Team South Africa Airways entrants:
Devolder, Impey, Kruijswijk, Lill, Oss, Sagan, Van Avermaet, Westra
A hugely important and significant race for RSA AIRWAYS saw team management send a squad with both in-form sprinters Sagan and Van Avermaet. Both riders are expected to survive the tough terrain, and will be strongly supported by all of their teammates. Devolder’s experience will hopefully prove to be crucial in a race like this. RSA AIRWAYS will also encourage participation in the day’s breakaway to provide another option.
Attacks were the name of the day early on, but a number of teams took to the front in order to shut them down. After nearly 100km of riding, 8 escapees, including Impey for RSA AIRWAYS, managed to gap themselves from the main bunch. With 130km to go and the gap to the breakaway at 9’30, HTC Highroad sent 5 riders to the head of the peloton in order to initiate the chase.
On the short but tough climb of Le Manie, RSA AIRWAYS took the decision to try and split up the peloton and put the sprinters under pressure; and in turn sacrifice the hopes of Impey in the breakaway. Given the narrow roads the tough gradient, Sagan and Van Avermaet positioned themselves in the first 10/15 riders whilst the rest of the team took to the head of the peloton and buried themselves up the climb. The sum total of the damage was almost half of the field, with 86 left in the peloton on the flat. Unfortunately, elite sprinters such as Cavendish (HTC Highroad) and Farrar (Garmin Cervelo) clung on but were at the back and surely weakened. Paolini (Katusha) and Rast (Radioshack) tried on two occasions to breakaway with each other but were brought back swiftly as there was a new sense of nervousness amongst a wary peloton. This cat and mouse affair for a good 50km allowed 28 riders, who were initially detached, to ride themselves back into contention. Although Cancellara (Leopard) tried a late attack, the bunch finish was on and it was Boassen Hagen (Sky) who launched a devastating sprint from a long way back to surprise the front runners and take a commanding victory. Van Avermaet was able to compete but could only land 8th.
Directeur Sportif comments:
A good strong effort all told; 8th position obviously isn’t quite where we were hoping to be but the strength of the opposition and nature of the race means we can put that result into a positive perspective. Perhaps hitting the front so strongly didn’t reap the rewards relative to the output of effort, but we felt it was worth being pro-active rather than be left wondering. Having all but one of our riders finish in the front group shows the durability of the riders, and Van Avermaet continues to show good form. All in all, not the result we desired, but a strong collective showing from the team and we feel that top tour teams will start to take notice of our presence in races.
Team South Africa Airways entrants:
Hayman, Hunter, Ista, Machado, Mougel, Olaiz, Van Heerden, Young
South African sprinter Hunter will be thrust into the limelight as RSA AIRWAYS best chance of victory in this French race. Given the testing nature of the terrain, finisher Ista can provide another option for the sprint should Hunter struggle, but the initial plan is for Ista to lead-out Hunter, with further support from Van Heerden. Also looking at the history of this type of race, the riders will be encouraged to join the day’s breakaway.
No escapes were possible early on as RSA AIRWAYS made an early play to try and put the pressure on the main group and cause a split; a move which ultimately didn’t reap the desired rewards. Eventually, a 5 man breakaway established itself at the head of the race, with Machado representing RSA AIRWAYS. 4 other later escapees each individually made attempts to bridge the gap, with only Coenen (Topsport) strong enough to join the 5 at the front. The escapees forced a gap of over 60km before a number of teams sent riders to pacemake at around 80km to go in order to initiate the chase. With 20km to go, Ag2r’s heavy pacemaking had brought the breakaway under complete control and also significantly split the peloton; the head group now only 58 riders. Given the split, RSA AIRWAYS decided to sacrifice Machado’s chances in order to help with the pacemaking and ensure the peloton did not have the opportunity to regroup. Unfortunately, a crash in the last 10km saw a whole host of riders hit the deck, including Ista. Hunter’s hopes of victory were dashed as he got held up. In the sprint finish, Traksel (Landbouwkrediet) overcame early escapee Garzelli (Acqua Sapone) to claim an excellent victory.
