May
Everyone’s eyes were on the Giro. All the big favourites were there; Di Luca, Ricco, Contador, Klöden, Leipheimer, Simoni, Cunego, Nibali, Bruseghin and Sastre. They were all there. To compete against those very strong riders Rabobank send a squad, which was a very strong team to have on the team time trial:
Robert Gesink, captain Denis Menchov, free role, super strong helper Michiel Elijzen, team mate, TTT Bauke Mollema, team mate, mountains and TTT Joost Posthuma, team mate, TTT Laurens Ten Dam, team mate Rick Flens, team mate, TTT Pieter Weening, team mate, mountains and TTT Marc de Maar, team mate, TTT
Gesink was picked as captain, simply because I like him better than Menchov. The plan was to gain a lot of time on the other favourites on the TTT, and you can definitely see that in the squad which is picked.
Stage 1 and the 30.3 kilometres long time trial become a great stage to Rabobank. They didn’t only win the TTT, they won it with 1,27 to Astana, and gained 2 minutes or more to all the other favourites. The biggest loser was Simoni, who lost 3,02 to Gesink. Gesink crossed the line first, so he will be the proud carrier of “Maglia Rosa.” Stage 2, which was classified as hilly was a great day for Rabobank, they didn’t only secure their “Maglia Rosa,” Gesink did what nobody expected him to do; he attacked with 12 kilometres to the line. Di Luca, Ricco, Nibali and Cunego followed him. But when the sprint started he had a gap of 5 metres, and he didn’t look behind himself and he won the stage. Di Luca outsprinted Ricco for second place. All 5 riders got the same time, but what a starter of Gesink, 2 stages and 2 stage wins! Stage 3 and 4 was flat, and the only thing Rabobank did was to protect Gesink and reel in dangerous breakaways.
On stage 5, again, Gesink showed muscles. He did exactly the same as he did on stage 2. He attacked right before the sprint, he got a perfect position and won it! He now held a lead of 2,17 on Cunego and 2,36 at Di Luca, who seemed to be the most dangerous men in this year Giro. Stage 6 ended in nothing, all the favourites were just watching at each other.
Stage 7 was the first mountain stage of the Giro, and what a mountain stage it became. Cunego wanted to show all the rest how you are riding the real mountains, and he definitely did. He rode away from the pack, and all the favourites with 25 kilometres to the finish, on the Pietransieri climb. Gesink, Di Luca Ricco and Klöden tried to counter, but no way. Cunego was outstanding. He never saw behind his back and won the stage with 4,57 to Di Luca, who took the sprint for second place in front of Ricco and Gesink. Klöden cracked right before the sprint started and lost nearly a minute to his 3 companions.
Summary of week 1 in the Giro
Gesink and the team started the Giro fantastic, they crushed every single opponent into pieces on the TTT. On the hilly stages which followed, Gesink showed his great talent with grabbing stage 2 and 5. On the other hand stage 7 was Cunego’s stage, and if he is going to be so strong, this Giro won’t be exciting. But I am happy that Gesink showes that he is as good as Ricco and Di Luca in the mountains, and his goal of the podium in Milano, is not a to high goal I think.
The Giro continued with stage 8 and 9, two flat stages, where the breakaways finally were allowed to get their chances. Stage 8 was won of Rebellin and stage 9 was won of Voigt, after a fabulous sol ride from the 50 kilometres mark.
Stage 10, a time trial. The Rabobank squad did of course have many top 15 spots, but none of Rabobank’s riders managed the win. The win went to Laszlo Bodrogi. Gesink and Di Luca gained a little bit time on Ricco and Cunego, and Gesink cut down on Cunego’s lead, now it was only 2 minutes from Cunego to Gesink.
Stage 11 was a stage where all the favourites were looking at each other again. Gesink didn’t have his best day, so he didn’t try to attack Cunego’s “Maglia Rosa.” Stage 12 and 13 also become boring stages were the sprinters were allowed to shine, or, Bennati was allowed to shine as he won both stages.
Stage 14 was the beginning of the last and very tough week. The riders should climb Passo Manghen, a long, quite steep climb with approximately 40 kilometres to go off the stage. With 800 metres to the top Di Luca made a surprisingly attack. Did he want the KoM jersey?
No, he increased his lead on the downhill section, and at the bottom of the last climb, Val di Fiemme, he held a lead of 58 seconds. But his attack was waste of energy. Astana sat a very high pace, Gesink nearly fell off. Cunego had been inattentive, as he sat long behind in the pack when Astana started their high pace, so a gap break out between the Maglia Rosa and the rest of the favourites. With 9 kilometres to the top Nibali attacked. Gesink decided that this was the attack to follow. He and Nibali worked well together and with 5 kilometres they held a lead of 2 minutes on the rest of the favourites, except Cunego, who was struggling 3 minutes behind the favourites!
