@SS2JLugi: Alrighty. There will be lots of spring classics in this story though.
@baia: Thanks mate. Indeed, he did a great job and especially L-B-L played really into his favour (how the race went etc). Definitely one of my better results at the Ardennes classics with a "relatively weak" rider compared to the top dogs.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
A true clash of giants was held at the Tour de Romandie and delivered great expectations for the Giro d’Italia. Especially Nibali and Joaquim Rodriguez proved that there form was right up there to be competitive and put in quite a show in the mountains. Purito won the mountain time trial of stage 4, while his opponents won stagesQuintana and Nibali of them own. Eventually Nibali came clear with a comfortable victory of 29 seconds by stealing each time about 10 to 15 seconds from Purito on the two last stages.
Well, now that the spring classics are over, I get caught by the Grand Tour fever. My doctor recommened me to stay in bed and firstly treat it with a huge dosis of Giro d'Italia. Afterwards, there'll be stage races in Suisse and France that lead to the Tour de France. Everything without me, but I'll follow the races.
This year’s edition of the Giro d’Italia started in Belfast, Ireland and ended in Trieste, Italy. The race serves as a memory edition to legendary Marca Pantani, so there were some fantastic climbs along the way. The call to arms must have been heard in every region, since numerous superstars of cycling were present: Chris Froome, Bradley Wiggins, Alberto Contador and Giro defender Vincenzo Nibali. Not enough yet? Fine. Joaquím Rodrgiuez, Cadel Evans, Samuel Sánchez, Ryder Hesjedal, Bauke Mollema, Robert Gesink, Carlos Betancur, Marcel Kittel, Rigoberto Uran, John Degenkolb… and of course Ivan Basso. I could keep counting but names matter little once the racing unfolds. What a startlist indeed. But will their form be up to the demands of this tough Giro route?
For myself May is of course the perfect opportunity to dwell in some Giro awesomeness! I can relax from the tenures of the spring classics, put some training rides in and watch lots of Giro hours. Yeah! This is obviously for me a pure spectacle to follow and it’s nice to see that so many top stars are attending. It should be noted that some riders like Contador seem to take this race more as practice though, the Spaniad has merely 13 race days at the start of the Giro.
The Cannondale line-up consistens of Ivan Basso and Damiano Caruso as the men for the mountains. Fabio Sabatini was the lead-out for our fast man Elia Viviani. Edward King, George Bennett, Davide Formolo and Cayeteano Sarmiento as well as Michel Koch complete the list.
First Week Kittel outsprints everyone
The first week saw a true domination in style by Marcel Kittel. The german sprinter of Giant-Shimano let no one even remotely a chance as soon as the peloton rushed into the finale kilometers of the peloton. However, there were two Mountaintop-Finishes as well alongside the opening Team Time Trial, which was won by Team Sky.
Purito put in a fantastic ride against the two Colombians Betancur and Uran on the first mountain stage and although there were no serious time gaps, the 18 second gain sure was a morale boost for Purito. In similar fashion the finish up to Montecassino could have ended, except that there were actually time gaps. Betancur’s uphill sprint there exploded the peloton and Giro contenders like Froome lost about 47 seconds. Uran took over the Maglia rosa after a strong showcase in those two mountain stages.
Cannondale riders Basso and Caruso held up fine for the most part of it, although both of them lost considerable time (about 1’30) already on the second stage in the bunch sprint. Certainly something we could have lived without but looking at the peloton, our riders hardly race for the victory here.
Stage
Name
Team
Leader’s Jersey
1, TTT
Team Sky
Team Sky
Bradley Wiggins
2, FL
Marcel Kittel
Giant - Shimano
Ian Stannard
3, FL
Marcel Kittel
Giant - Shimano
Ian Stannard
4, FL
Marcel Kittel
Giant - Shimano
Ian Stannard
5, HL (MTF)
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha
Chris Froome
6, HL (MTF)
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
Rigoberto Urán
7, HL/FL
Marcel Kittel
Giant – Shimano
Rigoberto Urán
Classification After First Week
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Rigoberto Urán
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
27h31'10
2
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 1
3
Chris Froome
Team Sky
+ 20
4
Joaquím Rodríguez
Team Katusha
+ 24
5
Michele Scarponi
Astana Pro Team
+ 49
Spoiler
6
Alberto Contador
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 51
7
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
+ 57
8
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
9
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 58
10
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'01
11
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Team Sky
+ 2'14
12
Bradley Wiggins
Team Sky
s.t.
13
Ian Stannard
Team Sky
s.t.
14
Samuel Sánchez
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'26
15
Jonathan Hivert
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'30
16
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'31
17
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
18
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
19
Thomas De Gendt
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
+ 2'34
20
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
s.t.
21
Matteo Trentin
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
s.t.
22
Robert Kiserlovski
Trek Factory Racing
+ 2'36
23
Maxime Monfort
Lotto Belisol
+ 2'41
24
Anthony Roux
FDJ.fr
+ 2'44
25
Andrew Talansky
Garmin Sharp
+ 2'48
26
Janier Acevedo
Garmin Sharp
+ 2'56
27
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'57
28
Rafal Majka
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 3'06
29
Evgeni Petrov
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
30
Simon Geschke
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 3'15
31
Dries Devenyns
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
32
Maxime Bouet
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3'47
33
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
34
Peter Kennaugh
Team Sky
+ 3'57
35
David López
Team Sky
s.t.
36
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
+ 3'58
37
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
+ 4'05
38
Dominik Nerz
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'09
39
Peter Velits
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
40
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
41
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
42
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'13
43
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
44
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
+ 4'19
45
Jérémy Roy
FDJ.fr
+ 4'27
46
Arnold Jeannesson
FDJ.fr
s.t.
47
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ.fr
s.t.
48
Eros Capecchi
Movistar Team
+ 4'33
49
Sylwester Szmyd
Movistar Team
s.t.
50
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
s.t.
51
Ivan Basso
Cannondale
+ 4'34
52
Tom Slagter
Garmin Sharp
+ 4'39
53
Fabian Wegmann
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
54
Julian Arredondo
Trek Factory Racing
+ 4'44
55
Kristof Vandewalle
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
56
Riccardo Zoidl
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
57
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'47
58
Jesús Hernández
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 4'49
59
Bruno Pires
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
60
Giampaolo Caruso
Team Katusha
+ 5'07
61
Egor Silin
Team Katusha
s.t.
62
Vladimir Gusev
Team Katusha
s.t.
63
Alberto Losada
Team Katusha
s.t.
64
Eduard Vorganov
Team Katusha
s.t.
65
Davide Rebellin
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 5'08
66
Marek Rutkiewicz
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 5'13
67
Tomasz Marczynski
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 5'16
68
Fabrice Jeandesboz
Team Europcar
+ 5'40
69
Davide Malacarne
Team Europcar
s.t.
70
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
s.t.
71
George Bennett
Cannondale
+ 5'47
72
Rafael Valls
Lampre - Merida
+ 5'48
73
Damiano Caruso
Cannondale
+ 5'50
74
Cayetano Sarmiento
Cannondale
s.t.
75
Francesco Bongiorno
Bardiani CSF
+ 5'56
76
Stefano Pirazzi
Bardiani CSF
+ 5'58
77
Angelo Pagani
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
78
Franco Pellizotti
Androni Giocattoli
+ 5'59
79
Matteo Rabottini
YellowFluo
s.t.
