The 3rd stage will be the decisive one. First, the riders have to climb the Alto del Peñon, before they can start the final climb to Laguna de Peces. Yes, mountain top finish!
Our riders have absolutely no chance today. Thomas Dekker is the best, finishing in 56th place, 9'26 behind the stage winner. Ouch...
That stage winner is Igor Antón. The Basque has attacked out of the peloton, overtakes the remaining riders of the breakaway, and cruises to the stage win and the GC-lead. The 2nd place goes to Cayetano Sarmiento, followed by his Acqua et Sapone teammate Danilo Di Luca.
Results
1
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
3h44'26
2
Cayetano Sarmiento
Acqua & Sapone
+ 1'10
3
Danilo Di Luca
Acqua & Sapone
+ 1'29
4
Javier Moreno
Caja Rural
+ 1'42
5
Rafael Valls
Nespresso - Algarve
+ 1'47
6
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Arkaitz Durán
Nespresso - Algarve
+ 1'54
8
Jonathan Castroviejo
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
9
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'47
10
Iban Mayoz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'53
Stage 4
A 10.6 kilometre time trial around Zamora will decide the GC.
Lieuwe Westra is the best from our team and finishes in a great 4th place (only 1 second faster than Rosseler).
He's 18 seconds slower than the stage winner. And that win goes to the Spanish time trial champion Jonathan Castroviejo. The Saur-rider is 6 seconds faster than Maurizio Biondo and 16 than Ignatas Konovalovas.
Results
1
Jonathan Castroviejo
Saur - Sojasun
13'57
2
Maurizio Biondo
Pisanellastoria - Guerciotti
+ 6
3
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
+ 16
4
Lieuwe Westra
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 18
5
Beñat Intxausti
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
6
Sébastien Rosseler
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 19
7
Danilo Di Luca
Acqua & Sapone
+ 21
8
Alex Rasmussen
Nespresso - Algarve
+ 22
9
Oleg Chuzhda
Caja Rural
s.t.
10
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
Stage 5
The last stage towards Medina del Campo is a pretty flat one.
The peloton gets surprised by a 3-rider breakaway. Martin Mortensen (Vacansoleil) wins the stage, beating Michael Barry (Sky) and Ben Jacques-Maynes (Garmin) in the sprint. The peloton finishes in the same time, with Davide Apollonio winning the sprint. Theo Bos is in a great daily form (+5), but lacks more than 5km/h topspeed.... Strange.
Results
1
Martin Mortensen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
3h36'10
2
Michael Barry
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
3
Ben Jacques-Maynes
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
4
Davide Appollonio
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
5
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
6
Enrico Rossi
Pisanellastoria - Guerciotti
s.t.
7
Pablo Urtasun
Nespresso - Algarve
s.t.
8
Enrique Sanz
Movistar Team
s.t.
9
Fabio Sabatini
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
10
Maurizio Biondo
Pisanellastoria - Guerciotti
s.t.
GC
1
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
16h30'58
2
Danilo Di Luca
Acqua & Sapone
+ 1'36
3
Cayetano Sarmiento
Acqua & Sapone
+ 1'41
4
Jonathan Castroviejo
Saur - Sojasun
+ 1'48
5
Javier Moreno
Caja Rural
+ 2'12
6
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'22
7
Arkaitz Durán
Nespresso - Algarve
+ 2'25
8
Rafael Valls
Nespresso - Algarve
+ 2'33
9
Beñat Intxausti
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'05
10
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 3'09
...
48
Thomas Dekker
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 10'24
Points
1
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
48
2
Jonathan Castroviejo
Saur - Sojasun
45
3
Maurizio Biondo
Pisanellastoria - Guerciotti
45
4
Enrico Rossi
Pisanellastoria - Guerciotti
43
5
Ángel Vallejo
Burgos 2016 - Castilla y León
39
KOTM
1
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
16
2
David De la Fuente
LA - Antarte
16
3
Cayetano Sarmiento
Acqua & Sapone
12
4
Mauricio Alberto Ardila
Nespresso - Algarve
12
5
Danilo Di Luca
Acqua & Sapone
10
Overall winner
Word from the DS
Although we never had any chance in the GC, there are a few positive things: Gregory Bernard with his solo untill 2km before the finish in stage 2, the 6th place for Theo Bos in the 2nd stage and the 4th for Lieuwe Westra in the ITT. Still, pretty strange feeling to not compete for the win in a race!
