Catch up on the Interview with Gorka & Ion Izagirre
and stages 4+5on the previous page.
Giro d'Italia, May 2013
Stage 6 Probably for me and Euskaltel – Euskadi the most uninteresting stage is featured today. I decide to stay in, catch up on lots of sleep and only watch the finale in a small little bar near Margherita di Savoia. I rather talk with some of the locals and get in a little drinking game early in the afternoon, and nearly missed the finish. Luka Mezgec takes a win for the sprinter team of Argos – Shimano ahead of Sacha Modolo and Mark Renshaw. The Italians I’m talking to are a bit disappointed about Guardini and Viviani who failed to snatch a victory so far. I tell them that I work with Euskaltel – Euskadi, that I am writing for a magazine about them. They like the team and think that Gorka’s win was excellent. “True show of strength, he can turn in an incredible rider in the future”, and I agree. However, one of them wants to know about their financial situation and I nod my head: “I’d like to know about that too, but so far, I havn’t got much information on that. Besides that, I’d have to check with the team managers anyway before I give away interna.”
“Well, how about another Ramazotti? Maybe then your lips will give us some secrets. Who is the masseuse, heh?” I drink till later and we talk about the euskadi philosophy and cycling in general and about the wives of some of the riders – so we basically talk about a lot of important stuff – and I head back wasted to the hotel. I wished for a number of one of these beautiful Italian ladies, but instead I got a phone call from one of my drinking guys, a rather old, but always happy and nice, an outrageously obscene Italian, whom I met today and who tells me that I forgot my notes about the race today. I tell him he can keep it, and this is why I have no clue of what was going today on Stage 6… I’m sorry, guys.
Stage 7
We go from San Salvo to Pescara and expect a few attacks on this hilly route.
It’s another day at the Giro d’Italia and another day sees an early attack of one of the potential contenders. Well, that was at least at the start of the race. Ivan Basso already is already 30 minutes to his fellow Italian Nibali in the overall classification. This should be reason enough for him to at least show himself. With him are some familiar faces by now. Cummings will want to try to break Izagirre’s lead in the mountain jersey. Further riders inlcude Pineau, Florencino, Pagani, Puccio and Amador. We had hoped to get one of our riders into the break but once again, luck wasn’t with us. We’ll try later on though if the break gets closer. We also think that this might be a finish for Kocjan, so this time around, we aren’t too afraid of a bunch sprint. I also would have liked to see him or Tamoruidis in the break, but alas, once more, it wasn’t meant to be.
Since Euskaltel doesn’t have much to do, I just think: Italy is beautiful, isn’t it? Maybe the girl at the side winks at Gorka Izagirre. After all, he looks quite charming in his Maglia Azzurra and the Euskaltel signs on it. 60 kilometers to go and the gap is about 4 minutes.
35 kilometers to go: Surprisingly the breakaway can’t be really stopped. Or Astana don’t want to catch them really. This climbs look way easier on paper. They are quite steep, here and there gradient of even 10 %, and the up and downs do the rest that many riders get dropped.
On the second last climb of today, Intxausti, Scarponi, Nocentini and Sánchez try to get the jump of the rather slow peloton. They obviously don’t care much about the Time Trial yet and will think about it once the race today is finished. For now, they want to put some seconds into the other guys. Marginal gains, or so.
Spoiler
It’s a good lead so far for them and they work well together with 20 kilometers left. In the peloton, Urán and Majka try to break out, but Nibali is on their wheel as is Pozzovivo.
Spoiler
Only 15 kilometers left for the breakaway, and it looks safe for them. They don’t have to worry about the peloton, and as soon as this notion sets in, Pagani attacks and Basso soon follows, dropping the other riders fast. Unfortunately, the peloton catches Samu & friends again.
And also Pagani’s attempt didn’t last long. Basso drinks a last time from the bottle and prepares for the final climb of the day. It’s a short hill, not much more than a kilometer. But the gradient is gonna hurt their legs when they hunt each other up the hill. If someone still takes bets, I’d say Puccio takes the win.
Florencio (KAT) is the first to accelerate. Amador is smart on the wheels of Puccio, while the Italian wants to try it on his own. Rodriguez and Pellizotti attack behind and from here, the breakaway’s lead seems to crumble away meter by meter.
Spoiler
The on-going attacks cause some confusion, and many riders try to take advantage of it, whilst making it even more confusing to hold up with the attacks. Samu Sánchez waited a bit but now attacks again with 500 meters left to climb. The descent might suit him better than last time.
He manages a bit off a gap to Urán who couldn’t quite hold up with him at the end. There was a gradient of 10% and it really hurt but Sánchez just pushed through. No sign of Nibali in the first group of chasers. Pagani and Basso are ahead of him.
No stopping Cummings today. The briton takes the win at the finish by a flawless performance. The other riders were just too wasteful with their energy, while Cummings was clearly the smartest about it.
