It's time trial time! 27 kilometres between Rognes and Aix-en-Provence. The first half is descending a bit and then flat, but after the checkpoint halfway the route, the road starts to ascend for about 5km. The climb isn't difficult, with a maximum gradient of 7%, but will make sure that today's winner won't be a pure timetrialist, but also a decent climber.
The best time so far is set by Movistars Jésus Herrada (37'57). Next to finish is our time trial specialist Niki Terpstra. He is '30 slower halfway but rides a very fast climb and takes all the risks in the descend towards Aix-en-Provence. New best time: 37'49!
But unfortunately, he can't take place in the hot seat for too long. FIrst Christian Knees (37'43) is faster, then Lasse Bochman (37'40). But all these times are completely crushed by Anthony Roux. The French time trial champion is a full minute faster: 36'39.
Former TT-world champion, and current German champion, Tony Martin is 1 second faster than Roux at the first spilt. But the Red Bull rider can't keep the high pace in the second part and finishes 5 seconds slower than Roux, 2nd time.
Our rider for th GC is Wilco Kelderman. The young Dutch stage racer starts slow (1'07 behind Roux), but rides the fastest second part of the route from all riders and finishes in the 3rd place so far at '57. He can be happy with that!
Thomas De Gendt left the team last winter for Radio Shack, and it looks like that wasn't a wrong choice. The current number 4 of the GC rides a great TT, setting the 3rd time so far, only '21 slower than Roux.
Another rider that switched teams. Luis León Sánchez left Rabobank and returns to Spain to Euskaltel. With the 4th time so far at '33, he knows that he is the virtual GC-leader. And with 2 weak time trialists to go, this can mean he'll wear the maillot jaune tomorrow!
Split times after 13 kilometres:
1. T. Martin 16'24; 2. A. Roux +1; 3. T. De Gendt +18; 4. L. L. Sánchez +19; 5. Bochman +34; 35. Kelderman +1'07; 44. A. Schleck +1'13.
Astana's Mikel Nieve is a great climber, but a lousy time trialist. And when it wasn't for the hill to be climbed, he would have done worse than the 80th time at 2'34.
Last rider to start is Andy Schleck. The 2013 Tour de France winner isn't a good time trialist, and although he rides like he has a cow in his ass, he can't ride faster than the 39th time at 2'01, meaning he looses the GC-lead.
Results
1
Anthony Roux
FDJ
36'39
2
Tony Martin
Red Bull - Cervélo
+ 5
3
Thomas De Gendt
Radio Shack - Nissan
+ 22
4
Luis León Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 33
5
Wilco Kelderman
Petronas - Monster Energy
+ 57
6
David Le Lay
Saur - Sojasun
+ 1'00
7
Lasse Bøchman
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 1'01
8
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'04
9
Niki Terpstra
Petronas - Monster Energy
+ 1'10
10
Michele Scarponi
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 1'16
GC
It looks like the battle for the GC-win is between Sánchez and De Gendt, with 3 seconds between them.
1
Luis León Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
23h42'41
2
Thomas De Gendt
Radio Shack - Nissan
+ 3
3
Michele Scarponi
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 57
4
Tony Martin
Red Bull - Cervélo
+ 1'04
5
Andy Schleck
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'11
6
Wilco Kelderman
Petronas - Monster Energy
+ 1'34
7
David Le Lay
Saur - Sojasun
+ 1'59
8
Mikel Nieve
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
9
Thomas Voeckler
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'04
10
Sylvain Chavanel
Garmin - Barracuda
+ 2'10
Points
1
Romain Feillu
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
90
2
Thomas De Gendt
Radio Shack - Nissan
67
3
Lloyd Mondory
FDJ
60
4
Anthony Roux
FDJ
54
5
William Bonnet
Garmin - Barracuda
48
KOTM
1
José Ángel Gómez Marchante
Euskaltel - Euskadi
35
2
Hubert Schwab
BMC Racing Team
27
3
Gregory Bernard
Petronas - Monster Energy
26
4
Jack Bauer
Saur - Sojasun
19
5
Stijn Devolder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
15
Today's winner
Word from the DS
2 riders in the top 10 in today's stage and Kelderman in 6th place in the GC... Absolutely satisfied with that!
