I wanted everybody to know that I have not used the trading cards idea in the Tour de France. Reasons are quite simple: It would have been annoying database editing and I feared it would take focus off the story and the team. Also, I felt like the effort didn't really bring much into the story. Sorry to anyone who looked forward to it, maybe someone else will adapt this idea or I implent it someday. Might as well share them though.
To take a look at all trading cards created for the Tour, have a go here.
Tour de Suisse, June 2013
Parallel to the Critérium du Dauphiné, the Tour de Suisse started. It’s the other big preparation race and just like fellow swiss Tour de Romandie, it is one big event here in Switzerland as well as in the cycling world. Arguably, it hosts way flatter stages, and in comparison to Critérium du Dauphiné, it is, at least, this year a bit less challenging. But don’t be mistaken: The fight for overall victory and stage wins will be just as brutal, the emphasis just focuses on stronger all-rounders rather than climbers.
Favourites include Tour de France winners Bradley Wiggins (SKY) and Cadel Evans (BMC), and Wiggin’s teammates Sergio Henao and Rigoberto Urán. Also included are this year’s Volta Ciclist a Catalunya winner Simon Spilak (KAT), Jürgen van den Broeck (LTB), Jakob Fuglsang (AST), Garmin-Sharp duo Daniel Martin and Andrew Talansky, Nicholas Roche (TST) and Carlos Betancur (ALM). For Euskaltel – Euskadi Igor Antón will have the honours alongside Mikel Astarloza, Robert Vrecer, Ricardo Garcia, Romain Sicard, Jure Kocjan. Juan Jose Lobato and Alexander Serebryakov will try to get in shape for the sprints, as the Tour de France is just around the corner.
Stage 1
Since I am still at the Critérium du Dauphiné, I don’t have much time to catch up on Tour de Suisse prologue. Well, it wasn’t like a rider from Euskaltel – Euskadi would have made an impression. Bradley Wiggins wins ahead of Simon Spilak and Tom Dumoulin.
Stage 2
The second stage offers already quite a finish up to Verbier. It’s hard to say where the actual climb starts, but in any case, the last 5 kilometers will be fought out heavily. With the Simplonpass too on the route, there is also quite a challenge along the way.
The first mountain of this year’s Tour de Suisse is already quite a big, prominent one. The breakaway climbs up to the Simplonpass. In the group is next to Vrecer also a pretty big name: Nicolas Roche from Saxo Tinkhoff is certainly the rider to watch out for in this break. Also included are Moinard (BMC), Löfkvist (IAM), Leukemans (VDC), Bazayev (AST), Sieberg (LTB) and Hupont (ARG). There’s also Nordic Cycli… I mean, FDJ’s Veikkanen featured in the break.
Leukemans (CD) takes the mountain sprint in the last second ahead of Moinard. There are still another 20 mountain points up for grabs at the finish, so the dutch rider can’t rest yet if he wants to grab the KoM jersey today. But odds are that the very aggressive Leukemans, who was featured in many breakaways throughout the season so far, wouldn’t have rested anyway. Vrecer is fourth and gets 6 points.
Although the group has a nice harmony going on with all riders involved, the gap isn’t too big. Only a bit more than 3 minutes is their lead on the peloton and there are still 55 kilometers left. Things aren’t looking too good for them today since a stage win would pretty demand more amount of time. But maybe one of the riders in the break still manages, most likely Roche.
As they come closer to the finish, the peloton draws in closer too. Spilak is a warning of that. This year’s winner of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya attacks with 15 kilometers to go and is quick to catch up to the break. We know that Spilak is a man for such races and is eager to confirm his class. If Spilak was to get the leader’s jersey today, Katusha would hold both jerseys today – at the Tour de Suisse and Criterium Dauphiné, where the last race was held today.
Verbier’s finish line is only 10 kilometers left and as Spilak, Vrecer, Roche & Co. are getting caught, Van den Broeck is ready to make his first move. But unfortunately for him, he doesn’t get very far as Sky pick up the pace drastically.
It`s a long tail that follows Sky’s lead. Antón tries hard to make up some places in the peloton by riding on the outside. Urán and Henao work hard for their captain. Talansky and Martin of Garmin-Sharp are next to Wiggins, who’s in yellow.
Daniel Martin won’t of course work now for the peloton as his team-mate Andrew Talansky attacks. Igor Antón looks good still but his breathing gets harder the more Sky push forward. But I am sure Igor isn’t the only one who has trouble staying with Sky. The peloton has split and only roughly 20 riders remain towards the end of this tough climb.
Henao gave it all to catch Talansky again. Now Urán has to his part. Wiggins keeps the eye out on the two Garmin-Sharp riders. Van den Broeck could be the wildcard. We still see Klöden and Henao in the picture but they seem to lose ground on the first 5 riders. Igor Antón is feeling his lack of racing form and can’t hold up anymore.
The final kilometer and things are still solid close as they were ahead of this stage between the favourites.
Wiggins is just too good today. He wins his second stage of the Tour de Suisse after already triumphing at the prologue. Daniel Martin and Andrew Talansky finish 2nd and 3rd for Garmin-Sharp. Igor Antón finishes 17th.
Stage 2, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
5h39'48
2
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
3
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
4
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
+ 26
5
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
6
Simon Clarke
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
7
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
s.t.
8
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
9
Andreas Klöden
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
10
Chris Horner
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
12
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
13
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 51
14
Simon Spilak
Katusha Team
s.t.
15
Wout Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'21
16
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
17
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
18
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'53
19
José Rujano
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
20
Jonathan Fumeaux
IAM Cycling
+ 2'13
21
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
22
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
23
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
24
Sandy Casar
FDJ
s.t.
25
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
26
Evgeni Petrov
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
27
Tom Dumoulin
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
28
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
29
Thomas Rohregger
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
30
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
+ 3'52
31
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'22
32
Francesco Gavazzi
Astana Pro Team
+ 4'29
33
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
34
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
35
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
36
Stijn Devolder
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
37
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
38
Michael Rogers
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
39
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
40
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
+ 6'17
41
Thomas Peterson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
42
Bram Tankink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 6'38
43
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
44
Luis León Sánchez
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
45
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
s.t.
