Thanks. A great win for the team and kind of a surprise, it was a great ride by Valgren. We have to think about what we are going to do now, because Bosisio have very good climbing abilities, so i'm not sure that Valgren can hold him for so long unless our team is going to dominate the race completely.
So we have to ride clever next stage
The most important stage for us. Valgren is in the leaders jersey and if he can hold on to the other favourites pace he'll be a very large step closer to the overall victory.
Our plan today is to protect Valgren all day long, and let a little escape group break away. Then we have to control the pace and ride back every break on the final climb, but still in a tempo Valgren can overcome, so we have to be very carefull all day long.
Stage favourites
G. Caruso
J. Hoogerland, D. Devenyns
G. Bosisio, W. Poels, S. Garzelli
Micheal Valgren Andersen is looking great at the start. He is ready to fight for his new yellow jersey which suits him very well.
Micheal Valgren Andersen in his new jersey
A break got away a few kilometres into the race. The break contained E. Rossi (Geox), E. Franzoi (Adria Mobil), A. Proni (Aqua & Sapone) and R. Pauriol (Quick-Step). The pack seemed happy to let them go and quickly they builded up a fine gap. R. Pauriol was the most dangerous in the break 3.07' down on Valgren.
The morning break containing E. Rossi (Geox), E. Franzoi (Adria Mobil), A. Proni (Aqua & Sapone) and R. Pauriol (Quick-Step)
First Vacansoleil helped us controlling the break, but we were soon leaved by usself to catch the break. With 114 km to go the breakaway had 6.40' to the pack, and it didn't grow the rest of the rest.
Team EnergiFyn - TDC controlling the breakaway
With just about 15 km to the greatest climb Peter Kennaugh solo crashes. The pace were high at the moment and a lot of rain had fallen. But Luckily he came back to the pack just before the climb started rising.
Peter Kennaugh crashes just before the climb
The climb started rising with a high pace set by Lampre. O'Grady did a great job positioning Valgren at the front so we wouldn't be blocked at any point.
Valgren on the climb in a great position
It was a very rough time controlling on the climb. Valgren kept his position beautifully and just rode in his own tempo. Many favourites attacked such as D. Devenyns (Quick-Step), J. Hoogerland (Vacansoleil) and also the 2nd place G. Bosisio (Lampre) who were only 36' down on Valgren.
But Olesen, Kennaugh, O'Grady and Tanner did a fantastic job keeping the pack in one piece without dropping Valgren.
After the pack crossed the climb finish, the pack were reduced to 24 men containing all the favourites inclusive Valgren who now feld quite exhausted
The pack reduced to 24 men after the climb
We tried to keep the pace high after the climb to ensure no further attacks were made, and it worked. On the last kilometres Pauwels who just had followed the pace without doing any work, protected Valgren to keep him out of trouble.
On the last hundred metres Pauwels went in front with Valgren on his wheel in a great speed. Right behind were J. Hoogerland (Vacansoleil) in a great position.
Pauwels with Valgren in his wheel on the last kilometer
With 500 metres Pauwels still was in front with Valgren in his wheel. Pauwels now gave it all in with Hoogerland just behind, while Valgren couldn't keep up the pace and started dropping back.
But Pauwels held Hoogerland behind himself to ensure his first professional victory ever.
Pauwels wins the stage in front of Hoogerland
Pauwels victoried while Valgren was dropped down through the pack. But because of his position he strongly kept the pedals going and finished in the same time as Pauwels
Valgren strongly finishes in the same time as Pauwels
Results
1
Serge Pauwels
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
5h19'43
2
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Stefan Schumacher
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
s.t.
4
Giampaolo Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
5
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
6
Manuele Mori
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
7
Michael Valgren Andersen
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
8
Alexander Kvachuk
Amore & Vita
s.t.
9
Marco Frapporti
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
10
David Tanner
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Dries Devenyns
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
12
Peter Kennaugh
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
13
Gabriele Bosisio
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
14
Nicolaj Olesen
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
15
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
16
Pawel Cieslik
Bank BGZ
s.t.
17
Christian Moreni
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
18
Andrea Moletta
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
19
Marc De Maar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
20
Daniele Callegarin
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
21
Matteo Bono
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
s.t.
22
Cristiano Fumagalli
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
s.t.
23
Stefano Garzelli
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
24
Stuart O'Grady
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
25
Gasper Svab
Adria Mobil
+ 2'10
26
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
27
Martin Hebik
PSK Whirlpool - Author
+ 2'21
28
Zdenek Stybar
PSK Whirlpool - Author
+ 2'39
29
Fabio Taborre
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
30
Francesco De Bonis
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
31
Luca Pierfelici
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
+ 2'57
32
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3'04
33
Enrico Franzoï
Adria Mobil
s.t.
