
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
+ 1'22 (8)
2
Andrea Guardini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
+ 1'22 (9)
10
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
+ 1'22 (10)
Chad Beyer is in some sparkling form for the team currently, his efforts to get into the breakaway on day one proved a good choice, and he was able to stay with the late attack, when the initial group of 10 split, and he brings the team 4th place in Italy. Rodriguez and Pate both continue to gain fitness, and will look to continue to perform for the side, as we head to the middle east, first for Qatar, then Oman, where Chris Horner intends to start his season.
Edited by baggieboys32 on 09-04-2012 15:04
The team begin February in this sprinters stage race, the Tour of Qatar in the middle east. The race begins with a short 2km Time Trial, before 5 stages which look heaven sent as far as sprinters are concerned.
We have sent our sprinters out to Qatar, and hope for at least a top 5 position from them. The boys are lead by Tyler Farrar, who will have support from the best sprinters that the USA has to offer.
The main opposition that Farrar will face, comes from Lotto's André Greipel, Fabio Sabatini of Liquigas, and Boassen Hagen of Sky. HTC have not entered this years race, so we are blessed without the presence of Mr Speed, Mark Cavendish.
The Prologue could not have gone better for the side, Farrar was the last rider to set off, after the team had fully reccéd the track, Farrar was able to beat the bunch, and take the yellow leaders jersey right from the start.
1
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Duke
3'44
2
Jimmy Engoulvent
Saur - Sojasun
+ 1
3
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2
4
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
5
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
+ 3
6
Sébastien Joly
Saur - Sojasun
+ 5
7
Koen De Kort
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
8
Brent Bookwalter
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
9
Steven Cozza
Exxon Duke
+ 6
10
Ian Stannard
Sky ProCycling
+ 7
Spoiler
11
Grégory Rast
Team RadioShack
s.t.
12
Jürgen Roelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
13
Rick Flens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
14
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
15
Sébastien Rosseler
Team RadioShack
s.t.
16
Tom Veelers
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
17
Marcel Sieberg
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 8
18
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
19
Greg Henderson
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
20
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
21
Vitaliy Popkov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
22
Stanislav Kozúbek
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
23
Tomas Vaitkus
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
24
Nelson Oliveira
Team RadioShack
+ 9
25
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
26
Floyd Landis
Exxon Duke
s.t.
27
Sebastian Langeveld
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
28
Blaz Jarc
Adria Mobil
s.t.
29
Dmytro Grabovskyy
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
30
Markel Irizar
Team RadioShack
s.t.
31
Graeme Brown
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
32
David Le Lay
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 10
33
Dominique Rollin
Exxon Duke
s.t.
34
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
35
Fumiyuki Beppu
Team RadioShack
s.t.
36
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 11
37
Cyril Lemoine
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
38
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
39
Luke Roberts
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
40
Alexander Kristoff
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
41
Tanel Kangert
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
42
Martin Elmiger
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
43
Michael Freiberg
V Australia
s.t.
44
Glen Alan Chadwick
PureBlack Racing
s.t.
45
Robin Chaigneau
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
46
Jesse Sergent
Team RadioShack
s.t.
47
Kristjan Koren
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 12
48
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
49
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
50
Matej Gnezda
Adria Mobil
s.t.
51
Juan José Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
52
Albert Timmer
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
53
Dennis Van Winden
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 13
54
Alexandre Geniez
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
55
Roberto De Patre
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
56
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
57
Rafal Majka
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
58
David Boucher
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
59
Matthew Hayman
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
60
Pavel Gorenc
Adria Mobil
s.t.
61
Mauro Da Dalto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
62
Yuriy Agarkov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
63
Chris Barton
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
64
Sébastien Minard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
65
Allan Davis
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
66
Matti Breschel
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
67
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
68
Karsten Kroon
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
69
Remmert Wielinga
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
70
Fred Rodriguez
Exxon Duke
+ 14
71
Alan Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
72
Martin Hebik
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
73
Fabrice Jeandesboz
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
74
Benjamín Noval
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
75
James McCoy
PureBlack Racing
s.t.
76
Sheldon Deeny
Exxon Duke
s.t.
77
Zachary Davies
V Australia
s.t.
78
Bert De Backer
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
79
Maxim Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
80
Timothy Gudsell
PureBlack Racing
s.t.
81
Maxime Bouet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
82
Davide Cimolai
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
83
Spencer Beamer
Exxon Duke
s.t.
84
Yannick Talabardon
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
85
Pablo Urtasun
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
86
John Murphy
BMC Racing Team
+ 15
87
Fabio Sabatini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
88
Sean Sullivan
V Australia
s.t.
89
Mikel Landa
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
90
Nikita Novikov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
91
Kenny De Haes
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
92
Ben King
Team RadioShack
s.t.
93
Pierpaolo De Negri
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
94
Adam Blythe
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
95
Sergey Firsanov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
96
Elia Viviani
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
97
David Tanner
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
98
Frederik Willems
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 16
99
Ben Swift
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
100
Luca Mazzanti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
101
Nicki Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
102
Nicholas Walker
V Australia
s.t.
103
Mark Langlands
PureBlack Racing
s.t.
104
Diego Caccia
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
105
Cyril Bessy
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
106
Mads Christensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
107
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
108
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
109
Mirco Lorenzetto
Pro Team Astana
+ 17
110
Alexander Prishpetniy
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
111
Josef Hosek
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
112
Jeremy Hunt
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
113
Taylor Shelden
V Australia
s.t.
114
Tomáš Bucháček
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
115
Mario Aerts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
116
Mathieu Perget
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
117
Maarten Wynants
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
118
Gianluca Mirenda
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
119
Sergey Rudaskov
Itera - Katusha
+ 18
120
Timothy Roe
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
121
Sébastien Hinault
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
122
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
123
Geoffroy Lequatre
Team RadioShack
s.t.
124
Evgeniy Kovalev
Itera - Katusha
+ 19
125
James Williamson
PureBlack Racing
+ 20
126
Robert Kiserlovski
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
127
Roman Van Uden
PureBlack Racing
s.t.
128
Oleksandr Sheydyk
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
129
Yukihiro Doi
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
130
Peter Femal
Exxon Duke
s.t.
131
Anatoliy Pakthusov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
132
Vojtěch Dlouhý
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
133
Jonathan Hivert
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
134
Blaz Furdi
Adria Mobil
s.t.
135
Mikhail Antonov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
136
Petr Benčík
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
137
Leonardo Giordani
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
138
Jimmy Casper
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
139
Amets Txurruka
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 21
140
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
141
Massimo Graziato
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
142
Artem Topchanyuk
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
143
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
144
Paolo Longo Borghini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
145
Igor Frolov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
146
Hayden Brooks
V Australia
s.t.
147
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
148
Fang Han
Skil - Shimano
+ 22
149
Jure Zagar
Adria Mobil
s.t.
150
Primoz Segina
Adria Mobil
s.t.
Stage 2
The second stage of the race was the first of the days built for sprinters, an early break was allowed free after around 12km of racing, at its strongest, consisting of 8 men, the group fought out the intermediates, before being caught with 10km go.
Once the breakaway had been caught, the sprinters set up, but no one could get close to Sabatini, who accelerated of the wheel of Saur-Sojasun's Jimmy Casper, to take the win, he was the only rider in frame when he crossed the line, he seems in really good shape, and will be very difficult to beat. Farrar was able to hold onto a strong 4th place, with many sprinters of the stronger sprinters too buffeted by wind to make a top 5.
Stage Results
1
Fabio Sabatini
Liquigas - Cannondale
3h16'32
2
Jimmy Casper
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
3
Stanislav Kozúbek
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
4
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Duke
s.t.
5
Juan José Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
6
Kenny De Haes
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
7
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
8
Graeme Brown
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
9
Jimmy Engoulvent
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
10
Allan Davis
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
12
Sebastian Langeveld
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
13
Fred Rodriguez
Exxon Duke
s.t.
14
Yannick Talabardon
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
15
Grégory Rast
Team RadioShack
s.t.