Gesink decided this as the moment to go all in. He started relaying at 99%, and with 4 kilometres to the finish, Nibali had to let Gesink go. At this point Di Luca pushed him away from the rest of the favourites, but it was too late. He didn’t even reach Nibali. Gesink soloed towards the finish line, and he won it. He gained 26 seconds at Nibali, 48 at Di Luca, and a lot of minute at Cunego!
After this stage he held the GC with 2,40 at Di Luca and 5,43 at Cunego.
Stage 15, and the King Stage, was a stage filled of action. Simoni, who had been anonymous to this point of the Giro, went on a solo break right after the start. All the favourites tried to shake each other up on Passo Falzarego, but when they started the Marmolada climb, they were all together. Simoni was reeled in at the foot of Marmolada. With 5 kilometres to the finish Di Luca and Ricco attacked. Gesink followed, and was joined by Nibali and Cunego. They got a solid gap, and they would fight for the stage win. Nibali was the strongest in the sprint, and he got his biggest win in his career. Ricco took second while Di Luca grabbed third. Gesink managed to keep up with the 4 guys, and he still holds the “Maglia Rosa” with a solid lead. Tomorrows mountain time trial will be decisive.
Stage 16, and a terrible mountain time trial was on today’s meal. Piepoli started early and sat a time, which held for fourth place overall on the stage. Cunego rode well, he grabbed the win, but only 4 seconds ahead of Gesink, so Gesink still held a descent lead at him. Di Luca was the big looser, he lost almost a minute to Gesink and Cunego, and it seemed like the “Maglia Rosa” was safe on Gesink’s shoulders.
I would be proved wrong.
Summary of week 2 in the Giro
Gesink had done a fantastic second week, he has almost secured his “Maglia Rosa,” and he can’t wait for Milano. Though, he shall not be to self-confident when he knows what Cunego did on stage 7. But now, Gesink has a fitness form of 99 and Cunego seems tired, so it will be very hard for him to take 5,39 at Gesink.
You will get the answer of who is going to be the winner of Giro di Italia tomorrow morning.
The riders got a well-deserved rest day, before they hit the final week in the Giro. Stage 17 had two big mountains in the middle of the stage. Quikstep and Paolo Bettini used them well, as they sat a pace who none of the sprinters could follow, only Bettini. The favourites were just sitting and watching each other, so, it become a mass sprint. Bettini won it in front of Ricco and Xavier Florencio from Bouyges. Finally, Bettini got his stage victory in the Giro 2008.
Stage 18 was a quite flat stage, except the three rounds the riders should cycle in the world championship city, Varese. The three rounds were ending the stage, maybe Di Luca, Cunego or Gesink wanted to attack. But, none of them did, and Gesink only sat there, smiling in his “Maglia Rosa.” Bettini again won the sprint, and he had two victories in two days. Great performances by the old, good man.
Stage 19 was the stage I thought would be decisive. It was the only stage which was left that had a mountain finish. But before the mountain finish, on Monte Pora, the riders should climb the big Passo del Vivione and Passo della Presolana. Passo del Vivione was approximately 50 kilometres from the line, so I didn’t think that any attack would come here. I was proved wrong.
Cunego attacked at the bottom of the climb, none of the favourites followed. They all taught it would be a suicide. But with 6 kilometres to the top and a gap of 2 minutes, Rabobank sended all their climbing riders to the front. Even tough Weening, Mollema, Ten Dam and Menchov was relaying with all of their power, they couldn’t bring the pack closer to Cunego. Cunego just increased his lead, and over the top his lead was 4,49. This was a real threat to the “Maglia Rosa.”
On the little hill between Passo del Vivione and Passo della Presolana; Gesink, Di Luca, Nibali and Ricco attacked. They got a solid gap to the remnants of the peloton, but Cunego wasn’t not going to be touched. At the bottom of Passo della Presolana he held a lead of 5,46 to Gesink, Di Luca, Nibali and Ricco. He was the virtual leader of the race with 3 seconds at Gesink. Gesink pulled the chasing group up Passo della Presolana with a 100% effort, no way, at the top Cunego held a lead of 6,14. He was outstanding today, and Gesink knew he had to say goodbye to “Maglia Rosa.”
Cunego climbed Monte Pora in a great pace, he wasn’t going to crack neither. It was Cunego’s day. It was Cunego’s Giro di Italia. “Maglia Rosa” was his, He won the stage, a fantastic solo effort, a fantastic win. He crossed the line watched at the clock. The clock passed 7 minutes. Finally, he could see Gesink down their. He was coming alone. He had parked the others, but the clock just went to fast. He arrived the top of Monte Pora 8,03 down at Cunego’s great ride. Cunego had taken “Maglia Rosa.” What a loss to Gesink. Di Luca rounded of the podium on this stage, as he ousprinted Ricco and Nibali.
