@ all: Thanks a lot. This for sure was one of my best races in PCM. And Maddrengen: really don't know... Andy had a daily form of +5 and more than half the bars were still full. Think it was a PCM-bug
The last classic we participate in, is Rund um Köln, in the beautiful German city Köln. The field is always prett weak here, but with Marcel Kittel in the team, we are present here.
Last year, we got surprised by Saxo's Chris Anker Sorensen, who took the win.
The route
The route looks pretty familiar to the GP Ouest Plouay..... Way too difficult for this field.
Our goal
With this field, only the win is good enough....
The race
The race is a knockout. Every lap, more and more riders get dropped out of the peloton. We try to let Marcel Kittel stay in the first group and manage to do it untill the last climb. There, he can't follow the pace anymore, so Jelle Vanendert & Thomas De Gendt get the green light to destroy the competition. And without much effort, they do so. Vanendert is given the win, after getting top 10's in the Ardennes classics.
Results
1
Jelle Vanendert
Monster Energy - Subway
6h28'16
2
Thomas De Gendt
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
3
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 15
4
Maurizio Biondo
Pisanellastoria - Guerciotti
s.t.
5
Maarten Tjallingii
Pisanellastoria - Guerciotti
s.t.
6
Rasmus Guldhammer
Team Concordia Forsikring – Himmerland
s.t.
7
Simon Clarke
Qantas Airways
+ 33
8
Gustav Erik Larsson
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
9
Wesley Sulzberger
Qantas Airways
s.t.
10
Marcel Kittel
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
The winner
Word from the DS
We hope the field is stronger next year, as this was no fun (and yes, checked twice, it really was on extreme....).
The last stop before the Giro d'Italia takes place, is the Tour de Romandie. The 6-stage race in the French-speaking part of Switzerland serves as the last preparation race for the Giro, with some riders fully aiming for the GC.
Last year, Alberto Contador was unbeatable here, taking one of his WT-wins before he got suspended.
The route
The designers of the route obviously weren't inspirated, as they give us the exact same route as in 2011.
The Tour de Romandie kicks off with a very short prologue (3.5km) in the streets of Martigny. The next day, we leave Martigny to the North over 172 kilometres towards Leysin. This stage features 2 first categorized climbs in the last 25 kilometres, including the finish at the latter of them. The 3rd stage with start and finish in Romont is very hilly, with one first categorized climb only 16km before the finish.
Stage 4 from Thierrens to Neuchatel begins flat, but fetaures some climbing work in the last 50 kilometres. The penultimate stage is a 20km hilly ITT around Signal-de-Bougy, at the North side of the Lac de Genève. The last stage, the riders ride from Champagne to Genève. The middle part of it is difficult with 2 1st categorized climbs, but the last 60km are descending and flat.
Startlist
Spoiler
Monster Energy - Ford
1. W.Kelderman
2. J.Bobridge
3. T.Bos
4. F.De Greef
5. M.De Maar
6. R.Gesink
7. M.Kittel
8. R.Zingle
The favourites *** Edvald Boasson Hagen (Lotto), Richie Porte (Saxo), Joaquím Rodríguez (Katusha). ** Janez Brajkovic (Radio Shack), Rein Taaramäe (Sony Ericsson), Beñat Intxausti (Euskaltel). *Robert Gesink, Rubén Plaza (Movistar), Kim Kirchen (Sky).
Our goal
This is a preparation for our GC-riders Gesink and Kelderman for the Giro. Therefore they start with low fitness and we don't have GC-expectations with them. So we'll aim for a stage win with the sprinters, although that will be tough against Farrar and Boasson Hagen.
What can happen in 3.5 flat kilometres? Well, a lot. The riders must be very explosive, and not everybody can do this. So we expect bigger time gaps than just a few seconds...
To start with: our riders haven't performed well in this prologue. 6 of them loose between 13 and 18 seconds to today's winner. The best of the team is Aussie Jack Bobridge, who is 9 seconds slower than today's winner. He takes the 17th place with it.
