We travel to Germany in the hope of getting a good result, while finishing off our last preparation for our first ever Grand Tour. The field here is very strong, with many sprinters using this as a warm-up race as well. Reinardt is racing in Germany for the first time since his Rund um Koln success, but it will be tough to repeat his win.
Tarik could do something in a reduced sprint, but the rest of our squad is here in support. If the hills create splits we might decide to support Fabio or Bert-Jan but that is unlikely. It should be a tough, but interesting race for us.
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 05-04-2013 09:14
1.HC: Rund um den Finanzptatz Eschborn-Frankfurt
01/05
This classic is packed with sprinters wanting a bunch finish, so that must be expected today. Our goal is to try and get a top 10 with Reinardt but it will be tough with big sprinters attending like Goss (GreenEdge) and Ferrari (Lampre).
105kms to go
Several breakaway groups attempt to get away, but thanks to the pace setting of Lampre only fourriders stay away. The quartet forms the day’s break. As we near the halfway point, their gap has swelled to 6’35”.
3500m to go
Their lead is drastically though, and as we enter the final kilometers the last of the break has been swept up, so the sprinters will get the mass-sprint they wanted. Lampre has set up a sprint train for Ferrari at the front. Goss is on the Italian’s wheel while Reinardt has done well to grab Goss’ wheel.
600m to go
Pelucchi (IAM) has moved into the lead, but is fading. Goss and Ferrari are coming through, and Reinardt is occupying fifth. He has started to move out of the Australian’s slipstream.
Finish
Goss takes the win after accelerating away from Simon in the final few meters. The Frenchman gets second for Sojasun on the day, while Gatto (Vini) rounds out the podium. Reinardt just pips Ferrari for fourth. A satisfactory finish from Reinardt, which gets some valuable points for the team ahead of the Giro.
1
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
5h04'26
2
Julien Simon
Sojasun
s.t.
3
Oscar Gatto
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
4
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Standard Bank - Aegon
s.t.
5
Roberto Ferrari
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
6
Paul Voss
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
7
Matteo Pelucchi
IAM Cycling
s.t.
8
Mikhail Ignatiev
Katusha Team
s.t.
9
Zdenek Stybar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
10
Daniel Schorn
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
Comments:
A good ride from Reinardt, finishing well above expectations. If he can beat riders like Ferrari today, then why not in the Giro? Our preparation is over now so our next trip is to Italy.
I'll do a couple of posts in a preview, one with the profile and one with the favorites before it begins.
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 05-04-2013 15:46
The first week of the race definitely won't decide it, but could create some initial gaps and impressions. Standout stages GC-wise are Stage 2 (Hilly TTT) and Stage 4 (Mountain Stage), which will both show who is on good form coming into the tour. The rest should suit the sprinters here, apart from Stage 7 which could create some gaps because of the hills.
Week 2
This is when the racing should really start. Week 2 starts with Stage 8, which is another hilly TT, but this time individual. This one however is 55kms long and should create giant gaps. The difficult stages don't stop there though. Stage 9 is a tough hilly stage into Firenze before Stages 10 & 11 are both mountain top finishes. Then the riders get a break with two transitional stages before another mountainous Stage 14.
Week 3
The last week contains three flat stages, but the other four are frightening to say the least, and could decide this year's Giro. Week 3 starts off as Week 2 finished, with a tough mountain. The race takes a cross over to France, where the stage finishes atop the Col du Galibier. After that, Stages 16 & 17 are both flat and for the sprinters while the GC contenders save energy for the final battle. The battle starts with a 20km long MTT, which should sort out the fittest riders left. Then straight afterwards, Stage 19 will happen. No doubt the queen stage, it should be very tough on any tired legs left in the race. The GC contenders will have a final battle on Stage 20 up to Tre Crime di Lavaredo. After that the Maglis Rosa will be won, and will have a nice celebratory ride on the last stage, Stage 21.
Fabio is leading us here, due to him being our most capable climber. We are hoping for a top 25 overall from him, and a stage win from him or anyone else. He doesn't have the best form but will gain as the race goes on.