Cunego leads the Giro with 3,28 to Gesink now. Gesink hasn’t resigned though, but it will be very hard to gain almost 3 and a half-minute on Cunego on one mountain stage and the TT.
Stage 20 was the last roadrace stage in this year Giro. The riders should climb “Cima Coppi” of the year, Passo Gavia. The riders wasn’t finished with the fun then, they should also climb Mortirolo, a very steep climb, an average on almost 9%, and Passo Aprecia before there was a bit of downhilling towards the finish line. Already on “Cima Coppi” Rabobank was pulling the peloton very fast, they wanted the “Maglia Rosa” back. 3 kilometres from the top Gesink attacked. As Cunego had none team mates left in the pack, he went with Gesink. They were also followed by Di Luca, Nibali and Ricco. On the Mortirolo climb it seemed like Cunego was in troubles. Everytime Gesink should relay he missed the group, before joining them a bit later. Gesink decided that he was too far from the finish line, but on the last climb, Passo Aprecia, then….
The 5 dominating riders in the mountains in this year Giro passed Mortirolo together.
At the foot of Passo Aprecia Gesink attacked, He was followed by Cunego, who obviously should get an Oscar for his play up Mortirolo. The three others couldn’t follow.
Cunego and Gesink pulled away from them, and it was clear that they should fight for the stage win in Tirano. Luckily, there becomes not a fight. Cunego let Gesink win as he already knew that he was the winner of “Maglia Rosa.” Gesink took his fourth stage win, including the TTT. The gap to Cunego was 3,20 before the ending TT. Of course, he couldn’t gain so much time.
Stage 21, and finally Menchov was allowed to shine. He won the stage, as many of the time trialist had abandoned from the race, including Rabobank’s own Elijzen and Poosthuma. Menchov won the TT in front of Bruseghin and Klöden. Cunego secured his GC win, even though Gesink took 26 seconds at him. Cunego was the winner of Giro di Italia 2008, Gesink took a fantastic second place. Nibali rounded of the podium as he gained 1,36 at Di Luca on the time trial. He took third in the GC, 4 seconds in front of Di Luca.
Cunego won the points and KoM jerseys aswell Summary of the last week in Giro di Italia 2008
Gesink lost his “Maglia Rosa” to Monte Pora, but anyway it has been a fantastic Giro for Rabobank. 5 stage wins and second place in the GC, and also “Maglia Bianca” to Gesink. A great Giro, but of course, it was sad to loose the “Maglia Rosa” on the 19th stage.
Edited by ember on 31-05-2008 09:32
Maybe, maybe not, he didn't got the stats boost I wanted, he only has 81 Mo and 80 hills.
It is maybe a bit low to compete against Contador, Ricco and Brajkovic, but we'll see next year
This update will not be long, nor deep. I save the sweeties for Le Tour.
June
After a spectacular May month with the Giro in main focus, all eyes were against the Tour preparations. Most of the favourites were riding Dauphine Libere or Tour de Suisse. Rabobank’s captain for Le Tour, Thomas Dekker will race Tour de Suisse and the Dutch Championship as his last preparations.
To the Dauphine Libere Rabobank send a B-squad, with Pieter Weening being captain, and Bram Tankink as his best team mate.
It was the good old Frenchman, Christophe Moreau, he controlled the Tour, winning it 1,31 in front of Lefevre from Bouyges Telecom. Lefevre went on a solo break on stage 7 and he was allowed to go. He won the stage with 6 minutes in front of the peloton and secured his podium spot. Best of the Tour favourites was Alberto Contador, who came second, in front of his team mate Levi Leipheimer. Who is captain in Astana? Markus Fothen from Gerolsteiner became sixth and Andy Schleck was number 12 in the GC.
Tour de Suisse was a great ride for Rabobank’s Tour captain, Dekker won the overall, and the time trial. He showed great form, but had he peaked too early? Cadel Evans looked like he was going to be a big threat in the Tour he came second in the GC. Alejandro Valverde was tenth, just in front of Sastre. Valverde’s team mate, Karpets came fifth, followed by Gerdemann from Team High Road.
Dekker won the Dutch Championships, both RR and TT.
Summary
Thomas Dekker showed that he had some dangerous thoughts about the Tour, winning Tour de Suisse. I don’t think Dekker is the biggest favourite for Le Tour. I think Evans and Valverde or Karpets, and of course Astanas captain are biggest favourites for Le Tour. It is going to be a very exciting Tour de France 2008!
Finally it’s here. ”Le Tour de France,” A fantastic Grand Tour, which tests the riders’ stamina over 3 weeks. Only the strongest will win. Only one man will win. All the stars were there; Cadel Evans, Alberto Contador, Andy Schleck, Linus Gerdemann, Andreas Klöden, Levi Leipheimer, Thomas Dekker, Alejandro Valverde, Vladimir Karpets. The only big names we missed were Di Luca, Ricco, Cunego and Moreau. The fact that Moreau wasn’t on the startlist was a big surprise, his team, Agritubel was there. Maybe he had tested positive? Anyway, why do we need them while we are having a startfield stuffed with top riders?
