I agree, not the best Dauphine ever for Euskaltel, but there's still a bit of time to change that.
And Purito seems to be on a Giro-Tour schedule, for some reason.
@sutty68: Most certainly not, but none of the riders did much racing in May (I think), so they lack form. Honestly, I rarely pay interest to Dauphine and Suisse in PCM (despite being a fan of the Dauphine IRL), so don't expect too much from Euskaltel in these races.
@Dippofix: Well, it's certainly no Iban Mayo-Dauphiné. That's for sure. And yes, Purito rides the Tour too (he will be way better than at the Giro, which isn't hard, since he performed way below expectations). I don't like Giro-Tour schedule though by the AI riders, they are usually riding a terrible Giro. Maybe I'll ask around how to bring the AI in better Giro shape... hm.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Feel like posting the second part of Crit. Dauph. today too. Also, a question:
Should Euskaltel - Euskadi sign Carlos Verona?
Normally I'd say no, since I want to bring Euskaltel - Euskadi back to its roots and solely reenforce the basque ties. However, in every(!) career I played, I signed Verona in the first or second season. Basically, he was a long-time member of my squad everytime, which makes him one of my favourite PCM pixels in this game. Maybe a third option can be most satisfying? If he us about to sign with a WT or PCT team, I won't hire him, however if he signs a contract with a simple continental team, I'll change his team to Euskaltel - Euskadi? Help me out guys.
Critérium du Dauphiné, June 2013
Stage 5
Another time trial, this time significantly longer. Annecy will host the 5th stage, and with a small climb in the middle and a length of roughly 30 kilometers, this will be another factor for the overall classification.
Spoiler
Martínez is our second last rider to head into the race. He is doing good so far at this climb. The current best time is by Italy’s time trial hope Adriano Malori, who is 30 seconds ahead of Stef Clement, who’s ranked 2nd.
Nieve is on the road and when he gets to the first intermediate, he already has 1’22’’ gap to Malori. Not too much surprising, although other Euskaltel riders fared better. He will now push his effort higher as he heads into the climb.
He managed to decrease his gap a bit to 1’15’’ to Malori at the second intermediate. Meanwhile, the top riders are getting off the ramp and heading into the race.
Only slightly 5 kilometers left for you, Mikel, and then this race is over. “Give it all”, Katu demands.
But well, it’s not enough. Nieve is in the end 2 minutes behind Malori and failed to limit the time loss in the descent. 2 minutes is okay, but we have hoped for more. Plus, the top riders are still on the way so it’s likely he will get even more time. I think at least…
Spoiler
Surprisingly, Froome is 23 seconds slower than Malori. The Italian has truly shown his massive potential today, but his victory isn’t secure yet.
Spoiler
Of course, he is ahead of Joaquim Rodriguez too. However, the Spaniard is doing a great time trial and has so far only lost 30 seconds to Froome. To remind you, Purito’s time on Froome is 25 seconds overall.
Malori takes the stage win by 5 seconds to Froome. Kessiakoff,winner of the prologue, is likely to finish 3rd.
Purito fights for the last meters but he loses the jersey today. Meanwhile, I ask myself, which dickhead has put a car directly here at the final kilometer? This takes room away for any possible spectators. Jeez.
Stage 5, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Adriano Malori
Lampre - Merida
46'11
2
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
+ 5
3
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
+ 14
4
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 20
6
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 29
7
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 32
8
Stef Clement
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 33
9
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 36
10
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 37
Spoiler
11
Tobias Ludvigsson
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 38
12
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 40
13
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
+ 43
14
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky Procycling
s.t.
15
Luke Durbridge
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 46
16
Niki Terpstra
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 48
17
Fabian Cancellara
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 51
18
Kristjan Koren
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 52
19
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
+ 54
20
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Sharp
+ 56
21
José Serpa
Lampre - Merida
+ 1'01
22
William Clarke
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1'03
23
Jérôme Coppel
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1'04
24
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
+ 1'05
25
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'06
26
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
s.t.
27
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'07
28
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
+ 1'08
29
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'09
30
Dmitriy Gruzdev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
31
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
32
Cameron Meyer
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1'11
33
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'14
34
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
+ 1'18
35
Arthur Vichot
FDJ
+ 1'21
36
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
s.t.
37
Joost Van Leijen
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'23
38
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
39
Markel Irizar
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1'24
40
Tony Gallopin
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1'25
41
Jonathan Hivert
Sojasun
+ 1'26
42
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1'27
43
Steven Kruijswijk
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'28
44
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
45
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
46
Alex Howes
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
47
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
+ 1'29
48
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
s.t.