Samu Sánchez comes in with the peloton, he was caught on the last meters. Of course, Zakur is mad about this and wants to know what Samu thought today. “Why didn’t you save energy for tomorrow?! You need a very last bit of it.” Regardless, that Zakur approved of Samu’s intention of attacking on the last climb, he might be right. This is energy that might be later on needed elsewhere. But hey, how goes the saying: If you never risk something, you can never gain something. There’s also one with “No risk, no fun”, but I find that too quite redundant.
Stage 7, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
4h11'30
2
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
3
Jérôme Pineau
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
5
Xavier Florencio
Katusha Team
s.t.
6
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
7
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 58
8
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
9
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
10
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Angelo Pagani
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
12
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
13
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
14
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
s.t.
15
Domenico Pozzovivo
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
16
Matteo Rabottini
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
17
Francesco Reda
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
18
Franco Pellizotti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
19
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
s.t.
20
Pieter Weening
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
21
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
22
Francesco Failli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
23
Diego Rosa
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
24
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
25
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
26
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
27
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
28
Mauro Santambrogio
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
29
Rafal Majka
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
30
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
31
Robert Kiserlovski
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
32
Rohan Dennis
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
33
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
34
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
s.t.
35
Stefano Pirazzi
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
36
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
37
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
38
Chris Anker Sørensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
39
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
40
Fabian Wegmann
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
41
Vasil Kiryienka
Sky Procycling
s.t.
42
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
43
Alessandro De Marchi
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
44
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
45
Stefano Garzelli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
46
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
47
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
48
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
49
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
50
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
51
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
52
Sonny Colbrelli
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
53
Tiago Machado
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
54
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
s.t.
55
Jérémy Roy
FDJ
s.t.
56
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
57
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
58
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
59
Stuart O'Grady
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3'25
60
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 3'53
61
José Serpa
Lampre - Merida
+ 4'36
62
Mads Christensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 5'54
63
Alexey Lutsenko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
64
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
65
Matthew Busche
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 7'17
66
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
+ 8'05
67
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
68
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
69
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
70
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
71
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
72
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
73
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
74
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
75
Francesco Bongiorno
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
76
Gianluca Brambilla
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
77
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
78
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
s.t.
79
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
80
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
81
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
82
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
83
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ
s.t.
84
Jure Kocjan
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
85
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
86
Tom Slagter
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
87
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky Procycling
s.t.
88
Manuele Mori
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
89
Winner Anacona
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
90
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
91
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
+ 8'55
92
Egor Silin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
93
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
+ 11'05
94
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
95
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
96
Oscar Gatto
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
97
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
98
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
99
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
100
Fabio Felline
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
101
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
102
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
103
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
104
Bart De Clercq
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
105
Maxim Belkov
Katusha Team
s.t.
106
Stef Clement
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
107
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
108
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
109
Ben Hermans
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
110
Timothy Duggan
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
111
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
112
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ
s.t.
113
Tim Wellens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
114
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
115
Dries Devenyns
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
116
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
117
Rory Sutherland
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
118
Paolo Tiralongo
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
119
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
120
Sandy Casar
FDJ
s.t.
121
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
122
Ian Stannard
Sky Procycling
s.t.
123
Thomas Damuseau
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
124
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
125
Thomas Peterson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
126
Evgeni Petrov
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
127
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
128
Enrico Barbin
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
129
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
130
José Rujano
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
131
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
132
Rafael Valls
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
133
Kevin De Weert
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
134
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
135
Ioannis Tamouridis
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
136
Sacha Modolo
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
+ 12'36
137
Koen De Kort
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
138
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
139
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
s.t.
140
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
141
William Bonnet
FDJ
s.t.
142
Tobias Ludvigsson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
143
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
144
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
145
Jonas Ahlstrand
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
146
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
147
Adam Blythe
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
148
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
149
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
150
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
151
Bert De Backer
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
152
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
153
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
154
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
155
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
156
Fumiyuki Beppu
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
157
Hayden Roulston
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
158
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
159
Tomas Vaitkus
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
160
Matthew Hayman
Sky Procycling
s.t.
161
Takashi Miyazawa
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
162
Luke Durbridge
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
163
Miguel Rubiano
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
164
Tosh Van der Sande
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
165
Cayetano Sarmiento
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
166
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
167
Rob Ruijgh
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
168
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
169
Jonathan Monsalve
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
170
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
171
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
172
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
s.t.
173
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
174
Filippo Fortin
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
175
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
176
Mattia Gavazzi
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 15'30
177
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
178
Kris Boeckmans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
179
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
180
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
181
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
182
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
s.t.
183
Rafael de Mattos Andriato
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
184
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
185
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
186
Enrique Sanz
Movistar Team
s.t.