Rabobank brought this squad for their highlight of the season:
Thomas Dekker, captain fitness 88 Oscar Freire, sprinter 91 Juan Antonio Flecha, team mate, leadout man 85 Tom Leezer, leadout man, gain experience 94 Bauke Mollema, team mate, gain experience 89 Bram Tankink, team mate 92 Mauricio Ardila, team mate, mountains 87 Theo Eltink, team mate 89 Laurens Ten Dam, team mate 90
Let the game begin!
Stage 1 was a stage which suited Rabobank perfect. Because of the uphill sprint, they started their train with 10 kilometres to go; Flecha-Leezer-Dekker-Freire. They were going for a very strong leadout of Dekker in a terrain which suited him perectly. With 5 kilometres to the line Dekker was in the front, he pushed so hard that only Freire could follow, the other sprinters started ways behind. With 2 kilometres to the line Freire opened his sprint, creating a gap to everyone. Behind him Dekker wanted bonus seconds and tried to follow Freire. Freire got the stage victory in a superior way, strange that there was not a time gap between him and the rest. Unluckily, Dekker didn’t got any bonus seconds, but Valverde did. He sprinted very well, edging out Bettini in their fight for second.
Stage 2 and 3 was also a solo show from Freire. He got Hushovd wheels on both stages, and jumped around him with 1.5 kilometres to go on both stages. He took it with ease; he was in his best form. He got a solid lead in the fight against the other gladiators about the sprint jersey.
Stage 4 was the first opportunity to the GC contenders to show that they were ready for this years Tour. The 29 kilometres long ITT showed that Evans and Fothen had some plans for Le Tour. Evans won the stage 38 seconds in front of Fothen. Dekker made third place, 42 seconds behind Fothen. Valverde also seemed strong, he only lost 1,16 to Cadel Evans.
Stage 5, and again Freire showed his sprinting skills. He won his fourth stage out of possibly 5, and he had almost won the green jersey already.
Stage 6 was the first road race stage where the favourites should present themselves. Dekker opened the ball with an attack on the flat before the last hill. He was followed by Valverde, Evans, A. Schleck, Gerdemann, Contador, Sanchez from Euskaltel and Kreuziger from Liquigas. The eight riders rode away from the peloton, they were going to decide the stage winner on this stage. At the mark of 3 kilometres Valverde lead out the sprint, followed by Evans-Sanchez-Dekker-Schleck-Gerdemann-Contador-Kreuziger. Evans surprised Valverde and surged past him while he celebrated his win. Sanchez took third and Dekker finished right behind him. Cadel Evans showed that he had hit the form, with stage wins on both important stages for the GC contenders.
Stage 7, and a break was allowed to fight for victory. The decisive break contained 5 riders; Jens Voigt, John Gadret, Haimar Zubeldia, Tadej Valjavec and Vladimir Gusev. A very strong group that was allowed to fight for the win, mostly because Zubeldia and Valjavec, captains on their teams had hit the ground at stage 5. Jens Voigt did as he has done many times before; he soloed away on the last 15 kilometres and won it. Gadret won the sprint for second ahead of Gusev. Freire finished first in the pack, he increased his lead in the point competition.
Stage 8 was won by Robbie McEwen. He won in front of Freire and Zabel. Dekker was nice all the stage, he couldn’t wait for the real mountains.
Stage 9 and the riders prepared them for the mountains. The riders should climb Col de Peyresourde and Col d’Aspin before a downhill towards the finish line in Bagnes-de-Bigorre. Already on Peyresourde Valverde launched an attack. He was immediately followed by Evans, Contador, Schleck and Samuel Sanchez. Dekker, Kreuziger, Gerdemann, Leipheimer and Fothen formed a group behind the 4 leaders. The 4 riders increased their gap on the way to the foot of Aspin, mainly due to Evans fantastic control of the bike in downhills. At he foot of Aspin they held a lead of 2,08 to Dekker’s group. 5 kilometres from the top, Sanchez launched an attack, he wasn’t followed, but it seemed like Evans, Schleck, Valverde and Contador were the smartest guys; they reeled Sanchez back and left him immediately, 3 kilometres from the top. Dekker’s group was all together on the climb; none of them had the energy to attack. At the top, the four guys up front held alead of 1,10 to Valverde and 3,02 to Dekker’s group. The finish became a sprint between the leading 4, and it was Contador who was the strongest, winning in front of Evans and Valverde. Schleck got the same time as the other three. Sanchez wasn’t reeled in on the descent, he actually grabbed some time back on the leading group, and he was only 43 seconds behind. Dekker’s group was 3,21 behind Contador, meaning that a top 5 in this year Tour would be very hard, but still the Tour was young.