49
David Boucher
FDJ
+ 1'30
50
Timofey Kritskiy
Katusha Team
+ 1'32
51
François Parisien
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1'34
52
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
+ 1'35
53
Marco Pinotti
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'36
54
Lachlan Morton
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1'41
55
Gert Steegmans
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'42
56
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'43
57
Zdenek Stybar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
58
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
59
Romain Bardet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
60
Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
+ 1'45
61
Brice Feillu
Sojasun
+ 1'46
62
Roman Kreuziger
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1'49
63
Joseph Dombrowski
Sky Procycling
+ 1'50
64
Danny Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
65
Sebastian Langeveld
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1'52
66
Barry Markus
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'55
67
Brett Lancaster
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1'56
68
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
69
Juan Manuel Gárate
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
70
Nicolas Edet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1'58
71
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
+ 1'59
72
Ben King
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
73
Laurent Didier
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
74
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
75
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2'01
76
Jonas Ahlstrand
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 2'02
77
Xabier Zandio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
78
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
+ 2'03
79
Christophe Le Mével
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
80
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
+ 2'04
81
Tom Stamsnijder
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
82
Simone Stortoni
Lampre - Merida
+ 2'05
83
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
84
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'06
85
Sylwester Szmyd
Movistar Team
+ 2'07
86
Robert Hunter
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
87
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
+ 2'08
88
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
89
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'09
90
Valerio Agnoli
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'10
91
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
92
Joshua Edmonson
Sky Procycling
+ 2'11
93
Alan Marangoni
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 2'12
94
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
+ 2'13
95
Marko Kump
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
96
Davide Malacarne
Team Europcar
+ 2'14
97
Daniel Oss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
98
Damiano Caruso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 2'15
99
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 2'16
100
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
101
Daniele Ratto
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 2'17
102
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
103
Franck Bouyer
Team Europcar
+ 2'20
104
Jakob Rathe
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2'21
105
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
s.t.
106
Arnaud Labbe
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
107
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'23
108
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
109
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
s.t.
110
Pieter Serry
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2'25
111
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 2'26
112
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol
+ 2'27
113
Julien El Fares
Sojasun
s.t.
114
Nicki Sørensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
115
Adrien Petit
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
116
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'28
117
Mickaël Delage
FDJ
+ 2'29
118
Johan Vansummeren
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
119
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2'31
120
Jetse Bol
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
121
Gert Dockx
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
122
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
123
Maxime Bouet
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2'34
124
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ
+ 2'35
125
Andrey Zeits
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
126
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
+ 2'36
127
Koldo Fernández
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2'38
128
Cyril Lemoine
Sojasun
+ 2'39
129
Borut Božic
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
130
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
+ 2'42
131
Adrián Sáez de Arregi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'43
132
Graeme Brown
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'45
133
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
134
Daniel Teklehaimanot
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 2'46
135
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
136
Juan Antonio Flecha
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
137
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 2'47
138
Ricardo Mestre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
139
Danny Pate
Sky Procycling
s.t.
140
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto Belisol
+ 2'49
141
Angelo Tulik
Team Europcar
+ 2'50
142
Daniel Navarro
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 2'51
143
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
+ 2'52
144
Mauro Da Dalto
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 2'53
145
Wesley Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'54
146
Simone Ponzi
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'55
147
Jérôme Pineau
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2'56
148
Nico Sijmens
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 2'58
149
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3'03
150
Mattia Cattaneo
Lampre - Merida
+ 3'06
151
Garikoitz Bravo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'07
152
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
153
Julien Fouchard
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 3'08
154
Jonathan Cantwell
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
155
Jorge Azanza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
156
Mitchell Docker
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3'09
157
Takashi Miyazawa
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 3'14
158
Maciej Paterski
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 3'15
159
Matthias Krizek
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
160
Johannes Fröhlinger
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3'20
161
Roberto Ferrari
Lampre - Merida
+ 3'21
162
Francis Mourey
FDJ
+ 3'26
163
Ruslan Tleubayev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
164
Yann Huguet
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3'27
165
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3'31
166
Matteo Bono
Lampre - Merida
+ 3'32
167
André Schulze
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'35
168
Rony Martias
Sojasun
+ 3'40
169
Jean-Lou Paiani
Sojasun
+ 3'43
170
Maxime Daniel
Sojasun
+ 3'58
171
Julien Simon
Sojasun
+ 4'14
172
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
+ 4'20
173
Jon Aberasturi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'43
174
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'51
After the first mountain stage and the second time trial, Nieve ranks 25th overall. He has lost some time on the top favourites but so did many other riders. Katu is pleased with his performance so far and is positive that Nieve will be even better shape for the two last mountain stages. However, the bigger goal is of course to look for a good performance at the Tour de France and Nieve just might be our guy for a possible stage win there.
Stage 6
Last stage for the sprinters at this year’s Critérium du Dauphiné. Look for another hopeful attempt of our guys. It’s also the last stage that the Dauphiné solely gets all the attention from cycling fans, since tomorrow the Tour de Suisse starts. I decided to round up the Dauphiné first though.
Despite unlucky performances so far at the Dauphiné, our riders are eager to make something happen today again. Azanza is the lucky one who was in the right break and together with Vogit, Langeveld, Bille and Martias, they set out for the remaining 140 kilometers of the stage to keep the peloton of their backs.
The two climbs at the start are not particularly easy but the long flat part rightly classifies this stage into the flat category. However, with two small climbs at the end, the finish might be more suited to any puncheur than to classic sprinters such as Kittel, who has failed to perform so far.
Spoiler
And there we are… 5 kilometers to go. No, just kidding. The riders will cross two times the Cote de la Corniche now first, so it’s still 40 kilometers to go but it surely will be good to get a glimpse of the finish for now. Just don’t dream already about being on the podium today. The break has only 3 minutes left to the peloton, but then again, it wasn’t much more to begin with.
The break sees the second time the Cote de la Corniche. Langeveld is ready to make his move while Azanza is close to follow. Meanwhile Katu must pay his attention already to the sprint trains and advise Aberasturi and Schulze to stay up front, as they constantly lose ground.
Voigt is taking things to the next level as Azanza and Langeveld are left to watch him go away.
Azanza is empty. Bille and Martias try to keep their distance to the peloton. Voigt is already over the summit and will now look to crush the last 10 kilometers downhill into the finish.