We have also brought Reinardt and Jonathan which could both surprise here on the flat and hilly stages. The calibre of opposition is so high though so it will be tough. The rest of our squad will probably just assist our leaders, but could get in the occasional break. We'll see what the race brings us.
The best climber in the race, Contador is the top favorite. He has history in this race, and will be hoping to repeat his 2008 success. Should be able to gain time on Rodrigues in the TT’s and Froome in the Hills.
Joaquim Rodriguez
Rodriguez is the best puncheur here, and can climb well along with that. He has one big weakness: TT’s. Will he lose too much time there to win the race? We'll have to see.
Chris Froome
The allrounder of the three big favorites. Will gain time in the TT’s, but most importantly has the strongest team. He will hard to shake off with Wiggins, Henao and Uran supporting him.
Maglia Rosso
This jersey could be won by a climber due to the high number of climbs. Here are a few sprinters though that could win with a bit of luck.
Matthew Goss
The Australian is no doubt the strongest sprinter in the race, and if he gets the full support of his GreenEdge squad he will be hard to stop in the sprints. It could be a question of him Vs the climbers.
Arnaud Demare
You’d expect the young Frenchman to target his home Grand tour, but he has come to the Giro in good form. With FDJ bringing no major climbers, he has the advantage of a full team’s backing.
Tyler Farrar
The American has fallen out of the top sprinters bracket since his 2011 Tour stage win. Can he recapture his form of then and win a few sprints. It will be tough with his Garmin squad supporting last year’s winner Hesjedal.
Maglia Azzura
The Maglia Azurra will probably go to one of the Main Favorites, but here are a few outsiders for the jersey who could be allowed to attack.
Chris Anker Sorensen
After the Dane’s heroics in last year’s Tour, why couldn’t he attack away and get some King of the Mountain points? It could depend on whether Contador needs his help though.
Anton
Despite having Sanchez here, Anton could be given free-rein to attack due to him being quite similar to his main leader. Could spring a surprise and return to his pre-crash form of the 2011 Vuelta?
Sergio Henao
The Colombian could be used as a part of a destructive Sky train, but with Uran and Wiggins here already to help Froome, he could be allowed to attack away.
Maglia Bianca
Andrew Talansky
Talansky’s main priority will be to protect his leader Hesjedal. He is by far the best young climber though in the race, which could lead him to winning the Maglia Bianca.
Diego Ulissi
One of Italy’s future hopes, Ulissi will also have leader responsibilities. Scarponi is getting old however, so they could give the young climber a chance to gain experience in his home race.
Ion Izagirre
Although not being as good a climber as Talansky, Izagirre should be given the chance to ride for himself due to Sanchez and Anton not being top favorites. Could he spring a surprise?
Today’s first stage is on a circuit around Napoli. It is rated as flat, and the sprinters teams will be keen to get their fast-men off to a winning start. There is a repeated short climb throughout the stage though, with one right before the finish. Could someone use that as a lanchpad to surprise?
118kms to go
It’s a sunny day in Italy, as the peloton pulls out of the start. Quickly a day’s break is formed. Jacques is aware enough to latch onto Maaskant’s attack, which gets him into the day’s break. The other two in the quartet are Veuchelen (Vacansoleil) and Hondo (RadioShack).
As the group approach the first intermediate sprint point, the gap has grown to 2’25” back to a bunch controlled by GreenEdge, most likely for Goss.
103kms to go
Hondo takes the sprint point, with Veuchelen second and Maaskant third. Jacques is caught a bit off guard and can only manage fourth. Meanwhile, Pinotti (BMC) and Di Luca (Vini) have both attacked out of the peloton and have nearly caught the quartet.
The gap is being kept at 2’30” by Lampre and GreenEdge, probably due to the fact that they don’t want to risk a situation of the break winning.
75kms to go
But the introduction of the two Italians to the break is not liked at all by the peloton. Even Rodriguez (Katusha) lends a hand on the front to pull the group back. They successfully do that, but Hondo resists and sets off alone. The German currently has 3’05” as we near the halfway stage.
