@ valverde321: I knew you'd like that result. Was hoping to get Pirazzi a stage win in the first stage, but I guess I was a bit overzealous.
@ tsmoha, baia, and Pellizotti2: Thanks! Its always nice to get wins. Unfortunately, it can be difficult with a small team
News
Colnago - CSF Inox head to the Giro d'Italia!
After weeks of speculation and waiting, news came to Colnago headquarters today that the team would be invited to participate in the 94th Giro d'Italia. Colnago joins Acqua & Sapone, Androni Giocattoli, and Farnese Vini in receiving wildcards. They join the 18 UCI World Tour teams that will make up the field. Missing out are Caja Rural, Europcar, FDJ, Team NSP, and perhaps most surprisingly, Geox - TMC.
Rumors have it, that if Geox had agreed to send Denis Menchov or Carlos Sastre, they would have received the final wildcard, over Colnago. However, indications are that they would not to agree to those terms. Their stance, coupled with Domenico Pozzovivo's early season form, swayed race director Angelo Zomegnan to extend invitation to Colnago instead.
The team is obviously overjoyed with the news, and has begun making the necessary preparations.
Getting win is hard with small team, but the amount of joy you get by winning with them is great. Great news about Giro invation, Pozzoovivo should do some 'damage' there, though it will be hard withour best mountain suppport. You doing well in Rankings too, so everything is going fine Come on Colnago !
@ Alakagom: I completely agree about winning with a small team.
Pozzovivo won't have the greatest support in the Giro, but Pirazzi, Stortoni, and Savini are all around 73-75 in the mountains now, so he won't be completely isolated. Also, team support matter so much less in PCM then real life.
@ Pellizotti2 and tsmoha: I'm really excited about the Giro. Not sure who will be racing, but I think Pozzovivo should be able to do a Top 10 ride. The lack of flat time trial kilometers will aid him.
@ Avin Wargunnson: Thanks ! I really am enjoying playing as Colnago and having to fight for results.
Giro dell'Appennino
A hilly, one-day race. Colnago did not feature very much in the day's action, with Federico Canuti being the best placed rider, finishing in 46th.
An early break formed, but none of the riders made it to the halfway point still ahead of the peloton.
The break.
On the big climb of the day, Serge Pauwels (Sky) and Alessandro Proni (Acqua & Sapone), broke away from the field. They were given a bit too much freedom, as no team wanted to take leadership of the chase.
Pauwels and Proni set off alone.
Pauwels and Proni continued to build on their advantage. In the peloton, Vacansoleil finally organized, but it was too late.
Up ahead, a late attack from Pauwels distanced Proni. The Belgian rider soloed the rest of the way for the win.
For only the fourth time this season, the Colnago - CSF Inox team will be racing outside of Italy. The five day, Vuelta a Castilla y León would serve as an important race for the team's preparations for the upcoming Giro d'Italia. Colnago is the only Italian team participating, racing against mostly Spanish and Portuguese teams. In recent years, Alberto Contador has dominated the event, however neither he, or his Saxo Bank team are here.
The first stage was flat and did not see much action until the closing kilometers. After the 10km to go banner, Kevin Hulsmans (Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly) launched two attacks.
Hulsmans was very aggressive in the first stage.
However, neither attack would stick. In the end, a mass sprint decided the day. Koldo Fernández (Euskaltel - Euskadi) took the win ahead of Daryl Impey (Team NetApp). Manuel Belletti took 5th for Colnago.
Fernández powers to the line.
The second stage was also flat and a mass sprint looked likely. The small breakaway was arrested with 7km to go. Two kilometers later, Belletti surprised the peloton and launched a scathing attack.
Belletti pushes hard.
The type of move by Belletti seemed foolhardy, but the Italian was able to build a large enough advantage to hold off the peloton. He took the stage victory and assume race leadership. Belletti's win was the first by a Colnago rider not named Domenico Pozzovivo.
