louis vuitton damier and louis vuitton authentic and cheap louis vuitton handbags and cheap louis vuitton bags River<p> reported hearing her daughter joined the army meet the political market, the township government asked for a written commitment to voluntarily give up their dependents special care and treatment of gold, or not through political observation. In desperation, mountain man Aki and his daughter had to go against their wishes, in accordance with the requirements of the township government leaders to write a helpless commitment. Later, Aki satisfied, the Civil Affairs Bureau, the township government and the court. Recently, this lawsuit from the discount Jinxing Zheng Juchao district court in the administrative tribunal of successful mediation, Aki back what he deserved preferential payment of 4500 yuan and their family members. </P> <p> meet the political stuck </p> <p> Aki is a farmer in the mountains of Chaohu City. The fall of 2005, his daughter quietly been selected troops will soon enlisted an army to Beijing. When he went to the township government for his daughter's political examination procedures, the government cadres told him, quietly taking the female non-recruitment program in the township, the township can not enjoy their dependents treatment. Helpless, Aki and her daughter against his will, according to township government leaders asked to write a letter of undertaking to give special care and voluntary payments. Then, quietly pass political examination. </P> <p> court </p> <p> is also defending the homeland, and why other dependents can enjoy special care, while he was forced to have to write a paper promise to give up. Encouraged by her daughter, Aki 一纸诉状将 and Civil Affairs Bureau, the township government to court. </P> <p> defendant Mouxiang Government believes that the commitment to pay special allowances of the military target range must be the respondent to complete the draft plan personnel, and winter 2005, the actual recruitment township 21, which does not include the plaintiff's daughter . Therefore, Aki is not a commitment to pay special allowances of the military target range. Meanwhile, Aki and her daughter on November 9, 2005 issue a written commitment: to give special allowances to the respondent claims, is inconsistent, in violation of the principle of honesty. </P> <p> three-way reconciliation </p> <p> Civil Affairs Bureau, although no reply, but in charge of cadres came to court to explain the situation, said the council received Aki's complaint, this section several times to urge the township government payments However, the township plans to quietly recruiting ground is not non-payment. To this end, the council for the township government does not fulfill payment obligations under the grounds of privilege, to a fine of 4,000 yuan for its administrative penalties. </P> <p> Aki about the incident a serious attitude of the council was pleased with his written application to the court, withdrew the Civil Affairs Bureau of the proceedings. However, the township government after receiving the penalty decision, according to the district people's government administrative reconsideration, rescission of the penalty decision made by the council, the lawsuit went to both the district government, the case caused the government leaders attached great importance to many do both work, and finally, three in Juchao District People's Court under the coordination of efforts to reach reconciliation, Aki got his deserved special care payments. </P>inspection cheap louis vuitton wallets and louis vuitton sale and neverfull louis vuitton and louis vuitton ipad
Arguably the most brutal stage this years Giro has to offer, obviously competition from yesterdays ride after the two brutal climbs to finish.
Today brings a constant assault of steep climbs and sharp down hills for the riders to survive, with little by way of relaxation in between.
With such a large number of mountain points available today, Alvés faced no choice but to join the breakaway in the morning, if he was to stand a chance of defending his jersey all the way to the end of the race, he was joined by a strong group of riders, including Christian Knees.
Spoiler
On the very first climb of the day, the breakaway members seemed utterly uninterested in the climb, slowing right down and falling away from Alvés, who took mountains 1 and 2 without competition, ending up solo after passing the uncategorised climb between the two.
Spoiler
Both Lampre and Euskaltel clearly fancied there chances today, and joined forces to reel in the break, who held a lead of 5'13" whilst Alvés had 8'23" further up the road. They closed the gap together but caused several casualties within the peloton we lost Il Cassano and Zheng on the ascent of the penultimate climb.
Spoiler
Spoiler
Near the top of the penultimate ascent, José Rujano, repeated his actions from yesterdays stage, and made a brave attempt to take on the key riders, attacking and opening a gap to the peloton quickly passing the last remnants of both breaks.
Spoiler
With the final climb complete, the Big guns came forward, once again Antón and Zoltan held back relying on there teams, but attacks came from Danilo Di Luca, Michele Scarponi, Vicenzo Nibali, and Nicolas Roche, all hoping to improve there standings in the GC.
