Quite suprising 'fail' for Gilbert here. Maybe a good sign for his triple-chance, if he doesn't perform well in the races where he did last year Nice win for Degenkolb btw
This race profile is... ehhh. bugged. However, there is an ciricuit around the cityof Geraadsbergen. In the first half of the race we only climb half Kapelmuur and in the final half we climb the total climb up to the chapel. It's 260 kms long and the weather forecast says 2° C, rain and heavt winds. Auch!
Philippe's Comment: "Yesterday was awful but I get paid to be good in April not in February. The team worked good yesterday, Burghardt and Vorobev were strong and Summerhill did some great job in the break but I wasn't fit enough to say thanks for their work."
Grand Prix van Geraadsbergen
Geraadsbergen - Geraadsbergen
2° C, rain and heavt winds. There is shitty weather in Belgium this morning but hey! Had you expected something else?
Daniel Summerhill joins they break, just like yesterday, after plenty of attacks. There is 5 other riders with him and they cooperate well.
Not much happend during the first half of the race until we climbs the whole Geraadsbergen. Daniel Summerhill splits the break.
Daniel Summerhill is alone on the next lap, which is a bad sign. They will be chance for him to win this on his own.
The bunch is splitted after climbing Geraadsbergen twice. The cold wheater plays it's role too but only in Philippe's favour.
Daniel Summerhill is caught by Addy Engels (Quickstep) who was in the break before. However, the bunch is very close so their adventure will soon come to an end.
How about Philippe? He looks better today than yesterday and the lack of cobbles is good for him. He is an better climber than the rest of the cobblers so he will have to leave them in the hill if he wants to win this!
Engels and Summerhill are caught so RadioShack brings the pace up with Quickstep. Burghardt does some great work and riders are dropping even though the climb hasn't started yet.
It's the last time uphill Geraadsbergen and Philippe attacks! He isn't in any great shape beacuse Stijn Devolder (Sky) Johan van Summeren (Omega Pharma) and Tom Boonen (Quickstep) follows him.
Philippe Gilbert, Devolder and van Summeren are together on the top. Boonen is few meters behind but he will catch them in the downhill.
There is only 10 flat kms left and there is 4 star riders in the front. Bonnen is the best sprinter, Philippe is the best attacker while Devolder and van Summeren has to do something that suprises everybody to win this.
4 stars that works together? No it doesn't work. Another great sprinter, Coen Vermeltfoort, joins them and the bunch is only 30 seconds behind!
There is one tiny little climb with 5kms to go and Philippe attakcs! Bonnen tries to follow while the other guys are caught by the bunch.
3kms togo and Philippe seems to stay away from both Boonen and the sprint. Boonen is to tired and the few riders in the bunch are eye-balling each other.
After yeterday's fail, Philippe wins Grand Prix Geraadsbergen and he celbrates with the chapel in his sight! Will he return in April for another win?
Philippe Gilbert wins the first edition of GP van Geraadsbergen!
Marc's Comment"Not the best shape but Philippe will be around 90pts at last stage which means he is in good shape enough to win this race. It will be an hard fight between the best all-rounders in the world: Gilber, Boasson Hagen and Valverde.
Philippe is having an decent ride on the prologue. He is 12th only 20 seconds behind today's winner Edvald Boasson Hagen (Euskaltel) but 20s is much to gain on Boasson Hagen.
Results:
1
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Euskaltel - Euskadi
9'54
2
Jérôme Coppel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1
3
Gustav Erik Larsson
FDJ
s.t.
Spoiler
4
Sébastien Rosseler
Sky ProCycling
+ 3
5
Bradley Wiggins
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 6
6
Janez Brajkovič
HTC - Highroad
+ 10
7
Mark Cavendish
Rapha Condor - Sharp
+ 11
8
Martijn Maaskant
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
9
Luis León Sánchez
Leopard Trek
+ 12
10
Alejandro Valverde
HTC - Highroad
+ 14
11
Maciej Bodnar
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 15
12
Philippe Gilbert
Team RadioShack
+ 20
13
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
14
Amaël Moinard
FDJ
s.t.
15
Andrew Tennant
Rapha Condor - Sharp
+ 21
Stage 2
Orleans - Nevers
Mark Cavendish (Rapha) wins stage 2, there is nothing you can do to stop this guy when he is in shape. However, Philippe is 2nd and Galimzyanov 6th after an good lead-out by the team, a good sign for the rest of this race.