80
Diego Rosa
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
81
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
82
Jonathan Monsalve
YellowFluo
s.t.
83
Domenico Pozzovivo
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 6'24
84
José Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 7'10
85
Francis Mourey
FDJ.fr
+ 7'16
86
Lawson Craddock
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 7'35
87
Mark Renshaw
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
+ 8'07
88
Julien Vermote
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
s.t.
89
Geoffrey Soupe
FDJ.fr
+ 8'17
90
Stefano Locatelli
Bardiani CSF
+ 8'19
91
Dario Cataldo
Team Sky
+ 8'20
92
Mikel Nieve
Team Sky
s.t.
93
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 8'23
94
Sonny Colbrelli
Bardiani CSF
+ 8'33
95
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli
+ 8'36
96
Ivan Rovny
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 8'39
97
John Degenkolb
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 8'48
98
John Gadret
Movistar Team
+ 8'56
99
Bernhard Eisel
Team Sky
+ 9'30
100
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
+ 9'42
101
Maarten Wynants
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 9'46
102
Francesco Gavazzi
Astana Pro Team
+ 9'47
103
Manuel Belletti
Androni Giocattoli
+ 9'49
104
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
+ 9'50
105
Marcel Kittel
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 10'11
106
David Millar
Garmin Sharp
+ 10'12
107
Stijn Devolder
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
108
Rory Sutherland
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 10'22
109
Jan Bakelants
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
+ 10'23
110
Johannes Fröhlinger
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 10'31
111
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
+ 10'35
112
Alexey Tsatevitch
Team Katusha
+ 10'40
113
Branislau Samoilau
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 10'49
114
Matthew Hayman
Orica GreenEdge
+ 10'53
115
Christian Meier
Orica GreenEdge
+ 10'56
116
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 11'03
117
Vincent Jérôme
Team Europcar
+ 11'05
118
Juan José Lobato
Movistar Team
+ 11'06
119
Stef Clement
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 11'10
120
Yukiya Arashiro
Team Europcar
+ 11'13
121
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
+ 11'21
122
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
123
Tom Veelers
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 11'31
124
Enrico Battaglin
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
125
Edoardo Zardini
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
126
Jens Voigt
Trek Factory Racing
+ 11'34
127
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 11'39
128
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ.fr
+ 11'41
129
Giacomo Nizzolo
Trek Factory Racing
+ 11'54
130
Steele Von Hoff
Garmin Sharp
+ 11'57
131
Tyler Farrar
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
132
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
+ 12'25
133
Jos Van Emden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 12'29
134
André Cardoso
Garmin Sharp
+ 12'32
135
Bart De Clercq
Lotto Belisol
+ 12'37
136
Tony Gallopin
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
137
Winner Anacona
Lampre - Merida
+ 12'43
138
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
+ 12'49
139
Grégory Rast
Trek Factory Racing
+ 12'54
140
Matti Breschel
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 13'05
141
Marko Kump
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
142
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto Belisol
+ 13'06
143
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
s.t.
144
Jens Debusschere
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
145
Sacha Modolo
Lampre - Merida
+ 13'14
146
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
147
William Bonnet
FDJ.fr
+ 13'36
148
Yohan Offredo
FDJ.fr
s.t.
149
Leigh Howard
Orica GreenEdge
+ 13'39
150
Mitchell Docker
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
151
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 13'46
152
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
153
Steve Chainel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
154
Boy Van Poppel
Trek Factory Racing
+ 13'53
155
Pim Ligthart
Lotto Belisol
+ 13'56
156
Kevin Reza
Team Europcar
s.t.
157
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
+ 14'04
158
Nelson Oliveira
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
159
Gianfranco Zilioli
Androni Giocattoli
+ 14'07
160
Rüdiger Selig
Team Katusha
+ 14'13
161
Mauro Finetto
YellowFluo
+ 14'15
162
Matthew Goss
Orica GreenEdge
+ 14'20
163
Łukasz Owsian
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 14'25
164
Gediminas Bagdonas
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 14'37
165
Yannick Martinez
Team Europcar
+ 14'49
166
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
167
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale
+ 14'56
168
Francesco Chicchi
YellowFluo
+ 15'05
169
Rafael Andriato
YellowFluo
+ 15'08
170
Andrea Zordan
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
171
Andrea Fedi
YellowFluo
s.t.
172
Marco Haller
Team Katusha
+ 15'56
173
Adrian Honkisz
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 16'00
174
Mateusz Taciak
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 16'01
175
Mateusz Nowak
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 16'05
176
Svein Tuft
Orica GreenEdge
+ 16'10
177
Jimmy Engoulvent
Team Europcar
+ 16'19
178
Kris Boeckmans
Lotto Belisol
+ 16'29
179
Filippo Fortin
Bardiani CSF
+ 16'47
180
Elia Viviani
Cannondale
+ 17'02
181
Marco Frapporti
Androni Giocattoli
+ 17'38
182
Aidis Kruopis
Orica GreenEdge
+ 18'30
183
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
+ 19'08
184
Daryl Impey
Orica GreenEdge
+ 19'12
185
Jens Mouris
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
186
Patrick Facchini
Androni Giocattoli
+ 19'27
187
Michel Koch
Cannondale
+ 21'05
188
Davide Formolo
Cannondale
+ 21'27
189
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
+ 22'38
190
Edward King
Cannondale
+ 23'16
191
Bert De Backer
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 23'42
192
Grzegorz Stepniak
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 24'35
193
Luigi Miletta
YellowFluo
+ 24'43
194
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
+ 27'36
195
Andrea Dal Col
YellowFluo
+ 28'30
196
Andrea Piechele
Bardiani CSF
+ 29'20
197
Alessandro Petacchi
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
+ 39'59
Second Week Nibali’s firm grip on the peloton
Giro defender Vincenzo Nibali rose to great heights as he took both Mountaintop-Finishes in the next week. Both at the finishes in Montecopiolo and in Sestola, The Shark of Messina rode clear of his favourites and could answer the questions of the journalists easy on the rest day since he had about over a minute lead on Chris Froome and already two minutes on Purito and Contador. His performances came as no surprise as the winner of Tour de Romandie had already proven that his form is right.
The rest of the week saw Nibali defending his lead without two much hassle. Although the favourites pushed for it more often than not, Astana held up a great control over the race. Next to Pozzovivo’s stage win from Collecchio – Savona, there was also a surprise victory by Benat Intxausti who managed to outsprint Purito in the finish up to Oropa.
For Cannondale, the week was a failed attempt at breakaways and stage victories. Without much luck in the general classification, Basso and Caruso quickly lost ground and didn’t matter already after the first couple of mountain stages. However, although Caruso tried it multiple times and even Basso went into the break on stage 14, nothing was gained by these brave efforts. Even on the flatter roads, riders like Sarmiento, Sabatini or Bennett didn’t stand a chance, and of course Kittel just flat out dominated Viviani once more in the sprint finishes.
