The first stage of the Giro del Capo, a South - African Tour, is a prologue, covering six kilometres. Chtioui is training for a good form, but is not in top condition yet. Despite that, we count on him for a good result in this first short stage. Ben Nasser does not start here, his form peak is over. The race gets started, our riders are performing very bad. No-one of our helpers is able to get a place within the top - 100. But then Chtioui starts. He rides a decent race and ends up in 8th position, with a time only 10 seconds more than the race winner, Peter Velits of the German Wiesenhof team.
Stage result:
1 Peter Velits TEAM WIESENHOF - FELT 10'01
2 Nicolas White MICROSOFT SA CYCLINGTEAM + 4
3 James Lewis Perry BARLOWORLD + 6 8 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 10
115 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 42
121 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 44
123 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 45
130 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 49
132 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 50
General classification:
1 Peter Velits TEAM WIESENHOF - FELT 10'01
2 Nicolas White MICROSOFT SA CYCLINGTEAM + 4
3 James Lewis Perry BARLOWORLD + 6 8 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 10
115 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 42
121 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 44
123 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 45
130 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 49
132 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 50
Stage 2
The second stage has a length of 130 kilometres and it finishes on a cobblestone uphill section. This stage is nothing for sprinters and our riders won't compete for victory too. We hope Chtioui can hold on his good position in general classification though. He doesn't succeed in that, only finishin 84th, 8 minutes behind race winner Vanendert, who could beat Hackl (Team Swiag) the last meters before the finishing line. Well, this roads are no difficulty for Belgians of course.
Stage result:
1 Jelle Vanendert CHOCOLADE JACQUES - TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN 3h22'59
2 Patrick Hackl TEAM SWIAG TEKA s.t.
3 Paolo Longo Borghini BARLOWORLD + 16 84 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 8'03
95 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 8'43
122 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 10'59
127 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 11'31
128 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
131 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 11'39
General classification:
1 Jelle Vanendert CHOCOLADE JACQUES - TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN 3h32'47
2 Patrick Hackl TEAM SWIAG TEKA + 40
3 Tom Stubbe CHOCOLADE JACQUES - TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN + 44 79 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 8'26
98 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 9'38
124 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 12'01
129 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 12'28
132 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 12'34
133 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 12'37
Stage 3
Another difficult stage today, only 120 kilometres but with a difficult hill. Chtioui attacks early in the race and he gets some other riders with him in the break away group. They are sadly taken back way before the line, and on the descend of the hill Chtioui also crashes. He will feel the wounds for the next couple of days... Vanendert takes another victory and secures his leading position in the general classification.
Stage result:
1 Jelle Vanendert CHOCOLADE JACQUES - TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN 3h19'06
2 Paolo Longo Borghini BARLOWORLD s.t.
3 Peter Velits TEAM WIESENHOF - FELT s.t. 105 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 4'56
107 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 8'15
122 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 11'42
123 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
134 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 13'58
137 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 16'22
General classification:
1 Jelle Vanendert CHOCOLADE JACQUES - TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN 6h51'33
2 Peter Velits TEAM WIESENHOF - FELT + 57
3 Patrick Hackl TEAM SWIAG TEKA + 1'00 94 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 14'54
105 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 17'01
127 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 24'30
128 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 24'36
132 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 26'55
134 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 28'43
Again no chances for the sprinters in this stage, because the last kilometres of this stage (130 km) are up - hill. No rider of our team is in the early break, because we do not have the men for it this time. Chtioui is recovering from his fall yesterday and the other riders are not strong enough and do not have the form needed to compete for the win. The actual break away is too strong for the peloton, which works very hard but just cannot come closer to the men in the front. Because of that, there is a little succes for Tunesie, because someone of the military team of our country, Tarek Maali, wins this race. Fatnassi is the best rider of our selection this day, he finishes a minute after the peloton.
