Stage 20: Bilbao – Vitoria-Gasteiz
The last day for Henao and Antón to challenge Willy.
A solid looking break gets away early on and we let them go without chasing hoping that they’ll make it all the way and take the bonus seconds.
With 100 km to go they have 7’30’’ on the peloton.
80 km and 6’14. Looks like Cofidis won´t let them get away with it.
Again today we send the boys to do some work approaching the final climb to deter people from attacking. Chris and Thomas do an awesome job and despite being in 2nd row all the way up Henao and Antón makes no sign of attacking. Breschel is further back in the 16-rider group first over the top.
From there on it turns into parade riding with groups coming up from behind as no one wants to work for the final 40 flat km. Looks like Henao have given up on finding those final 25 seconds he's missing. Bulgac and Magazzini takes advantage of the slow pace and attacks. They didn’t quite plan on Breschel joining them though I’d imagine.
There is absolutely no chase of them so Euskaltel-rider Rubieles easily joins them 5 km from the finish line.
No one wants to open the sprint with the World Champion lurking behind them so Breschel will have to do it himself going into the final km.
Guess this shows why no one wanted to lead him out…
A similar thing happens in the peloton more than three minutes later.
Stage Results
1
Matti Breschel
Novo Nordisk - SAS
5h29'38
2
Brian Bulgac
Belisol
s.t.
3
Enrico Magazzini
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
4
Juan Enrique Rubiales
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
5
José Joaquín Rojas
Team Santander
+ 3'30
Spoiler
6
Gianni Meersman
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
s.t.
7
Marcel Kittel
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Tobias Ludvigsson
Novo Nordisk - SAS
s.t.
9
Thomas Löfkvist
Novo Nordisk - SAS
s.t.
10
Moreno Moser
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
11
Chris Anker Sørensen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
s.t.
12
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
13
Willy Ipsen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
s.t.
14
Igor Antón
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
15
Alex Rasmussen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
s.t.
16
Enrico Rossi
Team ISD - Ferrari
s.t.
17
Daniele Pietropolli
Team ISD - Ferrari
s.t.
18
Jasper Bovenhuis
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
19
Roman Kreuziger
Belisol
s.t.
20
Davide Appollonio
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
s.t.
21
Gustav Erik Larsson
Novo Nordisk - SAS
s.t.
22
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
23
Simon Geschke
Volkswagen
s.t.
24
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Novo Nordisk - SAS
s.t.
25
Tobias Tonning
Novo Nordisk - SAS
s.t.
26
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
27
Jan Barta
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
28
Christopher Juul-Jensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
29
Niels Albert
Belisol
s.t.
30
Andrey Amador
Volkswagen
s.t.
31
Ivar Slik
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
s.t.
32
Sergio Henao
Volkswagen
s.t.
33
Martijn Maaskant
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
s.t.
34
Ángel Madrazo
Volkswagen
s.t.
35
Pim Ligthart
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
s.t.
36
Gerald Ciolek
Nissan
s.t.
37
Stefano Locatelli
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
38
Francisco José Pacheco
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
39
Jesús Del Nero
Statoil - Stoerensoe
s.t.
40
Jonathan Castroviejo
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
41
Daniel Schorn
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
42
Christian Vande Velde
Nissan
s.t.
43
Jurgen Van Goolen
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
s.t.
44
Jesús Ezquerra
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
45
Davide Bonuccelli
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
46
Óscar Freire
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
47
Robert Kiserlovski
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
48
Egor Silin
Nissan
s.t.
49
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
50
Haimar Zubeldia
Movistar Team
s.t.
51
Jarlinson Pantano
Statoil - Stoerensoe
s.t.
52
Davide Malacarne
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
53
Kenny Elissonde
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
54
Tom Slagter
Vacansoleil - DCM
s.t.
55
Martin Pedersen
Statoil - Stoerensoe
s.t.
56
Levi Leipheimer
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
57
Maciej Paterski
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
58
Dirk Bellemakers
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
59
Matteo Rabottini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
60
Maurits Lammertink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
61
Ángel Vallejo
Statoil - Stoerensoe
s.t.
62
Morgan Chedhomme
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
63
Mark McNally
Team Santander
s.t.
64
Thomas Rohregger
Colombia - Coldeportes
s.t.
65
Beñat Intxausti
Statoil - Stoerensoe
s.t.
66
José Antonio De Segovia
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
67
Salvador Guardiola
Movistar Team
s.t.
68
Peter Kennaugh
Statoil - Stoerensoe
s.t.
69
Rémy Di Gregorio
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
70
Jackson Rodríguez
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
71
Robinson Chalapud
Colombia - Coldeportes
s.t.
72
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
73
Francesco Masciarelli
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
74
Steve Houanard
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
75
James Stewart
Team Santander
s.t.
76
Pieter Weening
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
s.t.
77
Francesco Failli
Team ISD - Ferrari
s.t.
78
Alberto Losada
Colombia - Coldeportes
s.t.
79
Rafal Majka
Movistar Team
s.t.
80
Damien Branaa
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
81
Jan Bakelants
Nissan
s.t.
82
Johnny Hoogerland
Team Santander
s.t.
83
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
84
Mauro Santambrogio
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
85
Jesús Hernández
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
86
David Belda
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
87
Fränk Schleck
Movistar Team
s.t.
88
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
89
Egoitz García
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
90
Joaquím Rodríguez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
91
Arthur Vichot
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
92
Manuel Vazquez
Colombia - Coldeportes
s.t.
93
Romain Sicard
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
94
Omar Fraile
Colombia - Coldeportes
s.t.
95
Iban Mayoz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 7'13
96
Vitaliy Buts
Team ISD - Ferrari
s.t.
97
Matthew Goss
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
98
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Volkswagen
s.t.
99
Samuel Dumoulin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
100
Ben Swift
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
101
Jose Aguilar
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
102
Mauro Finetto
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 8'10
103
Nicolas Edet
Vacansoleil - DCM
s.t.
104
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Team ISD - Ferrari
s.t.
105
Yauheni Hutarovich
Nissan
+ 9'59
106
Daniel Navarro
Movistar Team
s.t.
107
Francisco Javier Moreno
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
108
Vladimir Karpets
Movistar Team
s.t.
109
Michael Færk Christensen
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 12'29
110
Luke Durbridge
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
s.t.
111
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
112
Coen Vermeltfoort
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 13'54
113
Roman Klimov
Volkswagen
s.t.
114
Tom Leezer
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 15'47
115
Thomas Damuseau
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
116
Mikaël Chérel
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
117
Joshua Edmonson
Team Santander
+ 16'37
118
Pierpaolo Tondo
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 17'15
119
Ermanno Capelli
Team ISD - Ferrari
s.t.
120
Fabian Wegmann
Volkswagen
+ 18'16
121
Jérôme Baugnies
Belisol
s.t.
122
Jesse Sergent
Nissan
s.t.
123
Joel Zangerle
Nissan
s.t.
124
Marcel Sieberg
Volkswagen
+ 18'44
125
Liam Holohan
Team Santander
s.t.