Results:
1
Mark Cavendish
Rapha Condor - Sharp
4h13'54
2
Philippe Gilbert
Team RadioShack
s.t.
3
Jean-Eudes Demaret
Team Europcar
s.t.
Spoiler
4
Andrea Grendene
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
5
Samuel Dumoulin
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
6
Denis Galimzyanov
Team RadioShack
s.t.
7
Daryl Impey
Team Europcar
s.t.
8
Egor Silin
Katusha Team
s.t.
9
Klaas Lodewyck
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
10
Christophe Riblon
Team Europcar
s.t.
Stage 3
Moulins - Saint Etienne
RadioShack makes the best lead-out ever and finishes 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th and 9th. Philippe is 6th and Mark Cavendish (Rapha) wins the stage. Such a shame we couldn't win this uphill sprint but at least we won the team competition on this stage!
Results:
1
Mark Cavendish
Rapha Condor - Sharp
4h17'55
2
Mikaël Chérel
Team RadioShack
s.t.
3
Marcus Burghardt
Team RadioShack
s.t.
Spoiler
4
Denis Galimzyanov
Team RadioShack
s.t.
5
Alexander Kristoff
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
6
Philippe Gilbert
Team RadioShack
s.t.
7
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
s.t.
8
Daryl Impey
Team Europcar
s.t.
9
Anton Vorobev
Team RadioShack
s.t.
10
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
Stage 4
Le Puy En Velay - Montelimar
RadioShack works and splits the bunch today just to see Boasson Hagen win the sprint with ease. Philippe is 5th and makes another great results. HAgen keeps the overall lead before tomorrow's time-trail.
Results:
1
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Euskaltel - Euskadi
4h24'34
2
Lars Ytting Bak
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
3
Daniel Oss
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
Spoiler
4
Jérémie Galland
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
5
Philippe Gilbert
Team RadioShack
s.t.
6
Mikaël Chérel
Team RadioShack
s.t.
7
Christophe Kern
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
8
Carlos Sastre
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
9
Amaël Moinard
FDJ
s.t.
10
Steven Kruijswijk
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
Stage 5
Aix en Provence - Aubagne
Philippe reaches the first intermediate as 7th, 1'03 behind the leader Gustav Erik Larsson (FDJ). When all riders have been passing the first intermediate he is 8th, still 1'03 behind Larsson.
Philippe makes an excellent time-trail today! He finishes as 3rd 1'03 behind Larsson (no he didn't lose anything from the intermediate to the finish) and only Boasson Hagen of the last starters beats him which means he ends up as 4th.
Results:
1
Gustav Erik Larsson
FDJ
56'33
2
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 38
3
Luis León Sánchez
Leopard Trek
+ 1'02
Spoiler
4
Philippe Gilbert
Team RadioShack
+ 1'03
5
Jérôme Coppel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'16
6
Jean-Christophe Peraud
Team Europcar
+ 1'18
7
Stephen Cummings
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'35
8
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
9
Alejandro Valverde
HTC - Highroad
+ 1'36
10
Janez Brajkovič
HTC - Highroad
+ 1'42
GC after 5 stages:
1
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Euskaltel - Euskadi
14h03'22
2
Jérôme Coppel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 45
3
Philippe Gilbert
Team RadioShack
+ 47
4
Jean-Christophe Peraud
Team Europcar
+ 1'07
5
Alejandro Valverde
HTC - Highroad
+ 1'18
Stage 6
La Ciotat - Toulon (Mont Faron)
Not much is happening on this stage untill the last climb, Mont Faron. The break with Emanuele Sella (Katusha) and Eros Capecchi (Liquigas) has an small gap when we enter the climb. Kevin Labeque is also in the break but he seems very tired an drops when the road starts to rise.
Sella stays clear and wins the stage. Capecchi takes the 2nd and Alejandro Valverde is catching Philippe in the sprint to take the 3rd. Philippe is 5th but ha makes an gap to the bunch which means he takesthe overall lead!
Results:
1
Emanuele Sella
Katusha Team
3h23'16
2
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 2'01
3
Alejandro Valverde
HTC - Highroad
+ 2'46
Spoiler
4
David López
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
5
Philippe Gilbert
Team RadioShack
s.t.
6
Ryder Hesjedal
Rapha Condor - Sharp
+ 3'14
7
Dries Devenyns
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 3'22
8
Kevin Labeque
Team RadioShack
s.t.