187
Kevin Hulsmans
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
188
Dennis Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
189
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
190
Cristiano Salerno
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
191
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
192
Maciej Bodnar
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
193
Tom Veelers
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 18'33
194
Cameron Wurf
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 21'08
195
Francesco Chicchi
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
+ 22'42
196
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 32'50
Stage 8
55 kilometer time trial and it’s gonna be a tricky one. Obviously with such a finish, Sánchez, Izagirre and Verdugo will need to save some energy for it. But against the types of Wiggins, T.J. Van Garderen and Nibali it’s also important that they don’t lose too much time on the flat part. Its 55 kilometers long and the overall classification will await a major overhaul. Today runs for the team under the credo of damage control…
Spoiler
Greek TT champion Tamouridis is looking good so far, although he is using more energy on the flat than is the initial plan. He is eleventh at the first intermediate, but it’s still twenty kilometers to go. Up on the top you can see that Rabo is 1st ahead of Luke Durbridge. Ricardo Garcia is 3rd and shows that the team strategy is right for too. Don’t waste too much energy on the flat but focus to pull all in into the last climb, which can’t be underestimated. This way, Garcia made up over to 2 minutes to Rabon and Durbridge. A bit later on Tamoridis is the first rider to manage to catch in another rider (Maehs) for Euskaltel – Euskadi in a Time Trial this season. Feels good, doesn’t it?
Tamouridis comes in 3rd. 1 minute behind Westra (VCD). Great result for the greek.
Wonderful weather, wonderful crowd. Vrecer rides up an early hill and might think that this a good place for holidays. He won’t waste too much energy today but rather will try to save some for tasks up ahead. Meanwhile, Ivan Basso sets a new, best time at the finish, 3 seconds ahead of Westra.
Spoiler
Verdugo heads into the final 10 kilometers and looks set on passing Ventoso anytime now. After good times by the first 3 riders, the other 3 guys could take it lightly. Verdugo now has the job of optimizing the power output. 5 kilometers later, Verdugo is ahead of Ventoso.
Samuel Sánchez goes into the race at position 13. Will he climb the ranks or fall them down today? Already now, Zakur pays his homage to ONCE-Team manager Manolo Saiz and screams loud: “Gora! Gora! Gora!” and it comes off even harsher than Saiz’ permanent “Vega! Vega” commands.
Spoiler
Verdugo on the last meters to the finish. He is 7th now, 23 seconds behind Basso and therefor the best Euskaltel – Euskadi rider ranked so far. Fantastic performance!
It’s truly a wonderful scenic for any rider here. If it just wasn’t so god damn long, but even stop signs can’t stop Samu.
Gorka Izagirre is currently ranked 4th in overall classification. Ahead of him, Bradley Wiggins just took off and is likely to make an excellent performance. Gorka catches his last calm breaths as the crowds cheer and wait for any rider to start the race.
Spoiler
People still cheer the loudest for Nibali.
Samu leaves the hilly forest behind him for now and heads into the city. At the first intermediate he is 1’50’’ behind Scarponi. He will make up though. I am sure of it. “Gorka! Gorka!” Zakur’s even overshadow the crowd’s loud noises.
Spoiler
Back into the woods, Samu. It should be calmer but Zakur only gets louder. He is soon too collapsing as he shouts his lungs out.
Gorka Izagirre heads to the first intermediate. Bradley Wiggins has just earlier topped Michele Scarponi by 14 seconds. Gorka is 2’26`` behind.
Tanel Kangert catches up to Samu. He is a great TT talent but that is going a bit too far, I think. Kangert is currently 12th and will probably take a leap forwards in GC, but with such a performance, will Samu even manage to maintain his 13th rank? Despite Zakur’s shouts, Samu remains calm and hopes that he can make up the time later on. Kangert’s teammate Nibali sets a new best time at the intermediate meanwhile. Something similar happens to Gorka, who gets catched by Talansky.
Spoiler
7 kilometers left and Samu increases slowly his output. Only two kilometers left for the final hill towards the finish.
Samu has strapped on his wings and he is now flying towards the finish. At the 2nd intermediate, Nibali is 22 seconds behind Wiggins meanwhile.
One kilometer of unstoppable power. Hopefully. I join the everlasting refrain of Zakur’s words and shout myself: “Gora! Gora!”
Only a few meters left. Samu sprints now. And is… 4th! 1’01 minute behind Scarponi. “Woah, I think… I don’t know if that was good or bad now…” Later on, T.J. Van Garderen beats Scarponi’s time by 6 seconds.
Although his legs look a bit dead from here, Wiggins is quite on fire. He takes new best time.
Gorka heads into the final kilometer. Up ahead is 3rd ranked Talansky. He even caught him 500 meters later. This surely means, that he didn’t lose too much time. It’s okay. As I said at the beginning of the stage, it’s all about damage control.
Spoiler
And talking about damage control once again: That’s something Hesjedal has to do today too as he sees how Nibali overtakes him on the final kilometer. While Hesjedal is out of his chair, Nibali still sits and effectively rides his Time Trial stubbornly in his rhythm to the end. However he is 18 seconds behind Wiggins at the finish, and this means the Briton takes the Maglia Rosa.
