@welker3257: It will get better, eventually at some point.
To Look Back, 1st May 2013
It’s May and the Giro is about to start any day now. Cycling enthusiasts look forward to 3 weeks of exciting racing, while I take the poetic step back and look at what is behind us.
UCI World Tour Rider Rankings, 1st May 2013
1.
Peter Sagan
Cannondale
433
2.
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma
286
3.
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar
265
4.
Fabian Cancellara
Radioshack
256
5.
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel – Euskadi
197
Spoiler
6.
Simon Gerrans
Orica – GreendEge
190
7.
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
190
8.
Simon Spilak
Katusha
183
9.
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkhoff
182
10.
Philippe Gilbert
BMC
174
11.
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp172
12.
Edvald Boasson Hagen
SKY Procycling
152
13.
Jürgen Roelandts
Katusha
146
14.
Roman Kreuziger
Team Saxo – Tinkhoff
144
15.
Luca Paolini
Katusha
130
16.
Richie Porte
SKY Procycling
120
17.
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma
118
18.
Rui Costa
Movistar
118
19.
Alexander Kolobnev
Katusha
106
20.
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana
105
CQ Ranking:
1.
Peter Sagan
1269
2.
Tom Boonen
1245
3.
Taylor Phinney
1054
8.
Samuel Sánchez
827
The UCI World Tour Ranking is leaded by Peter Sagan, who is ahead of Tom Boonen and Alejandro Valverde with over 100 points. Sagan’s strong performances at all Classics (ranging from Mailand – San Remo L-B-L) can be considered even higher since he hasn’t managed to take more than one win (the 1st stage Tirreno – Adriatico) and his hoarding of World Tour points speaks for his consistency. It’d had been even more, if he and Cannondale hadn’t messed up Tirreno – Adriatico in such an idiotic way. Tom Boonen, winner of Ronde van Vlaanderen and Mailand San Remo, took two Monument wins. However, he let take his teammate Niki Terpstra have a shot at Paris – Roubaix and later suffered a puncture at the race. Terpstra’s win in Paris – Roubaix fails to place him in the Top 20 ranking of single riders. Fabian Cancellara has shown a good classics season, but failed to take any win. Alejandro Valverde, having triumphed at Amstel Gold Race, showed great performances at the Ardennes and País Vasco. Samuel Sánchez profits mostly from his win at País Vasco and his 4th place & stage win at Paris – Nice, while also grabbing some little points at the Ardennes classics. He is our most successful rider in this early season and although he is already age 35, he is far from being an oldtimer or even slightly useless to the team. At this age and with his experience, he once more demonstrated in this early season that he is vital to the team’s success, philosophy and rich history.
UCI World Tour Team Ranking
1.
Omega Pharma
646
2.
Movistar Team
532
3.
Katusha Team
496
4.
Sky Procycling
472
5.
Cannondale Pro Cycling
472
Spoiler
6.
Orica – GreenEdge
452
7.
BMC Racing Team
437
8.
Team Saxo – Tinkhoff
424
9.
Radioshack – Leoprad
422
10.
Euskaltel – Euskadi
300
11.
Lotto – Belisol
276
12.
Astana Pro Team
227
13.
Garmin – Sharp
226
14.
FDJ
215
15.
Lampre – Merida
197
16.
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
96
17.
Team Europcar (CT)
96
18.
Vacansoleil – DCM Pro Cycling Team
90
19.
Team Argos – Shimano
34
23.
AG2R La Mondiale
4
UCI World Tour Team Ranking are dominated by Omega Pharma so far. Their typical impressive classic season scored lots of points alongside Chavanel’s victory at Paris – Nice. Movistar have taken good use of their incredible squad proneness in terms of climbing. They often had riders in top positions, but except for Amstel Gold Race failed to win another big race. They also had good results at many of the stage races, often times even with more than one rider in the Top 10. Katusha Team meanwhile can look back on great victories so far: Kolobnev started with the Santos Tour Down Under, Spilak took Volta Ciclista a Catalunya and Paolini won E3 Prijs. Sky, may have disappointed their biggest fans, so far a bit, but are sure to perform once the Grand Tours are up. Cannondale mainly survives of the points that Sagan scores, but that’s enough to grant them the 5th rank overall since Sagan does nothing but scoring points so far. Euskaltel – Euskadi stay on a solid 10th place. Samuel Sánchez win at the basque teams home-race Vuelta Ciclista al País Vasco was their biggest triumph so far into the season, while a 3rd place at Tirreno –Adriatico by Martínez and a 4th at Paris – Nice by Sánchez are further signs of where their strengths lie at the moment.
Currently the teams with the least points scored are Team Argos – Shimano and AG2R La Mondiale. While Argos’ performance is not too surprising, as they mostly rely on stage wins by their world-class sprinters, AG2R La Mondiale should be definitely in a hurry by now to pick up many points. Their top rider for the Ardennes classic season was injured (Betancur) and the rest of the team failed at compensating for it, although the riders certainly tried over and over again.
Continental Rider Rankings
1.
Adrien Petit
Cofidis
501
2.
Juan José Haedo
Jamis – Haegens Berman
161
3.
Matthie Drujon
Big – Auber 93
161
4.
Enrico Battaglin
Bardiani Valvole – CSF Index
157
5.
Sacha Modolo
Bardiani Valvole – CSF Index
153
Continental Team Rankings
1.
Cofidis Solutions Crédits
826
CQ: 1259
2.
Bardiana Valvole – CSF Index
645
CQ: 1095
3.
Team Europcar
504
CQ: 1081
4.
Big Mat – auber 93
389
5.