Spoiler
Scarponi had more than the rest left, and whilst they dropped back, the 3rd placed rider made a reasonable gap, which started to threaten Antón and Zoltan, Sutton was still with Zoltan at this point, and provided cover as they started to break down the gap to Scarponi, with Antón still using his team for protection in the remaining broken peloton.
Spoiler
Spoiler
Eventually Antón seemed to realise he would not get them back due to his teams work alone, and attacked himself, he had extra power in his legs due to the late timing of his attack, and quickly passed the smaller groups between himself and the two leaders.
Spoiler
Antón caught Zoltan and a minute behind Scarponi, and as a joint effort, the closed the gap to the leader, suggesting one of these three would take the win.
Spoiler
Antón made his attack just before the gravel roads started, and his legs were too fresh for the other two to follow, Scarponi also left Zoltan, and as teh crossed the line at the summit it was Antón again, collecting a 6th stage victory! Scarponi was second 32 seconds back, and Zoltan followed home, 1'17 behind to round out the podium spots.
Spoiler
Spoiler
Stage Results
1
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
6h59'32
2
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
+ 32
3
Jakab Zoltan
YOUTUBE TWITTER
+ 1'17
4
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
+ 3'05
5
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 3'30
6
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 5'09
7
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
+ 6'44
8
Gary Sutton
YOUTUBE TWITTER
s.t.
9
Marco Pinotti
HTC - Highroad
+ 7'23
10
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
+ 7'32
Spoiler
11
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
+ 8'00
12
Xavier Tondo
Movistar Team
+ 8'08
13
Yaroslav Popovych
Team RadioShack
+ 8'24
14
Juan Manuel Gárate
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
15
Robert Kiserlovski
Pro Team Astana
+ 8'32
16
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 8'48
17
David Zabriskie
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 9'44
18
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 10'40
19
David López
Movistar Team
s.t.
20
Sylwester Szmyd
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 10'48
21
Bradley Wiggins
Sky ProCycling
+ 10'56
22
Philip Deignan
Team RadioShack
+ 11'12
23
Amets Txurruka
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 12'19
24
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
+ 13'42
25
Alberto Losada
Katusha Team
s.t.
26
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
27
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 14'14
28
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
29
Jesús Hernández
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
30
Andrea Noè
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 14'34
31
Juan Mauricio Soler
Movistar Team
+ 14'50
32
Alessandro Bisolti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 15'26
33
Bauke Mollema
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 15'50
34
Tejay Van Garderen
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
35
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
+ 16'02
36
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli
+ 16'54
37
Daniel Martin
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 17'38
38
Francesco Failli
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 19'34
39
Óscar Pujol
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 20'22
40
Cayetano Sarmiento
Acqua & Sapone
+ 20'38
41
José Serpa
Androni Giocattoli
+ 21'26
42
José Rujano
Androni Giocattoli
+ 21'34
43
Francesco Masciarelli
Pro Team Astana
+ 22'18
44
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 23'06
45
Giovanni Visconti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 23'22
46
Massimo Codol
Acqua & Sapone
+ 23'38
47
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
+ 23'46
48
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
+ 23'54
49
Gustav Erik Larsson
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
50
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
51
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 24'22
52
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 24'30
53
Jakob Fuglsang
Leopard Trek
s.t.
54
Morris Possoni
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
55
Janez Brajkovič
Team RadioShack
+ 25'10
56
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 25'38
57
Chris Anker Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 25'54
58
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
59
Kanstantsin Siutsou
HTC - Highroad
+ 26'14
60
Evgeni Petrov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
61
Francisco Pérez
Movistar Team
+ 26'26
62
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
+ 26'38
63
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
64
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
+ 26'50
65
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
66
Timo Bern
YOUTUBE TWITTER
s.t.
67
Carlos Betancourt
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
68
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
+ 27'10
69
Andrey Kashechkin
Lampre - ISD
+ 27'22
70
Francesco Ginanni
Androni Giocattoli
+ 28'02
71
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 28'26
72
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
+ 30'14
73
Steven Kruijswijk
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 30'46
74
Luca Mazzanti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 31'10
75
Thomas Rohregger
Leopard Trek
+ 31'38
76
Alessandro Bertolini
Androni Giocattoli
+ 32'22
77
Laurent Didier
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 33'02
78
José Alvés
YOUTUBE TWITTER
+ 33'25
79
Patrik Sinkewitz
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 33'51
80
Enrico Gasparotto
Pro Team Astana
+ 34'39
81
Jürgen Van de Walle
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 35'03
82
Bassie Adriaan
YOUTUBE TWITTER
s.t.