Stage 10, and another mountain stage. Gerdemann was very hot-headed at Hautacam. He attacked very early, but it was waste of energy, he was reeled in of Van den Broeck and Popovych. With 8 kilometres to the line the “maillot jaune” made the move himself. Everyone tried to follow him, but none was able. He sailed on his own to the top. Behind him Valverde, Contador, Sanchez and Schleck tried to limit their losses. Dekker wasn’t in the same class as those top climbers, he was on his own, between Contador’s group and a group of Kreuziger, Fothen and Leipheimer. Evans won the stage. Behind him Valverde won the sprint about second, Sanchez took third. The young Andy Schleck impresses so far, he followed them again. Evans took a solid grip on the maillot jaune. He now held it, 2,56 ahead of Contador, Valverde followed 9 seconds behind Contador. Schleck is fourth, 16 seconds down on Valverde. Dekker holds sixth in the GC, 6,13 behind Evans.
Stage 11-14 was boring stages; it only came down to a sprint once, on stage 13, which Freire won. The other stages were all won from a breakaway. Thomas Voeckler was in every break on these stages, he gained two stage wins, both stage 11 and 14.
Stage 15, and the mountains were there again. The riders should climb Prato Nevoso as the end of the stage. The fireworks started with 6 kilometres to the finish line. Valverde attacked, he had to gain lots of time on Evans before the time trial at stage 20. He created a solid gap, none of the favourites deared to follow his enormous pace. With 4 kilometres to go Evans attacked, and Dekker was able to follow him. Sanchez, Schleck, Contador did also follow though. Evans and Contador pulled the group so hard that Dekker cracked, soon after him Sanchez and Schleck also cracked. Evans rode away from Contador and he caught up with Valverde. He said hi to him, he didn’t reached more because few seconds later he had dropped him too. Now all the favourites alone, almost in the same order as in the GC. Evans won another stage in Le Tour. It had been a fantastic Tour for him. Valverde came second, but he only gained 30 seconds on Contador, he needs more before the time trial. He is 25 seconds in front of Contador in the GC now. Dekker still holds sixth 7,26 behind Evans. He is almost secured the sixth, there is a longt time back to Gerdemann at seventh, and a long way up to Sanchez at fourth.
Stage 16 had two big mountains in the stage. The last was Col de la Bonette, the top was 25 kilometres away from the finish line. None of the favourites attacked, everyone was sitting and watching each other, it was clear that the riders was saving energy to tomorrow L’Alpe d’Huez stage. Dekker won the stage! He outsprinted Valverde and Sanchez in a sprint which contained 23 riders.
Stage 17 was the King Stage of this year Tour. The riders started with Col du Galibier and it ended with L’Alpe d’Huez. Nothing happened before the legendary mountain itself. Dekker really wanted the win up to the climbers Champs Elysees. He attacked with 11 kilometres to the top. Nobody followed him and he increased and increased his lead before the favourites attacked. Finally, with 6 kilometres Evans, Valverde, Schleck, Contador and Sanchez attacked. Evans was clearly the strongest of them; he brought himself up to Dekker. Valverde, Schleck, Contador and Sanchez formed a group 1,12 behind Evans and Dekker. Evans pace was just too high, and Dekker cracked with 1,5 kilometres to the top. Evans won yet a stage, but Dekker could hold on for second place. Contador won the sprint 9 seconds behind Dekker. Valverde, Sanchez and Schleck finished at the same time as Contador.
Stage 18 was classified as hilly, but none of the favourites was trying to gain time, everyone seemed engaged of saving energy for the long time trial at stage 20. A break succeded, and again it was Voeckler who won it, what a great Tour for him.
Stage 19 and the sprinters were brought to the stage. Again, Oscar Freire did what he had done before in this Tour, he won it easily from Hushovd’s wheel.
Stage 20 was the decisive TT. The stage didn’t affect the GC much. The only thing was that Contador grabbed back his second place. Thomas Dekker did a great TT, he held the lead at the finish line with 1,16 to Fothen. But the last rider Cadel Evans wanted one more stage win, and so he got, he crushed Dekker’s time, winning the stage with 44 seconds to Dekker.
Stage 21, Champs Elysees. Freire said he was very keen on winning this stage. It all went down to a mass sprint. With 2 kilometres to the line he opened his sprint, but it was a bit too early, on the last metres Boonen overtook him. He had been anonymous so far in the Tour, but on Champ Elysees of course, he destroyed Freire’s dream of winning Champs Elysees. Nothing happened in the GC;
1. Cadel Evans
2. Alberto Contador
3. Alejandro Valverde
4. Andy Schleck
5. Samuel Sanchez G.
6. Thomas Dekker
A great Tour of Evans. I am satisfied with Freire, he won the green jersey with a big margin. Dekker could have done a bit better, I wanted a top 5, and my sponsors wanted the win, anyway he did his best.