126
Juan Forero
Colombia - Coldeportes
s.t.
127
Steve Chainel
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 19'56
128
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
+ 20'33
129
Morten Høberg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
130
Andrew Tennant
Statoil - Stoerensoe
s.t.
131
Job Vissers
Vacansoleil - DCM
+ 21'46
132
Jacob Clorius
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
133
Efren Carazo
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
134
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 22'39
135
Alexander Porsev
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 23'12
136
Sander Armee
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
137
Edoardo Costanzi
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 23'52
138
Aristide Ratti
Team ISD - Ferrari
s.t.
139
Valeriy Dmitriyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
140
Maxime Vantomme
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
141
Joseba Larralde
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
142
Mario Ickx
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
143
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
144
Santiago Casellas
Movistar Team
s.t.
145
Baptiste Planckaert
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 26'15
146
Jürgen Roelandts
Belisol
s.t.
147
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 27'53
148
Víctor Cabedo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
149
Bernardo Riccio
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
150
Raymond Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM
+ 28'43
151
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 29'12
152
Grischa Niermann
Volkswagen
+ 30'06
153
Nicolas Sanderson
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
+ 30'37
154
Aleksejs Saramotins
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 31'44
155
Robin Chaigneau
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 32'29
156
Aidis Kruopis
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
157
Pieter Ghyllebert
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
s.t.
158
Michael Reihs
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
Provisional Standings
1
Willy Ipsen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
85h59'25
2
Sergio Henao
Volkswagen
+ 25
3
Igor Antón
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 1'48
4
Peter Kennaugh
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 9'42
5
Roman Kreuziger
Belisol
+ 10'06
6
Romain Sicard
Astana Pro Team
+ 11'37
7
Chris Anker Sørensen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 14'59
8
Robert Kiserlovski
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 15'04
9
Tom Slagter
Vacansoleil - DCM
+ 18'05
10
Thomas Löfkvist
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 18'22
Spoiler
11
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 20'25
12
Rémy Di Gregorio
FDJ - BigMat
+ 21'44
13
Matteo Rabottini
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 25'30
14
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 26'31
15
Beñat Intxausti
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 28'56
16
Egor Silin
Nissan
+ 29'08
17
Fränk Schleck
Movistar Team
+ 40'47
18
Jarlinson Pantano
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 45'23
19
Tobias Ludvigsson
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 47'36
20
Matti Breschel
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 50'05
21
Jesús Hernández
Astana Pro Team
+ 50'44
22
Gianni Meersman
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 51'08
23
Rafal Majka
Movistar Team
+ 54'10
24
Moreno Moser
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 55'45
25
Joaquím Rodríguez
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 58'02
26
Tobias Tonning
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 1h02'26
27
Ivar Slik
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 1h04'23
28
Jan Bakelants
Nissan
+ 1h05'39
29
Robinson Chalapud
Colombia - Coldeportes
+ 1h09'31
30
Davide Malacarne
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1h10'40
31
Kenny Elissonde
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 1h11'14
32
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 1h11'31
33
Jackson Rodríguez
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1h11'34
34
Daniel Navarro
Movistar Team
+ 1h12'18
35
Christian Vande Velde
Nissan
+ 1h16'48
36
David Belda
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 1h17'12
37
Johnny Hoogerland
Team Santander
+ 1h17'58
38
Maciej Paterski
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1h18'02
39
Thomas Rohregger
Colombia - Coldeportes
+ 1h19'14
40
Francesco Masciarelli
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 1h20'26
41
Andrey Amador
Volkswagen
+ 1h21'28
42
José Antonio De Segovia
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 1h22'07
43
Pieter Weening
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
+ 1h22'26
44
Ángel Madrazo
Volkswagen
+ 1h23'45
45
Enrico Magazzini
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 1h28'04
46
Jesús Ezquerra
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 1h32'21
47
Stefano Locatelli
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1h33'48
48
Christopher Juul-Jensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1h36'18
49
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h38'42
50
Brian Bulgac
Belisol
+ 1h43'03
51
Mauro Santambrogio
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 1h49'40
52
Iban Mayoz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2h00'04
53
Alberto Losada
Colombia - Coldeportes
+ 2h03'45
54
Egoitz García
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 2h04'33
55
Salvador Guardiola
Movistar Team
+ 2h05'24
56
Gustav Erik Larsson
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 2h12'30
57
Omar Fraile
Colombia - Coldeportes
+ 2h14'02
58
Jesús Del Nero
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 2h14'46
59
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2h17'56
60
Steve Houanard
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 2h18'43
61
Daniele Pietropolli
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 2h19'00
62
Jasper Bovenhuis
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2h20'47
63
Alex Rasmussen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 2h20'59
64
Manuel Vazquez
Colombia - Coldeportes
+ 2h22'39
65
Jan Barta
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2h23'06
66
Francesco Failli
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 2h23'36
67
José Joaquín Rojas
Team Santander
+ 2h24'16
68
Ángel Vallejo
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 2h25'42
69
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2h25'53
70
Juan Enrique Rubiales
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2h27'49
71
Nicolas Edet
Vacansoleil - DCM
+ 2h27'51
72
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
+ 2h28'07
73
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Volkswagen
+ 2h28'14
74
Joshua Edmonson
Team Santander
+ 2h30'19
75
Thomas Damuseau
FDJ - BigMat
+ 2h32'20
76
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 2h37'51
77
Arthur Vichot
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 2h41'20
78
Roman Klimov
Volkswagen
+ 2h44'02
79
Jonathan Castroviejo
Astana Pro Team
+ 2h44'30
80
Haimar Zubeldia
Movistar Team
+ 2h44'40
81
Davide Bonuccelli
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 2h47'38
82
Óscar Freire
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 2h50'34
83
Maurits Lammertink
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2h59'41
84
Francisco Javier Moreno
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 3h00'55
85
Joel Zangerle
Nissan
+ 3h01'55
86
Levi Leipheimer
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 3h03'32
87
Luke Durbridge
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
+ 3h04'20
88
Jurgen Van Goolen
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 3h06'02
89
Simon Geschke
Volkswagen
+ 3h06'30
90
Niels Albert
Belisol
+ 3h10'23
91
Gerald Ciolek
Nissan
+ 3h14'43
92
Enrico Rossi
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 3h19'36
93
Vladimir Karpets
Movistar Team
+ 3h19'53
94
Vitaliy Buts
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 3h26'13
95
Damien Branaa
FDJ - BigMat
+ 3h33'24
96
Morgan Chedhomme
FDJ - BigMat
+ 3h33'46
97
Jose Aguilar
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 3h37'05
98
Efren Carazo
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 3h40'57
99
Marcel Kittel
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 3h46'54
100
Mikaël Chérel
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 3h47'49
101