34
Alessandro Proni
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
35
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'22
36
Giairo Ermeti
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
37
Andrea Masciarelli
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
38
Federico Canuti
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
39
Jakub Danačík
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
40
Grega Bole
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
41
Claudio Corioni
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
42
Bartosz Huzarski
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
43
Karsten Kroon
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
44
Francesco Gavazzi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
45
Mariusz Witecki
Bank BGZ
s.t.
46
Massimo Giunti
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
47
Paolo Bailetti
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
48
Cristiano Benenati
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
49
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
50
Blazej Janiaczyk
Bank BGZ
s.t.
51
Jonathan Monsalve
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
52
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
53
Christian Vande Velde
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
54
René Jørgensen
Christina Watches - STARK
s.t.
55
Lasse Norman Hansen
Christina Watches - STARK
s.t.
56
Iván Melero
Team Type 1
s.t.
57
Wout Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
58
Krzysztof Szczawinski
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
s.t.
59
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
60
Manuel Belletti
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
61
Davide Viganò
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
s.t.
62
Koen Barbé
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
63
Davide Rebellin
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
64
Gaetan Bille
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
65
Rémi Pauriol
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
66
Mauro Da Dalto
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 4'19
67
Michele Merlo
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
+ 6'19
68
Sergio Pardilla
Christina Watches - STARK
s.t.
69
Paolo Longo Borghini
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
70
Ruggero Marzoli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
71
Marc Hester
Christina Watches - STARK
s.t.
72
Volodymyr Bileka
Amore & Vita
s.t.
73
Diego Ulissi
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
74
Federico Rocchetti
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
75
Filippo Savini
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
76
Mads Rydicher
Christina Watches - STARK
s.t.
77
Pavel Gorenc
Adria Mobil
s.t.
78
Matteo Fedi
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
79
Sebastiano Loiacono
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
80
Luca Mazzanti
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
81
Rafal Majka
Bank BGZ
s.t.
82
Marzio Bruseghin
Christina Watches - STARK
s.t.
83
Jacob Nielsen
Christina Watches - STARK
s.t.
84
Eddy Ratti
Geox - TMC
s.t.
85
Enrico Rossi
Geox - TMC
s.t.
86
Martin Lind
Christina Watches - STARK
s.t.
87
Blaz Furdi
Adria Mobil
s.t.
88
Ivan Santaromita
Geox - TMC
s.t.
89
Marco Pinotti
Geox - TMC
s.t.
90
Cristiano Salerno
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
91
Sacha Modolo
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
92
Mauro Facci
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
93
Glenn Bak
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
94
Vitaliy Popkov
Amore & Vita
s.t.
95
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
96
Alexey Shmidt
Team Type 1
s.t.
97
Piotr Zielinski
Bank BGZ
s.t.
98
Giuseppe Di Salvo
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
s.t.
99
Luca Latini
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
100
Kenny Dehaes
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
101
Robert Radosz
Bank BGZ
s.t.
102
Artur Detko
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
103
Alessandro Donati
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
104
Omar Bertazzo
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
105
Andrea Noè
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
106
Bartlomiej Matysiak
Bank BGZ
+ 8'41
107
Edoardo Costanzi
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
108
Charles Bradley Huff
Team Type 1
s.t.
109
Roberto De Patre
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
110
Gregor Gazvoda
Adria Mobil
s.t.
111
Paolo Ciavatta
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
112
Marco Haller
Adria Mobil
s.t.
113
Laszló Bodrogi
Team Type 1
s.t.
114
Sergio Marinangeli
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
+ 9'01
115
Robert Förster
Amore & Vita
+ 9'09
116
Danilo Napolitano
Acqua & Sapone
+ 10'30
117
Shawn Milne
Team Type 1
s.t.
118
Sergiy Gretchyn
Amore & Vita
s.t.
119
Volodymyr Zagorodny
Amore & Vita
s.t.
120
Dariusz Rudnicki
Bank BGZ
s.t.
121
Graziano Pippi
Geox - TMC
+ 11'26
122
Benjamin King
Team Type 1
+ 21'46
123
Aitor Pérez Arrieta
Lampre - ISD
+ 25'03
124
Luciano Gini
Adria Mobil
s.t.
125
Simone Garibaldi
Geox - TMC
s.t.
126
Petr Benčík
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
127
Denis Bertolini
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
128
Jacopo Landi
Adria Mobil
s.t.
129
Gonzalo Cano
Geox - TMC
s.t.
130
Marcin Sapa
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
131
Filippo Rossi
Team Type 1
+ 28'13
132
Andrea Berto
Geox - TMC
s.t.