83
Peter Stetina
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 36'39
84
Ben Hermans
Team RadioShack
+ 37'51
85
Ruslan Pidgornyy
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 38'31
86
Cyril Dessel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 38'39
87
Grega Bole
Lampre - ISD
+ 39'51
88
Lars Ytting Bak
HTC - Highroad
+ 40'07
89
Addy Engels
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 40'23
90
Wout Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 41'43
91
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli
+ 41'59
92
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 42'07
93
Pierre Cazaux
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 42'23
94
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 43'27
95
Emanuele Vona
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 45'03
96
Alessandro Proni
Acqua & Sapone
+ 45'35
97
Jan Bakelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 45'43
98
Mikhail Ignatiev
Katusha Team
+ 45'51
99
Vladimir Miholjevic
Acqua & Sapone
+ 46'07
100
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 46'39
101
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
+ 47'03
102
Steve Houanard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 47'11
103
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
+ 47'19
104
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
+ 47'43
105
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
+ 53'27
106
Marc De Maar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
107
Xabier Zandio
Sky ProCycling
+ 54'07
108
Miguel Rocha
YOUTUBE TWITTER
s.t.
109
Kjell Carlström
Sky ProCycling
+ 54'15
110
Stephen Cummings
Sky ProCycling
+ 54'23
111
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
+ 54'31
112
Roberto Ferrari
Androni Giocattoli
+ 54'55
113
Jorge Azanza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 55'11
114
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
+ 55'19
115
Danny Pate
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
116
Francisco Iriarte
Movistar Team
s.t.
117
Andrey Zeits
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
118
Ivan Rovny
Team RadioShack
+ 55'35
119
Tanel Kangert
Pro Team Astana
+ 55'43
120
Alexander Il Cassano
YOUTUBE TWITTER
+ 1h03'11
121
Kardo Boss
YOUTUBE TWITTER
+ 1h03'35
122
Sep Vanmarcke
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 1h06'23
123
Stuart O'Grady
Leopard Trek
s.t.
124
Frederik Willems
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 1h06'31
125
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
Today was a bad day for us, despite picking up a podium place, we lost over a minute in the GC placings, Antón really is on fire, and we also lost our first rider of the tour, Xuo Zheng was one of 23 riders to abandon, further reducing the peloton to just 125 riders as we arrive at rest day number 2.
Well, minus Xuo, who sadly was forced to withdraw after missing the time cut yesterday, we've survived the mountains, and in a healthy position to boot, we climbed superbly during the last 4 days, and enter the final 5 days of the tour 2nd in the team classification behind Movistar. The lads can be more than proud of there efforts thus far, and we look to continue our good form, not just for this race, but in those which will follow, in our run up to the Tour De France.
General Classification
In the main section of the race, we are sat as one of 2 riders, who realistically stand a chance of overall victory. Sadly, we are also sat behind the other one. Zoltan has been incredible throughout his first ever Grand Tour, displaying powerful climbing abilities, as well as helping the team in the TTT prologue on day 1. Sadly, he has been shadowed from the start by a man in unbeatable form... Igor Antón has been top 10 in 13 out of 15 stages, winning 6 and podiums on 4 more, we will continue to chase, but i just don't see how someone can compete with a rider in this vein of form.
Gary Sutton also holds a second top 10 spot, currently 8th thanks to his hard work, despite the amount of energy he has surrendered for his named leader, the Hungarian Zoltan. we hope to continue this form for the remainder of the tour, as we aim for a second top 10 spot, along with wherever Zoltan finishes in his fight with the Euskaltel leader.