Optimum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
351
Adrien Petit had a stellar early season with many good rankings at one-day races. He’s 20th place at Paris – Roubaix is also quite impressive for such a young rider. The sprinter has so far only taken 2 stage wins though. Especially his performance helps Cofidis to reach the top of the Continental Team Rankings. Together with Europcar, their chances are more than intact for a future promotion to World Tour status.
Victories
1.
Andre Greipel
Lotto Belisol
11
2.
Taylor Phinney
BMC
7
3.
Juan Jose Haedo
Jamis – Hagen Berman
6
4.
Bernhard Eisel
Sky
5
5.
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos – Shimano
5
6.
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar
5
7.
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma
5
8.
Sacha Modolo
Bardiani Valvole – CSF Inox
4
9.
Pieter Weening
Orica – Green Edge
4
10.
Simon Gerrans
Orica- Green Edge
4
11.
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma
4
Victories teams:
1.
Orica Green Edge
18
2.
Omega Pharma
18
3.
Movistar
18
Andre Greipel was truly smashing the competition in February. He took multiple stage wins at Tour of Qatar and Tour of Oman, as well as the overall victory at Tour of Qatar. His only World Tour points were gained with his two stage wins at Paris – Nice. The german sprinter gorilla will make sure to continue his celebrations at the Grand Tours this year. Taylor Phinney took multiple Time Trials of continental races so far, while Juan Jose Haedo shows that his transfer from Saxo Tinkhoff to Jamis - Hagen Berman delivers him many wins on continental level. Euskaltel – Euskadi’s most successful rider, in terms of victories, is Samuel Sánchez with 3, but that’s not a surprise to the frequent reader. On the team level, three teams reside at the 1st of May with 18 wins so far. It’s a bit remarkable since all 3 of these teams specialize in different areas in the early season. Thankfully, besides these 3 very strong competitors, there were still enough races and stage wins to be fought out for the other riders. Euskaltel currently has a total of 8 wins.
For your Information, 1. May 2013
I keep on writing reports until late at night and then often hop into the team car early in the morning. The entire day consists of taking notes, motivating riders and endure Katu’s grubbiness suck all the former parts of myself out of body. And meanwhile, it also induces new life streams, it takes my body to shivering heights, but my heart pumps good and square and feels good. Does the basque hivemind control me by now? Gora Euskadi, Gora… something... I keep shouting. Anybody looking at me weird in any hotel hall of the world, does so, because I run around in shirts of the ikurrina, while I still fail to speak basque even in the slightest.
I had crash courses at a local university but heck – I never had to time for learning, why should this change now? I came to know large parts of the team by now. Still, there is not much talking I understand so I can’t fully grasp their personality, their jokes, their attitudes and mentality. I hope that will change over time. The Izagirre brothers have started to teach me basque along the way. It’s funny as they perfect the good cop/bad cop stereotype in terms of teaching me vocabulary. You are doing well, one says, while the other constantly complains or picks on me. And after some time, they switch their roles. Or at least, they try doing. They always fall back into the same category at the end of the day. I intend to feature my first interview with them, and I wonder if some guys of you have questions for them?
My boss is satisfied with my reports so far. He states, they may be a bit too long, and I always promise I will keep them shorter, but I never truly believe that myself – and I don’t want to change that. Apparently the readers show interest in what’s going on Euskaltel – Euskadi. I’m glad I can keep up with the reports so far. It’s hectic, but I rarely get stressed. Maybe I’m just a too cool guy to ever be stressed. Or maybe cycling prepares you for disappointment; it teaches you to deal with it and prepare for it as it will be over at some point anyway and it doesn’t really matter how far you’ve come. Probably I have interpreted the core essence of cycling wrong though.
Euskaltel – Euskadi can look back on some great results. Certainly, lots of sweet moments, ranging from surprising well cobblestone result, to Martínez 3rd overall place at Tirreno – Adriatico or decent performances at the Ardennes classics. Of course our season highlight was Samu’s win at the home race Vuelta Ciclista a País Vasco. I have never seen such a crowd that pilgrimed to the bars in such a nearly religious manner. There was quite some disappointment involved too, but as I said, more cheering. Basque fans are everywhere. Well, nearly everywhere. I missed them at the Belgian classics, but I suppose no one was expecting Ion Izagirre to be doing so well. Maybe next year some fans will come to applaud for him. Either he finishes Top 10 or last – I think it’s good for them to know that they always have the support of their fans. I imagined Euskaltel- Euskadi as a family… it is kinda right in a way, but there are many dark parts of a family... Children, who feel no love from their parents, grandchildren, who are always nagging, the weird creepy uncle… you get the sentiment. It’s not a whole family. There’s this leviathan creeping in a corner, its name is financial burden. Despite strong showings, the team is just barely afloat. Right now, apparently there are 200.000 Euros on the bank account. Katu has reacted to the finances and offered a reduced contract to Igor Antón, who accepted it. He told me he plans to further decrease costs until the team is doing better. There’s just too less money coming from our sponsors – that’s his mantra every night and he says it, like he wants to repeat it five more times, while kneeling in front of the bed, praying for some cash cow that he can take advantage off. Fine by me. That would mean I’d get some money too.
I keep thinking about the staff. They have recently fired their scout, since he was too expensive, but truth is, he also wasn’t good enough to spot potential in the things that matter for Euskaltel – Euskadi. So instead they hired two new scouts and one of them observes Basque Country, while the other one takes a look at the talent in Navarra. Surely, something must come up.
Also, I think that Katu would be a great general manager of the team. So far, he is merely a small manager, not very important, but it seems everywhere I go, he just naturally takes control of things. He maybe doesn’t care about hierarchy too much, but he always seems to be in command, even if he shouldn’t be. I think maybe it’s time for a change in the leading positions. But look at me, playing kingmaker and all this stuff… it’s silly.
