My main goal was protect yellow jersey and try to do something in final sprint. Both missions were successfuly completed, Passeron took nice 2nd place behind Romain Feillu, definitely best sprinter in the pack.
Results
1 Romain Feillu Agritubel 4h19'01 2 Aurélien Passeron Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
3 Jesús Del Nero Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
4 Samuel Dumoulin Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
5 Jonathon Clarke Jelly Belly Cycling Team s.t.
6 Robert Retschke Differdange s.t. 7 Maxime Bouet Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
8 Koos Moerenhout Besson Chaussures - Sojasun s.t.
9 Karl Menzies OUCH presented by Maxxis s.t.
10 David Le Lay Agritubel s.t.
GC 1 Maxime Bouet Roubaix Lille Métropole 16h21'16
2 Yuri Trofimov Rapha Condor + 1'10
3 Romain Feillu Agritubel + 2'07
4 Miguel Ochoa BMC Racing Team + 2'09
5 Karl Menzies OUCH presented by Maxxis + 2'39
6 Artjom Grafenstein Differdange s.t.
7 Koos Moerenhout Besson Chaussures - Sojasun + 2'47
8 Daniele Pietropolli Trek Livestrong s.t.
9 Rémi Pauriol Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
10 Evgeni Petrov Kelly Benefit Strategies s.t.
Points
1 Romain Feillu Agritubel 66 2 Maxime Bouet Roubaix Lille Métropole 59
3 Yuri Trofimov Rapha Condor 40
4 Karl Menzies OUCH presented by Maxxis 38
5 Samuel Dumoulin Cofidis, le crédit en ligne 31
KOM
1 Cameron Evans OUCH presented by Maxxis 54
2 Cyrille Monnerais Bretagne - Schuller 46
3 Phil Cortes Trek Livestrong 36
4 Miguel Ochoa BMC Racing Team 20 5 Maxime Bouet Roubaix Lille Métropole 16
Leading group of about 30 riders with all main favourites has formed after last climb. Bouet and El Fares are my man here.
7km to go, leading group is stretched, Luca Zanderigo is in front, Maxime Bouet right after him. Few moments later group has definitely splitted.
2km to go and Bouet must open sprint. Zanderigo seems to be exhausted, Pardilla is on right side, fourth man in the middle is Richeze.
Last km, Bouet is still leading...
Finish is near, Bouet in front, but richeze is flying forward as rocket!
Great victory by Max Richeze, he showed his incredible power, shifting Bouet back on 2nd place.
1 Maximiliano Richeze CSF Group - Navigare 4h50'22 2 Maxime Bouet Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
3 Sergio Pardilla CarmioOro - A-Style s.t.
4 Luca Zanderigo CSF Group - Navigare s.t.
5 Alberto Contoli Cinelli - OPD + 28
6 José Rujano Gobernación del Zulia s.t.
7 Thomas Wagner Team Sparebanken Vest s.t.
8 Álex Ardila Colombia es Pasion Coldeportes s.t. 9 Julien El Fares Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
10 Luis Felipe Laverde Colombia es Pasion Coldeportes s.t.
11 Gerhard Trampusch ELK Haus s.t.
12 David Muñoz ELK Haus s.t.
13 Danilo Di Luca LPR Brakes Farnese Vini s.t.
14 Santo Anzà Amica Chips - Knauf s.t.
15 Marco Osella Cinelli - OPD s.t.
16 Francesco De Bonis Gobernación del Zulia s.t.
17 Denys Kostyuk ISD s.t.
18 Giovanny Báez Barloworld s.t.
19 Juan Pablo Dotti ISD s.t.
20 Christoff Van Heerden MTN Cycling s.t.
Second and last one-day classic race in Slovakia. Starting field is quite weak, Bouet could make another good result here.
All important happened in last kilometres, when Palou tried to break away. He wasn´t successful, however peloton has splitted immediately. Luckily Bouet and El Fares (who is better and better every day) are in front.