133
Claudio Caputi
Team Type 1
+ 29'28
General Classification
1
Michael Valgren Andersen
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
9h12'11
2
Gabriele Bosisio
Lampre - ISD
+ 36
3
Stefan Schumacher
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
+ 55
4
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'19
5
Andrea Moletta
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1'31
Sprint classification
1
Michael Valgren Andersen
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
54
2
Serge Pauwels
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
33
3
Stefan Schumacher
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
32
Mountain classification
1
Michael Valgren Andersen
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
16
2
Gabriele Bosisio
Lampre - ISD
16
3
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
12
Young classification
1
Michael Valgren Andersen
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
9h12'11
2
Peter Kennaugh
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
+ 2'29
3
Nicolaj Olesen
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
+ 2'14
Team classification
1
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
15h59'09
27h41'22
2
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
+ 27
3
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
+ 1'50
Race evaluation
It was a really great stage today. Not only we got the stage victory, but we also kept the leaders jersey. Great teamwork through the whole stage resulted in this great result.
Not only i want to underline the ride by Valgren and Pauwels. Our other team mates were outstanding today. Especially our two Australians Stuart O'Grady and David Tanner. O'Grady overcame the final climb very strong which was quite a surprise and also he finished in the first 24 men group - An outstanding performance. But also Tanner did a fantastic job controling the pack very great, even on the final climb. But still he managed to sprint in top 10 in the final climb, with no doubt he is going to be the man for a sprint on tomorrows stage.
@ Pellizotti2 and cunego59
Thanks you very much guys, I really appreciate your feedback and to hear that somebody actually reads this story. Thank you very much
Giro della Calabria - Stage 3
We've reached the last stage of this years Giro della Calabria. We have a huge possibility of winning the overall victory with Michael Valgren who is riding in the leaders jersey.
Our plan today is to keep Valgren out of trouble and get him over the high mountain top in the last part of the stage, then he'll have a great chance of taking the victory.
When that is done we'll have some expectations of Tanner making a good result in the (hopefully) final mass sprint.
Stage favourites
G. Bole
S. Schumacher, D. Callegrin
G. Bosisio, S. Modolo, D. Devenyns
Quite quickly a 3 man break was formed after a lot of attacks. In the breakaway was J. Monslave (Androni), A. Schmidt (Type 1) and the very talented Italian climber D. Ulissi (PSK - Whirlpool).
The closest guy in the GC was Monsalve with 7'02 down on Valgren
The morning break containing 3 riders
As we had the leaders jersey all of the teams expected us to control the break, therefore we send Latini, Bak and Olesen up in the front to start chasing the break
Team EnergiFyn - TDC controlling the breakaway
Nothing crazy happened until the big climb and the gap of the break was at 3'02. After a fight to find the right position in the pack, Olesen was leaved alone to control the pack in a fast and stabil tempo. Valgren in the leaders jersey was placed perfect in the front, right behind Kennaugh.
Quick-Step in the right side of the pack seemed very organized and ready to do something
Olesen setting the speed on the climb, with Valgren well placed in the front.
First attack on the climb was made by G. Ermeti (Aqua & Sapone), but no one wanted to follow him, so he went for a solo ride, chasing the first breakaway.
In the pack Olesen let him go and continued his stabil tempo
G. Ermeti (Aqua & Sapone) goes solo on the climb
Non of the big favourites wanted to do anything on the big climb, which ment that the pack was quite big when it crossed the climb finish.
Thereby the most difficult part of the stage was done for Valgren, who now seemed very secure on his victory
The pack crosses the climb finish without any attacks from the favourites
In the breakaway G. Ermeti was now riding solo after he rode away from the other escapies with 10 km left of the stage.
With 4 km to go we tried to form a leadout train in the pack for David Tanner, with Pauwels and O'Grady in the front. Valgren still kept his position in the front to avoid any problem.
Behind Tanner were the other big stage favourites: S. Schumacher and G. Bole and F. Gavazzi.
At this point G. Ermeti still had a quite big gap to the pack - You can just see him in the very top of the picture bellow.
A leadout train is formed for David Tanner, while G. Ermeti still got a fine gap to the pack
As the pack were closing in on the 2nd last km, O'Grady started sprinting with Tanner and G. Bole just behind. At this point G. Ermeti was almost catched by the pack
O'Grady starts sprinting with Tanner in his wheel
Very close to the finish line, a very tight sprint was made. Unfortunately Tanner couldn't keep up the massive pace and tried to hang on as good as he could. Now it was G. Bole and S. Schumacher who was in great positions
Tanner couldn't keep up the pace, while G. Bole and S. Schumacher takes the front
It looked like a photo finish, but G. Bole seemed secure on his victory, which also was confirmed few minutes after. On the second place was F. Canuti and in third S. Schumacher. Tanner just managed to keep him inside top 5 in front of M. Pavarin
G. Bole victories in front of F. Canuti in a very close sprint
Results
1
Grega Bole
Lampre - ISD
2
Federico Canuti
Colnago - CSF Inox
3
Stefan Schumacher
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
4
Martin Hebik
PSK Whirlpool - Author
5
David Tanner
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
6
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
7
Francesco Gavazzi
Liquigas - Cannondale
8
Fabio Taborre
Acqua & Sapone
9
Michael Valgren Andersen
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
10
Stuart O'Grady
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
Spoiler
11
Cristiano Benenati
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
12
Manuel Belletti
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
13
Giairo Ermeti
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
14
Enrico Rossi
Geox - TMC
s.t.