Stage
Name
Team
Leader’s Jersey
8, MT (MTF)
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana
Vincenzo Nibali
9, MT (MTF)
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana
Vincenzo Nibali
REST DAY
-
-
-
10, FL
Marcel Kittel
Giant – Shimano
Vincenzo Nibali
11, HL
Domenico Pozzovivo
AG2R La Mondiale
Vincenzo Nibali
12, TT
Bradley Wiggins
Sky
Vincenzo Nibali
13, FL
Marcel Kittel
Giant – Shimano
Vincenzo Nibali
14, MT (MTF)
Benat Intxausti
Movistar
Vincenzo Nibali
Classification After Two Weeks
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
55h02'50
2
Chris Froome
Team Sky
+ 1'21
3
Joaquím Rodríguez
Team Katusha
+ 2'45
4
Alberto Contador
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 2'59
5
Rigoberto Urán
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
+ 4'19
Spoiler
6
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
+ 5'58
7
Andrew Talansky
Garmin Sharp
+ 8'37
8
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 9'07
9
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
+ 11'41
10
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 12'40
11
Dominik Nerz
BMC Racing Team
+ 13'09
12
Domenico Pozzovivo
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 13'28
13
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
+ 14'14
14
Maxime Monfort
Lotto Belisol
+ 14'20
15
Robert Kiserlovski
Trek Factory Racing
+ 14'51
16
Rafal Majka
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 14'59
17
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin Sharp
+ 15'37
18
Thomas De Gendt
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
+ 16'00
19
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 18'03
20
Ivan Basso
Cannondale
+ 18'07
21
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 18'19
22
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
+ 21'09
23
Michele Scarponi
Astana Pro Team
+ 23'40
24
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
+ 26'26
25
Bradley Wiggins
Team Sky
+ 29'12
26
John Gadret
Movistar Team
+ 31'05
27
Samuel Sánchez
BMC Racing Team
+ 32'25
28
Janier Acevedo
Garmin Sharp
+ 32'48
29
Francis Mourey
FDJ.fr
+ 33'47
30
Franco Pellizotti
Androni Giocattoli
+ 34'31
31
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Team Sky
+ 34'34
32
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
+ 34'42
33
Peter Velits
BMC Racing Team
+ 38'39
34
Damiano Caruso
Cannondale
+ 39'04
35
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 39'08
36
Dario Cataldo
Team Sky
+ 39'17
37
Simon Geschke
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 40'03
38
Jens Voigt
Trek Factory Racing
+ 40'38
39
Maxime Bouet
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 41'08
40
José Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 43'38
41
Bart De Clercq
Lotto Belisol
+ 43'57
42
Peter Kennaugh
Team Sky
+ 44'17
43
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
+ 44'59
44
Julian Arredondo
Trek Factory Racing
+ 45'13
45
Mikel Nieve
Team Sky
+ 45'41
46
Riccardo Zoidl
Trek Factory Racing
+ 46'32
47
Tony Gallopin
Lotto Belisol
+ 46'40
48
Francesco Bongiorno
Bardiani CSF
+ 48'21
49
Matteo Rabottini
YellowFluo
+ 48'31
50
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
+ 49'10
51
Tom Slagter
Garmin Sharp
+ 49'31
52
Stefano Pirazzi
Bardiani CSF
+ 50'13
53
Jan Bakelants
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
+ 50'51
54
Davide Rebellin
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 51'02
55
Evgeni Petrov
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 51'09
56
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli
+ 52'08
57
David López
Team Sky
+ 53'55
58
Jesús Hernández
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 53'57
59
Arnold Jeannesson
FDJ.fr
+ 54'06
60
Diego Rosa
Androni Giocattoli
+ 55'17
61
Egor Silin
Team Katusha
+ 55'18
62
Jérémy Roy
FDJ.fr
+ 55'26
63
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ.fr
+ 55'50
64
Sylwester Szmyd
Movistar Team
+ 56'26
65
André Cardoso
Garmin Sharp
+ 56'42
66
Vladimir Gusev
Team Katusha
+ 56'45
67
Eros Capecchi
Movistar Team
+ 58'17
68
Jonathan Hivert
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 59'34
69
Dries Devenyns
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 1h01'06
70
Alberto Losada
Team Katusha
+ 1h01'07
71
Rafael Valls
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h01'16
72
Tomasz Marczynski
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 1h01'26
73
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
+ 1h02'57
74
Lawson Craddock
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 1h03'39
75
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h04'09
76
Stefano Locatelli
Bardiani CSF
+ 1h04'10
77
Winner Anacona
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h04'27
78
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
+ 1h04'28
79
Eduard Vorganov
Team Katusha
+ 1h04'55
80
Stef Clement
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h05'36
81
Bruno Pires
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 1h07'32
82
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
+ 1h07'54
83
Jonathan Monsalve
YellowFluo
+ 1h08'27
84
Davide Malacarne
Team Europcar
+ 1h09'40
85
Giampaolo Caruso
Team Katusha
+ 1h10'05
86
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h11'31
87
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 1h11'48
88
George Bennett
Cannondale
+ 1h12'02
89
Fabrice Jeandesboz
Team Europcar
+ 1h12'08
90
Angelo Pagani
Bardiani CSF
+ 1h13'36
91
Kristof Vandewalle
Trek Factory Racing
+ 1h17'32
92
Enrico Battaglin
Bardiani CSF
+ 1h17'35
93
Cayetano Sarmiento
Cannondale
+ 1h17'43
94
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h19'58
95
Branislau Samoilau
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 1h22'26
96
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h23'47
97
Fabian Wegmann
Garmin Sharp
+ 1h25'10
98
Marek Rutkiewicz
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 1h27'34
99
Ivan Rovny
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 1h27'45
100
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h27'48
101
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h28'03
102
Sonny Colbrelli
Bardiani CSF
+ 1h28'18
103
Christian Meier
Orica GreenEdge
+ 1h28'47
104
Ian Stannard
Team Sky
+ 1h29'10
105
Anthony Roux
FDJ.fr
+ 1h29'19
106
Marcel Kittel
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 1h29'50
107
Rory Sutherland
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 1h30'09
108
Pim Ligthart
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h31'24
109
Matteo Trentin
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
+ 1h31'40
110
John Degenkolb
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 1h33'17
111
Gianfranco Zilioli
Androni Giocattoli
+ 1h33'53
112
Juan José Lobato
Movistar Team
+ 1h34'07
113
Manuel Belletti
Androni Giocattoli
+ 1h35'13
114
Johannes Fröhlinger
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 1h35'18
115
Geoffrey Soupe
FDJ.fr
+ 1h35'25
116
David Millar
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
117
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
+ 1h36'50
118
Francesco Gavazzi
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h38'23
119
Yukiya Arashiro
Team Europcar
+ 1h38'40
120
Alexey Tsatevitch
Team Katusha
+ 1h38'44
121
Julien Vermote
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
+ 1h39'07
122
Stijn Devolder
Trek Factory Racing
+ 1h40'12
123
Giacomo Nizzolo
Trek Factory Racing
+ 1h40'26
124
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h40'37
125
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h40'39
126
Matthew Goss
Orica GreenEdge
+ 1h41'40
127
Nelson Oliveira
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h41'53
128
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ.fr
+ 1h43'53
129
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h44'07
130
Maarten Wynants
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h44'10
131
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h44'27
132
Marco Frapporti
Androni Giocattoli
+ 1h44'43
133
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
+ 1h45'28
134
Sacha Modolo
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h45'55
135
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
+ 1h45'59
136
Edoardo Zardini
Bardiani CSF
+ 1h46'21
137
Mark Renshaw
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
+ 1h46'25
138
Tyler Farrar
Garmin Sharp
+ 1h46'48
139
Patrick Facchini
Androni Giocattoli
+ 1h47'45
140
Yohan Offredo
FDJ.fr
+ 1h47'49
141
Mitchell Docker
Orica GreenEdge
+ 1h48'27
142
Leigh Howard
Orica GreenEdge
+ 1h48'29
143
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h48'42
144
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h49'05
145
Jens Debusschere
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h49'22
146
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h50'06
147
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h50'24
148
Vincent Jérôme
Team Europcar
+ 1h50'25
149
Davide Formolo
Cannondale
+ 1h51'51
150
Tom Veelers
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 1h52'43
151
Edward King
Cannondale
+ 1h52'57
152
Bernhard Eisel
Team Sky
+ 1h53'50
153
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale
s.t.