I am sorry, but I managed to sim the Vattenfall Cyclassisc, but I brought a bad team. Hushovd won it, ahead of Boasson Hagen and Tom Boonen.
Summary
We got a great Tour de France, with many stage wins of Oscar Freire. The GC could have been better. But Dekker got a stage win and is very satisfied. Some riders gained so much experience that they levelled up, f. ex Bauke Mollema, I will show you his stats soon.
Classica San Sebastian was one of the few races Rabo was going to ride this month. The captain for the race was Thomas Dekker, which still was in great form. On the penultimate hill he attacked and no-one could follow him. He got a gap of 35 seconds to a group of; Evans, Bettini, Contador, Barredo, Rodriguez, Kirchen and F. Schleck. He didn’t wait for them, but at the top of the last hill, he was caught. He didn’t have much energy left, and 8 kilometres from the finish he cracked. Very bad tactic from his team manager. Up front Bettini was the big favourite to take the sprint, but it was Evans that started a long sprint. He held out all the way to the finish line and took the victory, in front of Barredo and Kirchen. Bettini was so tired that he didn’t manage to sprint.
Eneco Tour started great for Rabobank. Michiel Elijzen won the prologue, ahead of Menchov. Stage 2 continued in the same way. Menchov won the stage after a well-placed attack, 8 kilometres from the line.
Unlucky the race was destroyed for Rabobank, and again as in San Sebastian, it was there manager that took the responsibility. All Rabobank’s riders was sitting too long behind in the peloton, there were a strong side wind, and the pack splitted into many groups. At the finish line the group with all the Rabobanks rider in, was 3,58 behind the winner, Fabien Cancellara.
I have to admit that after this stage I simmed the rest of the month including GP Quest France Plouay. Evans continued his great form and won the Quest of France.
Summary
A short month with bad results from Rabobank, except two stages in Eneco Tour.
Next update will be about Vuelta, and it will also contain screenshots.
Her comes the SS, please tell me how to do them better
September
I have simmed Deutschland Rundfahrt, Jens Voigt won it, ahead of Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Klöden.
The Vuelta contained a weak startfield, no-one of the biggest name were there except of Menchov, who finally was going to be captain in a Grand Tour this season. Before the TTT, the biggest favourites I thought the biggest favourites for the Vuelta was Barredo, Ruben Plaza, maybe Igor Anton and maybe Bradley McGee from CSC.
Rabobank brought this squad for Vuelta a Espana
As you can see, Menchov's morale could have been better, but I hope it will rise during the Vuelta
Stage 1 was a team time trial. Rabobank was clearly the favourite, but I have never been good at short TTT’s, my plan to gain time on the biggest rivals on this TTT was gone. We ended 30 seconds behind the winner, Team CSC, with their leader, Bradley McGee.
Rabobank at the 1km mark.
Stage 2 was a sprint which was won by Haussler from Gerolsteiner, in front of Haedo and Barbosa from Benfica.
Stage 3 and the GC conteders started to move their asses. Barredo, Menchov, Plaza, McGee, Monfort and Beltran finished 59 seconds in front of the peloton. Barredo took the sprint. Menchov came second and Plaza was third.
On stage 4 a breakaway was allowed to go, and it was Glenn D’Hollander from Silence Lotto who took the win ahead of Gutierrez from Andalucia – Cajasur and Pinotti from High Road.
Stage 5 was the ITT.
It was dominated by Rabobank’ riders, and a couple of Spanish riders, top 7 were all Rabobank or Spanish riders.
Gutierrez finished third, 1'06 behind the winner. Menchov was just too late for the win as he was 5 seconds down on the winner The winner was Thomas Dekker in his Dutch Championship jersey. He flew past his team mate, Mollema on his way to victory.
1 Thomas Dekker Rabobank 56'50
2 Denis Menchov Rabobank + 5
3 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 1'06
4 Rubén Plaza Sport Lisboa e Benfica + 1'14
5 Michiel Elijzen Rabobank + 1'19
6 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne + 1'22
7 Marco Pinotti Team High Road s.t.
8 Gustav Larsson Team CSC + 1'23
9 Bradley McGee Team CSC + 1'25
10 Jérôme Coppel Française des Jeux + 1'34
11 Bert Grabsch Team High Road + 1'36
12 Markel Irizar Euskaltel - Euskadi + 1'38
13 Gustavo César Veloso Karpin Galicia + 1'39
14 Beñat Intxausti Saunier Duval - Scott + 1'49
15 Joost Posthuma Rabobank + 1'50
My story will be another now, as I can take both SS and export the results, I hope you think the differ is to the better.
Vuelta a Espana stage 7
Stage 7, and we were already at the King Stage of this year Vuelta. The riders should climb 6 climbs, before ending the stage at the top of La Rabassa in Andorra.