15
Daniele Callegarin
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
16
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
17
Gabriele Bosisio
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
18
Stefano Garzelli
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
19
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
20
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
21
Christian Moreni
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
22
Wout Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
23
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
24
Andrea Moletta
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
25
Koen Barbé
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
26
Dries Devenyns
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
27
Karsten Kroon
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
28
Blazej Janiaczyk
Bank BGZ
s.t.
29
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
30
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
31
Marc De Maar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
32
Pawel Cieslik
Bank BGZ
s.t.
33
Cristiano Fumagalli
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
s.t.
34
Enrico Franzoï
Adria Mobil
s.t.
35
Zdenek Stybar
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
36
Alexander Kvachuk
Amore & Vita
s.t.
37
Giampaolo Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
38
Gasper Svab
Adria Mobil
s.t.
39
Francesco De Bonis
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
40
Serge Pauwels
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
41
Cristiano Salerno
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
42
Iván Melero
Team Type 1
s.t.
43
Peter Kennaugh
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
44
Marco Frapporti
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
45
Sacha Modolo
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
46
Diego Ulissi
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
47
Gaetan Bille
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
48
Alessandro Proni
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
49
Nicolaj Olesen
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
50
Rémi Pauriol
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
51
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
52
Bartosz Huzarski
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
53
Jonathan Monsalve
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
54
Matteo Bono
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
s.t.
55
Jakub Danačík
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
56
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
57
Manuele Mori
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
58
Luca Pierfelici
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
s.t.
59
Massimo Giunti
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
60
Andrea Masciarelli
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
61
Paolo Bailetti
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
62
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
63
Mariusz Witecki
Bank BGZ
s.t.
64
Volodymyr Bileka
Amore & Vita
s.t.
65
Ivan Santaromita
Geox - TMC
+ 1'45
66
Alexey Shmidt
Team Type 1
+ 3'20
67
Claudio Corioni
Acqua & Sapone
+ 3'47
68
Kenny Dehaes
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
69
Shawn Milne
Team Type 1
s.t.
70
Ruggero Marzoli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
71
Rafal Majka
Bank BGZ
s.t.
72
Luca Mazzanti
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
73
Christian Vande Velde
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
74
Paolo Longo Borghini
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
75
Luca Latini
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
+ 4'17
76
Marzio Bruseghin
Christina Watches - STARK
s.t.
77
Sergio Pardilla
Christina Watches - STARK
s.t.
78
Lasse Norman Hansen
Christina Watches - STARK
s.t.
79
Jacob Nielsen
Christina Watches - STARK
s.t.
80
Mads Rydicher
Christina Watches - STARK
s.t.
81
Glenn Bak
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
82
Eddy Ratti
Geox - TMC
s.t.
83
Marco Haller
Adria Mobil
s.t.
84
Volodymyr Zagorodny
Amore & Vita
s.t.
85
Vitaliy Popkov
Amore & Vita
s.t.
86
Pavel Gorenc
Adria Mobil
s.t.
87
Marco Pinotti
Geox - TMC
s.t.
88
Michele Merlo
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
89
Krzysztof Szczawinski
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
s.t.
90
Davide Viganò
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
s.t.
91
Piotr Zielinski
Bank BGZ
s.t.
92
Edoardo Costanzi
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
93
Bartlomiej Matysiak
Bank BGZ
s.t.
94
Robert Radosz
Bank BGZ
s.t.
95
Giuseppe Di Salvo
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
s.t.
96
Gregor Gazvoda
Adria Mobil
s.t.
97
Alessandro Donati
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
98
Mauro Da Dalto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
99
René Jørgensen
Christina Watches - STARK
s.t.
100
Federico Rocchetti
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
101
Artur Detko
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
102
Davide Rebellin
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
103
Roberto De Patre
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
104
Filippo Savini
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
105
Blaz Furdi
Adria Mobil
s.t.
106
Omar Bertazzo
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
107
Paolo Ciavatta
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
108
Matteo Fedi
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
109
Sebastiano Loiacono
De Rosa - Ceramica Flaminia
s.t.
110
Laszló Bodrogi
Team Type 1
s.t.