154
Steele Von Hoff
Garmin Sharp
+ 1h53'55
155
William Bonnet
FDJ.fr
+ 1h54'10
156
Marko Kump
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
157
Grégory Rast
Trek Factory Racing
+ 1h54'24
158
Jos Van Emden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h55'23
159
Daryl Impey
Orica GreenEdge
+ 1h55'36
160
Kevin Reza
Team Europcar
+ 1h55'43
161
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 1h55'44
162
Gediminas Bagdonas
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h55'59
163
Łukasz Owsian
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 1h56'00
164
Mauro Finetto
YellowFluo
+ 1h56'12
165
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h56'44
166
Svein Tuft
Orica GreenEdge
+ 1h57'11
167
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h57'41
168
Steve Chainel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h58'12
169
Rüdiger Selig
Team Katusha
+ 1h59'56
170
Elia Viviani
Cannondale
+ 2h00'10
171
Matthew Hayman
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
172
Matti Breschel
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 2h00'13
173
Rafael Andriato
YellowFluo
+ 2h01'43
174
Yannick Martinez
Team Europcar
+ 2h01'45
175
Andrea Zordan
Androni Giocattoli
+ 2h02'12
176
Jens Mouris
Orica GreenEdge
+ 2h02'17
177
Mateusz Taciak
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 2h02'31
178
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
+ 2h02'46
179
Filippo Fortin
Bardiani CSF
+ 2h02'52
180
Marco Haller
Team Katusha
+ 2h03'26
181
Boy Van Poppel
Trek Factory Racing
+ 2h03'34
182
Kris Boeckmans
Lotto Belisol
+ 2h03'35
183
Andrea Fedi
YellowFluo
+ 2h04'43
184
Francesco Chicchi
YellowFluo
+ 2h04'49
185
Mateusz Nowak
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 2h04'53
186
Luigi Miletta
YellowFluo
+ 2h06'10
187
Aidis Kruopis
Orica GreenEdge
+ 2h06'42
188
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
+ 2h06'48
189
Jimmy Engoulvent
Team Europcar
+ 2h06'58
190
Adrian Honkisz
CCC Polsat Polkowice
+ 2h10'54
191
Michel Koch
Cannondale
+ 2h17'45
192
Grzegorz Stepniak
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
193
Bert De Backer
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 2h24'21
194
Alessandro Petacchi
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
+ 2h32'41
195
Andrea Piechele
Bardiani CSF
+ 2h36'42
196
Andrea Dal Col
YellowFluo
+ 2h38'36
Third Week Chris Froome: On his way to the double?
With a stagger performance up to Plan di Montecampione, Chris Froome steered clear of all competition and got back the Maglia Rosa he already wore for the first time in his life in the 1st week of the Giro. He put roughly 1’32 into Nibali, which was enough to take over the General Classification and eventually keep it as well. Contador and Purito were at that point reduced to sidelines and constantly were in a fight over the 3rd place in GC.
With two battles going on (one for first and one for third place), the Giro entered his hot phase of multiple Mountain stages, Mountaintop-Finishes and even a mountain time trial, which was won by Rodriguez. However, whatever Nibali tried, it wasn’t enough to crack Froome, who held on to his lead and even extended on the last mountain stage up to Monte Zoncolan, when presumably all hope was lost for Nibali anyway. Contador and Rodriguez fight for third place saw eventually take Purito the 3rd place by merely 7 seconds.
For Cannondale, the week was finally successful. Damiano Caruso put in some fantastic rides. At the queen stage up to Val Martello, which included the Passo Stelvio half-way through, Caruso got into a breakaway and proved to be the strongest. Motivated from his victory, he even got into the break to Rif. Panarotta. With a lead of over 5 minutes, he won the stage and made a huge jump forward in General Classification too! His breakaway rides in the mountains also granted Damiano Caruso the win of the King of the Mountain jersey. The Maglia Azzura sure suits him! Those two stage wins and of course the KoM jersey help us get over the fact that we didn’t matter at all in General Classification by taking 11th and 12th.
All in all, a great, successful Giro for our Team, where wish we could have played a more significant role but at such competition it is tough to make a point.
Stage
Name
Team
Leader’s Jersey
15, FL, MT (MTF)
Chris Froome
Sky
Chris Froome
REST DAY
-
-
-
16, MT (MTF)
Damiano Caruso
Cannondale
Chris Froome
17, FL
Davide Rebellin
CCC
Chris Froome
18, MT (MTF)
Damiano Caruso
Cannondale
Chris Froome
19, MTT
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha
Chris Froome
20, MT (MTF)
Chris Froome
SKY
Chris Froome
21, FL
Matthew Goss
Orica GreenEdge
Chris Froome
Impressions - The best Pictures of the Giro d'Italia 2014
@sutty68: Indeed. I'm not used to playing MT stages yet in PCM13, and it's quite different from PCM12, so I'm happy that Caruso brought it home.
@SS2JLuigi: Well, it's highly likely that you won't have to endure Sagan anymore after this season.
@admirschleck: Thanks a lot mate. This story cares little for Grand Tours (at least for this season) but it'd be incomplete without a report about them. It was a nice Giro by Caruso although the first two weeks were quite horrible for Cannondale. Eventually it turned out quite good.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
So, while I’m enjoying some holidays and do light training rides and surprisingly even get some more meat on my bones in order to better handle the pave in the future, of course there were some interesting races I watched here and there.
Amgen Tour of California
The Amgen Tour of California is held during the Giro d’Italia and it was one of our sponsor goals to achieve a Top 3 overall. We sent Moreno Moser but he narrowly missed it by coming in 4th. The race was won by Wilco Kelderman, who took back the race leader’s jersey from Sergio Henao in the time trial on stage 6. Moser and Kelderman both put in a great ride together up to Mt. Diablo on stage 7 but the time Moser gained was too less to kick Philippe Gilbert off the desired podium spot.