46
Francis De Greef
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
47
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
48
Yaroslav Popovych
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
49
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
50
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
51
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
52
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
s.t.
53
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
54
Jussi Veikkanen
FDJ
s.t.
55
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
56
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
57
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
58
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
59
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
60
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
61
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
62
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
63
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
64
Maurits Lammertink
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
65
Ángel Madrazo
Movistar Team
s.t.
66
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
67
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
+ 7'20
68
Nelson Oliveira
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
69
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
+ 7'34
70
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
71
Julian Kern
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
72
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
73
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
74
Robert Wagner
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
75
Christian Meier
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
76
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
77
Nicolas Roche
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
78
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
79
Assan Bazayev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
80
Alessandro De Marchi
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
81
Anders Lund
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
82
Edward King
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
83
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
84
Dominique Rollin
FDJ
s.t.
85
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
86
Davide Appollonio
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
87
Mikel Astarloza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
88
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
89
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
90
Michael Hepburn
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
91
Simon Gerrans
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
92
Brian Vandborg
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
93
Thomas Löfkvist
IAM Cycling
s.t.
94
Alex Dowsett
Movistar Team
s.t.
95
Juan José Lobato
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
96
Dirk Bellemakers
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
97
Thierry Hupond
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
98
Bert Grabsch
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
99
Martin Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
100
Aidis Kruopis
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 8'37
101
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
102
Steele Von Hoff
Garmin - Sharp
+ 9'32
103
Sébastien Rosseler
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
104
Raymond Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
105
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 10'56
106
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
107
Peter Sagan
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
108
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
109
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
110
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
111
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
112
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
113
Jure Kocjan
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
114
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
115
Matteo Tosatto
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
116
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
117
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
s.t.
118
John Degenkolb
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
119
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
+ 13'40
120
Marcel Wyss
IAM Cycling
+ 13'59
121
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
122
Sébastien Reichenbach
IAM Cycling
s.t.
123
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
s.t.
124
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
125
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
126
Laurent Pichon
FDJ
s.t.
127
Marco Haller
Katusha Team
s.t.
128
Richie Porte
Sky Procycling
s.t.
129
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
130
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
131
Roy Curvers
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
132
Vyacheslav Kuznetsov
Katusha Team
s.t.
133
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
s.t.
134
Matthias Brändle
IAM Cycling
s.t.
135
Michel Koch
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
136
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
s.t.
137
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
138
Kristof Goddaert
IAM Cycling
s.t.
139
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
140
Luca Wackermann
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
141
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
142
Alexander Serebryakov
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
143
Laurent Mangel
FDJ
s.t.
144
Filippo Pozzato
Lampre - Merida
+ 15'08
145
Davide Viganò
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
146
Fumiyuki Beppu
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
147
Marcel Aregger
IAM Cycling
s.t.
148
Massimo Graziato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
149
Gabriel Rasch
Sky Procycling
s.t.
150
Sander Cordeel
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
151
Argiro Ospina
Movistar Team
s.t.
152
Wouter Mol
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
153
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
154
Cheng Ji
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 16'28
155
Dennis Van Winden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 16'39
156
Tiziano Dall'Antonia
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 17'15
157
Arman Kamyshev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
158
Boy Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
159
Andreas Klier
Garmin - Sharp
+ 17'30
160
Karsten Kroon
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 23'43
Stage 3
It`s likely that after the SKY/Wiggins domination of the previous two days, things won’t change much as sprinter teams like Cannondale, FDJ or Lotto will try to work for their captains’ possible stage win. Still, the profile might suit a possible break away.
Shortly before the first non-categorized climb, a break finally manages the split and stay ahead of the peloton. Many attempts by riders such as Kocjan (EUS), Astarloza (EUS), Bennatti (TST) or Golas didn’t work out. The now 5 happy riders in the break are Pozzatto (LAM), Goddaert (IAM), Muravyev (AST), Herrada (MOV) and french-basque rider Sicard (EUS), who is eager to prove his nomination for the Tour de France.
Things are quickly looking good for them. A lead of about 6 minutes is decent but with over 80 kilometers left, there is enough time for the peloton to catch up. Although the effort of the five man break is quite high already, no rider takes this as a chance to save a power and everybody works equally for the goal.
25 kilometers left and the break now heads into the two categorized climbs of the day. The peloton can be seen in the far back and the lead tangles between 2’30’’ and 3 minutes.
Young rider Sicard truly suffers at the end of the break. Herrada and Muravyev paced extremely up this little hill and showed no remorse. Katu advises him to collect his last energy reserves to hang on. This is where it counts, the second climb follows shortly after the first. The french is feeling his lack of race practice in the last weeks.
Merely a few hundred meters separate the break from the peloton. Cannondale, FDJ and Lotto press hard on and are already in motion to keep their riders up front for a possible sprint train.
It’s not a long way up but due to the speed, Sicard hadn`t time to recover and now has to watch how Muravyev, Goddaert and Herrada attack. Pozzato and Sicard are left to the chasing, and are merely seconds later caught by the peloton.
At top of the hill, the breakaway is caught for good. This will be a bunch sprint now. The little downhill demands to be aware of the speed and the frequent position changes in the peloton. Lobato and Serebryakov will be our guys.
The final kilometer after an expected fast downhill. Lobato doesn’t have the best positon behind Edvald Boasson Hagen. Boonen just launches his sprint, while Demare and Bouhanni are way up front already.
Swift wins close ahead of the two FDJ sprinters. It was quite a dangerous move as he sneaked his way through Bouhanni and Demare on the last meters He was the one to catch Demare’s backwheel and was lucky enough to bring into the finish. Another win for the Briton sprinter, while FDJ have to consider their sprint train tactics. They worked a lot today, just as they did at the Giro d’Italia, but the amount of wins just doesn’t compensate the effort they put in each time. Lobato scores 8th.
Due to a crash by Chris Horner in the downhill, Igor Antón moves up to 16th overall.
In any way this is the third win by SKY in the third stage of the Tour de Suisse. SKY truly dominate things and they seem to be eager to dominate further from here on out.
Too bad the cards weren't used, but for understandable reasons
Nice to see them in that link, though
Might be even kind of cool to start a new initiative/community story with these cards?