Edited by dienblad on 18-11-2012 09:35
Kelderman moving up, as expected!
This promises to be an exciting battle for the GC, let's hope Kelderman can make the best of it to move up a bit more
Hopefully he can catch Andy and prove to him that leaving Petronas was the biggest mistake he ever made
Stage 7, the penultimate one, is classified as a mountain stage, possibly thanks to the 2 1st caegorized climbs halfway the stage. The 215 kilometres between Brignoles and Biot feature 5 categorized climbs, with the last summit over 70km before the finish. The riders ride 3 laps at a hilly circuit around Biot, and the last 1500 metres are uphill.
99km to go
Gregory Bernard wants to take back the KOTM-jersey from José Gómez Marchante. He works hard to get in the BOTD, collects enough points with the first 2 KOTM-sprints, and manages to collect a few points at the summit of the Cote de Chabris. But during the ascend of the Col du Ferrier, he feels that the energy has run out of his legs and has to let Taaramäe, Casar, Vaugrenard, Kreder, Tschopp and Gadret go. Mission accomplished!
33km to go
The riders have arrived at the circuit in Biot, and 2 laps (33km) are still to be done. The 6 leaders have a margin of 3'02 at the peloton.
Then GC-leader Luis León Sánchez attacks. He must be completely out of his mind, or incredibly strong....
22km to go
Sánchez got countered by his countryman Mikel Nieve and French David Le Lay. Team Sky and Radio Shack bring the 3 back. Then, with 22km to go, GC's number 2 Thomas De Gendt is the next 1 to attack. Of course, Sánchez counters. Consequently, the margin to the BOTD has decreased rapidly to '51. Wilco Kelderman, of course having a bad day with a daily for of -1, feels that this attack is too far from the finish and doesn't react.
16km to go
The riders hear the bell ringing for the last lap, when the BOTD has been caught. De Gendt attacks again out of this group, existing of Scarponi (GC 3), Sánchez (1), Jeanneson (11), Gadret, casar, Taaramäe, Chavanel (10), Andy Schleck (5) and Kreder. The peloton with Kelderman and Breschel in it, follows at '33.
13km to go
A few kilometres later, and Andy Schleck is leading with a margin of '16. The ploton follows at '52. This final of the stage is crazy, with attacks all over the place!
7km to go
Andy Schleck is being chased by the domestiques of Euskaltel and Radio Shack (the group of favourites has been caught by the peloton), and the Luxembourg rider decides to wait. 54 riders are present in this first group, with Kelderman moving to the first ranks of the group.
1500m to go
Andy Schleck attacks again, countered by Luis León Sánchez. The 2 start the last climb to the finish with a small margin of 15 seconds. Kelderman has taken the wheel of Philippe Gilbert, but feels that his legs are too empty to sprint for a top 5 place.
Finish
Andy and Sánchez have miscalculated the steep last kilometre, and they stall before the finish. Scarponi sprints past them and is looking to win the stage, when he gets surprised by Thomas De Gendt. De Gendt takes the stage win, and the GC-lead by 3 seconds! Kelderman finishes in 23rd, '22 behind De Gendt, and stays in 6th place of the GC.
Results
1
Thomas De Gendt
Radio Shack - Nissan
5h31'07
2
Michele Scarponi
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
3
Sylvain Chavanel
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
4
Andy Schleck
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
5
Johnny Hoogerland
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
6
Philippe Gilbert
Dexia
s.t.
7
Steven Kruijswijk
Qantas Airways
s.t.
8
Luis León Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
9
Maxime Bouet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
10
Mikel Nieve
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
...