Stage
Name
Team
Leader’s Jersey
1, HL
Wilco Kelderman
Belkin
Wilco Kelderman
2, HL
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto
Sergio Henao
3, FL
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma
Sergio Henao
4, FL
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma
Sergio Henao
5, FL
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma
Sergio Henao
6, TT – HL
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma
Wilco Kelderman
7, MT
Tanel Kangert
Astana
Wilco Kelderman
8, FL
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma
Wilco Kelderman
Final Classification
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Wilco Kelderman
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
27h07'43
2
Sergio Henao
Team Sky
+ 1'07
3
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'09
4
Moreno Moser
Cannondale
+ 1'26
5
Richie Porte
Team Sky
+ 1'39
6
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'58
7
Roman Kreuziger
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 2'40
8
Leopold König
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 2'54
9
Nicolas Roche
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 3'42
10
Vasil Kiryienka
Team Sky
+ 3'53
Spoiler
11
Ben Hermans
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'00
12
Kevin De Weert
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'52
13
Michael Rogers
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 4'55
14
Daniel Martin
Garmin Sharp
+ 6'02
15
Andy Schleck
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
16
Brent Bookwalter
BMC Racing Team
+ 6'10
17
Fränk Schleck
Trek Factory Racing
+ 6'12
18
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
+ 6'45
19
Matthew Busche
Trek Factory Racing
+ 6'59
20
David De la Cruz
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 7'31
21
Zdenek Stybar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 7'33
22
Ian Boswell
Team Sky
+ 8'29
23
Fabio Aru
Astana Pro Team
+ 10'16
24
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
+ 10'27
25
Danny Pate
Team Sky
+ 10'40
26
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 11'24
27
Fabio Felline
Trek Factory Racing
+ 12'39
28
Steven Kruijswijk
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 12'40
29
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 12'48
30
Joseph Dombrowski
Team Sky
+ 13'37
31
Nicki Sørensen
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 14'00
32
Sebastian Langeveld
Garmin Sharp
+ 14'28
33
Valerio Agnoli
Astana Pro Team
+ 14'36
34
Gianluca Brambilla
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 15'02
35
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 15'19
36
Laurent Didier
Trek Factory Racing
+ 15'23
37
Nick Nuyens
Garmin Sharp
+ 16'15
38
Sep Vanmarcke
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 18'10
39
Ryan Anderson
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
+ 18'19
40
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
41
Chad Beyer
5-Hour Energy
+ 18'23
42
Nathan Brown
Garmin Sharp
+ 18'33
43
Daniele Bennati
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 20'15
44
Bram Tankink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 20'21
45
Toms Skujins
Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
+ 21'06
46
Iker Camaño
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 21'43
47
Johan Vansummeren
Garmin Sharp
+ 22'39
48
Christopher Juul-Jensen
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 22'48
49
Christopher Butler
Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
+ 23'25
50
Lucas Euser
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 23'36
51
Matteo Tosatto
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 24'09
52
Larry Warbasse
BMC Racing Team
+ 24'17
53
Matt Cooke
Jamis - Hagens Berman
+ 24'22
54
Silvan Dillier
BMC Racing Team
+ 25'13
55
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
+ 26'02
56
James Oram
Bissell Development Team
+ 26'48
57
Andreas Schillinger
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 26'57
58
Jesse Anthony
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
+ 27'12
59
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 27'26
60
Zakkari Dempster
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 28'24
61
David Tanner
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 28'43
62
Raymond Kreder
Garmin Sharp
+ 28'47
63
Joey Rosskopf
Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
+ 28'48
64
Caleb Fairly
Garmin Sharp
+ 28'55
65
Fumiyuki Beppu
Trek Factory Racing
+ 29'07
66
Ben Day
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 29'29
67
Cameron Wurf
Cannondale
+ 29'35
68
Javier Megías
Team Novo Nordisk
+ 29'50
69
Valentin Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
+ 29'53
70
Dmitriy Gruzdev
Astana Pro Team
+ 30'25
71
Serghei Tvetcov
Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis
+ 30'31
72
Dylan van Baarle
Garmin Sharp
+ 30'47
73
Julian Alaphilippe
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 30'53
74
Danilo Hondo
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
75
Daniel Summerhill
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
76
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 31'12
77
Jay McCarthy
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 31'19
78
Salvatore Puccio
Team Sky
+ 31'29
79
Matthias Krizek
Cannondale
s.t.
80
Hayden Roulston
Trek Factory Racing
+ 31'53
81
Maciej Bodnar
Cannondale
+ 32'17
82
Matej Mohorič
Cannondale
+ 32'35
83
Alessandro Bazzana
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 32'43
84
Sam Bennett
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 32'44
85
Bjorn Selander
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
+ 33'12
86
Ruslan Tleubayev
Astana Pro Team
+ 33'40
87
Tom Zirbel
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
+ 34'07
88
Jakob Rathe
Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis
+ 34'11
89
John Murphy
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 34'18
90
Eloy Teruel
Jamis - Hagens Berman
s.t.
91
Stephen Clancy
Team Novo Nordisk
+ 34'26
92
Eric Schildge
Jamis - Hagens Berman
+ 34'37
93
Carter Jones
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
+ 34'40
94
Sean Mazich
Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis
+ 34'52
95
Tyler Wren
Jamis - Hagens Berman
+ 34'55
96
Luke Rowe
Team Sky
+ 35'31
97
Ruben Zepuntke
Bissell Development Team
+ 35'37
98
Ian Crane
Jamis - Hagens Berman
+ 35'42
99
Kiel Reijnen
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 36'16
100
Blaz Jarc
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 36'33
101
Alex Candelario
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
+ 37'21
102
Alexandre Darville
Bissell Development Team
+ 37'47
103
Carson Miller
Jamis - Hagens Berman
+ 37'48
104
Robin Carpenter
Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
+ 38'32
105
Stephen Leece
Jamis - Hagens Berman
+ 38'33
106
Juan José Haedo
Jamis - Hagens Berman
+ 38'40
107
Tyler Magner
Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
+ 39'15
108
David Williams
5-Hour Energy
+ 39'20
109
Ralf Matzka
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 39'24
110
Joonas Henttala
Team Novo Nordisk
+ 39'36
111
Justin Morris
Team Novo Nordisk
+ 39'54
112
Jake Keough
5-Hour Energy
+ 40'01
113
Ryan Eastman
Bissell Development Team
+ 40'05
114
Miguel Bryon
Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
+ 40'21
115
Luke Keough
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 40'22
116
Aldo Ino Ilesic
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 40'57
117
Tanner Putt
Bissell Development Team
+ 41'58
118
Alberto Bettiol
Cannondale
+ 43'12
119
Graeme Brown
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 43'45
120
Dion Smith
Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
+ 44'11
121
Gregory Daniel
Bissell Development Team
+ 44'20
122
Thomas Soladay
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
+ 45'52
123
Benjamin Dilley
Team Novo Nordisk
+ 46'29
124
Sam Bassetti
5-Hour Energy
+ 49'05
125
Taylor Shelden
5-Hour Energy
+ 50'39
126
Johnathan Freter
Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis
+ 53'29
127
Charles Bradley Huff
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
+ 55'10
128
Kevin De Mesmaeker
Team Novo Nordisk
+ 55'26
129
Alder Martz
Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
+ 56'03
130
Joe Eldridge
Team Novo Nordisk
+ 56'19
131
Robert Sweeting
5-Hour Energy
+ 56'24
132
Nicolas Lefrançois
Team Novo Nordisk
+ 56'43
133
Andrew Sjogren
Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis
+ 59'20
SEB Tartu Grand Prix
Although Elia Viviani didn’t stand a chance at the Giro d’Italia, he showed at SEB Tartu Grand Prix that his form is definitely top by winning against the likes of Ben Swift and Adrien Petit. If only it hadn’t been for Marcel Kittel at the Giro… well, hopefully Viviani's victory of SEB Tartu GP will help him motivate for le Tour.