Pim Ligthart
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 3h57'47
102
Dirk Bellemakers
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 3h59'39
103
Mark McNally
Team Santander
+ 4h01'51
104
Davide Appollonio
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
+ 4h06'18
105
Sander Armee
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 4h08'02
106
Matthew Goss
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4h10'03
107
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 4h10'53
108
Fabian Wegmann
Volkswagen
+ 4h11'02
109
Steve Chainel
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 4h16'31
110
Martin Pedersen
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 4h18'08
111
Francisco José Pacheco
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 4h19'43
112
Martijn Maaskant
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 4h22'12
113
Ben Swift
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 4h31'34
114
Andrew Tennant
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 4h32'00
115
Juan Forero
Colombia - Coldeportes
+ 4h36'15
116
Samuel Dumoulin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 4h40'53
117
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
+ 4h55'33
118
Valeriy Dmitriyev
Astana Pro Team
+ 4h57'05
119
Yauheni Hutarovich
Nissan
+ 4h59'13
120
Baptiste Planckaert
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 4h59'33
121
Raymond Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM
+ 5h01'01
122
Coen Vermeltfoort
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 5h01'20
123
Joseba Larralde
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 5h06'26
124
Mauro Finetto
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 5h10'15
125
Pierpaolo Tondo
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 5h13'33
126
Daniel Schorn
Astana Pro Team
+ 5h13'49
127
Michael Færk Christensen
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 5h14'20
128
Ermanno Capelli
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 5h16'45
129
Job Vissers
Vacansoleil - DCM
+ 5h18'32
130
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
+ 5h25'33
131
Grischa Niermann
Volkswagen
+ 5h28'09
132
Jérôme Baugnies
Belisol
+ 5h28'11
133
Morten Høberg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 5h31'57
134
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
+ 5h33'55
135
Jesse Sergent
Nissan
+ 5h34'04
136
Mario Ickx
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 5h34'51
137
Tom Leezer
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 5h39'22
138
James Stewart
Team Santander
+ 5h43'56
139
Jacob Clorius
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 5h44'01
140
Liam Holohan
Team Santander
+ 5h46'23
141
Víctor Cabedo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 5h48'28
142
Maxime Vantomme
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 5h49'26
143
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 5h51'19
144
Jürgen Roelandts
Belisol
+ 6h04'56
145
Nicolas Sanderson
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
+ 6h05'06
146
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 6h11'05
147
Marcel Sieberg
Volkswagen
+ 6h18'52
148
Aristide Ratti
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 6h22'16
149
Santiago Casellas
Movistar Team
+ 6h24'28
150
Bernardo Riccio
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 6h31'35
151
Alexander Porsev
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 6h34'57
152
Pieter Ghyllebert
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 6h35'24
153
Edoardo Costanzi
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 6h38'22
154
Michael Reihs
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 6h44'38
155
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 6h55'24
156
Aleksejs Saramotins
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 6h58'46
157
Aidis Kruopis
Astana Pro Team
+ 7h02'06
158
Robin Chaigneau
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 7h10'00
Points Jersey: Sergio Henao, Volkswagen
Spoiler
1
Sergio Henao
Volkswagen
215
2
Igor Antón
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
210
3
Willy Ipsen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
185
4
Peter Kennaugh
Statoil - Stoerensoe
141
5
Matti Breschel
Novo Nordisk - SAS
135
6
Roman Kreuziger
Belisol
116
7
Robert Kiserlovski
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
104
8
Romain Sicard
Astana Pro Team
98
9
Chris Anker Sørensen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
92
10
José Joaquín Rojas
Team Santander
84
Mountain Jersey: Willy Ipsen, Novo Nordisk - SAS
Spoiler
1
Willy Ipsen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
173
2
Sergio Henao
Volkswagen
145
3
Igor Antón
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
131
4
Chris Anker Sørensen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
83
5
Thomas Löfkvist
Novo Nordisk - SAS
76
6
Peter Kennaugh
Statoil - Stoerensoe
66
7
Romain Sicard
Astana Pro Team
60
8
Pieter Weening
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
54
9
Matti Breschel
Novo Nordisk - SAS
46
10
Tom Slagter
Vacansoleil - DCM
45
Young Rider: Tobias Ludvigsson, Novo Nordisk - SAS
Spoiler
1
Tobias Ludvigsson
Novo Nordisk - SAS
86h47'01 (1)
2
Tobias Tonning
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 14'50 (2)
3
Ivar Slik
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 16'47 (3)
4
Kenny Elissonde
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 23'38 (4)
5
Jasper Bovenhuis
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1h33'11 (5)
6
Joshua Edmonson
Team Santander
+ 1h42'43 (6)
7
Luke Durbridge
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
+ 2h16'44 (7)
8
Efren Carazo
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 2h53'21 (8)
9
Jacob Clorius
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 4h56'25 (9)
10
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 5h03'43 (10)
11
Santiago Casellas
Movistar Team
+ 5h36'52 (11)
Team Classification: Novo Nordisk - SAS
Spoiler
1
Novo Nordisk - SAS
257h29'27 (1)
2
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 57'23 (2)
3
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1h16'10 (3)
4
Movistar Team
+ 2h07'41 (4)
5
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 2h16'02 (5)
6
Nissan
+ 2h20'18 (6)
7
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 2h20'42 (7)
8
Volkswagen
+ 2h26'31 (8)
9
Astana Pro Team
+ 2h39'00 (9)
10
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 2h53'09 (10)
11
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3h09'44 (11)
12
Colombia - Coldeportes
+ 3h33'42 (12)
13
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 3h51'30 (13)
14
Belisol
+ 4h21'21 (14)
15
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 4h30'21 (15)
16
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 4h44'31 (16)
17
Team Santander
+ 5h14'44 (17)
18
FDJ - BigMat
+ 5h20'23 (18)
19
Vacansoleil - DCM
+ 6h49'20 (19)
20
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 7h36'32 (20)
21
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
+ 7h54'58 (21)
22
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 11h12'39 (22)
After the award ceremony tonight you will get the chance to get your questions answered by the entire team.
Feel free to send in your questions by either writing them heir or sending them in a PM.
Shonak: I guess the picture with the flat front in the peloton and Antón stretching his back says everything about the final 50 km. Had I been unlucky they would have been able to ride agressively enough to isolate and drop Willy on the main climb, which could have tunred very ugly if they joined a break ahead or something like that...
sutty: He is certainly showing the jersey in the best possible way
Stage 21: Circuit de Jarama – Madrid
On paper this shouldn’t be a problem, but we vividly remember when Purito lost his podium by crashing just a few m from the line. Alex and Matti will be chasing the final sprint while the rest of the team should focus on getting Willy home safe.
A rather big break establishes in the first 30 km and builds a bigger gap than expected. With 50 km to go they have 3’30’’ on the peloton. Ratto is the last breaker to get caught with 10 km to go.
At 2,5 km Leezer is leading out Kittel in front while Ludvigsson and Rasmussen try to deliver Breschel. Kittel is hungry for a win and rockets into the final km chased by Appolonio and with Breschel just about to go past Alex.
A brilliant sprint by Matti, but Kittel was just too strong today. Chris Anker makes sure Willy gets over the line without ending up in any trouble.
Stage Results
1
Marcel Kittel
Rabobank Cycling Team
2h17'09
2
Matti Breschel
Novo Nordisk - SAS
s.t.