111
Mauro Facci
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
112
Graziano Pippi
Geox - TMC
s.t.
113
Benjamin King
Team Type 1
s.t.
114
Andrea Noè
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
115
Robert Förster
Amore & Vita
+ 6'47
116
Danilo Napolitano
Acqua & Sapone
+ 7'19
117
Dariusz Rudnicki
Bank BGZ
s.t.
118
Charles Bradley Huff
Team Type 1
s.t.
119
Martin Lind
Christina Watches - STARK
s.t.
120
Filippo Rossi
Team Type 1
s.t.
121
Petr Benčík
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
122
Marc Hester
Christina Watches - STARK
s.t.
123
Andrea Berto
Geox - TMC
s.t.
124
Gonzalo Cano
Geox - TMC
s.t.
125
Sergiy Gretchyn
Amore & Vita
+ 8'37
126
Denis Bertolini
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 10'37
127
Claudio Caputi
Team Type 1
s.t.
128
Aitor Pérez Arrieta
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
129
Marcin Sapa
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
130
Luciano Gini
Adria Mobil
s.t.
131
Simone Garibaldi
Geox - TMC
s.t.
132
Sergio Marinangeli
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
s.t.
133
Jacopo Landi
Adria Mobil
+ 11'56
General Classification
1
Michael Valgren Andersen
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
13h41'10
2
Gabriele Bosisio
Lampre - ISD
+ 36
3
Stefan Schumacher
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
+ 47
4
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'19
5
Andrea Moletta
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1'31
Sprint classification
1
Michael Valgren Andersen
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
61
2
Stefan Schumacher
Telecom Italia - Guerciotti
48
3
Serge Pauwels
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
33
Mountain classification
1
Michael Valgren Andersen
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
16
2
Gabriele Bosisio
Lampre - ISD
16
3
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
12
Young classification
1
Michael Valgren Andersen
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
13h41'10
2
Peter Kennaugh
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
+ 2'29
3
Diego Ulissi
PSK Whirlpool - Author
+ 10'56
Team classification
1
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
41h08'19
2
Lampre - ISD
+ 27
3
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 7'18
Race evaluation
We can only be happy after todays performance.
Our true teamwork got Valgren over the finish line to secure his first professional win and the overall classification in Giro della Calabria. This anstonishing ride is not only due to Valgren's super performance, but in same high amount his team mates.
Next race for our team is going to be the french season opener - Grand Prix la Marseillaise.
The race is the only sponsor goal this month, so let's hope that we can fullfill their expectations. Our goal is to ride in the top 10, which should be very achieveable.
The route isn't what I would call hilly, but it's at no point just flat.
What will decide who's getting the victory, is the final sprint which is quite uphill. Therefore a pure sprinter will have a hard time winning the race.
Last year our own Mauro Finetto won the race in a close sprint finish between Jens Keukeleire and Sebastian Chavanel.
This year he'll also compete in the race and is going to be our main leader.
profile
The Team
Our team this year is going to be very strong. We are expecting a final mass sprint and here Finetto will be our man - because of his strong uphill sprint ability.
But if a mass sprint is not the case, we'll have Niki Østergaard with his allround puncher profile which can surprise everyone.
Christian Kness and Dario Cataldo are riding their first races for our team, but only as helpers, since they are riding the race to get in shape for the Tour Méditerranéen.
Also Veilleux, Bellis and Lund are riding their first race for our team in this race, also as helpers. And the young but experienced Greve is also competing as luxus helper.
After a 19 men group which got away including D. Veilluex, was catched again, Matias Greve got away with 6 other guys.
In the break were J. Loubet (AG2R), E. Siskevicius (Velo Club - la Pomme), A. Pichot (Europcar), B. Gourge (Landbouwkrediet), Á. Vellejo (Burgos), S. Kozúbek (PSK - Whirlpool) and M. Greve
Matias Greve in the morningbreak
The breakaway worked fine together and stuck together to the finish.
With 15 km left the breakaway had about 1'30 to the pack, which got M. Ignatiev (Onda) to go and try his luck, as well as V. Reynés (Omega) and S. Turgot (Europcar)
Ignatiev attacks with 15km to go
Finetto was feeling excellent at this point, even though of the high pace. But somehow he managed to fall of his bike with 10km to go.
This was a disaster for our team, since we've just placed him in the perfect position and were ready to fight for him.
Finetto crashes!
Finetto was placed at the very front of the pack, and due to his position and the very fast pace, a mass crash was made.
Many favourites were now blocked and only few riders could now reach the front.
Finetto's crash causes a mass crash
We had a lot of our riders at the front at the time to help Finetto, but non aside from Finetto crashed, so it seemed foolishly to ride back and help him.
The front pack was now reduced to about 26 men and we now had to figure out what to do, while Greve was still in the front break.