Tempo is really fast, now it´s Dotti in front, followed by Roubaix duo!
They have small advantage before chasers.
Maxime bouet attacks in last hill!
And it´s double for my team, El Fares sprinted over Dotti in last hundred meters!
1 Maxime Bouet Roubaix Lille Métropole 3h43'46
2 Julien El Fares Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
3 Juan Pablo Dotti ISD s.t.
4 Pedro Palou Joker Bianchi s.t.
5 Luca Solari CSF Group - Navigare s.t.
6 Dimitri Champion Bretagne - Schuller s.t.
7 Francesco Bellotti Team Energi Fyn s.t.
8 Massimo Giunti Miche - Silver Cross - Selle Italia s.t.
9 Josep Jufré Team Sparebanken Vest s.t.
10 Donato Cannone Cinelli - OPD s.t.
11 Bartosz Huzarski ISD s.t.
12 Morris Possoni Team Corratec s.t.
13 Pieter Botha Glud & Marstrand Horsens s.t.
14 Vicente Reynés ISD + 55
15 Lars-Ove Thoresen Team Sparebanken Vest s.t.
16 Rasmus Fjordside Miche - Silver Cross - Selle Italia s.t.
17 Marco Osella Cinelli - OPD s.t.
18 Andrei Mizourov Glud & Marstrand Horsens s.t.
19 Alexei Shchebelin Cinelli - OPD s.t.
20 José Carlos Rodrigues Joker Bianchi s.t.
Edited by beagle on 09-04-2009 10:35
My last race before Dauphiné Libéré...I had no ambitions here, Stevic won this race ahead of two Milram riders.
1 Ivan Stevic Colombia es Pasion Coldeportes 4h29'15
2 Joaquín Sobrino Team Milram s.t.
3 Marco Zanotti Team Milram s.t.
4 Matteo Carrara Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
5 Bert Grabsch Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
6 Simone Cadamuro Glud & Marstrand Horsens s.t.
7 Thomas Fothen Team Milram s.t.
8 Daniel Petrov Cycling Club Bourgas s.t.
9 Oleg Chuzhda Glud & Marstrand Horsens s.t.
10 César Grajales Plowman Craven - Madison s.t.
Edited by beagle on 09-04-2009 12:13
This will be my second Pro Tour race, but much harder then Paris - Nice for three reasons. Many big stars are here, profile is much more mountainious, it´s last test for many riders before Le Tour. Maxime bouet is my leader, I hope in some partial success.
Stage for sprinters, I have no chance to succeed...or have I?
Just before sprint, Poulhies feels good and joins Katusha train.
Robert Hunter takes a win ahead of Euskaltel´s Koldo Fernández de Larrea and Stéphane Poulhiès, awesome result!! Where is Cavendish?
Results
1 Robert Hunter Team Katusha 3h09'13
2 Koldo Fernández de Larrea Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t. 3 Stéphane Poulhiès Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
4 Fabio Sacchi Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
5 Mark Cavendish Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
6 Andrew Randell Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
7 Sergio Marinangeli LPR Brakes Farnese Vini s.t.
8 Dominique Rollin Cervélo Test Team s.t.
9 Karsten Heß Liquigas s.t.
10 Sergei Ivanov Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
11 Markus Eichler Team Milram s.t.
12 Gerben Löwik Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
13 Andrea Grendene Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
14 Maarten Tjallingii Liquigas s.t.
15 Sébastien Hinault AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
16 Robin Chaigneau Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
17 Emanuele Vona Team Katusha s.t.
18 Pablo Urtasun Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
19 Steven Cozza Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
20 Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank s.t.
GC
1 Martin Mortensen Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team 3h12'10
2 Robert Hunter Team Katusha + 1
3 Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank s.t.
4 Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank + 3
5 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team s.t.