3
Davide Appollonio
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
s.t.
4
Ben Swift
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
5
Gianni Meersman
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
s.t.
Spoiler
6
José Joaquín Rojas
Team Santander
s.t.
7
Yauheni Hutarovich
Nissan
s.t.
8
Enrico Rossi
Team ISD - Ferrari
s.t.
9
Matthew Goss
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
10
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
11
Chris Anker Sørensen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
s.t.
12
Alex Rasmussen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
s.t.
13
Willy Ipsen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
s.t.
14
Thomas Löfkvist
Novo Nordisk - SAS
s.t.
15
Martijn Maaskant
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
s.t.
16
Tobias Ludvigsson
Novo Nordisk - SAS
s.t.
17
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
18
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
19
Jürgen Roelandts
Belisol
s.t.
20
Tom Leezer
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
21
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
22
Nicolas Sanderson
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
s.t.
23
José Antonio De Segovia
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
24
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
25
Igor Antón
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
26
Robert Kiserlovski
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
27
Levi Leipheimer
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
28
Gustav Erik Larsson
Novo Nordisk - SAS
s.t.
29
Stefano Locatelli
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
30
Michael Færk Christensen
Statoil - Stoerensoe
s.t.
31
Coen Vermeltfoort
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
32
Baptiste Planckaert
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
s.t.
33
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
s.t.
34
Pim Ligthart
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
s.t.
35
Jesse Sergent
Nissan
s.t.
36
Óscar Freire
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
37
Matteo Rabottini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
38
Moreno Moser
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
39
Tom Slagter
Vacansoleil - DCM
s.t.
40
Jacob Clorius
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
41
Roman Kreuziger
Belisol
s.t.
42
Pieter Weening
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
s.t.
43
Maurits Lammertink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
44
Sergio Henao
Volkswagen
s.t.
45
Rémy Di Gregorio
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
46
Jasper Bovenhuis
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
47
Gerald Ciolek
Nissan
s.t.
48
Juan Forero
Colombia - Coldeportes
s.t.
49
Job Vissers
Vacansoleil - DCM
s.t.
50
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Volkswagen
s.t.
51
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
52
Mark McNally
Team Santander
s.t.
53
Francisco José Pacheco
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
54
Enrico Magazzini
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
55
Francesco Masciarelli
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
56
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Novo Nordisk - SAS
s.t.
57
Vladimir Karpets
Movistar Team
s.t.
58
Aidis Kruopis
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
59
Tobias Tonning
Novo Nordisk - SAS
s.t.
60
Joaquím Rodríguez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
61
Omar Fraile
Colombia - Coldeportes
s.t.
62
Steve Chainel
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
63
Martin Pedersen
Statoil - Stoerensoe
s.t.
64
Bernardo Riccio
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
65
Peter Kennaugh
Statoil - Stoerensoe
s.t.
66
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
67
Egor Silin
Nissan
s.t.
68
Robin Chaigneau
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
69
Dirk Bellemakers
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
70
Juan Enrique Rubiales
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
71
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
72
Francisco Javier Moreno
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
73
Niels Albert
Belisol
s.t.
74
Daniel Schorn
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
75
Haimar Zubeldia
Movistar Team
s.t.
76
Thomas Damuseau
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
77
Luke Durbridge
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
s.t.
78
Salvador Guardiola
Movistar Team
s.t.
79
Daniele Pietropolli
Team ISD - Ferrari
s.t.
80
Brian Bulgac
Belisol
s.t.
81
Jonathan Castroviejo
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
82
Raymond Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM
s.t.
83
Jérôme Baugnies
Belisol
s.t.
84
Jarlinson Pantano
Statoil - Stoerensoe
s.t.
85
Andrew Tennant
Statoil - Stoerensoe
s.t.
86
James Stewart
Team Santander
s.t.
87
Romain Sicard
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
88
Jesús Hernández
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
89
Jan Bakelants
Nissan
s.t.
90
Fränk Schleck
Movistar Team
s.t.
91
Jesús Ezquerra
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
92
Aristide Ratti
Team ISD - Ferrari
s.t.
93
Ivar Slik
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
s.t.
94
Marcel Sieberg
Volkswagen
s.t.
95
Ángel Madrazo
Volkswagen
s.t.
96
Iban Mayoz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
97
Egoitz García
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
98
Thomas Rohregger
Colombia - Coldeportes
s.t.
99
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
100
Manuel Vazquez
Colombia - Coldeportes
s.t.
101
Robinson Chalapud
Colombia - Coldeportes
s.t.
102
Alberto Losada
Colombia - Coldeportes
s.t.
103
Morgan Chedhomme
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
104
Ángel Vallejo
Statoil - Stoerensoe
s.t.
105
Kenny Elissonde
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
106
Steve Houanard
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
107
Mauro Santambrogio
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
108
Jurgen Van Goolen
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
s.t.
109
Davide Bonuccelli
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
110
Jan Barta
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
111
Christopher Juul-Jensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
112
Edoardo Costanzi
Team ISD - Ferrari
s.t.
113
Beñat Intxausti
Statoil - Stoerensoe
s.t.
114
Christian Vande Velde
Nissan
s.t.
115
Johnny Hoogerland
Team Santander
s.t.
116
Joel Zangerle
Nissan
s.t.
117
Jackson Rodríguez
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
118
Morten Høberg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
119
Alexander Porsev
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
120
Maciej Paterski
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
121
Francesco Failli
Team ISD - Ferrari
s.t.
122
Liam Holohan
Team Santander
s.t.
123
Davide Malacarne
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
124
David Belda
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
125
Daniel Navarro
Movistar Team
s.t.
126
Sander Armee
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
127
Mauro Finetto
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
128
Simon Geschke
Volkswagen
s.t.
129
Andrey Amador
Volkswagen
s.t.
130
Arthur Vichot
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
131
Efren Carazo
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
132
Roman Klimov
Volkswagen
s.t.
133
Pieter Ghyllebert
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
s.t.
134
Samuel Dumoulin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
135
Vitaliy Buts
Team ISD - Ferrari
s.t.
136
Maxime Vantomme
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
137
Jesús Del Nero
Statoil - Stoerensoe
s.t.
138
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
139
Rafal Majka
Movistar Team
s.t.
140
Jose Aguilar
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
141
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Statoil - Stoerensoe
s.t.
142
Nicolas Edet
Vacansoleil - DCM
s.t.
143
Mario Ickx
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
144
Pierpaolo Tondo
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
145
Valeriy Dmitriyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
146
Víctor Cabedo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
147
Joshua Edmonson
Team Santander
s.t.
148
Mikaël Chérel
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
149
Joseba Larralde
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
150
Fabian Wegmann
Volkswagen
s.t.
151
Damien Branaa
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
152
Ermanno Capelli
Team ISD - Ferrari
s.t.
153
Grischa Niermann
Volkswagen
s.t.
154
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
155
Aleksejs Saramotins
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
156
Michael Reihs
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
157
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Team ISD - Ferrari
s.t.