16
David Boucher
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
17
Paolo Longo Borghini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
18
Alexandre Geniez
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
19
Mario Aerts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
20
Luke Roberts
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
21
Fumiyuki Beppu
Team RadioShack
s.t.
22
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
23
Tom Veelers
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
24
Rafal Majka
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
25
David Tanner
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
26
Frederik Willems
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
27
Martin Hebik
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
28
Albert Timmer
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
29
Rick Flens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
30
Robin Chaigneau
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
31
Mauro Da Dalto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
32
Tanel Kangert
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
33
Dominique Rollin
Exxon Duke
s.t.
34
Sheldon Deeny
Exxon Duke
s.t.
35
Kristjan Koren
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
36
Benjamín Noval
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
37
Cyril Bessy
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
38
Jonathan Hivert
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
39
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
40
Mads Christensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
41
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
42
Matti Breschel
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
43
Greg Henderson
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
44
Tomas Vaitkus
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
45
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
46
Matthew Hayman
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
47
Jeremy Hunt
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
48
Sébastien Joly
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
49
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
50
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
51
Marcel Sieberg
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
52
Peter Femal
Exxon Duke
s.t.
53
Mirco Lorenzetto
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
54
Floyd Landis
Exxon Duke
s.t.
55
Jürgen Roelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
56
Steven Cozza
Exxon Duke
s.t.
57
Robert Kiserlovski
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
58
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
59
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
60
Koen De Kort
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
61
Spencer Beamer
Exxon Duke
s.t.
62
Ben Swift
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
63
Nikita Novikov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
64
Yukihiro Doi
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
65
Nicki Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
66
Geoffroy Lequatre
Team RadioShack
s.t.
67
Karsten Kroon
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
68
Brent Bookwalter
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
69
Martin Elmiger
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
70
Maarten Wynants
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
71
Cyril Lemoine
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
72
Luca Mazzanti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
73
Sébastien Rosseler
Team RadioShack
s.t.
74
Nicholas Walker
V Australia
s.t.
75
Roberto De Patre
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
76
Pablo Urtasun
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
77
Dennis Van Winden
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
78
Ian Stannard
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
79
Adam Blythe
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
80
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
81
Fang Han
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
82
Davide Cimolai
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
83
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
84
Gianluca Mirenda
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
85
David Le Lay
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
86
Yuriy Agarkov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
87
Dmytro Grabovskyy
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
88
Fabrice Jeandesboz
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
89
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
90
Maxim Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
91
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
92
John Murphy
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
93
Vitaliy Popkov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
94
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
95
Sébastien Hinault
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
96
Sean Sullivan
V Australia
s.t.
97
Petr Benčík
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
98
James McCoy
PureBlack Racing
s.t.
99
Pavel Gorenc
Adria Mobil
s.t.
100
Bert De Backer
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
101
Sergey Rudaskov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
102
Elia Viviani
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
103
Pierpaolo De Negri
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
104
Chris Barton
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
105
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
106
Michael Freiberg
V Australia
s.t.
107
Matej Gnezda
Adria Mobil
s.t.
108
Sébastien Minard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
109
Alexander Kristoff
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
110
Glen Alan Chadwick
PureBlack Racing
s.t.
111
Remmert Wielinga
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
112
Diego Caccia
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
113
Nelson Oliveira
Team RadioShack
s.t.
114
Jesse Sergent
Team RadioShack
s.t.
115
Sergey Firsanov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
116
Mikhail Antonov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
117
Massimo Graziato
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
118
Anatoliy Pakthusov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
119
Primoz Segina
Adria Mobil
s.t.
120
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
121
Blaz Furdi
Adria Mobil
s.t.
122
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
123
Tomáš Bucháček
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
124
Mikel Landa
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
125
Josef Hosek
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
126
Taylor Shelden
V Australia
s.t.
127
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
128
Ben King
Team RadioShack
s.t.
129
Maxime Bouet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
130
Alexander Prishpetniy
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
131
Amets Txurruka
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
132
Mathieu Perget
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
133
Leonardo Giordani
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
134
Mark Langlands
PureBlack Racing
s.t.
135
James Williamson
PureBlack Racing
s.t.
136
Artem Topchanyuk
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
137
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
138
Roman Van Uden
PureBlack Racing
s.t.
139
Alan Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
140
Evgeniy Kovalev
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
141
Jure Zagar
Adria Mobil
s.t.
142
Igor Frolov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
143
Markel Irizar
Team RadioShack
s.t.
144
Hayden Brooks
V Australia
s.t.
145
Zachary Davies
V Australia
s.t.
146
Timothy Roe
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
147
Blaz Jarc
Adria Mobil
s.t.
148
Vojtěch Dlouhý
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
149
Oleksandr Sheydyk
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
150
Timothy Gudsell
PureBlack Racing
+ 2'09
General Classification
1
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Duke
3h19'56
2
Jimmy Engoulvent
Saur - Sojasun
+ 9
3
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 14
4
Fabio Sabatini
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 15
5
Stanislav Kozúbek
PSK Whirlpool - Author
+ 20
6
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 22
7
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
+ 23
8
Sébastien Joly
Saur - Sojasun
+ 25
9
Koen De Kort
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
10
Brent Bookwalter
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
Stage 3
The breakaway was much smaller on the third day, just two riders were willing to brave the wind out in front, and were allowed free for around 80km before the joint efforts of our team, and Astana, working for Allan Davis, reeled them back in.
The wind really played a vital role in todays stage, the pace up front proved too much for many lesser riders, and a group of 37 pulled off the front who would contest the win with just 15km left to race.
Today, Rodriguez was able to do a perfect job of protecting Farrar, who then found the wheel of fellow sprinter Sabatini who was so strong yesterday, Farrar made his push with 1.2km left to ride, and was followed by Graeme Brown, Brown couldn't come past a storming Farrar, who takes another stage, putting him in really good stead for the overall victory.
The fourth stage of Qatar, saw a well controlled pack, thanks to some excellent work by Dominique Rollin, Floyd Landis and Spencer Beamer, before Rodriguez lined up Farrar for the final dash.
Farrar continues to show incredible form, out sprinting the competition to take another stage win, 3 from for Tyler now!
Stage Results
1
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Duke
3h15'33
2
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
3
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
4
Juan José Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
5
Graeme Brown
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
6
Fabio Sabatini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
7
Jimmy Casper
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
8
Allan Davis
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
9
Jürgen Roelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
10
Tom Veelers
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
Stage 5
The fifth day of the Tour of Qatar saw a large break of weaker riders giving it a go after 15KM, the break looked threatening, but were finally brought back with 4km left to ride.
The sprinters lined up, but as the final manoeuvres were being performed, a group of 22 riders were involved in a crash towards the back of the peloton, no major names for the race were involved, but Juan Antonio Flecha of Sky suffered a nasty crash, it will be interesting to see if he recovers in time for the spring classics.
Up front, normality was resumed, Farrar making it 4 from 5, out sprinting Boassen-Hagen and Greipel to the stage win, he really is in fantastic form currently, other sprinters simply cannot keep up with the Washington born sprinter.
Stage Results
1
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Duke
3h22'38
2
Graeme Brown
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
3
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
4
Tom Veelers
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
5
Jimmy Engoulvent
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
6
Allan Davis
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
7
Jimmy Casper
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
8
Marcel Sieberg
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
9
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
10
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
Stage 6
Short of a crash for Tyler, today was really no more than a formality, sprinters were unlikely to get anything but a stage win from the race, due to Farrar's GC lead now topping 1 minute.
A breakaway of 12 tried to escape, early on, but many teams were involved in the chase, desparate for a stage win to take home from the race.
Sebastién Rosseler made a solo effort with 40km to ride, which never really looked threatening, and was indeed stopped with 12km to ride.
The sprinters were desparate to beat Farrar to the line, but no one had his power over the final kilometre, Rodriguez' lead out meant he could afford to launch late, but when he went, he came past the rest with ease, 5 out of 6 in Qatar for Farrar, collecting 2 out of 3 jerseys, what a show of class, and a great way to set the season up for Team Exxon-Duke!
