The first stage was a disaster for us, but today was better, much better. First of all, we had a rider in the break (see picture). Sander Cordeel managed to grab a few points for the points classification. He and his companions were caught, unfortunately. But luckily for us, Jelle Vanendert was near the front. And he sprinted to the second place in the favourites group. However, 1 rider managed to get away, Bob Jungels. We are very happy with Jelle's third place though!



Stage:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Bob Jungels	RadioShack - Leopard	2h38'19
2	Igor Antón	Euskaltel - Euskadi	+ 33
3	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
4	Ramunas Navardauskas	Garmin - Sharp	s.t.
5	Sylvain Chavanel	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	s.t.
69	Greg Henderson	Lotto Belisol	+ 2'40
83	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
122	Dennis Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
125	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	s.t.

GC:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Bob Jungels	RadioShack - Leopard	5h44'43
2	Arnaud Demare	FDJ.fr	+ 33
3	Jorge Cristobal Riquelme	Belkin Pro Cycling Team	+ 37
4	Igor Antón	Euskaltel - Euskadi	s.t.
5	Alexander Kristoff	Katusha Team	+ 39
6	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
63	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	+ 2'45
65	Greg Henderson	Lotto Belisol	+ 2'50
116	Dennis Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
154	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	+ 7'37

Points:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Wesley Kreder	Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team	16
3	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	10
12	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	4

Mountains:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Bob Jungels	RadioShack - Leopard	16

-25:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Bob Jungels	RadioShack - Leopard	5h44'43
41	Dennis Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	+ 2'50
56	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	+ 7'37

Teams:

Rank	Team	Time
1	Team Saxo - Tinkoff	17h16'18
18	Lotto Belisol	+ 4'14

The third stage of the Tour Down Under was not an easy stage, with a lot of small hills. The original break was reeled in before the finish. Some favourites attacked, including our own Jelle Vanendert. With 1 kilometer to go, he was in front alone (see picture). Unfortunately, he did not managed to win, instead he dropped back to 20th. The sprinters were the ones who battled for victory, with Gianni Meersman being the fastest.



Stage:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Gianni Meersman	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	3h26'42
2	Adrien Hanzen	Sky Procycling	s.t.
3	Fabian Wegmann	Garmin - Sharp	s.t.
4	Moreno Moser	Cannondale Pro Cycling	s.t.
5	Jorge Cristobal Riquelme	Belkin Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
20	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
71	Greg Henderson	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
98	Dennis Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
104	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
150	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	s.t.

GC:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Bob Jungels	RadioShack - Leopard	9h11'25
2	Gianni Meersman	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	+ 33
3	Arnaud Demare	FDJ.fr	s.t.
4	Jorge Cristobal Riquelme	Belkin Pro Cycling Team	+ 37
5	Igor Antón	Euskaltel - Euskadi	s.t.
7	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	+ 39
64	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	+ 2'45
70	Greg Henderson	Lotto Belisol	+ 2'50
113	Dennis Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
149	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	+ 7'37

Points:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Wesley Kreder	Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team	16
4	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	10
16	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	4

Mountains:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Bob Jungels	RadioShack - Leopard	16

-25:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Bob Jungels	RadioShack - Leopard	9h11'25
40	Dennis Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	+ 2'50
56	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	+ 7'37

Teams:

Rank	Team	Time
1	Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team	27h36'24
18	Lotto Belisol	+ 4'14

After 2 tougher stages, today was definately going to be one for the sprinters. The break was reeled in, and the fast guys were near the front. Alexander Kristoff is today's winner (see picture). Henderson was not involved in the sprint at all and finished 60th. Due to the wind, some riders lost contact with the peleton. Luckily for us, Jelle was in the front group. Tomorrow will be the most decisive stage, with a finish at Old Willunga Hill.



Stage:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Alexander Kristoff	Katusha Team	2h47'52
2	John Degenkolb	Team Argos - Shimano	s.t.
3	Jorge Cristobal Riquelme	Belkin Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
4	Gianni Meersman	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	s.t.
5	Bernhard Eisel	Sky Procycling	s.t.
31	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
60	Greg Henderson	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
101	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
102	Dennis Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
122	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	+ 3'01

GC:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Bob Jungels	RadioShack - Leopard	11h59'17
2	Alexander Kristoff	Katusha Team	+ 29
3	Jorge Cristobal Riquelme	Belkin Pro Cycling Team	+ 33
4	Gianni Meersman	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	s.t.
5	Arnaud Demare	FDJ.fr	s.t.
9	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	+ 39
59	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	+ 2'45
66	Greg Henderson	Lotto Belisol	+ 2'50
100	Dennis Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
149	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	+ 10'38