Who takes the win then? With Sony Ericsson's Stefan Schumacher in the lead for a long, long time, his time gets beaten by the Swedisch TT-champ Gustav Erik Larsson (4'40). The only rider that is able to threaten the time is Italian Adriano Malori. But he's '2 slower than the Saxo-rider, so Bjarne Riis can celebrate a win.
Results & GC
1
Gustav Erik Larsson
Saxo Bank SunGard
4'40
2
Adriano Malori
Lampre - Generali
+ 2
3
Stefan Schumacher
Sony Ericsson
+ 3
4
Jens Voigt
Radio Shack - Nissan
+ 4
5
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
6
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
7
David Zabriskie
Qantas Airways
s.t.
8
Kim Kirchen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
9
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 5
10
Tyler Farrar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
Spoiler
11 Danny Pate Sony Ericsson + 6
12 Richie Porte Saxo Bank SunGard s.t.
13 Edvald Boasson Hagen Lotto - Belisol + 7
14 Bert Grabsch Omega Pharma - Quick·Step + 8
15 Paul Martens Rabobank Cycling Team s.t.
16 Janez Brajkovič Radio Shack - Nissan s.t.
17 Jack BobridgeMonster Energy - Subway + 9
18 Sandy Casar FDJ + 10
19 Matteo Montaguti Androni Giocattoli s.t.
20 Rubén Plaza Movistar Team s.t.
21 Beñat Intxausti Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
22 Rein Taaramäe Sony Ericsson s.t.
23 Heinrich Haussler Rabobank Cycling Team s.t.
24 Paul Voss Red Bull - Cervélo + 11
25 Gorka Izagirre Movistar Team s.t.
26 Leigh Howard Qantas Airways s.t.
27 Sébastien Joly Garmin - Barracuda s.t.
28 Mikhail Ignatiev Katusha Team s.t.
29 Rui Costa Movistar Team s.t.
30 Ian Stannard Sky ProCycling s.t.
31 Romain Sicard Euskaltel - Euskadi + 12
32 Alexei Markov Katusha Team s.t.
33 Nicolas Roche AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
34 Marc De MaarMonster Energy - Subway + 13
35 Peter Kennaugh Sky ProCycling s.t.
36 Tanel Kangert Pro Team Astana s.t.
37 Alex Dowsett Sky ProCycling s.t.
38 Steve Houanard AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
39 Joaquím Rodríguez Katusha Team s.t.
40 Rasmus Quaade Sony Ericsson s.t.
41 Gorka Verdugo Euskaltel - Euskadi + 14
42 Andrew Talansky Radio Shack - Nissan s.t.
43 Blel Kadri AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
44 Rick Flens Rabobank Cycling Team s.t.
45 Jérémy Roy FDJ s.t.
46 Wilco KeldermanMonster Energy - Subway s.t.
47 Christian Vande Velde Radio Shack - Nissan + 15
48 Jürgen Roelandts Sony Ericsson s.t.
49 Maarten Neyens Lotto - Belisol s.t.
50 Amaël Moinard BMC Racing Team s.t.
51 Romain Bardet FDJ s.t.
52 Leonardo Duque Radio Shack - Nissan s.t.
53 Tosh Van der Sande Omega Pharma - Quick·Step + 16
54 Bruno Pires Saxo Bank SunGard s.t.
55 Russell Downing Qantas Airways s.t.
56 Óscar Freire Movistar Team s.t.
57 Theo BosMonster Energy - Subway s.t.
58 David Arroyo Movistar Team s.t.
59 Alessandro Proni Acqua & Sapone s.t.
60 Michel Kreder Garmin - Barracuda s.t.
61 Pieter Weening Qantas Airways s.t.
62 Rigoberto Urán Sky ProCycling + 17
63 Marcel KittelMonster Energy - Subway s.t.
64 Nuno Ribeiro Pro Team Astana s.t.
65 Gianni Meersman FDJ s.t.
66 Mark Renshaw Rabobank Cycling Team s.t.
67 Evgeni Petrov Pro Team Astana s.t.
68 José Ángel Gómez Marchante Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
69 Wout Poels Rabobank Cycling Team s.t.
70 Steve Morabito BMC Racing Team s.t.
71 Juan Manuel Gárate Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
72 Francis De GreefMonster Energy - Subway s.t.
73 Marko Kump Rabobank Cycling Team s.t.
74 Gene Michael Bates Lotto - Belisol s.t.
75 Matthias Frank Red Bull - Cervélo s.t.
76 Rémi Pauriol FDJ + 18
77 Robert GesinkMonster Energy - Subway s.t.
78 Stefan Denifl Red Bull - Cervélo s.t.
79 Koldo Fernández Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
80 Vitali Kondrut Lampre - Generali s.t.
81 Mikel Astarloza Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
82 Ángel Madrazo Movistar Team s.t.