Edited by dienblad on 15-06-2012 16:41
Westra was nice in the time trial. And there's a big fail in the report of the stage 1 in Vuelta a Castilla e Léon. On the report it says that it was Maurizio Biondo that won, but in the results it says that was Enrico Rossi.
Miguel98 wrote:
Westra was nice in the time trial. And there's a big fail in the report of the stage 1 in Vuelta a Castilla e Léon. On the report it says that it was Maurizio Biondo that won, but in the results it says that was Enrico Rossi.
The first of 3 hilly World Tour races in a week time is the Amstel Gold Race. It's the only Dutch World Tour classic, and it's still a "young" race. We have the 48th edition, with Jan Raas being the record winner with 5 times.
Last year, Philippe Gilbert took the win, being the first of the 3 Ardennes wins for him.
The route
The Amstel Gold Race is one of the most difficult races in the year. Not because of the climbs (the climbs in LBL or Lombardia are tougher), not because of the length, but because of the turning. SOme roads in the South of the province Limburg are seen 3 times, so the riders can get a bit dizzy and have to be aware all race long.
Th erace features 32 climbs, with the most difficult ones in the final. First the Eyserbosweg, then the Keutenberg and the finish on top of the Cauberg.
The favourites Philippe Gilbert (Lotto), Andy Schleck Joaquím Rodríguez (Katusha). Roman Kreuziger (Astana), Damiano Cunego (Radio Shack), Giovanni Visconti (BMC). Jelle Vanendert, Fränk Schleck (Omega Pharma), Simon Gerrans (Qantas).
Our goal
Th efirst goal is to improve the 8th place from last year. We'll aim for a top 3, but with the main goal being LBL, the fitness isn't 100%, so a Top 5 will be great!
180km to go
With the race ridiing through his own backyard, it is pretty clear that Rob Ruijgh wants to show himself for his family and friends. Living only a few kilometres away from the foot of the Cauberg, he gets the joy of being cheered at as he is the first rider that climbs the Cauberg in it's 1st of 3 ascends. Ruijgh is closely followed by Dominique Rollin (FDJ), Thomas Rohregger (Sony Ericsson) and Johannes Fröhlinger (M&M's), who will join him after the summit of the Cauberg.
110km to go
While the rain is pouring down, 2 more riders can make the jump from the peloton to the leading group. Thomas Rabou (Rabo CT) and Frederik Veuchelen (Vacansoleil) give their sponsors some air-time, while the maximum gap is reached, being about 8'30.
95km to go
The first hills cause a split in the peloton. A second group consisiting mant outsiders is riding over a minute behind th efirst group. In this group are Fränk Schleck, Jurgen Van den Broeck, Bradley Wiggins, Bauke Mollema, Giovanni Visconti, Chris Froome and Alberto Contador.
58km to go
When the 2 pelotons emerge, the sun starts looking through the clouds and it has stopped raining. The BOTD still has a margin of 4'25 over this 61-rider peloton.
40km to go
With the margin decreasing to 2'09, Rob Ruijgh realizes that his only chance for glory is to attack out of the BOTD, as the other slow him down. So he does, with 40km remaining, and only Fröhlinger will be able to counter it.
33km to go
But with the peloton riding at an extremely high pace, the margin melts like snow for the sun. When Ruijgh is about to get caught, it's Paris - Roubaix winner Fabian Cancellara who uses him as a spring board to attack.
19km to go
But the terrain is too hilly for Spartacus, and while climbing the Eyserbosweg, he gets caught by a chasing group of 39 riders.