The pack highly reduced to about 25 men
With 6 km left the pack had almost catched the front break, and Greve still had something left to ride with. Therefore he attacked and got a fine gap to the others in the group.
- The pack is now very close, and is spotable in the upper left corner in the picture bellow
Greve tries to go solo
In the pack we were trying to organize a leadout train for N. Østergaard who seemed to be the best rider in the absence of Finetto. Kness in the front, followed by Bellis and then Østergaard in the Danish national champion jersey.
With 5km to go we tried to make a leadout train for Østergaard
When the pack reached the 2km spot, the breakaway was just in front of it, while Bellis powered through the second last corner with Østergaard in his wheel. It was very difficult to tell whether the break or the pack would get the victory
Bellis powers through the second last corner with the breakaway in sight
The breakaway reached the 1km point with Greve in front.
He had a great speed but also Pichot (Europcar) seemed to had found his maximum power
Greve goes under the la flamme rouge with the other escapies just behind
Even though Greve did a great job, he couldn't beat Pichot in the final metres. A tactical and great power performance by the 30 year old Frenchman, and a really great 2nd place to Greve who fullfills our sponsor goal
Pichot just manages to overcome Greve
The front of the pack rode so fast that they catched up the other escapies aside from Greve and Pichot - in the same time as Pichot, Østergaard comes in at the 8th spot
Østergaard crosses the finish in the same time as Pichot
Results
1
Alexandre Pichot
Team Europcar
4h50'31
2
Matias Greve
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
3
Benjamin Gourgue
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
4
Stanislav Kozúbek
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
5
Evaldas Siskevicius
Velo-Club La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
6
Julien Loubet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
7
Arthur Vichot
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
8
Niki Østergaard
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
9
Pim Ligthart
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Davide Appollonio
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Aitor Galdos
TEAM Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
12
Samuel Dumoulin
Geox - TMC
s.t.
13
Cyril Lemoine
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
14
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
15
Daniele Ratto
Geox - TMC
s.t.
16
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
17
Ángel Vallejo
TEAM Burgos 2016 - Catalunya
s.t.
18
Mikhail Ignatiev
Onda
s.t.
19
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
20
Jonathan Bellis
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
21
Romain Hardy
Bretagne - Schuller
s.t.
22
Dario Cataldo
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
23
Tomasz Smolen
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
24
David Veilleux
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
25
Adrien Petit
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
26
Christian Knees
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
27
Vicente Reynès
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
28
Sylvain Calzati
Bretagne - Schuller
s.t.
29
Íñigo Cuesta
TEAM Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
30
Anders Lund
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
s.t.
31
Javier Moreno
TEAM Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
32
Hervé Duclos-Lassalle
Big Mat - Auber 93
s.t.
33
Arnaud Coyot
Big Mat - Auber 93
+ 1'03
34
Igor Abakoumov
Wallonie Bruxelles - Crédit Agricole
s.t.
35
Óscar Freire
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
36
Aleksejs Saramotins
Velo-Club La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
37
Sébastien Hinault
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
38
Guillaume Blot
Bretagne - Schuller
s.t.
39
Marco Corti
Geox - TMC
s.t.
40
Bruno Sancho
LA - Antarte
s.t.
41
Edgar Pinto
LA - Antarte
s.t.
42
Geert Verheyen
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
43
Óscar Sevilla
TEAM Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
44
Amaro Antunes
LA - Antarte
s.t.
45
Steven Tronet
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
46
Yauheni Hutarovich
LA - Antarte
s.t.
47
Mikaël Chérel
Bretagne - Schuller
s.t.
48
Sébastien Harbonnier
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
49
Andrea Pasqualon
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
50
Maryan Hary
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
51
Christopher Juul-Jensen
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
s.t.
52
Alexandre Lemair
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
53
Gerben Löwik
De Koninck - Accent
s.t.
54
Carlos Betancourt
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
55
Raffaele Ferrara
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
56
André Vital
LA - Antarte
s.t.
57
Aurélien Duval
Bretagne - Schuller
s.t.
58
Gaël Malacarne
Bretagne - Schuller
s.t.
59
Morten Høberg
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
s.t.
60
Wim De Vocht
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
61
Jarosław Marycz
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
62
Flavien Dassonville
Big Mat - Auber 93
s.t.
63
Michael Berling
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
s.t.
64
Jean-Luc Delpech
Bretagne - Schuller
s.t.
65
Mauro Finetto
Team Energi Fyn - TDC
+ 2'43
66
Giuseppe Palumbo
Geox - TMC
s.t.
67
Addy Engels
De Koninck - Accent
s.t.
68
Kristof Vandewalle
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
69
Reinier Honig
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
70
Marko Kump
Geox - TMC
s.t.