158
Santiago Casellas
Movistar Team
s.t.
Final Standings
General Classification With three Nordic riders as well as three riders from CT-teams in the top 10, among them the 2nd place this is in every way an anusual Vuelta classification.
Less than a minutes difference on the podium serves to underline that it was an exciting and close race right to the end.
Spoiler
1
Willy Ipsen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
88h16'34
2
Sergio Henao
Volkswagen
+ 25
3
Igor Antón
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 1'48
4
Peter Kennaugh
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 9'42
5
Roman Kreuziger
Belisol
+ 10'06
6
Romain Sicard
Astana Pro Team
+ 11'37
7
Chris Anker Sørensen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 14'59
8
Robert Kiserlovski
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 15'04
9
Tom Slagter
Vacansoleil - DCM
+ 18'05
10
Thomas Löfkvist
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 18'22
11
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 20'25
12
Rémy Di Gregorio
FDJ - BigMat
+ 21'44
13
Matteo Rabottini
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 25'30
14
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 26'31
15
Beñat Intxausti
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 28'56
16
Egor Silin
Nissan
+ 29'08
17
Fränk Schleck
Movistar Team
+ 40'47
18
Jarlinson Pantano
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 45'23
19
Tobias Ludvigsson
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 47'36
20
Matti Breschel
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 49'53
21
Jesús Hernández
Astana Pro Team
+ 50'44
22
Gianni Meersman
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 51'08
23
Rafal Majka
Movistar Team
+ 54'10
24
Moreno Moser
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 55'45
25
Joaquím Rodríguez
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 58'02
26
Tobias Tonning
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 1h02'26
27
Ivar Slik
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 1h04'23
28
Jan Bakelants
Nissan
+ 1h05'39
29
Robinson Chalapud
Colombia - Coldeportes
+ 1h09'31
30
Davide Malacarne
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1h10'40
31
Kenny Elissonde
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 1h11'14
32
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 1h11'31
33
Jackson Rodríguez
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1h11'34
34
Daniel Navarro
Movistar Team
+ 1h12'18
35
Christian Vande Velde
Nissan
+ 1h16'48
36
David Belda
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 1h17'12
37
Johnny Hoogerland
Team Santander
+ 1h17'58
38
Maciej Paterski
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1h18'02
39
Thomas Rohregger
Colombia - Coldeportes
+ 1h19'14
40
Francesco Masciarelli
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 1h20'26
41
Andrey Amador
Volkswagen
+ 1h21'28
42
José Antonio De Segovia
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 1h22'07
43
Pieter Weening
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
+ 1h22'26
44
Ángel Madrazo
Volkswagen
+ 1h23'45
45
Enrico Magazzini
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 1h28'04
46
Jesús Ezquerra
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 1h32'21
47
Stefano Locatelli
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1h33'48
48
Christopher Juul-Jensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1h36'18
49
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h38'42
50
Brian Bulgac
Belisol
+ 1h43'03
51
Mauro Santambrogio
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 1h49'40
52
Iban Mayoz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2h00'04
53
Alberto Losada
Colombia - Coldeportes
+ 2h03'45
54
Egoitz García
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 2h04'33
55
Salvador Guardiola
Movistar Team
+ 2h05'24
56
Gustav Erik Larsson
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 2h12'30
57
Omar Fraile
Colombia - Coldeportes
+ 2h14'02
58
Jesús Del Nero
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 2h14'46
59
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2h17'56
60
Steve Houanard
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 2h18'43
61
Daniele Pietropolli
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 2h19'00
62
Jasper Bovenhuis
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2h20'47
63
Alex Rasmussen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 2h20'59
64
Manuel Vazquez
Colombia - Coldeportes
+ 2h22'39
65
Jan Barta
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2h23'06
66
Francesco Failli
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 2h23'36
67
José Joaquín Rojas
Team Santander
+ 2h24'16
68
Ángel Vallejo
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 2h25'42
69
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2h25'53
70
Juan Enrique Rubiales
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2h27'43
71
Nicolas Edet
Vacansoleil - DCM
+ 2h27'51
72
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
+ 2h28'07
73
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Volkswagen
+ 2h28'14
74
Joshua Edmonson
Team Santander
+ 2h30'19
75
Thomas Damuseau
FDJ - BigMat
+ 2h32'20
76
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 2h37'51
77
Arthur Vichot
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 2h41'20
78
Roman Klimov
Volkswagen
+ 2h44'02
79
Jonathan Castroviejo
Astana Pro Team
+ 2h44'30
80
Haimar Zubeldia
Movistar Team
+ 2h44'40
81
Davide Bonuccelli
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 2h47'38
82
Óscar Freire
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 2h50'34
83
Maurits Lammertink
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2h59'41
84
Francisco Javier Moreno
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 3h00'55
85
Joel Zangerle
Nissan
+ 3h01'55
86
Levi Leipheimer
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 3h03'32
87
Luke Durbridge
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
+ 3h04'20
88
Jurgen Van Goolen
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 3h06'02
89
Simon Geschke
Volkswagen
+ 3h06'30
90
Niels Albert
Belisol
+ 3h10'23
91
Gerald Ciolek
Nissan
+ 3h14'43
92
Enrico Rossi
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 3h19'36
93
Vladimir Karpets
Movistar Team
+ 3h19'53
94
Vitaliy Buts
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 3h26'13
95
Damien Branaa
FDJ - BigMat
+ 3h33'24
96
Morgan Chedhomme
FDJ - BigMat
+ 3h33'46
97
Jose Aguilar
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 3h37'05
98
Efren Carazo
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 3h40'57
99
Marcel Kittel
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 3h46'34
100
Mikaël Chérel
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 3h47'49
101
Pim Ligthart
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 3h57'47
102
Dirk Bellemakers
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 3h59'39
103
Mark McNally
Team Santander
+ 4h01'51
104
Davide Appollonio
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
+ 4h06'10
105
Sander Armee
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 4h08'02
106
Matthew Goss
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4h10'03
107
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 4h10'53
108
Fabian Wegmann
Volkswagen
+ 4h11'02
109
Steve Chainel
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 4h16'31
110
Martin Pedersen
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 4h18'08
111
Francisco José Pacheco
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 4h19'43
112
Martijn Maaskant
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 4h22'12
113
Ben Swift
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 4h31'34
114
Andrew Tennant
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 4h32'00
115
Juan Forero
Colombia - Coldeportes
+ 4h36'15
116
Samuel Dumoulin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 4h40'53
117
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
+ 4h55'33
118
Valeriy Dmitriyev
Astana Pro Team
+ 4h57'05
119
Yauheni Hutarovich
Nissan
+ 4h59'13
120
Baptiste Planckaert
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 4h59'33
121
Raymond Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM
+ 5h01'01
122
Coen Vermeltfoort
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 5h01'20
123
Joseba Larralde
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 5h06'26
124
Mauro Finetto
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 5h10'15
125
Pierpaolo Tondo
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 5h13'33
126
Daniel Schorn
Astana Pro Team
+ 5h13'47
127
Michael Færk Christensen
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 5h14'20
128
Ermanno Capelli
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 5h16'45
129
Job Vissers
Vacansoleil - DCM
+ 5h18'32
130
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
+ 5h25'33
131
Grischa Niermann
Volkswagen
+ 5h28'09
132
Jérôme Baugnies
Belisol
+ 5h28'11
133
Morten Høberg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 5h31'57
134
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
+ 5h33'55
135
Jesse Sergent
Nissan
+ 5h34'04
136
Mario Ickx
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 5h34'51
137
Tom Leezer
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 5h39'22
138
James Stewart
Team Santander
+ 5h43'56
139
Jacob Clorius
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 5h44'01
140
Liam Holohan
Team Santander
+ 5h46'23
141
Víctor Cabedo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 5h48'28
142
Maxime Vantomme
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 5h49'26
143
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 5h51'19
144
Jürgen Roelandts
Belisol
+ 6h04'56
145
Nicolas Sanderson
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
+ 6h05'06
146
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 6h11'05
147
Marcel Sieberg
Volkswagen
+ 6h18'52
148
Aristide Ratti
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 6h22'16
149
Santiago Casellas
Movistar Team
+ 6h24'28
150
Bernardo Riccio
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 6h31'31
151
Alexander Porsev
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 6h34'57
152
Pieter Ghyllebert
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 6h35'24
153
Edoardo Costanzi
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 6h38'22
154
Michael Reihs
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 6h44'38
155
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 6h55'24
156
Aleksejs Saramotins
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 6h58'46
157
Aidis Kruopis
Astana Pro Team
+ 7h02'06
158
Robin Chaigneau
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 7h10'00
Points Classification The battle for the points jersey ended up closer than we had expected for most of the race. Antón almost got a consolation price for a disappointing race after heving won the race two years in a row, but this will serve as much more than a consolation price for Henao and it will be instrumental in Volkswagen's attempt to win promotion.