Following on from our success in Qatar, we continue with a second stage race in the middle east, this race offers a bit more to the non-sprinters, with the queen stage on day 4, including a summit finish on green mountain.
We bring a strong side once again to Oman, Tyler will look to continue his form in the sprints, he's joined by his lead-out man, Fred Rodriguez, a pairing which is really starting to shine for Exxon-Duke. For the overall classification, our man will be Tom Danielson, not a named leader for the side, but he will look to bring in many victories on these shorter stage races, and work for the big guns, Armstrong and Horner later in the season.
Danielson looks well set for a high placing, his main competition will be coming from Sky, and Sylvain Chavanel of Europcar.
On the days with flat finishes, the early season duel between Farrar, Greipel and Boassen-Hagen looks set to continue, can Farrar repeat his performance of Qatar to take the sprinters jersey?
Stage 1
The first day saw a large 14man breakaway attack early on, they never really threatened for the stage win, with the sprinting teams to keen to get a good start to the race and Tyler Farrar continued his incredible run of form, to take stage 1 in the Tour of Oman.
Stage Results
1
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Duke
4h00'52
2
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
3
Jonathan Clarke
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
s.t.
4
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
5
Alexandre Pichot
Team Europcar
s.t.
6
Mirco Lorenzetto
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
7
Fred Rodriguez
Exxon Duke
s.t.
8
Allan Davis
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
9
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
s.t.
10
Angelo Furlan
Team Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
Stage 2
Once again, today would be a day for the sprinters, the break contained 5 men, including Van Groen, present for the second time in a row, but the break was once again caught in good time, and Farrar once again beat his companions to take the victory, he really does look unstoppable right now, and we are keen to keep putting him in a position from which he can keep up the success! They may have missed out on the very top spots, but a 7-8-9 by Christina Watches shows they will mean business in the continental tour, just as soon as February comes to a close, and the world tour teams are taken up with there own calendar.
Stage Results
1
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Duke
2h50'32
2
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
3
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
4
Allan Davis
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
5
Maxim Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
6
Alexandre Pichot
Team Europcar
s.t.
7
Kristian Sobota
Team Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
8
Michael Reihs
Team Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
9
Jesper Odgaard
Team Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
10
Mirco Lorenzetto
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
Stage 3
Today saw a 6 man break go clear, and fight out the sprints between them, including the ever present Arnoud Van Groen. We were involved in the chase, but all teams spent too long thinking about the summit finish tomorrow, to work today, and the break fought out the stage between themselves, 4minutes in front of the pack! The sprint today was for 7th place, but once again Tyler did not disappoint, beating Greipel and B-H in the sprint. The breakaway victor was Scott Lyttle, with Van Groen second, placing him as the current leader, though as an extremely weak climber, Pureblacks rider will be unlikely to still hold the lead following the 15km ascent of Jabel-Al-Akdhar.
Stage Results
1
Scott Lyttle
PureBlack Racing
5h15'48
2
Arnoud Van Groen
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
3
Daniel Malmros
Team Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
4
Martijn Verschoor
Team Type 1
s.t.
5
Giuseppe Di Salvo
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
6
Sebastian Lang
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 2'00
7
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Duke
+ 4'12
8
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
9
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
10
Sébastien Chavanel
Team Europcar
s.t.
Current Standings
So after 3 days, the GC is lead by the members of todays break, with Scott Lyttle of Pureblack Racing, the current leader. Farrar dominates the Sprint Competition, and Danie Malmros of Christina Watches, is the current leader of the GC. We will look to make use of the Queen stage, and Difficult Time Trial, in order to force our way up the rankings with Tom Danielson, currently in 17th place, 4'38" down on the overall lead.
Without a doubt, the most difficult challenge a member of Exxon-Duke has had to face in our red and yellow jerseys today, the difficult 15km climb of Jabel-Al-Akdhar, where Tom Danielson will hope to bring back the race lead, as the strongest climber in the race.
The early morning breakaway contained 9 men, and was allowed clear for a large portion of the day, we lent a hand to the chase, but it was pureblack who were forced to do most of the work, as they held the current lead, over 4 minutes ahead of the favourites.
The break were not being reeled in, at a pace fast enough for us to be content, and Tyler Farrar made it hell for the peloton in windy conditions, with a fabulous stint on the front, which split the main group, before we even arrived at the climb!
The breakaway now had just 32" going into the climb, and Bobbie Traksel - Landbouwrekrediets Classics specialist, made an attack from within, he pulled away from the main group, but the fast pace in the peloton which was causing much pain inside, also proved too much for Bobbie, who was quickly absorbed.
With 5km left to ride, and the peloton in tatters, Danielson rode away from the main group, he never really had to attack, he just accelerated past where people were comfortable, and dropped them one by one.
On arrival at the summit, he had a lead of 57" over second place Christopher Kern, and had taken 6'17" out of race leader Lyttle! A fantastic performance, now he must protect the jersey tomorrow, in the race TT.
At the same as the final 3 days of the Tour of Oman, the Volto Ao Algarve sets off, a difficult 5 day event one sharp climb to the finish on day 3, a TT to finish, and 3 days that look tailor made for the breakaway!
We send a much weaker side to the Algarve, the team has had a good start to the season, but we must preserve our strongest men for the peak of the season, we are lead by Floyd Landis, yet another veteran of the team, who has won stages in the Tour De France, though has since served a doping ban, he comes back into racing to start over though, and will look to bring much success here in portugal.
There are many strong riders here in portugal, and we will not be looking to gain a final GC placing, instead our target is a stage win, and to get lots of TV time within the breakaways for our sponsors.
The three favourites pre-race, are Marco Pinotti, Bradley Wiggins, and Roman Kreuziger, Landis is given an outside chance, mainly saved by his ability to TT.
Stage 5
Stage 5 brought an ITT for the riders, and due to the hilly profile of the route, Danielson was picked out as the pre-race favourite,sure enough, he did not disappoint, and took the stage victory, placing him firmly on top of the pack in Oman, second went to Eddie-BH some useful points in the sprint contest, If he beats Farrar on the final Day, he takes the Green Jersey out of Tyler's Hands.
Stage Results
1
Tom Danielson
Exxon Duke
34'35
2
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
+ 14
3
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Duke
+ 17
4
David Zabriskie
Exxon Duke
+ 25
5
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
+ 37
6
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
+ 40
7
Robert Partridge
Endura Racing
+ 42
8
Stefan Schumacher
Miche - Guerciotti
+ 46
9
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
s.t.
10
Simon Geschke
Skil - Shimano
+ 49
Spoiler
11
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
+ 52
12
Adam Hansen
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 55
13
Greg Henderson
Sky ProCycling
+ 57
14
Sébastien Delfosse
Landbouwkrediet
+ 1'00
15
Tim Mertens
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
+ 1'01
16
Sven Nys
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
17
Christopher Sutton
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'03
18
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'04
19
Yukasz Bodnar
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 1'05
20
Alexander Wetterhall
Endura Racing
s.t.
21
Bobbie Traksel
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
22
Filippo Savini
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 1'07
23
Jake Keough
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
+ 1'08
24
Sebastian Lang
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
25
Iker Camaño
Endura Racing
s.t.
26
Allan Davis
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'09
27
Jan Bakelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
28
Jacek Morajko
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
29
Mitja Mahoric
Adria Mobil
s.t.
30
Freddy Cruz
Exxon Duke
+ 1'10
31
Ben Swift
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
32
Andrea Pasqualon
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
33
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
34
Volodymyr Zagorodny
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
35
Mathieu Sprick
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
36
Maxim Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'11
37
Sven Jodts
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
+ 1'12
38
Kiel Reijnen
Team Type 1
s.t.
39
Jonathan Breyne
Landbouwkrediet
+ 1'13
40
Shem Rodger
PureBlack Racing
+ 1'15
41
Aldo Ino Ilesic
Team Type 1
+ 1'16
42
Fred Rodriguez
Exxon Duke
s.t.