With 170 kilometres left a break was allowed to ride away from the peloton. The break contained 5 riders: Sergei Ivanov (AST), Jeremy Roy (FDJ), Daniele Righi (Lampre), Sebastien Minard (COF), and Joost Posthuma from Rabobank. The break on their way to La Rabassa.
The stage was a difficult stage, also at the descents, due to the weather conditions. Cioni was one of many who fell on one of the many descents. Luckily, none of the favourites was involved
The break was reeled in before the fourth climb of today. Rabobank sat a high speed at the peloton, up the fifth and penultimate climb, Dekker and Mollema destroyed the peloton. They continued their hard relays and at the foot of La Rabassa, there were only 31 riders left.
David Arroyo exploited the situation and attacked at once they hit the rise in the road. He got a descent gap to everyone.
Menchov, Anton and Plaza tried to follow, but they had to form a trio behind Arroyo. The trio tried to catch Arroyo, but no way, he was just too strong for them.
Arroyo won the stage, very impressive, he will be a real threat to Menchov in their fight for the overall win.
A couple of minutes later Anton and Menchov arrived. Ruben Plaza cracked close to the finish line and lost nearly 2 minutes.
Stage results:
1 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne 6h12'17
2 Igor Antón Euskaltel - Euskadi + 2'07
3 Denis Menchov Rabobank s.t.
4 Rubén Plaza Sport Lisboa e Benfica + 3'52
5 Maxime Monfort Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 4'56
6 John Gadret AG2R - La Mondiale + 6'56
7 Kanstantsin Siutsou Team High Road s.t.
8 Ezequiel Mosquera Karpin Galicia s.t.
9 Carlos Barredo Quick•Step + 7'04
10 Beñat Intxausti Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
11 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas s.t.
12 Manuel Beltrán Liquigas s.t.
13 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux + 7'12
14 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
15 Toni Colom Team Astana s.t.
General Classification:
1 Denis Menchov Rabobank 22h13'00
2 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne + 2'29
3 Rubén Plaza Sport Lisboa e Benfica + 2'40
4 Igor Antón Euskaltel - Euskadi + 4'57
5 Maxime Monfort Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 6'04
6 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 6'45
7 Beñat Intxausti Saunier Duval - Scott + 7'44
8 Carlos Barredo Quick•Step + 8'05
9 Toni Colom Team Astana + 8'10
10 Manuel Beltrán Liquigas + 8'45
11 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux + 8'47
12 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne + 9'25
13 Cândido Barbosa Sport Lisboa e Benfica + 9'34
14 Ezequiel Mosquera Karpin Galicia + 9'40
15 Kanstantsin Siutsou Team High Road + 9'41
16 Aitor Hernández Euskaltel - Euskadi + 10'01
17 Luis Pasamontes Caisse d'Epargne + 10'13
18 Bradley McGee Team CSC + 10'27
19 John Gadret AG2R - La Mondiale + 10'40
20 Joan Horrach Caisse d'Epargne + 10'55
Many riders tried to get in the break, but in the end there were only three riders in today's break Gustav Larsson, Crosbie and Mourey was the breakaway-companions and they worked well. But at the foot of the penultimate climb, Mourey , the last breakaway survivor was caugt. When the riders hit the real percentages at the finishing climb, Menchov opened the ball Anton, Plaza and Arroyo was soon to follow Menchov, and they actually flew past him with 7 kilometres to go. But on the little downhill, 5 kilometres from the finishing line, Menchov caught up with them Igor Anton was the clearly strongest in the sprint, and took the victory. Menchov took second. Arroyo cracked when the sprint started and lost 13 seconds to Menchov and Plaza.
Stage Results:
1 Igor Antón Euskaltel - Euskadi 5h10'49 2 Denis Menchov Rabobank + 103 Rubén Plaza Sport Lisboa e Benfica s.t.
4 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne + 23
5 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux + 2'22
6 Alberto Fernández Saunier Duval - Scott + 2'54
7 Maxim Iglinskiy Team Astana + 3'02
8 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas + 3'10
9 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
10 Sérgio Paulinho Team Astana + 3'18 11 Thomas Dekker Rabobank s.t.
General Classification:
1 Denis Menchov Rabobank 27h23'59
2 Rubén Plaza Sport Lisboa e Benfica + 2'40
3 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne + 2'42
4 Igor Antón Euskaltel - Euskadi + 4'47
5 Maxime Monfort Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 9'28
6 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 9'45
7 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux + 10'59
8 Beñat Intxausti Saunier Duval - Scott + 11'16
9 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 11'21
10 Toni Colom Team Astana + 11'26
Stage 9 was another mountain stage, though, not as tough as the 2 stages before
A solo break from Pinotti was caught by 5 riders, but Pinotti took the two first categorized climbs. The five riders left Pinotti immediately after they caught him.