83 Johann Tschopp BMC Racing Team + 19
84 Nikolai Trussov Katusha Team s.t.
85 Richard England Qantas Airways s.t.
86 Salvatore Commesso Acqua & Sapone s.t.
87 Maxime Bouet AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
88 Víctor Hugo Peña Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia + 20
89 Alexei Shchebelin Katusha Team s.t.
90 Alessandro Petacchi BMC Racing Team s.t.
91 Rinaldo Nocentini AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
92 Matthew Goss Lotto - Belisol s.t.
93 Gavin Mannion Sony Ericsson s.t.
94 Maxim Belkov Katusha Team s.t.
95 Chad Beyer BMC Racing Team s.t.
96 José Serpa Pro Team Astana s.t.
97 Maarten Wynants Rabobank Cycling Team + 21
98 Romain ZingleMonster Energy - Subway s.t.
99 Gianluca Mirenda Lampre - Generali s.t.
100 Arnold Jeanneson FDJ s.t.
101 Anthony Geslin FDJ s.t.
102 Roberto Ferrari Androni Giocattoli s.t.
103 Julian Dean Qantas Airways s.t.
104 Bert De Waele Omega Pharma - Quick·Step s.t.
105 Daniele Righi Lampre - Generali s.t.
106 Fabian Wegmann FDJ s.t.
107 Nicki Sørensen Saxo Bank SunGard + 22
108 Ben Swift Sky ProCycling s.t.
109 Giacomo Nizzolo Lampre - Generali s.t.
110 Bjorn Selander Radio Shack - Nissan s.t.
111 Jonas Aaen Jørgensen Saxo Bank SunGard s.t.
112 Chris Anker Sørensen BMC Racing Team s.t.
113 Simon Zahner BMC Racing Team s.t.
114 Hugo Salazar Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia s.t.
115 Maxime Vantomme Katusha Team + 23
116 Kyle Wamsley Garmin - Barracuda s.t.
117 Remmert Wielinga Rabobank Cycling Team s.t.
118 Tino Thömel Red Bull - Cervélo s.t.
119 Rafal Majka Saxo Bank SunGard s.t.
120 Jasha Sütterlin Red Bull - Cervélo s.t.
121 Valentin Iglinskiy Pro Team Astana s.t.
122 Michael Barry Sky ProCycling s.t.
123 Freddy Montaña Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia s.t.
124 Oliver Zaugg Red Bull - Cervélo s.t.
125 Wim Van Huffel Lotto - Belisol + 24
126 Stefano Locatelli Acqua & Sapone s.t.
127 Mirco Lorenzetto Androni Giocattoli s.t.
128 Jan Kuyckx Lotto - Belisol s.t.
129 Egor Silin Radio Shack - Nissan s.t.
130 Davide D'Angelo Acqua & Sapone s.t.
131 Francesco Ginanni Androni Giocattoli s.t.
132 Florian Stalder Red Bull - Cervélo s.t.
133 Laurent Beuret Red Bull - Cervélo s.t.
134 William Clarke Sony Ericsson s.t.
135 Thibaut Pinot AG2R La Mondiale + 25
136 Walter Pedraza Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia s.t.
137 Gabriel Rasch Garmin - Barracuda s.t.
138 Alexandre Castro Garmin - Barracuda s.t.
139 Simon Clarke Qantas Airways s.t.
140 Franco Pellizotti Lampre - Generali s.t.
141 Christopher Sutton Pro Team Astana + 26
142 Guillaume Van Keirsbulck Omega Pharma - Quick·Step s.t.
143 Juan Forero Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia s.t.
144 Aitor Pérez Arrieta Lampre - Generali + 27
145 Steven Van Vooren Omega Pharma - Quick·Step s.t.
146 Aketza Peña Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
147 Andrea Grendene Androni Giocattoli s.t.
148 Zdenek Stybar Omega Pharma - Quick·Step s.t.
149 Murilo Fischer Sony Ericsson s.t.
150 Antonio D'Aniello Androni Giocattoli s.t.
151 Andrey Zeits Pro Team Astana s.t.
152 Fabio Taborre Acqua & Sapone s.t.
153 Fred Rodriguez Garmin - Barracuda + 28