18km to go
At the exact place as Michael Boogerd used to attack annualy, Giovani Visconti attacks. The Italian gets counters by.... Cancellara! Spartacus has found a second breath and joins the BMC-rider. Also Roman Kreuziger tries to bridge the gap and will succeed in doing it.
11km to go
The 3 leaders can't find a way to cooperate and get caught even before the Keutenberg starts. While the road is arising with gradients up to 20%, Luís León Sánchez is searching for succes for his Dutch team. He attacks, but the road is too steep for him to create a gap.
8km to go
But the Keutenberg finally causes a split. A first group of 11 riders create a 30-second gap to a 2nd group of 12. Cancellara, Gilbert, Gerrans, Nibali, Visconti, Rodríguez, Sánchez, Kreuziger, Cunego and Andy Schleck & De Gendt are in the leading group, while riders as Fränk Schleck, Bauke Mollema, Alberto Contador and Peter Sagan & Jelle Vanendert aren't strong enough today.
1km to go
Only 1 riders tries to attack on the flat roads after the Keutenberg: Cancellara. But he can't create a gap, so the 11 prepare for the sprint. Gilbert is the first to round the corner at the foot of the Cauberg, followed by Rodríguez and Kreuziger. Schleck still has a lead out left.
400m to go
There is no question today who is the strongest rider. Rodríguez jumps over Gilbert and creates a small gap to Gilbert and Kreuziger. Schleck, having difficulties as he ain't explosive enough to win this sprint, his gaining places and is looking to score a top 5.
Finish
Joaquím Rodríguez even creates a gap of 8 seconds to Kreuzige (2nd) and Gilbert (3rd) and shows real dominance. A great win for the Spaniard, after winning the Tirreno earlier this year and still showing top form. Andy Schleck even overtakes Cunego and sprints to a great 4th place. Thomas De Gendt gets rewarded for great riding today with a top 10 place (9th).
Results
1
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
6h33'10
2
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
+ 8
3
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
4
Andy Schleck
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
5
Damiano Cunego
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
6
Giovanni Visconti
BMC Racing Team
+ 28
7
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Simon Gerrans
Qantas Airways
s.t.
9
Thomas De Gendt
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
10
Vincenzo Nibali
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Fabian Cancellara
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 41
12
Jelle Vanendert
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 1'03
13
Peter Sagan
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
14
Fränk Schleck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 1'21
15
Sébastien Joly
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
16
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
17
Ben Hermans
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
18
Kim Kirchen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
19
Filippo Pozzato
Katusha Team
s.t.
20
Alberto Contador
Movistar Team
s.t.
21
Johan Vansummeren
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
22
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
23
Maxime Monfort
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
24
Jens Voigt
Radio Shack - Nissan
+ 3'34
25
Daniele Pietropolli
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
26
Vasil Kiryienka
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
27
Thor Hushovd
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
28
Stefan Schumacher
Sony Ericsson
+ 4'09
29
Nicki Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 5'45
30
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
31
Levi Leipheimer
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
32
Jurgen Van den Broeck
BMC Racing Team
+ 6'02
33
Bradley Wiggins
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
34
Jakob Fuglsang
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
35
Jan Bakelants
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
36
José Serpa
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
37
Julien El Fares
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
38
Pim Ligthart
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
39
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
40
Wout Poels
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
41
Dominique Rollin
FDJ
+ 7'45
42
Rob Ruijgh
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
43
Tom Dumoulin
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
44
Bauke Mollema
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
45
Geraint Thomas
Qantas Airways
s.t.
46
Tiago Machado
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
47
David López
Movistar Team
s.t.
48
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
49
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
50
Rémi Pauriol
FDJ
+ 10'49
51
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
52
Sylvain Chavanel
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
53
Murilo Fischer
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
54
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
55
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
56
Chris Anker Sørensen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
57
Andrey Kashechkin
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
58
Emanuele Sella
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
59
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
s.t.
60
Robert Kiserlovski
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
61
Gene Michael Bates
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
62
Nikolas Maes
Lotto - Belisol
+ 11'35
63
Mikhail Ignatiev
Katusha Team
s.t.