Points:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Wesley Kreder	Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team	16
7	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	10
19	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	4

Mountains:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Bob Jungels	RadioShack - Leopard	16

-25:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Bob Jungels	RadioShack - Leopard	11h59'17
37	Dennis Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	+ 2'50
56	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	+ 10'38

Teams:

Rank	Team	Time
1	Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team	36h00'00
17	Lotto Belisol	+ 4'14

So, we ended up at the fifth and second-a-last stage of the Tour Down Under, and the toughest one in the race. With a finish at Old WIllunga's Hill, the GC would be shaken up. There was a break, which was reeled in before the double ascent. The first time, some favourites attacked, but they were all reeled in. 4 man managed to get rid of the others on the final ascent. Henao, Gasparotto, GC-leader Meersman and Moreno. The last one won today's stage. Jelle Vanendert came home solo in fifth place (see picture), and moved him to 6th place in the GC. Tomorrow is the last stage, a flat criterium in Adelaide.



Stage:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Daniel Moreno	Katusha Team	3h17'45
2	Enrico Gasparotto	Astana Pro Team	s.t.
3	Sergio Henao	Sky Procycling	s.t.
4	Gianni Meersman	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	s.t.
5	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	+ 16
57	Dennis Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	+ 1'45
61	Greg Henderson	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
109	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
133	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	+ 4'58

GC:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Gianni Meersman	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	15h17'35
2	Daniel Moreno	Katusha Team	s.t.
3	Bob Jungels	RadioShack - Leopard	+ 3
4	Enrico Gasparotto	Astana Pro Team	+ 4
5	Sergio Henao	Sky Procycling	+ 6
6	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	+ 22
63	Greg Henderson	Lotto Belisol	+ 4'02
89	Dennis Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
110	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	+ 7'10
139	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	+ 11'50

Points:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Wesley Kreder	Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team	16
9	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	10
22	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	4

Mountains:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Daniel Moreno	Katusha Team	32
6	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	12

-25:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Bob Jungels	RadioShack - Leopard	15h17'38
34	Dennis Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	+ 3'59
52	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	+ 11'47

Teams:

Rank	Team	Time
1	Katusha Team	45h54'27
16	Lotto Belisol	+ 6'48

After all the battles yesterday, there was one flat stage left in Australia. A criterium around Adelaide should confirm the GC and the other classifications. And, as expected, it became a sprinters stage. The stage was won by Alexander Kristoff (see picture), grabbing his second stage victory. Gregory dissapointed again, this time with a 25th place. Jelle Vanendert kept his 6th place in the GC, which means we have passed our goal!



Stage:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Alexander Kristoff	Katusha Team	1h51'42
2	John Degenkolb	Team Argos - Shimano	s.t.
3	Adrien Hanzen	Sky Procycling	s.t.
4	Gianni Meersman	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	s.t.
5	Arnaud Demare	FDJ.fr	s.t.
25	Greg Henderson	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
44	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
69	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
70	Dennis Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
91	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.

Final GC:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Gianni Meersman	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	17h09'17
2	Daniel Moreno	Katusha Team	s.t.
3	Bob Jungels	RadioShack - Leopard	+ 3
4	Enrico Gasparotto	Astana Pro Team	+ 4
5	Sergio Henao	Sky Procycling	+ 6
6	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	+ 22
7	Alexander Kristoff	Katusha Team	s.t.
8	Jorge Cristobal Riquelme	Belkin Pro Cycling Team	+ 25
9	Igor Antón	Euskaltel - Euskadi	+ 29
10	Fabian Wegmann	Garmin - Sharp	+ 42
64	Greg Henderson	Lotto Belisol	+ 4'02
86	Dennis Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
110	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	+ 7'10
139	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	+ 11'50

Final points:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Alexander Kristoff	Katusha Team	20
2	Preben Van Hecke	Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise	18
3	Michal Golas	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	16
12	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	10
25	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	4

Final mountains:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Daniel Moreno	Katusha Team	32
2	Christopher Butler	Champion System Pro Cycling Team	28
3	Preben Van Hecke	Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise	22
8	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	12

Final -25:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Bob Jungels	RadioShack - Leopard	17h09'20
2	Jorge Cristobal Riquelme	Belkin Pro Cycling Team	+ 22
3	Rudy Verboven	Euskaltel - Euskadi	+ 43
31	Dennis Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	+ 3'59
52	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	+ 11'47

Final teams:

Rank	Team	Time
1	Katusha Team	51h29'33
2	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	+ 46
3	Astana Pro Team	+ 1'32
16	Lotto Belisol	+ 6'48

So, we enter a quiet period after the Tour Down Under. Our next race is Omloop het Nieuwsblad, which is not close yet. So, in the mean time we are still planning on the squads for the rest of the season. And we made a major breaktrough. We have decided our leader for the Tour. Who is it?