@Ian Butler: Of course. Anyone who thinks this idea suits his story is welcome to do so - basically I just took it right of an existing concept anyway. I think it could work well with a game involving several players over a season or so too.
@Atlantius: Hehe, anytime. Yup, first MT stage wasn't too good, but just like for Nieve, this is basically just form building.
@duxili: Hehe, yeah my leaders have a way of underperforming by now.
@sutty68: So far they are without any mercy.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
This stage could be as good as any for a good breakaway attempt. The earlier climbs should grant a decent lead on the peloton, but will make it tough to break away, while the later climbs will become a good enough obstacle to slow down the typical sprint teams.
Only a few meters into the race and the attacks already hailed down. Sky is riding a harsh line and is not willing to let anyone get away. That’s maybe due to L.L. Sanchez being in the break, but nonetheless Astarloza paces the second group. An amount of 23 riders are already dropped, among them are Serebryakov and yesterday’s breakawayee Sicard.
Sky seem to have given up on chasing the breakaway too and they finally can put in some decent time into them. The decreased pace is also shown by the fact that Serebryakov and Sicard are back in the peloton. Once the group manages to have their lead, they quickly gain up to 4 minutes just in the descent.
Up at Scheltenpass, the group has around 6 minutes lead. There also those loyal basque fans for Astarloza waiting next to some easy mountain points. None of the other riders is interested in the 12 points and this might be the first step to another KoM jersey. Currently Wiggins leads with merely 20 points this classification. Riders in the break with Astarloza are the ever-active Hushovd (BMC), Lövkist (IAM), L.L. Sanchez (BEL), Madrazo (MOV), Hupont (ARG), Julian Kern (ALM) and Luca Wackermann (LAM).
Spoiler
We see the finish from here but in truth it’s still 40 kilometers away. Two climbs are still up and a rather long section of about 10 kilometers is still waiting for them until this sign of the finish line has any value.
4 of the 8 attacked at the climb. Astarloza and the others are chasing. Katu was smart to not give Astarloza the word to attack with L.L. Sanchez since the riders are soon caught. They get their refillments, drink their bottles, look at the other riders as the race heads into the finale phase. An attack by Martin, Gilbert, Sagan and Spilak meanwhile shows no real effect against the pace of Sky.
15 kilometers to go and Garmin-Sharp are taking full advantage of their top-ranked riders. Daniel Martin attacks once again. Meanwhile, Lobato and Kocjan got dropped and thus we lose our best cards for a possible bunch sprint. Still, the lead of the break is around 1:30, so we might not even need them.
Daniel Martin didn’t have much luck, maybe Spilak and Igor Antón are luckier. The break is only 30 seconds ahead. Martin shows his stellar form by following them.
Heading into the final 5 kilometers, Astarloza paces for his captain.
They got fairly to the last two kilometers until they got caught for good. Antón tried to keep at the top with Astarloza, but than Gilbert sprints by Antón and quickly other riders pass him too.
Gilbert’s legs were not up to it in the end, and Gasparotto sprints past him. Talanksy gets 2nd and collects 6 bonus seconds for the overall classification and remains 8 seconds behind Wiggins. Igor Antón didn’t stand any chance on the last kilometer and fell behind on 24th place.
Stage 4, Results
NOTE: Strangely enough, the exported results didn’t appear in the folder. o_O
Stage 5
It’s another stage that can’t decide if it’s want to hilly or flat, something for the puncheurs or sprinters, but in any case, it’s good as any for a breakaway.
The pace is extremely high and FDJ and Cannondale hold a tight grip on the peloton. Kolobnev has merely 2 minutes lead to the peloton after almost 90 kilometers. There is still a long way but things ain’t looking too good for the many riders who are on their own currently, as they fight their way up to Benkerijoch. Santos Tour Down Under winner Kolobnev looks good and determine though ahead of Hushovd. No riders from Euskaltel are featured in the break since the cost of the very heated beginning were just too high. Instead we rely on FDJ and Cannondale’s effort for a bunch sprint and hope to make a good result with Lobato and Serebryakov.
We get an impression on the finish as the break heads through it for the time. There are still couple of climbs left to tackle before we can think about a possible stage win here, but the finish should suit Lobato and Kocjan. A small ramp around 2-3 kilometers ahead of the finish will be important for positioning. The 6 man lead has around 5 minutes advantage on the peloton.
Going into the last 20 kilometers, Kolobnev shows his class by being all alone again. Except for Hushovd, all of the former breakaway riders were caught by now and Kolobnev could perform a similar deed at he already did at Tour Down Under earlier this season. We know that this man is certainly capable of pushing his break to the end and a lead of nearly 2 minutes to the FDJ/Cannondale-train, things could quite solid for him.
Alas it just doesn’t seem to be meant for him today. Lotto Belisol joins the chase of FDJ and has enough fresh power to pull Kolobnev in at this last, small, steep hill. But alas, they don’t quiet manage and going into the last 10 kilometers, the Russian Katusha rider has still a small lead towards the peloton. Lobato meanwhile looks quite solid here upfront, while being protected by Astarloza, ahead of Wiggins in the yellow jersey.
All the big names are upfront now: Greipel, Demare, Sagan and some other aspiring sprinters who hope to take the stage win. Among them is Lobato on 5th position behind Theo Bos. We hit the last 3 kilometers.
Tyler Farrar takes the stage win ahead of Bos (BEL) and Sagan (CAN). The American sprinter profits from his great post-Giro form where he already took a stage win. Meanwhile, Greipel is possibly looking for him form and the sprint train details that make the Lotto Belisol strong. Lobato didn’t have much luck when he decided to stay on Greipel’s wheel instead of following Bos performance.
Stage 5, Results
Stage 6
Today features a similar stage to yesterday. No delusions on my part, this one is destined for sprinters.
The break has a bit over 3 minutes lead going into the last 50 kilometers, but the teams of Demare, Greipel and Sagan are hardly hard at work to make a bunch sprint happen today.
The small climb will be a last test for the sprinters. While Julian Kern (ALM)is the last of the breakaway to struggle upfront, the sprinters already look for the best wheel they can grab.
