19/01/2012
Stage 3
Unley - Victor Harbor : 134.5 kms

Taking advantage of the hill at the start Adrian Saez de Arregi (ESP/EUS) attacked and easily created a gap between him and the bunch. His attack was followed by three riders: Frederik Veuchelen (BEL/VCD), Matt Brammeier (IRE/OPQ) and Benoit Vaugrenard (FRA/FDJ).


Adrian didn't make too much friends at today's BOTD. Benoit Vaugrenard (FRA/FDJ) won the KoM and Matt Brammeier (IRE/OPQ) was second. However, his third place and the 8 points put him as the new KoM leader.

After the KoM sprint, Adrian and the team decided not to help the break, and stay there in case they could get to the finish. The pack leaded by Radioshack didn't want that and started to push hard with 80kms to the finish when the gap was around the 6 minutes.

They did the job and caught the breakaway with 10kms to go. We were at a perfect position with all of our riders at the front. Before the last hill, placed 5kms to the line, we pushed hard and set Ruben Perez for the final sprint. Indeed a great job of the team, while we watched the leader of the race losing places for the final sprint.


Ruben gave it all but he was overpassed by Michael Matthews (AUS/RAB) and Fabio Sabatini (ITA/LIQ). The australian took the victory and with the bonus obtained also the leader jersey.

It was a great stage for us although we couldn't take the victory, we took the KoM jersey and Adrian will ride with it tomorrow.


Adrian Saez de Arregi (ESP/EUS) enjoys himself at the podium wearing the KoM leader's jersey. Tomorrow he will have to fight for it with two scoring summits.

20/01/2012
Stage 4
Norwood - Tanunda : 130.0 kms

Just at the start of the stage, Ivan Velazco (ESP/EUS) and Adrian Saez de Arregi (ESP/EUS) attacked the main bunch. We wanted some help from a fresh teammate for Adrian, so we sent Ivan to relay for him and see what the peloton would do. After a few of counterattacks only two riders were able to join the two Euskaltel's riders at the front. They were Adriano Malori (ITA/LAM) and Martin Mortensen (DEN/VCD).


The four man breakaway leaded by Ivan Velazco (ESP/EUS) followed by Adriano Malori (ITA/LAM), Martin Mortensen (DEN/VCD) and KoM leader Adrian Saez de Arregi (ESP/EUS).

We tried to reach the second hill of the day but Rabobank didn't let us, so the gap was kept around 4 minutes. At the first KoM Adrian took the first place with Ivan second.


Our two riders taking the 1st and 2nd place at the first KoM sprint. Adrian will continue leading the classification tomorrow.

The breakaway was caught just before the last hill, placed around 20kms to the finish, but Martin Mortensen (DEN/VCD) could take the points just ahead of Ion Izagirre (ESP/EUS) who launched an attack from the peloton. He was followed by Imanol Erviti (ESP/MOV) but they didn't get too much difference from the pack.


Ion Izagirre (ESP/EUS) attacking the peloton. Just behind him Imanol Erviti (ESP/EUS) trying to create a gap.

They were caught so we had a massive sprint at the end. Again was Michael Matthews (AUS/RAB) the fastest man between the whole pack followed by Grega Bole (SVN/LAM) and Fabio Sabatini (ITA/LIQ). Ruben Perez (ESP/EUS) was ninth after loosing the wheel of the big sprinters. The team played the cards for Ion and Ruben had to make his way himself to the sprint.


Michael Matthews (AUS/RAB) raises his hand while crossing the line. Second was Grega Bole (SVN/LAM) and third Fabio Sabatini (ITA/LIQ). The australian gets the bonus and leads by 8 seconds the general classification.

KoM Classification

1 Adrián Sáez de Arregi Euskaltel - Euskadi 40
2 Martin Mortensen Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team 22
3 Adriano Malori Lampre - ISD 16

21/01/2012
Stage 5
Snapper Point - Old Willunga Hill : 152.0 kms

With 7 riders and 3 of them that we wanted to protect, Ruben Perez, Ion Izagirre and the KoM leader Adrian Saez de Arregi, we didn't want to send anyone else on the breakaway.
After several attacks 4 riders could escape from the bunch: Paolo Longo Borghini (ITA/LIQ), Bert Grabsch (GER/OPQ), Taylor Phinney (USA/BMC) and Ian Stannard (GBR/SKY).


The four men created the first break of the day.

The things didn't stay quite in the peloton and some counterattacks happened. Only Dennis Vanendert (BEL/LOT) could escape from the bunch. The younger brother of Jelle joinned the 4 men at the front and started to increase the gap.


The five riders created a gap of 5 minutes but with 88kms to the finish the main group started to push hard.

The gap was almost erased while the break was reaching the Old Willunga Hill for the first time. Several attacks from the main bunch tried to follow some of the men in the breakaway.


Ion Izagirre (ESP/EUS) was one of the riders who counterattacked trying to win the stage with less than 20kms to the end.

No luck again for the man from Ormaiztegi as the peloton caught them just before the start of the last pass of the Old Willunga. Then the strongest men started the attacks, and Linus Gerdemann (GER/RSN) was the man who took the victory in front of Andrey Amador (CRC/MOV) and Maarten Tjallingii (NED/RAB). He took a 16 seconds difference that should put him safe of the overall victory.


Linus Gerdemann (GER/RSN) raises his hands knowing he has won the 5th stage and probably the general classification.

22/01/2012
Stage 6
Adelaide - Adelaide : 90.4 kms

And the last stage of the Santos Tour Down Under is gone! We didn't want surprises at the KoM classification so we sent Adrian into the attack. Martin Mortensen (DEN/VCD) didn't respond, however Adrian, with 40 points, would have to be careful of Adriano Malori (ITA/LAM) and Assan Bazayev (KAZ/AST) who were tied at third place with 16 points. 32 points were at play in this stage. Other four riders joinned the KoM contenders.


Assan Bazayev (KAZ/AST), Martin Elmiger (SWI/ALM), Adriano Malori (ITA/LAM), Maxime Vantomme (BEL/KAT), Sébastien Rosseler (BEL/GRS), Jonas Aaen Jørgensen (DEN/STB), Adrian Saez de Arregi (ESP/EUS) and Alex Dowsett (GBR/SKY) passing the finish line for the first time.

The speed of the stage was high, almost 45 km/h, and the first KoM sprint was won by Assan Bazayev (KAZ/AST). Adrian could get second place and secure the KoM classification. Well done!


Assan Bazayev (KAZ/AST) grabs the 16 points but Adrian with his second place wins the KoM general classification.

With the peloton almost over there, the break reached the second scoring hill. This time Adrian decided to attack and get the points and prize. The team is happy with his perfomance!


Adrian Saez de Arregi (ESP/EUS) wins the second scoring hill and the KoM overall classification.

After a great job from Rabobank and Radioshack, the final stage was going to be finish with a mass sprint. Michael Matthews (AUS/RAB) showed everyone he was the fastest man this edition and won his third stage. Simone Ponzi (ITA/AST) and Grega Bole (SVN/LAM) completed the podium.
Linus Gerdemann (GER/RSN) won the general classification with 12 seconds of difference ahead of Matthews and 20 over Andrey Amador (CRC/MOV). Ruben Perez (ESP/EUS) could finish at a nice 8th place in the last stage while Victor Cabedo and Ion Izagirre finished 24th and 25th in the GC as the best placed riders of the team.


Michael Matthews (AUS/RAB) displaying his power at the sprint. Three out of six for the local rider.