1
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
66h43'45
2
Jakab Zoltan
YOUTUBE TWITTER
+ 1'50
3
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
+ 5'09
4
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
+ 10'58
5
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 13'28
6
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 13'30
7
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
+ 13'57
8
Gary Sutton
YOUTUBE TWITTER
+ 14'11
9
Marco Pinotti
HTC - Highroad
+ 14'49
10
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
+ 15'44
11
Robert Kiserlovski
Pro Team Astana
+ 17'09
12
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
+ 17'15
13
Xavier Tondo
Movistar Team
+ 18'02
14
Yaroslav Popovych
Team RadioShack
+ 18'08
15
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 18'57
16
Juan Manuel Gárate
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 20'49
17
David López
Movistar Team
+ 22'30
18
Sylwester Szmyd
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 23'08
19
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 24'06
20
David Zabriskie
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 24'34
Points Classification
The route of this years tour has made something of a mockery of the points classification, the mountains mean that not one sprinter is still here, and it is currently controlled by Antón thanks to his regular high placings, Scarponi was well placed earlier, but when the mountains rearly reared up, he was left behind, and the points race, is now broadly a one horse race.
1
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
248
2
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
197
3
Jakab Zoltan
YOUTUBE TWITTER
120
4
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
112
5
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
110
6
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
105
7
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
99
8
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
77
9
Marco Pinotti
HTC - Highroad
77
10
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
68
11
Yaroslav Popovych
Team RadioShack
60
12
Giovanni Visconti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
60
13
Gary Sutton
YOUTUBE TWITTER
53
14
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
43
15
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
42
16
David Zabriskie
Team Garmin - Cervélo
33
17
Francesco Ginanni
Androni Giocattoli
33
18
José Alvés
YOUTUBE TWITTER
30
19
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli
28
20
Robert Kiserlovski
Pro Team Astana
27
King of the Mountains
José Alvés was our man for the breaks and KOM jersey, he attacked on day one, and collected enough points to just cling on through the worst stages that the riders will face, the question now becomes will he be able to hold off the GC men for the next few days, as the Giro snakes its way towards Milan.
1
José Alvés
YOUTUBE TWITTER
54
2
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
50
3
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
50
4
Jakab Zoltan
YOUTUBE TWITTER
44
5
José Rujano
Androni Giocattoli
37
6
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
22
7
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
19
8
Steven Kruijswijk
Rabobank Cycling Team
17
9
Gary Sutton
YOUTUBE TWITTER
12
10
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
11
11
Andrea Noè
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
11
12
Marco Pinotti
HTC - Highroad
9
13
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
9
14
Gustav Erik Larsson
Saxo Bank SunGard
9
15
Robert Kiserlovski
Pro Team Astana
8
16
Luca Mazzanti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
7
17
Addy Engels
Quick·Step Cycling Team
5
18
Kjell Carlström
Sky ProCycling
5
19
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
4
20
Óscar Pujol
Omega Pharma - Lotto
4
Young Riders Classification
The youth category saw a pitifully small number of entries this year, most teams focussed upon there Veteran climbers due to the incredibly difficult route the riders must follow, and now it seems, one rider has the jersey zipped up thanks to his sterling efforts, riding with those more experienced on the Grosglockner and Monte Zoncolan - His name is Robert Kiserlovski, and he rides for Astana, the team have worked well around him, protecting there jersey when necessary, and allowing him a free role to ride as he wanted during each stage.
We sit 9th in the -25 standings thanks to José Alvés, but this is not his real goal, and his efforts have been expended during each stage, rather than focusing on a final stage victory or GC placing.
Todays stage is a 13km mountain time trial, from Beluno, to Nevegal, gaining around 600m, with a maximum gradient of 13.9% The first 5.8km are relatively flat, before the climb arrives, and the time gaps start to appear.
There was no challenging time early on, with the riders flowing through in a steady stream with similar times, until Kanstanti Sioutsou, who set the best time of the day, 32'16 breaking the previous best time, by 49"
Spoiler
This time stood until our own rider, José Alvés set off, he set a fast time on the climb, desparately trying to ride well enough to claim some KOM points on the summit, otherwise he faced the sad prospect of losing the green jersey he has ridden so bravely to protect up to this point over 2 weeks in.
His time was a full 56 seconds quicker placing him in the lead, but with many big names still to ride.
Spoiler
Sure enough, the time didn't hold for too long, before the Sky rider Bradley Wiggins shaved a further 24" in what has been an otherwise much quieter tour than we predicted on day one, since when he has paled, and in fact ridden for Michael Rogers instead.