Spoiler
Looking at the results, I am impressed by Sánchez good time trial. He could have maybe done better here and there but alas, it’s over. My thought turns absurd when I see how exhausted and done Samu is. He truly given everything and rode the TT as smart and as good as he could. Of course, you lose time on the Olympian champion Wiggins but he also lost quite some time to none-specialists such as Uran or Scarponi. These are merely seconds though and anything can be gained back. Zakur doesn`t look satisfied and criticizes Samu quite directly. “You need to do better than this”, he says and I want to say something but the bald, tall monstrosity blocks the view on Samu’s face and when I finally see Samu’s face, I realize that he doesn’t even listen to Zakur.
Apparently everyone was quite satisfied with the time trial. The Giro was being kind to us so far. We got a stage win early on and this is surely not a given for Euskaltel – Euskadi. We had the mountain jersey for now. And Samuel looked to have recovered just in time from the intense early season for his Giro d’Italia. So, things were looking good for us, and then Zakur’s heads into the hotel hall and everything changes. Well, I am getting all dramatic, but bear with me for a second.
So, he heads into the hall where the team is having dinner and then the debriefing of the stage. We did good. At least, I thought we did good. And he just takes a chair and throws it cross the room. His anger is being felt when we recognize the big vain up his forehead. We had seen that before. He is shouting in Spanish and I don’t get anything he is saying. The spit comes out of his mouth and the riders first try to evade it but in the end, it effects everybody in the room. Everyone gets a drop of his spit onto the skin as Zakur makes his rounds around the big table. I am picking a bit with my fork in the spaghetti they have cooked for us. His gestures are signs of insanity and then Samu steps up, and tries to calm him down. Samu’s the captain, and he is a true leader. Experienced, charismatic, not fearing much, especially when it comes to cycling. But he shivers a bit here. Just a little bit, just enough that I notice it with my trained eagle eye. He tries to calm Zakur down, but the coach just takes Samu at his throat and then glares at him. Some whispering words are the last thing they exchange. I imagine they are some kind of warning or threat, but it turns out, Zakur only said: “Do better next time.” However, every meaning can be solely interpreted into this sentence. As Zakur leaves, the table round is quiet and no words will be said for some time until Tamouridis cracks a joke at Zakur’s expense. Looking back, I suppose that was the moment where Zakur lost his team, and wasn’t to be taken seriously again.
Stage 9 sees some nice mountain points today and maybe Gorka will try to make a run for them if they let him. However, this is highly unlikely since he is still 15th. He is already quite some time behind so SKY and Astana shouldn’t be too concerned about him but maybe other teams view him as a threat. In any case, I don’t think that Gorka has a shot to get into a break today, so we will see if some other riders who are willing to take their chances today. This stage might be something for Verdugo or Vrecer.
There are days where there’s just no breakaway possible, there are days where you don’t have luck. And then there’s this stage 9, where the first 70 kilometers were a constant struggle for every meter. First SKY had Sioutsou in the group upfront and obviously thought that they can rest a bit their legs, but Saxo Bank pulled Sioutsou very fast back in again, and from there on out, the pace was just ridilcious high. Many riders dropped but found their way back when SKY, Saxo and Katusha suddenly didn’t care anymore. After 70 kilometers.
For us at Euskaltel – Euskadi this day starts extremely bad. Verdugo seems like he doesn’t have the legs today for anything to perform, Gorka is still a bit damaged from the time trial, Vrecer tried but failed miserably. Heck, it was even tough for the guys to get upfront, to get into a position of possible attacking. Honestly I was glad when finally a breakaway formed itself so the pressure was off our guys shoulders and could just finally take the first mountain of the day. The break with Vande Velde (GRS), Machado (RTL), Rujano, Damuseau (ARG) and De Clerq (LTB) gained quickly 5 minutes after the peloton finally took off the pace and now they take things too lightly back there as they get minute after minute handed to them. I really think like they all just want to ruin my day.
It’s still the same day and I cheer when Gorka decides to attack. Seriously, the peloton can keep playing their stupid tactical games. Euskaltel – Euskadi just attacks. Gora Gorka, I think as the race organizators allow us to get ahead to him.
Spoiler
He is doing good progress and the lead at least gets from 7 to 5 minutes, but of course, at least one team has something to say against. In this case, Movistar have increased the pace and chase Izagirre. They might view him as a threat for Intxausti who is ranked on 10, Gorka is 15th. Since there are only mountain points for the first 3 riders available at this climb, Gorka decides that it doesn’t matter and just waits for the peloton to catch him. Zakur is furious but the race organizeters demand that he gets back behind the peloton when Movistar & Co. come closer to Gorka. That’s one way of making your team manager shut up. Later on, the gap increases up to 9 minutes in a few kilometers when Movistar don’t work anymore and SKY just does nothing…again. I think there won’t be a stage win for Euskaltel – Euskadi today.