Belletti accepts the plaudits from the crowd after a daring attack.
The third stage ended with a climb up Laguna de Peces. Colnago would try to keep Belletti in the leader's jersey, but if any big attacks came, focus would switch to the aforementioned Pozzovivo.
Belletti in yellow.
The favorite for the day, Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel - Euskadi). The Olympic champion has a strong team around him, and has the ability to tear the race apart.
Pozzovivo keeping an eye on Sánchez.
Predictably, Sánchez attacked. However, it was from around 15km out. Pozzovivo was not ready to make a move from that far out. Immediately, the Colnago team went to the front of the group.
Sánchez goes. Only a few secondary riders followed.
After a few kilometers of hard riding, Colnago peeled off the front and Pozzovivo launched a counter attack.
Pozzovivo tries to respond to Sánchez.
Belletti had long since been distanced.
Sánchez had built up a lead of over a minute when Pozzovivo accelerated. The Italian worked hard to cut into that advantage. With 5km to go, Pozzovivo had almost reached the wheel of Sánchez, whom had just passed the final breakaway rider.
Pozzovivo has Sánchez within striking distance.
However, as his competition neared, Sánchez upped the pace, and never let Pozzovivo make the connection. The cagey Spaniard, began to grow his advantage over Pozzovivo.
Sánchez has a kilometer to go.
Sánchez crossed the line in style, 1'10 ahead of Pozzovivo, who held on to take 2nd on the day. Juan José Oroz (Euskaltel - Euskadi) climbed very well, taking third, 1'40 behind his team leader. Due to the hard climb, Sánchez was now the race leader, 1'18 ahead of Pozzovivo who sat in second.
Sánchez savored his win.
A short time trial in Zamora was next. Pozzovivo performed decently, finishing in 47th. Nonetheless, he lost time to Sánchez who finished in 3rd.
The winner; teammate Jonathan Castrojievo captured Euskaltel - Euskadi's third stage victory in four tries. The young Basque blazed through the course in 14'15, 17 seconds faster than Dominique Cornu (Topsport Vlaanderen).
Sánchez finished 3rd, more than enough to consolidate his overall lead.
The final day was completely flat. Impey, who missed out on the first stage, easily took the win. There was nothing else of note that changed the overall classments. Pozzovivo stood on the podium in between teammates Sánchez and Oroz.
Impey captures the final stage, and the points jersey.
Pozzovivo's performance indicates good form heading into his final race before the Giro, the Giro del Trentino. An improved time trialing result was a encouraging development.
@ valverde321: No way Pozzovivo can keep up with Sammy. Oroz was closing quickly too at the end.
@ tsmoha and Avin Wargunnson: Thanks!
@ baia: Always nice to wear a leader's jersey, even if for only one stage
@ Spilak23: Thanks. Nice to have a new reader.
Giro del Trentino
The Giro del Trentino. It falls in between the Ardennes Classics, so many big names are elsewhere. However, the race is still important, and used by many of the big Italian contenders for the Giro d'Italia next month as a tune-up. The biggest name this year, Michele Scarponi (Lampre - ISD). With an eye towards May, racing along with Scarponi will be Domenico Pozzovivo, Dario Cataldo (Quick·Step), and Robert Kiserlovski (Astana).
A short individual time trial opened the race. Adriano Malori (Lampre) was the overwhelming favorite, however was somewhat disappointing, finishing in 5th, 27" behind surprise winner Lieuwe Westra (Vacansoleil). Scarponi performed well finishing in 8th, 33 seconds behind the Dutch winner. Pozzovivo continued to show improvement in his time trialing, a good sign for any serious GC challenge in the Giro d'Italia; he finished in 26th, 53" down.
Pozzovivo limited his losses well in the time trial.
The second stage was hilly, although no climb looked tough enough to be decisive.
The break on the second stage.