9
Brice Feillu
Leopard Trek
s.t.
10
Jan Bakelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
GC after 6 stages:
1
Philippe Gilbert
Team RadioShack
17h30'11
2
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 9
3
Alejandro Valverde
HTC - Highroad
+ 29
4
Jérôme Coppel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 34
5
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'12
Stage 7
Toulon - Nice
Marcus Burghardt is in the break and it looks like they will sty clear. Burghardt knows that he isn't the best sprinter so he attacks with less than 10 kms to go.
Burghardt is very strong today and takes the stage win, 55s before the rest of the break. What an impressive move by Burghardt!
Philippe is 3rd in the bunch sprint won by Mark Cavendish. Thay are 1'50 behind and Philippe is 13th on this stage won by his team-mate!
Results:
1
Marcus Burghardt
Team RadioShack
3h49'50
2
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 55
3
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
s.t.
Spoiler
4
Denis Flahaut
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
5
Yaroslav Popovych
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
6
Nicolas Bazin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
7
Valeriy Dmitriyev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
8
Kristof Vandewalle
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
9
Kristjan Koren
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
10
Arnaud Jouffroy
FDJ
s.t.
Stage 8
Nice - Nice
Last stage and Philippe has to defend the lead! Sadly, it's more of an mountain stage than a hilly so when Brajkovic turns the pace up Philippe is fried!
The bunch is splitted but Philippe manges to stay within it. There is only one climb left, Col d'Eze, will Philippe be able to defend the yellow?
Philippe looks tired in the beginning of the climb and drops. It's goodbye to yellow since Valverde attacks in the same moment as Philippe drops...
Dario Cataldo (Farnese- VIni) wins the stage after an attack on Col d'Eze. The favourites stays together in the group behind.
Philippe is loosing everthing today. He is 46th, 3'20 behind Cataldo, and sinks to 9th in the GC won by Alejandro Valverde (Highroad).
Marc's Comment:
Philippe is in good shape, a litte bit to good maybe as he should be in top shape next month. The startlists is pretty weak so Philippe should be able to win this if the team works for him, but he may give the win away to some of his team-mates?
After an attack by Sam Bewley, Alexandre Piluschin counters and creates today's break with Morris Possoni (Miche). They cooperates well even though Possoni knows that he will be left behind on the cobbles.
Alexandre Piluschin is soon alone i the front and realizes that it will be impossible to stay clear. The bunch comes closer and can see him with 25 kms to go.
When Piluschin is caught, it's tome for another Shack rider to make his move. This time it's Marcus Burghardt who attacks under the 20km mark.
Donckers Koffie makes a huge work and Burghardt is caught with 10kms to go. RadioShack puts the squad in the front to make the pace high before the final climb.
One lap after Burghardt, Philippe makes his move. It's only 5kms left and he looks very strong. I don't want to kill the excitment, but I think Philippe has the win now.
3kms to go and the gap is almost 1 minute. Philippe will win this if he manages to stay on his wheels.
To bike without the hands on the bar could be tricky but Philippe makes it without any problems and wins the race. Today he showed that he is the leader and he will try to repeat his victory in San Remo!
Philippe Gilbert wins Nokere Koerse 2014!
Results:
1
Philippe Gilbert
Team RadioShack
4h54'57
2
Gert Dockx
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
+ 37
3
Stijn Neirynck
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
4
Sven Van Dousselaere
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
5
Stijn Vandenbergh
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
Spoiler
6
Julien Vermote
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
7
Laurent Mangel
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
8
Gaetan Bille
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
9
Anton Vorobev
Team RadioShack
s.t.
10
Job Vissers
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
11
Maarten Neyens
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
12
Philip Lavery
An Post - Sean Kelly
s.t.
13
Jérôme Baugnies
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
14
Rick Flens
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
15
Stijn Steels
Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht
s.t.
16
Lloyd Mondory
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
17
Bert De Backer
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
18
Denis Galimzyanov
Team RadioShack
s.t.
19
Daniel Summerhill
Team RadioShack
s.t.
20
Marcus Burghardt
Team RadioShack
s.t.
21
Pieter Vanspeybroeck
Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht
s.t.
22
Jochen Deweer
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
23
Borut Božic
Leopard Trek
s.t.
24
Sam Bewley
Team RadioShack
s.t.
