The sponsors have no goals as such for the teams first World Tour race, but everyone is determined to get off to a good start.
Favourites:
The Australians are highly motivated for this race. Michael Rogers just won Australian Championships in front of teammate Matthew Goss. Rogers showed good form again in the TT by placing second behind Richie Porte, who will not start TDU. The hilly finishes should fit riders like Fränk Schleck, Kreuziger and Leipheimer.
Stage 1
A flat stage. Hushovd will be our man in a bunch sprint. All others will chase the break.
Swedish champion Christofer Stevenson is first Falcon ever to get in a breakaway on the World Tour, and he gets rewarded with winning the only KOM-sprint of the day, thought that break doesn’t last long.
It took a couple of attempts, but in the end a three-man break was allowed to establish and get a decent gap. McDermott, Tosatto and Longo Borghini. With 30 km to go the trio has a lead of just under 2 minutes, and with four teams working in the peloton the break looks doomed. Tosatto goes solo with 20 km to go as Erik is shown first hand, that he still lacks a bit before reaching that level.
In the end we get the expected bunch sprint, but the Falcons fail to get Hushovd placed perfectly and the Astana train pulls everything apart.
Results:
1. Borut Bozic, Astana
2. Matthew Goss, Orica – Greenedge
3. Francisco José Ventoso, Movistar 5. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
Mountains: Christofer Stevenson
Young: Erik Meiniche McDermott
The guys really did well on their first day on the protour. We were in every break and were awarded with two jerseys. In addition to that Thor sprinted his way to our first World Tour point.
- Allan Grønborg, Team Manager
Stage 2
Another flat stage and another stage with a very hectic start. Again today McDermott finds himself in a three-man break. This time it looks like it might have a chance as the keep a lead of 7 minutes with 70 km to go, but at the 25 km mark Orica – GreenEdge really start putting on the pressure narrowing the lead to only a minute with 15 km to go.
Erik tries his luck alone, but is kept close. Again today Hushovd loses a few positions just before the sprint is starting and though Stevenson tried his best it was too much to get Thor back in a good position.
Results:
1. Matthew Goss, Orica – Greenedge
2. Francisco José Ventoso, Movistar
3. Borut Bozic, Astana 8. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
Mountains: Christofer Stevenson
Young: Erik Meiniche McDermott
Stage 3
Many expect this to be the day the race is decided, so the riders should keep alert and Pelle Clapp is awake right from the start finding his way to the BOTD. With 25 km to go they have just under 3 minutes.
With 5 km to go it seems likely that the one of the breakers will take the stage, but since Clapp lost contact on the hill Carlström is not satisfied. He attacks and gets contact with the group, but has spent too much energy to beat Ferrari in the sprint.
Results:
1. Roberto Ferrari – Liquigas - Cannondale
2. Kjell Carlström, Falcon - STARK
3. Luke Roberts, Saxo Bank – Tinkoff Bank
Kjell did very well today finishing 2nd. I don't hink anyone would expect him to beat Ferrari in a sprint...
- Allan Grønborg, Team Manager
Provisional Standing:
1. Matthew Goss, Orica – GreenEdge
2. Roberto Ferrari, Liquigas – Cannondale
3. Borut Bozic, Astana 4. Kjell Carlström, Falcon – STARK
8. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
Spoiler
1
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
10h20'31
2
Roberto Ferrari
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1
3
Borut Božic
Astana Pro Team
+ 2
4
Kjell Carlström
Falcon - STARK
+ 10
5
Luke Roberts
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
+ 11
6
Matthew Hayman
Sky Procycling
+ 12
7
Claudio Corioni
Acqua & Sapone
+ 14
8
Thor Hushovd
Falcon - STARK
+ 16
9
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
11
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
12
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky Procycling
s.t.
13
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
14
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
15
Christopher Sutton
Sky Procycling
s.t.
16
Pablo Urtasun
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
17
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
18
Stijn Devolder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
19
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
20
Francesco Chicchi
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
21
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
22
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
s.t.
23
Francesco Ginanni
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
24
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
25
Rory Sutherland
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
26
Lloyd Mondory
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
27
Fabio Taborre
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
28
Bernhard Eisel
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
29
Fränk Schleck
RadioShack - Nissan
s.t.
30
Gatis Smukulis
Katusha Team
s.t.
31
Anthony Geslin
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
32
Maurizio Biondo
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
33
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
34
Michael Matthews
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
35
Michael Rogers
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
36
Jack Bobridge
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
37
Sebastian Langeveld
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
38
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
39
Roman Kreuziger
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
40
Lars Boom
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
41
Dominique Rollin
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
42
Gert Steegmans
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
43
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
44
Vladimir Karpets
Movistar Team
s.t.