Spoiler
As we entered the top 10, several riders had beaten Wiggins' time, including his own team mate Michael Rogers, Yaroslav Popovych and Damian Cunego, who lead at the Point that Gary Sutton set off. He rode magnificently, tearing down the time of the Lampre rider, knocking a massive 42" off of Cunego's time, taking the lead with just 7 riders to follow.
Spoiler
Michele Scarponi followed just 7" behind his time, and Stefano Garzelli, the other CT leader here, was able to match Gary's time in the mountains, when Jakab Zoltan joined the fray, he had strong form today, and beat even Gary's time by a further 16 seconds, surely enough to take the victory and some seconds back from the race leader, following him home.
Spoiler
No! again Antón was just too good, i just don't see how we can beat him at the moment, with a time 2" quicker than Zoltan, he takes his 7th stage of the Giro, some bonus seconds on Jakab, and the mountain jersey from José, who was incredibly dissapointed, and intends to fight to retain it in the next few stages.
Spoiler
Today saw Antón take the lead in all 3 single man competitions, showing just how incredible he has been this far in the tour, and with the mountains starting to subside, we will have few opportunities to take the pink jersey, which has evaded us from day 1, the profile of the next few days do at least offer José a chance to regain the green, due to the lack of summit finishes, and plenty of intermediate checkpoints.
Todays stage is technically classed as "Flat" but the reality is something different entirely, the riders will have no chance to relax today, over the course of a 244km stage! there is a sharp climb with the summit at around 166km, which rewards 10 KOM points, along with 2 smaller hills, one categorized as the riders head towards the finishing line in Tirano, once again in the North East of Italy.
No riders seemed to keen to get into an early break, unsurprising considering the length and difficulty of today's stage, meaning that 54km had passed before a group of 6 made there way forward from the peloton. The group included José Alvés, desparate to reclaim the Maglia Verde, which he sported today, only due to Antón also owning the Maglia Rosa, along with him went a collection of climbers, including Christian Knees of Sky.
Spoiler
Euskaltel have not allowed any break group a chance so far in the Giro, and the same was true again today, they came forward with there team setting the pace, not actually reeling the break in, but pegging them at around 1'30" as teh big climb of the day drew near.
Spoiler
With the peloton snapping at the heels of the break mid way up the climb, José decided to make an attempt to win the mountain, he attacked the break who were quickly reeled in, and tried to go solo for the remaining 7km of the ascent.
Spoiler
The 10 KOM points were his, meaning that Antón had to win the other checkpoint in order to keep the lead, as the second checkpoint was worth just 5 at the summit.
Spoiler
With the main climbs descent completed, the favourites for the day attacked in a group of 5, with Nicolas Roche followed close behind. Gary Sutton was unable to hold the pace, and so dropped back to the main group shortly afterwards.
Spoiler
It was Vicenzo Nibali, ahead of Igor Antón at checkpoint 2, with Zoltan able to win the sprint and gain back 6 valuable seconds on his rival in pink on the descent, the first result ensures at least one more day for Alvés in the green jersey, hard earned, though considering the positions of the remaining mountains, it may take a succesful breakaway if he is to win the contest overall.
Spoiler
With 5km left to go, Zoltan decided he need something special if he was to have any chance of pulling back time on the spaniard, and put in an early attack, he pulled away opening a gap of 27" but the group behind was willing to work together, as they were here for the stage win, not overall time. As such, the group had him back just as the first riders kicked there sprints within the break.
Spoiler
As the break kicked, Scarponi had a clear lead, being chased by Nibali, behind them, it was anyone's guess as to who would round out the podium within the remaining 4 riders.
Spoiler
Scarponi took a convincing stage win to add to his Palmares from this edition of the Giro, with the Italian Nibali coming second, the name in 3rd place was the one that seemed most contested, but i guess all you readers can probably guess the name im about to say...
Spoiler
That's right, Antón, AGAIN. he's only missed the top 10 twice, and one of those was the TTT, and in the other he was 11th, he's just been perfect so far, and took 3rd place in front of Zoltan to round out the peloton.
Well, today was par i guess, we gained 2" in the GC with Zoltan, and reclaimed the KOM jersey, but equally, lost time with Sutton and the team are really starting to ache at this point, Antón may not be catchable realistically, i reckon we need a gap of around a minute by Milan if we are to take the overall lead, none the less, we will continue to try, and 2nd place in our first ever GT would still be a fine showing for the team!