25
Jos Pronk
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
26
Bart Dockx
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
27
David Piva
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
28
Frederik Veuchelen
Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht
s.t.
29
Dennis Van Winden
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
30
Stijn Joseph
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
31
Eric Baumann
Team NetApp
s.t.
32
Bjorn Coomans
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
33
Olivier Pardini
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
34
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
35
Björn Thurau
Team NetApp
s.t.
36
Patrik Sinkewitz
Team NetApp
s.t.
37
Jan Kuyckx
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
38
Dominique Cornu
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
39
Kim Borry
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
40
Kenny De Ketele
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
41
Johan Coenen
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
42
Davy Commeyne
Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht
s.t.
43
Bart De Clercq
Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht
s.t.
44
Marcell Stickroth
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
45
Sven Vanthourenhout
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
46
Frédéric Amorison
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
47
Sébastien Chavanel
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
48
Geert Omloop
Cyclingteam Jo Piels
s.t.
49
Iljo Keisse
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
50
Alan Marangoni
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
51
Tom Relou
Cyclingteam Jo Piels
s.t.
52
Tom Criel
Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht
s.t.
53
Tom Stamsnijder
Cyclingteam Jo Piels
s.t.
54
Bram Tankink
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
55
Roy Curvers
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
56
Gorik Gardeyn
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
57
Mickaël Buffaz
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
58
Thomas Degand
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
59
Frédéric Guesdon
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
60
Gianni Meersman
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
61
Laurens Ten Dam
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
62
Yauheni Hutarovich
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
63
Graeme Brown
Leopard Trek
s.t.
64
Geert Steurs
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
65
Jan Bos
Cyclingteam Jo Piels
s.t.
66
Andreas Schillinger
Team NetApp
s.t.
67
Cyril Gautier
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
68
James Vanlandschoot
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
69
Ike Groen
Cyclingteam Jo Piels
s.t.
70
Patrick Keller
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
s.t.
71
Jef Peeters
Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht
s.t.
72
Gil Suray
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
73
David Hesselbarth
Team NSP
s.t.
74
Guillaume Nijs
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
75
Maxim Debusschere
An Post - Sean Kelly
s.t.
76
Matteo Vandamme
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
77
Malaya Van Ruitenbeek
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
78
Marcel Meisen
Team NSP
s.t.
79
Mario Castelen
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
80
Claude Wolter
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
81
Ben Jacques-Maynes
Trek Livestrong U23
s.t.
82
Jetse Bol
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
83
Jonathan Hivert
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
84
Timothy Dupont
Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht
s.t.
85
David Kopp
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
86
Sven Van den Houte
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
87
Riccardo Chiarini
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
88
Mathias Belka
Team NSP
s.t.
89
Wim Stroetinga
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
90
Laurent Didier
Leopard Trek
s.t.
91
Tom Dumoulin
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
92
Chris Barton
Trek Livestrong U23
s.t.
93
Daniel Schorn
Team NetApp
s.t.
94
Christian Patron
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
95
Paulo Coimbra
Team RadioShack
s.t.
96
Steven Cozza
Team NetApp
s.t.
97
Marcel Aliu
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
98
Florian Le Corre
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
99
Gerrit-Jan Soepenberg
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
100
Yoeri Havik
Cyclingteam Jo Piels
s.t.
101
Matteo Bono
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
102
Jean-Lou Paiani
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
103
Artur Gajek
Team NSP
s.t.
104
Pit Schlechter
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
105
Angelo Pagani
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
106
Charles Wegelius
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
107
Tom Danielson
Team NetApp
s.t.
108
Ben Gastauer
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
109
Joel Zangerle
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
110
Juan José Oroz
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
111
Alexandre Geniez
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
112
Bert Scheirlinckx
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
113
Max Stahr
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
s.t.
114
Nathan Brown
Trek Livestrong U23
s.t.
115
Charles Prendergast
An Post - Sean Kelly
s.t.
116
Florian Monreal
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
117
Thomas Fothen
Team NSP
s.t.
118
Nico Keinath
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
119
Yoann Bagot
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
120
Ian Boswell
Trek Livestrong U23
s.t.
121
Alexandre Pliuschin
Team RadioShack
s.t.
122
Kenny Terweduwe
An Post - Sean Kelly
s.t.