I have talked with Katu about a possible socio strategy. To remind you guys, socios are the members of the Euskadi Cycling team. The idea hit me one late night while I was watching a recap of an old Giro stage and noticed that not too many basque fans were around. “This could bring some more international people in, people who really support your cause. It could further boost some riders when they know they have fans all around the world. I mean, your riders are surely the favourite of a fan and this fan can support him even better.” He quite liked the idea, however he wants to wait to launch the program until the end of the season. Obviously the insecurity if Euskaltel – Euskadi survival this season plays a major part for him, but that just might be a glimpse of hope. “I think you overstate our support a bit though”, he claims
“Well, maybe we just to get people hooked”, I answer. But my hopes remain, that I and others can soon join as Socios this wonderful basque cycling team.
The first Grand Tour of the year is traditionally the Giro d’Italia. 22 teams will fight over the next 3 weeks for the Maglia Rosa, Maglia Rossa and Maglia Azurra and hope to snatch as many stage wins as possible. It was founded 1909 by the Gazetto dell o Sport and was inspired by the Tour de France. The excitement and euphoria can be felt many weeks ahead of the official start and newspaper such as the Gazzetto dello Sport are plastered with interviews, reports and foreshadowing. In the world of cycling, the Giro d’Italia ranks as one of the most prestitiguos races. Although it is generally considered “only” as the second most important stage race of the year, behind the media-extravagance festival Tour de France, it is for many cycling enthusiasts their favourite Grand Tour of the season. Because of its tough hills and many mountain climbs and the generally attacking spirit of the riders, there’s hardly any pause for the Grand Tour contenders. The Giro d’Italia doesn’t favor time trial as much as the Tour de France, but doesn’t neglect it in the same way as for example the Vuelta d’Espana does it. It is noticed that the Giro organization RCS Sport wants a balance route with an emphasis towards the best climbers. However, Ryder Hesjedal proved recently that the Giro can also be won by a Time Trial. Be it as it may, one thing is for sure: The Giro winner needs first and foremost a calm nature to withstand the passionate tivosi, a strong spirit to endure many attacks and the legs for the most crucial mountains. Famous mountains include the snowy beast Passo Stelvio, the Passo Mortirolo and Passo Gavia amongst others. However, the Giro is eager to always find new spectacular mountains and, for me, does not repeat its stage patterns as much on a frequent basis such as the Tour de France. Riders who know these mountains quite well are record winners Eddy Merckx and legendary Italian riders Fausto Coppi and Alfredo Binda. Most wins holds Mario Cipollini with 43.
From the course of Napoli to Milan… no, wait, that’s not right… Brescia, the finish is in Brescia this year, the battles will be hard and unforgiving as many top riders contest in this year’s edition. Local matador Vincenzo Nibali (AST) is the all-out spoken favourite. In the last 2 years, he was on the podium of 4 Grand Tours, winning the Vuelta 2010. He was the only true opponent to Bradley Wiggins at his Tour’s win and Nibali’s looks for pay back, since the Briton will also ride the Giro. There’s a 55 kilometer time trial featured early on and this should definitely play into the Tour de France winners cards. However, SKY feature another potential winner in the disguise of their lieutenant, Rigoberto Urán. The Colombian hopes to finally make the big breakthrough this season and SKY will be sure to use both of them for their tactical advantage. Winner of the previous year, Ryder Hesjedal, is eager to defend his title but is certainly not the main favourite. Joaquim Rodriguez, last year’s unfortunante second, who lost the Maglia Rosa on the last day, can be considered probably the best climber in the peloton, but have his time trial skills improved since last time? Also, he rides for Katusha and they are not really a team made for this long Grand Tours, and depending on their form, Purito could already lose time on the Team Time Trial on the second day. I am sure he has learned from his previous mistakes and will show more attacking spirit this time around, although critics say his form isn't good enough yet as he failed to deliver at the Ardennes classics.
Riders for a solid Top 10 ranking include Lampre’s finest Michele Scarponi, BMC’sT.J. Van Garderen, Movistar’s Benat Intxausti, AG2R La Mondiales Italian duo Pozzovivo and Nocentini, Samuel Sánchez, Belkin’s Bauke Mollema and Robert Gesink, Andrew Talansky (GRS) and for Team Saxo Tinkhoff Rafael Majka. However, merely a Top 10 probably won’t be enough for some at them and they will do anything to crack the podium.
Due to the rather rare flat stages, that this Giro’s features, no team has sent their absolute topsprinter except maybe for FDJ in the form of Arnaud Demare and Nacer Bouhanni. However we will see if the course suits these two Frenchmen. Other notable sprinters in the peloton include Mark Renshaw (BEL), Sacha Modolo (BAR) and Viviani (CAN). One name is bigger than all of theirs though, but one has to wonder if he reaches his old, feared level: Petacchi is at the start for Lampre and the three questions will be: How is his form, how many stage wins can he take and will he finish the Giro?
As for Euskaltel – Euskadi: Our team leader is Samuel Sánchez who has the far hope to complete his podium collection of all 3 Grand Tours but will mainly look for possible stage wins. Realistically speaking, there’s not much chance against the likes of Nibali and Purito in the high mountains, but maybe with some smart riding and good team support, Samu and Euskaltel perform well. The form is definitely in the favour of Samu Sánchez, who had a good run at the Ardennes classics and won Euskaltel’s home race Vuelta Ciclista al País Vasco. However concerns are growing larger, since Samu hadn’t much time to rest for the Giro and more or less goes already in it, in full mode. It is likely that he will suffer of fatigue in later stages and won’t have the legs for the truly tough stages. So not too much can be expected of him. His biggest helpers for the stages will Verdugo and Gorka Izagirre but they will have plenty of chances hopefully to try their luck too. We are playing with the thought of going for the Mountain jersey, however this will be mainly decided during the course of the Giro d’Italia. With Jure Kocjan, Ioannis Tamouridis and Vrecer the team features three non-spanish riders, who will all help mainly but especially Kocjan might have a chance for one or the other sprint or breakaway. Garcia, Oroz and Minguez complete the squad and will mainly carry bottles and try to protect their leaders.