Spoiler
Who’s that attacking? None other than Alberto Contador attacks after the summit. Yes, not before. After the summit. The Spaniard either looks for to make up some time to his contenders or, which is more likely, has great legs today and just wants the stage win. Possible both. But it’s unlikely that he will be faster than the sprint trains. And just as he fails, Purito, Mollema and Coppel are tacking similar measures to try their luck.
Spoiler
Radioshack don’t seem to trust Voigt too much since Monfort and Schleck both attack together with Meyer and Kessiakoff. But the pace of Europcar and Argos is quite high.
It’s an easy finish on paper and Vacansoleil and Europcar have the advantage now since Voigt got caught just a few meters ahead of the victory.
What a demonstration by Vacansoleil. They take first. And second. And third. Oh, and also fourth. What the hell? Basque Koldo Fernandez is the best non-Vacansoleil rider at fifth. I know who’s going to celebrate quite a bit today… Aberasturi and Schulze didn’t stand a chance, the pace was just too high so they didn’t have much to go on after the two times climbing Cote de la Corniche. Alas, not much to be done today. Another used day at the Dauphiné. We are getting used to that by now.
Stage 6, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Barry Markus
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
4h24'00
2
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Wesley Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Danny Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Koldo Fernández
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
6
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
7
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
s.t.
8
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
9
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
s.t.
10
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Joseph Dombrowski
Sky Procycling
s.t.
12
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
13
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
14
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
15
Mickaël Delage
FDJ
s.t.
16
Cameron Meyer
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
17
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
18
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
19
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
20
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
s.t.
21
Juan Antonio Flecha
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
22
Sylwester Szmyd
Movistar Team
s.t.
23
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
24
Damiano Caruso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
25
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
s.t.
26
Tobias Ludvigsson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
27
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
s.t.
28
Gert Steegmans
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
29
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
s.t.
30
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
31
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
32
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
33
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
34
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
35
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
36
Nicolas Edet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
37
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
38
Jérôme Coppel
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
39
Jon Aberasturi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
40
Borut Božic
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
41
André Schulze
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
42
Jonathan Hivert
Sojasun
s.t.
43
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
44
Julien El Fares
Sojasun
s.t.
45
Romain Bardet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
46
Stef Clement
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
47
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
48
Daniel Oss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
49
Johannes Fröhlinger
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
50
José Serpa
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
51
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
52
Angelo Tulik
Team Europcar
s.t.
53
Adriano Malori
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
54
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
s.t.
55
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
56
Xabier Zandio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
57
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
58
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
59
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
60
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
s.t.
61
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky Procycling
s.t.
62
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
63
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
s.t.
64
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ
s.t.
65
Tony Gallopin
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
66
Franck Bouyer
Team Europcar
s.t.
67
Arthur Vichot
FDJ
s.t.
68
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
69
Roman Kreuziger
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
70
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
71
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
72
François Parisien
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
73
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
74
Adrián Sáez de Arregi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
75
Garikoitz Bravo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
76
Joshua Edmonson
Sky Procycling
s.t.
77
Dmitriy Gruzdev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
78
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
79
Luke Durbridge
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
80
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
81
Laurent Didier
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
82
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
83
Francis Mourey
FDJ
s.t.
84
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
85
Davide Malacarne
Team Europcar
s.t.
86
Jonas Ahlstrand
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
87
Christophe Le Mével
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
88
Jakob Rathe
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
89
Daniel Navarro
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
90
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
s.t.
91
William Clarke
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
92
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
s.t.
93
Simone Ponzi
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
94
Tom Stamsnijder
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
95
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
s.t.
96
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
97
Nico Sijmens
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
98
Daniele Ratto
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
99
Yann Huguet
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
100
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
101
Adrien Petit
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
102
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
103
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
104
Alex Howes
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
105
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
106
Steven Kruijswijk
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
107
Arnaud Labbe
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
108
Jérôme Pineau
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
109
David Boucher
FDJ
s.t.
110
Rony Martias
Sojasun
s.t.
111
Jorge Azanza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
112
Kristjan Koren
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
113
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
114
Zdenek Stybar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
115
Jetse Bol
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
116
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
117
Marko Kump
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
118
Sebastian Langeveld
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
119
Valerio Agnoli
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
120
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
121
Ben King
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
122
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
123
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
124
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
125
Andrey Zeits
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
126
Niki Terpstra
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
127
Maciej Paterski
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
128
Juan Manuel Gárate
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
129
Pieter Serry
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
130
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
s.t.
131
Mitchell Docker
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
132
Daniel Teklehaimanot
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
133
Fabian Cancellara
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
134
Alan Marangoni
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
135
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
136
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
137
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
138
Johan Vansummeren
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
139
Robert Hunter
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
140
Lachlan Morton
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
141
Markel Irizar
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
142
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
143
Brice Feillu
Sojasun
s.t.
144
Gert Dockx
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
145
Timofey Kritskiy
Katusha Team
s.t.
146
Mauro Da Dalto
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
147
Simone Stortoni
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
148
Matthias Krizek
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
149
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
150
Danny Pate
Sky Procycling
s.t.
151
Joost Van Leijen
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
152
Ruslan Tleubayev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
153
Marco Pinotti
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
154
Mattia Cattaneo
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
155
Cyril Lemoine
Sojasun
s.t.
156
Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
157
Graeme Brown
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'52
158
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
s.t.
159
Maxime Daniel
Sojasun
s.t.