But they wasn't going to hold on, and they were caught at the descent before the last climb. Early on the last climb, Menchov attacked, he was followed by Arroyo, and Arroyo was superstrong today, he just continued when Menchov had to stop. Behind those two, a group of 4 riders tried to co-operate. Arroyo took a brilliant solo win. Menchov took second, and he managed to minimize the loss with a sprint in the end.
Behind, Colom won the sprint for third, ahead of Anton.
Stage results:
1 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne 4h27'38 2 Denis Menchov Rabobank + 31
3 Toni Colom Team Astana + 1'29
4 Igor Antón Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
5 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux s.t.
6 John Gadret AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
7 Rubén Plaza Sport Lisboa e Benfica + 2'14
8 Maxime Monfort Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
9 Thomas Dekker Rabobank + 2'56
10 Patrice Halgand Crédit Agricole s.t.
11 Volodymyr Gustov Team CSC s.t.
General Classification:
1 Denis Menchov Rabobank 31h52'08
2 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne + 2'11
3 Rubén Plaza Sport Lisboa e Benfica + 4'23
4 Igor Antón Euskaltel - Euskadi + 5'45
5 Maxime Monfort Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 11'11
6 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux + 11'57
7 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 12'10
8 Toni Colom Team Astana + 12'24
9 Beñat Intxausti Saunier Duval - Scott + 13'41
10 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 13'46
11 Manuel Beltrán Liquigas + 14'34
12 John Gadret AG2R - La Mondiale + 15'10
13 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne + 15'38
14 Kanstantsin Siutsou Team High Road s.t.
15 Cândido Barbosa Sport Lisboa e Benfica + 15'39
King of Mountain:
1 Igor Antón Euskaltel - Euskadi 60 2 Denis Menchov Rabobank 57
3 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne 56
4 Maxime Monfort Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone 41
5 Rubén Plaza Sport Lisboa e Benfica 33
Points Jersey:
1 Denis Menchov Rabobank 96
2 Rubén Plaza Sport Lisboa e Benfica 69
3 Igor Antón Euskaltel - Euskadi 66
4 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne 64
5 Juan José Haedo Team CSC 50
No reports from stage 10 and 11, as Rabobank didn't do anything than protect Menchov's jersey.
Stage 12 was classified as hilly.
But of course, the break was reeled in, but the pack had done it so fast that both Anton's and Arroyo's team mates had to be tired.
Menchov decided that he wanted to get more time than he already had and attacked with 14 kilometres to go, he got green moment! Very useful.
No-one countered him, and he soloed away from the pack. Finally, he could celebrate a stage win in Vuelta, and he did it as a king:
Behind him, Dekker made the day perfect for Rabobank, winning the sprint for second.
Stage Results:
1 Denis Menchov Rabobank 4h19'09
2 Thomas Dekker Rabobank + 1'04
3 Sergei Ivanov Team Astana s.t.
4 José Luis Arrieta AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
5 Yoann Le Boulanger Française des Jeux s.t.
6 Igor Antón Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
7 Gustav Larsson Team CSC s.t.
8 Michael Blaudzun Team CSC s.t.
9 Martin Elmiger AG2R - La Mondiale s.t.
10 Fabian Wegmann Gerolsteiner s.t.
General Classification:
1 Denis Menchov Rabobank 43h52'02
2 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne + 3'15
3 Rubén Plaza Sport Lisboa e Benfica + 5'27
4 Igor Antón Euskaltel - Euskadi + 6'49
5 Maxime Monfort Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 12'15
6 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux + 13'01
7 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 13'14
8 Toni Colom Team Astana + 13'28
9 Aitor Hernández Euskaltel - Euskadi + 13'49
10 Beñat Intxausti Saunier Duval - Scott + 14'45
11 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 14'50
12 Manuel Beltrán Liquigas + 15'38
13 John Gadret AG2R - La Mondiale + 16'14
14 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne + 16'42
15 Kanstantsin Siutsou Team High Road s.t.
16 Cândido Barbosa Sport Lisboa e Benfica + 16'43
17 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas + 17'40
18 Bradley McGee Team CSC + 17'44
19 Dimitri Fofonov Crédit Agricole + 18'31
20 David Cañada Saunier Duval - Scott + 19'21
King of Mountain:
1 Igor Antón Euskaltel - Euskadi 60 2 Denis Menchov Rabobank 57
3 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne 56
4 Marco Pinotti Team High Road 45
5 Maxime Monfort Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone 41
Sprint Jersey:
1 Denis Menchov Rabobank 121
2 Igor Antón Euskaltel - Euskadi 80
3 Rubén Plaza Sport Lisboa e Benfica 69
4 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne 64
5 Juan José Haedo Team CSC 59
will be even better when the screens come. Keep it up
I shall remember the English from now on