Spoiler
Machado takes the category at the 1.-Cat climb. These are additional ten points after he has already won the first mountain sprint and it’s likely he will be the new wearer of mountain jersey tomorrow.
It’s one curvy, bump and long descent from Vallombrosa. Some crashes happen, luckily no Euskaltel riders are involved.
Intxausti attacks. Since Movistar were lately the only team that has even attempted to pace for the peloton, this doesn’t come surprising. Quickly the rider gains time, Scarponi is on his wheel. Nocentini wants to try his luck too. However this will turn out, one thing is for sure: SKY will have to… oh, nevermind…
The 3 former riders don’t stand much chance since Wiggins attacked too. This quickly turned into a constant stream of attacking favourites out the peloton. Each one was following him. Well, except for Purito that is. I suppose the Spaniard is here to build up his form, and anyone willing to fight for every meter, anyone with hopes for a podium, is in here. From Nibali to Hesjedal, Urán, Majka, Talansky, Van Garderen, Gesink and of course, yours truly, Samu Sánchez.
Nocentini just can’t hold Nibali’s wheel anymore and creates a gap. So, thanks for that, I think. The pace definitely makes Samu suffer and he is on the last position in the group. “Pull yourself together!”, Zakur shouts into the micro. At least, there are only few more meters left until its downhill time again…
Spoiler
Intxausti and Scarponi are ahead. That means, they are behind the break that have already this last small climb behind them. Nibali has catched up to Wiggins, and there are also Majka and Hesjedal. A bit further back, T.J. Van Garderen has to do most of the chasing on his own on the flat with the occasional help by the others.
Samu Sánchez has quickly enough of this and sees an opportunity to make up some time too now. He didn’t feel good at all on the previous climb, but this time he is ready. He can really take out some time on Van Garderen, Urán, Talansky and so forth. Nibali and Hesjedal have meanwhile dropped Wiggins and Majka in the very short climb and are close to catching Intxausti and Scarponi.
Machado already proclaimed the mountain jersey today and he also takes the stage win now. Great performance by him, the others just didn’t stand much of a chance it appears. I have to be honest though, most of my concentration belongs to Samu Sánchez…
He showed some great downhill-riding and got a bit closer to Nibali & Wiggins, who are back together. Nocentini is the only one left of the former group. T.J. Van Garderen & Co. caught by Group Rodriguez who is really fighting to not lose the Giro d’Italia this early. From the deepest of his lungs, Zakur speaks his usual phrases, which are more fear-harboring than motivating.
Spoiler
While Nibali shows his dominance and clearly outsprints the other guys, Samu Sánchez suffers for his short, but intense solo-ride. Group T.J.Van Garderen catches him on the last meters. This is just the fitting end to a truly used day. Honestly, it is a bit of a day to forget, but alas, there are such days and then there’s others. This was one of those days, where your team at the finish-line already look like they are tired and beaten. Gorka Izagirre has lost massive time too and fell out of Top 25, but this will at least give him back the freedom to pursue the quest for Mountain Jersey at this Giro d’Italia. One good thing happened though: Samu Sánchez finally cracked the Top 10. So that’s something, hopefully he will stay in them. Wiggins stays in pink.
Stage 9, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Tiago Machado
RadioShack - Leopard
4h30'44
2
Thomas Damuseau
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
3
José Rujano
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Bart De Clercq
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
5
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Sharp
+ 37
6
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 6'35
7
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
8
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
9
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
s.t.
10
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Rafal Majka
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
12
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
+ 7'43
13
Gianluca Brambilla
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
14
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
s.t.
15
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
16
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
17
Mauro Santambrogio
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
18
Miguel Rubiano
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
19
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
20
Fabio Felline
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
21
Matteo Rabottini
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
22
Franco Pellizotti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
23
Diego Rosa
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
24
Stefano Pirazzi
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
25
Robert Kiserlovski
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
26
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
27
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
28
Domenico Pozzovivo
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
29
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
30
Francesco Failli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
31
Francesco Reda
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
32
Francesco Bongiorno
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
33
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
34
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
35
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
36
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
37
Alessandro De Marchi
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
38
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
39
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
40
Chris Anker Sørensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
41
Dries Devenyns
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
42
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
s.t.
43
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
44
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 13'11
45
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
46
Cristiano Salerno
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
47
Matthew Busche
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
48
Maxim Belkov
Katusha Team
s.t.
49
Sandy Casar
FDJ
s.t.
50
Jérémy Roy
FDJ
s.t.
51
Sonny Colbrelli
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
52
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
53
Pieter Weening
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
54
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
s.t.