160
Brett Lancaster
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
161
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
162
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
s.t.
163
Matteo Bono
Lampre - Merida
+ 3'25
164
Maxime Bouet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
165
Nicki Sørensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 4'27
166
Takashi Miyazawa
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
167
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
168
Jonathan Cantwell
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
169
Roberto Ferrari
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
170
Julien Fouchard
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
171
Jean-Lou Paiani
Sojasun
s.t.
172
Ricardo Mestre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
173
Julien Simon
Sojasun
+ 5'51
174
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
+ 12'10
Stage 7
From Thonon-les Bains to Signal de Bisanne will take us today’s stage and without a doubt, it will be a stage where the favourites will have to put everything they’ve got to make an impression. With multiple high climbs, this will probably be a make-or-break stage.
There’s not much debate today. It’s clear that Euskaltel want to get into the break and it’s clear that many other riders do too. Ulissi is the first attack and it’s already easily successful. Martínez was right on his back. Koren, Howes and Grivko are with them. Soon 8 more riders join the group and participate in the lively activity named “putting time into the peloton”. Ludvigsson, Rabon, Dumoulin, Burghardt, Hansen, Vichot and Didier… It’s a good group for Martínez and the gap to the peloton of 3 minutes already tells me that they are not considered dangerous for the overall classification, but maybe they can still fight it out for the victory. At the intermediate sprint, Gautier from Europcar is the last to join the break.
Martínez has already proven that a nose for the right breakaway at Tirreno – Adriatico where he achieved the 3th rank overall thanks to a astonishing break. Today won’t be such a day, the competition and profile is far tougher. Over the microphone he reassures Katu, and me, that he is feeling well today and feels like his legs could turn out great for the final climb.
At the Col de Colombiere it becomes clear that not all riders are so eager to participate in the break. I keep an eye out especially for Ulissi, who is the whole time far behind. Maybe his form isn’t so good but still wanted to try his luck today and see how far it brings him? But it’s more likely that he wants to save his energy for the three mountain left on the profile. Martínez meanwhile doesn’t shy away from work.
It’s still the same climb and Katu advises Martínez to sprint for the mountain points. Currently Rodriguez’ is the leader in this classement, but with consecutive wins on the mountain summits today, Martínez could take the KoM jersey of his fellow Spaniards shoulders. So Martínez does as it is told by him and is the first on top.
At the Col de Aravis, things are not so easy. The steep gradient of before is missing and Howes and Ludvigsson take the points ahead of Martínez. The cows at the side are watching disinterested and chew their grass as the riders fight it out.
The peloton merely consists of 67 riders, as they get into the descent of the Aravis. Especially the Col de Colombriere has caused some massive gaps. Only Azanza and Aberasturi are left at the side of Mikel Nieve.
We get to enjoy more Cows and the Cows this time around seem to be much more interested into the race. Just please no cows running onto the road, I think, as I notice that there isn’t a fence.
Another 1.-Cat climb and Martínez takes the big points at the Col des Saisies. But action is far from other at this climb.
Nairo Quintana attacks with 3 kilometers to go. He must be really pissed off still about that last mountain stage, where he climbed for a long time alone until Purito snatched the victory just away from under his arms, and wants to try in a furious manner again. The Colombian is certainly in quite some shape and will be one to watch out for Le Tour. But for now, he is beasting around the Alps in the Criterium du Dauphiné. Needless to say that such a relatively early attack from one of the favourites is not good for the breakaway. At least, Martínez is for now the wearer of the virtual KoM jersey. Meyer and Coppel are working hard on getting Quintana back. Meanwhile, Nieve looks good with Azanza on his side. He too tells us, that his legs are great today. Just let hope that his form holds up.
With Quintana being quite far away, riders like Contador and Gallopin are chasing the Colombian now. And this of course, plays quite perfectly into the cards of Chris Froome as his Team Sky can rest a bit.
We head into Signal des Bisanne, the final climb of the day. Martínez shows that he is not eager to get caught one more time by the Colombian as he did on the first mountain stage. He takes control of the group dominantly and just paces upfront. But the gap is still suffering a lot despite his efforts and good intentions.
10 kilometers left and not much as changed, except for Martínez keeping Quintana at distance and the gap further suffering.
There are steeper parts yet to come but 9 % gradient might be just enough to drop the other guys. Katu advised him to attack since as soon as Quintana gets close enough to the group, the other riders will automatically boost his motivation further and Martínez won’t stand a chance. That’s why it’s important to try it on your own for now. Unfortuantely, Ulissi, who is probably still rather rested compared to all most of the other riders in the group, attacks too. That’s not good and I am not happy about Ulissi’s move at all. It’s not about the attacking, everybody can attack as much as they want. But doing nothing for the break and then attacking. That’s just lame. Koren is the only first who can manage to catch up to him.
Quintana is rightin the group and Martínez is now the only who still has a possible chance of victory. “Told you”, Katu tells me. “The group stands no chance now.” I know that it was the right move.
But also Quintana can’t rest or take it easy. The Colombian has to press on since Contador and Peraud are hard work to catch him.
Contador launches his move. Mollema, Froome and Pinot are with him. Nieve too. Now he has to prove that his legs are good today.
It’s a road of fans up to the finish and Martínez lead is crumbling and suffering by each meter. Gautier and Didier are the only one who can keep up with Quintana.