71
Dennis Van Winden
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
72
Oleg Chuzhda
TEAM Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
73
Davy Commeyne
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
74
Jonathan Bertrand
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
75
Alejandro Marque
Onda
s.t.
76
Bruno Lima
Onda
s.t.
77
Pavel Zitta
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
78
Jussi Veikkanen
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
79
Simone Ponzi
Geox - TMC
s.t.
80
Joaquín Ortega
TEAM Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
81
Troels Ronning Vinther
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
s.t.
82
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
s.t.
83
Frederik Willems
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
84
Fabricio Ferrari
TEAM Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
85
César Vaquera
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
86
Joeri Calleeuw
De Koninck - Accent
s.t.
87
Rafaâ Chtioui
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
88
Juan José Cobo
TEAM Burgos 2016 - Catalunya
s.t.
89
Arnoud Van Groen
De Koninck - Accent
s.t.
90
Christophe Laborie
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
91
Fabio Felline
Geox - TMC
s.t.
92
Olivier Pardini
Wallonie Bruxelles - Crédit Agricole
s.t.
93
Daniel Ricardo Díaz
Velo-Club La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
94
Mathieu Drujon
Big Mat - Auber 93
s.t.
95
Antonio Colom
TEAM Burgos 2016 - Catalunya
s.t.
96
José Ángel Gómez Marchante
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
97
Julien Antomarchi
Velo-Club La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
98
Hélder Oliveira
Onda
s.t.
99
Kamil Zielinski
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
100
Roy Curvers
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
101
Bert De Waele
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
102
Marcel Sieberg
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
103
Stefan Van Dijk
De Koninck - Accent
s.t.
104
Francesco Di Paolo
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
105
Vitor Rodrigues
Onda
s.t.
106
Laurent Lefèvre
Team Europcar
s.t.
107
Egoitz García
TEAM Cantabria Infinita
s.t.
108
Kris Boeckmans
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
109
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
s.t.
110
Yevgeniy Nepomnyachshiy
De Koninck - Accent
s.t.
111
Xavier Florencio
Geox - TMC
s.t.
112
Tom Leezer
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
113
Olivier Kaisen
Wallonie Bruxelles - Crédit Agricole
s.t.
114
Benoît Daeninck
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
115
Mathieu Perget
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
116
Nicolas Rousseau
Big Mat - Auber 93
s.t.
117
Laurent Mangel
Big Mat - Auber 93
s.t.
118
Kenny Elissonde
Team Europcar
+ 4'27
119
Miguel Ángel Candil
LA - Antarte
+ 5'00
120
Jérémie Galland
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
121
Tom Stubbe
De Koninck - Accent
s.t.
122
Maxime Vantomme
Wallonie Bruxelles - Crédit Agricole
s.t.
123
Nicolas Bonnet
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
124
Gene Michael Bates
LA - Antarte
s.t.
125
Evert Verbist
De Koninck - Accent
s.t.
126
Samuel Caldeira
LA - Antarte
s.t.
127
Anthony Colin
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
128
Tom Slagter
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
129
Guillaume Levarlet
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
130
Kasper Klostergaard
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
s.t.
131
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
132
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
133
Ricardo Vilela
Onda
s.t.
134
Lasse Bøchman
Glud & Marstrand - LRØ
s.t.
135
Tomasz Kiendyś
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
136
Francesco Tizza
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
137
Dimitri Champion
Team Europcar
s.t.
138
Jos Pronk
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
139
Imanol Erviti
TEAM Burgos 2016 - Catalunya
s.t.
140
Jose Mendes
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
141
Júlio Coimbra
Onda
s.t.
142
Kristjan Koren
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
143
Renaud Dion
Bretagne - Schuller
s.t.
144
Jacek Morajko
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
145
Tomasz Marczynski
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
146
Jürgen Van de Walle
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
147
Mateusz Taciak
CCC Polsat Polkowice
s.t.
148
Samuel Bartos
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
149
Simone Cadamuro
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
150
Krzysztof Jeżowski
PSK Whirlpool - Author
+ 6'17
151
Dirk Bellemakers
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
152
José Antonio De Segovia
TEAM Burgos 2016 - Catalunya
s.t.
153
Enrique Mata
TEAM Burgos 2016 - Catalunya
s.t.
154
Tomáš Bucháček
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
155
David Dvorsky
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
156
Gatis Smukulis
Velo-Club La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
157
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
158
Manuel Calisto
Onda
s.t.
159
Jonathan Dufrasne
Wallonie Bruxelles - Crédit Agricole
s.t.
160
Perrig Quemeneur
Team Europcar
s.t.
161
Ricardo Van der Velde
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
162
Fabio Gilioli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
163
Arthur López
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
164
Patrik Cech
PSK Whirlpool - Author
s.t.