Perhaps lulled by the terrain, or perhaps looking ahead to the two successive mountain stages, the peloton relaxed for much of the day. Colnago was unconcerned with the break's growing advantage, knowing Pozzovivo should be able to make up any lead over the next two stages.
Lampre appeared equally content.
Astana finally went to the front to work.
Astana find themselves tasked with reeling the break in.
In the final ascent to the line, the peloton was quickly shedding riders. Pozzovivo was safely tucked away, really only concerned with Scarponi and a a handful of other riders. No attacks came from the big favorites.
Up ahead, the breakaway riders fought it out for the stage win. In the final meters the gap was bridged by the chasing peloton, but the winner still came from the break. Nikolas Maes (Quick·Step) had enough energy to win.
Maes celebrates the win, despite the break being caught at the very end.
In the third stage, the riders would have to climb up to Fai della Paganella twice, once at the end. Today, was the real test for climbing legs.
A group of hopefuls went on the attack early, but were easily controlled by Astana, Lampre, and Colnago.
The break did enjoy the freedom of yesterday.
After the first ascent from Fai della Paganella, the peloton had thinned greatly. Liquigas was leading the descent.
The riders quickly descend into the valley.
Once at the bottom, the riders quickly found themselves climbing again, the final climb to Fai della Paganella. Pozzovivo sent Filippo Savini, Stefano Pirazzi, and Simone Stortoni to the front to work. The three riders further whittled the field.
When they were exhausted, Pozzovivo went to the front and raised the pace. Quite simply, he was saying come with me if you can.
Pozzovivo moves to the front on the final climb.
Immediately, riders fell off. Only two riders kept up with Pozzovivo; Kiserlovksi and Andriy Grivko, both of Astana. Neither rider was taking turns.
Pozzovivo is at the head of the race, towing two Astana riders up towards Fai della Paganella.
Behind, Scarponi found himself poorly positioned with no teammates to support him. With the remnants of the peloton scattered across the road, Scarponi slowly began the arduous task of trying to claw his way back up to Pozzovivo. The latter who had since ridden both Kiserlovski and Grivko off his wheel.
With 5km to go, Scarponi was about to reach Pozzovivo. Seeing this, Pozzovivo attacked.
Pozzovivo puts down the hammer a second time.
Scarponi responded, but could not get in Pozzovivo's wheel. As the two Italians dragged themselves up the climb, Pozzovivo was always a couple bike lengths ahead.
Pozzovivo, just ahead of Scarponi.
Behind them, the race had completely blown apart. As they went under the flamme rouge, they were 2'24 ahead of the third rider on the road, Kiserlovski,
Pozzovivo captured the win, never allowing Scarponi to come past him. It was a deserved win, as Pozzovivo had initiated all the action today. Scarponi was the new race leader, 12 seconds ahead of the Colnago rider.
Pozzovivo takes the win, his third of the season.
The final stage featured the Madonna di Campiglio. Again, the final climb would likely decide the day.
Stortoni went on the attack in the early kilometers, bidding for a spectacular win.
Stortoni attempts to form a break.
However, no one went with Stortoni, dooming his move. He pushed on, but predictably, was caught before the final climb.
Kiserlovski launched an attack on the flat before the final climb. It was a strange move, as he was easily arrested by the attentive Lampre and Colnago teams. The expenditure of energy likely cost him later in the stage.
Kiserlovski on an early attack.
The climb was no where near decisive as yesterday, when the 10th place finisher, Miguel Rubiano (D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo) finished 4'27 down on Pozzovivo.
Speaking of the diminutive climber, he bade his time in the leading group. With 4km to go, he sprung his attack.
Pozzovivo goes for a second stage win and perhaps the overall title...
Initially, no rider reacted. Slowly, Scarponi kicked into high gear and tried to follow. A group of Kiserlovksi, Cataldo, and several other riders tried to follow the veteran Lampre rider.
Heading under the flamme rouge, Pozzovivo had around 8 seconds on Scarponi; the latter was looking fresher.