It happened, finally. Well, at least Martínez is out of his struggle for stage victory for now as Quintana catches up to him and quickly leaves him behind. But he still wants to grab a good result so there’s no way he will let himself go now. For a moment he is between all the big names: Rodriguez, Contador, Froome and Valverde. Mollema prepares another attack.
The finish is in sight, and it was so close for Martínez. Nieve just passes him, and I hear over the micro how Martínez wishes him the best. Egoi is finished, Mikel is nearly too but he still fights on. Gora you both.
It’s again Purito who messes up everything for the young Colombian as he overtakes him ahead of the final kilometer. For Purito it`s not only about the stage victory but about the overall classification too.
It`s the second win for the Spaniard and Katusha at this year’s Criterium du Dauphiné. An impressive performance on the last kilometer and Purito puts quite some time into the other contenders. Of course, he also is the new leader and with such two showings in the mountains so far, it is clear that he will be the favourite tomorrow too.
Nieve finishes on a good 8th place and moves up to 15th overall. And also news hits me later on, that Alessandro Ballan gave up the rest. Since he has finished every single stage as the last rider so far, this is probably a good idea.
@Ian Butler: Yeah, that will be the plan for the last stage. Get that KoM jersey.
@sutty68: Certainly better than on the first mountain stage.
@Dippofix: Yup, Vacansoleil really didn't make any prisoners that day.
@duxili: Yes, he's still only building up form, seeing as his two goals are le Tour and Vuelta, I didn't want him to participate in too many races in early season. That's why he is still lacking.
With Verona it's not so much about his talent (he certainly would be a great addition to the team in 2-3 years if I get him), but about the former policy of Euskaltel - Euskadi to hire only basque riders or spanish riders that rode for a basque team. Since there are still some more foreigners in the team and they are not going anywhere so far, it might be good to get Verona on board before that window closes for good.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
There’s hardly a question what our plan is today: Get Martínez into the break so he achieves the KoM jersey for good. He is one point behind Purito. And of course, Nieve hopes to advance a few places further in the GC. Oh, and a stage win would be cool too, pretty please?
A ridiculous amount of 17 riders are in the break as we head into the first climb, Col de Champ-Laurent. Of course, Katusha are not willing to let them go so easily, and it doesn’t look any good for them.
Martínez performs like its worthy for someone who wears the KoM jersey and leads the group up the climb. The group is so big that the peloton actually is close to them while there’s theoretically time gap. Time measurements, they always mess things up…
The basque are here! And Martínez knows nothing better to do than they only thing he can do really well. Attack. And hope that other riders will catch up in time so he doesn’t have to tackle all these harsh mountains and long kilometers alone. Otherwise, this would be a long road for someone who only thinks about the stage win…
Other riders are behind him while Katusha decided to take it a bit easier. You just can’t hold down a basque when he wants to get away, I think.
Martínez takes easily the points. Albasini, Flecha and Sabatini are close to catching up. Or rather, he lets them catch him.
I suppose the Criterium du Dauphiné is one of the best advertisments for the beauty of the Alps. A bit later, Gautier (EUC), Howes (GRS) and Parisien (ARG) join the group too, and thus 7 merry riders are on the look for the adventure of a possible stage win.
On the summit of Col de Barioz, Martínez only gets second after his new companion Gautier. That shouldn’t matter much, it’s a 2.-cat climb anyway. However one shouldn’t underestimate Gautier, he was only 15 points behind Martínez at the start of the day.
It’s the same thing at the Col du Lautaret. Except this time Egoi Martínez isn’t willing to depart from the mountain points. He sprints it out against Gautier and Howes and is the one with luckier end this time around. He now has a lead of 23 points to second place Gautier. The next two climbs will be decisive. 20 points at the HC-climb and another 15 points for the first, but all things considering, if Martínez keeps up, he should have the jersey safe by the end of these two climbs.
As usual, Howes, Gautier and Martínez are the ones pacing the group up the mountain. It’s likely that one of them will make it. That is, if they even make it. The Col du Coq could be a deciding factor since it’s easily the toughest mountain of this year’s Dauphiné, but it isn’t the last climb.
Yup, you are reading right. A gradient of 15 %! The lead is also quite decent to the peloton with about 7 minutes. Thibaut Pinot attacked out of the peloton and hopes to get some lead onto the other contenders before the race gets real tough.
Martínez seems to have incredible legs today and the many basque flags are doing their part. He is strong and is eager to not only take the jersey but also a possible stage win after failing yesterday close so close to the finish.
He’s the first at the top of Col du Coq and is rewarded with a short look down the mountain, down the serpentines and trees. The cheering fans, the peloton, river and woods… it’s quite bright up here. It turns out that Gautier and Martínez have a decent lead at the summit and both agree that they work together to keep the other riders at bay. Since both of them have done most of the work anyway in the climbs, this is only a smart decision.
A bit later Contador attacked from the peloton and we didn’t catch it on the cameras nor did I notice it. Quintana was quick to follow and then Froome joined in. Purito is behind the first group of favourites! Contador, Valverde, Quintana and Froome are willing to work together to beat the Spaniard this time, however it appears that Contador & the Movistar duo are doing most of the work. Serpa and Meyer have also managed to be in the group. The gap for Purito increases quite seriously and Nieve asks Katu, if he should help Purito, but Katu says: “There are already enough riders who work on getting Froome and the others. We have Martínez up front, we shouldn’t bring Purito back. I’m sorry but we gotta look out here.” However, with Moreno and Trofimov catching up, Rodriguez should have a fair chance of catching Froome again, and Nieve decides to help Purito anyway. It’s a decision of guts & heart now, rather than a clear tactical mind.