Although Kevin de Weert won the opening stage out of a breakaway, Moreno Moser(!) slipped into the leader’s jersey by 4 seconds. The closest favourite was Alejandro Valverde, who was 11 seconds behind.
Awfully enough, Moser suffered a crash on the next day whilst wearing the jersey! Not a good sign, and it didn’t get better when he got outsprinted by Arthur Vichot. The french man gained the jersey again. Bitter. But Moser assured me he enjoyed his one-day spell in the jersey
The Frenchman keeps the jersey until the flat Time Trial where Valverde takes it from him. Valverde already gained a lead on his competition on the first hilly stage and thus had a bit of an advantage here. He held onto the jersey well in the Mountains and could even increase his lead on stage 6, where his attacks split up the entire peloton and lot so small groups had a fight against each other. Andy Schleck has also won a mountain stage and might prove to be back after all.
Alejandro Valverde has now become a great favourite for the Tour de France by taking his third UCI WT stage race this year after Catalunya and País Vasco. His form is still impressive and with Nairo Quintana, he has an helper who cut the Giro d’Italia in order to help his captain.
Stage
Name
Team
Leader’s Jersey
1, HL
Kevin De Weert
Omega Pharma
Moreno Moser
2, HL
Simon Clarke
Orica GreenEdge
Arthur Vichot
3, HL
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma
Arthur Vichot
4, FL TT
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC
Alejandro Valverde
5, MT
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin
Alejandro Valverde
6, HL
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar
Alejandro Valverde
7, MT
Andy Schleck
Trek Racing
Alejandro Valverde
8, MT
Richie Porte
SKY
Alejandro Valverde
Final Classification
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
29h33'28
2
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
+ 1'56
3
Chris Horner
Lampre - Merida
+ 3'07
4
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'54
5
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'56
6
Vasil Kiryienka
Team Sky
+ 4'44
7
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Team Sky
+ 4'57
8
Matthias Frank
IAM Cycling
+ 6'39
9
Daniel Moreno
Team Katusha
+ 7'11
10
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 7'15
Spoiler
11
Andy Schleck
Trek Factory Racing
+ 8'08
12
Warren Barguil
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 10'19
13
Simon Spilak
Team Katusha
+ 11'15
14
David López
Team Sky
+ 11'23
15
Michael Rogers
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 11'44
16
Richie Porte
Team Sky
+ 11'51
17
Pieter Weening
Orica GreenEdge
+ 12'53
18
Damiano Caruso
Cannondale
+ 13'19
19
Eros Capecchi
Movistar Team
+ 15'17
20
Wilco Kelderman
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 15'33
21
Ivan Santaromita
Orica GreenEdge
+ 16'38
22
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ.fr
+ 16'47
23
Thomas De Gendt
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 17'08
24
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
+ 18'00
25
Romain Bardet
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 18'26
26
Ion Izagirre
Movistar Team
+ 18'44
27
Moreno Moser
Cannondale
+ 18'50
28
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ.fr
+ 19'01
29
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 19'27
30
Mikel Nieve
Team Sky
+ 21'05
31
Paolo Tiralongo
Astana Pro Team
+ 22'43
32
John Darwin Atapuma
BMC Racing Team
+ 25'29
33
Simon Clarke
Orica GreenEdge
+ 25'37
34
Rohan Dennis
Garmin Sharp
+ 26'25
35
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
+ 26'36
36
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Astana Pro Team
+ 26'45
37
Kenny Elissonde
FDJ.fr
+ 27'17
38
Yury Trofimov
Team Katusha
+ 27'24
39
Christian Knees
Team Sky
+ 28'20
40
José Serpa
Lampre - Merida
+ 28'27
41
Fränk Schleck
Trek Factory Racing
+ 28'42
42
Rein Taaramäe
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 32'22
43
Laurent Didier
Trek Factory Racing
+ 33'12
44
Egor Silin
Team Katusha
+ 33'36
45
Johann Tschopp
IAM Cycling
+ 34'10
46
Riccardo Zoidl
Trek Factory Racing
+ 35'24
47
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
+ 35'37
48
Guillaume Bonnafond
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 36'27
49
Alessandro De Marchi
Cannondale
+ 36'32
50
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 36'34
51
Dominik Nerz
BMC Racing Team
+ 36'59
52
Kevin De Weert
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 38'26
53
Alexis Vuillermoz
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 39'54
54
Angelo Pagani
Bardiani CSF
+ 40'40
55
Adam Yates
Orica GreenEdge
+ 40'53
56
Ivan Rovny
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 41'24
57
Tom Dumoulin
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 42'16
58
Lachlan Morton
Garmin Sharp
+ 42'25
59
Thomas Löfkvist
IAM Cycling
+ 43'49
60
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
+ 44'12
61
Marc Goos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 45'09
62
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 45'24
63
Nicki Sørensen
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 47'12
64
Mattia Cattaneo
Lampre - Merida
+ 47'25
65
Sonny Colbrelli
Bardiani CSF
+ 49'04
66
Julien Simon
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 51'25
67
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
+ 52'01
68
Francesco Bongiorno
Bardiani CSF
+ 53'37
69
Rudy Molard
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 53'49
70
Jesper Hansen
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 55'06
71
Vladimir Isaychev
Team Katusha
+ 57'34
72
Enrico Barbin
Bardiani CSF
+ 58'49
73
Kristjan Koren
Cannondale
+ 59'38
74
Edoardo Zardini
Bardiani CSF
+ 1h01'25
75
Francesco Gavazzi
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h02'24
76
Guillaume Levarlet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1h02'29
77
Marco Marcato
Cannondale
+ 1h03'24
78
Phillip Gaimon
Garmin Sharp
+ 1h03'56
79
Arthur Vichot
FDJ.fr
+ 1h05'45
80
Fabrice Jeandesboz
Team Europcar
+ 1h10'05
81
Andrey Zeits
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h13'18
82
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h13'48
83
Reto Hollenstein
IAM Cycling
+ 1h16'46
84
Anthony Delaplace
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
+ 1h18'54
85
Clément Koretzky
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
+ 1h19'28
86
Michael Mørkøv
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 1h20'13
87
David Tanner
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h20'14
88
Alexey Lutsenko
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h21'05
89
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h21'38
90
Alexander Rybakov
Team Katusha
+ 1h22'14
91
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h24'09
92
Lasse Norman Hansen
Garmin Sharp
+ 1h24'12
93
Fumiyuki Beppu
Trek Factory Racing
+ 1h25'48
94
Tosh Van der Sande
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h28'33
95
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
+ 1h29'17
96
Sébastien Hinault
IAM Cycling
+ 1h29'47
97
Julian Alaphilippe
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h31'11
98
Nelson Oliveira
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h31'15
99
Florian Guillou
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
+ 1h33'35
100
Jérôme Pineau
IAM Cycling
+ 1h35'00
101
Martin Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h35'03
102
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Team Katusha
+ 1h35'25
103
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h38'02