Spoiler
1
Sergio Henao
Volkswagen
215
2
Igor Antón
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
210
3
Willy Ipsen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
188
4
Matti Breschel
Novo Nordisk - SAS
155
5
Peter Kennaugh
Statoil - Stoerensoe
141
6
Roman Kreuziger
Belisol
116
7
Robert Kiserlovski
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
104
8
Romain Sicard
Astana Pro Team
98
9
Chris Anker Sørensen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
97
10
José Joaquín Rojas
Team Santander
94
11
Marcel Kittel
Rabobank Cycling Team
92
12
Tom Slagter
Vacansoleil - DCM
75
13
Yauheni Hutarovich
Nissan
74
14
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
71
15
Matteo Rabottini
Liquigas - Cannondale
65
16
Thomas Löfkvist
Novo Nordisk - SAS
65
17
Ben Swift
Colnago - CSF Inox
62
18
Davide Appollonio
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
56
19
Niels Albert
Belisol
51
20
Matthew Goss
Euskaltel - Euskadi
50
21
Tobias Ludvigsson
Novo Nordisk - SAS
45
22
Egor Silin
Nissan
43
23
Alex Rasmussen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
39
24
Rémy Di Gregorio
FDJ - BigMat
36
25
Rafal Majka
Movistar Team
36
26
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
36
27
Gerald Ciolek
Nissan
34
28
Gianni Meersman
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
33
29
Pim Ligthart
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
32
30
Beñat Intxausti
Statoil - Stoerensoe
28
31
Enrico Rossi
Team ISD - Ferrari
28
32
Jürgen Roelandts
Belisol
25
33
Juan Enrique Rubiales
Euskaltel - Euskadi
24
34
Óscar Freire
Colnago - CSF Inox
22
35
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
21
36
Stefano Locatelli
Liquigas - Cannondale
21
37
Aidis Kruopis
Astana Pro Team
21
38
Enrico Magazzini
Colnago - CSF Inox
20
39
Brian Bulgac
Belisol
20
40
Francisco José Pacheco
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
19
41
Tom Leezer
Rabobank Cycling Team
19
42
Moreno Moser
Colnago - CSF Inox
18
43
Jesús Del Nero
Statoil - Stoerensoe
16
44
Maciej Paterski
Liquigas - Cannondale
15
45
Ángel Madrazo
Volkswagen
15
46
Daniele Pietropolli
Team ISD - Ferrari
15
47
Martijn Maaskant
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
15
48
Baptiste Planckaert
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
15
49
Joel Zangerle
Nissan
14
50
Coen Vermeltfoort
Rabobank Cycling Team
14
51
Thomas Damuseau
FDJ - BigMat
13
52
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
13
53
José Antonio De Segovia
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
12
54
Damien Branaa
FDJ - BigMat
12
55
Ivar Slik
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
11
56
Nicolas Edet
Vacansoleil - DCM
11
57
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
11
58
Pieter Weening
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
10
59
Manuel Vazquez
Colombia - Coldeportes
10
60
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
10
61
Raymond Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM
10
62
Andrey Amador
Volkswagen
9
63
Maurits Lammertink
Rabobank Cycling Team
9
64
Luke Durbridge
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
9
65
Francesco Masciarelli
Colnago - CSF Inox
8
66
Francesco Failli
Team ISD - Ferrari
8
67
Juan Forero
Colombia - Coldeportes
8
68
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
8
69
Nicolas Sanderson
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
8
70
Jurgen Van Goolen
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
6
71
Morgan Chedhomme
FDJ - BigMat
6
72
Pierpaolo Tondo
Colnago - CSF Inox
6
73
Jérôme Baugnies
Belisol
6
74
Jan Bakelants
Nissan
5
75
Jonathan Castroviejo
Astana Pro Team
5
76
Alexander Porsev
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
5
77
Michael Reihs
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
5
78
Haimar Zubeldia
Movistar Team
4
79
Francisco Javier Moreno
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
4
80
Vitaliy Buts
Team ISD - Ferrari
4
81
Dirk Bellemakers
Rabobank Cycling Team
4
82
Steve Chainel
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
4
83
Joseba Larralde
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
4
84
James Stewart
Team Santander
4
85
Maxime Vantomme
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
4
86
Joaquím Rodríguez
Rabobank Cycling Team
3
87
Davide Malacarne
Liquigas - Cannondale
3
88
Job Vissers
Vacansoleil - DCM
3
89
Mario Ickx
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
3
90
Jacob Clorius
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
3
91
Fränk Schleck
Movistar Team
2
92
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Novo Nordisk - SAS
2
93
Daniel Navarro
Movistar Team
2
94
Egoitz García
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
2
95
Vladimir Karpets
Movistar Team
2
96
Mark McNally
Team Santander
2
97
Bernardo Riccio
Colnago - CSF Inox
2
98
David Belda
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
1
99
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
1
100
Samuel Dumoulin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
1
101
Daniel Schorn
Astana Pro Team
1
102
Morten Høberg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
1
103
Jesse Sergent
Nissan
1
104
Víctor Cabedo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
1
105
Aristide Ratti
Team ISD - Ferrari
1
Mountain Classification Ipsen founded hisGC win in the big mountains, thus it is only fitting that he takes the mountain jersey as well.