64
Fabio Duarte
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
65
Maxim Lefèvre
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 11'50
66
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
67
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
68
Thomas Rabou
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
69
Thomas Rohregger
Sony Ericsson
+ 12'02
70
Enrico Gasparotto
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
71
Kevin De Weert
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
72
Johannes Fröhlinger
M&M's
s.t.
73
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
74
Heinrich Haussler
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
75
Evgeni Petrov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
76
Samuel Sánchez
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
77
Grega Bole
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
78
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
79
José Ángel Gómez Marchante
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
80
Morris Possoni
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
81
Tosh Van der Sande
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
82
Igor Abakoumov
Lotto - Belisol
+ 13'12
83
Aurélien Duval
Team Europcar
s.t.
84
Alexandre Botcharov
Katusha Team
s.t.
85
Sergey Firsanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
86
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 14'22
87
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
+ 14'31
88
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
+ 14'38
89
Tom Slagter
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
90
Alessandro Bertolini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
91
Martin Elmiger
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
92
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
93
Gustav Erik Larsson
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
94
Pavel Brutt
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
95
Laurens Ten Dam
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
96
Trent Lowe
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
97
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
98
Gavin Mannion
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
99
Nick Nuyens
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
100
Massimiliano Gentili
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
101
Stefan Van Winden
Rabobank Continental Team
+ 15'10
102
Carlos Barredo
Movistar Team
s.t.
103
Andrey Zeits
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
104
Arnold Jeanneson
FDJ
s.t.
105
Pieter Weening
Qantas Airways
s.t.
106
Nico Keinath
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
107
David Arroyo
Movistar Team
s.t.
108
Peter Kennaugh
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
109
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
110
Raffaele Ferrara
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
111
Pierre Cazaux
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
112
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
113
Karsten Kroon
M&M's
+ 17'16
114
Stijn Devolder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
115
Matteo Montaguti
Androni Giocattoli
+ 17'25
116
Jussi Veikkanen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
117
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
+ 17'35
118
Anders Lund
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 17'43
119
Gianluca Mirenda
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
120
Rafal Majka
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 17'51
121
Leonardo Moser
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
122
Leonardo Piepoli
Androni Giocattoli
+ 17'59
123
Christophe Le Mével
Garmin - Barracuda
+ 19'08
124
Gorka Izagirre
Movistar Team
s.t.
125
Yoann Le Boulanger
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 19'24
126
Romain Bardet
FDJ
s.t.
127
Thomas Bonnin
M&M's
s.t.
128
Anthony Ravard
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
129
Aketza Peña
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
130
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
131
Simon Clarke
Qantas Airways
+ 19'46
132
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 22'35
133
Jonathan Monsalve
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
134
Dirk Bellemakers
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
135
Luke Rowe
Qantas Airways
s.t.
136
Javier Iriarte
Movistar Team
s.t.
137
Anthony Colby
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
138
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
139
Tyler Wren
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
140
Patrick Gretsch
M&M's
+ 24'44
141
Arnaud Courteille
FDJ
s.t.
142
Guillaume Boivin
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
143
Martin Kragh
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
144
Nick Van der Lijke
Rabobank Continental Team
s.t.
145
Julian Dean
Qantas Airways
s.t.
146
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
The winner
Word from the DS
Of course, you feel bad in the first place with missing the podium with the 4th place. But looking back at today, we can be happy. Rob Ruijgh did a great race in his home race, with leading the race untill 33km to go. Also the 4th for Schleck is great, considering he is peaking for the Fleche Wallone and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
Ruijgh is a good rider for the sponsors!
Too bad about missing that podium, but a fantastic result nevertheless. Maybe De Gendt would've been better in the explosive sprint then Andy?
Then again, maybe Andy had more energy left.
@ Ian BM, I believe. But as I didn't feel like chasing one, I send Ruijgh in it. And Andy simply had more energy left. I was surprised that De Gendt had managed to hang on to the first group. Was it Vanendert of Sagan, than ANdy would have been the lead out.
The 2nd race in this Ardennes-week is the Flèche Wallonne and it's the 77th edition this time.