6 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team + 4
7 Andreas Klöden Astana Cycling Team s.t.
8 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia - High Road + 5
9 Brett Lancaster Cervélo Test Team s.t.
10 Steven Cozza Garmin - Slipstream + 6
11 Luis León Sánchez Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
12 Linus Gerdemann Team Milram s.t. 13 Maxime Bouet Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
14 Sébastien Minard Quick·Step s.t.
15 Mikel Astarloza Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
16 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
17 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank s.t.
18 Markel Irizar Euskaltel - Euskadi + 7
19 Sébastien Rosseler Quick·Step s.t.
20 Luis Ángel Maté Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
Points
1 Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank 20
2 Robert Hunter Team Katusha 20
3 Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank 17
4 Koldo Fernández de Larrea Euskaltel - Euskadi 17
5 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team 15
KOM
1 Juan Antonio Flecha Rabobank 5
2 Martin Mortensen Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team 3
3 Nicolas Jalabert Silence - Lotto 1
Due to bonification seconds from sprints, Martin Mortensen is new, very surprising, leader. Tomorrow first hills are awaiting.
Early breakaway group, Jeremy Roy was awarded by KOM jersey for his activity.
25km to go, A.Schleck is first on last mountain sprint, peloton is all together.
Christophe Brandt attacks in the descent!
Andy and Lefevre start to chase him.
Lhotellerie joined chaser´s group. They have big advantqage over the pack.
They have just caught Brandt.
Bouet attacks!
Lhotelleire wins the stage, he is new surprising leader, another one from Vacansoleil team!
Bouet held nice 5th place, unfortunately with same time as peloton....
Results
1 Clément Lhotellerie Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team 4h37'26
2 Laurent Lefévre Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
3 Christophe Brandt Silence - Lotto s.t.
4 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank s.t. 5 Maxime Bouet Roubaix Lille Métropole + 1'13
6 Luis León Sánchez Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
7 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
8 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team s.t.
9 Hubert Dupont AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
10 José Vicente Toribio Fuji - Servetto s.t.
11 Robert Gesink Rabobank s.t.
12 Sergei Ivanov Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
13 Fabian Wegmann Team Milram s.t.
14 William Walker Fuji - Servetto s.t.
15 Christian Pfannberger Team Katusha s.t.
16 Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank s.t.
17 Jéróme Pineau Quick·Step s.t.
18 Linus Gerdemann Team Milram s.t.
19 Andrea Tonti Fuji - Servetto s.t.
20 Sébastien Minard Quick·Step s.t.
GC
1 Clément Lhotellerie Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team 7h49'35
2 Laurent Lefévre Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 5
3 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank + 7
4 Christophe Brandt Silence - Lotto + 8
5 Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank + 1'15
6 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team + 1'17
7 Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank s.t.
8 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia - High Road + 1'19
9 Luis León Sánchez Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 1'20 10 Maxime Bouet Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
11 Linus Gerdemann Team Milram s.t.
12 Sébastien Minard Quick·Step s.t.
13 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
14 Mikel Astarloza Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
15 José Vicente Toribio Fuji - Servetto + 1'22
16 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
17 Koldo Fernández de Larrea Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
18 Manuel Lloret Fuji - Servetto s.t.
19 Peter Velits Team Milram s.t.
20 Benjamin Justesen Team Saxo Bank s.t.
Points
1 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team 23
2 Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank 20
3 Robert Hunter Team Katusha 20
4 Clément Lhotellerie Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team 20
5 Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank 17
KOM
1 Jérémy Roy Francaise des Jeux 27
2 Vitaliy Buts Lampre - N.G.C 26
3 Igor Pugaci LPR Brakes Farnese Vini 25
4 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank 20
5 Pablo Urtasun Euskaltel - Euskadi 18
next stage: hilly ITT
Edited by beagle on 10-04-2009 12:20
Di Luca lost much time in last part, still good ride, 14. +1'25"
Gilbert, 16. +1'32"
Good ride from Valverde, 7. +1'07"
Chavanel , very nice result, 9. +1'11"
Average performance by Devolder, 18. +1'34"
TOP10 for Astarloza, 10. +1'14"
Gutierrez, strong as usually, 8. +1'10"
Gerdemann, just average performance, 17. +1'34"
I expected much more from Bouet today, 35. +1'56"
LL Sanchez, solid ride, 11. +1'16"
6th place for Lövkvist, +53"
Cancellara is out of podium, big surprise, 4. +38"
Leipheimer is in very good form, 2. +20"
Larsson is fastest again. And will wear yellow jersey tomorrow.