123
Rémy Di Gregorio
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
124
Dylan Van Baarle
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
125
Denny De Jonckheere
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
126
Simon Geschke
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
127
Luca Zanasca
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
128
Jean-Marc Marino
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
129
Thomas Bontenackels
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
s.t.
130
René Weissinger
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
s.t.
131
Michele Lüdke
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
132
Grzegorz Jaworski
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
133
Sepp Winkler
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
s.t.
134
Robin Eckmann
Trek Livestrong U23
s.t.
135
Marcel Fischer
Team Eddy Merckx - Indeland
s.t.
136
Ilja Brauer
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
s.t.
137
Andrea Moletta
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
138
Erik Mohs
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
s.t.
139
François Suignard
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
140
Félix Gatoux
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
141
Volkan Adzic
Team NSP
+ 4'41
142
Kévin Spinella
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 5'05
143
Tino Thömel
Team NSP
+ 5'45
144
Mark Cassidy
An Post - Sean Kelly
s.t.
145
Sean Downey
An Post - Sean Kelly
s.t.
146
Abel Castillo
Leopard Trek
s.t.
147
Marcel Glaser
Nutrixxion Sparkasse
s.t.
148
Gerlando Degeye
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
149
Massimo Gotti
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
150
Pieter Lamonaca
Leopard Trek
+ 7'29
151
François De Cooremeter
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
152
Glenn Varkevisser
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
153
Krzysztof Kulakowski
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
154
Valerio Macellari
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
155
Jerzy Duraj
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
156
Morris Possoni
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
157
Andreas Mettenbrink
Leopard Trek
s.t.
158
Grischa Niermann
Team NetApp
s.t.
159
Sören Bergner
Team NSP
+ 8'41
160
Masauso Spelman
Trek Livestrong U23
s.t.
161
Torge Lusch
Leopard Trek
+ 9'13
162
Blel Kadri
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 13'29
Note: I have uninstalled the game and raced this race with the wrong local.cdb. That's why some team is missing helmets and bikes and RadioShack uses the wrong jersey.
"Milan – San Remo, "la classica di Primavera", is an annual cycle race between Milan and Sanremo. It is the longest professional one-day race at 298 km. The first was in 1907, when Lucien Petit-Breton won. Today it is one of the 'Monuments' of European cycling, and results contribute towards the UCI World Ranking; until 2007 it was part of the UCI ProTour.
Milan – San Remo is often called the sprinters' classic while its sister Italian race the Giro di Lombardia held in autumn is the climbers' classic."
Three Favourites: Marc Cavendish (Rapha) is the fastest sprinter in the world. If he survives the hills and feels good he will win this.
Edvald Boasson Hagen (Euskaltel) have been up there the whole spring. He is as fast as CAv and a better climber so there is really no reason to rank Cavendish in front of him
Philippe Gilbert (RadioShack) won here last year and comes back this year for another win. He is in good shape and won a race two days ago. We will see him attack in Poggio, will anybody manage to answer?
Philippe Info:
Marc's Comment:"Philippe is good shape. He should have won Paris - Nice if it wasn't for that last mountain stage and he won Nokere Koerse with ease. He will attack in Poggio, the question is if he manages to solo all the way?"
Philippe have been equipped withan Polar CS500 so we will be able to see his heart rate during Milano - San Remo!
The course isn't the hardest one but Passo del Turchino, La Mánie, la Cipressa and il Poggio can give some sprinters problems, especially after 300kms of bike racing.
The sun shines in Milano! A great day for bike racing!
The race starts and a break with 6 cyclist are created. There is no Omega Pharma rider in the break since we know that teams like Sky and Rapha will work to catch the break.
Thomas "Gotland" Löfkvist leads the bunch at the top of Passo del Turchino. Our main sprinter, André Greipel, can follow the bunch without any problems.
Sky, Garmin and Rapha is pacing uphill Le Mánie. Greipel can still follow without any problems.
The bunch reaches the coast lines again and it blows hard. Many riders has problems to follow the bunch but Philippe looks realaxed. His heart rate is 163 bpm. This looks like a great day for Philippe.
Alessandro Ballan (BMC) and Tom Boonen (Quickstep) attacks. Jan Bakelandts and Jussi Veikkanen works in the bunch to catch them and that causes the sprinters a lot of trouble. John Degenkolb and Adam Blyhe drops the bunch over the three small hills called, Capo Mele, Capo Berta and Capo Cervo.