Stage result:
1 Tarek Maali AS MILITAIRE TUNÉSIENNE 3h18'03
2 Valeri Dmitrijev CYCLING TEAM CAPEC s.t.
3 Mouhssine Lahsaini TEAM MAROC s.t. 88 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 2'25
94 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
108 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 2'41
133 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 5'53
136 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 8'49
137 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 8'57
General classification:
1 Jelle Vanendert CHOCOLADE JACQUES - TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN 10h10'38
2 Fabrizio Guidi BARLOWORLD + 28
3 Valeri Dmitrijev CYCLING TEAM CAPEC + 51 104 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 18'24
110 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 19'45
126 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 25'59
127 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 26'09
134 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 34'42
135 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 36'38
Stage result:
1 Peter Herzig FRF COURIERS - NSWIS 6'47
2 Kjetil Ingvaldsen TEAM SPAREBANKEN VEST s.t.
3 Robert Lyte FRF COURIERS - NSWIS s.t. 15 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 5
47 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 13
109 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 20
113 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 24
126 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
134 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 32
General classification:
1 Jelle Vanendert CHOCOLADE JACQUES - TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN 10h17'26
2 Fabrizio Guidi BARLOWORLD + 36
3 Peter Velits TEAM WIESENHOF - FELT + 57 103 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 18'28
109 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 19'57
126 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 26'22
127 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 26'28
134 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 35'13
135 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 37'01
Stage 6
The final stage of this Tour is a nearly flat circuit through the streets of Capetown. The two little hills which are included in this course will not be any problem for most riders. As expected, the stage ends up in a mass sprint, in which Lund proves to be the best. No one of our team ends up higher than place 99 in the general classification, so this was a Tour to quickly forget, despite the decent results of Chtioui in two stages.
Stage result:
1 Anders Lund TEAM SPAREBANKEN VEST 2h39'08
2 Joseph Cooper DISCOVERY CHANNEL MARCO POLO CYCLING TEAM s.t.
3 Neil MacDonald MICROSOFT SA CYCLINGTEAM s.t. 47 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
110 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
130 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 3'04
131 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
136 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 5'35
137 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 8'31
General classification:
1 Jelle Vanendert CHOCOLADE JACQUES - TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN 12h56'34
2 Fabrizio Guidi BARLOWORLD + 36
3 Peter Velits TEAM WIESENHOF - FELT + 57
4 Douglas Ryder MICROSOFT SA CYCLINGTEAM + 1'05
5 Valeri Dmitrijev CYCLING TEAM CAPEC + 1'07
6 Nicolas White MICROSOFT SA CYCLINGTEAM + 1'09
7 Tom Stubbe CHOCOLADE JACQUES - TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN + 1'12
8 Patrick Hackl TEAM SWIAG TEKA + 1'16
9 Tarek Maali AS MILITAIRE TUNÉSIENNE + 1'25
10 Paolo Longo Borghini BARLOWORLD + 1'31 99 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 18'28
104 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 19'57
129 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 29'26
130 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 29'32
134 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 40'48
137 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 45'32
Points classification:
1 Peter Velits TEAM WIESENHOF - FELT 78
2 Jelle Vanendert CHOCOLADE JACQUES - TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN 75
3 Joseph Cooper DISCOVERY CHANNEL MARCO POLO CYCLING TEAM 47 33 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE 9
Mountain classification:
1 Patrick Hackl TEAM SWIAG TEKA 30
2 Mouhcine Rhaili TEAM MAROC 20
3 Yaser Elshamt TEAM EGYPT 18 4 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE 18Edited by Arnout on 07-03-2008 16:19
In the Giro del Capo were some European teams, but in this Tour de Libya only Altipower is a non - African team. It's also an extremely small peloton, only 63 riders will start in this first stage. That means breakaways have a big chance of succes! But we thought otherwise. The only difficult stage in Libya is the time trial, and that's where we brought Chtioui for. He is in good form by now and if he can win that time trial, maybe he can win the Tour de Libya too!
The first stage is a normal stage of 120 kilometres and thanks to our work it all ends up in a bunch sprint. If a break away succeeds in stage 1, it will be very difficult to win the Tour for us. The sprint was an easy job for Dutchman Bastiaan Krol.
Stage result:
1 Bastiaan Krol ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM 3h06'52
2 Sadrack Teguimaha TEAM SNH s.t.
3 Matthew Wood ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM s.t. 16 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
52 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
57 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 2'04
61 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 3'16
62 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 6'36
63 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 10'04
General classification:
1 Bastiaan Krol ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM 3h06'32
2 Sadrack Teguimaha TEAM SNH + 8
3 Adnane Aarbia TEAM MAROC s.t. 17 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 20
52 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
58 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 2'24
61 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 3'36
62 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 6'56
63 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 10'24
Stage 2
Also the second stage will, on paper, end in a mass sprint. The few hills in the beginning of this stage will not be any problem for anyone. But stages are not played on paper, and in real life everything was different. Chtioui tried to break away not far of the finishing line, on a little slope. He was taken back, but the man following him succeeded. Teguimaha wins this stage and is also the new leader in this Tour. Thanks to the willingness of Chtioui...