104
Filippo Pozzato
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h40'45
105
Nick Nuyens
Garmin Sharp
+ 1h41'28
106
Stijn Devolder
Trek Factory Racing
+ 1h41'50
107
Manuele Boaro
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 1h41'52
108
Laurent Pichon
FDJ.fr
+ 1h47'22
109
Manuele Mori
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h47'47
110
Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
+ 1h48'10
111
Mickaël Delage
FDJ.fr
+ 1h48'26
112
Ruslan Tleubayev
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h50'43
113
Adrien Petit
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1h51'12
114
Alex Dowsett
Movistar Team
+ 1h51'40
115
Silvan Dillier
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h53'14
116
Michael Valgren
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 1h53'15
117
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h53'19
118
Michael Kolar
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 1h56'15
119
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h56'38
120
Jean-Marc Bideau
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
+ 1h57'09
121
Paolo Longo Borghini
Cannondale
+ 1h57'57
122
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h58'03
123
Jos Van Emden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h58'21
124
Pierre-Henri Lecuisinier
FDJ.fr
+ 1h58'44
125
Caleb Fairly
Garmin Sharp
+ 1h58'49
126
Tom Stamsnijder
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 1h59'05
127
Yohann Gène
Team Europcar
+ 1h59'31
128
Angelo Tulik
Team Europcar
+ 2h01'48
129
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
+ 2h01'58
130
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2h03'03
131
Marco Canola
Bardiani CSF
+ 2h03'46
132
Sébastien Minard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2h04'06
133
Brett Lancaster
Orica GreenEdge
+ 2h04'28
134
Bryan Nauleau
Team Europcar
+ 2h04'40
135
Salvatore Puccio
Team Sky
+ 2h05'16
136
Svein Tuft
Orica GreenEdge
+ 2h05'23
137
Christopher Sutton
Team Sky
+ 2h05'44
138
Nikias Arndt
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 2h06'24
139
Matthias Krizek
Cannondale
+ 2h06'27
140
Dominic Klemme
IAM Cycling
+ 2h06'40
141
Jonas Ahlstrand
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 2h07'30
142
Sander Armee
Lotto Belisol
+ 2h07'52
143
Alan Marangoni
Cannondale
+ 2h08'02
144
Anton Vorobyev
Team Katusha
+ 2h09'27
145
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Belisol
+ 2h09'37
146
Calvin Watson
Trek Factory Racing
+ 2h09'58
147
Jens Mouris
Orica GreenEdge
+ 2h10'25
148
Raymond Kreder
Garmin Sharp
+ 2h11'22
149
Arnaud Gérard
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
+ 2h11'51
150
Sean De Bie
Lotto Belisol
+ 2h12'33
151
Christophe Laborie
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
+ 2h12'37
152
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
+ 2h12'49
153
Eugenio Alafaci
Trek Factory Racing
+ 2h13'38
154
Romain Zingle
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 2h13'42
155
Steve Chainel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2h13'48
156
Ramon Sinkeldam
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 2h13'59
157
Valerio Conti
Lampre - Merida
+ 2h14'42
158
Cheng Ji
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 2h15'03
159
Gang Xu
Lampre - Merida
+ 2h15'22
160
Rick Flens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2h15'26
161
Jens Debusschere
Lotto Belisol
+ 2h16'46
162
Sébastien Chavanel
FDJ.fr
+ 2h16'54
163
Koldo Fernández
Garmin Sharp
+ 2h17'10
164
Tony Hurel
Team Europcar
+ 2h19'19
165
Romain Lemarchand
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 2h19'47
166
Bert De Backer
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
167
Marco Coledan
Bardiani CSF
+ 2h19'58
168
Maxime Daniel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2h20'49
169
Boris Vallée
Lotto Belisol
+ 2h20'50
170
Alexandre Pichot
Team Europcar
+ 2h21'13
171
Aidis Kruopis
Orica GreenEdge
+ 2h21'19
172
Andrea Piechele
Bardiani CSF
+ 2h21'57
173
Benjamin Le Montagner
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
+ 2h23'54
Tour de Suisse
The most noteworthy: Sagan returns from his injury, a fracture of (something), and prepares at the Tour de Suisse for the Tour de France. However our top rider was clearly off form still and didn’t manage much in the races.
Instead there was a domination by exactly two men. Sylvain Chavanel prepared exceptionally well for the race of his team’s home country. The IAM Cycling rider took outstanding 3 stages. There was only one man who could best him and that was Alberto Contador. The Spaniard seems to have his form right on track after his 4th place at the Giro d’Italia by claiming easily three mountain stages and eventually achieving an overall victory of over 2 minutes ahead of Rui Costa. However, things fell into its place only after his win at La Punt, where Nibali lost time and he gained the jersey 7 seconds ahead of Froome. This was especially surprising since up to this point everything seemed like a two-man battle between Nibali and Froome, who had distances themselves quite a bit. He further gained time on the next stage where he and Rui Costa broke free with Sylvain Chavanel of the peloton and put over 2 minutes into Froome and Nibali. Crosswind stages, gotta love them. His finale victory, a MT time trial up to Flumserberg, confirmed his strength and form for the Tour de France. Giro d’Italia winner Chris Froome only comes in 6th this day.
Stage
Name
Team
Leader’s Jersey
Stage 1: PRL
Sylvain Chavanel
IAM Cycling
Sylvain Chavanel
Stage 2: MT
Alberto Contador
Tinkoff Saxo
Chris Froome
Stage 3: MT
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana
Vincenzo Nibali
Stage 4: FL
Sylvain Chavanel
IAM Cycling
Vincenzo Nibali
Stage 5: FL
André Greipel
Lotto
Vincenzo Nibali
Stage 6: FL
Philippe Gilbert
BMC
Vincenzo Nibali
Stage 7: MT
Alberto Contador
Tinkoff Saxo
Alberto Contador
Stage 8: FL
Sylvain Chavanel
IAM Cycling
Alberto Contador
Stage 9: MT TT
Alberto Contador
Tinkoff Saxo
Alberto Contador
Final Classification
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Alberto Contador
Tinkoff - Saxo
32h57'29
2
Rui Costa
Lampre - Merida
+ 2'28
3
Chris Froome
Team Sky
+ 2'45
4
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 3'10
5
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin Sharp
+ 3'20
6
Roman Kreuziger
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 3'57
7
Haimar Zubeldia
Trek Factory Racing
+ 5'21
8
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
+ 5'30
9
Daniel Martin
Garmin Sharp
+ 5'42
10
Peter Sagan
Cannondale
+ 6'21
Spoiler
11
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 6'44
12
Sergio Henao
Team Sky
+ 7'08
13
Nicolas Roche
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 7'58
14
Igor Antón
Movistar Team
+ 8'07
15
Geraint Thomas
Team Sky
+ 8'28
16
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - Merida
+ 8'56
17
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
+ 9'16
18
Sergey Chernetskiy
Team Katusha
+ 9'41
19
Cameron Meyer
Orica GreenEdge
+ 10'00
20
Sylvain Chavanel
IAM Cycling
+ 10'19
21
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 10'37
22
John Gadret
Movistar Team
+ 11'48
23
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
+ 12'29
24
Pierre Rolland
Team Europcar
+ 13'25
25
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Team Sky
+ 13'47
26
Peter Velits
BMC Racing Team
+ 15'29
27
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
+ 15'37
28
Michael Albasini
Orica GreenEdge
+ 17'11
29
Esteban Chaves