Yesterday I wondered about Greipel’s form and Lotto Belisol`s sprint train, today they prove me wrong. Greipel takes the stage win in impeccable manner, being clearly the strongest sprinter today. Sagan and Bouhanni complete the podium.
Stage 6, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
4h51'48
2
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
s.t.
3
Peter Sagan
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
4
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
s.t.
5
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
6
John Degenkolb
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
7
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
9
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
10
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
12
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
13
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
14
Aidis Kruopis
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
15
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
16
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
17
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
18
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
19
Simon Clarke
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
20
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
s.t.
21
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
22
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
23
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
s.t.
24
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
25
Ángel Madrazo
Movistar Team
s.t.
26
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
s.t.
27
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
s.t.
28
Davide Appollonio
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
29
Jure Kocjan
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
30
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
31
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
32
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
33
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
34
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
35
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
36
Juan José Lobato
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
37
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
38
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
39
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
40
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
s.t.
41
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
42
Bram Tankink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
43
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
44
Francis De Greef
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
45
Thomas Rohregger
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
46
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
47
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
48
Tom Dumoulin
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
49
Simon Spilak
Katusha Team
s.t.
50
Evgeni Petrov
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
51
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
52
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
53
Sandy Casar
FDJ
s.t.
54
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
55
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
56
Julian Kern
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
57
Marco Haller
Katusha Team
s.t.
58
Anders Lund
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
59
Vyacheslav Kuznetsov
Katusha Team
s.t.
60
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
61
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
62
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
s.t.
63
Laurent Pichon
FDJ
s.t.
64
Alessandro De Marchi
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
65
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
66
Simon Gerrans
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
67
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
68
Andreas Klöden
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
69
Sébastien Rosseler
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
70
Michael Rogers
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
71
Jonathan Fumeaux
IAM Cycling
s.t.
72
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
73
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
74
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
s.t.
75
Steele Von Hoff
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
76
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
77
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
78
Chris Horner
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
79
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
80
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
81
Boy Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
82
José Rujano
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
83
Thomas Löfkvist
IAM Cycling
s.t.
84
Wout Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
85
Kristof Goddaert
IAM Cycling
s.t.
86
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
s.t.
87
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
88
Roy Curvers
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
89
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
90
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
91
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
92
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
93
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
s.t.
94
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
95
Thierry Hupond
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
96
Richie Porte
Sky Procycling
s.t.
97
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
s.t.
98
Luis León Sánchez
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
99
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
100
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
101
Alex Dowsett
Movistar Team
s.t.
102
Stijn Devolder
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
103
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
104
Sébastien Reichenbach
IAM Cycling
s.t.
105
Matthias Brändle
IAM Cycling
s.t.
106
Yaroslav Popovych
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
107
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
108
Francesco Gavazzi
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
109
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
110
Jussi Veikkanen
FDJ
s.t.
111
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
112
Assan Bazayev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
113
Nicolas Roche
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
114
Marcel Wyss
IAM Cycling
s.t.
115
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
116
Thomas Peterson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
117
Nelson Oliveira
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
118
Maurits Lammertink
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
119
Dirk Bellemakers
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
120
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
121
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
122
Bert Grabsch
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
123
Luca Wackermann
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
124
Davide Viganò
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
125
Marcel Aregger
IAM Cycling
s.t.
126
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
127
Arman Kamyshev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
128
Matteo Tosatto
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
129
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
130
Filippo Pozzato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
131
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
132
Tiziano Dall'Antonia
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
133
Massimo Graziato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
134
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
135
Dominique Rollin
FDJ
s.t.
136
Mikel Astarloza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
137
Michael Hepburn
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
138
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
139
Robert Wagner
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
140
Raymond Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
141
Fumiyuki Beppu
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
142
Christian Meier
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
143
Wouter Mol
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
144
Martin Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
145
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
146
Brian Vandborg
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
147
Edward King
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
148
Michel Koch
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
149
Cheng Ji
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
150
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
151
Argiro Ospina
Movistar Team
s.t.
152
Gabriel Rasch
Sky Procycling
s.t.
153
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
154
Dennis Van Winden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'21
155
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
156
Laurent Mangel
FDJ
s.t.
157
Sander Cordeel
Lotto Belisol
+ 5'36
158
Andreas Klier
Garmin - Sharp
+ 10'10
159
Alexander Serebryakov
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
160
Karsten Kroon
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 12'18
Stage 7
The second time trial is up before the last two mountain stages of this year’s Tour de Suisse. It’s obvious who the big favourite is for this race. Wiggins has won theprologue as well as the first mountain stage and will be eager to get another win while also increasing his overall lead. But does his form hold up after the tough weeks of the Giro d’Italia or will one of his contenders such as Spilak, Talansky, Klöden or Fuglsang get the better of him?
Igor Antón is ranked as 16th. Ahead of him started Fuglsang, it’s highly unlikely he will see the Danish rider on the road again. The crowds here cheer for every rider the same, but are obviously a lot more louder when the swiss riders pass them. Current rider best time is by Peter Sagan ahead of Lars Boom.
While Antón did great at the hill and ranked 3rd at the first intermediate, he loses around 39 additional seconds on Sagan in the descent. That’s a whole lot!
The last five kilometers are up and Antón has to put it all he has got. Gilbert meanwhile has a new best time at the finish. At the first intermediate things are looking perfect for Garmin – Sharp as Talansky put 19 seconds into Wiggins at the first climb.
His effort at the end paid off as Antón is currently ranked 10th and didn’t lose much time on his rivals, so far at least.
Talansky sets the best time at the 2nd intermediate too, 25 seconds ahead of Wiggins. His teammate Daniel Martin is in Talansky’s range and this should only boost his motivation further. He looks set on getting the leader’s jersey today.
Wiggins part is up as the last kilometers are relatively flat. Excuse the obvious message of the stop sign, but for Wiggins it’s clear to give it all now, just like Antón did previously too.
The finish line can already be seen and Talansky truly puts it all in already. He is riding like a maniac today!
He couldn’t quite get his teammate Martin in the end but his time should secure the victory and the leader’s jersey for good. Bearing that Wiggo won’t pull off a furious ride down the last kilometers.