154 Javier Iriarte Movistar Team s.t.
155 John Martinez Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia s.t.
156 Martin Kragh Saxo Bank SunGard s.t.
157 Riley Justice Radio Shack - Nissan s.t.
158 René Jørgensen Saxo Bank SunGard s.t.
159 Lucas Battistini Katusha Team s.t.
160 Igor Abakoumov Lotto - Belisol s.t.
161 Rob Goris Omega Pharma - Quick·Step s.t.
162 Enrico Zen Androni Giocattoli s.t.
163 Ruggero Marzoli Acqua & Sapone + 29
164 Jonathon McEvoy Qantas Airways s.t.
165 Wilmar Perez Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia s.t.
166 Mathieu Perget AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
167 Matthew Lloyd Pro Team Astana + 30
168 Jurgen De Schepper Lotto - Belisol s.t.
169 David Loosli Lampre - Generali s.t.
170 Matteo Busato Acqua & Sapone s.t.
171 Alex Candelario Garmin - Barracuda s.t.
172 Tyler Wren Garmin - Barracuda + 31
173 Jorge Cano Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia + 34
174 Florian Vachon AG2R La Mondiale + 35
175 Angelo Furlan Acqua & Sapone s.t.
176 Leonardo Moser Androni Giocattoli + 37
Today's winner
Word from the DS
Not a good start, but these short prologues aren't easy when you're not in a good form.
Already in the 2nd stage, the riders face a crucial one that can decide the GC. The first 140 kilometres after the start in Martigny are relatively easy, but then the road starts to ascend to the summit of the Col du Pillon (7.1km at 5.1%). After the descend to Le Rosex, the riders start to climb again towards Leysin. The last 5.7 kilometres are ascending with 6.2%.
103km to go
The story is the same as always: an early breakaway (10 riders) is allowed to get a margin of several minutes (max. 8), and they can start dreaming about the stage win.
Sony Ericsson's Gavin Mannion takes the points at a midstage KOTM-sprint, folowed by riders as Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R), Mirco Lorenzetto (Androni), Steve Morabito (BMC) and Egor Silin (Katusha).
19km to go
Mannion also collects the maximum amount of points at the Col du Pillon, thus securing hiself of the polka dot-jersey. The margin to the peloton has decreased to 1'48, so with the final climb remaining, they'll probably be caught.
3km to go
With Robert Gesink and Wilco Kelderman simply setting a high pace in the last climb, with the purpose of testing themselves, the breakaway is less than 30 seconds in front of them. Mannion rides a few metres in front of the BOTD, being the best / most fresh climber.
At this point, Joaquím Rodríguez attack, counteres by Chris Anker Sorensen.
2km to go Purito quickly overtakes the BOTD and, with the good legs from the Ardennes classics, he's climbing to the stage win. 2km before the finish, Sorensen and Mannion follow at '13 and the peloton at '32.
Finish
It's win number 4 for Rodríguez this season. A stage win and the GC in the Tirreno - Adriatico, the Amstel Gold Race, and now a stage (and a good shot at the GC) in the Tour de Romandie, make up a nice palmares!
Sorensen finishes in 2nd at '38, and the peloton looses 1'08, what is more than expected.
Kim Kirchen wins the sprint for the 3rd place, with Robert Gesink getting a nice 4th. 57 riders are present in this group.