Good ride from Brandt, 20. +1'35"
Very strong performance from Andy Schleck, I´m looking forward to battle between him and Astana team, 5. +50"
Lefevre did his job well, 26. +1'47"
Lhotelleire lost his yellow jersey, 32. +1'54"
Results
1 Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank 37'55
2 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team + 20
3 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team + 31
4 Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank + 38
5 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank + 50
6 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia - High Road + 53
7 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 1'07
8 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 1'10
9 Sylvain Chavanel Quick·Step + 1'11
10 Mikel Astarloza Euskaltel - Euskadi + 1'14
11 Luis León Sánchez Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 1'16
12 Christian Vandevelde Garmin - Slipstream + 1'25
13 Kurt-Asle Arvesen Team Saxo Bank s.t.
14 Danilo Di Luca LPR Brakes Farnese Vini s.t.
15 Mikhail Ignatiev Team Katusha + 1'30
16 Philippe Gilbert Silence - Lotto + 1'32
17 Linus Gerdemann Team Milram + 1'34
18 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
19 Steven Cozza Garmin - Slipstream + 1'35
20 Christophe Brandt Silence - Lotto s.t.
GC
1 Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank 8h28'25
2 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank + 2
3 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team + 30
4 Christophe Brandt Silence - Lotto + 48
5 Laurent Lefévre Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 57
6 Clément Lhotellerie Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team + 59
7 Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank + 1'00
8 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia - High Road + 1'17
9 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 1'35
10 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 1'36
11 Mikel Astarloza Euskaltel - Euskadi + 1'39
12 Sylvain Chavanel Quick·Step s.t.
13 Luis León Sánchez Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 1'41
14 Danilo Di Luca LPR Brakes Farnese Vini + 1'54
15 Mikhail Ignatiev Team Katusha + 1'58
16 Linus Gerdemann Team Milram + 1'59
17 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step + 2'01
18 Philippe Gilbert Silence - Lotto + 2'02
19 Peter Velits Team Milram + 2'06
20 Manuel Lloret Fuji - Servetto + 2'08
21 Benjamin Justesen Team Saxo Bank + 2'11
22 Óscar Pujol Cervélo Test Team + 2'14
23 Sébastien Minard Quick·Step + 2'15
24 Carlos Barredo Silence - Lotto + 2'16
25 Andrey Amador Caisse d'Epargne + 2'17 26 Maxime Bouet Roubaix Lille Métropole + 2'21
27 Sandy Casar Francaise des Jeux s.t.
28 Iván Velasco Euskaltel - Euskadi + 2'22 29 Paul Moucheraud Roubaix Lille Métropole + 2'24
30 Maarten Tjallingii Liquigas + 2'28
Points
1 Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank 45
2 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team 43
3 Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank 31
4 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team 27
5 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank 26
KOM
1 Jérémy Roy Francaise des Jeux 27
2 Vitaliy Buts Lampre - N.G.C 26
3 Igor Pugaci LPR Brakes Farnese Vini 25
4 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank 20
5 Pablo Urtasun Euskaltel - Euskadi 18
Tomorrow first mountain stage!
Edited by beagle on 10-04-2009 15:33
First mountain stage of race with two hard climb and descent into finish. My main goal is hold with main favourites and attack in downhill if possible.