Spoiler
1
Willy Ipsen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
173
2
Sergio Henao
Volkswagen
145
3
Igor Antón
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
131
4
Chris Anker Sørensen
Novo Nordisk - SAS
83
5
Thomas Löfkvist
Novo Nordisk - SAS
76
6
Peter Kennaugh
Statoil - Stoerensoe
66
7
Romain Sicard
Astana Pro Team
60
8
Pieter Weening
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
54
9
Matti Breschel
Novo Nordisk - SAS
46
10
Tom Slagter
Vacansoleil - DCM
45
11
Robert Kiserlovski
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
43
12
Niels Albert
Belisol
43
13
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
38
14
Matteo Rabottini
Liquigas - Cannondale
37
15
Johnny Hoogerland
Team Santander
37
16
Juan Enrique Rubiales
Euskaltel - Euskadi
34
17
Morgan Chedhomme
FDJ - BigMat
29
18
Jurgen Van Goolen
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
28
19
Roman Kreuziger
Belisol
27
20
Damien Branaa
FDJ - BigMat
26
21
Pim Ligthart
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
26
22
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
25
23
Vladimir Karpets
Movistar Team
24
24
Joaquím Rodríguez
Rabobank Cycling Team
23
25
Stefano Locatelli
Liquigas - Cannondale
23
26
Haimar Zubeldia
Movistar Team
23
27
Enrico Rossi
Team ISD - Ferrari
23
28
Manuel Vazquez
Colombia - Coldeportes
21
29
Enrico Magazzini
Colnago - CSF Inox
20
30
Mark McNally
Team Santander
20
31
Jackson Rodríguez
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
19
32
Rémy Di Gregorio
FDJ - BigMat
18
33
Maurits Lammertink
Rabobank Cycling Team
18
34
Martijn Maaskant
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
18
35
James Stewart
Team Santander
17
36
Tobias Ludvigsson
Novo Nordisk - SAS
16
37
Baptiste Planckaert
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
16
38
Tobias Tonning
Novo Nordisk - SAS
15
39
Francisco Javier Moreno
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
15
40
Jan Barta
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
12
41
Steve Chainel
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
12
42
Job Vissers
Vacansoleil - DCM
11
43
Joseba Larralde
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
10
44
Nicolas Sanderson
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
10
45
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Novo Nordisk - SAS
9
46
Óscar Freire
Colnago - CSF Inox
9
47
Egor Silin
Nissan
8
48
Nicolas Edet
Vacansoleil - DCM
8
49
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
8
50
Valeriy Dmitriyev
Astana Pro Team
8
51
Jarlinson Pantano
Statoil - Stoerensoe
7
52
Ángel Madrazo
Volkswagen
7
53
Coen Vermeltfoort
Rabobank Cycling Team
7
54
Beñat Intxausti
Statoil - Stoerensoe
6
55
Daniele Pietropolli
Team ISD - Ferrari
6
56
Sander Armee
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
6
57
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Team ISD - Ferrari
6
58
Francisco José Pacheco
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
6
59
Jasper Bovenhuis
Rabobank Cycling Team
5
60
Gerald Ciolek
Nissan
4
61
Andrew Tennant
Statoil - Stoerensoe
4
62
Jacob Clorius
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
4
63
Kenny Elissonde
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
3
64
Joel Zangerle
Nissan
3
65
Fränk Schleck
Movistar Team
2
66
Jan Bakelants
Nissan
2
67
Andrey Amador
Volkswagen
2
68
Jesús Ezquerra
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
2
69
Iban Mayoz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
2
70
Roman Klimov
Volkswagen
2
71
Dirk Bellemakers
Rabobank Cycling Team
2
72
Samuel Dumoulin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
2
73
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
1
74
Thomas Rohregger
Colombia - Coldeportes
1
75
José Antonio De Segovia
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
1
76
Steve Houanard
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
1
77
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Volkswagen
1
78
Davide Appollonio
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
1
79
Raymond Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM
1
80
Daniel Schorn
Astana Pro Team
1
81
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
1
82
Mario Ickx
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
1
Young Riders Classification In the first week Elissonde looked unbeatable, but then the Frenchman completely fell through handing the jersey to a surprised Swede. It's hard to say what happened, but it sure was weird to watch!
Spoiler
1
Tobias Ludvigsson
Novo Nordisk - SAS
89h04'10 (1)
2
Tobias Tonning
Novo Nordisk - SAS
+ 14'50 (2)
3
Ivar Slik
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 16'47 (3)
4
Kenny Elissonde
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 23'38 (4)
5
Jasper Bovenhuis
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1h33'11 (5)
6
Joshua Edmonson
Team Santander
+ 1h42'43 (6)
7
Luke Durbridge
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
+ 2h16'44 (7)
8
Efren Carazo
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 2h53'21 (8)
9
Jacob Clorius
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 4h56'25 (9)
10
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 5h03'43 (10)
11
Santiago Casellas
Movistar Team
+ 5h36'52 (11)
Team Classification With Rasmussen and Breschel on the flats combined with a massive TTT and a terrifying mountain train it's no surprise that we ended up winning the team competition as well.
Spoiler
1
Novo Nordisk - SAS
264h20'54 (1)
2
Statoil - Stoerensoe
+ 57'23 (2)
3
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1h16'10 (3)
4
Movistar Team
+ 2h07'41 (4)
5
Club La Santa - Cantabria Infinita
+ 2h16'02 (5)
6
Nissan
+ 2h20'18 (6)
7
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 2h20'42 (7)
8
Volkswagen
+ 2h26'31 (8)
9
Astana Pro Team
+ 2h39'00 (9)
10
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 2h53'09 (10)
11
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3h09'44 (11)
12
Colombia - Coldeportes
+ 3h33'42 (12)
13
Het Nieuwsblad - Willems Veranda's
+ 3h51'30 (13)
14
Belisol
+ 4h21'21 (14)
15
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 4h30'21 (15)
16
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 4h44'31 (16)
17
Team Santander
+ 5h14'44 (17)
18
FDJ - BigMat
+ 5h20'23 (18)
19
Vacansoleil - DCM
+ 6h49'20 (19)
20
Team ISD - Ferrari
+ 7h36'32 (20)
21
Commonwealth Bank - GreenEdge
+ 7h54'58 (21)
22
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 11h12'39 (22)
Tomorrow you will get the chance to get your questions answered by the entire team.
Feel free to send in your questions by either writing them here or sending them in a PM.
Great job done by the team here, a really imperious performance. Absolutely fantastic!
And a huge congratulations to the Directeur Sportif, Atlantius. You've entertained us royally throughout this past year, and the award is well deserved
Before the Vuelta we made a deal with the Novo Nordisk – SAS management that we would get a press conference with at least one rider, but with guarantee that everyone who managed to win anything in the Vuelta would be here.
So we have the entire team here for questions…
We’ll start off with a couple of questions for the man in red: Willy: How would you rate the Vuelta compared to le Tour? Is there something for you that makes it special, that maybe le Tour doesn't offer?