Stage result:
1 Sadrack Teguimaha TEAM SNH 3h32'24
2 Abdoul Wahab Sawadogo PORT AUTONOME DE LOMÉ + 30
3 Mouhcine Rhaili TEAM MAROC s.t. 50 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
51 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
52 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
54 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
59 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 4'28
60 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 5'24
General classification:
1 Sadrack Teguimaha TEAM SNH 6h38'44
2 Bastiaan Krol ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM + 42
3 Abdoul Wahab Sawadogo PORT AUTONOME DE LOMÉ + 50 36 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1'02
49 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
54 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 3'06
58 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 4'18
62 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 12'32
63 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 15'04
Stage 3
This stage of 170 kilometres is totally flat, and ends up in a sprint. Wood beats Rouamba with a very small difference.
Stage result:
1 Matthew Wood ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM 4h04'40
2 Saidou Rouamba PORT AUTONOME DE LOMÉ s.t.
3 Sadrack Teguimaha TEAM SNH s.t. 43 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
44 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
45 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
46 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
51 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1'27
59 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 3'28
Algemeen klassement:
1 Sadrack Teguimaha TEAM SNH 10h43'16
2 Matthew Wood ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM + 36
3 Bastiaan Krol ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM + 50 37 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1'10
41 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
51 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 3'14
52 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 4'26
61 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 14'07
63 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 18'40
Stage 4
The 4th stage is again flat, the last 20 kilometres are even a little bit downhill. Everyone expects a new group sprint, but the break away group tries to prevent that. Chtioui, who has to defend his good place, attacks just before the road goes downhill. He gets Krol, winner of stage 1, with him and together they reach the early leaders. It is Chtioui who is doing all the work though. Both pass the break away group and noone of them is able to follow. They will all be swallowed up by the peloton, but Chtioui is doing great. In the final sprint is is, of course, too weak to make any chance, but he wins some time here! His morale will be good for tomorrow, the most important stage of this Tour!
Stage result:
1 Bastiaan Krol ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM 3h17'35
2 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
3 Hichem Dridi AS MILITAIRE TUNÉSIENNE + 25 58 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
59 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
60 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
61 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
62 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
General classification:
1 Sadrack Teguimaha TEAM SNH 14h01'16
2 Bastiaan Krol ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM + 5 3 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 33
40 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1'10
50 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 3'14
51 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 4'26
60 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 14'07
62 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 18'40
Stage result: 1 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE 34'55
2 Thijs Poelstra ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM + 44
3 Jeremy Maartens CSC - MARCELLO + 46 13 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1'26
16 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1'27
17 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1'28
21 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1'42
28 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1'48
General classification: 1 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE 14h36'44
2 Sadrack Teguimaha TEAM SNH + 1'03
3 Matthew Wood ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM + 1'10 16 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 2'04
48 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 4'07
51 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 5'21
60 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 15'16
62 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 19'55
Stage 6
Stage 6 is a flat stage of a little less than 120 kilometres and will be no problem for Chtioui. He is doing his job with finishing in the belly of the peloton. Bastiaan Krol wins his third stage.
Stage result:
1 Bastiaan Krol ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM 2h51'00
2 Sadrack Teguimaha TEAM SNH s.t.
3 Mouhcine Rhaili TEAM MAROC s.t. 42 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
43 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
45 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
48 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
50 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
53 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
General classification: 1 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE 17h27'44
2 Sadrack Teguimaha TEAM SNH + 51
3 Bastiaan Krol ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM + 57 16 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 2'04
45 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 4'07
48 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 5'21
59 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 15'16
61 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 19'55
Stage result:
1 Abdoul Wahab Sawadogo PORT AUTONOME DE LOMÉ 3h47'11
2 Sadrack Teguimaha TEAM SNH s.t.
3 Mouhcine Rhaili TEAM MAROC s.t. 47 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
48 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
49 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
50 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
59 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 3'55
60 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
General classification: 1 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE 21h14'55
2 Sadrack Teguimaha TEAM SNH + 39
3 Bastiaan Krol ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM + 57
4 Abdoul Wahab Sawadogo PORT AUTONOME DE LOMÉ + 1'08
5 Matthew Wood ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM + 1'10
6 Thijs Poelstra ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM + 1'21
7 Jeremy Maartens CSC - MARCELLO + 1'23
8 Saidou Rouamba PORT AUTONOME DE LOMÉ + 1'26
9 Mouhcine Rhaili TEAM MAROC + 1'29
10 David Kattenstroth MERIDA EUROPE TEAM + 1'46 16 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 2'04
45 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 4'07
47 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 5'21
60 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 19'11
61 Wajdi Dridi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 23'50
Points classification:
1 Sadrack Teguimaha TEAM SNH 104
2 Bastiaan Krol ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM 95
3 Mouhcine Rhaili TEAM MAROC 92 7 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE 45
37 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE 3
Mountain classification:
1 Hichem Dridi AS MILITAIRE TUNÉSIENNE 36
2 Valentin Holz MERIDA EUROPE TEAM 34
3 Idrissa Ouedraogo TEAM BURKINA FASO 28 13 Rafaâ Chtioui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE 6
In the Tour de Maroc we will participate without our two team leaders, Chtioui and Ben Nasser. We do not expect too much of this Tour, though the sponsor wants us to get a top - 10 classification. Well, they can just dream on. The only rider who possibly can compete for such a good place is "Best of the rest" roder Barchouchi.
The first stage is only 70 kilometres in length, but it is also a hard stage. 12 times the riders have to climb the same cobblehill and our riders won't make a chance for the victory this day. Also no one of our team is so smart to jump across to get in the break away. And of course, we do not see the attackers back. Tekou Fokou wins the stage and, more important, our Merdassi, Barchouchi and Fatnassi ended up in the peloton. Missaoui finishes last...
Stage result:
1 Damien Tekou Fokou TEAM SNH 2h14'50
2 Karem Ahmed TEAM EGYPT s.t.
3 Julien Guay VENDÉE U - PAYS DE LA LOIRE s.t. 33 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1'14
39 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
42 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
71 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 5'12
83 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 9'04
General classification:
1 Damien Tekou Fokou TEAM SNH 2h14'30
2 Karem Ahmed TEAM EGYPT + 8
3 Julien Guay VENDÉE U - PAYS DE LA LOIRE + 12 33 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1'34
39 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
42 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
71 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 5'32
83 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 9'24
Stage 2
The second stage is also short, 85 kilometres, and this time there are no major difficulties. Fatnassi succeeds in his aim to be in the break of the day. This group reach the finishing line earlier than the peloton, despite the hard working of several teams. Fatnassi does not have a good sprint yet, the only way to win is attack in the last kilometres! He tries, but does not succeed. He even cannot be solo in the front for 1 second. In the final sprint Fatnassi ends up fourth, still a good result for him.
Stage result:
1 Valentin Holz MERIDA EUROPE TEAM 1h58'39
2 Bilel Aouiy AS MILITAIRE TUNÉSIENNE s.t.
3 Yaser Elshamt TEAM EGYPT s.t. 4 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
73 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1'12
78 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
79 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
81 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
General classification:
1 Said Ennadifi TEAM MAROC 4h14'00
2 Valentin Holz MERIDA EUROPE TEAM + 19
3 Damien Tekou Fokou TEAM SNH + 21 12 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 43
59 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1'55
62 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
75 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 5'53
83 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 9'45
Stage 3
The third stage is again more difficult, we ride a circuit of 8 rounds (in total 150 km), with a hill in it. Fatnassi will have to end up in peloton to have a little chance for a top - 10 spot. He has to fight for it, but at least he succeeds! The early attackers were taken back just before the finish, but they could still fight for victory. Mohamed Said El Ammoury finishes first and thus holding this victory in his own country!
Stage result:
1 Mohamed Said El Ammoury TEAM MAROC 3h52'43
2 Tarek Maali AS MILITAIRE TUNÉSIENNE s.t.
3 Steven Thomas PICTOFLEX - THOMPSON - HYUNDAI s.t. 52 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
60 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 2'56
71 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 3'44
80 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 8'40
81 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
General classification:
1 Said Ennadifi TEAM MAROC 8h06'43
2 Valentin Holz MERIDA EUROPE TEAM + 19
3 Damien Tekou Fokou TEAM SNH + 21 11 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 43
59 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 4'51
64 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 5'39
79 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 14'33
83 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 18'25
Stage 4
The fourth stage has two not so small hills in its course. The first climb is very difficult for Fatnassi, but the second is luckily a piece of cake. It is Maartens who escapes there, with Karraz of Team Maroc in his wheel. Maartens from CSC - Marcello, keeps on pushing on the pedals, so Karraz has to let him go after some kilometres. Maartens takes the stage victory and will be in the leaders jersey tomorrow.