As soon as they hit Col de Porte however, Purito is willing to attack and has the break in his sights. He has to give everything now. Nieve isn’t much of use now anyway.
Meanwhile, Pinot is close to catching up to Martínez and Gautier. 20 kilometers left.
… and then Pinot got him and so did Froome, Quintana and Contador. Now it’s important to stay in this group! There’s only 1.5 kilometers left to the summit after all.
Easier said than done. At least he has the mountain jersey secure… and then Rodriguez shows his impeccable form when he suddenly comes besides them like a mad man and just lets them sit on their saddle with open mouths. Just for information: The Movistar rider is Valverde.
8 kilometers left for this Spanish duo and still 40 seconds to catch up. Does Valverde pull a classic Valverde by helping his friend, although his teammate Quintana is in the 4 men group upfront?
No, Valverde didn’t help and Purito has to prove his quality now, as they head into the final kilometer.
Contador & Quintana leaded most of the way, maybe even all the way, but Froome attacks at this last ramp of the race in Grenoble. 18 % gradient… no further comment needed.
Froome wins the stage and the Criterum du Dauphiné. By outsprinting Contador basically on the last line. Great job, dude… Contador takes 2nd, Quintana 3rd.
Purito comes in 4th but it’s not enough. He loses over a minute to Froome and is the first loser of the race as he will be the second rider on the podium. Still, he took 2 stage wins and was most impressive but once again it just wasn’t meant to be for Purito. We hope he will have better luck next time, all the best from the whole Euskaltel squad!
Martínez comes in 11th and smiles later off the podium with his mountain jersey. Nieve advanced a few ranks further and reached 12th rank overall. Quite a good job from these guys and we celebrate a bit. I don’t stay until the end of the party since I head out to the Tour de Suisse a few hours later. The form of Nieve and Martínez is clearly showing in the right direction, I tell Katu in the bus and he wholeheartly agrees. “I would have liked a stage win though”, he says and starts to reminisce on Iban Mayo’s victory back in the days.
Stage 8, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
5h09'48
2
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 9
3
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
+ 17
4
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
+ 1'15
5
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
+ 1'31
6
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
+ 1'44
7
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3'21
8
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
9
José Serpa
Lampre - Merida
+ 3'31
10
Cameron Meyer
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3'56
Spoiler
11
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'43
12
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
+ 4'51
13
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 5'44
14
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 5'54
15
Jérôme Coppel
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 7'18
16
Damiano Caruso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 7'50
17
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 8'37
18
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
19
Brice Feillu
Sojasun
+ 8'56
20
Roman Kreuziger
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
21
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 9'07
22
Christophe Le Mével
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 10'15
23
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
24
Andrey Zeits
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
25
Jonathan Hivert
Sojasun
s.t.
26
Steven Kruijswijk
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
27
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
28
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
29
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
s.t.
30
Romain Bardet
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 10'49
31
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ
+ 10'59
32
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
33
Xabier Zandio
Sky Procycling
+ 11'09
34
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
35
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
s.t.
36
Joseph Dombrowski
Sky Procycling
s.t.
37
Sylwester Szmyd
Movistar Team
s.t.
38
Davide Malacarne
Team Europcar
s.t.
39
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 11'34
40
Alex Howes
Garmin - Sharp
+ 11'53
41
François Parisien
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 12'42
42
Simone Stortoni
Lampre - Merida
+ 12'50
43
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
44
Juan Antonio Flecha
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 13'03
45
Nicolas Edet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 14'15
46
Daniel Navarro
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 14'58
47
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 16'20
48
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky Procycling
+ 17'36
49
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
+ 20'06
50
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
+ 20'14
51
Luke Durbridge
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
52
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 21'17
53
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
54
Maxime Bouet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
55
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
56
Jorge Azanza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 21'46
57
Daniele Ratto
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 21'59
58
Maciej Paterski
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 22'13
59
Adriano Malori
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
60
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 23'01
61
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
62
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
63
Francis Mourey
FDJ
s.t.
64
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
65
Sebastian Langeveld
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
66
Zdenek Stybar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
67
Valerio Agnoli
Astana Pro Team
+ 23'39
68
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
69
Lachlan Morton
Garmin - Sharp
+ 23'48
70
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
71
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
+ 23'58
72
Kristjan Koren
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
73
Jérôme Pineau
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
74
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
75
Julien Fouchard
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
76
Tony Gallopin
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
77
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
78
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
79
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
80
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
+ 24'31
81
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
82
Juan Manuel Gárate
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
83
Mattia Cattaneo
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
84
Danny Pate
Sky Procycling
s.t.
85
Timofey Kritskiy
Katusha Team
s.t.
86
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
+ 24'54
87
Gert Dockx
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
88
Ben King
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
89
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
+ 25'06
90
Jon Aberasturi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
91
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol
+ 25'15
92
Pieter Serry
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
93
Markel Irizar
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 25'26
94
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
s.t.
95
Mitchell Docker
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
96
David Boucher
FDJ
s.t.
97
Daniel Oss
BMC Racing Team
+ 25'42
98
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
99
Mickaël Delage
FDJ
s.t.
100
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
101
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
+ 26'35
102
Fabian Cancellara
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
103
Koldo Fernández
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
104
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
105
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
s.t.