Last year, Philippe Gilbert won this race, beating Simon Gerrans and Chris Horner in the sprint at the Mur de Huy.
The route
After the start in Charleroi, the rider head to the East before they reacht Huy. There they ride one big and 1 smaller lap, to finish after 200 kilometres at the terribly steep Mur de Huy.
The favourites *** Philippe Gilbert (Lotto), Joaquím Rodríguez (Katusha), Andy Schleck. ** Igor Antón (Euskaltel), Simon Gerrans (Qantas), Roman Kreuziger (Astana). * Damiano Cunego (Radio Shack), Fränk Schleck (Omega Pharma), Giovanni Visconti (BMC).
Our goal
We want to do better than last year (4th with Gesink), so we'll aim for a top 3 this time.
128km to go
The weather in Belgium is beautiful as the riders head towards Huy for the 200 kilometres of the Flèche Wallonne. When they ascend the Mur de Huy for the first time, 3 riders have a gap less than a minute to the peloton. But since Bart De Clerq (Accent.Jobs), André Steensen (Saxo) and Nico Sijmens (Cofidis) aren't great hilly riders, the peloton sees no problem in them forming a breakaway.
80km to go
When some better hilly hristian Knees, Heinrich Haussler and Vasil Kiryienka) attack out of the peloton and close the gap to the 3 leaders, the breakaway becomes too strong and dangerous. We decide to chase them and are about to catch them with 80km to go.
75km to go
When the breakaway gets caught, Lampre's leader Enrico Gasparotto attacks. With La Flèche 2011 in our minds (Seeldraeyers won after a mid-stage attack), we have to do something. So 2 options: chase him, or let someone counter attack.
67km to go
We choose the latter option. Thomas De Gendt counters Gasparotto's attack, and the 2 get joined by Saxo's Nicki Sorensen. These 3 strong hilly riders get the blessing from the peloton and create a 2km margin within 8 kilometres.
29km to go
While ascending the Mur de Huy for the 2nd, and penultimate time, the margin of the 3 leaders to the peloton is 2'56. The 3 start to believe in the win, as no teams are willing to set up a chase in the peloton. Only Euskaltel (for Antón) is trying, but they lack the riders to do it.
16km to go
As a result, the margin barely decreases in the nect 13 kilometres. Knowing that a margin of 2'16 at with 16km to go is probably safe enough, Nicki Sorensen attacks at the Cote d'Ereffe. De Gendt tries to counter but is struggling!
11km to go De Gendt isn't strong enough today to follow Sorensen and Gasparotto. A bad daily form (-1) is making the difference today. At at short ascending part before the the descend towards Huy start, he can see the 2 riding 25 seconds in front of him. With the peloton more than 2 minutes behind him, De Gendt seems to be assured of the 3rd place.
10km to go
When the camera switches back to the peloton, we can see why the margineven has increased. There are numerous attacks, and Igor Antón was the first to do it. But he can't create a gap, so Philippe Gilbert and Joaquím Rodríguez launch the next attack.
As happens more often with breakaway with the favourites in it, they can't find a way to cooperate, so a group of 31 riders will start the last ascend of the Mur de Huy, with just the 4th place as the goal.
1km to go De Gendt has continued ridiing in his own pace, hoping Gasparotto and Sorensen stop cooperating and let the pace drop. Unfortunately, they do that when the last climb starts, with none of them wanting to take the lead. As a result, De Gendt is only 19 seconds behind and still closing the gap.
400m to go
The gap becomes smaller and smaller. At the moment De Gendt finds the back wheel of Sorensen, Gaparotto launches his sprint. This is too much for the Belgian rider...
Finish
Enrico Gasparotto is by far the strongest of the 3 riders and wins the 77th edition of La Flèche Wallonne, and becomes the first Italian winner since Davide Rebellin in 2009. Sorensen takes the 2nd place at '9, and De Gendt has to settle with the 3rd place.