Directeur Sportif comments:
A disappointing outcome for us, although there wasn’t much we could do to affect what happened in the last few km’s. In hindsight, we shouldn’t have chased down the breakaway which contained Machado, but we simply can’t go into races with a cautious mindset. The opportunity was there to try and cash in on a weakened and constricted sprint field so we went for it. There was also disappointment for our youngsters who trailed home a long way off the pace with the also-rans.
Team South Africa Airways entrants:
Devolder, George, Impey, Kruijswijk, Oss, Van Garderen, Van Winden, Westra
RSA AIRWAYS sent a formidable squad to Italy, with a number of riders capable of leading the team. Kruijswijk and Van Garderen will start the race as joint leaders and the team will attempt to protect them both, with stage wins contested for hopefully by sprinters Impey, Oss, and Van Winden. However, the main aim lies squarely in the general classification and it is expected that at worst RSA AIRWAYS will have one rider on the podium.
• Stage 1 (Team Time Trial – a pan-flat 16km course)
As hoped, RSA AIRWAYS put in a strong showing and took the stage victory and general classification lead, with Westra the man to don the leaders jersey. Oss will wear the young riders jersey. Katusha were next best at +0’13.
• Stage 2 (Pan-flat bar a few early kinks in the profile)
There was an early scare for RSA AIRWAYS when yellow jersey Westra hit the deck, but he soon recovered and rejoined the peloton. Eventually, 10 riders escaped to form the day’s breakaway, and once Westra was fully reconciled with his teammates at the head of the peloton, RSA AIRWAYS were able to take a grip of the race. With 20km to go, and a number of other teams hitting the front of the peloton, the main bunch were split and appearing to feel some ill-effects from his earlier crash, Westra was caught on the wrong side. With the breakaway swept up, the inevitable bunch sprint took place with Furlan (Christina Watches) crossing the line in first, and Impey sprinting to a creditable 3rd and taking over the leader’s jersey. A second split occurred in a frantic final few kilometres, with the sprinters forging a 54 second gap over the largest bunch. Oss will continue in the young riders jersey.
• Stage 3 (Undulating – One categorised climb flanked by a number of minor ups and downs)
4 riders escaped early and were allowed to ride away without any reaction from the main bunch. However, the race took an interesting turn when on an upturn in gradient, RSA AIRWAYS hit the front of the peloton hard and spilt the main bunch, leaving just 30 riders in the front group. From then on it was a war of attrition, with all but Van Garderen and leader Impey setting the pace for the front group, which keep whittling down as the ferocious pace had to be maintained. A few km before the finish, Gasparotto (Astana) and two others attacked from the front group and managed to forge a small gap, with the Astana rider the strongest in the sprint for victory. He also moved into the leaders jersey as Impey weakened. Van Garderen replaces teammate Oss in the young riders jersey. RSA AIRWAYS took over leadership of the king of the mountains competition with Devolder donning the polka-dot jersey.
• Stage 4 (Individual time trial – a pan-flat 9km course)
Van Garderen edged to the stage victory by 2 seconds ahead of Garzelli (Acqua-Sapone), with Devolder and Westra finishing 3rd and 4th. Gasparotto (Astana) maintains his overall GC lead.
• Stage 5 (Mountain – small but tough doses of climbing all day with no real respite)
The stage began with a whole host of attacks, and a number of teams clamoured for control of the peloton including RSA AIRWAYS. 14 escapees did manage to collaborate at the head of the race. Looking to break up the race in order to shuffle the GC standings, RSA AIRWAYS hit the front strongly. Despite splintering the peloton, none of the 5 riders ahead of Van Garderen in the overall GC were all present at the front and paying close attention. For much of the stage, the front group contained about 30 riders, and with no GC riders caught out, they were not chased down. Yellow jersey Gasparotto (Astana) looked unshakable and proved his form by attacking late on to take the stage win and rubber-stamp his overall GC victory. Devolder held onto the mountains classification victory and Van Garderen won the young riders GC.