45
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
s.t.
46
George Bennett
RadioShack - Nissan
s.t.
47
Francesco Gavazzi
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
48
Troels Ronning Vinther
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
s.t.
49
Luke Durbridge
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
50
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
51
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
52
Mikel Landa
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
53
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
54
Javier Iriarte
Movistar Team
s.t.
55
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
56
Valentin Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
57
Andrew Fenn
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
58
Julien Vermote
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
59
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2'00
60
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Belisol Team
s.t.
61
Erik Meineche McDermott
Falcon - STARK
+ 2'01
62
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
+ 2'02
63
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
+ 2'06
64
Arnaud Demare
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
65
Alex Rasmussen
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
66
Greg Henderson
Lotto Belisol Team
s.t.
67
Christofer Stevenson
Falcon - STARK
s.t.
68
Rick Flens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
69
Jonathan Cantwell
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
s.t.
70
Robert Hunter
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
71
Jakob Rathe
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
72
Kristof Goddaert
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
73
Yauheni Hutarovich
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
74
Sep Vanmarcke
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
75
Jeppe Lykke Hartvig Nielsen
Falcon - STARK
s.t.
76
Jeremy Hunt
Sky Procycling
s.t.
77
Geir Berg
Falcon - STARK
s.t.
78
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
s.t.
79
Javier Benítez
Movistar Team
s.t.
80
Robin Chaigneau
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
81
Andrea Moletta
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
82
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
s.t.
83
Roger Hammond
Sky Procycling
s.t.
84
Danilo Napolitano
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
85
Jonathan Clarke
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
86
Dennis Van Winden
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
87
Wim Stroetinga
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
88
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
89
Ruggero Marzoli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
90
Mahdi Sohrabi
Lotto Belisol Team
s.t.
91
Joost Van Leijen
Lotto Belisol Team
s.t.
92
Massimo Codol
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
93
Maarten Neyens
Lotto Belisol Team
s.t.
94
Iljo Keisse
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
95
Peter McDonald
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
96
Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
97
Wouter Mol
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
98
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
s.t.
99
Martin Mortensen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
100
Timothy Duggan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
101
Jetse Bol
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
102
Giacomo Nizzolo
RadioShack - Nissan
s.t.
103
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol Team
s.t.
104
Adriano Malori
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
105
Ben Day
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
106
Markel Irizar
RadioShack - Nissan
s.t.
107
Francis Mourey
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
108
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
109
Geoffrey Soupe
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
110
Hayden Roulston
RadioShack - Nissan
s.t.
111
Jesse Sergent
RadioShack - Nissan
s.t.
112
Enrico Rossi
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
113
Davide Rebellin
Lampre - ISD
+ 2'26
114
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
115
Leonardo Moser
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
s.t.
116
Mauro Finetto
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
s.t.
117
Levi Leipheimer
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
118
Pelle Clapp
Falcon - STARK
+ 3'43
119
Matteo Tosatto
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
+ 4'10
120
Paolo Longo Borghini
Acqua & Sapone
+ 4'13
121
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
+ 4'14
122
Rafael de Mattos Andriato
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
+ 4'15
123
Maxim Belkov
Katusha Team
+ 4'16
124
Thomas Bertolini
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
s.t.
125
Aurélien Passeron
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
126
Cristiano Benenati
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
s.t.
127
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
128
Robert Wagner
RadioShack - Nissan
s.t.
129
Martin Elmiger
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
130
Sergio Marinangeli
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
131
Víctor De la Parte
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
132
Romain Lemarchand
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
133
Edoardo Muoio
Katusha Team
s.t.
134
Pierpaolo De Negri
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
s.t.
135
Vincent Jérôme
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
136
Timothy Roe
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
137
Jimmy Casper
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4'22
138
Robert Förster
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
139
Jake Keough
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
140
Graham Briggs
Sky Procycling
s.t.
141
Daniele Ratto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
142
Leonardo Giordani
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
+ 4'57
143
Sergueï Ivanov
Katusha Team
+ 5'34
144
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
+ 6'43
145
Davy Tuytens
Lotto Belisol Team
+ 7'01
146
Alberto Loddo
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
147
Matthew Lloyd
Lampre - ISD
+ 7'19
148
Aitor Pérez Arrieta
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 9'09
149
Karl Menzies
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
150
Hilton Clarke
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 9'11
151
Antón Lekue
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
152
Francesco Di Paolo
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
153
Dimitri Krivtsov
Lampre - ISD
+ 9'28
154
Manuele Boaro
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
+ 11'25
Mountain jersey: Christofer Stevenson, Falcon – STARK Points Jersey: Roberto Ferrari, Orica – GreenEdge Young rider: Michael Matthews, Rabobank Team: Acqua & Sapone
The first half of this race have been a magnificent World Tour debut for us. The riders have really showed the jersey well in the breakaway – so well that they have been wearing both the climbers and young riders jerseys for the last two stages. Erik should be proud of that – not sorry to have lost the jersy to better GC- riders! Let’s hope we can hold the mountain jersey and hopefully win one of the last three stages.