43
Íñigo Cuesta
Caja Rural
s.t.
44
David Clarke
Endura Racing
s.t.
45
Stijn Neirynck
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
+ 1'17
46
Gianluca Randazzo
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
47
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
s.t.
48
Ian Wilkinson
Endura Racing
s.t.
49
Arnoud Van Groen
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
50
Michael Torckler
PureBlack Racing
+ 1'18
51
Yevgeniy Nepomnyachshiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
52
Jack Anderson
Endura Racing
+ 1'19
53
Anton Vorobev
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
54
Thomas Degand
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
55
Yann Huguet
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
56
Bart De Clercq
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 1'20
57
Dariusz Batek
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
58
Phil Zajicek
Exxon Duke
s.t.
59
Arturo Mora
Caja Rural
s.t.
60
Javier Moreno
Caja Rural
s.t.
61
Pavel Kochetkov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
62
Valery Kobzarenko
Team Type 1
s.t.
63
Adrian Hegyvari
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
+ 1'21
64
Jeremy Hunt
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
65
Sébastien Chavanel
Team Europcar
s.t.
66
Rafal Ratajczyk
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
67
Gert Dockx
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
68
Perrig Quemeneur
Team Europcar
s.t.
69
Igor Romero
Caja Rural
+ 1'22
70
Jonathan Clarke
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
s.t.
71
Tomasz Smolen
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
72
Mirco Lorenzetto
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
73
Ronan Van Zandbeek
Skil - Shimano
+ 1'23
74
Koen Barbé
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
75
Kristian Sobota
Team Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
76
Hilton Clarke
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
+ 1'24
77
Bartlomiej Matysiak
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
78
Dmitriy Fofonov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
79
Steven Van Vooren
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
80
Sven Van den Houte
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
81
Daniel Barry
PureBlack Racing
+ 1'25
82
Andrea Grendene
Team Type 1
s.t.
83
Spencer Beamer
Exxon Duke
s.t.
84
Vyacheslav Kuznetsov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
85
Kris Boeckmans
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
86
Víctor De la Parte
Caja Rural
s.t.
87
Robert Förster
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
s.t.
88
Aljaz Hocevar
Adria Mobil
+ 1'26
89
Dmitry Mokrov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
90
Garikoitz Bravo
Caja Rural
s.t.
91
Benjamin King
Team Type 1
+ 1'27
92
Alexandre Pichot
Team Europcar
+ 1'28
93
Alberto Contoli
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
94
Klaas Lodewyck
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
95
Alexey Shmidt
Team Type 1
+ 1'29
96
Max Jenkins
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
s.t.
97
Guytan Lilholt
Team Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
98
Maarten De Jonge
Endura Racing
+ 1'30
99
Andrew Pinfold
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
s.t.
100
Jempy Drucker
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
101
Joaquín Sobrino
Caja Rural
s.t.
102
Egidijus Juodvalkis
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
103
Evert Verbist
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
104
Kirill Baranov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
105
Sacha Modolo
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
106
Manuele Caddeo
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 1'31
107
Bradley White
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
s.t.
108
Manuel Belletti
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 1'32
109
Giovanni Bernaudeau
Team Europcar
s.t.
110
Pasquale Muto
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
111
Bert Scheirlinckx
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
112
Thomas Damuseau
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
113
Jelle Wallays
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
114
Bryce Mead
Exxon Duke
+ 1'33
115
Michael Northey
PureBlack Racing
s.t.
116
Thierry Hupond
Skil - Shimano
+ 1'34
117
Andrey Solomennikov
Itera - Katusha
+ 1'35
118
Javier Megías
Team Type 1
s.t.
119
Michael Reihs
Team Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
120
Jesper Odgaard
Team Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
121
Kristjan Fajt
Adria Mobil
s.t.
122
Pawel Charucki
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
123
Saïd Haddou
Team Europcar
+ 1'36
124
Alexander Kholodov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
125
Pelle Clapp
Team Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
126
Rémy Di Gregorio
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
127
Rob Goris
Veranda's Willems - Accent
+ 1'37
128
Jelle Vanendert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
129
Adrian Honkisz
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 1'38
130
Angelo Furlan
Team Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 1'39
131
Angelo Pagani
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 1'40
132
James Vanlandschoot
Veranda's Willems - Accent
+ 1'41
133
Steven Caethoven
Veranda's Willems - Accent
+ 1'42
134
Mathieu Claude
Team Europcar
s.t.
135
Daniel Malmros
Team Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
136
Michael Van Staeyen
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
137
Andrea Piechele
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 1'43
138
Martijn Verschoor
Team Type 1
s.t.
139
Giuseppe Di Salvo
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
140
Gorazd Stangelj
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
141
Marc Hester
Team Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 1'44
142
James Moss
Endura Racing
s.t.
143
Taylor Gunman
PureBlack Racing
s.t.
144
Leonardo Pinizzotto
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
145
Viktor Shmalko
Itera - Katusha
+ 1'45
146
Scott Lyttle
PureBlack Racing
+ 1'46
147
Preben Van Hecke
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
+ 1'47
148
Tomasz Nose
Adria Mobil
+ 1'48
149
Cheng Ji
Skil - Shimano
+ 1'49
150
Benjamin Gourgue
Landbouwkrediet
+ 1'50
151
Alexander Ryabkin
Caja Rural
s.t.
152
Marco Haller
Adria Mobil
s.t.
General Classification
1
Tom Danielson
Exxon Duke
17h32'07
2
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
+ 1'46
3
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
+ 2'35
4
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'13
5
Simon Geschke
Skil - Shimano
+ 3'22
6
Maxim Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'36
7
Filippo Savini
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 3'40
8
Iker Camaño
Endura Racing
+ 3'41
9
Mitja Mahoric
Adria Mobil
+ 3'42
10
Scott Lyttle
PureBlack Racing
+ 3'43
11
David Zabriskie
Exxon Duke
+ 3'47
12
Yann Huguet
Skil - Shimano
+ 3'52
13
Dmitriy Fofonov
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'57
14
David Clarke
Endura Racing
+ 4'15
15
Stefan Schumacher
Miche - Guerciotti
+ 4'57
Stage 6
Today looked to be a day for the sprinters, after the short climb first thing in the morning, a break went free, much to the annoyance of Team Omega-Pharma Lotto, who clearly had very different intentions for the day, the break was brought back within 40km and no one else went free all day.
In the sprint finish Tyler was finally beaten! he needed to beat B-H in order to protect the jersey, and successfully clung to second place, but today belonged to the Omega-Pharma boys, controlling the race, before setting up a perfect sprint for André Greipel!
Stage Results
1
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
3h46'04
2
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Duke
s.t.
3
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
4
Tomasz Smolen
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
5
Sébastien Chavanel
Team Europcar
s.t.
6
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
s.t.
7
Robert Förster
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
s.t.
8
Jacek Morajko
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
9
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
10
Simon Geschke
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
Final General Classification
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Tom Danielson
Exxon Duke
21h18'11
2
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
+ 1'46
3
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
+ 2'27
4
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'13
5
Simon Geschke
Skil - Shimano
+ 3'22
6
Maxim Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'36
7
Filippo Savini
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 3'40
8
Iker Camaño
Endura Racing
+ 3'41
9
Mitja Mahoric
Adria Mobil
+ 3'42
10
Scott Lyttle
PureBlack Racing
+ 3'43
11
David Zabriskie
Exxon Duke
+ 3'47
12
Yann Huguet
Skil - Shimano
+ 3'52
13
Dmitriy Fofonov
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'57
14
David Clarke
Endura Racing
+ 4'15
15
Stefan Schumacher
Miche - Guerciotti
+ 4'57
Points Classification
Rank
Name
Team
General
1
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Duke
95
2
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
81
3
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
69
4
Tom Danielson
Exxon Duke
54
5
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
49
6
Scott Lyttle
PureBlack Racing
31
7
Daniel Malmros
Team Christina Watches - Onfone
28
8
Allan Davis
Pro Team Astana
27
9
Maxim Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
26
10
Arnoud Van Groen
Veranda's Willems - Accent
24
11
Alexandre Pichot
Team Europcar
22
12
Simon Geschke
Skil - Shimano
20
13
David Zabriskie
Exxon Duke
20
14
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
20
Youth Classification
1
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
3h46'04
21h20'38 (1)
2
Simon Geschke
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
+ 55 (2)
3
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
+ 2'37 (3)
4
Jan Bakelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
+ 4'13 (4)
5
Víctor De la Parte
Caja Rural
s.t.