At 1'15, it's Andy Schleck who pretty easily wins the sprint of the peloton, beating Philippe Gilbert and Igor Antón. Also Jelle Vanendert (7th) and Peter Sagan (9th) finish inside the to p10.
Results
1
Enrico Gasparotto
Lampre - Generali
4h45'52
2
Nicki Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 9
3
Thomas De Gendt
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
4
Andy Schleck
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 1'15
5
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
6
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
7
Jelle Vanendert
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
8
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
9
Peter Sagan
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
10
Simon Gerrans
Qantas Airways
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Jakob Fuglsang
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
12
Vincenzo Nibali
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
13
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
14
Maxime Monfort
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
15
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
16
Damiano Cunego
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
17
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
18
Giovanni Visconti
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
19
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
20
Jurgen Van den Broeck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
21
Ben Hermans
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
22
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
23
Chris Anker Sørensen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
24
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
25
Wim Van Huffel
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
26
Fränk Schleck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
27
Vasil Kiryienka
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
28
Julien El Fares
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
29
Bauke Mollema
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
30
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
31
Sébastien Joly
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
32
Heinrich Haussler
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
33
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
34
Bradley Wiggins
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
35
Jan Kuyckx
Lotto - Belisol
+ 2'25
36
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
+ 2'37
37
Levi Leipheimer
Radio Shack - Nissan
+ 3'09
38
Pavel Brutt
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
39
Christophe Riblon
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
40
Rob Ruijgh
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
41
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
42
Tom Stubbe
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
43
Pim Ligthart
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
44
David López
Movistar Team
s.t.
45
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Lotto - Belisol
+ 3'27
46
Tosh Van der Sande
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
47
Kevin De Weert
Androni Giocattoli
+ 3'41
48
David Zabriskie
Qantas Airways
+ 5'20
49
Janez Brajkovič
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
50
Matthew Lloyd
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
51
Maxime Vantomme
Katusha Team
s.t.
52
Mikel Nieve
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
53
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
54
Andreas Klöden
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
55
Jonathan Hivert
Saur - Sojasun
+ 6'00
56
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
57
Alberto Contador
Movistar Team
s.t.
58
Stefan Schumacher
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
59
Jérémie Galland
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
60
Carlos Barredo
Movistar Team
s.t.
61
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
62
Brice Feillu
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
63
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
+ 6'36
64
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
65
Wout Poels
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
66
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
67
Alexandre Geniez
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
68
Morris Possoni
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
69
Bobbie Traksel
Landbouwkrediet - Euphony
s.t.
70
Jurgen Van Goolen
Accent.Jobs - Veranda's Willems
s.t.
71
Christophe Le Mével
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
72
Peter Kennaugh
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
73
Aurélien Passeron
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
74
Robert Kiserlovski
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
75
Daniel Teklehaimanot
FDJ
+ 7'25
76
David Arroyo
Movistar Team
s.t.
77
Rafaâ Chtioui
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
78
Jacobus Venter
Accent.Jobs - Veranda's Willems
s.t.
79
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
s.t.
80
Samuel Sánchez
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
81
Ángel Vicioso
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
82
Dario Cioni
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
83
Clément Lhotellerie
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
84
Andrey Kashechkin
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
85
Gustav Erik Larsson
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
86
Arnold Jeanneson
FDJ
s.t.
87
Alessandro Bertolini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
88
Grega Bole
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
89
Sérgio Paulinho
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
90
Gert Dockx
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
91
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
92
Franco Pellizotti
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
93
Richie Porte
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
94
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
95
Tanel Kangert
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
96
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
97
Mikel Astarloza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
98
Pieter Serry
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
99
Nico Keinath
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
100
Matteo Montaguti
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
101
Luca Solari
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
102
Chris Barton
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
103
Tom Dumoulin
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
104
Mikhail Ignatiev
Katusha Team
s.t.
105
Bart De Clercq
Accent.Jobs - Veranda's Willems
s.t.
106
Laurent Lefèvre
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
107
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
108
Bruno Pires
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
109
Pietro Caucchioli
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
110
Alexandre Botcharov
Katusha Team
s.t.