Nope, Wiggins loses the jersey and in what a way. He is 41 seconds behind and it’s seem obvious that he feels by now the weeks of the Giro d’Italia in his legs. Meanwhile, Talansky's win can only be described as a nice effect for the overall fight in the next two days.
Wut, Bos second on a hilly stage? Rather boring Suisse for the Team, but when Anton and Nieve are in top form in the last week of the Tour, then we can see what's possible!
@Dippofix: Stranger things have happened than Bos result... I think.
And yes, they are definitely both aiming for le Tour although I have my doubts that Antón's training schedule is that good. My custom plan wasn't the best and I'll have to optimize his a lot in the next season, seeing as he is already quite tired (from what? I don't know!).
@Atlantius: It's not all bad, but they will come back stronger again. They just need some time.
@duxili: Thanks mate. Honestly, except for Lobato, these stages didn't offer much for Euskaltel - Euskadi. Two more mountain stages are still yet to be raced at the Tour de Suisse and Euskaltel - Euskadi will try - as usual - their best.
I'll upload Tour de Suisse probably later today and tomorrow will see National Championships as well as a look on the transfermarket. Le Tour probably starts on Monday.
Edited by Shonak on 04-01-2014 15:50
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Where does the climb to Arosa start and what exactly is this? The ultimate kilometers will be steep but between the climb up to Castiel and Arosa there is a long, steady, but rather little gradient to pass. This is not such an uncomplicated finish as it may look since the mixed nature of the final kilometers call for a good strategy. Whatever the stage will offer, one thing is for sure: It of course won’t be an easy for the happy stage winner.
Large breakaways form several times until one seems to pull away in front of the cheering people from Switzerland in this village. Sicard is in the group, as well as Richie Porte from SKY. Julian Kern, wearer of the KoM jersey, will want to get some more points today. Other names include Leukemans (VCD), Cummings (BMC), Ladagnous (FDJ), De Greef (LTB) or Jungels (RTL). In total, there are 16 riders in the group. Herrada and Tom Boonen(!) attack later on and catch up to the group.
Although there are 18 riders in the group, the break doesn’t manage more than 4 minutes lead towards the peloton after the first half of the race. Many riders take very short terms and don’t want to work for the goal of the break, such as Porte, Wackermann or Meier. Katu advises Sicard to not put too much effort into his leads since it’s likely that other riders will step on him during the final kilometers. Still, our french rider involves himself in the daily routine of breakaways.
It’s certainly an advantage when a rider like Tom Boonen is in your group, as he tells the others to work too. Sicard is right next to him and later on tells me, that he was quite surprised by such a natural leader. The group harmony looks better now, but then again, it needs to be since the lead decreased to 3 minutes.
Spoiler
Heading up Castiel, the peloton has already the 18 men group in their sights. Things don’t look good for a breakaway win today as Katusha and Garmin-Sharp pace for their leaders.
Spilak attacks at this course and is ready to fight for the overall classification. This year’s winner of Volta Ciclista a Catalunya sure has the class for a win at Tour de Suisse too. In the break, Sicard struggles to keep the pace of Cummings, Kern & Jungels.
Due to the large breakaway, Garmin-Sharp catch up to Spilak rather easy, although he tries his best to push the group harder. As they get caught, Dumoulin isn’t willing to step down just yet and attacks one more time. He can be seen here in the jersey of the best young rider, but that one actually belongs to Talansky. Antón is the peloton, which is recuded to 20 riders plus 17 riders of the breakaway. Sicard is now the only help for Antón as Astarloza and Vrecer missed the split. At least Vrecer has a good chance of coming back since Edvald Boasson Hagen, L.L. Sanchez, Chavanel and some other riders look to get into the peloton.
Many small attacks show no impact on the peloton paced by Daniel Martin. Although riders such as Spilak, Horner, Poels, Riblon or Betancur try it multiple times, this nearly flat passage between the two climbs just doesn’t offer much if you want to challenge Garmin-Sharp.
Spoiler
A strong attack by Rujano, who is already around 6 minutes behind in overall classification, doesn’t see much reaction from Garmin-Sharp. He is the only rider who managed to get away so far. Spilak meanwhile tries another attempt at the 5 kilometer sign.
But the last couple of kilometers just are too much for him. Right now, Kwiatkowski leads the race but Horne and Spilak are right on him. Where’s Antón, I wonder.
Some insane guy is still in the last kilometer and pushing Kwiatkowski to keep going. Antón tried his luck together with Evans and now Wiggins looks set to push for the stage win. Talansky is a few places behind.
What a finale by Kwiatowski. He had the right instinct today and managed to keep his lead up to the last 500 steep meters. Wiggins takes important bonus seconds for his overall victory and is now only 27 seconds behind Talansky. Antón finishes 7th.
Stage 8, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
3h49'32
2
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
s.t.
3
Chris Horner
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
4
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
5
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
6
Andreas Klöden
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
7
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
8
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
s.t.
9
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
10
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
12
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
s.t.
13
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
14
Simon Spilak
Katusha Team
s.t.
15
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
16
Simon Clarke
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
17
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
18
Wout Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
19
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
20
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - Merida
+ 42
21
Francis De Greef
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
22
Nicolas Roche
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
23
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
24
Richie Porte
Sky Procycling
+ 1'11
25
Evgeni Petrov
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
26
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
27
Michael Rogers
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
28
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
29
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
30
Bram Tankink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
31
Julian Kern
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
32
Jonathan Fumeaux
IAM Cycling
s.t.
33
Sandy Casar
FDJ
s.t.
34
Thomas Rohregger
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
35
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
36
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
s.t.
37
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
38
Luca Wackermann
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
39
José Rujano
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
40
Marcel Wyss
IAM Cycling
s.t.
41
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'59
42
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
43
Christian Meier
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
44
Luis León Sánchez
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
45
Thomas Löfkvist
IAM Cycling
+ 2'32
46
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
s.t.
47
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
48
Tom Dumoulin
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
49
Francesco Gavazzi
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
50
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
51
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
52
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
53
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
54
Thierry Hupond
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
55
Assan Bazayev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
56
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
57
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
58
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3'21
59
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'02
60
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
61
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
62
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
+ 8'19
63
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 8'32
64
Stijn Devolder
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
65
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
66
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
67
Mikel Astarloza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
68
Sébastien Reichenbach
IAM Cycling
s.t.
