These 3 rider (Guillaume Bonnafond (AG2R), Rasmus Goldhammer (Colombia) and Robert Gesink (Rabobank)) were the first attacker today.
4 other joined them at the Schweibergerweg: Eros Capecchi (Footon), Jens Voigt (SaxoBank), Christophe Le Mével (FDJ) and Enrico Gasparotto (Astana).
And a late-attacker: Martijn Maaskant (Garmin).
The breakaway split in several groups, here the front group in Huls.
Gasparotto, Capecchi, Voigt, Guldhammer; +1'28" Maaskant, Le Mével; +2'11" Bonnafond, Gesink; +6'53" P.
Katusha rode really hard today, especially Kim Kirchen, Joaquím Rodríguez and Vladimir Karpets. It seems that they were confident about Ivanovs or Kolobnevs chances today.
Gasparotto, Capecchi, Voigt, Guldhammer, Maaskant, Le Mével; +2'17" Bonnafond, Gesink; +5'33" P.
Nice to see that the nederlandish cycling fans support Livestrong either... Back to the race: Here the pack at the Bemelenberg.
Group Voigt; +3'14" Group Gesink; +4'21" P.
We get in the in the interesting phase of the race. 21,5 km to go, the peloton still 2'24" down. Will we see another big surprise at an important classic, with the win of a breakaway?
Voigt; +11" Le Mével; +18" Capecchi, Gasparotto, Maaskant; +2'24" P.
The situation at the Fromberg. In front, Gasparotto attacked and lead now. In the peloton, Cunego and Gilbert also accelerated, but Pavel Brutt closed the gap for the peloton.
Gasparotto; +12" Maaskant, Voigt, Capecchi; +44" Le Mével; +2'27" Gilbert; +2'35" Cunego; +2'53" P.
Here the front group at the Keutenberg. 11,3 kilometer to the line, the pack 2'58" down...
Gasparotto; +13" Maaskant, Voigt, Capecchi; +54" Le Mével; +2'33" Gilbert, Cunego, Kolobnev; +2'58" P.
5 kilometer to the finish. Enrico Gasparotto goes alone for the victory, only Maaskant and Voigt are still able to caught him. And we can already say that the big favourites for today will not win.
Gasparotto; +16" Maaskant, Voigt; +38" Capecchi; +1'22" Le Mével; +1'59" Gilbert; +2'31" P.
1200 to the finish, only the Bosberg seperate Gasparotto from the victory, if not Maaskant or Voigt can launch a last acceleration.
Gasparotto; +12" Maaskant, Voigt; +48" Capecchi; +1'36" Gilbert, Le Mével; +2'45" P.
And yes, we have the next surprising winner at one of the main classics. Enrico Gasparotto with a breakaway victory at Amstel Gold!
The peloton cames in. Horner finished 11th, Klöden 15th and Popovych 20th. No PT-Points, but a good average result for RadioShack.
@Pellizotti2
Sorry Of course Cauberg, we are not in Vlaanderen. Well, I hope it was only bad luck that we have a chance in Huy or in Liège.
@FreitasPCM
Did not know that he was 3rd in real life here Horner is a pretty weak sprinter, so he got passed by a few better sprinter...
Tour of the Battenkill
New Jersey from RadioShack
In real life, Levi, Lance and Jason wear this jersey at the Tour of Gila. I decided to use this jersey in all races where we will compete in the United States.
RadioShack: I think the races in the USA will only be events where we have no really goal (Expect the Tour of California in May). We can relax. But of course, we have two leader here, Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer. Both have still no good shape, so we will see what we can get. Markel Irizar, Chechu Rubiera, Bjorn Selander and Jason McCartney fill the remain squad. The opponents: The only really strong opponent today will be the BMC-team with Karsten Kroon. Nice that we can see today how act our U23-squad.
Cambridge - Cambridge, 193,6 km Pretty flat, but a few steep hills, the last just before the finish. But also sprinter have a chance today if they survive the hills.
Team goals:
- Top 5 (Leipheimer/Armstrong)
Favourites: Karsten Kroon, Lance Armstrong, Mauro Santambrogio, Rory Sutherland, Levi Leipheimer. My tip: Karsten Kroon.
well done all the results so far. cant wait to see the mellow johnny outfit in action ( this will mean you will be doing a lot of editing in the folders to swap the jerseys around )
@Porte
Thanks . Yep, me too. Was nice to see it, I am looking forward to the next races in the United States.