23
Wilco Kelderman
Petronas - Monster Energy
+ 22
GC
1
Thomas De Gendt
Radio Shack - Nissan
29h13'45
2
Luis León Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3
3
Michele Scarponi
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 56
4
Andy Schleck
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'14
5
Tony Martin
Red Bull - Cervélo
+ 1'29
6
Wilco Kelderman
Petronas - Monster Energy
+ 1'59
7
Mikel Nieve
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'02
8
Sylvain Chavanel
Garmin - Barracuda
+ 2'11
9
David Le Lay
Saur - Sojasun
+ 2'24
10
Thomas Voeckler
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'29
Points
1
Thomas De Gendt
Radio Shack - Nissan
92
2
Romain Feillu
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
90
3
Lloyd Mondory
FDJ
60
4
Anthony Roux
FDJ
54
5
Luis León Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
51
KOTM
1
Gregory Bernard
Petronas - Monster Energy
39
2
José Ángel Gómez Marchante
Euskaltel - Euskadi
35
3
Rein Taaramäe
Sony Ericsson
30
4
Hubert Schwab
BMC Racing Team
27
5
Jack Bauer
Saur - Sojasun
19
Today's winner
Word from the DS
This for sure was one of the craziest stages in my career as a DS. GC-contenders were attacking all over the place, and while Kelderman was suffering, they could attack again and again.......
The goal for tomorrow's final stage is to defend the KOTM-jersey and to attack the Top 5 of the GC. But when the stage is developing as today, that last goal will be difficult to achieve.
The last stage of the 2014 edition of Paris Nice ends traditionally in Nice. The stage is 123 kilometres and features 5 categorized climbs, with La Turbie and the Col d'Eze as the last 2 ones, before the final descend to the Mediterranean Sea.
82km to go
One of the goals for the team today was to secure the KOTM-jersey. And the best way to do that, is for Gregory Bernard to be in the BOTD. And he succeeds in doing it, but too bad for him he's the only 1.
49km to go
Jan Bakelants (Dexia) and Rigoberto Urán (Sky) go in the counter attack, and Bernard decides to wait for them. The 2 know what Bernard tries to achieve, and they let him collect some more KOTM-points. With 49km to, they have a margin of 5'51 to the peloton, so the win is within reach for one of the 3!
20km to go
And the peloton keeps on taking it easy. Already at the foot of the Col d'Eze, no attacks have taken place, and they are still 5'46 behind the 3.
17km to go
Bakelants, Urán and Bernard have finished the ascend of the Col d'Eze and Nice is waiting for them, only the descend to go. Our young Luxembourg puncheur is struggling to hang on, so the stage win seems impossible now.
The peloton follows at 3'30, with Thomas De Gendt in the lead after an attack, but he gets caught son after.
Finish
No doubt who is the strongest of the 3: Rigoberto Urán takes the stage win in Nice, easily beating Bakelants in the sprint. Gregory Bernard finishes in a great 3rd place, and wins the KOTm-ranking!
2km to go
The peloton is preparing for the sprint for the 4th place, when Matti Breschel looses control of his bicycle and hits the tarmac. He was the lead out man for Wilco Kelderman, who is able to avoid him, and seems to be without injuries and continues his ride.
Finish
After his efforts to attack, Thomas De Gendt hasn't got the energy left to win the sprint for the 4th place (Arnold Jeanneson takes place 4), but the 7th place is enough to win Paris - Nice. Wilco Kelderman finishes in 13th place and improves his GC-ranking to the 5th place. Somehow, Michele Scarponi got dropped out of this group and looses his 3rd place in the GC.
Results
1
Rigoberto Urán
Sky ProCycling
3h17'01
2
Jan Bakelants
Dexia
s.t.
3
Gregory Bernard
Petronas - Monster Energy
+ 28
4
Arnold Jeanneson
Team Europcar
+ 2'10
5
Luis León Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
6
Philippe Gilbert
Dexia
s.t.
7
Thomas De Gendt
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
8
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
9
Sylvain Chavanel
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
10
Johnny Hoogerland
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
Today's winner
GC
A great win for De Gendt, his first big stage race win. He deserves, simply because he rode attentful and attacked a lot. Luis León Sánchez takes the 2nd place and Andy Schleck the 3rd, with Tony Martin in 4th and WIlco Kelderman in 5th.