Ryder Hesjedal (Rapha) leads the bunch over la Cipressa. Philippe's heart rate is even lower than on the flat, 154 bpm. At the same time, André Greipel drops the bunch.
The bunch enter il Poggio and Philippe attacks! No one tries to follow him, are they too tired or is Philippe simply too fast?
Philippe can see the finish in San Remo from il Poggio and that gives him a lot of cinfidence. His heart rate is around 190 bpm by now, which means his on max. His gap is 40 seconds when he reaches the top of il Poggio!
The technical dowhill of Poggio can be dangerous with such a small gap but Philippe rides controlled and when he reaches the bottom is his gap even bigger, 50 seconds!
The bunch can spot Philippe with 1km to go but he has secured his win with his amazing attack in il Poggio! Who will win the bunch sprint and take the 2nd?
Philippe Gilbert wins Milano - San Remo 2013 after an attack in il Poggio! Alan Davis (Katusha) is 2nd and Fabian Cancellara (Leopard) is 3rd.
The race is off! It's an lovely day, almost 20 degrees and the sun is shining. A perfect day for shopping in Milano, but we are not here for shopping today. We gonna ride our bikes 300kms to San Remo.
Like always, there is plenty of attacks from riders who want to join the break. There is no chance for the break to stay clear in this time era with radio communication but they will be given loads of time in television.
Finally there is a break given more than a minute. We find two interesting names here: Thomas Löfkvist (SaxoBank) and Francesco Gavazzi (Katusha). Gavazzi could actually been a threat for Gilbert but now there is no reason to worry about him.
Rember last year? Thomas Löfkvist lead the bunch at the top of Passo del Turchino. One year later he is leading the break, and the whole race.
10 minutes later the bunch reaches the top of Passo del Turchino. Euskaltel leads the pack, helped by Rapha (In CSF - Colnago kit). Philippe has an good travel uphill this climb, reaching the top at 137bpm.
The break is splitted in Le Máine. Gavazzi (Katusha) Löfkvist (SaxoBank) and Marco Marzano (Lampre) are now together in the front.
Rapha and Liquigas leads the bunch over La Máine, but the pace is still very slow and Philippe's heart rate is 164bpm.
Liquigas brings the team up along the coast and gives some riders trouble. Philippe is on 146bpm, protected by Marc De Maar.
The break reaches the three hills called, Capo Mele, Capo Berta and Capo Cervo. Gavazzi is cleary the strongest and rides away solo. The bunch is 3 minutes behind him.
Philippe's heart rate is 158 bpm on the top of the final hill, Capo Cervo. Everything looks fine.
Stin Devolder (Sky) attack intermeditely in la Cipressa and Philippe's heart rate rises to 167bpm.
RadioShack brings Mikaël Chérel up to the front and together with Kreder (Leopard) and Alejandro Valverde (HighRoad) he turns the pace up. Devolder is caught and many sprinters are in trouble.
The bunch is streched out and Velits is in the front with Chérel. Philippe is just behind. Gavazzi is more than a minute ahead but he looks tired after almost 300kms of cycling.
Stijn Devolder (Sky) and Johan van Summeren (OmegaPharma) attacks on the flat. Marc De Maar, Marcus Burghardt and Peter Velits works to keep the pace high.
Entering il Poggio and our tactic have turned out exactly as we wanted. Tha pace have been so hard that no team-mate has power left to lead the bunch. Philippe advances in the bunch...
... and launches his attack! Is anybody following? No, but he is on max, 191bpm and the gap is only 30 seconds!
Jelle Vanendert (Quickstep) leads the chase. Philippe is 30 seconds ahead and is running out of energy after his attack. Will he make it? I don't know but he is clearly not in the same shape as last year.
3kms to go and the gap is almost 50 seconds when the bunch starts to sprint. It looks like Philippe will win this!
Philippe Gilbert wins Milano - San Remo, again! This year he wasn't as strong as last year but the team did a fantastic work after la Cipressa and made all the team-mates tired and after the climb they simply had no power left to catch Philippe.
Filippo Pozatto (Liquigas) takes the 2nd and Edvald Boasson Hagen (Euskaltel) is 3rd.
Note: Some shirts still don't work after the reinstallation and yes, I am pretty dominating with Philippe. I also finds is boring but the goal, to win the Ardennes-tripple, is quiet dominating isn't it?