111
Gene Michael Bates
Lotto - Belisol
+ 9'59
112
Andrey Zeits
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
113
Thomas Rohregger
Sony Ericsson
+ 10'50
114
Sébastien Delfosse
Landbouwkrediet - Euphony
s.t.
115
Darren Lapthorne
Qantas Airways
s.t.
116
Remmert Wielinga
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
117
Danny Pate
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
118
Cyril Bessy
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
119
Nico Sijmens
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
120
Dennis Vanendert
Landbouwkrediet - Euphony
s.t.
121
Mitja Mahoric
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
122
André Steensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 11'18
123
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
124
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
s.t.
125
Giairo Ermeti
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
126
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
127
Leonardo Piepoli
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
128
Roman Klimov
Katusha Team
+ 11'42
129
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
+ 12'31
130
Juan Manuel Gárate
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
131
Maxim Lefèvre
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
132
Jens Keukeleire
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 13'16
133
Kenny De Ketele
Landbouwkrediet - Euphony
s.t.
134
Romain Bardet
FDJ
s.t.
135
Steven Van Vooren
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
136
Yoann Le Boulanger
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
137
Davy Commeyne
Landbouwkrediet - Euphony
s.t.
138
Simon Clarke
Qantas Airways
s.t.
139
Jens Debusschere
Accent.Jobs - Veranda's Willems
s.t.
140
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
141
Anthony Colby
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
142
Nicolas Vogondy
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 14'27
143
Óscar Pujol
Movistar Team
s.t.
144
Michael Barry
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
145
Kurt Hovelynck
Accent.Jobs - Veranda's Willems
s.t.
146
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
147
Grischa Niermann
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
148
Dieter Cappelle
Accent.Jobs - Veranda's Willems
+ 15'07
149
Dries Beatse
Accent.Jobs - Veranda's Willems
s.t.
150
Simon Zahner
BMC Racing Team
+ 15'21
151
Fabrice Jeandesboz
Saur - Sojasun
+ 16'48
152
Sébastien Hinault
FDJ
s.t.
153
Luke Rowe
Qantas Airways
s.t.
154
Cameron Meyer
Qantas Airways
+ 17'05
155
Baptiste Planckaert
Landbouwkrediet - Euphony
s.t.
156
Volodymir Gustov
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 17'22
157
Joseph Van Engeland
Accent.Jobs - Veranda's Willems
s.t.
158
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Barracuda
+ 18'26
159
Maurice Astruc
Landbouwkrediet - Euphony
s.t.
160
Jorge Azanza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 19'29
161
Kris Boeckmans
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 20'13
162
Kalle Kriit
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
163
Timothy Duggan
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
164
René Jørgensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
165
Nadir Haddou
FDJ
s.t.
166
Cristiano Salerno
Androni Giocattoli
+ 20'39
167
Sergio Hernandez
Sony Ericsson
+ 20'47
168
Evan Cosson
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
169
Antonio Natali
Katusha Team
+ 22'09
170
Geert Verheyen
Landbouwkrediet - Euphony
+ 26'12
171
Sean Bell
Qantas Airways
+ 27'57
172
Leon Smit
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
173
Andre McDaniel
Qantas Airways
+ 28'56
174
Johan Verhelst
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 30'28
175
Grégoire Quesnel
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 32'38
The winner
Word from the DS
Oh man, what a great chance to win a Ardennes classics. I believe our tactic was right, with getting a rider in th emidway breakaway. Unfortunately, the daiky form was decisive, as normally (fitness 95, hilly 78) De Gendt could have followed the other 2. But with a 9th in the Amstel and a 3rd in La Flèche, his week is excellent!
The team performance was great, with Schleck being the fastest of the peloton, and Vanendert and Sagan finishing in the top 10. This gives us confidence for La Doyenne, but still, we aren't THE favourites there. Gilbert and Rodríguez are.
Very good decision with De Gendt, but Gasparotto was too strong. However very nice result. Maybe if the the peleton caught the break, Andy would be fight for the win. Good luck in Liege