@thehoyle
Thanks It was not so much, just make a backuo of the main jersey and replace it with the Mellow Johnny Shirt.
@Smowz
We want to compete in all three GTs.
In the Giro, we have Levi Leipheimer, Co-Leader are Tiago Machado and Sergio Paulinho.
Very difficult to guess our leader in the TDF Lance of course. We will compete with the squad which also compete in real life.
Finally the Vuelta, our main goal is the sprinter jersey here, so we have Steegmans, supported by Vaitkus and Rosseler, for the GC we will give our future leader Janez Brajkovic a chance. Co-Leader here Haimar Zubeldia and Tiago Machado.
Depart in Cambridge.
Hard attacking here, finally 9 rider in the breakaway. We decided also to send one to present our jersey The breakaway: Markel Irizar (RadioShack), Alexander Wetterhall (Team Sprocket), Jackson Stewart (BMC), Ben King (Trek-Livestrong U23), Dale Appleby (Team Raleigh), Malcolm Elliott (Motorpoint), Mads Christensen (Glud & Marstrand), Jesse Anthony (Kelly Benefit) and Ex-Discovery-Rider Michael Creed (Team Type 1).
A lot of gravel roads here.
Attack in the peloton! British champion Kristian House (Rapha Condor) and Phil Zajicek (Fly V Australia) accelerated with 64 km to the line.
BMC and Endura Racing were the teams today which set the pace in the peloton.
Group Irizar; +2'33" House, Zajicek; +3'14" P.
Markel feeled well in the friot group, and decided to attack despite the fact that where are still 26km to go.
Irizar; +8" Group Stewart; +2'43" P.
Only Michael Creed was able to keep contact with Irizar, both in front now.
Irizar, Creed; +32" Group Stewart; +1'49" P.
10 km left.
Irizar, Creed; +24" Group Stewart; +1'11" P.
The last hill today, and after seeing that the peloton is coming closer, Irizar decided to attack a last time!
Irizar; +11" Creed; +27" Group Stewart; +1'01" P.
But Irizar was not the only one, also Karsten Kroon (BMC), Iker Camaño (Endura Racing), Aleksejs Saramotins (Colombia) and Lance Armstrong (RadioShack) accelerated.
5 km to go, Markel still in front. Can he make it to the line in front?
Irizar; +32" Group Armstrong; +1'02" Peloton.
1,7 km left. Markel now only fight not to slowing down, while Kroon opens the sprint in the second group.
Irizar; +22" Group Armstrong; +42" Peloton.
Kroon was fast, but not fast enough. Markel Irizar can hold himself in front and can celebrate his first victory since his testicular cancer! Lance finished 4th in the sprint, Levi 9th.
@baia/pellizotti2
Well, of course I wanted to win with Irizar, but I have to confess that I was maybe focused to much on Markel, Lance and Levi.
@zambeaux
You are right, sorry for another mistake. But I know that he won one stage and the overall at the Tour du Poitou-Chartes irl
Thank you
19. April Race results:
Spoiler
U23 - ZLM Tour
1.) Gustav Nennesson (SWE) 4h23'40"
2.) Eduard Kilikovich (UKR) +0"
3.) Hector Salgado (ESP) +0" Nennesson seems really to be the top sprinter for the future, maybe I should sign him as Trainee...
21. April Flèche Wallone
La Flèche Wallonne is a major men's professional cycle road race held in April each year in Belgium.
The first of two Belgian Ardennes classics, La Flèche Wallonne (the Walloon Arrow) is today normally held mid-week between the Amstel Gold Race and Liège–Bastogne–Liège. At one time, La Flèche Wallonne and Liège–Bastogne–Liège were run on successive days as "Le Weekend Ardennais" (both races are organised by Amaury Sport Organisation). Only six riders have achieved the "Ardennes double" by winning both races in the same year: Ferdi Kubler twice (in 1951 and 1952), Stan Ockers (1955), Eddy Merckx (1972), Moreno Argentin (1991) Davide Rebellin (2004) and Alejandro Valverde (2006). Most wins: Marcel Kint (BEL), Eddy Merckx (BEL), Moreno Argentin (ITA), Davide Rebellin (ITA) 3 Winner 2009: Davide Rebellin (ITA)
Favourites: Philippe Gilbert
With a strong attack in Valkenburg, he managed to get 5th and were the best favourite there. Of course top favourite here.
Damiano Cunego
7th in Valkenburg, but still in good shape and top favourite either.