+ 4'45 (5)
6
Michael Torckler
PureBlack Racing
s.t.
+ 5'18 (6)
7
Daniel Malmros
Team Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
+ 5'22 (7)
8
Dmitry Mokrov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
+ 7'30 (8)
9
Pavel Kochetkov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
+ 8'00 (9)
10
Alberto Contoli
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
+ 8'08 (10)
All things considered, a fantastic tour for the boys, Farrar and Danielson were able to hit the top of there game to bring home the sprint and points jerseys,and we took a 1-3-4 in the ITT, a sign of things to come, as we have a large portion of the squad constructed around TTing and TTTing!
Edited by baggieboys32 on 10-04-2012 11:47
Stage 1 saw a break allowed free for most of the stage, including Bjorn Selander for Exxon-Duke, the break was caught, and Roman Kreuziger made a late attack with the line almost in sight, he was caught on the line, but hung on for the stage win. In the sprint, we had to make do with 15th place for Steven Cozza.
Stage Results
1
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
3h47'40
2
Sérgio Sousa
Barbot - Efapel
s.t.
3
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
4
Tony Martin
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
5
Jan Ghyselinck
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
6
Oleg Chuzhda
Caja Rural
s.t.
7
Russell Downing
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
8
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
9
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
10
Baden Cooke
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
Stage 2
Stage 2 saw a large break hang on all the way to the finish, we missed the attack today, and were unable to bridge the gap, we had to make do with a dull day sat in the bunch, and Floyd Landis was our highest placed rider, back in 23rd place.
Stage Results
1
Óscar Vicente Grau
Burgos 2016 - Castilla y León
5h23'36
2
Sven Van Dousselaere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
3
Stéphane Poulhiès
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
4
Emanuele Vona
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
5
Daniel Oss
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
6
Célio Sousa
Onda
s.t.
7
Darwin Atapuma
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
s.t.
8
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
9
Daniel Mestre
Tavira - Prio
s.t.
10
Jon Aberasturi
Orbea Continental
s.t.
11
Daniel Freitas
Barbot - Efapel
s.t.
12
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'32
13
Tony Martin
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
14
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
15
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
s.t.
Stage 3
Stage 3 contains the only real ascent finish, and 2 riders were able to go clear on the ascent to fight out the win, Tony Martin lost out on the line to Kreuziger, we were placed much better today, Floyd Landis was able to fight his way to 7th place, and 5th within his group.
Stage Results
1
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
4h17'40
2
Tony Martin
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
3
Tejay Van Garderen
HTC - Highroad
+ 16
4
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
5
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
6
Dario Cioni
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
7
Floyd Landis
Exxon Duke
s.t.
8
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
9
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
10
Francesco Masciarelli
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
11
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
12
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
13
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
14
Oleg Chuzhda
Caja Rural
s.t.
15
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
Stage 4
Stage 4 had a BotD consisting of 9riders, which was stopped with 35km to ride, this allowed an opening for a late attack, and 2 men - Greg Van Avermaert, and Valentin Iglinskiy were able to make use of the opportunity, and fought out the stage between themselves, in the peloton, its was Sky who took the two top spots, thanks to work by Russel Downing, and Simon Gerrans. Cozza took another top 15 for us, but overall the race is starting to look like a weak one for the US team, Exxon Duke.
Stage Results
1
Valentin Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
4h07'08
2
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
3
Russell Downing
Sky ProCycling
+ 2'16
4
Simon Gerrans
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
5
Óscar Vicente Grau
Burgos 2016 - Castilla y León
s.t.
6
Mark Renshaw
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
7
Sérgio Sousa
Barbot - Efapel
s.t.
8
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
9
Emanuele Vona
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
10
Patrik Sinkewitz
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
11
Iñaki Isasi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
12
Giovanni Visconti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
13
Dario Cioni
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
14
Steven Cozza
Exxon Duke
s.t.
15
Jacopo Guarnieri
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
Stage 5
Stage 5 was the day for the TT specialists, and sure enough, it was won by Tony Martin, HTC's TT specialist. the podium was rounded out by Roman Kreuziger, and Bradley Wiggins, with our highest placing being 7th place, Steven Cozza again performing strongly, riding in just 16' behind Tony Martin.
Stage Results
1
Tony Martin
HTC - Highroad
17'48
2
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
+ 2
3
Bradley Wiggins
Sky ProCycling
+ 3
4
Marco Pinotti
HTC - Highroad
+ 4
5
Oleg Chuzhda
Caja Rural
+ 7
6
Dario Cioni
Sky ProCycling
+ 9
7
Steven Cozza
Exxon Duke
+ 12
8
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 16
9
Tejay Van Garderen
HTC - Highroad
+ 17
10
Paul Poux
Saur - Sojasun
+ 19
11
Michael Mørkøv
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 22
12
Mark Cavendish
HTC - Highroad
+ 23
13
Jürgen Van de Walle
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 24
14
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 27
15
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
+ 28
Final General Classification
The race was not our strongest, but nor did we expect it to be, we were able to take 2 top 10 finishes, and got into 3 breakaways, making the sponsors happy, Steve Cozza's fast TT in the final day mean we were able to hold onto 13th place which is a good result for some of our weaker riders.
1
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
17h56'06
2
Valentin Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
+ 36
3
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
+ 56
4
Tony Martin
HTC - Highroad
+ 1'22
5
Daniel Oss
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1'39
6
Sven Van Dousselaere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 1'43
7
Bradley Wiggins
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'53
8
Marco Pinotti
HTC - Highroad
+ 1'54
9
Oleg Chuzhda
Caja Rural
+ 1'57
10
Dario Cioni
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'59
Spoiler
11
Tejay Van Garderen
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
12
Célio Sousa
Onda
+ 2'01
13
Steven Cozza
Exxon Duke
+ 2'02
14
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'06
15
Sérgio Sousa
Barbot - Efapel
+ 2'07
16
Michael Mørkøv
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 2'12
17
Mark Cavendish
HTC - Highroad
+ 2'13
18
Jürgen Van de Walle
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 2'14
19
Óscar Vicente Grau
Burgos 2016 - Castilla y León
s.t.
20
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'17
21
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
+ 2'18
22
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'21
23
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'22
24
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
+ 2'23
25
Cândido Barbosa
Tavira - Prio
+ 2'25
26
Simon Gerrans
Sky ProCycling
+ 2'28
27
Evgeni Petrov
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'30
28
Manuele Boaro
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 2'32
29
Russell Downing
Sky ProCycling
+ 2'34
30
Patrik Sinkewitz
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
31
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'36
32
Francis De Greef
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 2'37
33
Jussi Veikkanen
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 2'38
34
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'39
35
Giovanni Visconti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 2'41
36
Hélder Oliveira
Onda
+ 2'45
37
Hugo Sabido
LA - Antarte
+ 2'49
38
Nick Nuyens
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 2'50
39
Lluis Guillermo Mas
Burgos 2016 - Castilla y León
+ 2'51
40
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'54
41
Floyd Landis
Exxon Duke
+ 2'56
42
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'59
43
David Bernabéu
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
44
Javier Benítez
Andalucía Caja Granada
+ 3'01
45
Chad Beyer
Exxon Duke
+ 3'02
46
Stéphane Poulhiès
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
47
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
+ 3'03
48
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'04
49
Jeff Louder
Exxon Duke
+ 3'05
50
Dominique Rollin
Exxon Duke
+ 3'07
51
Alejandro Marque
Onda
+ 3'08
52
Iñaki Isasi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'09
53
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'10
54
Higinio Fernández
Caja Rural
+ 3'12
55
Hugo Salazar
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
+ 3'15
56
Fabricio Ferrari
Caja Rural
+ 3'16
57
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 3'20
58
Patrick Gretsch
HTC - Highroad
+ 3'23
59
Emanuele Vona
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 3'25
60
Juan Villegas
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
s.t.