- Allan Grønborg, Team Manager
TheManxMissile: No problems in my end, but I will convert out of concern for those less fortunate than myself
sutty68: Kjell have really proven important for the team
Ian Butler: Never thought Hushovd would be a mistake. Though I have had my doubts whether the other riders can get points to keep us on the WT. But of to a good start anyway. Especially since Thor actually isn't in quite as good form as I would have liked...
In Norse mythology, Thor (from Old Norse Þórr) is a hammer-wielding god associated with thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, the protection of mankind, and also hallowing, healing and fertility.
Stage 4
A fairly flat stage, so we will try same recipe as the first few stages. Stevenson starts at the back of the peloton, and the rest of the team decide that no break should be allowed to get a real gap before Stevenson were there to fight for his jersey – and so it went. Stevenson came to the KOM-sprint along with Schär, Lastras and Bol and places second on the sprint winning 12 important points for the jersey. Shortly after the sprint Orica GreenEdge put an end to the break. No one dared to challenge them until 20 km later when young McDermott decided it all have got a bit boring just sitting in the peloton.
Unfortunately no one else dared to challenge the Australians, so even though he quickly build a lead of more than one and a half minute, Orica had him under control. Carlström and Stevenson delivered Hushovd well and Thor paid them back with a 5th place
Stage 5
For a long time it looked like Jeppe Lykke Hartvig Nielsen had found his way to the big break, but a lot of riders kept attacking from the peloton thus increasing the speed. And nearly catching the break. After a lot more attacking Jeppe got away with another ten riders. On the last climb Mikel Landa lost his breakaway companions and in spite of a lot of work by Falcon – STARK he just manage to keep the lead to the end.
Results:
1. Mikel Landa, Euskaltel - Euskadi
2. Matthew Goss, Orica – Greenedge
3. Anthony Ravard, AG2R La Mondiale 8. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
Mountains: Christofer Stevenson
Stage 6
A short and flat stage. We will chase the win, but since Stevenson holds the KOM-jersey with the same number of points as Iván Gutiérrez we should do our best to support him in winning that jersey. All day the sprinters teams work hard to keep things together and no break manage to get a decisive lead.
With 10 km to go Carlström put on the pressure on the last small hill and in the following confusion a lot of riders crash in the peloton. Among those Tyler Farrar.
With 8 km to go that leaves Kjell with a gap of 1 minute to the now 46 rider peloton. It is looking good, but with 100 m to go Goss the sprinters catch up with him.
Results:
1. Matthew Goss, Orica – Greenedge
2. Alessandro Petacchi, Lampre - ISD
3. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
Final Standing:
1. Matthew Goss, Orica – Greenedge
2. Roberto Ferrari, Liquigas - Cannondale
3. Borut Bozic, Astana 4. Kjell Carlström, Falcon - STARK
5. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
Spoiler
1
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
18h37'40
2
Roberto Ferrari
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 21
3
Borut Božic
Astana Pro Team
+ 22
4
Kjell Carlström
Falcon - STARK
+ 30
5
Thor Hushovd
Falcon - STARK
+ 31
6
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 32
7
Claudio Corioni
Acqua & Sapone
+ 34
8
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 36
9
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
10
Stijn Devolder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
11
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
12
Fabio Taborre
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
13
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
14
Gert Steegmans
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
15
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
16
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
17
Michael Rogers
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
18
Vladimir Karpets
Movistar Team
s.t.
19
Sebastian Langeveld
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
20
Troels Ronning Vinther
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
s.t.
21
Luke Durbridge
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
22
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
s.t.
23
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
24
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
25
Anthony Geslin
FDJ - BigMat
+ 2'09
26
Pablo Urtasun
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
27
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
+ 2'12
28
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Belisol Team
+ 2'20
29
Erik Meineche McDermott
Falcon - STARK
+ 2'21
30
Wouter Mol
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'24
31
Greg Henderson
Lotto Belisol Team
+ 2'26
32
Arnaud Demare
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
33
Jonathan Cantwell
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
s.t.
34
Christofer Stevenson
Falcon - STARK
s.t.
35
Geir Berg
Falcon - STARK
s.t.