69
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
s.t.
70
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
71
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
s.t.
72
Thomas Peterson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
73
Jussi Veikkanen
FDJ
s.t.
74
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
75
Simon Gerrans
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
76
Kristof Goddaert
IAM Cycling
s.t.
77
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
78
Sébastien Rosseler
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
79
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
+ 9'20
80
Marco Haller
Katusha Team
+ 9'55
81
Anders Lund
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 10'14
82
Vyacheslav Kuznetsov
Katusha Team
s.t.
83
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
+ 10'50
84
Ángel Madrazo
Movistar Team
s.t.
85
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
86
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
+ 11'12
87
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
88
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
s.t.
89
Steele Von Hoff
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
90
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 11'39
91
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
92
Matteo Tosatto
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
93
Dirk Bellemakers
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
94
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
95
Davide Appollonio
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
96
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
97
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
98
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
99
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
100
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
101
Bert Grabsch
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
102
Jure Kocjan
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
103
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
104
Matthias Brändle
IAM Cycling
s.t.
105
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
106
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
107
Yaroslav Popovych
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
108
Juan José Lobato
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
109
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
110
Roy Curvers
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 13'37
111
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
112
Alessandro De Marchi
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 14'27
113
Edward King
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
114
John Degenkolb
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
115
Dominique Rollin
FDJ
s.t.
116
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
117
Fumiyuki Beppu
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
118
Martin Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
119
Brian Vandborg
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
120
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
121
Argiro Ospina
Movistar Team
s.t.
122
Alexander Serebryakov
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
123
Michael Hepburn
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
124
Laurent Mangel
FDJ
s.t.
125
Nelson Oliveira
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
126
Alex Dowsett
Movistar Team
s.t.
127
Raymond Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
128
Laurent Pichon
FDJ
s.t.
129
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
+ 14'59
130
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
+ 15'52
131
Filippo Pozzato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
132
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
133
Peter Sagan
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
134
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
135
Tiziano Dall'Antonia
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
136
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
137
Wouter Mol
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
138
Maurits Lammertink
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
139
Michel Koch
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
140
Boy Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
141
Davide Viganò
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
142
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
143
Robert Wagner
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
144
Massimo Graziato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
145
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
146
Cheng Ji
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
147
Aidis Kruopis
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
148
Arman Kamyshev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
149
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
150
Dennis Van Winden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
151
Marcel Aregger
IAM Cycling
s.t.
152
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
153
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
154
Gabriel Rasch
Sky Procycling
s.t.
155
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
s.t.
156
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
157
Andreas Klier
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
158
Sander Cordeel
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
159
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
160
Karsten Kroon
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 22'41
Stage 9
The final stage of the Tour de Suisse is obviously the deciding stage too. Today sees two climbs of the highest category and it will finish on another climb up to Sörenberg, which features parts of the climb up to Glaubenbielen. Glaubenbielen and Glaubenberg will be a tough enough challenge as they are, the stage gets however also is around 215 kilometers long, thus only riders with enough stamina after the first week can hope to perform well today. Wiggins and Talansky are merely seconds apart and both teams will throw in everything into the pot to decide the winner, while Euskaltel – Euskadi looks for a hopeful stage win.
A break of 13 riders, among them Astarloza, sets themselves apart. Right now they have about 6 minutes after 76 kilometers, but with 140 kilometers ahead of them, they need to get even more. Unlike yesterday, all riders participate equally in the break’s success. Astarloza could be the strongest climber though in the group since no Porte-esque rider is in the group.
For the break remain 2 kilometers up to Glaubenbielen. The peloton down below just reaches Sörenberg, where today finishes is placed. Merely 5 minutes for the road ahead, it doesn’t look good for the break. Still, Astarloza tries his best. When they reach the top, the whole group knows who did the work up to Glaubenbielen and Astarloza merely has to collect the 20 points. He is now virtual leader in the mountain category.
Lobato getting some bottles. The descent looks dangerous and with many curves, this isn’t easy. Up from here, you can see the breakaway though which is nearly at the foot of the mountain.
Little rest for the break as they head right from the short flat into Glaubenberg. With a gradient of 15 %, the first kilometers are especially steep and tough, but the later kilometers feature a similar gradient of 10 %, so they won’t be in any way easier. Is this the Angliru of Switzerland?
Sicard drops from Antón side, who is right up there with the others. The pace of Daniel Martin is incredible as they climb Glaubenberg. Still, for Wout Poels it seems to be the right moment to attack. Splits in the peloton can occur any time now.
Henao followed Poels, behind them is Betancur too. They are very fast and look set on catching the break before they reach the summit. This is bad for Astarloza and the possible KoM Jersey. Movistar and Lotto Belisol meanwhile help Garmin – Sharp in catching Henao & Co.
Due to the enorm pace, Astarloza’s group gets caught. He himself just sets himself apart from them before Henao is on his wheel. With 4 kilometers up to Glaubenberg, things are now really looking bad. But he will fight up the top for the KoM jersey.
Poels and Betancur missed the split of the first group, and now 4 riders cling onto Henao, just hoping that the Glaubenberg will finish soon. The view is gorgeous, but the road is paved with marks of pain.
Fuglsang, Klöden & Anton try their luck on the last kilometer of the Glaubenberg, while Astarloza takes his points and now has the KoM jersey for good. For Wiggins, the second place in this category, it’s impossible to catch him now. Soon thereafter, Astarloza and Henao get caught by the peloton. 23 riders head now together into the descent.
Astarloza can merely grab some bottles for Antón, and then he is completely done for good. A bit of wind protection maybe too, but that’s about it. Riders like Horner, Roche or Fuglsang are really eager to win this stage as they even try their luck in the descent. But they ain’t no Samu Sánchez and don’t get very far.
It’s not the final sprint but an intermediate sprint and looking at the bonus seconds, Talansky might have the hope that this will secure his win. Spilak and Evans sprint too, Antón conserves his energy for the true sprint. 20 kilometers left.
Spoiler
Niemic, being 33rd overall, is the only one allowed to get away a bit. Numerous attempts by other riders showed no effect, and now Fuglsang leads the group into the final climb, but as soon as the gradient gets higher, Daniel Martin does his work for Talansky and paces the group.