Final GC standings:
1st Gasparotto (Astana)
6th Van Garderen +1’56
16th Impey +9’49
19th Devolder +13’38
27th Oss +17’30
28th Kruijswijk +18’23
29th Van Winden +18’26
30th George +18’48
Withdrawal Westra
Directeur Sportif comments:
Both positive and negative elements of this race for us at RSA AIRWAYS. To take victories in both time trail disciplines was a fantastic fillip, but other than that we look back with disappointment that we couldn’t really maintain a challenge in GC. We were perhaps a bit naive on stage 3 to tear the race up like that, when we perhaps should have nursed the yellow jersey a bit more considering the tough terrain. We always look to improve our tactics and will learn lessons for the future, but we’d rather suffer the consequences being proactive rather than suffer by not trying to affect anything.
Team South Africa Airways entrants:
Augustyn, Hunter, Ista, Lill, Lina, Van Heerden, Venter, Young
A strong squad for this Spanish stage race, with Augustyn being thrust into the limelight for the first time this season as team leader. The South African will head up RSA AIRWAYS’ overall classification challenge, with stage wins contested for hopefully by strong finishers Ista and Van Heerden, and out-and-out sprinter Hunter. Given the nature of the opposition, challenging for honours will be tough for the RSA AIRWAYS line-up but a strong showing is strived for and very possible.
• Stage 1 (Medium mountain – a tough early climb followed by undulations all stage)
A fast-paced start to the day with no escapees allowed leeway by the main bunch until the slopes of the big climb of the day, scuppering Venter’s attempts to be part of the day’s breakaway. 4 riders managed to distance the peloton, headed by teams Sky and Garmin who both vied for control. On the second categorised climb, the aforementioned teams, now aided by Leopard-Trek, put the hammer down and reduced the main bunch to about 70 riders. Despite a concerted effort at the front however, the breakaway appeared as though it was to have its day with the gap at over 3 minutes with 20km to go. Of the 4 escapees, Mori (Lampre) attacked late on to distance his 3 companions to cruise to a comfortable victory. Behind, chaos ensued as GC contenders Fuglsang (Leopard) and Hesjedal (Garmin-Cervelo) attempted to steal precious second, but despite appearing to forge a gap, the commisaires credited them with the same time as the main bunch. RSA AIRWAYS leader Augustyn comfortably kept pace and rolled home 20th on the day.
• Stage 2 (Medium mountain – two small but tough categorised climbs midway through)
Once again early escape attempts were foiled and it took until the first categorised climb before 7 riders could successfully break free, including both Venter and Lill for RSA AIRWAYS. Augustyn also tried to bridge the gap but the peloton simply did not allow it. In the breakaway, the decision was made for Venter to do most of the pacemaking for Lill, whereas Astana were the team who took up the majority of the chasing. However, Venter buried himself and once he had blew up, Lill attacked despite the close attentions of a couple of the other escapees, Lill took a deserved victory. Although the stage victory was sweet, the objective of the day was to propel Lill into the overall GC lead which happened as the South African squeezed out a 2 second advantage to Mori (Lampre).
• Stage 3 (Mountain – 3 large categorised climbs including a tough summit finish)
7 riders made successful escapes on the first climb of the day to forge the day’s breakaway. Similarly to the first stage, Sky and Garmin-Cervelo took a real stranglehold of the pacemaking, and across the stage managed to reel in the breakaway with about 7km to go on the final climb. Once again their work was not without purpose, as riders such as Uran (Sky) and Hesjedal (Garmin) tried late attacks from a front group that still contained GC leader Lill. Although the attacks were contained to a large extent, Uran (Sky) had enough to take the stage victory, as the front group splintered slightly causing Lill to lose 54 seconds. However, the South African had done enough to keep hold of the yellow jersey, and actually saw his lead increased to 45 seconds to new 2nd place rider Uran (Sky). Augustyn once again rode solidly and improves his GC standing to a very creditable 8th.
• Stage 4 (Undulating – One categorised climb flanked by a number of minor ups and downs)
6 riders escaped virtually from roll out and managed to combine to force the day’s breakaway. The breakaway were given plenty of slack until RSA AIRWAYS decided to start to control the gap as it reached 9 minutes. Other teams also helped with the chasing but having been allowed such a large lead early on, 4 riders fromt he breakaway managed to stave off the attentions of the main bunch; Kwiatkowski (Radioshack) sprinting to a good victory. GC standings remained unaffected as Lill rolled home safely in the main bunch, losing only +1’03 to the 4 breakaway riders not in GC contention.