Today is a much more relaxed affair after the previous few days, today is only 146km long, and contains one smallish hill near the finish, the hill provides 5 KOM points, but is unlikely to create any GC gaps, as such, we will be riding mostly for Alvés today, and see how we do in a likely bunch sprint finish with Zoltan, or join the later attack if they do occur.
In the morning a weak break was allowed free right at the start, we chose not to join it as there was little on offer, and the riders present were from the more heavily reduced teams, who were trying to avoid a chase for there riders near the death.
Spoiler
With 90km left to ride, we came forward taking over control of the peloton, and quickly passing the break, we set a high pace with our riders, meaning a second group was unable to form, exactly as we hoped, to give Alvés the best possible chance at the final standings of the Maglia Verde.
Spoiler
At the base of the climb, we made a two-part move, Alvés attacked off the wheel if Bassie Adriaan, and the side slowed the relays, meaning he opened a decent gap to the main group, peaking at around 2minutes.
Spoiler
He rode well on the climb, but Euskaltel were setting a high pace along with Lampre, and the gap was back to 55" as he passed the checkpoint, critically though, increasing his gap by 6 points, with two difficult stages remaining.
Spoiler
We formed a semi-leadout for Zoltan with 5km to go, the high pace in the peloton made it clear Alvés would not hold on to the finish line, Antón was badly placed off the front, and Euskaltel didn't have there normal grip on the peloton, making it more open ( a nice change this year...)
Spoiler
The sprint kicked just as Alvés was brought back, Zoltan kicked off the wheel of Bern, but several other riders were placed and in with a shot at the stage win.
Spoiler
Despite decent ability as a finisher, Zoltan found himself sliding backwards, and two riders burst forwards really starting to look well set, they were Nibali and Popovych, whilst Cunego started to come forwards off the wheel of Zoltan.
Spoiler
Popovych timed his attack to perfection, and came flying past Nibali to take the stage win, his first of the Giro, and a surprise for the climber, a stage he wouldn't have picked as his best shot at a number one placing!
Cunego finished really powerfully in the final kilometre, to out sprint Nibali for second, leaving the Italian to take 3rd place. Antón again came from no where to pip us at the post, he took 4th, we got 5th, a respectable result given the stage, and we can be very pleased with the teams effort in setting up Alvés with a shot at hanging on to the jersey.
Getting to the end of the race now, but we still have two mountain stages left to ride, as we head to the finish line in Milan. Todays stage is 211km long, and is mostly flat, though with a 10point climb at the 130k mark, and a climbing finish. We hope to perform strongly today and protect/improve our standings in the General Classification.
Today's breakaway formed early, we avoided the BotD, which contained 7 riders, though highlight name Xabier Zando of Sky, and accompanied by Danny Pate of HTC among others, to total a 9man group which was allowed free.
Spoiler
The first intermediate sprint was won by the Androni rider, Alessandro Bertollini, from within the breakaway, who had opened a gap of 5minutes from the dormant peloton, he then rejoined the group who were working well together out in front.
Spoiler
Not wanting to miss out on the KOM points, Alvés took advantage of the slow pace in the peloton, and rode across the 5minute gap solo, to join up with the front runners after about 125km, he settled in, and aided the pace setting of the breakaway group.
Spoiler
Spoiler
As the freshest man in the group, Alvés came forward on the slopes and lead the group over the summit of the climb without competition, meaning he holds a provisional lead of 16 points over Antón at this point in the day.
Spoiler
On the second climb, the breakaway, tired from the days exertions, started to come apart, and Lampre and Euskaltel were setting a high pace reeling them in, it seems we may not get a single breakaway victory this year, but Alvés remained in the front group of 6, 2minutes ahead of the big group containing the race favourites.
Spoiler
With 11km left to race, Antón made his attack, we decided to work with our 5 men in the peloton to try and reel him in, as did the rest of the favourites, surely his attack was too early, and we were eyeing a chance to claw back valuable seconds today, even as he passed the remaining escape groups.
Spoiler
Antón was doing more than hold his own, against the chase groups, he was increasing his gap, Zoltan was forced to chase, but the gap was now over a minute, could the legs of Zoltan be enough to pull back any hope of the overall Maglia Rosa?