Spoiler
Spilak has joined Niemiec for the last 5 kilometers, but Katusha’s captain is sure to overtake Niemiec now. Fuglsang, Antón and Kwiatkowski tried to follow Spilak’s wheel, but Horner left a gap open and thus no one was interested in closing it. Since Daniel Martin is finished, Talansky works with Van den Broeck and Klöden on getting Spilak and Niemec back to the group.
Talansky and Wiggins head to head sprint down the last kilometer of the Tour de Suisse. Klöden, Spilak and Rogers are up with them but Niemec still holds the lead. The last kilometers were nervous and offered many position changes, Antón hadn’t quite the best position while being careful the entire race but can make up ground on the last meters.
Wiggins takes his 3rd stage win at this year’s Tour de Suisse. Talansky finishes 3rd and wins the Tour de Suisse overall. Igor Antón sprints to a good 7th place on this stage and improves to 9th overall. Quite a great performance by him, I’d say. But our real winner of the day is Astarloza, who arrives completely exhausted but wins the KoM jersey for good.
Stage 9, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
6h12'27
2
Michael Rogers
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 10
3
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
4
Andreas Klöden
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
5
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
6
Simon Spilak
Katusha Team
s.t.
7
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
8
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
9
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Chris Horner
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 32
Spoiler
11
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
12
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 49
13
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
+ 58
14
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
s.t.
15
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
+ 1'28
16
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
17
Nicolas Roche
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1'45
18
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
+ 2'30
19
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2'39
20
Marcel Wyss
IAM Cycling
+ 4'43
21
Wout Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
22
Sébastien Reichenbach
IAM Cycling
s.t.
23
José Rujano
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
24
Evgeni Petrov
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
25
Simon Clarke
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 5'10
26
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 5'28
27
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
+ 6'05
28
Sandy Casar
FDJ
+ 6'26
29
Jussi Veikkanen
FDJ
+ 6'48
30
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
+ 7'39
31
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
32
Francis De Greef
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
33
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
34
Thomas Peterson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
35
Mikel Astarloza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
36
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 8'00
37
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
38
Edward King
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 10'08
39
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 11'56
40
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
+ 12'22
41
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
42
Matteo Tosatto
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
43
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
44
Luis León Sánchez
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 12'45
45
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
46
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
+ 14'20
47
Peter Sagan
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
48
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
+ 15'38
49
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
+ 16'41
50
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
51
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
52
Bram Tankink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
53
Thomas Rohregger
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
54
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
55
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
+ 17'42
56
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
57
Tom Dumoulin
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
58
Richie Porte
Sky Procycling
s.t.
59
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
60
Brian Vandborg
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
61
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
62
Alessandro De Marchi
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
63
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
64
Sébastien Rosseler
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
65
Francesco Gavazzi
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
66
Thierry Hupond
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
67
Julian Kern
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
68
Christian Meier
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
69
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
70
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
71
Yaroslav Popovych
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
72
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
73
Argiro Ospina
Movistar Team
s.t.
74
Ángel Madrazo
Movistar Team
s.t.
75
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
76
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
77
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
78
Thomas Löfkvist
IAM Cycling
+ 18'31
79
Jonathan Fumeaux
IAM Cycling
s.t.
80
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
81
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
82
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
83
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
84
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
s.t.
85
Nelson Oliveira
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
86
Anders Lund
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
87
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
88
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
89
Kristof Goddaert
IAM Cycling
s.t.
90
Martin Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
91
Davide Appollonio
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
92
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
93
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
s.t.
94
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
95
Simon Gerrans
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
96
Stijn Devolder
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
97
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
98
Maurits Lammertink
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
99
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
100
Vyacheslav Kuznetsov
Katusha Team
s.t.
101
Laurent Mangel
FDJ
s.t.
102
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
103
Assan Bazayev
Astana Pro Team
+ 19'28
104
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
105
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
106
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
107
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 19'39
108
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
109
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
110
Bert Grabsch
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
111
Alex Dowsett
Movistar Team
s.t.
112
Fumiyuki Beppu
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
113
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
114
Dirk Bellemakers
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
115
Dominique Rollin
FDJ
+ 23'13
116
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
+ 23'37
117
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 24'26
118
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
119
Steele Von Hoff
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
120
Roy Curvers
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 25'13
121
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
+ 26'48
122
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
s.t.
123
Michael Hepburn
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 27'13
124
Tiziano Dall'Antonia
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 28'01
125
Matthias Brändle
IAM Cycling
s.t.
126
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
127
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
128
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
129
John Degenkolb
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
130
Marco Haller
Katusha Team
s.t.
131
Marcel Aregger
IAM Cycling
s.t.
132
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
133
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
s.t.
134
Juan José Lobato
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 28'28
135
Luca Wackermann
Lampre - Merida
+ 31'46
136
Raymond Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
+ 32'02
137
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
s.t.
138
Arman Kamyshev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
139
Filippo Pozzato
Lampre - Merida
+ 33'01
140
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
141
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
+ 33'14
142
Alexander Serebryakov
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 33'36
143
Boy Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 35'09
144
Massimo Graziato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
145
Aidis Kruopis
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
146
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
147
Robert Wagner
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
148
Davide Viganò
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
149
Sander Cordeel
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
150
Dennis Van Winden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
151
Gabriel Rasch
Sky Procycling
s.t.
152
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
153
Wouter Mol
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
154
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
155
Michel Koch
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
156
Cheng Ji
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
157
Andreas Klier
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
158
Laurent Pichon
FDJ
s.t.
159
Jure Kocjan
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
160
Karsten Kroon
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 41'36
It was close in the end and Garmin-Sharp did well to defend the jersey. It was in many ways a fight between the american team and Team Sky, and boys in blue have truly deserved this one. And if for nothing else, it at least boosts the morale of the entire peloton that Sky won't be completely unbeatable in the three weeks of le Tour.