36
Jeppe Lykke Hartvig Nielsen
Falcon - STARK
s.t.
37
Javier Benítez
Movistar Team
s.t.
38
Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
39
Maarten Neyens
Lotto Belisol Team
s.t.
40
Timothy Duggan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
41
Peter McDonald
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
42
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
s.t.
43
Jetse Bol
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
44
Robin Chaigneau
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
45
Ben Day
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
46
Mikel Landa
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'39
47
Matthew Hayman
Sky Procycling
+ 2'46
48
Luke Roberts
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
s.t.
49
Rory Sutherland
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'48
50
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2'51
51
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky Procycling
s.t.
52
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
53
Bernhard Eisel
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
54
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
55
Michael Matthews
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
56
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
57
Christopher Sutton
Sky Procycling
s.t.
58
Lloyd Mondory
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
59
Francesco Chicchi
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
60
Roman Kreuziger
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
61
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
62
Francesco Gavazzi
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
63
Gatis Smukulis
Katusha Team
s.t.
64
Jack Bobridge
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
65
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
s.t.
66
Andrew Fenn
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
67
Fränk Schleck
RadioShack - Nissan
s.t.
68
Francesco Ginanni
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
69
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
70
Dominique Rollin
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
71
George Bennett
RadioShack - Nissan
s.t.
72
Javier Iriarte
Movistar Team
s.t.
73
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
74
Lars Boom
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
75
Julien Vermote
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
76
Valentin Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
77
Pelle Clapp
Falcon - STARK
+ 4'02
78
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 4'22
79
Vincent Jérôme
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4'36
80
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
+ 4'37
81
Giacomo Nizzolo
RadioShack - Nissan
+ 4'38
82
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
+ 4'39
83
Iljo Keisse
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'40
84
Alex Rasmussen
Garmin - Sharp
+ 4'41
85
Yauheni Hutarovich
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
86
Sep Vanmarcke
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
87
Jakob Rathe
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
88
Robert Hunter
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
89
Kristof Goddaert
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
90
Danilo Napolitano
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
91
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
s.t.
92
Roger Hammond
Sky Procycling
s.t.
93
Jeremy Hunt
Sky Procycling
s.t.
94
Mahdi Sohrabi
Lotto Belisol Team
s.t.
95
Francis Mourey
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
96
Dennis Van Winden
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
97
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
98
Joost Van Leijen
Lotto Belisol Team
s.t.
99
Wim Stroetinga
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
100
Andrea Moletta
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
101
Jonathan Clarke
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
102
Adriano Malori
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
103
Ruggero Marzoli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
104
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol Team
s.t.
105
Martin Mortensen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
106
Hayden Roulston
RadioShack - Nissan
s.t.
107
Massimo Codol
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
108
Enrico Rossi
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
109
Markel Irizar
RadioShack - Nissan
s.t.
110
Jesse Sergent
RadioShack - Nissan
s.t.
111
Geoffrey Soupe
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
112
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
+ 4'57
113
Leonardo Moser
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
+ 5'01
114
Levi Leipheimer
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
115
Matteo Tosatto
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
+ 6'43
116
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
+ 6'46
117
Paolo Longo Borghini
Acqua & Sapone
+ 6'47
118
Rafael de Mattos Andriato
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
s.t.
119
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
+ 6'51
120
Maxim Belkov
Katusha Team
s.t.
121
Thomas Bertolini
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
s.t.
122
Aurélien Passeron
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
123
Víctor De la Parte
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
124
Cristiano Benenati
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
s.t.
125
Martin Elmiger
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
126
Pierpaolo De Negri
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
s.t.
127
Romain Lemarchand
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
128
Robert Wagner
RadioShack - Nissan
s.t.
129
Edoardo Muoio
Katusha Team
s.t.
130
Sergio Marinangeli
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
131
Jimmy Casper
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 6'57
132
Robert Förster
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
133
Graham Briggs
Sky Procycling
s.t.
134
Daniele Ratto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
135
Jake Keough
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
136
Leonardo Giordani
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
+ 7'30
137
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
+ 9'18
138
Hilton Clarke
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 9'31
139
Alberto Loddo
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 9'36
140
Davy Tuytens
Lotto Belisol Team
s.t.
141
Dimitri Krivtsov
Lampre - ISD
+ 9'48
142
Matthew Lloyd
Lampre - ISD
+ 9'54
143
Aitor Pérez Arrieta
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 11'44
144
Karl Menzies
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
145
Manuele Boaro
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
+ 14'00
146
Antón Lekue
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 14'56
147
Francesco Di Paolo
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
Mountains: Christofer Stevenson, Falcon – STARK
Points: Matthew Goss, Orica – Greenedge
Young rider: Luke Durbridge, Orica – Greenedge
Team: Movistar
I’m very proud of the boys. A mountain jersey, a couple of days in white and two times very close to a stage win. I think the peloton has realized that we are to be taken seriously. Too bad for us Orica - GreenEdge kept everything under control for every single moment of the race.