Results
1
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
4h05'55
2
Chris Anker Sørensen
BMC Racing Team
+ 38
3
Kim Kirchen
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'06
4
Robert Gesink
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
5
Gavin Mannion
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
6
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
7
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
8
José Serpa
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
9
Nicki Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
10
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
GC
1
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
4h10'38
2
Chris Anker Sørensen
BMC Racing Team
+ 51
3
Kim Kirchen
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'03
4
Gustav Erik Larsson
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
5
Stefan Schumacher
Sony Ericsson
+ 1'06
6
Jens Voigt
Radio Shack - Nissan
+ 1'07
7
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
8
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 1'08
9
Richie Porte
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 1'09
10
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Lotto - Belisol
+ 1'10
...
13
Jack Bobridge
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 1'12
Points
1
Gustav Erik Larsson
Saxo Bank SunGard
15
2
Kim Kirchen
Sky ProCycling
15
3
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
15
4
Gavin Mannion
Sony Ericsson
14
5
Adriano Malori
Lampre - Generali
12
KOTM
1
Gavin Mannion
Sony Ericsson
22
2
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
12
3
Chris Anker Sørensen
BMC Racing Team
8
4
Egor Silin
Radio Shack - Nissan
8
5
Florian Stalder
Red Bull - Cervélo
8
Today's winner
Word from the DS
It's good to see that Gesink and Kelderman (finished in 12th) can already climb at this level, considering the fact that the climb wasn't difficult and the field fairly weak.
Stage 3
The next stage in the Tour de Roandie is a 171km long stage with start and finish in Romont. After a hilly stage awaits the summit of Le Gibloux 15 km before the finish. The last kilometre is very treacherous, as the road ascends with more than 5% at very narrow roads!
90km to go
Just as every day, the question is which riders are foolish enough to try to be part of the BOTD. Today, there are 6 of these fools, namely Matthew Goss, Christian Vande Velde, Eugeni Petrov, Tibaut Pinot, Pieter Weening and Remmert Wielenga. Halfway the stage, they have a 8 minute lead over the peloton.
18km to go
When the ascend of Le Gibloux has started, the margin has decreased to 2 minutes. This is the sign for Joaquím Rodríguez to attack. With 15km to go after the summit, we decide not to counter.
15km to go
Rodríguez closes the gap to the leading group, and is the first at the summit of Le Gibloux (5.3km at 6.2%). Michel Kreder and Rigoberto Urán follow at 43 seconds, and the peloton at 1'08.
4km to go
Being the GC-leader and the most fresh one in the leading group, Rodríguez has to do all the work alone. As a result, we catch the group with just 4 km remaining. As it is just after the Intermediate sprint, Rodríguez manages to get 6 bonus seconds.
1km to go
As we have studied the road book, and found out that the last kilometre is ascending with very narrow roads, we've tried all to be in the lead of the peloton entering it. Robert Gesink is leading out Wilco Kelderman, while Rodríguez gets boxed in a bit.
Finish
Without being in danger because of these narrow roads, we easily take the 1-2 with Kelderman and Gesink! The others should have read the road book a bit better!!
Results
1
Wilco Kelderman
Monster Energy - Subway
4h31'49
2
Robert Gesink
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
3
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
4
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
5
Marc De Maar
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
6
Nicki Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
7
Francis De Greef
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
8
Christian Vande Velde
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
9
Kim Kirchen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
10
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
GC
1
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
8h42'17
2
Chris Anker Sørensen
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'01
3
Kim Kirchen
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'13
4
Gustav Erik Larsson
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
5
Stefan Schumacher
Sony Ericsson
+ 1'16
6
Jens Voigt
Radio Shack - Nissan
+ 1'17
7
Wilco Kelderman
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
8
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
9
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 1'18
10
Richie Porte
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 1'19
Points
1
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
37
2
Robert Gesink
Monster Energy - Subway
29
3
Wilco Kelderman
Monster Energy - Subway
26
4
Kim Kirchen
Sky ProCycling
22
5
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Barracuda
21
KOTM
1
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
24
2
Gavin Mannion
Sony Ericsson
22
3
Christian Vande Velde
Radio Shack - Nissan
18
4
Evgeni Petrov
Pro Team Astana
12
5
Matthew Goss
Lotto - Belisol
12
Today's winner
Word from the DS
Sometimes, you have to take advantage of the bugs in the game .
.