• Stage 5 (Medium mountain – 2 categorised climbs with additional tricky climb in the 2nd half of the stage)
After a fast-paced start, 12 riders managed to escape the peloton which RSA AIRWAYS soon took a hold of from teams Sky and Garmin-Cervelo. With over 80km to go, Brutt (Katusha) attacked off the peloton, meaning RSA AIRWAYS had to pay even closer attention as he was only 2 minutes behind Lill in GC. However, Brutt (Katusha) bridged the gap to the 12 escapees and RSA AIRWAYS struggled to bring the breakaway back. The gap fluctuated around 2 minutes on the run into the finish meaning the GC would be a close run thing, with Lill’s teammate Augustyn on the front burying himself for the cause. At the line, Cherel (Ag2r) took the stage victory in a very tight sprint between the breakaway. The main bunch finished exactly 2 minutes in arrears, and it proved just enough for Lill who now held a 13 second advantage over the dangerous Brutt (Katusha).
• Stage 6 (Medium mountain – two categorised climbs with a tricky climb 40km from the end)
11 riders were allowed to escape after the early intermediate sprint, with the best placed rider Le Lay (Ag2r) 4 minutes behind Lill in the GC. RSA AIRWAYS allowed the gap to reach 6 minutes before beginning to up their efforts at the front of the peloton. The efforts were more than enough to secure the yellow jersey for another day but the breakaway was to be successful. Kump (Geox) proved the strongest in the sprint for the line, as the peloton trailed in at 2’10 behind. GC standings remain unchanged.
• Stage 7 (Flat – slightly undulating but no difficulty)
4 riders made the day’s breakaway early on, as in the main bunch RSA AIRWAYS organised themselves. With no GC threats, RSA AIRWAYS took to the front but applied no pressure, and with the gap reaching 7 minutes with 90km to go, the teams of the sprinters decided to start chasing. The breakaway were swallowed up comfortably and the sprinters were allowed to have their chance at glory. Garmin-Cervelo’s pacemaking throughout the day did not go to waste as Haussler (Garmin-Cervelo) took the sprint victory. For RSA AIRWAYS, Lill was part of a rudimentary lead-out for Hunter, who finished 10th, in order to stay out of trouble. Lill himself finished in 18th and hence preserved his overall GC lead and take the overall victory.
Final GC standings:
1st Lill
12th Augustyn +1’20
57th Venter +3’56
105th Ista +16’57
110th Van Heerden +18’37
120th Hunter +28’26
145th Lina +1’18’05
148th Young +1’25’44
Directeur Sportif comments:
Quite simply a brilliant tour and end result for us. Our plan, formed in the team car as stage 2 was underway, was to get Augustyn in the breakaway with at least one teammate. Instead the peloton didn’t allow that, so we put all our efforts into giving Lill a GC boost, and he’ll owe Venter a beer or two after giving him the platform for both the stage win and the time gap gained for GC. The team rode superbly as a unit to protect the lead, and Lill himself transferred his climbing form as a domestique earlier in the season to hang on to yellow on the queen stage in Andorra. Of course with Lill being a native South African, the result is even sweeter for the team and we hope will inspire South Africans professionals and aspiring youngsters to get on the road and turn those pedals!
Team South Africa Airways entrants:
Hayman, Machado, Mougel, Olaiz, Rolland, Sagan, Van Avermaet
A strong squad crossed the Mediterranean to ride in Corsica, with French native Rolland taking on team leadership. Given the nature of the opponents and the presence of the short individual time trial, Rolland’s chances of overall victory are not too high, but he’ll look to mix it up and potentially challenge for the stage victory on the queen stage. Sagan and Van Avermaet should be able to contest for the victory on stage 2, with the former also looking at a potential top 5 finish in the individual time trial.