55kms to go
As well as Rodriguez, Froome (Sky) is also spotted doing work. Maybe Wiggins is Sky’s leader here after all. Up front Hondo still has a good gap of 3’15”, as the peloton has not started chasing hard yet. Jonathan also nips out the peloton to take second at the KoM sprint, after Hondo.
16kms to go
Despite the peloton’s insistence of having a bunch sprint, as we head onto the final circuit Hondo still has 1’20” on the field. Could the German shock the sprinters? GreenEdge have really started to up the pace though, so it will be hard.
7kms to go
But on the final climb he has been reeled in. Scarponi (Another favorite?) is setting a really fast pace for Lampre, which is hurting Reinardt. He is in Kristoff’s wheel but is struggling to hang on.
3200m to go
But despite that, the South African hangs on and has Bozic’s wheel going into the final kilometers. Ferrari is best placed behind Scarponi for Lampre, while Goss has his wheel in the first positions. It's downhill all the way to the finish from here.
1000m to go
Scarponi has flown off the front of the peloton on the short descent, with Ferrari not being able to keep his wheel! Behind the Italian Goss is in second, while Katusha duo Kolobnev and Moreno occupy third and fourth. Reinardt is doing well in about tenth, with lots of energy left after benefiting from Bozic’s slipstream.
300m to go
Scarponi has started to fade, and the sprinters are passing him now. Gallopin has gone into the lead for RadioShack, and looks like he will win the stage. Cunego is the rider overtaking Scarponi for Lampre, while Reinardt is flying through in third! His downhilling skills are really helping him here.
Finish
Gallopin takes the win for Radioshack, a great finishing kick from the French youngster. Reinardt surpasses all expectations to finish second against this massive field! Cunego gets third for Lampre, while Impey and Scarponi round out the top 5 positions.
In the overall, Gallopin takes the lead thanks to his win. Hondo is second thanks to bonus seconds earned in the break, and Reinardt is third after his amazing ride today.
1
Tony Gallopin
RadioShack - Leopard
3h48'12
2
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Standard Bank - Aegon
s.t.
3
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
4
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
5
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
6
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
7
Xavier Florencio
Katusha Team
s.t.
8
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
9
Daniele Ratto
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
10
Mark Renshaw
Blanco Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
1
Tony Gallopin
RadioShack - Leopard
3h47'52
2
Danilo Hondo
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
3
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Standard Bank - Aegon
+ 8
4
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
+ 12
5
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 14
6
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling
s.t.
7
Roberto Ferrari
Lampre - Merida
+ 16
8
Martijn Maaskant
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
9
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 20
10
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
1
Tony Gallopin
RadioShack - Leopard
25
2
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Standard Bank - Aegon
20
3
Danilo Hondo
RadioShack - Leopard
16
1
Danilo Hondo
RadioShack - Leopard
6
2
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke
Standard Bank - Aegon
2
3
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
2
1
Tony Gallopin
RadioShack - Leopard
3h47'52
2
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Standard Bank - Aegon
+ 8
3
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 20
1
Orica - GreenEdge
11h24'36
2
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
3
Katusha Team
s.t.
DS Comments:
Probably the weirdest sprint I've seen in a while, but we're not complaining. A great result from Reinardt Edited by FroomeDog99 on 06-04-2013 14:35
As always, a simulated TTT. Movistar won it, with us finishing a great 10th considering our best TT rider being only 73 TT. Moreno moves into the GC-Lead after Radioshack couldn't finish close enough to the Spanish squad. Our best placed rider overall is Reinardt, 58" down with the rest of our riders 1'10" back.
Today is where the GC contenders will get their first chance to see who’s in form, and who can stay with the best on the climbs. It is only classified as hilly, but the two major climbs of the Mercato Cilento and the Sella di Catona should be enough to create gaps.
174kms to go
Pretty much straight away the breakaway is established. Martijn manages to get in the group, but is the weakest climber there. Riders like Kolobnev (Katusha), Clarke (GreenEdge) and Devenyns (OPQS) are in the group, so Martijn’s only hope if the group last to the finish is to hang on on the climbs.