Obviously the Tour is something unique and I’m happy to have raced it three times with 2 top 10’s as a result but the Vuelta seems to be the race most suiting for me. In 2014 I got a bit of a breakthrough by being very strong in the last half of the race helping Chris to his 2nd place that year and with this win the Vuelta will always have a very special place in my heart – even if I perhaps won’t come back every year.
The Vuelta was very sensational, especially the last week. Did you feel any pressure? How did you handle the pressure?
The biggest pressure was really hanging on to Chris and Thomas when they were pacing uphill (laughs, red.). The manager just expected me to fight with everything I had and we always knew that the slightest bit of misfortune would be enough to lose the race, so I just went out there and pedaled to the point where I started doubting if my legs would fall off…
And then a few questions for the man in white, Tobias Ludvigsson:
While Willy won the Vuelta, you did an awesome job by winning the Young Rider classification. How do you feel about Willy's victory? Is you dream to win a Grand Tour as well in the future? And which one would you like to win?
To be honest this youth jersey came as a big surprise for me and I probably wouldn’t have been able to take it if any of the real young stars such as Kelderman or Quintana was here or if Elissonde hadn’t decided halfway through the race that he didn’t really want to race. I’m very happy to have it on my palmares and a big thanks goes to the team for allowing me a very free role after I took the jersey in order to defend it.
I don’t see myself as a future GT winner though. I’m generally more a rider for the smaller tours I think.
As you mention there seems to be a huge discrepancy in the field. Only 11 riders were classified as young riders, the last one having five hours gap on you. How would you explain such a huge difference?
A lot of teams only use their young riders as slaves so it was mainly young riders who ended up falling for the time limit. We we’re actually 31 young riders lined up for the start, but most just wasn’t ready and were forced to work their legs off early leaving them no chance of survival.
That’s not how things are run on this team and that’s a big part of why I love it here!
In fact you won the U25 jersey ahead of your teammate. The team certainly has established itself to be the place to be for any upcoming Nordic riders. How would you rate the talent pool of Novo Nordisk?
One word: Amazing!
The management has a policy of not only signing a lot of talented youngster, but also allowing them to rider their own chance which helps their development a lot. On top of that we also have a lot of great trainers as well as a sufficient amount of veterans to take the pressure of us allowing us to be more free in the way we ride. We know that the team will always get results thanks to guys like Fuglsang, Breschel, Boasson Hagen and in previous years Hushovd, so it’s not the end of the world when I get beaten by Sagan in Eneco…
Chris Anker: You showed a great team performance and in large parts thanks to you the team could snatch many stage wins and jersesys. On stage 17 you went with Henao and Antón instead of staying with Willy Ipsen. That day could have cost Willy Ipsen the jersey. Did you felt like going for the stage win, how was it in accordance with the team strategy?
I know that could very well look weird for outsiders. I had worked hard for Willy in the final part of the race, as he had a really bad day.
Then when the final km came I tried keeping him at the wheel of Henao and Antón as they started sprinting, but he cracked as soon as the pace went up. I hesitated a moment when I saw it, but he told me to go for it to pick up as many bonus seconds as possible and perhaps get the stage for myself. In a way it succeded as I at least finished ahead of Sergio.
We spoke again right after we passed the line and he said there wasn’t anything I could have done for him in the finish – he was just empty.
And back to another question for Willy:
Sergio Henao and Igor Antón certainly made the race exciting until the end. Team Novo Nordisk drove a pretty hard bargain in the last stages though. Despite this, what would you describe as vital for winning the Vuelta?
You could say that again. I’m pretty sure it was a better show on TV than it was on my bike!
If it hadn’t been for the awesome work by the team in the last week I would have finished 3rd, so I’m extremely grateful for their selfless effort!
Chris Anker Sørensen & Thomas Löfkvist: Last year you both finished fourth and fifth. Now you finished seventh and tenth. Are you proud on what you achieved as a team? Did you have any problems to give up your own chances to help Willy winning the Vuelta?
Chris: I was lucky to finish 2nd after Purito crashed 10 m before the finish line in Madrid in 2014, but I wasn’t able to follow it up with a podium last year and to be honest I would rather be 7th after helping a friend win the race than finishing 4th without getting a team mate on the podium.
Thomas: I’m just happy to have been part of this team and in spite all my work this is my 2nd best GT result in my entire career. The team have been good to give me a lot of chance sin the biggest races the last couple of year, but to be fair I haven’t been able to prove that I should be a captain in the biggest races. I’m just not as good a climber as Ipsen so no hard feelings there.
Willy:
How are the chances that Jakob and you will both focus your efforts on le Tour next year, so that one of you tries to go for the podium spot or even the win and split the captaincy?
That’s partly up the team management and partly the race organizers.
Usually we sit down at the start of the season when all the profiles have been published and split the races between us. As you know it’s not our style to send all our captains to one race, but rather to focus on doing things the along entire season confident that youngsters as myself in the past and Tonning, Ludvigsson etc. now will step up and prove their talent. With that in mind I would be surprised if both me and Jakob went to the Tour. Perhaps if I get a program similar to this year and Jakob decides to do Giro-Tour?
We'll finish of with a few questions for the World Champion Matti Breschel: Is taking the Rainbow Jersey for another year a goal for this season? How do you handle the pressure from the Rainbow Jersey?
I think I’ve handled the pressure rather well even though I’m annoyed at not winning in Milano – Sanremo or San Sebastian. I’ve certainly handled it better than Gilbert did the three years before and it has been great to experience how the fans receive me (or perhaps more the jersey) – you know I haven’t had to pay for coffee on a café one single time since I won the worlds and the amount of camera’s remind me of when I was a model years ago.
If any of the readers have trouble remembering the great moments from Matti's year in rainbow we refer to the August edition of the Rear Wheel
You seem to be in excellent shape for the World Championships. Who do you consider your main contenders?
Sagan is one rider that will be hungry for a win after always being a favourite but never really performing. Gilbert seems back to his old self and always performs at the Worlds, so even though he's retiring I won’t count him out either. Edvald plans to be in great shape so if he is in the same group as me on the finish line I could be in trouble. Kruziger also looks sharp, though he looked better in the first half of the Vuelta than the last.
If Henao and Antón can carry on their Vuelta form to the Worlds they will be very hard to beat as well…
Your teammate Edvald Boasson Hagen had an unbelieveable streak of wins at le Tour. If push comes to shovel, how can you react to a man that had such a stellar season lately, especially in a possible sprint?
In a regular flat sprint I can’t. At least not when he’s in top shape. Edvald is an amazing rider capable of pretty much anything and with a deadly finish he is capable of beating everyone as long as it’s not on too steep terrain.
Matti Breschel
Brian Bulgac
Enrico Magazzini
Sergio Henao
Peter Kennaugh
Roman Kreuziger
Romain Sicard
Robert Kiserlovski
Thomas Löfkvist
Novo Nordisk - SAS
, another win in the World Champion jersey 
Marcel Kittel
Gianni Meersman