• Stage 1 (Mountain – climbing all day long with a tough summit finish)
Simply nobody was allowed to escape in the first half of the stage frustratingly, as RSA AIRWAYS riders Sagan, Machado, and Rolland all tried to leave the front group. Rolland decided to have an interest in the king of the mountains competitions by contesting the categorised climbs. Unsurprisingly, the peloton had whittled down significantly throughout the stage but still no breakaway was allowed as Rolland successfuly accumulated enough points to win the king of the mountains competition on the only significant point-scoring day. On the final climb, a number of riders attacked, and it was Italian Nibali (Liquigas) who took the victory and a GC lead of 0’31 ahead of nearest challenger Horner (Radioshack). Rolland will wear the polka-dot jersey.
• Stage 2 (Flat – a short, flat circuit course)
13 men managed to breakaway on a typically frenetic stage to forge the day’s breakaway. With 15km to go, the breakaway looked like it might have enough of a gap to survive, so RSA AIRWAYS sent for the cavalry. A big crash in the peloton saw a large number of riders hit the ground, including Van Avermaet, and also the crash split the main bunch. Without his leadout man, Sagan struggled to find a position in the sprint, which was won by an opportunistic Lalouette (Roubaix). Sagan battled to 7th. Nibali (Liquigas) sprinted to 5th and therefore had no issues holding onto his overall GC lead; instead his lead increased as Horner (Radioshack) was caught out in the crash.
• Stage 3 (Individual time trial – a pan-flat 7km course)
Sagan took a fantastic stage win for RSA AIRWAYS, edging out Nibali (Liquigas) by the smallest of margins; 1 second. Van Avermaet also rode strongly finishing in 6th, 8 seconds off Sagan. The result saw Nibali (Liquigas) cruise to the overall GC victory as expected.
Directeur Sportif comments:
A mixed bag really for us. We’re obviously over the moon with Sagan’s time trial victory, but other than that nothing really fell for us. The queen stage was a frustrating one, but at least Rolland was able to salvage the mountains jersey out of it. The second stage was also highly disappointing, and although we were a victim of circumstance, I know Sagan is annoyed he didn’t make more of the finish. However, we can’t get ahead of ourselves, a mountains jersey and a stage win in a 3 stage race is a very good achievement.
Edited by dandannieldanok on 09-09-2011 21:07
Team South Africa Airways entrants:
Devolder, Kruijswijk, Oss, Van Garderen, Van Winden, Westra
A registration issue meant Van Avermaet who had been pencilled in to ride this race, was forced to ride the Criterium International. That meant that Belgian compatriot Devolder would be RSA AIRWAYS’ leader, and despite the absence of the in-form Van Avermaet, the team are expected to challenge for victory. Should there be a bunch sprint of sorts at the finish line, Oss and Van Winden will be expected to mix it up, whereas Devolder will be protected throughout the stage and will look to make a move late on.
After Leopard-Trek surrended early control of the peloton, 9 riders managed to escape to form the early breakaway. Back in the peloton, Devolder was well placed at the front, surrounded by 3 teammates. On the second section of cobbles, those 3 teammates hit the front and successfully splintered the main bunch. The increase in pace also spelled doom for the day’s breakaway as the 50 strong bunch closed in. The move set up Devolder for an attack with 60km to go. With 30km to go, Devolder had stretched his lead to 3 minutes as no team could organise a chase on the tough terrain. Once on the flat run in to the finish, an elite group of 15 riders had detached themselves from the rest and set about a concerted chase effort to reel in Devolder. Within that 15 man chase group, Van Winden was present for RSA AIRWAYS but was struggling physically. With 6km to go and Devolder’s advantage holding at just under 2 minutes, Elmiger (Ag2r) attacked in pursuit of the RSA AIRWAYS man. However, it was never going to be enough and Devolder was able to relax on the run in and took a fantastic victory, exactly a minute ahead of a group that was lead home by Cancellara (Leopard).
Final GC standings:
1st Devolder
15th Van Winden +2’09
30th Kruijswijk +7’05
32nd Van Garderen +7’05
49th Oss +8’11
58th Westra +9’41
Directeur Sportif comments:
A spectacular result for Devolder and for RSA AIRWAYS. To win Gent-Wevelgem wearing the Belgian national champion’s jersey must have been a career-defining moment for him. We never pin-pointed a place on the route upon which we wanted Devolder to attack, so for our move to work out like that was quite fantastic. The guys sensed a weakening peloton and hit the front, giving Devolder a fantastic platform to attack.