I don't think it's boring at all. It's just another aspiration. But in fact, you even have a higher "need" to win, because you wouldn't be satisfied with a second. So for me personally, it's still very entertaining
cunego59 wrote:
I don't think it's boring at all. It's just another aspiration. But in fact, you even have a higher "need" to win, because you wouldn't be satisfied with a second. So for me personally, it's still very entertaining
Yeah atleast you set very high goals, as Phil is arguably the Best Rider in the World right now, so winning will come often for him. Its still interesting for me as well.
Now it's time for e3 Prijs, the last competition before Ronde van Vlaanderen since Philippe decided to skip Gent - Wevelgem. "I don't want to peak to early", he said and also decied to skip Paris - Roubaix. He will not win in Paris so he thought it would be better to stay home ans save the energy.
e3 Prijs Vlaanderen - Harelbeke
Harelbeke - Harelbeke 200.2 kms
As usual in the classics it's loads of attacks in the start. Strangely, a big group is given a big gap. Liquigas is having to riders in the break but the strongest riders are our Alexandre Pliuschin and Kristof Vandewalle (Quickstep)
Liquigas starts to pace when Pliuschin and Vandewalle rides away from the rest of the break. However, the pace is to low to split the bunch and Philippe decides to send Vorobev into a break. Hopefully, it will make Liquigas chase harder.
Taylor Phinney (Rapha) joins Vorobev and these two young cobble talents is given a gap of 2 minutes. Pliuschin and Vandewalle is anther 2 minutes in front of them but it seems like the winner will be found in the bunch.
The bunch reaches the last hill and can spot the break. Pliuschin, Vorobev and Vandewalle is still there but Phinney drops back to the bunch.
There is ~20 riders in the bunch. Bonnen (Quickstep) Pozzato (Liquigas) Degenkolb (Leopard) and Vermltfoort (Rabobank) are the fastest sprinters so Philippe has to attack or take the risk with an sprint today.
Van Summeren (Omega Pharma) tries an attack on the last cobbled selection but is caught. Philippe says that he will wait for the sprint. He was 2nd in the sprint last year and that gives him confidence.
A small little hill before the sprint but still no attack from Devolder (Sky) or the other slow sprinters.
It's 5kms to go when we enter Harelbeke again. Philippe is in good mood and Burghardt is there to help him. Which wheel should he take? Degenkolb? Vermeltfoort? Pozzato? Boonen? Breschel? Van Avermaet?
Philippe takes Boonen's wheel but when Devolder attacks he looses it and takes Vermeltfoortäs wheel instead. This move makes Philippe tired and when he starts his sprint he just sinks through the field instead of accelerate. Such an shame, but an tired Philippe still manages 10th. Tom Boonen (Quickstep) wins.
We have finally reached the month of April and it's time for the "real" classics. Philippe is 100 % focused on the Ardennes Classics this year and will skip Paris - Roubaix, but he will still be at the start line in Ronde van Vlaanderen. "This could be my last chance to win the triple, and I am going to take it. I will never win Paris - Roubaix. That's why I skip it" says Philippe to me when we are talking about his racing programme. Hopefully, this means Philippe will reach Amstel in good shape, but not top shape. That could be a good thing since Amstel is the easiest classic to win, and Philippe could be at his peak one wekk later in Liége.
"De Ronde" is like Amstel with cobbles. Amstel is like "De Ronde" without cobbles. There is another different too: The final kms of Ronde van Vlaanderen is flat.
Philippe's Goal:
Top-5
Philippe's Tactic:
Stay calm, if I am able too, before launching an attack in Kapelmuur to get rid of the sprinters.
5 Challengers:
[img-l]https://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1959/boonens.jpg[/img-l] Tom Boonen (Quickstep - 85: Cob) Tom Boonen is good. He is a great cobble rider, maybe the best and a good sprinter as well. He can handle the clims well and his season so far have been great. 15th in Omloop, 1st in e3 Prijs, 2nd in GP Geraadsbergen and 1st in KBC-Driedaagse de Panne after two stage wins.
[img-l]https://img713.imageshack.us/img713/8235/cancellarav.jpg[/img-l] Fabian Cancellara (Leopard Trek - 85: Cob) Fabian is stronger than Boonen on the flat and in the climbs but he has to drop Boonen before the sprint. He also have to drop the others. If he want's to win, he has to go solo. If somebody can win Ronde van Vlaanderen solo, then it's Fabian! However, he hasn't made a single result so far.