Col de la Ramaz (1619m), early breakaway group climbs up.
David Lopez attacks peloton leading by Astana riders. They let him go away easily. It´s 67km to go.
Lopez joined leading group in downhill.
Col de la Colombiere (1613m), Lopez sets his own pace in front, other companions have big difficulties to follow.
Astana train has just caught leading group, only Lopez stays in front.
Peak of Col de la Colombiere, David Lopez is still alone with 40" advantage before peloton leading by Levi Leipheimer at this moment.
Group of main contenders containing about 25 riders has formed after leader. Di Luca is in front.
Pace is quite slow, Lopez increases his advantage, it´s time for partially recovered Bouet, he eats his gel and attacks!
Lopez wins the stage, he is too concentrated and forgets to celebrate
Maxime Bouet sprints as 2nd one minute later...great result!!!
And here is group of favourites leading by Valverde, another 40 seconds back.
Results
1 David López Caisse d'Epargne 4h18'33 2 Maxime Bouet Roubaix Lille Métropole + 1'02
3 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 1'45
4 Benjamin Justesen Team Saxo Bank s.t.
5 Sergei Ivanov Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
6 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team s.t.
7 Maxim Iglinskiy Astana Cycling Team s.t.
8 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
9 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank s.t.
10 Damiano Cunego Rabobank s.t.
11 Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank s.t.
12 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
13 Peter Velits Team Milram s.t.
14 Mikkel Lund Quick·Step s.t.
15 Sylvain Chavanel Quick·Step s.t.
16 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team s.t.
17 Danilo Di Luca LPR Brakes Farnese Vini s.t.
18 Mikel Astarloza Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
19 José Vicente Toribio Fuji - Servetto s.t.
20 Andrey Amador Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
21 Óscar Pujol Cervélo Test Team s.t.
22 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
23 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux s.t.
24 Robert Gesink Rabobank s.t.
25 Carlos Barredo Silence - Lotto + 2'53
26 Matthew Lloyd Silence - Lotto s.t.
27 Christophe Brandt Silence - Lotto s.t.
28 Christian Vandevelde Garmin - Slipstream + 3'17
29 Radoslav Rogina Cervélo Test Team + 3'37
30 Rafaele Ferrara Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
GC
1 Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank 12h48'43
2 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank + 2
3 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team + 30
4 David López Caisse d'Epargne + 56
5 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia - High Road + 1'17
6 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 1'32 7 Maxime Bouet Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
8 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 1'35
9 Sylvain Chavanel Quick·Step + 1'39
10 Mikel Astarloza Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
11 Danilo Di Luca LPR Brakes Farnese Vini + 1'54
12 Christophe Brandt Silence - Lotto + 1'56
13 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step + 2'01
14 Peter Velits Team Milram + 2'06
15 Benjamin Justesen Team Saxo Bank + 2'11
16 Óscar Pujol Cervélo Test Team + 2'14
17 Andrey Amador Caisse d'Epargne + 2'17
18 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux + 2'21
19 Mikkel Lund Quick·Step + 2'29
20 José Vicente Toribio Fuji - Servetto + 2'36
21 Sergei Ivanov Team Columbia - High Road + 2'39
22 Maxim Iglinskiy Astana Cycling Team + 2'44
23 Laurent Lefèvre Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 2'49
24 Damiano Cunego Rabobank + 2'51
25 Clément Lhotellerie Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
26 Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank + 2'52
27 Robert Gesink Rabobank + 2'53
28 Carlos Barredo Silence - Lotto + 3'24
29 Luis León Sánchez Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 3'33
30 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team + 3'43
Points
1 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team 53
2 Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank 50 3 Maxime Bouet Roubaix Lille Métropole 36
4 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne 34
5 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank 33
KOM
1 Carlos José Ochoa Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli 45
2 Christophe Brandt Silence - Lotto 43
3 David López Caisse d'Epargne 43
4 Craig Lewis Team Columbia - High Road 42
5 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank 38
Stage 6 is mostly flat, last chance for sprinters.