True Giro d'Italia legends but even more legends of life:
Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi
Dogs of San Sebastian, Part 1
For the next three weeks, I will be also following someone else and not Katu. My trusted, always depressed Katu will concentrate on the upcoming stage races (Tour de Suisse, Criterium Dauphine) and will already make preparations for the fall classics. Euskaltel – Euskadi’s man for the Grand Tours this year is Zakur. Another basque nick name for one the guys, and it’s again copied from an animal. Zakur, or The Dog in English, is a brass, aggressive man. He is tall, musculous and bald. He regularly shouts and screams at anyone who disagrees or doesn’t perform. That is to say, he cares about the riders and the success of the team. From the first meeting onwards, I have the feeling though, that he is a bit overreacting and overcompetitive, far more than what is healthy. I wonder how it will turn and I look forward to this Giro. It’s my first and as for me, I want to enjoy every second of it.
I meet Zakur at the steps of our hotel for the first time. I had a break from cycling for about a week since the Tour de Romandie and was quite eager to get started again. As much as a rider looks forward to finally race again, a journalist like me wants to report. My fingers are itchy already when I meet him and shake Zakur’s hand. He brushes me off though with a grim look. There I thought I had just opened up Katu a bit and now Euskaltel give me the next team manager that looks at me like I am some over-the-top proportioned luggage, waiting to be carried around. He doesn’t even ask for my name, but that’s okay. I sure he has heard of it by now, or he doesn’t really care. Well, I do at least, and tell him: “It’s an honour to be at Euskaltel’s side during this Grand Tour.”
“Just don’t get used it. If I think you are too annoying or take the focus off the riders, you are out of here. We understand each other?”
“Loud and clear.”
“Well, you might as well, say Sir to me in the future”, he demands from me. I look irritated there for a second, but then show him I am not here to be toyed around:
“I promise you I won’t do that”, I say and explain: “I already know some riders quite good. I don’t think I will be an hindrance for anyone. Except maybe after the races.”
“If we win, you can be as much as annoying prick as you want to be. Just don’t write about any failures”, he warns me and his look is once more all too convincing and so I am sure of it: I am dealing with some sociopath here. He leaves into the hotel, while shouting at his staff to make sure of all the luggage and bikes and further equipment. The riders arrive a bit later in a separate bus. They are looking sharp so far, although I overhear how one of them already complains about the new team manager, Zakur.
Yours,
X
Stage 1
The start takes place in Napoli, where the stage will also finish. It’s a bright, sunny, warm day, the sea is calm. Many spectators have been in a hurry all the day to catch the start of their homerace. Minguez is the first to cross the line.
Gorka Izagirre manages to get into the breakaway at the first climb. He initiated the attack, and Bob Jungels (RTL), Slagter (BEL) and Geslin (FDJ) are with him. The basque shows further his good form. The break struggles at first, but then over time, gets a gap of over 4 minutes. The teams of the sprinters are already chasing them in the peloton, so it will be hard to stay ahead of the peloton.
By the fifth time the riders cross this hill, I already feel like I know every corner of Napoli. It’s a beautiful town and letting the first stage take place in such a course-manner is a fantastic idea.
50 kilometers to and finally this flag, they have passed every time, gets some meaning. Gorka Izagirre takes the 3 points ahead of Bob Jungels. If he takes the other 3 too, the mountain jersey will be his for today. Even if it shouldn’t work out with the stage win today, at least we would have gained something from today. The peloton still does solid work, and 3 minutes is not much lead for this road.
The guys are really trying hard to keep their distance. Only 2 minutes, 30 kilometers still to go. It doesn’t look good. One more mountain sprint is up, and Gorka wants to at least take this one until he even considers surrendering.
10 kilometers further down the road, or back at the road? Westra (VCD) attacked from the peloton, and the group still has roughly 1’20 lead. It won’t be enough. But the mountain points belong to Gorka.
Ian Stannard (SKY) hunts the group down. Izagirre and Jungels don’t quite give up and attempt one last shot at the win today. But they get caught anyway 7 kilometers from the finish line.
Gianni Meersman (OPQ) confirms his stellar form after the a win and the points jersey at the Tour de Romandie, and wins this stage. It was certainly suited to him and he is glad he could repay the team’s trust in him. Several crashes in the heated up finale occurred, though no major favourites were involved. Ventoso and Porsev complete the podium of the first day at the Giro d’Italia. Gorka Izagirre will wear tomorrow the jersey of the best climber. “This might turn into a goal for me”, he responds to me, “to keep this jersey all the way to Brescia.”
Stage 1, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
3h42'10
2
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
3
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
4
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
5
Sacha Modolo
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
6
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
7
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
s.t.
8
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
9
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
10
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
12
Stefano Garzelli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
13
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
14
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
15
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
16
Vasil Kiryienka
Sky Procycling
s.t.
17
Enrico Barbin
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
18
Diego Rosa
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
19
Alessandro De Marchi
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
20
Adam Blythe
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
21
Jérôme Pineau
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
22
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
23
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
24
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
25
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
26
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
27
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
28
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
29
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
30
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
s.t.
