Hello. Alejandro has asked me to describe what happened on Stage 5 of this race. I am Jose Ivan Guitierrez, and as Alejandro maybe has told you this is my first race of the season.
Anyway, time is short, so let me get on with things.
There are attacks in the opening 20k but no-one manages to get away. Garmin do some work keeping the race together and Rojas ends up getting a chance to go for the intermediate sprint. He goes early and takes everyone but me by surprise. He takes the sprint and I am right there on his wheel.
Once under the banner, I jump away as I had planned. I get a gap and others come and join me.
We work well together and over the first climb of the day we have built a lead of 7'21. It is a big group too, so many teams back in the pack have little interest in chasing.
Garmin do their best but I think they must be tired after the last 3 days defending the jersey. With no allies, they are only able to bring the gap down a little.
So, over the second climb of the day we still have 5'22 in hand. Most of the final 50k are downhill so things look good for us.
I am feeling good, and truth be told it is I who am the driving force of the break as we power towards the finish. The lead remains fairly big and I have been told on the radio that if we maintain the gap I will take the overall.
Into the final 20km and it is clear the winner will come from the break. An attack comes with 15km and 4 riders try to get away. I think of going with them, but the Lotto rider, Tjallingii, is the dangerous one I think. I gamble that he and I will be able to ride the escapees down.
And it looks as if I was right. We bring 3 of the 4 back over the next 7 kilometers, but out in front, Nozal, is doing a good job of holding us off. He has 30 seconds and we can only hope he blows.
Into the last 2k and he is still out in front. I decide that now is the time for me to go. Even at this early stage of the season, I feel good and try to close the gap.
If he blows up now, I think I will catch him.
But, no...he is the strongman for today. I do not know too much about him - but he has denied me the victory. I have my earpiece out so I do not know what is happening behind us.
I wait now to see if I have done enough to take the overall. I am tranquil and do not expect. Whatever will be, will be. This race is not a goal, but it is always good to take a win.
But no, it is not to be.
I have missed out on the overall by six seconds...
Stage Results
1 Isidro Nozal Liberty Seguros 3h50'07 2 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 18
3 Doug Ollerenshaw Rock Racing s.t.
4 Javier Moreno Andalucía - Cajasur s.t.
5 Jesús Ramírez Extremadura - Ciclismo Soldario s.t.
6 Alan Pérez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
7 Maarten Tjallingii Silence - Lotto s.t.
8 Gerhard Trampusch ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
9 Manuel Calvente Contentpolis - Murcia + 1'18
10 Gustavo Domínguez Xacobea - Galicia s.t.
11 Grischa Niermann Rabobank + 1'35
12 Andy Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 3'25
13 Antonio Colom Astana Cycling Team + 3'36 14 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
15 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
Overall
1 Christian Vande Velde Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 14h20'16 2 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 6
3 Alan Pérez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 15
4 Paolo Savoldelli LPR Brakes - Ballan + 22
5 Nuno Ribeiro Liberty Seguros + 40 6 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 42
7 Antonio Colom Astana Cycling Team + 53
8 Gerhard Trampusch ELK Haus - Simplon + 54
9 Óscar Sevilla Rock Racing + 58
10 Sérgio Paulinho Astana Cycling Team + 1'18 22 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne + 2'10
Points
1 Alessandro Petacchi LPR Brakes - Ballan 47 2 José Joaquín Rojas Caisse d'Epargne 46
3 Christian Vande Velde Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 45
4 Francisco Ventoso Andalucía - Cajasur 45
5 Paolo Savoldelli LPR Brakes - Ballan 34
The last stage of the Castilla Léon is always great for breakaways.
One of my riders once lost the overall lead to Colom, who was lagging 3 minutes behind...
From what I have heard, this was an extremely windy stage - the riders having to contend with winds over 40kmph for most of the day. There was a break, it built a lead and was brought back. The sprinters and select puncheurs battled it out for the win. The Frenchman, Jimmy Caspar took the stage from Cooke and Schumacher.
Stage 2, 99 hilly kilometers
Again, from what I have been told this was a rip roaring 100 kilometer stage. Because of the length it was attack followed by frantic chase followed by attack followed by chase. No break built up more than a minute's lead and it was the young Belgian, Vanendert, from FDJ, who ended up holding off Schumacher to take the stage. Lopez tried to follow the attack, but the Belgian was too good today. Lopez ended 4th, 23' back.
Stage 3, 10k ITT
There was no real suspense with this stage. Venendert led the overall going into the stage, but Schumacher was expected to ride a faster time than him and take the overall. Here he is on the way to the overall victory - though once again he is unable to take the stage and finishes 2nd, 4' behind Zabriskie.
Karpets is the best performer for Caisse and his 5th on the stage, 15' back, secures for him 3rd place.
This hilly French one dayer gives some of the lesser lights on the team room to shine. Garcia Acosta will be leader, but Zandio and Arango will be given room to try for the win if they prove stronger.