55
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
56
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
57
Stefano Garzelli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
58
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
59
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
60
Angelo Pagani
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
61
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
62
Oscar Gatto
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
+ 14'48
63
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
64
Jérôme Pineau
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
65
Enrico Barbin
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
66
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
67
Ioannis Tamouridis
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
68
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
69
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
70
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
+ 16'32
71
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
72
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
73
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
74
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
75
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
76
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
77
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
78
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
79
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
80
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
81
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
82
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
83
Rafael Valls
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
84
Fabian Wegmann
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
85
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
86
Rob Ruijgh
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
87
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
s.t.
88
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
89
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
90
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
91
Ben Hermans
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
92
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
93
Xavier Florencio
Katusha Team
s.t.
94
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
s.t.
95
Thomas Peterson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
96
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
97
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
98
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
99
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
100
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
101
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky Procycling
s.t.
102
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ
s.t.
103
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
104
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
105
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
s.t.
106
Manuele Mori
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
107
Timothy Duggan
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
108
Winner Anacona
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
109
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
110
Kevin De Weert
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
111
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ
s.t.
112
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
113
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
114
Rohan Dennis
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
115
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
s.t.
116
Evgeni Petrov
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
117
Stuart O'Grady
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
118
Mads Christensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
119
Vasil Kiryienka
Sky Procycling
s.t.
120
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
121
José Serpa
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
122
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 17'20
123
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
124
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
125
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 17'53
126
Jure Kocjan
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
127
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
128
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 18'45
129
Alexey Lutsenko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
130
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
131
Paolo Tiralongo
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
132
Tom Slagter
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
133
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
134
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
135
Egor Silin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
136
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
137
Stef Clement
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
138
Rory Sutherland
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
139
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
140
Tim Wellens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
141
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
142
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
143
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
144
Koen De Kort
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 21'03
145
Kris Boeckmans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 21'37
146
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
147
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
148
William Bonnet
FDJ
s.t.
149
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
150
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
151
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
152
Ian Stannard
Sky Procycling
s.t.
153
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
154
Rafael de Mattos Andriato
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
155
Sacha Modolo
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
156
Jonas Ahlstrand
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
157
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
158
Bert De Backer
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
159
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
160
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
161
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
162
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
163
Fumiyuki Beppu
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
164
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
165
Tobias Ludvigsson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
166
Jonathan Monsalve
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
167
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
168
Luke Durbridge
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
169
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
170
Cayetano Sarmiento
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
171
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
+ 23'34
172
Mattia Gavazzi
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
173
Adam Blythe
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
174
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
175
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
176
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
177
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
178
Enrique Sanz
Movistar Team
s.t.
179
Takashi Miyazawa
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
180
Tomas Vaitkus
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
181
Tosh Van der Sande
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
182
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
s.t.
183
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
184
Hayden Roulston
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
185
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
186
Matthew Hayman
Sky Procycling
s.t.
187
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
188
Kevin Hulsmans
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
189
Cameron Wurf
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
190
Maciej Bodnar
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
191
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
+ 28'47
192
Filippo Fortin
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
+ 29'21
193
Dennis Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
+ 30'04
194
Tom Veelers
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 30'32
195
Francesco Chicchi
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
196
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 34'51
No need to tell you that Zakur was utterly and completely lost in his rage. He roared through the bus, I feared he might go on a rampage and his spit and mighty hands were just all over the damn windows. It was useful that none of the riders had seen this show of him. Otherwise they would have lost all the remaining respect for good. Quite tempered he leaves the team bus and I am the last one in it. I think that this guy is a true pain in the ass and can’t be any longer manager of Euskaltel – Euskadi. But look at me, I am just some months at Euskaltel, have nothing to say and I already want to overthrow one of the kings. Talk about making some career in cycling.
Stage 10
It’s the first real tough mountain stages as the peloton has to master the Passo Cason di Lanza first and later will decide today’s victor at the Altopiano del Montasio. The 80 kilometers ahead of the first climb should lay ground for a possible breakaway win.
The road is windy and bumpy. You can’t call the road to Passo Cason di Lanza in any regards flat by normal standards. Euskaltel managed to get Verdugo into the break. With him are some decent enough riders like Marcato (VCD), Geniez (FDJ), Herrada (MOV), Peterson (ARG) or Clement (BEL). He should be the best climber in the team though, so Euskaltel are interested in getting even more than 4 minutes to the peloton on the remaining route until the lead will crumble at the mountains.
Things are looking good for a possible stage win today. 10 minutes to the peloton and SKY still aren’t too interested in doing much work back there. This is good for Verdugo as the break heads step by step into the mountain. At the foot of the mountain the road is paved with the favourites’ names and remembrance to Wouter Weylandt. Also, some advertisement for cycling-manager.it, they certainly know where their clientele will see their promo.
It`s good to know that basque fans are here in the mountains.
With a gradient of constantly 10% during the last 5 to 8 kilometers, the top is especially tough to ride. Cummings doesn’t care much as he attacks for the mountain points. He is currently ranked 6th and has 10 points. But that doesn’t mean that he will get them automatically.