Stage result:
1 Jeremy Maartens CSC - MARCELLO 4h05'22
2 Abdellatif Karraz TEAM MAROC + 1'12
3 Damien Gaudin VENDÉE U - PAYS DE LA LOIRE + 3'28 40 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
45 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
49 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
77 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 12'16
81 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 18'56
General classification:
1 Jeremy Maartens CSC - MARCELLO 12h13'40
2 Abdellatif Karraz TEAM MAROC + 1'14
3 Said Ennadifi TEAM MAROC + 1'53 9 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 2'36
52 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 6'44
54 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 7'32
79 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 29'06
80 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 31'54
Stage 5
The fifth stage already is nearly flat, but with the finish on a small hill. The riders will have to cover 135 kilometres before they will end up at the foot of that climb. Barchouchi is our rider in the break away. The peloton is again not able to control the race and 7 of the originally 11 riders in the front group will fight for the stage victory. Barchouchi is with them! He fights for a good position and when he passes the rag (?) Barchouchi is in third position. And then... Barchouchi attacks! It is a big surprise for the other riders, and Barchouchi immeately creates a little gap. Can he hold on? Yes! Barchouchi wins the fifth stage of this Tour, a succes we did not count on at the start of the Tour de Maroc!
Stage result: 1 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE 3h22'42 2 Karem Ahmed TEAM EGYPT s.t.
3 Darryl Impey MICROSOFT SA CYCLINGTEAM s.t. 42 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1'18
73 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 3'18
80 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 7'34
81 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
General classification:
1 Jeremy Maartens CSC - MARCELLO 15h37'40
2 Said Ennadifi TEAM MAROC + 33
3 Karem Ahmed TEAM EGYPT + 46 12 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 2'36
48 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 5'02
58 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 9'32
79 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 35'22
82 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 38'10
Stage result:
1 Flaubert Douanla TEAM SNH 3h50'39
2 Mahamadi Balima TEAM BURKINA FASO s.t.
3 Sylvain T. Ilboudo SOFITEX s.t. 42 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 5'14
48 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
50 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
55 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
69 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
General classification:
1 Jeremy Maartens CSC - MARCELLO 19h33'33
2 Said Ennadifi TEAM MAROC + 33
3 Karem Ahmed TEAM EGYPT + 46 15 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 2'36
49 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 5'02
59 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 9'32
79 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 35'22
83 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 38'10
Thank you both! SportingNonsense: Yeah, but I did not count on Fatnassi for a top - 10 before this race, so its no real problem.
Tour de Maroc
Stage 7
The seventh stage of this Tour is a difficult one, with a long hill as indication for a hard final part with many little hills in course. No one of our riders can make it till the break away, though Barchouchi tries as hard as he can. On the long hill, Fatnassi comes in difficulties. He has to let the peloton go, and his ambitions for the general classification are blown away. On the contrary, Maartens defends his good place really well, after an attack he cycles to the finishing line and only Spence can follow him. Last called is a quicker finisher and wins this stage.
Stage result:
1 Daniel Spence MICROSOFT SA CYCLINGTEAM 4h57'40
2 Jeremy Maartens CSC - MARCELLO s.t.
3 Ahmed Rashad TEAM EGYPT + 20 37 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 9'00
60 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 10'28
65 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 10'44
80 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 16'36
81 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 16'52
General classification:
1 Jeremy Maartens CSC - MARCELLO 24h31'01
2 Daniel Spence MICROSOFT SA CYCLINGTEAM + 3'40
3 Ahmed Rashad TEAM EGYPT + 4'12 39 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 13'16
45 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 14'14
59 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 20'28
81 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 52'26
82 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 54'58
Stage 8
Some rest for the riders after yesterday's hard day. This stage does not have any difficulties in it. The only thing the riders have to do, is cycle for 170 kilometres. The early attackers think that way the best, they will battle for victory. Ottaviano wins this stage for the minor team Merida.