106
Jonathan Cantwell
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
107
Nicki Sørensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 26'57
108
Robert Hunter
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
109
Simone Ponzi
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
110
Danny Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
111
Laurent Didier
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
112
Julien El Fares
Sojasun
s.t.
113
Gert Steegmans
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
114
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
115
Borut Božic
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
116
Yann Huguet
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
117
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
118
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
119
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
120
Ruslan Tleubayev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
121
Arnaud Labbe
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 27'44
122
Nico Sijmens
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
123
Stef Clement
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
124
Joshua Edmonson
Sky Procycling
s.t.
125
Jakob Rathe
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
126
Arthur Vichot
FDJ
+ 28'08
127
Garikoitz Bravo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 28'16
128
Tobias Ludvigsson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
129
Mauro Da Dalto
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
130
Daniel Teklehaimanot
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
131
Ricardo Mestre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
132
Adrián Sáez de Arregi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
133
Johan Vansummeren
Garmin - Sharp
+ 29'03
134
Johannes Fröhlinger
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
135
Wesley Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 29'16
136
Marko Kump
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 29'23
137
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
s.t.
138
Cyril Lemoine
Sojasun
s.t.
139
Adrien Petit
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
140
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
+ 29'46
141
Dmitriy Gruzdev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
142
Alan Marangoni
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
143
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
144
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
s.t.
145
Matteo Bono
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
146
Matthias Krizek
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
147
Niki Terpstra
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
148
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
149
Jonas Ahlstrand
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
150
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
151
Roberto Ferrari
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
152
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
153
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
154
André Schulze
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 30'40
155
Franck Bouyer
Team Europcar
+ 30'47
156
Marco Pinotti
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
157
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
s.t.
158
Angelo Tulik
Team Europcar
+ 31'04
159
William Clarke
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
160
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
s.t.
161
Barry Markus
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 31'18
162
Maxime Daniel
Sojasun
+ 33'05
163
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
+ 33'13
164
Jetse Bol
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
165
Tom Stamsnijder
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 33'26
166
Takashi Miyazawa
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 33'35
167
Brett Lancaster
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
168
Joost Van Leijen
Lotto Belisol
+ 35'37
169
Rony Martias
Sojasun
s.t.
170
Jean-Lou Paiani
Sojasun
+ 35'51
171
Graeme Brown
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 35'59
Final General Classification
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
29h53'47
2
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
+ 1'01
3
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1'13
4
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
+ 1'49
5
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'18
6
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
+ 5'59
7
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 6'35
8
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
+ 7'22
9
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 8'54
10
Cameron Meyer
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 9'13
11
José Serpa
Lampre - Merida
+ 9'34
12
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 12'17
Spoiler
13
Jérôme Coppel
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 12'25
14
Damiano Caruso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 13'00
15
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 13'45
16
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
+ 14'21
17
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 17'28
18
Roman Kreuziger
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 18'20
19
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 19'27
20
Steven Kruijswijk
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 19'38
21
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
+ 20'01
22
Christophe Le Mével
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 20'03
23
Sylwester Szmyd
Movistar Team
+ 21'14
24
Xabier Zandio
Sky Procycling
+ 21'16
25
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
+ 22'48
26
Romain Bardet
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 23'13
27
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 23'42
28
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
+ 23'46
29
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
+ 24'08
30
Brice Feillu
Sojasun
+ 24'44
31
Andrey Zeits
Astana Pro Team
+ 24'57
32
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 25'04
33
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
+ 25'45
34
Jonathan Hivert
Sojasun
+ 25'51
35
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 28'42
36
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
+ 29'50
37
Joseph Dombrowski
Sky Procycling
+ 29'56
38
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ
+ 35'35
39
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 35'36
40
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky Procycling
+ 35'37
41
Simone Stortoni
Lampre - Merida
+ 35'51
42
Kristjan Koren
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 37'43
43
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 38'36
44
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 39'05
45
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Sharp
+ 40'13
46
Laurent Didier
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 40'15
47
Valerio Agnoli
Astana Pro Team
+ 41'09
48
Luke Durbridge
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 41'57
49
Daniel Navarro
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 41'59
50
Alex Howes
Garmin - Sharp
+ 42'00
51
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 42'32
52
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 42'49
53
Juan Manuel Gárate
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 43'17
54
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 43'39
55
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
+ 43'40
56
Tony Gallopin
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 43'42
57
Stef Clement
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 46'02
58
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
+ 49'38
59
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
+ 51'35
60
Nicki Sørensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 52'24
61
Davide Malacarne
Team Europcar
+ 53'13
62
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
+ 53'25
63
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 55'27
64
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 55'53
65
Mattia Cattaneo
Lampre - Merida
+ 55'56
66
Tobias Ludvigsson
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 57'04
67
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
+ 57'37
68
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
+ 58'04
69
Ben King
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 58'05
70
Jorge Azanza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 59'46
71
Arnaud Labbe
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1h00'59
72
François Parisien
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1h01'26
73
Zdenek Stybar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h01'41