Spoiler
Pagani takes the points while Verdugo steals the 2nd place from Cummings in the last second. Obvioulsy Euskaltel have not forgotten about Gorka’s staning in the Mountain ranking.
Crash by Nibali in the descent! What’s up with all these great downhillers crashing at this Giro d’Italia? Are here some reversed laws of logic and physics at work? Will that mean that Wiggins can turn into the best downhiller of ever at this Giro?! Obviously Astana are quick to send Tiralongo and then the entback to help Nibali catch up. This isn’t a problem for the The Shark, and I think to myself, that it’s always a nice look when teammates wait for their leader, the look of them all pulling back in an instant as it’d be some synchronized chain of event, prepared and performed to excellence.
Spoiler
20 kilometers to go for the break and they have about 11 minutes lead. Still. They have not lost any time here. Surely, the odds are in Euskaltel’s favor as the break is nearing the final climb.
Spoiler
Still much to go in the race for the peloton though (they are still in the downhill) but Majka, Purito and Pozzovivo are already eager to test their strength and luck. Their attempt doesn`t seem to be good enough though as Sky try to reel them back in, but at the 20 km mark, they have already 30 seconds on the peloton.
For the break it’s obvious that one of them will get the win today and that realization hits them together with the first attack of Geniez. Verdugo is quick to follow, Clement on his backwheel and Herrada is not willing to lose out today. The 4 best climbers in the break seem to decide the win between them.
Geniez is willing stepping up his game. A second attack leaves Verdugo already a bit empty and close to this limits. However, the gap to Herrada and Clement is good enough for now.
Constant attacks by Scarponi, Pozzovivo and many others put the peloton in quiet some danger. Sánchez didn’t have the legs to keep up with their attacking, and neither did Wiggins. Nibali is now a few seconds upfront and is sure to take the Maglia Rosa if the Briton doesn’t strike back quick.
Meanwhile, Verdugo pulls the group apart. Herrada, Peterson and Pagani managed to get back into the break. The crowd is spectacular.
Nearly 5 kilometers left. Nibali looks so strong, not feeling the crash at all apparently, while Sánchez struggles back there and gets caught by Wiggins.
Geniez is really eager for this stage and seems to be a great shape. Another attack is only countered by Verdugo.
Enough for this, thinks Verdugo. Zakur shouts Gorka, Gorka. Geniez pulled up his legs and Verdugo immediately goes past him. Geniez wants to react but he can’t at this point. Peterson is already coming closer again, Verdugo is set to make a stand.
It’s a sea of flags as Sánchez loses contact with Intxausti, Pozzovivo and Wiggins for good.
Nibali is close to catching up to Group Cummings. These riders of the breakaway aren’t going to make it. With him are Hesjedal, Urán, Scarponi and Majka.
Hardly one kilometer left for the guys. Verdugo has a good gap on them but how much strength have they saved, how much power can throw into the sprint?
It’s only 1 kilometer now. Verdugo has to struggle. He can’t even sprint. Just make it across, I think. Make it across. Zakur shouts and shouts, I am closing my mouth with my hands.
Gora Gorka, Gora Euskadi!
Embrace the finish line, ride into it with arms wide open for the cheering people. Moments of triumph let him take on the whole world. Gorka Verdugo wins this stage. Zakur punches hard on my shoulder and I nearly forget to breathe. First! First win for Gorka this season, second win for us...
and a third defeat for Samu though. Samu falls out of Top 10 and is now 11th. But we have another thing to celebrate for today: Thanks to Verdugo’s great performance, we obtain the mountain jersey again. By one point. So the initial thought of helping out Izagirre and outsprint Cummings on the first mountain had a very nice effect for Gorka as he will be riding in a mix of blue and orange tomorrow.
Stage 10, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
5h07'42
2
Thomas Peterson
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1'15
3
Angelo Pagani
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
+ 1'41
4
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
5
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ
s.t.
6
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'54
7
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
+ 3'44
8
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
9
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
s.t.
10
Rafal Majka
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Domenico Pozzovivo
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 5'35
12
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
13
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
14
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
15
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
s.t.
16
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
+ 6'08
17
Stef Clement
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 7'41
18
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 8'01
19
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
20
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 8'31
21
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
22
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
+ 9'41
23
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
+ 10'02
24
Robert Kiserlovski
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 21'18
25
Francesco Failli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
26
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
27
Diego Rosa
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
28
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
29
Franco Pellizotti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
30
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
s.t.
31
Francesco Bongiorno
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
32
Francesco Reda
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
33
Mauro Santambrogio
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
34
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
35
Matteo Rabottini
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
36
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
37
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
38
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
39
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
40
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
41
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
42
Vasil Kiryienka
Sky Procycling
s.t.