1
Thomas De Gendt
Radio Shack - Nissan
32h32'56
2
Luis León Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3
3
Andy Schleck
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'14
4
Tony Martin
Red Bull - Cervélo
+ 1'29
5
Wilco Kelderman
Petronas - Monster Energy
+ 1'59
6
Mikel Nieve
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'02
7
Sylvain Chavanel
Garmin - Barracuda
+ 2'11
8
David Le Lay
Saur - Sojasun
+ 2'24
9
Philippe Gilbert
Dexia
+ 2'35
10
Arnold Jeanneson
Team Europcar
+ 2'39
Points
1
Thomas De Gendt
Radio Shack - Nissan
106
2
Romain Feillu
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
90
3
Luis León Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
67
4
Lloyd Mondory
FDJ
60
5
Anthony Roux
FDJ
54
KOTM
1
Gregory Bernard
Petronas - Monster Energy
69
2
José Ángel Gómez Marchante
Euskaltel - Euskadi
36
3
Jan Bakelants
Dexia
30
4
Rein Taaramäe
Sony Ericsson
30
5
Hubert Schwab
BMC Racing Team
27
U23
1
Wilco Kelderman
Petronas - Monster Energy
32h34'55
2
Rasmus Guldhammer
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 12'05
3
Gavin Mannion
Sony Ericsson
+ 14'13
4
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 17'01
5
Jack Bobridge
Petronas - Monster Energy
+ 22'37
Teams
1
Euskaltel - Euskadi
97h44'49
2
Radio Shack - Nissan
+ 31
3
Red Bull - Cervélo
+ 3'33
4
Sky ProCycling
+ 4'13
5
Dexia
+ 6'30
Overall winner
Word from the DS
Gregory Bernard really showed himself in this Paris - Nice, and really deserves the KOTM-jersey. In the GC, Kelderman did great, finishing in 5th place after startingwith a fairly bad fitness.
Oh, Breschel seems to be okay. He will be bothered by soms bruises, but starting in Milano - San Remo and the cobbled races aren't in danger for him.
Edited by dienblad on 18-11-2012 18:47
At the same time as Paris - Nice is being raced, the other half of the World Tour peloton starts in Tirreno - Adriatico. The race, from the Tyrrenean to the Adriatic coast, has it's 49th edition. Belgian Roger De Vlaeminck is the record winner, with 6 wins in a row. Last year, Joaquím Rodríguez won La corsa dei due mare, after he took over the GC-lead from Wilco Kelderman in the final stage.
The route
This year's edition starts with a 20 kilometre hilly time trial in Civitavecchia. The height difference is more than 300 metres, so the hilly riders wo't loose too much time here. The 2nd stage from Civitavecchia to Terni is classified as hilly, but a mass sprint should be possible.
Stage 3, from Chieti to Montelupone in the Marche regione has a very difficult finish, with 4 ascends of the Mure Montelupone, with a maximum gradient of 20%. The finish awaits at the summit of the 4th climb. Also stage 4 has a hilly finish, with the finish after a 2km long hill in Offagna. The 5th stage is flat, and finishes in San Benedetto del Tronto.
The 6th and penultimate stage is the only mountaineous one. It contains 2 ascends of the Colle San Giacomo, 16 kilometres at an average gradient of 6%. The finish awaits at the summit of the 2nd climb. The final stage has the start and finish in San Benedetto del Tronto, and is fairly flat again.
*** , Janez Brajkovic (Sky), Alberto Contador (Movistar), Joaquím Rodríguez (Katusha). ** Wout Poels (Rabobank), Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel), Jurgen Van den Broeck (BMC). * Chris Froome (Radio Shack), Robert Gesink, Maxime Monfort (Sony Ericsson).
Our goals
- Get a stage win.
- Top 3 in the GC.
Edited by dienblad on 19-11-2012 18:32
Anthony Roux
Tony Martin
Thomas De Gendt
Luis León Sánchez
Lasse Bøchman
Michele Scarponi
Andy Schleck
Hubert Schwab
Jack Bauer
Rein Taaramäe
Rigoberto Urán
Assan Bazayev
Gavin Mannion
Sky ProCycling