61
Jacques Janse Van Rensburg
Burgos 2016 - Castilla y León
+ 3'30
62
Peter Kennaugh
Sky ProCycling
+ 3'31
63
Bernardo Colex
Exxon Duke
+ 3'32
64
Rubén Martínez
Caja Rural
+ 3'35
65
José Herrada
Caja Rural
+ 3'38
66
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'41
67
Luis Felipe Laverde
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
+ 3'43
68
Darwin Atapuma
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
+ 3'44
69
Juan Forero
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
+ 3'48
70
Víctor Hugo Peña
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
+ 3'49
71
Daniel Silva
Onda
+ 3'50
72
Francesco Bellotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 3'55
73
Volodymir Gustov
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
74
Óscar Pujol
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 3'57
75
Vicente Reynès
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 3'59
76
Diego Gallego
Burgos 2016 - Castilla y León
+ 4'02
77
Francesco Failli
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 4'04
78
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'06
79
Wilmar Perez
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
+ 4'10
80
Michael Albasini
HTC - Highroad
+ 4'12
81
André Cardoso
Tavira - Prio
s.t.
82
Matteo Tosatto
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 4'13
83
Alessandro Vanotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 4'19
84
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'22
85
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'23
86
Jan Ghyselinck
HTC - Highroad
+ 4'24
87
Adrián Palomares
Andalucía Caja Granada
+ 4'28
88
Damiano Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 4'35
89
Hernâni Brôco
LA - Antarte
+ 4'38
90
Andrey Zeits
Pro Team Astana
+ 4'40
91
Thomas Bertolini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 4'42
92
Maxim Gourov
Pro Team Astana
+ 4'46
93
Márcio Barbosa
LA - Antarte
s.t.
94
Rui Sousa
Barbot - Efapel
+ 4'48
95
Pierre Cazaux
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'51
96
Andrea Noè
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
97
Sergey Renev
Pro Team Astana
+ 4'52
98
Cristiano Salerno
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 4'59
99
Laurent Mangel
Saur - Sojasun
+ 5'03
100
Moisés Aldape
Exxon Duke
+ 5'09
101
Francesco Masciarelli
Pro Team Astana
+ 5'11
102
Ludovic Turpin
Saur - Sojasun
+ 5'22
103
Julien Simon
Saur - Sojasun
+ 6'48
104
Bjorn Selander
Exxon Duke
+ 7'00
105
Daniel Freitas
Barbot - Efapel
+ 9'11
106
Baden Cooke
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 10'26
107
Christopher Jennings
Burgos 2016 - Castilla y León
+ 10'45
108
Egoitz García
Caja Rural
+ 11'02
109
Arnaud Coyot
Saur - Sojasun
+ 11'11
110
Jon Aberasturi
Orbea Continental
+ 11'17
111
Ion Pardo
Onda
+ 11'29
112
David Livramento
Tavira - Prio
+ 11'42
113
Aritz Bagües
Orbea Continental
+ 12'39
114
Michael Barry
Sky ProCycling
+ 12'46
115
Antonio Cabello
Andalucía Caja Granada
+ 13'20
116
Nairo Quintana
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
+ 13'32
117
Olivier Kaisen
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 14'15
118
Rubén Reig
Caja Rural
+ 14'37
119
Laurent Didier
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 16'25
120
Paul Poux
Saur - Sojasun
+ 17'53
121
Samuel Caldeira
Tavira - Prio
+ 18'28
122
Mark Renshaw
HTC - Highroad
+ 18'47
123
Tomas Swift Metcalfe
Tavira - Prio
+ 19'15
124
Daniel Mestre
Tavira - Prio
+ 19'22
125
Hugo Sancho
LA - Antarte
+ 19'28
126
Takashi Miyazawa
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 19'50
127
Jacopo Guarnieri
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 19'59
128
Adrián Sáez de Arregi
Orbea Continental
+ 20'32
129
Juan José Lobato
Andalucía Caja Granada
+ 21'45
130
Jonathan Bellis
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 26'20
131
Bruno Silva
LA - Antarte
+ 27'42
132
Maciej Paterski
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 27'47
133
Sérgio Ribeiro
Barbot - Efapel
+ 27'50
134
Jens Debusschere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 27'52
135
Romain Matheou
Saur - Sojasun
+ 28'29
136
Bruno Lima
Onda
+ 29'06
137
Rony Martias
Saur - Sojasun
+ 29'41
138
Cesar Fonte
Barbot - Efapel
+ 31'04
139
Andoni Blázquez
Orbea Continental
+ 32'43
140
Bruno Pinto
Barbot - Efapel
+ 33'43
141
Otavio Bulgarelli
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 34'37
142
Beñat Urain
Orbea Continental
+ 35'45
143
Rui Vinhas
LA - Antarte
+ 36'17
144
Jose Cano
Andalucía Caja Granada
+ 36'42
145
Antonio Piedra
Andalucía Caja Granada
+ 38'44
146
Juan Javier Estrada
Andalucía Caja Granada
+ 38'46
147
Xabier Zabalo
Orbea Continental
+ 40'07
148
Francisco Manuel Antón
Burgos 2016 - Castilla y León
+ 42'18
Points Classification
Roman Kreuziger's attacking style combined with a fast TT mean he takes the points rankings, in front of the TT winner, Toby Martin, we were not high placed in the points rankings, best was 22nd, Steve Cozza.
1
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
74
2
Tony Martin
HTC - Highroad
62
3
Óscar Vicente Grau
Burgos 2016 - Castilla y León
39
4
Valentin Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
31
5
Sérgio Sousa
Barbot - Efapel
29
6
Emanuele Vona
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
25
7
Russell Downing
Sky ProCycling
25
8
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
24
9
Oleg Chuzhda
Caja Rural
24
10
Tejay Van Garderen
HTC - Highroad
23
King of the Mountains
Aitor Galdos made his way into 3 breaks during the race, enough it proved to win the KOM, with 18points, the contest was not a big target for any of the Protour teams, meaning that Caja Rural has something to take away from the race.
Following success in Oman, and a more disappointing ride in Portugal, the team head to Sardinia, for our final race before we head back to the World Tour, for the Paris-Nice, and Tirreno Adriatico. Of the two, the italian race is a higher priority for the sponsors, and the team we send will be very similar to the squad riding here.
Of the teams named leaders, only one has had a impact so far this season, collecting many sprint points, and stage wins for the side. He misses out here, as we send a GC squad to back Chris Horner. Chris will aim for victory on stage 2, and try to place high in the overall, though may struggle, as he is yet to ride so far this season. Scott Zwisanski and David Zabriskie will both look to help out in the climbs, and Sheldon Deeny is our man for the flat finishes, who will receive a helping hand from Peter Femal.
The Route in Sardinia, has many climbs for our men to get into shape, a summit finish on day 2, may prove crucial in the final standings, though stage 4, will provide a last chance for GC specialists to redeem themselves should they miss out on day 2. Day 1, looks tailor made for the break, and Deeny seems set to have 2 opportunities to impress, on days 3 and 5, both containing flat runs to the finish.
Some strong climbers are present in the race, Cunego will fight especially hard for the win, as it is a local race for him, though all italian teams have sent strong squads, Stefano Garzelli will be a threat on day 2, and Peter Sagans all round abilities, mean he may be able to grab seconds on days which are less suited to the out-and-out climbers.
The first stage saw a relaxed peloton allow a break free, to a peak time of 7'21" No team was overly interested in the stage win today, just in protecting the chance of an overall victory come the end of the week, and as such the break took the victory today, 1'20 ahead of the bunch.
Exxon-Duke, had a remarkably relaxed day, Phinney, and Jacques-Maynes both got involved in the chase, and in the peloton finish, Chris Horner was able to take 12th, thanks to an uphill final 2km.