Joaquím Rodriguez
Had to help Ivanov and Kolobnev, but if Katusha set him as leader, he should be able to win here.
Samuel Sánchez
He showed at his home race that his shape is perfect and he is of course a top favourite here.
Aleksandr Kolobnev
8th at Amstel Gold, and also a good bet here.
Andy and Fränk Schleck
Both with a disappointing Amstel Gold, finishing 33th (Andy) and 37th (Fränk). But we are on hilly terrain, so they are of course favourites.
Serguei Ivanov
He has to share his leader state, but after a good 10th at Amstel, we have to count on him.
Chris Horner
A good shape, just bad luck and maybe the fact that he did not attack make him not reach the Top10 in Valkenburg. Better luck this time?
Ryder Hesjedal
Unexpected weak in the Netherlands, but nonetheless he is a favourite here.
Alexandre Vinokourov
Still not know why he did not compete at Amstel Gold. After his victory in Milano - San Remo, he did not show anything, so we do not know his shape and if he had a chance to win here.
Alberto Contador
The Co-Leader of Astana. And after his 46th in the Netherlands, I do not think that he will win here.
Simon Gerrans
9th at the Cauberg.
Fabian Wegmann
12th at the Amstel Gold Race
Andreas Klöden
A good 15th from him, maybe he can repeat this success.
RadioShack: Our leader will be Chris Horner, Co-Leader are Klödi and Popovych. Leipheimer is only here to build up his shape for the Giro. After his great victory in the USA, we decided to give Markel Irizar the chance to compete at one of the most important classics of the world. Daryl Impey and Ben Hermans fill the remain squad.
Charleroi - Huy Shorter than the Amstel Gold and la doyenne, but therefor the Mur de Huy, which decide often this race.
Team goals:
- Top 10 (Horner)
- Top 20 (Klöden)
Favourites: see above My tip: Just remembering the strong attacks from Samu Sánchez, I think he will also win here.
A big and strong breakaway today, including 14 rider: Chris Anker Sorensen (SaxoBank), Denys Kostyuk (ISD), Marco Marzano (Lampre), Rémy Di Gregorio (FDJ), Ludovic Turpin (AG2R), Stef Clement (Rabobank), Aitor Hernández (Euskaltel), Ivan Santaromita (Liquigas), Alberto Losada (Caisse d'Epargne), Paul Voss (Milram), Volodymir Gustov (Cervélo), Anders Lund (SaxoBank), Jérôme Baugnies (Topsport Vlaanderen) and Craig Lewis (Colombia).
With 105 km left, Simon Spilak decided to attack and to join the breakaway.
The breakaway with 59,5 km. The peloton is 2'25" down.
Omega Pharma, Saxo Bank, Katusha and Euskalte set the pacemakers for the pack.
30km left, only Spilak left in front. The peloton with a residue of 1'15"
20 km to go. The peloton split in several groups, expect Contador, Vinokourov and Gasparotto, all the favourites are in the second group (Chris Horner, Andreas Klöden and Yaroslav Popovych represent RadioShack)
Spilak; +20" Group Gilbert; +1'04" Group Contador.
10 kilometer to go, and the first attacks in the front group! Fränk Schleck and Joaquím Rodríguez accelerated! But they did not opened a gap.
5 km left, Hesjedal attacked... But he had no chance either.
So 1 km to go, 36 rider started to sprint up the Mur de Huy. Who will win?
At the line, Joaquím Rodríguez is in front and win the Flèche Wallone 2010! Also a good result for The Shack, Chris finished 6th, Yaroslav 12th and Klödi 31th.
Result:
1
Joaquím Rodríguez
Team Katusha
4h55'26
2
Fränk Schleck
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
3
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Farnese Vini
s.t.
4
Kim Kirchen
Team Katusha
s.t.
5
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
6
Chris Horner
Team RadioShack
s.t.
7
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Transitions
s.t.
8
Andy Schleck
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
9
Christophe Le Mével
Française des Jeux
s.t.
10
Rigoberto Urán
Caisse d'Epargne
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
12
Yaroslav Popovych
Team RadioShack
s.t.
13
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
14
Jens Voigt
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
15
Sergueï Ivanov
Team Katusha
s.t.
16
Vasil Kiryienka
Caisse d'Epargne
s.t.
17
Gilberto Simoni
Lampre - Farnese Vini
s.t.
18
Simon Gerrans
Sky Professional Cycling Team
s.t.
19
Jérôme Pineau
Quick·Step
s.t.
20
Kevin De Weert
Quick·Step
s.t.