Spoiler
Not even close... Zoltan was able to pull away form the other riders, absolutely cementing 2nd place, but Antón, despite hard work and exertion of energy on every single stage so far, was still able to pull away, and won the stage and surely also the final GC with a gap today of 1'46" also earning the full 15 points in the KOM competition, making his an outright favourite to finish up with José's Green jersey to boot...
Spoiler
Well, we tried, and we've given our all, we sit over 5minutes ahead of third place, but how can you take on a man who is in the form of Igor Antón? If anyone knows please say, because if he keeps this up for teh rest of the year, he will quickly become the most expensive man in cycling, winning sprints, TT's and almost every mountain stage the race has thrown at him...
Well, today's stage was met by an utter utter nightmare, my computer simply would not play the stage, i tried 6 times, but nothing would work, so in the end i had no option but to simulate, and oh so surprisingly, it didn't go according to plan, Alvés collect 4points on the climbs, and Antón picked up 7, meaning we lose the jersey after a full 20 days on exhausting effort by the young spaniard, and by just 2 points.
In the Stage we finished second to Antón again with Zoltan, at least this time gaining a s.t. finish, meaning we enter the TT 3'21 behind Igor, so realistically, that is gone aswell.
Antón collects another stage win for his pile, meaning he will likely finish the GT, as the leader of every single jersey, a feat only ever achieved by one other rider, Eddy Merckx back in 1968.
What a nightmare way to lose the mountain jersey... We look well set to take second place in 2 out of 3, but having come so close, that reality is some what gut-renching.
Well, here we are - 32km TT around Milan, which in reality is nothing more than a victory lap today for Antón unless something goes majorly wrong, we are interested in the stage win today, the route gives opportunity to Kardo Boss, who has been otherwise quiet during the race, or alternatively to Sutton or Zoltan, who will have the advantages of a late start so they will have a good idea of what they need to do.
The early time was set way above par by Kardo, who flew shaved over 45" off the previous leaders time, setting a high bar early whilst recceing the route for our later riders, he passed Sep Vanmarcke who set off before him with 6km left to ride, before coming home in a time of 45'25.
Spoiler
This time stood until Bradley Wiggins in the British TT jersey set off, Brad has been saving himself for todays stage, he was able to make the first dent in Kardo's time, setting the new standard at 45'00 dead.
Spoiler
The ride had been extremely uncontested, due to everyboys fatigue, Yaroslav Popovych matched Wiggins time for Radioshack, and several riders, including Pinotti, Nibali and Rogers were able to get a time between Boss and Wiggins, however at the point Zoltan set off, Wiggins was still on for the stage win.
Spoiler
Spoiler
Zoltan knew the chance was almost impossible, but he saw that as no reason not to try, he flew around the course, at an average speed of over 48km/h, beating Wiggins by a further 7" Regardless of how Antón rode, it seemed Team Youtube Twitter would at least be collecting another stage win today.
Spoiler
Igor Antón knew the deal as he set off, he had to get around in side 48'42 seconds to maintain the overall lead, he came in easily within the time, 1'48" down on Zoltan, meaning he would collect the Maglia Rosa, but Zoltan does claim a second stage victory to go with a comfortable second place.
Spoiler
Stage Results
1
Jakab Zoltan
YOUTUBE TWITTER
44'53
2
Yaroslav Popovych
Team RadioShack
+ 7
3
Bradley Wiggins
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
4
Marco Pinotti
HTC - Highroad
+ 11
5
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
+ 20
6
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
s.t.
7
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 24
8
Kardo Boss
YOUTUBE TWITTER
+ 32
9
Gary Sutton
YOUTUBE TWITTER
+ 39
10
David Zabriskie
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Gustav Erik Larsson
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 47
12
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 48
13
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
14
Evgeni Petrov
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'05
15
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'08
16
Xavier Tondo
Movistar Team
+ 1'16
17
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
+ 1'29
18
Mikhail Ignatiev
Katusha Team
+ 1'30
19
Giovanni Visconti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 1'36
20
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
21
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
s.t.