Stage Results
1
Alessandro Bisolti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
4h01'36
2
Reto Hollenstein
Team Vorarlberg
+ 20
3
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
4
David De la Fuente
Geox - TMC
s.t.
5
Mauro Da Dalto
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 36
6
Nikolas Maes
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Leopoldo Rocchetti
Miche - Guerciotti
+ 1'20
8
Domenico Pozzovivo
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
9
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
10
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
s.t.
12
Chris Horner
Exxon Duke
s.t.
13
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
14
Dario Cataldo
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
15
David Zabriskie
Exxon Duke
s.t.
16
Antonio Santoro
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
17
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
18
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
19
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
20
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
21
Vladimir Miholjevic
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
22
Fabio Duarte
Geox - TMC
s.t.
23
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
24
David Blanco
Geox - TMC
s.t.
25
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
s.t.
26
Sergueï Ivanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
27
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
28
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
29
Constantino Zaballa
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
30
Simone Stortoni
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
31
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
32
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
33
Francesco Ginanni
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
34
Federico Canuti
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
35
David Loosli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
36
Andrea Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
37
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
38
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
39
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
40
Alessandro Proni
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
41
Alessandro Bertolini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
42
Gianluca Mirenda
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
43
Yuriy Agarkov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
44
Gianluca Brambilla
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
45
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
46
Scott Zwizanski
Exxon Duke
s.t.
47
Fabio Felline
Geox - TMC
s.t.
48
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
49
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
50
Paolo Locatelli
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
51
Francesco Gavazzi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
52
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
53
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
54
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
55
Ruggero Marzoli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
56
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
57
Stefano Pirazzi
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
58
Volodymyr Bileka
Amore & Vita
s.t.
59
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
60
Ben Jacques-Maynes
Exxon Duke
s.t.
61
Travis Meyer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
62
Daniel Lloyd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
63
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
64
Davide Cimolai
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
65
Dmytro Grabovskyy
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
66
Peter Kusztor
Atlas Personal
s.t.
67
Sep Vanmarcke
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
68
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Geox - TMC
s.t.
69
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
70
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
s.t.
71
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
72
Gabriel Rasch
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
73
Craig Lewis
Exxon Duke
s.t.
74
Arkimedes Arguelyes
Katusha Team
+ 2'32
75
Marco Bandiera
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
76
Kevin Van Impe
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
77
Anatoliy Pakthusov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
78
Oleksandr Martynenko
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
79
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
80
Cristiano Benenati
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
81
Giuseppe De Maria
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
82
Diego Caccia
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
83
David Rosch
Atlas Personal
s.t.
84
Franz Schiewer
LKT Team Brandenburg
s.t.
85
Denis Galimzyanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
86
Santo Anza
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
87
Edoardo Girardi
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
88
Jonathan Fumeaux
Atlas Personal
s.t.
89
Federico Rocchetti
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
90
Stefan Poll
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
91
Fabio Piscopiello
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
92
Jens Mouris
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'00
93
Sheldon Deeny
Exxon Duke
+ 4'28
94
Stefan Schäfer
LKT Team Brandenburg
s.t.
95
Damiano Margutti
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
96
Philipp Mamos
Amore & Vita
s.t.
97
Henning Bommel
LKT Team Brandenburg
s.t.
98
Oleksandr Sheydyk
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
99
René Weissinger
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
100
Elia Favilli
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
101
Pirmin Lang
Atlas Personal
s.t.
102
Nicolas Sanderson
Amore & Vita
s.t.
103
Omar Bertazzo
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
104
Filippo Baggio
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
105
Michael Weicht
LKT Team Brandenburg
s.t.
106
Kristian Forbord
Amore & Vita
s.t.
107
Martial Roman
Atlas Personal
+ 6'48
108
Giorgio Brambilla
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
109
Roberto Cesaro
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
110
Sergiy Gretchyn
Amore & Vita
+ 6'56
111
Vitaliy Popkov
ISD - Lampre Continental
+ 8'00
112
Alessandro De Marchi
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
113
Francesco Di Paolo
Acqua & Sapone
+ 8'12
114
Simone Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
115
Elia Viviani
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
116
Andreas Stauff
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
117
Taylor Phinney
Exxon Duke
s.t.
118
Julian Dean
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
119
Lilian Pommier
Atlas Personal
s.t.
120
Tomas Alberio
Geox - TMC
s.t.
121
Daniele Colli
Geox - TMC
s.t.
122
Marius Bernatonis
Atlas Personal
s.t.
123
Daniele Ratto
Geox - TMC
s.t.
124
Felix Rinker
Atlas Personal
+ 8'28
125
Matic Strgar
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
126
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
127
Robert Bartko
LKT Team Brandenburg
s.t.
128
Tobias Barkschat
LKT Team Brandenburg
s.t.
129
Dominik Hrinkow
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
130
Rubén Bongiorno
Amore & Vita
s.t.
131
Nicola D'Andrea
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 8'40
132
Silvan Dillier
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
133
Peter Femal
Exxon Duke
+ 10'08
134
Sébastien Minard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 12'12
135
Francesco Chicchi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 12'36
136
Davide Ricci Bitti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
137
Omar Lombardi
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
138
Alan Marangoni
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 12'48
139
Crescenzo D'Amore
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
140
Gorik Gardeyn
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 14'32
141
Grega Bole
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
142
Ramunas Navardauskas
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
143
Claudio Corioni
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
Stage 2
The second stage saw a 4 man breakaway allowed free early on, we were represented by one of our super-domestiqués, Scott Zwizanski, he was joined by 3 men including impressive Lampre climber, Bertagnolli, and 2 weaker CT riders keen to make there presence felt in the race.
The breakaway never really threatened, and as the days final climb approached, they were reeled in. The main men came forwards soon afterwards, and the attacks began, Damien Cunego was the first to launch, followed by our own Horner, Nocentini-AG2R Sagan-Liquigas and Rodriguez-Katusha.
On the climb, it seemed that Cunego, Nocentini and Sagan had less left in the tank than Rodriguez and Horner, who pulled away from the competition to fight out the stage win, and like overall GC between themselves, unfortunately Horner is not as quick as Rodriguez, when he really kicks, and in the sprint, we were forced to make do with second place, still a fine result, but a shame not to take all the spoils after such a fine climbing effort from Chris.
Stage Results
1
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
4h25'49
2
Chris Horner
Exxon Duke
s.t.
3
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 35
4
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
5
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
6
Domenico Pozzovivo
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
7
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
s.t.
8
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'06
9
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 1'27
10
David Zabriskie
Exxon Duke
+ 1'37
Spoiler
11
Alessandro Bisolti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
12
Andrea Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
13
Vladimir Miholjevic
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
14
Sergueï Ivanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
15
Simone Stortoni
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
16
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
17
Francesco Ginanni
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
18
Ruggero Marzoli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
19
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
s.t.
20
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
21
Dario Cataldo
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
22
Gianluca Mirenda
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
23
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
24
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
25
Constantino Zaballa
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
26
Yuriy Agarkov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
27
David De la Fuente
Geox - TMC
s.t.
28
David Blanco
Geox - TMC
s.t.
29
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
30
Fabio Felline
Geox - TMC
s.t.
31
Reto Hollenstein
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
32
Nikolas Maes
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
33
Anatoliy Pakthusov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
34
Federico Canuti
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
35
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
36
Gianluca Brambilla
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
37
Dmytro Grabovskyy
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
38
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
39
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
40
Diego Caccia
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
41
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
42
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
43
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
44
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
s.t.
45
Sébastien Minard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
46
Alessandro Proni
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
47
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
48
Travis Meyer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
49
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
50
Francesco Gavazzi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
51
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
52
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
53
Daniel Lloyd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
54
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
55
David Loosli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
56
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
57
Vitaliy Popkov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
58
Julian Dean
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
59
Stefan Poll
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
60
René Weissinger
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
61
Claudio Corioni
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
62
David Rosch
Atlas Personal
s.t.