21
Roman Kreuziger
Liquigas - Doimo
s.t.
22
Alexandr Kolobnev
Team Katusha
+ 46
23
Jakob Fuglsang
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
24
Simon Spilak
Lampre - Farnese Vini
s.t.
25
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Transitions
s.t.
26
Jelle Vanendert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
27
Sandy Casar
Française des Jeux
s.t.
28
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Farnese Vini
s.t.
29
Vladimir Karpets
Team Katusha
s.t.
30
Robert Kiserlovski
Liquigas - Doimo
s.t.
31
Andreas Klöden
Team RadioShack
s.t.
32
Nicki Sørensen
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
33
Christophe Brandt
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 1'17
34
Francis De Greef
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
35
Pavel Brutt
Team Katusha
s.t.
36
Daniel Moreno
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 1'34
37
Denis Menchov
Rabobank
+ 1'50
38
Juan Mauricio Soler
Caisse d'Epargne
s.t.
39
Alberto Contador
Astana
+ 2'01
40
Alexandre Vinokourov
Astana
+ 2'10
41
Jussi Veikkanen
Française des Jeux
s.t.
42
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
43
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
44
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Astana
s.t.
45
Stefan Denifl
Cervélo Test Team
s.t.
46
Benjamín Noval
Astana
s.t.
47
Fabian Wegmann
Team Milram
s.t.
48
David De la Fuente
Astana
s.t.
49
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana
s.t.
50
Linus Gerdemann
Team Milram
s.t.
51
Serge Pauwels
Sky Professional Cycling Team
s.t.
52
Jesús Hernández
Astana
s.t.
53
Vladimir Efimkin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
54
Laurens Ten Dam
Rabobank
s.t.
55
Xavier Tondo
Cervélo Test Team
s.t.
56
Ben Hermans
Team RadioShack
s.t.
57
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
58
Steven Kruijswijk
Rabobank
s.t.
59
Cyril Dessel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
60
Luis León Sánchez
Caisse d'Epargne
s.t.
61
Juan Manuel Gárate
Rabobank
s.t.
62
Carlos Barredo
Quick·Step
s.t.
63
Peter Velits
Team HTC - Columbia
s.t.
64
Thomas Rohregger
Team Milram
s.t.
65
Marzio Bruseghin
Caisse d'Epargne
s.t.
66
Robert Gesink
Rabobank
s.t.
67
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
68
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Quick·Step
s.t.
69
Rubén Plaza
Caisse d'Epargne
s.t.
70
Marcel Wyss
Cervélo Test Team
s.t.
71
David Zabriskie
Garmin - Transitions
s.t.
72
Levi Leipheimer
Team RadioShack
s.t.
73
Íñigo Cuesta
Cervélo Test Team
s.t.
74
Jean-Christophe Peraud
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
75
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Doimo
s.t.
76
Dries Devenyns
Quick·Step
s.t.
77
Anders Lund
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
78
Chris Anker Sørensen
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
79
Ivan Basso
Liquigas - Doimo
s.t.
80
Geraint Thomas
Sky Professional Cycling Team
s.t.
81
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
82
Giampaolo Caruso
Team Katusha
s.t.
83
Sylwester Szmyd
Liquigas - Doimo
s.t.
84
Thibaut Pinot
Française des Jeux
s.t.
85
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'35
86
Rémy Di Gregorio
Française des Jeux
s.t.
87
Alberto Losada
Caisse d'Epargne
s.t.
88
Aitor Hernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
89
Marco Marzano
Lampre - Farnese Vini
+ 4'53
90
Ludovic Turpin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
91
Stef Clement
Rabobank
+ 5'07
92
Denys Kostyuk
ISD - Neri
s.t.
93
Volodymir Gustov
Cervélo Test Team
s.t.
94
Johannes Fröhlinger
Team Milram
+ 5'55
95
Jürgen Van de Walle
Quick·Step
s.t.
96
Joost Posthuma
Rabobank
+ 6'09
97
Jérôme Baugnies
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
+ 6'23
98
Paul Voss
Team Milram
+ 7'07
99
Frederik Willems
Liquigas - Doimo
+ 7'21
100
Chris Froome
Sky Professional Cycling Team
s.t.
101
Philip Deignan
Cervélo Test Team
s.t.
102
Marco Pinotti
Team HTC - Columbia
s.t.
103
Peter Kennaugh
Sky Professional Cycling Team
s.t.
104
Gianni Meersman
Française des Jeux
s.t.