The group has a 4’15” gap as we head towards the flat part of the stage, with everyone co-operating thus far.
125kms to go
When the peloton starts chasing the gap has swelled to 8’15”, which is at a very controllable level considering the distance left. RadioShack and Lampre are doing the bulk of the work on the front, which is strange considering they don’t hold the high GC-places and their leaders aren't the biggest contenders.
72kms to go
The break hits the day’s first major climb with a gap of 4’40”. The peloton behind has started to pull quite hard now, wanting to set up the stage for the leaders. Fabio and Jonathan have both moved to the front of the pack.
32kms to go
The break’s gap has shrunk to 2’20” as the peloton hit the bottom of the final time, with the pace increased drastically due to more teams joining the chase. A big 75-man group has been dropped by the peloton, but it contains no major favorites.
17kms to go
We are over the final climb, and everything is back together. Sanchez decides to try and use the final descent to create a gap to the peloton. Behind Fabio, Jonathan, Reinardt and Bert-Jan are all still in the peloton, after not being dropped.
6kms to go
Sanchez still has a gap of 40” moving into the final kilometers, so some of the other contenders attack. Scarponi is already halfway to the Spaniard, with Nibali and Uran trying to put distance between themselves and the bunch.
1000m to go
But their attacks fail, leaving Sanchez and Scarponi in front of the race. The Euskatel man has a 35” gap on the Italian moving into the last kilometer, and looks like he will win the stage. Scarponi is fighting to stay in front of the peloton which is just 20” behind him.
Finish
Sanchez wins the stage after a daring attack on the descent, which shows the main contenders here that he means business. Scarponi has been caught behind, with Hesjedal leading the sprint for second.
Finish
33” later, Hesjedal does win the sprint for second after a long sprint. Teammate Talansky grabs the last podium place in the Maglia Bianca, while Di Luca and Casar round out the top five positions. Regarding our riders, Bert-Jan is our best finisher in twenty-third. Fabio, Jonathan and Reinardt all finish safely in the 72-strong peloton, a job well done for the team today.
In the GC, Hesjedal moves into the Maglia Rosa thanks to his bonus seconds. Our best placed rider is still Reinardt in thirty-second, which is ok after most of the highest places are being occupied by the riders that rode good TTT’s.
1
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
5h12'53
2
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
+ 33
3
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
4
Danilo Di Luca
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
5
Sandy Casar
FDJ
s.t.
6
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
7
Franco Pellizotti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
8
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
9
Haimar Zubeldia
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
10
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
1
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
9h22'07
2
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
+ 4
3
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
4
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
5
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
6
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
7
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
s.t.
8
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
s.t.
9
Vladimir Karpets
Movistar Team
s.t.
10
Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
DS Comments:
Another good performance from the team, keeping our GC hopes well protected was our priority today and we succeeded. Now we have a rest day, before our first real test on the mountainous stage 4.
The first Mountain stage of the Giro, today should provide us with bigger gaps than yesterday with more leaders showing their first cards. Our goal is to try to limit Fabio’s losses and try and push him into a good GC place.
49kms to go
We jump to the day’s penultimate climb, where the gap to a six-man break has been shortened to 2’45” thanks to Sky’s pacemaking. The first sign of a mountain train? Sorensen (Saxo Bank) and Pozzovivo (AG2R) have both attacked, but haven’t gone far.
18kms to go
And as we hit the final climb, the race is all back together thanks to Sky and Euskatel. They are setting a high tempo and many riders are being dropped. Time for some attacks from the biggest leaders maybe?
4500m to go
Basso has attacked out of the main group, with Nibali and Scarponi chasing behind. Sky has control of a main group behind which contains 26-riders. Jonathan has managed to make the junction and is looking strong, but Fabio has been dropped. Can he recover?
1000m to go
The elite group has caught the three attackers but they still have the lead. Jonathan is sprinting well in about fifteenth, but Fabio is in a small group about 1’10” back. He’ll have to limit his losses.