- Kjell Carlström
This race it mostly warmup for our first goal of the season: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. So we don't have any specific goals, but obviously we will chase the opportunities that may arise.
Stage 1 Hushovd was considered one of the major favorites for this flat stage, but another Norwegian was first to draw the attention as Havard Nybö found his way into the break. In the end the break isn’t allowed to survive and the battle for positioning in the peloton begins with mass crashes as a result in the hectic final phase.
With 5 km to go it is a battle between Euskaltel and Falcon – STARK in the front. Euskaltel got full value for their work, while Hushovd got caught in the positioning unable to get a clean sprint.
Stage 2
In many ways similar to yesterdays stage, though with a couple of decent hills on the way.
No one seems to mind Lars Bak taking the first KOM of the race.
Euskaltel drive a hard bargain in the first part of the race but in the end they let Gunnar Grönlund, Juan Mauricio Soler and four other riders get a gap of 5 minutes with 60 km to go. It still appears the sprinters got it all under control, but then the peloton is starting to losen the grip not gaining any time the next ten km.
With 20 km to go on the last climb of the day Grönlund and Soler try to get away but the rest of the break quickly wheels them in. Grönlund wins the mountain jersey for his trouble though.
18 km left and 1’36’’ between the break and the peloton. With 8 km to go everything is brought back together. Time to get ready for the sprint. Madsen delivers Hushovd a bit further back than could have been wished, but still it turns in to a very close sprint.
Stage Results:
1. Daniel Oss, Efapel - Glassdrive
2. Stefan Van Dijk, Accent Jobs – Willem’s Verandas
3. Liam Holohan, Endura Racing 7. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
Mountain: Gunnar Grönlund
Stage 3
A couple of big hills today, but a downhill finish. The press keep mentioning Hushovd as a potential stage winner, but we’ll see how the race develops on the uphill sections.
On the mountain Euskaltel have put Astarloza, Navarro and Zubeldia to the front to shake things up a bit, and it seems to be working. But not on Bak and Hushovd – at least not until 4 km from the top, when the two start hanging a bit in the back of the group. The peloton cracks on the middle and both riders are in the rear group. They fight hard, but Bak has nothing more to offer. Thor on the other hand just manage to find the resources to get over the top in the 13-rider front group.
Again and again the other riders in the break try to get rid of the Norwegian realizing they can't beat him in a clean sprint. In the final phase Dupont goes on the attack and none of the other rides seem willing to follow him giving him a big gap, so Thor has to go early if he is to have any chance of catching the Frenchman, but too late.
I really gave all I had to stay with these guys that far, so when Hubert attacked I was still in the back of the group recuperating from all the other attacks. I guess that even I will break when 11 guys all attack in turns and leave it up to me to close the gap.
- Thor Hushovd
Stage 4
Another tough day, but the uphill sections doesn’t appear as hard as yesterday. Now Thor just has to hang in there again today. Three riders get in a break, but no Falcon riders are with them – they wouldn’t be able to match the others on the hills anyway, so they might as well save their energy for a more important day.
As soon as the uphill part start Euskaltel is back in front putting on the pressure like yesterday. And Hushovd is right in their wheel looking good.
As predicted the big hill of the day was not quite as hard yesterday. That resulted in a very hectic finish as two of the breakers still hadn’t been caught. Hushovd did good to hang in there, but he used too much energy to do much in the sprint.
Stage 5
Another very hilly stage. Especially Col de Soler about two thirds into the race could prove to be problematic for Hushovd as it is very steep.
Right from the start Dupont starts fighting for his GC-lead. Kind of odd to see the yellow jersey leading the peloton 15 km from the start.
A break got away, but the Falcon’s didn’t have the legs to join them today. After much considering we decided not to help catch the break. If they lasted to goal it would increase Hushovds chance of winning the points jersey, as the biggest points would be removed from his closet rivals. If on the other hand things got brought back together the last couple of days have shown that we need to wear the competition out a bit if we are to beat them on these hilly roads.
As the other days Euskaltel take responsibility and lead the peloton over the mountain. Thor seem very pleased, that they are not pushing too hard uphill today. The slippery wet descents are the real killer today, and the peloton breaks in to pieces fast when going down from Col de Soler.
12 km to go and only downhill left. Hushovd is sitting comfortably in the front group looking strong. And in a downhill sprint no one beats a Hungry Hushovd!