31
Matteo Rabottini
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
32
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
33
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
34
Alexey Lutsenko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
35
Pieter Weening
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
36
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
37
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
38
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
39
Gianluca Brambilla
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
40
Stefano Pirazzi
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
41
Franco Pellizotti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
42
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
43
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
s.t.
44
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
45
Tiago Machado
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
46
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ
s.t.
47
Fabian Wegmann
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
48
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
49
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
50
Mauro Santambrogio
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
51
Egor Silin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
52
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ
s.t.
53
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
s.t.
54
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
55
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
56
Francesco Reda
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
57
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
58
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
59
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
60
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
61
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
62
Mattia Gavazzi
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
63
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
64
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
65
Francesco Failli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
66
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
67
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
68
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
69
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
70
Oscar Gatto
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
71
Sonny Colbrelli
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
72
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
73
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
s.t.
74
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
75
Rafal Majka
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
76
Tom Slagter
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
77
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
78
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
79
Maciej Bodnar
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
80
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
81
Fabio Felline
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
82
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
83
Maxim Belkov
Katusha Team
s.t.
84
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
85
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
86
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
s.t.
87
Cayetano Sarmiento
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
88
Stef Clement
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
89
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
90
Miguel Rubiano
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
91
Domenico Pozzovivo
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
92
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
93
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
94
Winner Anacona
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
95
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
96
Koen De Kort
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
97
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
98
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
99
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
100
Tomas Vaitkus
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
101
Ian Stannard
Sky Procycling
s.t.
102
José Serpa
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
103
Xavier Florencio
Katusha Team
s.t.
104
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
105
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
106
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
107
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
108
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
s.t.
109
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
110
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
111
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
112
Rohan Dennis
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
113
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
114
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
115
Manuele Mori
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
116
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
117
Paolo Tiralongo
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
118
Jure Kocjan
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
119
Dries Devenyns
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
120
Jérémy Roy
FDJ
s.t.
121
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
122
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
123
Cristiano Salerno
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
124
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
125
Tosh Van der Sande
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
126
Stuart O'Grady
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
127
Jonathan Monsalve
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
128
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
129
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
130
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
131
Bart De Clercq
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
132
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
133
Kevin De Weert
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
134
Tobias Ludvigsson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
135
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
136
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
137
Chris Anker Sørensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
138
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
139
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
140
Angelo Pagani
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
141
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
142
William Bonnet
FDJ
s.t.
143
Rafael Valls
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
144
José Rujano
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
145
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
s.t.
146
Matthew Hayman
Sky Procycling
s.t.
147
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
148
Jonas Ahlstrand
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
149
Bert De Backer
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
150
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
151
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky Procycling
s.t.
152
Rafael de Mattos Andriato
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
153
Rob Ruijgh
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
154
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
155
Tim Wellens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
156
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
157
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
158
Kris Boeckmans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
159
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
160
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
161
Sandy Casar
FDJ
s.t.
162
Filippo Fortin
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
163
Luke Durbridge
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
164
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
165
Ben Hermans
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
166
Francesco Bongiorno
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
167
Robert Kiserlovski
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
168
Fumiyuki Beppu
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
169
Dennis Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
170
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
171
Matthew Busche
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
172
Mads Christensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
173
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
174
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
175
Thomas Damuseau
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
176
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
177
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
178
Cameron Wurf
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
179
Enrique Sanz
Movistar Team
s.t.
180
Tom Veelers
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
181
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
182
Thomas Peterson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
183
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
184
Timothy Duggan
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
185
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
s.t.
186
Hayden Roulston
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
187
Takashi Miyazawa
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
188
Kevin Hulsmans
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
189
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
190
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'40
191
Ioannis Tamouridis
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
192
Rory Sutherland
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 4'25
193
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
194
Evgeni Petrov
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
195
Francesco Chicchi
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
+ 7'22
196
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 9'34
Stage 2
I pretend I can't be bothered to watch the race but in truth, Zakur just doesn't want me around at today's team time trial. That's why I follow the race from the TV screen and suppose that this will have to do. The usual suspects dominate the race. Hesjedal gains 16 seconds on Wiggins and Urán thanks to his squad good TTT abilities and form. 25 seconds for Astana and Nibali. Euskaltel - Euskadi perform well and only get 53 seconds handed to them, but that's already quite a gap towards the favourites. Rodriguez is already one minute behind and the Giro has just started yet. At the end of the day, Hesjedal has his Maglia Rosa a bit faster this time around than he did last year. Question is, can he hang on to it?
Stage 2, Results - Top 10 Teams
1.
Garmin –Sharp 20'50
2.
Sky +16
3.
BMC +22
4.
Astana +25
5.
Radioshack +40
6.
Belkin +41
7.
Movistar +51
8.
Euskaltel – Euskadi +53
9.
Lampre – Merida +57
10.
Katusha +1’05``
Stage 2, Results - Full
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
20'50
Spoiler
2
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
3
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
4
Fabian Wegmann
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
5
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
6
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
7
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
8
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
9
Rohan Dennis
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
10
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
+ 16
11
Ian Stannard
Sky Procycling
s.t.
12
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky Procycling
s.t.
13
Matthew Hayman
Sky Procycling
s.t.
14
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
s.t.
15
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
16
Vasil Kiryienka
Sky Procycling
s.t.
17
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
s.t.
18
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
19
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
+ 22
20
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
21
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
22
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
23
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
24
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
25
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
26
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
27
Adam Blythe
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
28
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
+ 25
29
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
30
Paolo Tiralongo
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
31
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
32
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
33
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
34
Egor Silin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
35
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
36
Alexey Lutsenko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
37
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 40
38
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
39
Ben Hermans
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
40
Hayden Roulston
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
41
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
42
Robert Kiserlovski
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
43
Matthew Busche
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
44
Tiago Machado
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
45
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
46
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 41
47
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
48
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
49
Stef Clement
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
50
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
51
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
52
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
53
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
54
Tom Slagter
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
55
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
+ 51
56
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
57
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
58
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
s.t.