Orica GreenEdge
+ 17'34
30
Lieuwe Westra
Astana Pro Team
+ 17'39
31
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
+ 19'48
32
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
+ 20'24
33
Petr Ignatenko
Team Katusha
+ 22'35
34
Tony Gallopin
Lotto Belisol
+ 23'12
35
Sébastien Reichenbach
IAM Cycling
+ 24'19
36
Franco Pellizotti
Androni Giocattoli
+ 25'46
37
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
+ 26'23
38
Stefan Denifl
IAM Cycling
+ 28'07
39
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
+ 32'01
40
José Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 32'19
41
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 33'01
42
Oliver Zaugg
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 35'36
43
Simon Gerrans
Orica GreenEdge
+ 36'29
44
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 36'52
45
Gorka Izagirre
Movistar Team
+ 37'51
46
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 39'21
47
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 39'22
48
Philip Deignan
Team Sky
+ 39'42
49
Fabio Felline
Trek Factory Racing
+ 39'45
50
Jérémy Roy
FDJ.fr
+ 40'22
51
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 42'29
52
Zdenek Stybar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 43'09
53
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
54
Joshua Edmondson
Team Sky
+ 43'29
55
Fabian Cancellara
Trek Factory Racing
+ 43'39
56
Jens Voigt
Trek Factory Racing
+ 44'20
57
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 47'56
58
Matej Mohorič
Cannondale
+ 49'05
59
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
+ 49'24
60
Jonathan Hivert
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 49'30
61
Koen De Kort
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 50'49
62
Alexander Kristoff
Team Katusha
+ 51'01
63
Alexandr Kolobnev
Team Katusha
+ 53'10
64
Anthony Roux
FDJ.fr
+ 54'07
65
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
+ 54'16
66
Daryl Impey
Orica GreenEdge
+ 54'43
67
Thomas Peterson
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 54'48
68
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
+ 56'00
69
Daniele Ratto
Cannondale
+ 57'17
70
Mikhail Ignatiev
Team Katusha
+ 57'30
71
Mathieu Sprick
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
72
Johnny Hoogerland
Androni Giocattoli
+ 58'10
73
Nathan Brown
Garmin Sharp
+ 58'13
74
Simon Geschke
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 58'58
75
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 59'06
76
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 59'46
77
Dylan van Baarle
Garmin Sharp
+ 1h00'44
78
Luca Wackermann
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h01'12
79
Johan Vansummeren
Garmin Sharp
+ 1h05'35
80
Martin Elmiger
IAM Cycling
+ 1h05'57
81
Heinrich Haussler
IAM Cycling
+ 1h06'02
82
Tobias Ludvigsson
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 1h06'21
83
Maxime Méderel
Team Europcar
+ 1h07'21
84
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h08'11
85
Damien Howson
Orica GreenEdge
+ 1h08'23
86
Pawel Poljanski
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 1h08'30
87
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h08'47
88
Dayer Quintana
Movistar Team
+ 1h09'00
89
Matteo Bono
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h09'23
90
Luca Paolini
Team Katusha
+ 1h09'33
91
Arnaud Courteille
FDJ.fr
+ 1h10'23
92
Thierry Hupond
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 1h10'24
93
Andrea Zordan
Androni Giocattoli
+ 1h10'41
94
Roberto Ferrari
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h10'48
95
Oscar Gatto
Cannondale
+ 1h11'27
96
Daniele Bennati
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 1h13'43
97
Jack Bauer
Garmin Sharp
+ 1h13'44
98
Ben Gastauer
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h15'10
99
Cameron Wurf
Cannondale
+ 1h15'37
100
Dennis Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h16'19
101
Giacomo Nizzolo
Trek Factory Racing
+ 1h17'12
102
Axel Domont
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h17'31
103
Guillaume Boivin
Cannondale
+ 1h17'40
104
Sebastian Langeveld
Garmin Sharp
+ 1h20'52
105
William Bonnet
FDJ.fr
+ 1h22'05
106
Manuel Belletti
Androni Giocattoli
+ 1h22'11
107
Niki Terpstra
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h22'44
108
Sébastien Turgot
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h23'23
109
Adriano Malori
Movistar Team
+ 1h23'56
110
Sebastian Lander
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h24'17
111
Nick Van der Lijke
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h24'27
112
Jens Keukeleire
Orica GreenEdge
+ 1h24'30
113
Pavel Kochetkov
Team Katusha
+ 1h25'12
114
Danny Pate
Team Sky
+ 1h26'30
115
Jasha Sütterlin
Movistar Team
+ 1h28'01
116
Cédric Pineau
FDJ.fr
+ 1h29'05
117
Tyler Farrar
Garmin Sharp
+ 1h29'07
118
Luke Durbridge
Orica GreenEdge
+ 1h30'31
119
Elia Viviani
Cannondale
+ 1h31'19
120
Danny Van Poppel
Trek Factory Racing
+ 1h35'25
121
Emilien Viennet
FDJ.fr
+ 1h36'01
122
Yukiya Arashiro
Team Europcar
+ 1h36'13
123
Roy Curvers
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 1h36'25
124
Valentin Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h38'03
125
Mark Renshaw
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h38'27
126
Jay McCarthy
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 1h38'42
127
Antoine Duchesne
Team Europcar
+ 1h39'22
128
Yannick Martinez
Team Europcar
+ 1h40'23
129
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h41'26
130
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h42'15
131
Matteo Pelucchi
IAM Cycling
+ 1h42'20
132
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
+ 1h42'29
133
Morgan Lamoisson
Team Europcar
+ 1h44'08
134
Maxim Belkov
Team Katusha
+ 1h44'14
135
David Boucher
FDJ.fr
+ 1h44'27
136
Andrew Fenn
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h44'29
137
Danilo Hondo
Trek Factory Racing
+ 1h44'46
138
Vegard Breen
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h44'51
139
Roger Kluge
IAM Cycling
+ 1h44'54
140
Tom Leezer
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h44'57
141
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h45'32
142
Jasper Stuyven
Trek Factory Racing
+ 1h45'37
143
Barry Markus
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h45'54
144
Murilo Fischer
FDJ.fr
s.t.
145
Nikolai Trussov
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 1h46'11
146
Michel Koch
Cannondale
+ 1h46'17
147
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h46'37
148
Aleksejs Saramotins
IAM Cycling
s.t.
149
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h47'14
150
Romain Guillemois
Team Europcar
+ 1h47'38
151
Gabriel Rasch
Team Sky
+ 1h47'50
152
Alessandro Petacchi
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h47'56
153
Antonino Parrinello
Androni Giocattoli
+ 1h48'11
154
Kenny Van Hummel
Androni Giocattoli
+ 1h48'55
155
Niccolo Bonifazio
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h48'57
156
Dennis Van Winden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h49'22
157
Jack Bobridge
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h49'43
158
Nicola Testi
Androni Giocattoli
+ 1h50'10
159
Marco Bandiera
Androni Giocattoli
+ 1h55'43
National Championships
Vincenzo Nibali has been crowned Italian National Champion 2014. The Shark of Messina put in a true ride of power on the hilly, mountaineous parcous aroud Rovereto. I myself was at the start line too and came in 30rd after helping throughout the race Moreno Moser. My form wasn’t up too much good, but it was a good feeling to race again.