Stage Results:
1. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
2. Julien El Fares, Type 1 - Sanofi
3. Hubert Dupont, UnitedHealthcare
Final standing:
1. Hubert Dupont, UnitedHealthcare
2. Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
3. Yaroslav Popovych, Andalucía
Spoiler
1
Hubert Dupont
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
18h57'54
2
Thor Hushovd
Falcon - STARK
+ 17
3
Yaroslav Popovych
Andalucía
+ 55
4
Julien El Fares
Team Type 1 - Sanofi
+ 59
5
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'11
6
Robert Kiserlovski
Caja Rural
s.t.
7
Daniel Navarro
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
8
Jure Kocjan
Team Type 1 - Sanofi
+ 1'41
9
Simon Gerrans
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
10
Andrey Amador
Onda
s.t.
11
Eduardo Gonzalo
Burgos BH - Castilla y León
s.t.
12
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
13
Stefano Pirazzi
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
14
Haimar Zubeldia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
15
Gianluca Brambilla
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
16
Alexander Efimkin
Team Type 1 - Sanofi
+ 4'01
17
Mikel Astarloza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
18
Bartosz Huzarski
Team NetApp
+ 4'22
19
Lars Ytting Bak
Falcon - STARK
s.t.
20
Brice Feillu
Saur - Sojasun
+ 4'31
21
Alberto Losada
Burgos BH - Castilla y León
s.t.
22
Juan Mauricio Soler
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
23
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'45
24
Joseph Dombrowski
Team Type 1 - Sanofi
+ 6'35
25
Jan Barta
Team NetApp
+ 7'12
26
David Moncoutié
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 7'25
27
Hugo Sabido
LA - Antarte
+ 7'46
28
Alejandro Marque Porto
Andalucía
+ 7'55
29
Daniel Oss
Efapel - Glassdrive
+ 9'28
30
Aitor Hernández
Orbea Continental
s.t.
31
Enrico Battaglin
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 9'32
32
Óscar Sevilla
Caja Rural
+ 9'45
33
Óscar Pujol
Caja Rural
+ 10'36
34
Sergej Fuchs
Team NSP - Ghost
+ 10'55
35
Pablo Urtasun
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 11'01
36
Esteban Plaza
Andalucía
+ 11'06
37
Enrique Salgueiro
LA - Antarte
+ 11'20
38
Ricardo Vilela
Carmim - Prio
+ 11'44
39
Antonio Olmo
Caja Rural
+ 11'49
40
Delio Fernández
Onda
+ 12'21
41
Reto Hollenstein
Team NetApp
+ 12'38
42
Philip Deignan
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 12'50
43
Eduard Prades
Orbea Continental
+ 13'01
44
Guillaume Levarlet
Saur - Sojasun
+ 13'09
45
Vitor Rodrigues
Efapel - Glassdrive
+ 14'21
46
Leopold König
Team NetApp
+ 14'23
47
Julián Sánchez Pimienta
Caja Rural
+ 15'11
48
David De la Fuente
Schuller - MX3 Nutrition
+ 15'14
49
Jonathan Clarke
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 15'16
50
David Blanco
Efapel - Glassdrive
s.t.
51
Rémy Cusin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 15'54
52
Garikoitz Bravo
Caja Rural
+ 16'15
53
Jason McCartney
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 16'43
54
Omar Fraile
Orbea Continental
+ 16'44
55
Rémy Di Gregorio
Schuller - MX3 Nutrition
+ 17'13
56
Víctor Cabedo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 17'29
57
José Alberto Benítez
Andalucía
+ 17'35
58
Lawson Craddock
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 17'41
59
David Belda
Burgos BH - Castilla y León
s.t.
60
Gene Michael Bates
LA - Antarte
+ 17'49
61
Rafael Serrano
Onda
s.t.
62
Ángel Vallejo
Burgos BH - Castilla y León
+ 18'44
63
Ghader Mizbani
LA - Antarte
+ 18'46
64
Geoffroy Lequatre
Schuller - MX3 Nutrition
+ 19'31
65
Daniel Silva
Onda
+ 19'48
66
Javier Megías
Team Type 1 - Sanofi
+ 19'50
67
Filippo Savini
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 20'27
68
Sérgio Ribeiro
Efapel - Glassdrive
+ 20'37
69
Edgar Pinto
LA - Antarte
+ 20'39
70
Nelson Vitorino
Carmim - Prio
s.t.
71
Staf Scheirlinckx
Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda's
+ 20'56
72
Sergio Mantecón
Andalucía
+ 21'05
73
Jose Aguilar
Andalucía
s.t.