165
Jonathan Dewitte
Wallonie Bruxelles - Crédit Agricole
+ 7'32
Race evaluation
The guys seems quite disappointed to have "only" got the 2nd spot and a crash for Finetto. But I can asure that this isn't a bad result. And the guys will probarbly soon figure it out.
There's no doubt that this was a very good race for us.
I somehow overlooked your story earlier and as i read it now, i know it was a big mistake. Great presentation, layout (i love the rounded pics) and nice realistic team full of likeable riders
To make it short, great story so far, i will certainly follow from now.
And i almost forget, congratulations to the great win in Calabria.
@Avin Wargunnson and Sutty68
- Thanks Avin! It's fantastic to get a new reader who likes the way i'm doing this. I'll hope i keep it good enough for you, so you will keep reading
- Yeah I agree with you sutty68, there's no disappointment of becomming 2nd, but it's always harder to be so close to the victory without getting it
Here's the first monthly review of the 2013 season, which will be a tradition throughout the whole season, so lean back and enjoy.
January results
Most noteworthy results
Baden Cooke's win in the Australian championship and Thomas De Gendt's victory in Santos Tour Down Under, who became the first to win an UCI Pro Tour race in 2013.
For our own team
Michael Valgren's victory in Giro della Calabria and Matias Greve's 2nd place in Grand Prix la Marseillaise. A result which achieved our first sponsor goal.
Rankings
Spoiler
With the victory in TDU - Thomas De Gendt now leads the individual rakings
Marcel Kittel and Thomas De Gendt got enough points in TDU to secure the team lead for Leopard
Thomas De Gendt and Vansummeren were the stars in TDU and it's therefore no surprise that it is Belgium who leads the country rankings.
Spoiler
After Fabio Duarte's two stage victories and the overall win in Le Tour de Langkawi - he now leads the individual rankings comfortably.
- Our best man in the rankings are Valgren on the 4th place.
After a very good month we are now leading the team rankings in front of United Healthcare.
This have been the month for the Australians, and therefore they leads the country rankings in front of columbia with Fabio Duarte.
- The teams headquarter country, Denmark, is in 6th place
Spoiler
No big surprises in the CQ rankings where TDU winner Thomas De Gendt is leading in front of the young columbian Duarte.
- Also in the CQ rankings Giro della Calabria winner Michael Valgren, is the best placed for our team in 7th spot. A really great start for him.
Even though Movistar didn't get any really great wins in January as Leopard - Trek, they still had a stabil month with lots of good results spread out on several riders. Therefore they now leads the team rankings.
- So did we and therefore we can only be happy to be in 4th position in the team rankings. Great job guys!
As in the UCI country rankings, Belgium have also takin the lead in the CQ country rankings - Mainly because of De Gendt's and Vansummeren's performances in TDU.
Rider of the month became the german super sprinter André Greipel. The Omega Pharma rider won two stages and had two podium spots in TDU, and therefore it was a very well deserved award for him.
The best young rider became the 24 year old lithuanian Evaldas Siskevicius. Evaldas became 5th in the GP di Marseillaise after being in the crucial breakaway.
His forces lies in his time trial ability and his stats looks promising. He could be a rider to keep an eye on in the future.
February Calendar
February is going to be a really important month for our team. We have 3 sponsor goals, which hopefully should be achieved. Aside from these, we'll gonna race 2 great french stage races which we haven't raced ever before.
@FreitasPCM, Spilak23 and Sutty68
Thank you so much guys. I really appreciate your comments
I hope to finish the next stage report tonight which will be the first stage of Tour of Qatar.
Avin Wargunnson wrote:
I somehow overlooked your story earlier and as i read it now, i know it was a big mistake. Great presentation, layout (i love the rounded pics) and nice realistic team full of likeable riders
To make it short, great story so far, i will certainly follow from now.
And i almost forget, congratulations to the great win in Calabria.
Indeed, great layout and reports. Only 1 thing, your pictures are in .png format and when the internet connection is a little slower (like at my work), then it takes ages to load the pages. So if it's possible, please convert them to .jpg (just as in all other stories!)
Avin Wargunnson wrote:
I somehow overlooked your story earlier and as i read it now, i know it was a big mistake. Great presentation, layout (i love the rounded pics) and nice realistic team full of likeable riders
To make it short, great story so far, i will certainly follow from now.
And i almost forget, congratulations to the great win in Calabria.
Indeed, great layout and reports. Only 1 thing, your pictures are in .png format and when the internet connection is a little slower (like at my work), then it takes ages to load the pages. So if it's possible, please convert them to .jpg (just as in all other stories!)
I just wanted to post it now, this page has been loading a minute
But as the "older" person i remember times, where one picture lasted 20 seconds to show Edited by Avin Wargunnson on 03-11-2011 13:13
is definetly appropriate here 