22
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'41
23
Tejay Van Garderen
HTC - Highroad
+ 1'46
24
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1'47
25
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'55
26
Stephen Cummings
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'57
27
José Rujano
Androni Giocattoli
+ 1'58
28
Janez Brajkovič
Team RadioShack
+ 2'02
29
Jakob Fuglsang
Leopard Trek
+ 2'03
30
Francisco Pérez
Movistar Team
+ 2'07
31
Andrey Kashechkin
Lampre - ISD
+ 2'11
32
José Alvés
YOUTUBE TWITTER
+ 2'12
33
Enrico Gasparotto
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'13
34
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2'15
35
Juan Manuel Gárate
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
36
Steven Kruijswijk
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2'18
37
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
38
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'19
39
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
+ 2'21
40
Lars Ytting Bak
HTC - Highroad
+ 2'22
41
Jürgen Van de Walle
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
42
Philip Deignan
Team RadioShack
+ 2'23
43
Danny Pate
HTC - Highroad
+ 2'29
44
Patrik Sinkewitz
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 2'30
45
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'31
46
Alberto Losada
Katusha Team
s.t.
47
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
48
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'32
49
Kanstantsin Siutsou
HTC - Highroad
+ 2'34
50
Marc De Maar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2'37
51
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
+ 2'42
52
Ivan Rovny
Team RadioShack
+ 2'44
53
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
54
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
55
Robert Kiserlovski
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'46
56
Tanel Kangert
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'49
57
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'50
58
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
+ 2'56
59
Steve Houanard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2'59
60
Xabier Zandio
Sky ProCycling
+ 3'00
61
Miguel Rocha
YOUTUBE TWITTER
+ 3'01
62
David López
Movistar Team
s.t.
63
Laurent Didier
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 3'05
64
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
+ 3'06
65
Sylwester Szmyd
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 3'08
66
Alexander Il Cassano
YOUTUBE TWITTER
+ 3'11
67
Peter Stetina
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
68
Grega Bole
Lampre - ISD
+ 3'16
69
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
+ 3'18
70
Ruslan Pidgornyy
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'20
71
Bauke Mollema
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 3'21
72
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'22
73
Stuart O'Grady
Leopard Trek
s.t.
74
Andrea Noè
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
75
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3'23
76
Jan Bakelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 3'24
77
Vladimir Miholjevic
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
78
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
s.t.
79
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'26
80
Ben Hermans
Team RadioShack
s.t.
81
Daniel Martin
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 3'27
82
Frederik Willems
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 3'28
83
Juan Mauricio Soler
Movistar Team
+ 3'30
84
Jesús Hernández
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
85
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'31
86
Wout Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
87
Alessandro Bisolti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 3'33
88
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
89
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 3'34
90
Massimo Codol
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
91
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli
+ 3'44
92
Sep Vanmarcke
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 3'47
93
Carlos Betancourt
Acqua & Sapone
+ 3'49
94
Amets Txurruka
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'51
95
Cayetano Sarmiento
Acqua & Sapone
+ 3'52
96
Chris Anker Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 3'58
97
Kjell Carlström
Sky ProCycling
+ 3'59
98
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
+ 4'03
99
Luca Mazzanti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 4'06
100
Thomas Rohregger
Leopard Trek
s.t.
101
Francisco Iriarte
Movistar Team
+ 4'10
102
Alessandro Bertolini
Androni Giocattoli
+ 4'14
103
Morris Possoni
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
104
Addy Engels
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
105
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
+ 4'15
106
Óscar Pujol
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 4'16
107
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 4'18
108
Pierre Cazaux
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'21
109
Alessandro Proni
Acqua & Sapone
+ 4'25
110
Emanuele Vona
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
111
Francesco Failli
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 4'34
112
Roberto Ferrari
Androni Giocattoli
+ 4'36
113
Francesco Ginanni
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
114
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'38
115
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
+ 4'41
116
Andrey Zeits
Pro Team Astana
+ 4'53
117
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 5'16
118
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
+ 5'17
119
Francesco Masciarelli
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
120
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli
+ 5'18
121
Bassie Adriaan
YOUTUBE TWITTER
+ 5'25
122
Timo Bern
YOUTUBE TWITTER
+ 5'48
Full Review will be completed tomorrow, containing a look back at all the highlights along with overall standings.
Great timetrial, couldn't have been better! Winning the pink jersey was just impossible, but a nice 2nd place for a continental tour team! You are ready for the worldtour next year!
@Fcancellara Yeah, we just didn't really have the squad support Antón had throughout to take him on properly, and it was a shame for your rider to lose the KOM jersey like that on day 20, but overall im really pleased with how it went!