74
Shawn Milne
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 21'57
75
Florian Vachon
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 22'09
76
Arnaud Labbe
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
77
Laurent Pichon
Saur - Sojasun
+ 22'13
78
Damien Monier
Burgos BH - Castilla y León
+ 22'21
79
Thomas Riber-Sellebjerg
Falcon - STARK
+ 23'32
80
Aketza Peña
Orbea Continental
+ 24'34
81
Marlón Pérez
Schuller - MX3 Nutrition
+ 24'59
82
Jose Mendes
LA - Antarte
s.t.
83
Marco Cunha
LA - Antarte
s.t.
84
Russell Downing
Onda
+ 25'25
85
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
+ 26'03
86
Manuel Cardoso
Carmim - Prio
+ 26'41
87
Havard Nybö
Falcon - STARK
s.t.
88
Enrique Mata
Andalucía
+ 27'06
89
Gunnar Grönlund
Falcon - STARK
+ 28'46
90
Stefan Van Dijk
Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda's
+ 29'12
91
Liam Holohan
Endura Racing
+ 29'16
92
Leif Hoste
Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda's
+ 29'20
93
Iker Camaño
Endura Racing
+ 29'31
94
Jérémie Galland
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
95
Florent Barle
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 30'20
96
Patxi Vila
Orbea Continental
+ 30'40
97
Magnus Bäckstedt
Falcon - STARK
+ 31'19
98
Dean Downing
Endura Racing
+ 31'23
99
Perrig Quemeneur
Schuller - MX3 Nutrition
+ 31'26
100
Wim De Vocht
Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda's
+ 31'29
101
Oscar Santamaria
Burgos BH - Castilla y León
+ 32'14
102
Kevyn Ista
Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda's
s.t.
103
Blaz Jarc
Team NetApp
s.t.
104
Egoitz García
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
105
Hélder Oliveira
Onda
s.t.
106
Daniel Musiol
Team NSP - Ghost
+ 33'24
107
Jens Erik Madsen
Falcon - STARK
+ 36'15
108
Joachim Tolles
Team NSP - Ghost
+ 36'42
109
Arnaud Coyot
Saur - Sojasun
+ 36'52
110
Jack Bauer
Saur - Sojasun
+ 37'11
111
Daniel Mestre
Carmim - Prio
+ 37'28
112
Adrien Petit
Onda
+ 37'31
113
Guillaume Blot
Schuller - MX3 Nutrition
+ 38'57
114
Aldo Ino Ilesic
Team Type 1 - Sanofi
+ 39'42
115
Robert Förster
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 40'32
116
Francesco Lasca
Caja Rural
+ 41'43
117
Jempy Drucker
Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda's
+ 42'32
118
Grégory Habeaux
Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda's
s.t.
119
Johan Le Bon
Schuller - MX3 Nutrition
+ 42'52
120
David Gutiérrez Gutiérrez
Onda
+ 42'53
121
Raúl Alarcón
Efapel - Glassdrive
+ 42'58
122
Erik Meineche McDermott
Falcon - STARK
+ 44'22
123
Joaquín Ortega
Orbea Continental
+ 44'43
124
Haritz Orbe
Orbea Continental
+ 44'57
125
Tino Thömel
Team NSP - Ghost
+ 46'05
126
Anthony Delaplace
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
127
Nikias Arndt
Team NSP - Ghost
+ 46'09
128
Markus Eichler
Team NetApp
+ 46'13
129
Robin Stenuit
Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda's
+ 46'50
130
Lucas Schädlich
Team NSP - Ghost
s.t.
131
Carlos Barbero
Orbea Continental
+ 47'49
132
Rudy Molard
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 48'37
133
Alex Bowden
Team Type 1 - Sanofi
+ 49'36
134
Filipe Cardoso
Efapel - Glassdrive
+ 49'44
135
Bruno Sancho
LA - Antarte
+ 52'34
136
Fabio Calabria
Team Type 1 - Sanofi
+ 52'51
137
Tomas Swift Metcalfe
Carmim - Prio
+ 54'02
138
Zakkari Dempster
Endura Racing
+ 54'52
139
Modestino Mandato
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 54'59
140
Antonio Cabello
Andalucía
+ 55'08
141
Jack Anderson
Endura Racing
+ 55'10
142
Luis Silva
Carmim - Prio
+ 57'51
143
Loris Palazzoli
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 58'17
144
Karl Menzies
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 59'11
145
Stefan Schäfer
Team NSP - Ghost
+ 59'27
146
Timon Seubert
Team NetApp
+ 1h00'53
147
Sebastian Siedler
Team NetApp
+ 1h01'28
Mountain: Leopold König, NetApp Points: Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK Young rider: Joseph Dombrowski, Type 1 – Sanofi Team: Euskaltel - Euskadi
I just knew it wouldn't take long for Thor to get his first stage win for the Team
Five top ten finishes in five stages resulting in a second place on the GC
Time for the non-cobblers participating in Paris – Nice and Tirreno – Adriatico to get a bit of racing in the legs. As it is the first race of the season for most of the riders we expect nothing in terms of results. Stage 1
A flat stage with an uphill finish. None of our guys made it to the break and we were no where near affecting the finish.