Stage result:
1 Fabio Ottaviano MERIDA EUROPE TEAM 3h58'40
2 Bilel Aouiy AS MILITAIRE TUNÉSIENNE s.t.
3 Abdullah Afif DOHA TEAM s.t. 57 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 31
72 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
74 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
76 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
79 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
General classification:
1 Jeremy Maartens CSC - MARCELLO 28h30'12
2 Daniel Spence MICROSOFT SA CYCLINGTEAM + 3'40
3 Ahmed Rashad TEAM EGYPT + 4'12 40 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 13'16
45 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 14'14
59 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 20'28
81 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 52'26
82 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 54'58
General classification:
1 Jeremy Maartens CSC - MARCELLO 31h26'15
2 Daniel Spence MICROSOFT SA CYCLINGTEAM + 3'40
3 Ahmed Rashad TEAM EGYPT + 4'12 29 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 11'02
60 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 19'23
62 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 20'28
81 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 56'33
82 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 57'05
Stage 10
The one but last stage is again not that difficult. There is more heigth difference than yesterday, but the final part of the stage is totally flat again. The length of the stage is 150 kilometres. Today there is finally some control in the peloton again and the stage will be ended in a mass sprint. South African Microsoft Team is clearly the strongest, they get a beautiful one - two today. Our riders could not compete with the best in the sprint.
Stage result:
1 Darryl Impey MICROSOFT SA CYCLINGTEAM 3h51'12
2 Neil MacDonald MICROSOFT SA CYCLINGTEAM s.t.
3 Adil Jelloul TEAM MAROC s.t. 22 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
71 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 3'38
74 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
78 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 5'42
79 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
General classification:
1 Jeremy Maartens CSC - MARCELLO 35h17'27
2 Daniel Spence MICROSOFT SA CYCLINGTEAM + 3'40
3 Adil Jelloul TEAM MAROC + 4'12 27 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 11'02
61 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 23'01
62 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 24'06
81 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1h02'15
82 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1h02'47
Stage result:
1 Damien Tekou Fokou TEAM SNH 1h56'53
2 Abdellatif Karraz TEAM MAROC s.t.
3 Pierre S. Kiba SOFITEX s.t. 60 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
64 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
69 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
78 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
81 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE s.t.
General classification:
1 Jeremy Maartens CSC - MARCELLO 37h14'20
2 Daniel Spence MICROSOFT SA CYCLINGTEAM + 3'40
3 Adil Jelloul TEAM MAROC + 4'12
4 Ahmed Rashad TEAM EGYPT s.t.
5 Mouhssine Lahsaini TEAM MAROC + 4'20
6 Waylon Woolcock MICROSOFT SA CYCLINGTEAM + 4'33
7 Joachim Tolles AKUD ROSE + 4'45
8 Thijs Poelstra ALTIPOWER GLOBAL CYCLING TEAM + 4'49
9 Sadrack Teguimaha TEAM SNH + 6'20
10 Daniel Westmattelmann AKUD ROSE s.t. 27 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 11'02
61 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 23'01
62 Sami Merdassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 24'06
81 Ahmed Ben-Maatoug AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1h02'15
82 Yassine Missaoui AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE + 1h02'47
Points classification:
1 Neil MacDonald MICROSOFT SA CYCLINGTEAM 71
2 Darryl Impey MICROSOFT SA CYCLINGTEAM 55
3 Damien Tekou Fokou TEAM SNH 50 17 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE 41
53 Achref Fatnassi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE 14
Mountain classification:
1 Abdellatif Karraz TEAM MAROC 38
2 Fabio Ottaviano MERIDA EUROPE TEAM 24
3 Abdullah Afif DOHA TEAM 24 25 Zakaria Barchouchi AS PHARMACIE CENTRALE DE TUNÉSIE 6
Because of Cyanide I will descripe this Tour in one big post. The Tour continued in November and because of that the classifications and start list were f***** up. I did not have any pleasure of it unfortunately. Anyway, the Tour du Faso is a 10 day round in which all stages are flat. One of them is important, it has a cobblestone section of about 20 kilometres just before the line. Ben Nasser will have to win here. Nearly every stage ended up in a mass sprint, in which Ben Nasser did oke. From stage 1-6 he got 7th, 30th (no sprint), 3rd, 6th, 7th and 9th. Stage 7 was the cobblerace. On paper. In game there were no cobblestones at all ad to make it even worse, this was the first stage in November. Only halve of the peloton rode from now on. Ben Nasser did win this stage. He attacked with 10 km to go and kept attacking till 2 km to go. I simulated the last three stages. I better do that the whole season, because he scored a 3rd place and two victories! Ben Nasser ended this Tour on 4th place in general classification, 8 hours and 41 minutes behind the race winner...
It was very busy on the transfer market this year. We saw some very strange moves from some good riders. I present the most important and strange transfers:
The big winners of this transfer period are Astana, T - Mobile, Agritubel, Francaise des Jeux, Caisse d'Epargne and mainly Unibet.com. On the contrary, Discovery Channel, Ceramica Flaminia, Relax - GAM and Lampre lost some very important riders.