Edited by beagle on 11-04-2009 09:31
15km to go, peloton is getting closer. Flecha launches attack, Veuchelen, Capelli, Bouyer and Larpe follow.
Sprint has just began, five escapees are still in front, but peloton is already here!
Epic fall by Flecha and Veuchelen in sprint!
Last corner, Bouyer takes the lead...
...and hold it until finish line, Goss sprints over Larpe who is getting nice 3rd place.
Results
1 Franck Bouyer Bbox Bouygues Télécom 3h37'49
2 Matthew Goss Team Saxo Bank s.t. 3 Mickaël Larpe Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
4 Mark Cavendish Team Columbia - High Road s.t.
5 Robert Hunter Team Katusha s.t.
6 Johnny Hoogerland Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
7 Jimmy Casper Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
8 Dominique Rollin Cervélo Test Team s.t.
9 Sergio Marinangeli LPR Brakes Farnese Vini s.t.
10 Fabio Sacchi Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
11 Kurt-Asle Arvesen Team Saxo Bank s.t.
12 Ermanno Capelli Fuji - Servetto s.t.
13 Karsten Heß Liquigas s.t.
14 Simon Spilak Lampre - N.G.C s.t.
15 Timofey Kritskiy Cervélo Test Team s.t.
16 Robin Chaigneau Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
17 Emanuele Vona Team Katusha s.t.
18 Evgeni Sokolov Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
19 Cyril Bruder Cervélo Test Team s.t.
20 Andrew Randell Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
GC
1 Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank 16h26'32
2 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank + 2
3 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team + 30
4 David López Caisse d'Epargne + 56
5 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia - High Road + 1'17 6 Maxime Bouet Roubaix Lille Métropole + 1'32
7 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
8 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 1'35
9 Mikel Astarloza Euskaltel - Euskadi + 1'39
10 Sylvain Chavanel Quick·Step s.t.
11 Danilo Di Luca LPR Brakes Farnese Vini + 1'54
12 Christophe Brandt Silence - Lotto + 1'56
13 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step + 2'01
14 Peter Velits Team Milram + 2'06
15 Benjamin Justesen Team Saxo Bank + 2'11
16 Óscar Pujol Cervélo Test Team + 2'14
17 Andrey Amador Caisse d'Epargne + 2'17
18 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux + 2'21
19 Mikkel Lund Quick·Step + 2'29
20 José Vicente Toribio Fuji - Servetto + 2'36
Points
1 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team 53
2 Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank 50 3 Maxime Bouet Roubaix Lille Métropole 36
4 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne 34
5 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank 33
KOM
1 Carlos José Ochoa Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli 45
2 Christophe Brandt Silence - Lotto 43
3 David López Caisse d'Epargne 43
4 Craig Lewis Team Columbia - High Road 42
5 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank 38
So here it is, queen stage of race with three monumental climbs and final climb into finish. We could expect great battle of titans, but unfortunately it was very monotonous two men show...
First summit, Col du Glandon (20km; 6,9%). Serrano is alone in front, more then 2min before polka dot jersey holde Ochoa´s group, peloton is 7´45 back.
Second summit, Chamrousse (18,3km; 8,3%), without doubt hardest climb of race. Ochoa have joined Serrano in front, they continue together. Peloton is still about 8min back.
Third climb Col du Coq (13,8km; 8,5%). View I was afraid of...Astana team (especially Contador) sets very high tempo and Maxime Bouet drops out from main favourites group.
Contador´s tempo is murderous! Only his ream captain for this race, Levi Leipheimer, can follow. Two men show has just began.
We are still in the same climb and Astana´s duo has just caught Serrano with Ochoa and goes over them immediately.
Third summit, Leipheimer is in front (quite rare view, Contador made almost all work alone).