[img-l]https://img171.imageshack.us/img171/1666/summie.jpg[/img-l] Johan van Summeren (Omega Pharma - 83: Cob) Johan van Summeren isn't as good as Cancellara and Bonnen on the cobbles but he is a better climber. He is also very strong on the flat and has some great results this season. 5th in Gent, 2nd in Omloop, 4th in e3 Prijs, 4th in GP Geraadsbergen and a victory in Dwars door Vlaanderen.
[img-l]https://img716.imageshack.us/img716/8683/pozzato.jpg[/img-l] Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas - 83: Wheelsucking) Pozzato is better than ever before. 2nd in San Remo, 2nd in Gent, 2nd in e3 Prijs and 7th in Omlopp. Plenty of good results by the Italian this season but will he able to take an win? He is an good cobbler, good vlimber and good sprinter but he is not the best in anything. He will probably be 2nd.
[img-l]https://img819.imageshack.us/img819/1690/stijn.jpg[/img-l] Stijn Devolder (Sky - 80: Cob) Good old Stijn Devolder is the worst cobbler of the 5 challangers but he will be up there for sure! He won last year and his 2014 season have been great. 9th in San Remo, 13th in Gent, 4th in Omloop, 3rd in e3 Prijs, 3rd in GP Geraadsbergen, 3rd in Dwars door Vlaanderen and a great victory in Tour of Oman. This could be Stijn last chance to win this race, he will do everything he can.
Philippe's Goal:
Win them all. Win, Win Win. There is nothing else than win. Just win the races dude.
Philippe's Tactic:
Win. I will attack, sprint, stay calm, attack and to whatever it takes to win.
5 Challangers:
[img-l]https://img856.imageshack.us/img856/8163/valverde.jpg[/img-l] Alejandro Valverde (High Road - 85: Hill) Alejandro is the world Champion and Philippe was 2nd. Alejandro also won L-B-L ahead of Philippe last year. Valverde isn't better than Philippe, but it seems like he is unbeatable. Strange, but it looks like he is having a good year. 1st in Paris - Nice Gp Lugano and Gp dell'Insubria-Lugano.
[img-l]https://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4566/profileryder.jpg[/img-l] Ryder Hesjedal (Rapha - 85: Hill) Ryder is one of the best climbers. He was 2nd in Fleche Wallone last year and now is he even better! He's season start haven't been the best but 10th in Paris-Nice and 12th in Criterium International shows that he is in some kind of shape and he will battle in the top-5. Sprint is his weakness.
[img-l]https://img52.imageshack.us/img52/4309/gavazzi.jpg[/img-l] Francesco Gavazzi (Katusha - 83: Hill) Gavazzi is a good climber but also an decent sprinter. You don't want to arrive to the 3kms mark with this guy! It has been a quiet season from Gavazzi so far, 6th in Strade Bianche and 18th in Tirreno-Adriatico is not what people had expected but he is maybe looking for bigger things than Italian semi-classics!
[img-l]https://img31.imageshack.us/img31/7062/kreder.jpg[/img-l] Michel Kreder (Leopard Trek - 82: Hill) A suprising name for you but I think Kreder is capable to great results in the Ardennes! 12th in Milano - San Remo tells us he is in form. He will have home advantage in Amstel and he is just limke Gavazzi, an fast sprinter. Only aged 26 this is future winner in hilly classics but is he ready yet?
[img-l]https://img546.imageshack.us/img546/4779/contay.jpg[/img-l] Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank - 82: Hill) Alberto is the best climber in the world and in steep finishes like Fleche Wallone he always makes good results. The question is if he is starting and how is his shape? 2nd in Volta Ciclista a Catalunya doesn't tells us much. He could be anywhere, 44th or 1st.
Betting:
This bet is all about Gilbert and the question is: Will he make the triple once again? Pick Gilbert's result in the three Ardennes Classics and Vlaanderen!
Rules and Scoring System: You will be given the difference. For example if you say Gilbert will be 1st and he wins you will be given 0 points. If he finishes 3rd you will be given 2pts, 4th 3pts, 5th 4pts etc. Lowest score wins and he will probably keep the spoiler for a while.
The winner will be given this beautiful spoiler!
Philippe Info:
List of the best hilly riders:
List of the best cobble riders: Edited by laidbackmarc on 10-09-2011 21:12
Nice win for Degenkolb btw 