Our team will be focused on the sprints, with an free role for a climber. There are currently 2 candidates: Bart de Clercq and Jurgen van den Broeck. Jurgen is not happy that he won't be the leader, but we've offered him the leading role in the Vuelta instead. We are still awaiting his answer. If hes says yes, Bart will go to the Tour.

After a quet period, we are back on the road! The Tour Down Under was pretty succesful, and we hope to do the same for our next 3 races on the calendar. These are Omloop het Nieuwsblad, Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne and Clasica de Almeria

Omloop het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne:

Lars Bak
Gaëtan Bille
Jens Debusschere
André Greipel
Jürgen Roelandts
Marcel Sieberg
Jonas Vangenechten
Frederik Willems

We are sending a good squad to Belgium. Not only because we want to do well in our home-country, but also because our sponsers want a top-3 in KBK. We have no real leader, but we think Bak and Roelandts can perform very good. And if the race will end n a mass-sprint, we have one of the best in the world: Andre Greipel!

Clascia de Almeria:

Sander Cordeel
Kenny Dehaes
Gert Dockx
Alex Fischer
Adam Hansen
Vicente Reynès
Jelle Vanendert
Tim Wellens

While they are riding in cold Belgum, a few other riders are looking for something nicer. They are going to sunny Spain, for a small continental race. Our leader there will be Jelle Vanendert, who will ride here after a good TDU. Alex Fischer will make his debut in professional cycling.

After a short break, it's time to get going again! A small continental one-day race in Spain was next on our menu, the Cláscia de Almería. Kenny Dehaes was rated as an outsider for the sprint, but we also went for 2 strong hilly riders (Jelle Vanendert and Alex Fischer, who made his debut here). The race ended in a sprint, so we brought Kenny into a good position. He did well, finishing 5th. The race was won by Willem Brouwer (see picture).



Results:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Willem Brouwer	Belkin Pro Cycling Team	4h17'32
2	Kris Boeckmans	Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
3	Gerald Ciolek	MTN - Qhubeka	s.t.
4	Juan José Lobato	Euskaltel - Euskadi	s.t.
5	Kenny Dehaes	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
6	José Joaquín Rojas	Movistar Team	s.t.
7	Matthew Brammeier	Champion System Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
8	Mark Renshaw	Belkin Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
9	Diego Rosa	Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela	s.t.
10	André Cardoso	Caja Rural - Seguros RGA	s.t.
24	Vicente Reynès	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
29	Tim Wellens	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
38	Adam Hansen	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
52	Gert Dockx	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
61	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
63	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
77	Alex Fischer	Lotto Belisol	s.t.

It's time to begin our season in Belgium, and that's traditionally with the Omloop het Nieuwsblad. We've brought a strong team here, with Greipel, Roelandts and Bak. However, with people like Boonen and Cancellara present here, we didn't expect a victory. And we were right, because the Belgian won the race (see picture). Our best placed rider was Jürgen, who finished 7th. André dissapointed a bit, because he lost the sprint in his group against Degenkolb.



Results:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Tom Boonen	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step	5h10'45
2	Lue Khamse Khamphan	Team Europcar	s.t.
3	Fabian Cancellara	RadioShack - Leopard	s.t.
4	Erik McDermott	Team Saxo - Tinkoff	s.t.
5	Geraint Thomas	Sky Procycling	s.t.
6	Matti Breschel	Team Saxo - Tinkoff	s.t.
7	Jürgen Roelandts	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
8	Nick Nuyens	Garmin - Sharp	s.t.
9	Sep Vanmarcke	Belkin Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
10	Alessandro Ballan	BMC Racing Team	s.t.
27	André Greipel	Lotto Belisol	+ 6'08
31	Jens Debusschere	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
36	Gaetan Bille	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
37	Marcel Sieberg	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
43	Lars Ytting Bak	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
51	Frederik Willems	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
75	Jonas Vangenechten	Lotto Belisol	+ 7'28

Wait, what. But Omloop was yesterday, right? Well, I must have been dreaming then. But my dream was strangely close to the reality, because Boonen won (see picture). Roelandts finished 10th instead of 7th in a very close sprint, but that doesn't really matter.