105
Matthew Lloyd
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
106
Jérémy Roy
Française des Jeux
s.t.
107
David Arroyo
Caisse d'Epargne
s.t.
108
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Transitions
s.t.
109
Oliver Zaugg
Liquigas - Doimo
+ 7'57
110
Markus Fothen
Team Milram
s.t.
111
Craig Lewis
Team HTC - Columbia
+ 8'11
112
Manuele Mori
Lampre - Farnese Vini
+ 8'33
113
Ivan Santaromita
Liquigas - Doimo
s.t.
114
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Sky Professional Cycling Team
+ 8'47
115
Björn Schröder
Team Milram
+ 9'35
116
Daryl Impey
Team RadioShack
+ 10'15
117
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Team HTC - Columbia
s.t.
118
Maxime Bouet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
119
Pieter Jacobs
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
120
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Farnese Vini
+ 10'41
121
Anthony Geslin
Française des Jeux
s.t.
122
Alan Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
123
Pieter Vanspeybroeck
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
124
Bert Grabsch
Team HTC - Columbia
s.t.
125
Adam Hansen
Team HTC - Columbia
s.t.
126
Thomas De Gendt
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
127
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
128
John-Lee Augustyn
Sky Professional Cycling Team
s.t.
129
Kai Reus
Rabobank
s.t.
130
Ignatas Konovalovas
Cervélo Test Team
+ 11'08
131
Thomas Vedel Kvist
Quick·Step
s.t.
132
Morris Possoni
Sky Professional Cycling Team
s.t.
133
Maxime Vantomme
Team Katusha
+ 11'28
134
Addy Engels
Quick·Step
+ 12'28
135
Francesco Gavazzi
Lampre - Farnese Vini
+ 13'20
136
Joost Van Leijen
Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
+ 13'31
137
Steven Cozza
Garmin - Transitions
s.t.
138
Sergey Renev
Astana
+ 13'51
139
Markel Irizar
Team RadioShack
s.t.
140
Jorge Azanza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 16'34
141
Daniel Sesma
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 16'50
142
Kasper Klostergaard
Team Saxo Bank
+ 17'22
143
Stéphane Rossetto
Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
+ 19'46
144
Johan Coenen
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
145
Maxim Belkov
ISD - Neri
+ 19'54
146
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
+ 20'18
147
Julian Dean
Garmin - Transitions
s.t.
148
Gert Dockx
Team HTC - Columbia
+ 20'42
149
Fabio Polazzi
Verandas Willems
s.t.
150
Jan Ghyselinck
Team HTC - Columbia
+ 20'58
151
Kristof Goddaert
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
152
Oscar Gatto
ISD - Neri
+ 21'06
153
Maarten Neyens
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
154
Peter Stetina
Garmin - Transitions
s.t.
155
Thomas Degand
Verandas Willems
+ 21'22
156
Timothy Duggan
Garmin - Transitions
+ 21'46
157
Martin Reimer
Cervélo Test Team
+ 21'54
158
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
159
Stijn Joseph
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
160
Luke Roberts
Team Milram
+ 22'02
161
Sven Renders
Verandas Willems
+ 22'10
162
Michal Golas
Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
163
Dieter Cappelle
Verandas Willems
+ 22'34
164
Arnoud Van Groen
Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
165
Dimitri Kryvtsov
ISD - Neri
+ 24'18
166
Jens Mouris
Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
+ 24'34
167
Robin Steenuit
Verandas Willems
s.t.
168
Cédric Collaers
Verandas Willems
s.t.
169
Julien Paquet
Verandas Willems
+ 24'50
170
Stijn Neirynck
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
171
Grégory Habeaux
Verandas Willems
s.t.
172
Alexander Kvachuk
ISD - Neri
+ 27'46
Other race results:
Spoiler
Giro del Trentino Stage 2
1.) Dario Cataldo (QuickStep) 5h00'25"
2.) Daniel Martin (Garmin) +0"
3.) Michele Scarponi (Androni Giocattoli) +0"
And crap wildcards. Between ISD, Verandas Willems, and Topsport Vlaanderen, the best placed rider was 92nd. Vacansoleil and Cervelo didn't manage much better with 45th being the best.
Of course Cauberg, we are not in Vlaanderen. Well, I hope it was only bad luck that we have a chance in Huy or in Liège.
Horner is a pretty weak sprinter, so he got passed by a few better sprinter...
. Yep, me too. Was nice to see it, I am looking forward to the next races in the United States.