63
Sep Vanmarcke
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
64
Kevin Van Impe
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
65
Andreas Stauff
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
66
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
67
Ramunas Navardauskas
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
68
Davide Ricci Bitti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
69
Marco Bandiera
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
70
Oleksandr Sheydyk
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
71
Denis Galimzyanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
72
Edoardo Girardi
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
73
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
74
Scott Zwizanski
Exxon Duke
s.t.
75
Paolo Locatelli
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
76
Santo Anza
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
77
Cristiano Benenati
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
78
Volodymyr Bileka
Amore & Vita
s.t.
79
Elia Favilli
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
80
Jonathan Fumeaux
Atlas Personal
s.t.
81
Ben Jacques-Maynes
Exxon Duke
s.t.
82
Franz Schiewer
LKT Team Brandenburg
s.t.
83
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
84
Giuseppe De Maria
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
85
Davide Cimolai
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
86
Mauro Da Dalto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
87
Peter Kusztor
Atlas Personal
s.t.
88
Sheldon Deeny
Exxon Duke
s.t.
89
Taylor Phinney
Exxon Duke
s.t.
90
Oleksandr Martynenko
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
91
Elia Viviani
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
92
Simone Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
93
Philipp Mamos
Amore & Vita
s.t.
94
Filippo Baggio
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
95
Gorik Gardeyn
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
96
Omar Lombardi
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
97
Daniele Colli
Geox - TMC
+ 4'56
98
Stefan Schäfer
LKT Team Brandenburg
s.t.
99
Omar Bertazzo
Androni Giocattoli
+ 5'13
100
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Geox - TMC
s.t.
101
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
102
Pirmin Lang
Atlas Personal
s.t.
103
Damiano Margutti
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
104
Tomas Alberio
Geox - TMC
s.t.
105
Francesco Di Paolo
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
106
Marius Bernatonis
Atlas Personal
s.t.
107
Alan Marangoni
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
108
Kristian Forbord
Amore & Vita
+ 5'37
109
Craig Lewis
Exxon Duke
s.t.
110
Federico Rocchetti
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
111
Henning Bommel
LKT Team Brandenburg
+ 5'45
112
Arkimedes Arguelyes
Katusha Team
s.t.
113
Nicolas Sanderson
Amore & Vita
s.t.
114
Francesco Chicchi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 6'17
115
Dominik Hrinkow
Team Vorarlberg
+ 7'21
116
Grega Bole
Lampre - ISD
+ 9'21
117
Fabio Duarte
Geox - TMC
+ 9'45
118
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
119
Alessandro De Marchi
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
120
Martial Roman
Atlas Personal
+ 9'53
121
Peter Femal
Exxon Duke
s.t.
122
Felix Rinker
Atlas Personal
+ 10'01
123
Fabio Piscopiello
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
124
Tobias Barkschat
LKT Team Brandenburg
+ 10'09
125
Roberto Cesaro
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
126
Robert Bartko
LKT Team Brandenburg
+ 10'17
127
Michael Weicht
LKT Team Brandenburg
s.t.
128
Lilian Pommier
Atlas Personal
+ 10'49
129
Alessandro Bertolini
Androni Giocattoli
+ 12'01
130
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 12'25
131
Matic Strgar
Team Vorarlberg
+ 12'49
132
Rubén Bongiorno
Amore & Vita
s.t.
133
Nicola D'Andrea
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 12'57
134
Stefano Pirazzi
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 16'57
135
Gabriel Rasch
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
136
Crescenzo D'Amore
Androni Giocattoli
+ 17'21
137
Giorgio Brambilla
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
+ 17'29
138
Antonio Santoro
Androni Giocattoli
+ 17'45
139
Jens Mouris
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 23'13
140
Silvan Dillier
Team Vorarlberg
+ 23'37
141
Sergiy Gretchyn
Amore & Vita
+ 25'05
General Classification
1
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
8h28'25
2
Chris Horner
Exxon Duke
+ 8
3
Alessandro Bisolti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 13
4
Reto Hollenstein
Team Vorarlberg
+ 33
5
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 47
6
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
7
David De la Fuente
Geox - TMC
+ 51
8
Domenico Pozzovivo
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 55
9
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
10
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
s.t.
Stage 3
Stage 3 saw a controlled break reeled in with ease, 15km from the line, Peter Sagan took the lead in the sprints contest today, after a fine dash to the line in front of Gianinni and Matteo Carrara, another quiet day for the side, but we remain contently tucked up in 2nd place on the GC.
1
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
5h35'52
2
Francesco Ginanni
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
3
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
5
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
6
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
s.t.
7
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
s.t.
8
Dario Cataldo
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
9
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
10
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
Stage 4
In stage 4, we once again fought our way into the break, trying to reduce the workload for the rest of the squad, Zwizanski was once again the man for the job, joining a 4 man break.
The break away was pegged by Katusha, and brought back halfway up the first major climb of the day. With only 8" in it, and today the final chance to take the race lead, Chris Horner made an attack on the second climb, but was quickly marked by Rodriguez, and Lampre were keen to stop the break succeeding, and the duo never really threatened to carry the advantage all the way to the line.
On the line, Ginanni took the victory for Androni, in front of a storming Peter Sagan, who would have won had the race been 3m longer, with Cunego taking 3rd place, a small way towards improving what has been thus far, a weak tour for the italian hills specialist.
Stage Results
1
Francesco Ginanni
Androni Giocattoli
4h23'58
2
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
3
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
4
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
5
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
6
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
7
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
8
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
9
Dario Cataldo
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
Stage 5
Stage 5 is a day for the sprinters, and both Lampre and Liquigas were keen to avoid a successful break. Sagan was looking to protect the points jersey, and Petacchi was hoping to open the account for Lampre in Sardinia. The bunch sprint was a success for Lampre, Petacchi held off the competition for the win, Deeny provided us with a nice 12th place, and Sagan took 5th to wrap up the points contest.
Stage Results
1
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
2h51'23
2
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
3
Francesco Chicchi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
5
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
6
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
7
Rubén Bongiorno
Amore & Vita
s.t.
8
Daniele Colli
Geox - TMC
s.t.
9
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
10
Nicolas Sanderson
Amore & Vita
s.t.
Final Results
General Classification
In the end, day 2 proved decisive in terms of the GC, Horner and Rodriguez did enough to take the top spots, Horner unlucky to miss out on the overall win for us, but showing very good form heading to Tirreno-Adriatico next week where he hopes to shine for us. A special mention to A.Bisolti of Androni, who managed to take 3rd overall, after being present in the successful break on day 1!
1
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
21h19'38
2
Chris Horner
Exxon Duke
+ 8
3
Alessandro Bisolti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 9
4
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 23
5
Reto Hollenstein
Team Vorarlberg
+ 33
6
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 47
7
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
8
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
9
David De la Fuente
Geox - TMC
+ 51
10
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
+ 55
Points Classification
We had no interest in the points, but Sagan was impressive throughout to take a deserved win, someone to watch in the Paris-Nice assuming he rides as planned.
1
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
74
2
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
55
3
Francesco Ginanni
Androni Giocattoli
45
4
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
42
5
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
39
6
Alessandro Bisolti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
38
7
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
34
8
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
33
9
Reto Hollenstein
Team Vorarlberg
32
10
Scott Zwizanski
Exxon Duke
30
King of the Mountains
The mountains classification is a second success for race victor Joaquin Rodriguéz, Damien Cunego made a good go of it, just 2 points behind, and Chris Horner was able to take 3rd, thanks to his second place on day 2.
1
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
26
2
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
24
3
Chris Horner
Exxon Duke
20
4
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
20
5
Scott Zwizanski
Exxon Duke
20
6
Reto Hollenstein
Team Vorarlberg
18
7
Nikolas Maes
Quick·Step Cycling Team
16
8
David De la Fuente
Geox - TMC
14
9
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
12
10
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
10
Youth Classification
Sagan was the victor in the youth contest, after looking strong throughout the entire race, Bérard spent the week working for Nocentini, but was still able to claim second place for AG2R, a fine result for him!