Results:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Tom Boonen	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step	5h15'01
2	Erik McDermott	Team Saxo - Tinkoff	s.t.
3	Lue Khamse Khamphan	Team Europcar	s.t.
4	Lars Boom	Belkin Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
5	Taylor Phinney	BMC Racing Team	s.t.
6	Sep Vanmarcke	Belkin Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
7	Fabian Cancellara	RadioShack - Leopard	s.t.
8	Edvald Boasson Hagen	Sky Procycling	s.t.
9	Zdenek Stybar	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step	s.t.
10	Jürgen Roelandts	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
38	Lars Ytting Bak	Lotto Belisol	+ 9'29
51	Jens Debusschere	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
53	André Greipel	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
56	Marcel Sieberg	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
72	Jonas Vangenechten	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
109	Frederik Willems	Lotto Belisol	+ 11'23
117	Gaetan Bille	Lotto Belisol	+ 17'33

Usually,KBK takes place 1 day after the Omloop but they are on the same date this year. However, our selected riders (Greipel, Roelandts and others) managed to ride both races, so we could hunt down our goal: a top-3 finish. The latter dissapointed, by finishing outside the top-100. But the German, he did very well. He was in the first group, sprinting against Boasson Hagen and fellow German Degenkolb (see picture). Who won? André, of course! We have our first victory of the season! Which can only mean one thing!




Results:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	André Greipel	Lotto Belisol	4h23'13
2	Edvald Boasson Hagen	Sky Procycling	s.t.
3	John Degenkolb	Team Argos - Shimano	s.t.
4	Oscar Gatto	Vini Fantini - Selle Italia	s.t.
5	Giacomo Nizzolo	RadioShack - Leopard	s.t.
6	Jempy Drucker	Accent Jobs - Wanty	s.t.
7	David Millar	Garmin - Sharp	s.t.
8	Ioannis Tamouridis	Euskaltel - Euskadi	s.t.
9	Cyril Lemoine	Sojasun	s.t.
10	Kevin Hulsmans	Vini Fantini - Selle Italia	s.t.
97	Lars Ytting Bak	Lotto Belisol	+ 6'43
98	Jens Debusschere	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
99	Marcel Sieberg	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
100	Gaetan Bille	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
101	Jonas Vangenechten	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
102	Jürgen Roelandts	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
104	Frederik Willems	Lotto Belisol	s.t.

Back to the WT again. It's time for Paris-Nice. Here's our startlist:

Sander Cordeel
Gert Dockx
Alex Fischer
Greg Henderson
Maarten Neyens
Jürgen Van de Walle
Jurgen Van Den Broeck
Tim Wellens

Our goal here is a top-10 in the GC, so Jurgen is here. The race features a prologue, a MTT and some hilly/mountain stages. The first stage, a prologue, was today. Vd Broeck was our best man, finishing 28th. Unfortunately, nobody took a picture of one of our riders, so we'll just have a picture of the winner, Sylvain Chavanel.



Stage and GC:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Sylvain Chavanel	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	3'49
2	Michał Kwiatkowski	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	+ 2
3	Jordan Birtles	Cofidis, Solutions Crédits	+ 3
4	Lieuwe Westra	Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
5	Chris Froome	Sky Procycling	s.t.
28	Jurgen Van den Broeck	Lotto Belisol	+ 8
70	Greg Henderson	Lotto Belisol	+ 13
111	Tim Wellens	Lotto Belisol	+ 17
113	Maarten Neyens	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
123	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
130	Jürgen Van de Walle	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
138	Gert Dockx	Lotto Belisol	+ 18
174	Alex Fischer	Lotto Belisol	+ 22

Points:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Sylvain Chavanel	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	25

-25:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Michał Kwiatkowski	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	3'51
38	Tim Wellens	Lotto Belisol	+ 15
48	Gert Dockx	Lotto Belisol	+ 16
62	Alex Fischer	Lotto Belisol	+ 20

Teams:

Rank	Team	Time
1	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	11'37
21	Lotto Belisol	+ 28

After a quiet first stage here in France, we decided that we should get some TV-time in the second stage. So we did, with Dockx in the break (see picture). However, due to a small miscommunication, he dropped out of it. Luckily, he managed to rejoin later on. The break couldn't hold on, so it was time for the sprinters. We think Greg was very badly positioned, because he finished 63th. Kittel was the best.