Pozzovivo trying to hold off a charging Scarponi.
Pozzovivo fought, but Scarponi closed incredibly fast. In the final meters, he overtook Pozzovivo and took the stage win, securing his overall title. Kiserlovski finished in 3rd, this time only 19 seconds after the leaders.
Scarponi took the KOM and points jersey too; Pozzovivo came in second in those classifications.
Scarponi battled back to win the final stage.
Pozzovivo ends his pre-Giro schedule with consecutive 2nd place GC finishes, an encouraging sign. In both cases, his opponents, Samuel Sánchez and Scarponi are a class above.
@ Spilak23: Thanks. Pozzovivo is in great shape heading into the Giro. Also, I've always felt the AI does a horrible job at managing their riders' race schedules.
@ baia: Unfortunately it doesn't work that way
At least the Giro doesn't have too many flat TT kms.
Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey
For eight days, the peloton would ride around the Turkish countryside, in a mixture of flat and hilly parcours.
For Colnago, this race was being used as a last tune-up for the Giro for several riders, including Sacha Modolo, Manuel Belletti, and Marco Frapporti.
The first stage was very flat; the riders would ride a circuit around Istanbul.
An unsuccessful breakaway was the only major action on the day until the final run-in. In the tense final kilometers, a big crash held up many of the riders.
Riders try to recoup after the crash.
Poor Angelo Pagani, who only recently recovered from a broken collarbone, fell hard. However, to his credit, he continued, and finished the day.
With much of the peloton left behind, Jimmy Casper (Saur - Sojasun) took advantage of the situation. He bested Roger Kluge (Skil - Shimano) in a close contest. Modolo took 3rd.
Casper wins the first stage.
The second stage, did not feature much more excitement. This time there wasn't even a crash to break up the monotony.
However, the clean run-in allowed Colnago to organize better for the impending mass sprint. They had a small train of Frapporti, Belletti, then Modolo. Right beside them was a train for Casper.
Modolo and Casper look ready to battle each other in the rain.
Yet the duel didn't exactly happen as expected. Perhaps both riders were nervous, but both launched their sprints too early. They clearly tired, suffering down the final straight. Casper still managed to come in third, while Modolo faded to 8th. Pablo Lastras (Movistar) came through in the final 100 meters to take the win.
Lastras timed his sprint the best.
The third stage saw better weather return. It also saw the first hills of the race. This terrain was much more conducive to a breakaway. A group of 6 riders set off in hopes of staying away.
The break spread across the road on a climb.
With 20km left, Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet) and Jonathan Patrick McCarty (SpiderTech) broke away from the rest of the break. They had a lead of 2'56 on the peloton.
Nys and McCarty rode well on the day.
On the final climb, Nys shred McCarty. The accomplished cyco-cross rider held off the main field to take the stage. 56 seconds later, Lastras led the leading group in. Only Belletti was present for Colnago.
Nys takes the win from the break.
The fourth day, rains returned. Again, a group of six riders got away Once again, no Colnago riders made the move. The riders in the break were Koen De Kort (Skil - Shimano), Steven Van Vooren (Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator), Koen Barbé (Landbouwkrediet), Henry Frusto (D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo), Víctor De la Parte (Caja Rural), and Leopold König (Team NetApp).
The break on day 4.
Van Vooren was the best placed rider, entering the day 7'00 down on race leader René Mandri (Endura). Given this cushion, the peloton relaxed for most of the day, allowing a massive lead for the break. Endura did little to chase the break. One of the riders would easily take the win.
De Kort was the strongest rider, taking the final sprint. Pavel Brutt (Katusha) led the peloton in, 6'33 later. Thanks to consistent riding, Belletti was in 3rd, 12 seconds down on Mandri.
De Kort wins; consecutive breakaway wins.
On the fifth day, Colnago finally got a rider into the break. Paolo Locatelli made the move. With him were José Vicente García Acosta (Movistar) and Javier Ramírez Abeja (Andalucía Caja Granada).