And here is yellow jersey´s group, gap is 1´32" at this moment.
Last climb, Charmant Som (12,7km; 7,4%), leading duo constantly increase their advantage.
Andy Schleck with his companions made all what they could, but Contador with Leipheimer were simply stronger today...
Alberto Contador takes stage victory, he fully deserved it. Levi Leipheimer is new leader and is very close to win whole race!
Larsson takes 3rd place with more then 3 minutes back...Bouet have lost almost 6 minutes today. I believed in better result...
Results
1 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team 5h46'06
2 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team s.t.
3 Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank + 3'22
4 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia - High Road + 3'29
5 Danilo Di Luca LPR Brakes Farnese Vini + 3'39
6 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank s.t.
7 Christophe Brandt Silence - Lotto s.t.
8 Mikel Astarloza Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
9 Robert Gesink Rabobank s.t.
10 Laurent Lefèvre Bbox Bouygues Télécom s.t.
11 David López Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
12 Christian Vandevelde Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
13 Clément Lhotellerie Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
14 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
15 Peter Velits Team Milram s.t.
16 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 4'12
17 Sylvain Chavanel Quick·Step s.t.
18 Hubert Dupont AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
19 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux s.t. 20 Maxime Bouet Roubaix Lille Métropole + 5'41
21 Carlos Barredo Silence - Lotto + 7'17
22 Ivan Santaromita Liquigas + 7'32
23 José Vicente Toribio Fuji - Servetto s.t.
24 Benjamin Justesen Team Saxo Bank s.t.
25 Linus Gerdemann Team Milram s.t.
26 Arnaud Lesvenan Astana Cycling Team s.t.
27 Maxim Iglinskiy Astana Cycling Team s.t.
28 Luis León Sánchez Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
29 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
30 Damiano Cunego Rabobank s.t.
GC
1 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team 22h13'08
2 Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank + 2'52
3 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank + 3'11
4 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team + 3'13
5 David López Caisse d'Epargne + 4'05
6 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia - High Road + 4'16
7 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 4'41
8 Mikel Astarloza Euskaltel - Euskadi + 4'48
9 Danilo Di Luca LPR Brakes Farnese Vini + 5'03
10 Christophe Brandt Silence - Lotto + 5'05
11 Peter Velits Team Milram + 5'15
12 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 5'17
13 Sylvain Chavanel Quick·Step + 5'21
14 Laurent Lefèvre Bbox Bouygues Télécom + 5'58
15 Clément Lhotellerie Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team + 6'00
16 Robert Gesink Rabobank + 6'02
17 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux + 6'03 18 Maxime Bouet Roubaix Lille Métropole + 6'43
19 Hubert Dupont AG2R La Mondiale + 8'21
20 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step + 9'03
21 Benjamin Justesen Team Saxo Bank + 9'13
22 Andrey Amador Caisse d'Epargne + 9'19
23 Christian Vandevelde Garmin - Slipstream + 9'30
24 Mikkel Lund Quick·Step + 9'31
25 José Vicente Toribio Fuji - Servetto + 9'38
26 Sergei Ivanov Team Columbia - High Road + 9'41
27 Maxim Iglinskiy Astana Cycling Team + 9'46
28 Damiano Cunego Rabobank + 9'53
29 Óscar Pujol Cervélo Test Team + 10'00
30 Carlos Barredo Silence - Lotto + 10'11
Points
1 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team 70
2 Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank 65
3 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team 47
4 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank 43
5 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne 36
KOM
1 Carlos José Ochoa Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli 110
2 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team 88
3 Vitaliy Buts Lampre - N.G.C 83
4 Ricardo Serrano Fuji - Servetto 80
5 Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank 78
Only last stage is before us, montanious with three hard climbs in. Luckily for me, there is long descent until finish, giving some chance for Bouet for decent result after today´s disappointment.