Final General Classification
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
36h22'31
2
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
+ 14
3
Simon Spilak
Katusha Team
+ 1'24
4
Andreas Klöden
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1'35
5
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'14
6
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
+ 2'20
7
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'44
8
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
+ 3'05
9
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'12
10
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
+ 3'42
Spoiler
11
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
+ 4'40
12
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
+ 4'46
13
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
+ 5'31
14
Chris Horner
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 6'00
15
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 6'08
16
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 6'38
17
Michael Rogers
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 7'11
18
Simon Clarke
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 7'22
19
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - Merida
+ 7'48
20
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 8'11
21
Wout Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 8'13
22
Evgeni Petrov
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 10'27
23
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
+ 10'58
24
Sandy Casar
FDJ
+ 11'57
25
Nicolas Roche
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 12'04
26
José Rujano
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 12'29
27
José Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 13'28
28
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
+ 14'29
29
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 14'56
30
Francis De Greef
Lotto Belisol
+ 17'40
31
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
+ 20'23
32
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
+ 21'58
33
Luis León Sánchez
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 22'42
34
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 22'48
35
Thomas Rohregger
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 23'01
36
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
+ 23'28
37
Tom Dumoulin
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 23'57
38
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
+ 24'11
39
Jonathan Fumeaux
IAM Cycling
+ 24'52
40
Mikel Astarloza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 26'27
41
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
+ 27'39
42
Francesco Gavazzi
Astana Pro Team
+ 28'09
43
Jussi Veikkanen
FDJ
+ 28'28
44
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 29'15
45
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
+ 29'17
46
Julian Kern
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 30'34
47
Thomas Löfkvist
IAM Cycling
+ 31'01
48
Thierry Hupond
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 31'41
49
Stijn Devolder
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 32'58
50
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 33'01
51
Bram Tankink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 33'31
52
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
+ 33'37
53
Marcel Wyss
IAM Cycling
+ 35'49
54
Christian Meier
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 35'52
55
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 36'56
56
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 37'12
57
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
+ 37'28
58
Thomas Peterson
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 38'06
59
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 38'13
60
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
+ 38'52
61
Assan Bazayev
Astana Pro Team
+ 38'59
62
Ángel Madrazo
Movistar Team
+ 39'11
63
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 39'12
64
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
+ 39'17
65
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 39'57
66
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 40'39
67
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 41'24
68
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
69
Richie Porte
Sky Procycling
+ 41'47
70
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
+ 41'54
71
Peter Sagan
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 42'18
72
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
s.t.
73
Alessandro De Marchi
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 43'19
74
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 43'44
75
Sébastien Reichenbach
IAM Cycling
+ 43'49
76
Simon Gerrans
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 43'53
77
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
+ 43'55
78
Edward King
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 45'59
79
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
+ 46'23
80
Anders Lund
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 46'34
81
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 46'47
82
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
+ 46'57
83
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
+ 47'12
84
Davide Appollonio
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 47'22
85
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 47'58
86
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
+ 48'03
87
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 48'09
88
Brian Vandborg
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 48'18
89
Dirk Bellemakers
Lotto Belisol
+ 48'51
90
Yaroslav Popovych
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 49'08
91
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Belisol
+ 49'14
92
Matteo Tosatto
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 49'43
93
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 50'04
94
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 50'14
95
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 50'45
96
Luca Wackermann
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
97
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 51'09
98
Sébastien Rosseler
Garmin - Sharp
+ 52'00
99
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 52'29
100
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
+ 52'51
101
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 54'21
102
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 54'26
103
Alex Dowsett
Movistar Team
+ 54'28
104
Bert Grabsch
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 54'57
105
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 56'13
106
Dominique Rollin
FDJ
+ 56'28
107
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
+ 56'45
108
Martin Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 56'57
109
Vyacheslav Kuznetsov
Katusha Team
+ 57'14
110
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 58'03
111
Nelson Oliveira
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
112
Juan José Lobato
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 58'12
113
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h00'32
114
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h00'49
115
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h01'07
116
Kristof Goddaert
IAM Cycling
+ 1h01'54
117
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h02'48
118
Steele Von Hoff
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1h02'52
119
Michael Hepburn
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1h02'56
120
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1h03'02
121
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h05'40
122
Jure Kocjan
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h06'14
123
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
+ 1h06'30
124
Maurits Lammertink
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h06'36
125
Marco Haller
Katusha Team
+ 1h06'52
126
Fumiyuki Beppu
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1h06'54
127
Robert Wagner
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h08'09
128
Matthias Brändle
IAM Cycling
+ 1h10'39
129
John Degenkolb
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1h10'54
130
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
+ 1h12'03
131
Argiro Ospina
Movistar Team
+ 1h13'11
132
Raymond Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1h13'49
133
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
+ 1h14'12
134
Aidis Kruopis
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1h17'27
135
Tiziano Dall'Antonia
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1h18'10
136
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h18'43
137
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h19'48
138
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h20'10
139
Marcel Aregger
IAM Cycling
+ 1h20'40
140
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h20'47
141
Filippo Pozzato
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h21'50
142
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h22'19
143
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
+ 1h22'58
144
Arman Kamyshev
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h23'10
145
Massimo Graziato
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h23'34
146
Davide Viganò
Lampre - Merida
+ 1h23'57
147
Laurent Mangel
FDJ
+ 1h25'08
148
Cheng Ji
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1h25'29
149
Michel Koch
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1h25'38
150
Boy Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h25'48
151
Laurent Pichon
FDJ
+ 1h25'50
152
Roy Curvers
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1h26'09
153
Wouter Mol
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h27'06
154
Gabriel Rasch
Sky Procycling
+ 1h28'31
155
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1h29'04
156
Alexander Serebryakov
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h31'17
157
Sander Cordeel
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h33'21
158
Dennis Van Winden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h44'07
159
Andreas Klier
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2h00'07
160
Karsten Kroon
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2h38'26
For the crowd Mikel Astarloza smiles off the podium, completely exhausted. It was hard day's work but winning the mountain jersey today surely made it worth it. This is the third consecutive mountain jersey, after previously grabbing them at Giro d'Italia and Critérium du Dauphiné too. If things like this continue, our chances for the polkadot jersey at le Tour are definitely quite good.
Final Mountain classification 1 Mikel Astarloza 60
2 Bradley Wiggins 43
3 Julian Kern 27
Final Points classification
1 Bradley Wiggins 69
2 Andrew Talansky 68
3 Nacer Bouhanni 43