59
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
60
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
61
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
62
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
s.t.
63
Enrique Sanz
Movistar Team
s.t.
64
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 53
65
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
66
Jure Kocjan
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
67
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
68
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
69
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
70
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
71
Ioannis Tamouridis
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
72
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
73
Manuele Mori
Lampre - Merida
+ 57
74
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
75
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
76
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
77
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
78
José Serpa
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
79
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
80
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
81
Winner Anacona
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
82
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
+ 1'05
83
Maxim Belkov
Katusha Team
s.t.
84
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
85
Xavier Florencio
Katusha Team
s.t.
86
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
s.t.
87
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
s.t.
88
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
89
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
90
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
s.t.
91
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'07
92
Jérôme Pineau
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
93
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
94
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
95
Dries Devenyns
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
96
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
97
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
98
Kevin De Weert
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
99
Gianluca Brambilla
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
100
Stuart O'Grady
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1'16
101
Fumiyuki Beppu
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
102
Tomas Vaitkus
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
103
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
104
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
105
Pieter Weening
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
106
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
107
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
108
Luke Durbridge
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
109
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
+ 1'18
110
Sandy Casar
FDJ
s.t.
111
William Bonnet
FDJ
s.t.
112
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ
s.t.
113
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
114
Jérémy Roy
FDJ
s.t.
115
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ
s.t.
116
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
117
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
s.t.
118
Maciej Bodnar
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1'20
119
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
120
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
121
Cristiano Salerno
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
122
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
123
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
124
Cayetano Sarmiento
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
125
Cameron Wurf
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
126
Alessandro De Marchi
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
127
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 1'23
128
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
129
Francesco Reda
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
130
Fabio Felline
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
131
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
132
Franco Pellizotti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
133
Miguel Rubiano
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
134
Mattia Gavazzi
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
135
Diego Rosa
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
136
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1'26
137
Evgeni Petrov
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
138
Chris Anker Sørensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
139
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
140
Mads Christensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
141
Timothy Duggan
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
142
Rory Sutherland
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
143
Takashi Miyazawa
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
144
Rafal Majka
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
145
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'30
146
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
147
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
148
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
149
Dennis Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
150
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
151
Bart De Clercq
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
152
Tosh Van der Sande
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
153
Tim Wellens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
154
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'39
155
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
156
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
157
Domenico Pozzovivo
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
158
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
159
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
160
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
161
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
162
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
163
Bert De Backer
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
164
Tom Veelers
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
165
Thomas Peterson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
166
Koen De Kort
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
167
Thomas Damuseau
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
168
Tobias Ludvigsson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
169
Jonas Ahlstrand
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
170
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
171
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
172
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'47
173
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
174
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
175
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
176
Rafael Valls
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
177
Rob Ruijgh
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
178
Kris Boeckmans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
179
José Rujano
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
180
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
181
Francesco Failli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
+ 1'55
182
Stefano Garzelli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
183
Francesco Chicchi
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
184
Kevin Hulsmans
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
185
Mauro Santambrogio
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
186
Oscar Gatto
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
187
Jonathan Monsalve
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
188
Matteo Rabottini
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
189
Rafael de Mattos Andriato
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
190
Stefano Pirazzi
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
191
Angelo Pagani
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
192
Sonny Colbrelli
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
193
Filippo Fortin
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
194
Enrico Barbin
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
195
Francesco Bongiorno
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
196
Sacha Modolo
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
+ 2'00
Call to all readers: Ever wanted some advice from professional cyclists? Have a question that's really nagging on you concering the Izagirre brothers? Or just really need something to get off your chest? Send a private message to me with your questions forIon & Gorka Izagirre. The interview will be published on the first rest day of the Giro d'Italia!
Today's stage after the Team Time Trial offers a long flat section before two climbs to Marina di Ascea will be of great help to determine the winner.
The first hill right at the start of the stage makes the race very hectic and tough. Due to the high pace some riders are already dropped. In the breakaway, there’s a well-known name: Cadel Evans (BMC), former Tour de France winner tries his luck together with Gorka Izagirre in his mountain jersey. Ulissi, Barguil, Offredo, Barbin and Herrada complete a very strong breakaway. The peloton knows that and so far they are not willing to let them really ride away. Follow-Up attacks by Gadret, Rujano, Riblon or Mollema just makes it all the more frustrating to gain time.
Be it as it may, the peloton and especially Garmin-Sharp weren’t willing to let them get away. This must have been because of Evans who they still consider a threat despite his age. Almost immediately after the first break was caught, Jens Voigt (RTL) attacked and we all know: When this guy attacks, than its more often than not, successful. This is why Gorka immediately followed him on his backwheel. This time around the break looks much better, and they already have over two minutes to the peloton. I take the time to look at Gorka’s jersey and it certainly suits him.
Rain pours down on them. Nothing new on that front. Izagirre is pacing up this mountain like he lives for that jersey. He is determined to get the points. Frankly, the competition is easier this time around: Instead of riders like Evans, Barguil or Ulissi he merely has to deal with puncheurs and fast man. Ventoso is the definitely the guy to watch out in a bunch sprint. The Spaniard is right now leader of the virtual points classification thanks to the intermediate sprint. I’m sure he’ll want to add some more points today. Riders like Voigt or Morkov, vou should never underestimate. They tend to have a way of bouncing back when you think you already dropped them. And for the other riders, like Cummings or Ruijh: Any one wants the stage win. That should be reason enough to keep caution.