Results:
1. Matteo Rabottini, Farnese Vini – Selle Italia
2. Luca Ascani, Farnese Vini – Selle Italia
3. Joaquím Rodriguez, Katusha 42. Jesper Hansen, Falcon – STARK
Stage 2
A lot larger hills on the course today. Again today the riders made no show of the jersey…
Now we should begin to see some decent riding from the riders getting their chance in the early March-tours.
Stage 1
A day for the sprinters. None of our riders were in the break, but that’s OK since everything came down to the expected bunch sprint.
Results:
1. Alessandro Petacchi, Lampre - ISD
2. Andrea Guardini, Farnese Vini – Selle Italia
3. Daniele Bennati, Androni Giacottoli - Venezuela 8. Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – STARK
Stage 2
Another stage flat as a pancake, and the bunch sprint was never in question.
Results:
1. Andrea Guardini, Farnese Vini – Selle Italia
2. Alessandro Petacchi, Lampre - ISD
3. Daniele Bennati, Androni Giacottoli - Venezuela 9. Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – STARK
Stage 3
Yet another 144 completely flat km in the desert. And yet another time it was all up to the Italians.
Results:
1. Andrea Guardini, Farnese Vini – Selle Italia
2. Alessandro Petacchi, Lampre - ISD
3. Daniele Bennati, Androni Giacottoli - Venezuela 11. Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – STARK
Stage 4
First about 145 km of flat terrain, but then 10 km straight up. Time for Jeppe Lykke Hartvig Nielsen and Jesper Hansen to show their talent.
A group with Nilsson went away early, but was caught before the climb began leaving it a head-to-head between the favourites. Jesper Hansen showed great promises on the climb, but in the end he was not fit enough to mix in the top-battle today.
Results:
1. Hubert Dupont, UnitedHealtcare
2. David Moncoutié, Cofidis, le credit en ligne
3. Robinson Chalapud, Colombia - Coldeportes 16. Jesper Hansen, Falcon – STARK
Stage 5 - TT
We haven’t got any top-TT’ers in the squad, so we’ll just see what happens today.
With four of our riders past the first intermediate time on top of a hill we hold places 1-3, but none of the riders were able to keep the same speed on the flat. The most noticeable Nordic rider today was Alexander Wetterhall of Endura Racing, who held provisional best for a long time, finishing 4th. When all riders had finished it became clear that Jesper Hansens 24th was much better than expected as Jesper now holds the Youth Jersey.
Results:
1. Tom Dumoulin, Argos - Shimano
2. Enrico Gasparotto, Astana
3. David Moncoutié, Cofidis, le credit en ligne 24. Jesper Hansen, Falcon – STARK
Young rider: Jesper Hansen
Stage 6
Final stage of the race. There is a small hill at the start, but otherwise completely flat. Our goal for the day is mainly to defend Jesper Hansen’s youth jersey.
Riis covered the break and the Italian sprinters’ teams made sure it came down to a bunch sprint. Except only 40 riders avoided the giant crash in the peloton…
Results:
1. Daniele Bennati, Androni Giacottoli - Venezuela
2. John Degenkolb, Argos - Shimano
3. Andrea Guardini, Farnese Vini – Selle Italia 6. Kasper Jebjerg, Falcon – STARK
Mountains: Hubert Dupont, UnitedHealthcare Points: Andrea Guardini, Farnese Vini – Selle Italia Young Rider: Jesper Hansen, Falcon – STARK Team: Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
Tour Down Under 
Borut Bozic, Astana
Francisco José Ventoso, Movistar
Thor Hushovd, Falcon – STARK
Christofer Stevenson
Erik Meiniche McDermott
Roberto Ferrari – Liquigas - Cannondale
Kjell Carlström, Falcon - STARK
Tyler Farrar, Garmin - Sharp
Anthony Ravard, AG2R La Mondiale
Stefan Van Dijk, Accent Jobs – Willem’s Verandas
Liam Holohan, Endura Racing
Yaroslav Popovych, Andalucía
Leopold König, NetApp
Maciej Paterski, Liquigas - Cannondale
Carlos Betancour, Acqua & Sapone
Katusha
Tour of Oman 
John Degenkolb, Argos - Shimano