Locatelli in a small break.
As in the past two stages, the break built up a large advantage. However, the hilly terrain began to take its toll on Locatelli. With 45km left, he was dropped by García Acosta and Abeja. 10km later, Abeja was dropped.
Drained, Locatelli and Abeja were reeled in on the final climbs of the day. They both finished well back on the main field.
García Acosta was riding easily to victory, but a fresh Belletti made a bid to gain time on his rivals.
Belletti attacks.
Belletti launched a strong attack and initially created a healthy gap.
However, the peloton slowly began to close the advantage in the closing kilometers. Belletti held out well, finishing in 3rd, with only Lastras beat him. However, there was no time gained.
García Acosta took the stage win, exactly 5 minutes earlier. The win saw him jump to 2nd overall, 1 second behind Mandri. Thanks to bonuses, Belletti was still in 3rd, now only 4 seconds back.
García Acosta was extremely strong on the day, moving into 2nd place.
Stage 6 saw a large break form. Gianluca Brambilla was in it for Colnago.
Brambilla and the break.
Seemingly uninterested in chasing breaks, the peloton again let the break go. With 20km to go, the lead was over 8 minutes.
Being a poor sprinter, Brambilla launched a late attack in hopes of winning the stage. Right behind him was Christian Meier (UnitedHealthcare).
Brambilla and Meier fight it out.
Meier used Brambilla's attack as a launching pad, and shot past the tiring Colnago rider. The rest of the break was not strong enough to truly catch the Canadian. Meier took the win, while Brambilla faded back to finish in 13th.
The peloton came home 6'34 later with no major changes in GC.
Meier was able to hold off the rest of the break for the win.
The penultimate stage was relatively flat. However, a climb near the line could spice things up.
As the peloton approached the climb, Rui Costa (Movistar) broke from the field with Henry Frusto (D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo).
Costa and Frusto attack.
With neither rider being a threat to the overall, they were allowed freedom.
At the top of the climb, Costa dropped Frusto.
Littered with American fans, Costa climbs away.
Feeling good, Belletti again made a bid to gain time.
Belletti tries to get away on the final climb.
Unlike Costa, Belletti was not afforded any freedom. The peloton quickly reacted and chased him down.
Up ahead, Costa time trialed to victory. Frusto and Christian Poos (Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de), who also slipped away on the climb, finished 1'05 behind. Modolo, finishing 4th, brought the peloton in 1'33 behind Costa.
Costa celebrates Movistar's second stage.
Entering the last day, Mandri still clung to the overall lead, 1 second ahead of García Acosta. Belletti still lay in third. The final stage was incredibly hilly, with a tough final climb to Alanya.
The peloton was clearly nervous, and no real breakaway formed.
On the penultimate climb, García Acosta attacked. Immediately, Belletti was in his wheel.
Belletti follows García Acosta.
The two riders struggled on the steep gradient. They could not make their attacks stick.
The next to move was Brutt and teammate Mikhail Ignatiev.
Brutt and Ignatiev working together.
Both Russians sat in the top 10, and were working well together; clearly a well-organized move by the team.
As they crested the climb, they maintained their advantage.
Behind them, fruitless attacks came from various riders. The situation was to their advantage, as the two did a "team time trial."
Brutt and Ignatiev continue to work together, maintaining their advantage.
Under the flamme rouge, it was clear the move was going to work. Brutt, the better placed rider, broke from Ignatiev's wheel, taking a well-deserved win. A group of 30 came in half a minute later. Belletti, García Acosta, and Mandri were all present. However, the Katusha double was enough to see the two riders jump the rest of the field with Brutt winning the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey.
Brutt celebrates his stage and overall win.
No stage wins, but still a relatively successful race for Colnago. Belletti showed good form in both hilly and flat terrain.
With 4 breakaways winning, the team should have been in more escapes.
Well done!