This time around, the fellow riders in the breakaway are not willing to just hand the points over to Gorka Izagirre. But that doesn’t matter. He takes them anyway.
In the downhill, it becomes more and more evident that not everybody is willing to work for the group. Riders like Ventoso or Wellens spend much time on the wheels of others. Obviously Zakur, that wild tempered, bald man, isn’t happy and keeps shouting in his mic that Gorka shouldn’t do to much work. “Drop them bastards at the mountain!” Meanwhile, Movistar help Lampre and Astana to make up time to the breakaway, which is weird, since they have by far the best sprinter in the breakaway with Ventoso.
Nibali and Majka try the best to follow Scarponi (LAM), Urán (SKY), Gesink (BEL), Pirazzi, Weening (OGE) and Nocentini (ALM). The road reads: WW 108. Wouter Weylandt. Never forgotten.
The peloton came too close by now. Nocentini (ALM) was already in Izagirre’s group. The ensuing attacks rather all puff into the air until Gorka tries to really push for it, one kilometer from the mountain top.
Gorka won the mountain sprint and his gap on his former companions is big enough o gain him a lead. A lead that isn’t enough for the breakaway riders as they get caught by the peloton and now try one last attempt in the tunnel that leads into the downhill.
“God damn it, what are you doing?!”, Zakur screams. And he doesn’t know. And I can’t believe it. Samu crashed in the downhill together with Scarponi and Bakelants. Who’s fault I don’t know? I was too concentrated on Gorka… but god damn it. He quickly gets back on his bike. One of the best downhiller crashes, what an honour for this descent… this means it’s truly a difficult chase down the mountain. Gorka takes full advantage of that.
Gorka shows from whom he has learned and rides a downhill, even Samu would have difficulties to improve upon. At this picture, he has over 50 seconds lead. He really pushed some time into the peloton there. And he just goes faster and faster… 10 kilometers to go.
Samu comes back into the group. Thanks to his great downhill skills. And yes, Lampre did send riders back, but honestly, it looked more like Samu did all the work for them anyway. Upfront, the favourites keep pushing: Wiggins attacks in a downhill? Whatever. Kirienyka paces for him. Urán is there too. Hesjedal, Purito, Cunego. Weirdly enough, Nibali didn’t show himself in the descent yet, and Samu crashed. So the two best downhillers both have a black day while Gorka Izagirre maybe puts in the downhill of his career yet?
Up top, there they are. In order, in a fashionable designed manner, no accidents. That’s good, after all they are the peloton. Further down though, Gorka risks it all. The freedom of a lone rider and the road up ahead versus the hungry pack of wolves, hunting him down. Tell me, who deserves here to win?
They are all behind him. Turning around the corner. He keeps his cool. It’s enough.
Gora Gorka, Gora Euskadi!
What a victory! Gorka doesn’t care about the time left. He doesn’t care he keeps going he could get the Maglia Rosa. He raises his arm hundred meters before the finish and is rewarded with his sole biggest triumph of his career. Enjoy the moment, I think. I’m speechless. Zakur meanwhile shouts in the micro: “Ride! Ride! You can take the jersey!” But Gorka doesn’t care too much about it. He worked for this moment all day, he longed for it. And now it is here. And there’s nothing that could prevent him from enjoying it while he rides to the finish of Marina di Ascea. Forget about seconds, forget about money. This is about more than that.
In the end, truly it wasn’t enough. 4 seconds would have been enough to make him leader of the Giro d’Italia. But I’m relieved he isn’t, somehow. Samuel Sánchez needs all the help he can get later on and there’s not much point in us working for the peloton, when we have little chances of keeping it. Still, of course, it’d be nice to have the leader’s jersey, but alas, Gorka wanted his moment and he got it. This is more than simply wearing a jersey for a day or two, and having to suffer through the best press conferences on the following rest day… “Do you think you can keep it?”, “Are you the leader now?”, “Are you doped?” All these silly questions, all these anxiousness of the world. “Just step down and enjoy the moment, he has every right to do so”, I explain Zakur, who is still furious about the lost jersey. The bald berserker looks at me as if he ready to punch me in the end but just drives off in his car on his own. Maybe Gorka really regret it tomorrow that he hasn’t taken this 3 seconds from Ryder too, but then again, would he have regretted it more if he kept on riding when he already wanted to celebrate? If he has the feeling that he didn’t enjoy this moment of crossing the line as the first at this year’s Giro to the fullest?
Stage 3, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
5h13'25
2
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 26
3
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
4
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
s.t.
5
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
6
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
7
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
8
Tim Wellens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
9
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
10
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Gianluca Brambilla
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
12
Fabian Wegmann
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
13
Francesco Failli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
14
Alessandro De Marchi
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
15
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
16
Tiago Machado
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
17
Matteo Rabottini
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
18
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
19
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
20
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
21
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
22
Franco Pellizotti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
23
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
24
Rohan Dennis
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
25
Rafal Majka
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
26
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
27
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
28
Fabio Felline
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
29
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
30
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
s.t.
31
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
32
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
33
Pieter Weening
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
34
Francesco Bongiorno
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
35
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
36
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
s.t.
37
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
38
Stefano Pirazzi
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
39
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
40
Dries Devenyns
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
41
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
s.t.
42
Maxim Belkov
Katusha Team
s.t.
43
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
44
Vasil Kiryienka
Sky Procycling
s.t.
45
Diego Rosa
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
46
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
47
Domenico Pozzovivo
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
48
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
49
Chris Anker Sørensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
50
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
51
Xavier Florencio
Katusha Team
s.t.