Stage:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Marcel Kittel	Team Argos - Shimano	4h12'03
2	Tom Boonen	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	s.t.
3	Nacer Bouhanni	FDJ.fr	s.t.
4	Gianni Meersman	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	s.t.
5	William Bonnet	FDJ.fr	s.t.
24	Jurgen Van den Broeck	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
63	Greg Henderson	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
103	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
127	Tim Wellens	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
135	Gert Dockx	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
157	Alex Fischer	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
164	Jürgen Van de Walle	Lotto Belisol	+ 3'07
169	Maarten Neyens	Lotto Belisol	s.t.

GC:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Sylvain Chavanel	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	4h15'52
2	Marcel Kittel	Team Argos - Shimano	+ 1
3	Michał Kwiatkowski	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	+ 2
4	Chris Froome	Sky Procycling	+ 3
5	Lieuwe Westra	Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
21	Jurgen Van den Broeck	Lotto Belisol	+ 8
64	Greg Henderson	Lotto Belisol	+ 13
111	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	+ 17
112	Tim Wellens	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
122	Gert Dockx	Lotto Belisol	+ 18
150	Alex Fischer	Lotto Belisol	+ 22
165	Maarten Neyens	Lotto Belisol	+ 3'24
166	Jürgen Van de Walle	Lotto Belisol	+ 3'25

Points:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Sylvain Chavanel	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	36

Mountains:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Julian Kern	AG2R La Mondiale	4

-25:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Marcel Kittel	Team Argos - Shimano	4h15'53
37	Tim Wellens	Lotto Belisol	+ 16
41	Gert Dockx	Lotto Belisol	+ 17
51	Alex Fischer	Lotto Belisol	+ 21

Teams:

Rank	Team	Time
1	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	12h47'46
20	Lotto Belisol	+ 28

While 8 riders are busy doing nothing in France, 8 riders will do nothing in Italy. Here's our startlist for the Tirreno-Adriatico:

Dirk Bellemakers
Brian Bulgac
Bart De Clercq
Kenny Dehaes
Joost van Leijen
Frederique Robert
Tosh Van der Sande
Pieter de Vries

We have no ambition at all here, with the only highlight being Pieter's debut in professional cycling. And our intention were made very clear in the opening TTT (see picture), because we finished last.



Stage:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	20'58
2	Garmin - Sharp	+ 1
3	BMC Racing Team	+ 2
4	Movistar Team	+ 6
5	Belkin Pro Cycling	+ 9
24	Lotto Belisol	+ 52

GC:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Jaxton McNutt	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	20'58
2	Tony Martin	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	s.t.
3	Peter Velits	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	s.t.
4	Kristof Vandewalle	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	s.t.
5	Mark Cavendish	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	s.t.
182	Pieter De Vries	Lotto Belisol	+ 52
183	Dirk Bellemakers	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
184	Kenny Dehaes	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
185	Joost Van Leijen	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
186	Brian Bulgac	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
189	Bart De Clercq	Lotto Belisol	+ 55
191	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	+ 57
192	Tosh Van der Sande	Lotto Belisol	+ 1'00

We hope that we can do better in the second stage in Italy, after a very bad TTT. The best thing we could do was placing someone in the break, so we tried. Tosh managed to sneak into one (see picture), but was reeled in later. The real break was also reeled in before the finish line. The mass sprint was won by Degenkolb, with Kenny finishing in 12th.



Stage:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	John Degenkolb	Team Argos - Shimano	5h53'10
2	Mark Cavendish	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	s.t.
3	Gerald Ciolek	MTN - Qhubeka	s.t.
4	Edvald Boasson Hagen	Sky Procycling	s.t.
5	Fabian Brookes	Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox	s.t.
12	Kenny Dehaes	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
114	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
129	Bart De Clercq	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
154	Joost Van Leijen	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
160	Brian Bulgac	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
164	Dirk Bellemakers	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
166	Tosh Van der Sande	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
181	Pieter De Vries	Lotto Belisol	s.t.