Finish
Basso just wins the sprint, with Nibali in second making it an Italian 1-2. Scarponi gets third whoch rounds out the podium, while Jonathan manages to finish. He was blocked in the end though and could have achieved more.
Finish
Fabio comes in 1’27” down, which is disappointing from him. He isn't the only big rider to finish in the group though, with Contador and Evans there. Hopefully he can recover for future stages; otherwise Jonathan will become our leader.
The GC is surprisingly positive. Hesjedal retains the Maglia Rosa, while Jonathan moves all the way up to sixteenth, 1’14” behind him. Fabio is thirty-first which isn't a total disaster for him, 2’41” back on the Canadian.
1
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
5h58'19
2
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
3
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
4
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
5
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
s.t.
6
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
7
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
8
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
s.t.
9
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
10
Dario Cataldo
Sky Procycling
s.t.
1
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
15h20'26
2
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
+ 4
3
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
4
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
5
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
s.t.
6
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Sharp
+ 12
7
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
+ 30
8
Dario Cataldo
Sky Procycling
s.t.
9
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
s.t.
10
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 32
DS Comments:
A mixed first day in the mountains for the team. Jonathan performed really well, but Fabio seemed a bit off the pace. We think he just had bad form, and will stay our leader for now.
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 07-04-2013 19:10
Today is the sprinters’ second shot at a stage win, due to the stage being classified as flat. It doesn’t really suit the sprinters though; there are a couple of climbs before the finish which should take the sting out of their legs. Maybe a Stage 1 scenario will happen with a selective bunch sprint?
21kms to go
There is a four man breakaway, but they never really get a good gap. On the final climb, the quartet has nearly been caught by a peloton lead by Katusha and GreenEdge, who both possess top sprinters. Maybe they will be able to hold on to sprint.
9kms to go
The break has been pulled back, and all that remains for the sprinters before a flat finish is the final hill, which has a steady gradient. Reinardt, Jonathan and Fabio are all in the first thirty positions as road starts to go up again.
4000m to go
The pacemakers have to lower the pace with the sprinters no-longer being able to follow. That leaves a window of opportunity for attackers, which is led by Cobo (Movistar). Further behind, Jonathan also attacks while a few GC contenders follow. Reinardt has dropped back in the peloton, so we think it is worth a try, and it seems to be working. The gap is 1’20” going into the last kilometers!
Finish
Cobo wins the stage for Movistar after capitalizing on the peloton’s slow pace over the climb. There is a group of the main GC favorites sprinting for second behind him, and Jonathan is just behind after struggling to sprint well.
Finish
Pellizotti wins the sprint for second, in front of a host of GC favorites. Jonathan also finishes within that group and he gets Twelth like yesterday just behind Basso. They are the last riders to finish ahead of the bunch, which finishes 1’22” behind.
We have a new GC leader after today, with the Maglia Rosa moving into Cobo’s hands. Jonathan leapfrogs a few riders to move up into tenth overall, while Fabio retains his thirty-first.
1
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
4h37'30
2
Franco Pellizotti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 22
3
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
4
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
5
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
6
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
7
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
8
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
9
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
s.t.
10
Robert Gesink
Blanco Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
1
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
19h57'40
2
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
+ 38
3
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
+ 42
4
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
5
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
+ 1'08
6
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'10
7
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1'19
8
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'35
9
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1'43
10
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke
Standard Bank - Aegon
+ 1'52
DS Comments:
Another great stage for us, especially since Jonathan has moved into the top 10 overall. If he held that it would be a miracle but it is good to occupy such a good position early on. Tomorrow is almost pan-flat, so the sprinters should finally get a chance to battle for a win.
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 07-04-2013 20:59
1.HC: Rund um den Finanzptatz Eschborn-Frankfurt
Goss (GreenEdge), 
Ferrari (Lampre), 
Simon (Sojasun)
Veelers (Argos), 
Mikhail Ignatiev
Zdenek Stybar
Daniel Schorn
Xavier Florencio
Frederik Veuchelen
Garmin - Sharp
RadioShack - Leopard
Astana Pro Team
Ryder Hesjedal
Rigoberto Urán