52
Angelo Pagani
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
53
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
54
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
55
Rob Ruijgh
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
56
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
57
Robert Kiserlovski
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
58
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
59
José Serpa
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
60
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
61
Winner Anacona
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
62
Sandy Casar
FDJ
+ 1'43
63
Jérémy Roy
FDJ
s.t.
64
Stefano Garzelli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
65
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
66
Sonny Colbrelli
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
+ 3'26
67
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
68
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
69
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
70
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
71
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
72
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
73
Oscar Gatto
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
74
Stuart O'Grady
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
75
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
76
Stef Clement
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
77
Enrico Barbin
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
78
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ
s.t.
79
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
80
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
81
Miguel Rubiano
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
82
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
83
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
84
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
s.t.
85
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ
s.t.
86
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'55
87
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 6'03
88
Sacha Modolo
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
89
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
90
Jonathan Monsalve
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
91
Paolo Tiralongo
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
92
Jure Kocjan
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
93
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
94
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
95
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
+ 8'13
96
Ioannis Tamouridis
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
97
Francesco Reda
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 11'29
98
Manuele Mori
Lampre - Merida
+ 12'37
99
Kevin De Weert
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
100
Adam Blythe
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
101
Matthew Busche
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
102
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
103
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
104
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
105
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
106
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
107
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
108
Mauro Santambrogio
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
109
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
s.t.
110
José Rujano
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
111
Mads Christensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
112
Tom Slagter
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
113
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
114
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
115
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
116
Egor Silin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
117
Rafael Valls
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
118
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
119
Cristiano Salerno
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
120
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
s.t.
121
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 13'40
122
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
123
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
124
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
125
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
126
Koen De Kort
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
127
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
128
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
129
Matthew Hayman
Sky Procycling
s.t.
130
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
131
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
132
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
133
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
134
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
135
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
136
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
137
Jérôme Pineau
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
138
Luke Durbridge
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
139
Ben Hermans
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
140
Thomas Damuseau
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
141
Tobias Ludvigsson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
142
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
143
Timothy Duggan
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
144
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky Procycling
s.t.
145
Thomas Peterson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
146
Bart De Clercq
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
147
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
148
Evgeni Petrov
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
149
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
150
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
+ 15'57
151
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
152
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
s.t.
153
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
154
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
155
Kris Boeckmans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
156
Takashi Miyazawa
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
157
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
158
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
s.t.
159
William Bonnet
FDJ
s.t.
160
Tomas Vaitkus
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
161
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
162
Mattia Gavazzi
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
163
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
164
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
s.t.
165
Rafael de Mattos Andriato
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
166
Bert De Backer
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
167
Filippo Fortin
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
168
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
169
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
170
Tosh Van der Sande
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
171
Jonas Ahlstrand
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
172
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
173
Fumiyuki Beppu
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
174
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
175
Ian Stannard
Sky Procycling
s.t.
176
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
177
Enrique Sanz
Movistar Team
s.t.
178
Hayden Roulston
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
179
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
180
Kevin Hulsmans
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
181
Rory Sutherland
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
182
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
183
Alexey Lutsenko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
184
Dennis Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
185
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
186
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
187
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
188
Maciej Bodnar
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
189
Cameron Wurf
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
190
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
191
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 18'32
192
Tom Veelers
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
193
Cayetano Sarmiento
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
194
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 25'33
195
Francesco Chicchi
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
+ 33'12
196
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 37'12
I wait for Gorka at the team bus. I’ve never seen such a crowded podium. So many people cheering for one person. And he’s not even Italian. But the fans, they respect it when you put all your effort into this. They love breakaway wins. They like it when an outsider wins. And after all, what’s more outsider-ish than this team from the basque country?
When I meet Gorka he just wants to get some sleep. He is exhausted and tired and has only the power to take a phone call from his brother. I catch him in the hallway and ask him, if the Interview is still on for tomorrow after the training? He answers me, “at least now we have plenty to talk about.” I assure him, we had plenty to talk about before. I figure that he answered enough questions for today, all these interviews with noisy reporters, and let him get much deserved rest. He still hasn’t put off the jersey of the best climber at this year’s Giro. And truly yes, today he was the best rider. Maybe he should put it off, a masseuse tells him, it isn’t good for his body if he keeps wearing it. “Just a little bit longer, it feels good”, he says and laughs at his own silliness. “After all, I don’t have much to do tomorrow, do I?”, and looks forward to the rest day tomorrow. Exhausted he endures the massage and crawls into his bed. He isn’t right though, there is stuff to do tomorrow; like answering questions from a noisy reporter and from his fans.
Oh my god you are so legendary for this story, easily the quickest i seen someone get this far, i was here at Tirreno then Boom your at another level lol already in the Giro. I said in carear discussion u would make great writer andim right, i just hope i can have your motivation.
@atlanta: Thanks mate, glad you like it. Hope you catch up on the remaining posts & stages, there were some very nice races we participated in (MSR, cobble classics, País Vasco, Ardennes classics). And I said before, a Grand Tour may have rest days but the season never stops.
I want this story to move on forward fast and many posts in a week are necessary for that. I actually think that I move too fast for people sometimes, so if you guys think I should slow down here and there a bit, say the word.
@Dippofix: Yeah, Zakur's kinda a jerk.
@Ian Butler: Thanks mate!
Edited by Shonak on 18-12-2013 13:26
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Please keep on at your current pace, I think it's good. Although, personally I wouldn't mind if you put your screenshots (partially) behind spoilers, so the page loads faster. I'm mainly interested in the story and the results, not so much in pixels. However, I can imagine that other readers don't share this opinion.
Edited by Blueprint on 18-12-2013 14:51
, doing it Paolini style. 