GC:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Mark Cavendish	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	6h14'02
2	Marco Pinotti	BMC Racing Team	+ 4
3	Peter Velits	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	+ 6
4	Jaxton McNutt	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	s.t.
5	Tony Martin	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	s.t.
177	Kenny Dehaes	Lotto Belisol	+ 58
179	Joost Van Leijen	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
180	Brian Bulgac	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
181	Dirk Bellemakers	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
182	Pieter De Vries	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
184	Bart De Clercq	Lotto Belisol	+ 1'01
186	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	+ 1'03
187	Tosh Van der Sande	Lotto Belisol	+ 1'06

Points:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	John Degenkolb	Team Argos - Shimano	12

Mountains:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Maxim Belkov	Katusha Team	5

-25:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Jaxton McNutt	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	6h14'08

Teams:

Rank	Team	Time
1	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	18h00'28

If you were watching stage 3 of Paris-Nice and if you were hoping to see one of our riders shine, you propably fell asleep. We did nothing today, not in the break, not in the mass sprint. Greg finished 54th, and was somehow beaten by Tim, who finished in a respectable 18th place. The winner was Marcel Kittel (see picture), although Bouhanni thought he was the winner..



Stage:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Marcel Kittel	Team Argos - Shimano	4h27'38
2	Nacer Bouhanni	FDJ.fr	s.t.
3	Gianni Meersman	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	s.t.
4	Peter Pal	FDJ.fr	s.t.
5	Willem Brouwer	Belkin Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
18	Tim Wellens	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
32	Jurgen Van den Broeck	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
54	Greg Henderson	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
128	Alex Fischer	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
158	Gert Dockx	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
164	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
170	Maarten Neyens	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
186	Jürgen Van de Walle	Lotto Belisol	s.t.

GC:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Marcel Kittel	Team Argos - Shimano	8h43'25
2	Sylvain Chavanel	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	+ 5
3	Michał Kwiatkowski	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	+ 7
4	Chris Froome	Sky Procycling	+ 8
5	Lieuwe Westra	Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
22	Jurgen Van den Broeck	Lotto Belisol	+ 13
64	Greg Henderson	Lotto Belisol	+ 18
104	Tim Wellens	Lotto Belisol	+ 22
112	Sander Cordeel	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
123	Gert Dockx	Lotto Belisol	+ 23
149	Alex Fischer	Lotto Belisol	+ 27
165	Maarten Neyens	Lotto Belisol	+ 3'29
166	Jürgen Van de Walle	Lotto Belisol	+ 3'30

Points:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Marcel Kittel	Team Argos - Shimano	52

Mountains:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Julian Kern	AG2R La Mondiale	4

-25:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Marcel Kittel	Team Argos - Shimano	8h43'25
34	Tim Wellens	Lotto Belisol	+ 22
41	Gert Dockx	Lotto Belisol	+ 23
52	Alex Fischer	Lotto Belisol	+ 27

Teams:

Rank	Team	Time
1	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	26h10'40
21	Lotto Belisol	+ 28

I guess the title says enough, with our best rider in 84th. Ciolek won (see picture)



Stage:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Gerald Ciolek	MTN - Qhubeka	4h08'26
2	John Degenkolb	Team Argos - Shimano	s.t.
3	Edvald Boasson Hagen	Sky Procycling	s.t.
4	Giacomo Nizzolo	RadioShack - Leopard	s.t.
5	Peter Sagan	Cannondale Pro Cycling	s.t.
84	Kenny Dehaes	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
95	Brian Bulgac	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
124	Bart De Clercq	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
162	Dirk Bellemakers	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
179	Tosh Van der Sande	Lotto Belisol	+ 4'09
180	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
184	Joost Van Leijen	Lotto Belisol	+ 5'08
187	Pieter De Vries	Lotto Belisol	+ 5'42

GC:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Mark Cavendish	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	10h22'25
2	Marco Pinotti	BMC Racing Team	+ 7
3	Peter Velits	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	+ 9
4	John Degenkolb	Team Argos - Shimano	s.t.
5	Tony Martin	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	s.t.
155	Kenny Dehaes	Lotto Belisol	+ 1'01
157	Brian Bulgac	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
158	Dirk Bellemakers	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
160	Bart De Clercq	Lotto Belisol	+ 1'04
181	Frederique Robert	Lotto Belisol	+ 5'15
182	Tosh Van der Sande	Lotto Belisol	+ 5'18
184	Joost Van Leijen	Lotto Belisol	+ 6'09
186	Pieter De Vries	Lotto Belisol	+ 6'43

Points:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	John Degenkolb	Team Argos - Shimano	24

Mountains:

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Francesco Reda	Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela	5

-25:

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	John Degenkolb	Team Argos - Shimano	10h22'34

Teams:

Rank	Team	Time
1	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	30h25'46