74
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1h02'16
75
Nicolas Edet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1h02'58
76
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h03'04
77
Francis Mourey
FDJ
+ 1h03'08
78
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h03'16
79
Juan Antonio Flecha
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
80
Arthur Vichot
FDJ
+ 1h03'27
81
Maciej Paterski
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
82
Julien Fouchard
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1h03'48
83
Jérôme Pineau
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h04'12
84
Danny Pate
Sky Procycling
+ 1h04'25
85
Maxime Bouet
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h04'36
86
Julien El Fares
Sojasun
+ 1h05'22
87
Fabian Cancellara
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1h06'10
88
Mitchell Docker
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1h06'57
89
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h07'03
90
Daniele Ratto
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1h07'12
91
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h07'13
92
Adriano Malori
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h07'45
93
Daniel Teklehaimanot
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1h08'10
94
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
+ 1h08'44
95
Joshua Edmonson
Sky Procycling
+ 1h08'57
96
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
+ 1h09'28
97
Nico Sijmens
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1h09'33
98
Lachlan Morton
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1h09'39
99
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h11'27
100
Timofey Kritskiy
Katusha Team
+ 1h11'32
101
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
+ 1h12'05
102
Sebastian Langeveld
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1h12'09
103
Dmitriy Gruzdev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
104
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h12'49
105
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h13'23
106
Jonathan Cantwell
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1h13'25
107
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1h13'54
108
David Boucher
FDJ
+ 1h13'58
109
Markel Irizar
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1h14'01
110
Gert Dockx
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h14'43
111
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1h15'00
112
Simone Ponzi
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h15'35
113
Borut Božic
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h16'16
114
Koldo Fernández
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1h16'24
115
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
+ 1h16'48
116
Jon Aberasturi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h17'24
117
Yann Huguet
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1h17'59
118
Johan Vansummeren
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1h18'50
119
Pieter Serry
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h19'26
120
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h19'27
121
Johannes Fröhlinger
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1h19'49
122
Cyril Lemoine
Sojasun
+ 1h19'58
123
Jakob Rathe
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1h21'47
124
Adrián Sáez de Arregi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h22'12
125
Ricardo Mestre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h23'24
126
Daniel Oss
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h23'41
127
Mickaël Delage
FDJ
+ 1h24'08
128
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h24'25
129
Gert Steegmans
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h24'26
130
Ruslan Tleubayev
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h24'30
131
Danny Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h24'33
132
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
+ 1h24'36
133
Franck Bouyer
Team Europcar
+ 1h24'45
134
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1h24'50
135
Robert Hunter
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1h25'03
136
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h25'25
137
Niki Terpstra
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h26'19
138
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1h26'25
139
Marko Kump
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1h27'23
140
Jonas Ahlstrand
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1h27'35
141
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h27'44
142
William Clarke
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1h27'52
143
Adrien Petit
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
144
Marco Pinotti
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h28'13
145
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h28'25
146
Brett Lancaster
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1h28'33
147
Rony Martias
Sojasun
+ 1h28'39
148
Joost Van Leijen
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h28'43
149
André Schulze
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h28'46
150
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
+ 1h28'47
151
Barry Markus
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h28'52
152
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
+ 1h29'04
153
Matteo Bono
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h29'05
154
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h29'10
155
Wesley Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h29'47
156
Angelo Tulik
Team Europcar
+ 1h29'49
157
Mauro Da Dalto
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1h30'31
158
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
+ 1h30'33
159
Matthias Krizek
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1h31'05
160
Jetse Bol
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h31'34
161
Alan Marangoni
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1h32'31
162
Tom Stamsnijder
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1h33'14
163
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
+ 1h33'27
164
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
+ 1h34'15
165
Garikoitz Bravo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h34'30
166
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h34'54
167
Maxime Daniel
Sojasun
+ 1h36'17
168
Takashi Miyazawa
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1h37'27
169
Roberto Ferrari
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h38'14
170
Graeme Brown
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h43'30
171
Jean-Lou Paiani
Sojasun
+ 1h47'01
Final Mountain Classification
Rank Name Points
1 Egoi Martínez 104
2 Cyril Gautier 81
3 Alex Howes 61
FinalPoints Classification
Rank Name Points
1 Chris Froome 75
2 Lieuwe Westra 55
3 Joaquím Rodríguez 53
U25 Classifcation: Nairo Quintana, MOV
Team Classification: Movistar
Edited by Shonak on 02-01-2014 15:11
@sutty68: He sure did. Although he didn't win a stage this season so far, his season is quite great with a 3rd place overall at Tirr.-Adr. and the KoM jersey of Crit-Dauph.
@Selwink: Yes, it's a nice compensation. When everything else fails, let's just go for KoM jersey... that should be Euskaltel's motto.
@Atantlius: No worries, mate. I thought so that quite some people will not read so frequent the story during the holidays and I included links to most good Euskaltel stages at the Giro overview. Enjoy catching up!
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
You rode an amazing Giro! Three stages and the mountain jersey, Euskaltel can be very proud. And Gorka Verdugo is a hero.
Apart from that, I think Carlos Verona would be a nice addition to the team and I wish Zakur some decent recovery in a mental hospital. Or maybe he just needs a vacation to calm down from all the stress...
@duxili: It certainly appears like it that our top riders have a dry spell ever since Sánchez won Vuelta Ciclista País Vasco.
@Blueprint: Thanks a lot mate. Good to see you back, hope the holidays treated you well. Gorka Verdugo can get a glimpse of his new-found fame among basque and spanish fans at the Vuelta this year. Good one with Zakur.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
The Rider wrote:
Riders like Martinez are the real backbone of the team.
Indeed, they are.
Epic, ginormous, unfathomable, massive, hugely long report for stage 8 there, it is great to know you can come back to it and read at any time.
You have seen nothing yet, The Rider. No, but honestly, I like to give a detailed view of what's happening since I make this story primarily for the race reports. Naturally on such a mountain stage where lots of stuff happens on all fronts, the report gets longer than usual.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