43
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
44
Tiago Machado
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
45
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
46
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
47
Stefano Pirazzi
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
48
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
49
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
50
Fabio Felline
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
51
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
52
Matthew Busche
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
53
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
s.t.
54
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky Procycling
s.t.
55
Ioannis Tamouridis
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
56
Stefano Garzelli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
57
Pieter Weening
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
58
Cristiano Salerno
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
59
Rafael Valls
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
60
Kevin De Weert
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
61
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
62
Jonathan Monsalve
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
63
Miguel Rubiano
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
64
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
65
Rohan Dennis
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
66
Jérôme Pineau
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
67
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
68
Gianluca Brambilla
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
69
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
70
Jure Kocjan
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
71
Thomas Damuseau
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
72
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
73
Alessandro De Marchi
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
74
Winner Anacona
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
75
José Serpa
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
76
Sonny Colbrelli
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
77
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
78
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
79
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
80
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
81
Tom Slagter
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
82
Cayetano Sarmiento
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
83
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
84
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
s.t.
85
Sandy Casar
FDJ
s.t.
86
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
87
Egor Silin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
88
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
89
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
90
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
91
Fabian Wegmann
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
92
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
93
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
94
José Rujano
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro 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
Chris Anker Sørensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
98
Jérémy Roy
FDJ
s.t.
99
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
100
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
+ 29'50
101
Rafael de Mattos Andriato
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
102
Paolo Tiralongo
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
103
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
104
Xavier Florencio
Katusha Team
s.t.
105
Tim Wellens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
106
Bart De Clercq
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
107
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
108
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
109
Rob Ruijgh
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
110
Cameron Wurf
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
111
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
112
Ben Hermans
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
113
Stuart O'Grady
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
114
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
115
Adam Blythe
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
116
Luke Durbridge
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
117
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
118
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
s.t.
119
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
120
Rory Sutherland
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
121
Evgeni Petrov
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
122
Enrico Barbin
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
123
Alexey Lutsenko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
124
Fumiyuki Beppu
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
125
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
126
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
127
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
128
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
129
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
130
Ian Stannard
Sky Procycling
s.t.
131
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
s.t.
132
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
133
Mads Christensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
134
Timothy Duggan
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
135
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
136
Maxim Belkov
Katusha Team
s.t.
137
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
138
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
139
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
140
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 36'26
141
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
s.t.
142
Tobias Ludvigsson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
143
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
144
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
145
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
146
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
s.t.
147
Jonas Ahlstrand
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
148
William Bonnet
FDJ
s.t.
149
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
150
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
151
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
152
Koen De Kort
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
153
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ
s.t.
154
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
155
Tomas Vaitkus
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
156
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
157
Enrique Sanz
Movistar Team
s.t.
158
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
159
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
160
Oscar Gatto
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
161
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
162
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
163
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
164
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
s.t.
165
Hayden Roulston
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
166
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
167
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
168
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
169
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
170
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
171
Maciej Bodnar
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
172
Mattia Gavazzi
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
173
Sacha Modolo
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
174
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
175
Matthew Hayman
Sky Procycling
s.t.
176
Kris Boeckmans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
177
Manuele Mori
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
178
Bert De Backer
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
179
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
180
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
181
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
182
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
183
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 40'29
184
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 41'16
185
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
186
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 42'40
187
Tosh Van der Sande
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
188
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
189
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
190
Kevin Hulsmans
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
At the podium Gorka smiles off his cheeks. This is a great day for him, but not so much for Samuel Sánchez. At the team meeting later on, everybody congratulates him, however the atmosphere isn’t as cheerful as it was when the other Gorka, Izagirre, won his stage. There is the harsh realization in the crowd that Samuel Sánchez training wasn’t perfect for this. Maybe he should have taken more rest ahead of the Giro d’Italia, skip on the Ardennes classics for example. Zakur’s temper is somewhere caught by euphoric gestures of grandeur and constant swearing, bitter anger. He can’t decide for himself and our sociopath in disguise of the team manager loses most of his basque words in the mouth until he finally decides that this is more a day to celebrate than to be angered and decides to go to bed. With him gone, the team spirit seems to more relieved and I sit at the table, playing some cards with the two Gorka’s and Tamouridis.
@sutty68: Yeah, it was real nice along the way and seeing him win the stage and taking the Mountain jersey sure was a sweet moment.
@Dippofix: The name Gorka is a sign of quality at Euskaltel - Euskadi.
@The Rider: Hehe, Gorkas all the way! And yup, this stage has clearly shown that Samu isn't up to the task right now unfortunately. Edited by Shonak on 22-12-2013 16:58
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
@duxili: Haha, lots of bananas.
I am not sure about Samu: His form is quite solid actually, but I suppose with the weak team support in mountains, the hectic race schedule before the Giro, the planned peak for Vuelta, the crash and the quite leveled playing field (except for Nibali) it's tough to keep up here and there. He certainly isn't so strong as he was in País Vasco.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