A break gets away and because we have Portal in it, we do not have to spend much of the day working on the front of the pack.
We anticipate it will be brought back and it is. As the race enters the hilly final 20km things begin to fragment. Our 3 contenders are all feeling good and we should definitely factor in the finish.
Up the final climb and with just over 5km to the finish, those searching for the win are making their moves. We have the numbers though, and it is Garcia Acosta and Zandio who sacrifice themselves for Arango. The pace they've set mean that when Arango attacks near the top of the climb, he does not have far to go to bridge.
He closes the gap to Angel Vicioso and stays on the Spaniard's wheel down the other side of the hill.
With 1500 meters to go, he makes his move for victory. Does Vicioso have anything left in response?
He doesn't - he is not even able to muster a sprint. All he can do is grit his teeth and pedal hard for the line. He has to content himself with second.
Marlon Perez Arango sweeps to victory and it is time to celebrate his first victory of the season.
Zandio and Garcia Acosta have nothing left for the sprint, and even though both do not even make the Top 20, they are happy they have contributed in such a big way to Arango's win. Without the team, there would have been no victory today...
This one was pencilled into my race schedule at the start of the season, but because I am happy with my condition right now, I decided I would skip racing here and I think it will leave me just that little bit fresher for the Basque country - where I will be going after the win.
Lastras will lead the team, though Arango, after his recent win will be given some freedom too to pursue another victory.
The race begins and we try and get someone in the break. Moves containing Pasamontes and Portal are brought back, before Horrach manages to get himself in the break of the day.
The break never really threatens to go all the way and things are back together with 30k or so remaining of the stage. The run in is fairly hilly and Lastras is alive and alert when the dangermen make their moves.
An elite group gets away and Lastras is there with them. There is a 20k run in to the finish and the pack never look like bringing them back. The group works well together and things end in an uphill sprint.
Lastras has Sammy Sanchez's wheel and as the sprint goes off he's in with a chance. It's extremely close - though I know Lastras is angry with himself for leaving it just a little too long before opening up his own sprint.
He takes third right on the line, and Sanchez just misses out on coming around fellow Spaniard Angel Vicioso.
Results
1 Ángel Vicioso LA - MSS - Póvoa de Varzím 4h47'17
2 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t. 3 Pablo Lastras Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
4 Jaume Rovira Extremadura - Ciclismo Soldario s.t.
5 Héctor Guerra Liberty Seguros s.t.
6 Xavier Florencio Bouygues Télécom s.t.
7 Koldo Gil Liberty Seguros s.t.
8 David Blanco Rodriguez Palmeiras Resort Tavira s.t.
9 David Bernabeu Barbot - Siper s.t.
10 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom + 1'32
The Tour of Flanders, 259km
So, the first race of our season we enter with no hope is here. Leon Sanchez will ride the race as leader, and I think he has proved he is a rider with cojones for volunteering to ride this race. I, myself, dream secretly of doing well in this race and proving I too have the cojones of a hardman, yet I do not see how I will be able to do it...
Anyway, the team for the Ronde...
No Boonen is the surprise news from the Quickstep camp and no rain is the good news for a lot of the riders on the start line.
There is no early break and it is not until there is just over 200k remaining that the first break tries to get away. We have no interest in getting in a break - it will not succeed and we are here to finish.
There are about 40k remaining and Ballan sparks the first attack of the favorites. Cancellara and Hoste go after him and these three, without working well together power to the foot of the Muur with a lead of 30 seconds on a chasing group of around 10. The 3 should have had more but have been steadfast in their determination not to work together. Ballan attacks....
He opens a gap but the three leaders are having to dig deep to drag themselves up the Muur. Behind them, other strongmen are closing in....
Over the top and Steffen Wesemann has blasted past them - but he has Filippo Pozzato right on his wheel.
Down the other side and these two collaborate to hold off the chasing group, which contains the race favorites - Devolder, Hoste, Ballan, Cancellara, O'Grady and Hincapie.
Devolder loses patience with the chase group and tries to blast across the gap. There are just 6km to go and Ballan digs deep to summon one more mighty effort.
Ballan finds today is not his day and he has given too much in earlier attacks. Devolder though, rides down the two leaders, and the stage is set for a 3 up sprint.
Devolder is travelling fastest as they cross the line, but it is Pozzato who is the King of the Flanders pave this year!
For Caisse too, the day is far better than we have any right to expect. Rojas leads Perez, Leon Sanchez and Arnaud Coyot home in the third group to cross the line. Admittedly, they are just over 8 minutes down, but we take three places in the top 25, which was far better than we were expecting and also somehow manage to make it into the Top 10 teams.
Results
1 Filippo Pozzato Liquigas 7h27'44
2 Steffen Wesemann Cycle Collstrop s.t.
3 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
4 Leif Hoste Silence - Lotto + 36
5 Alessandro Ballan Lampre s.t.
6 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
7 Andreas Klier Team Columbia + 49
8 George Hincapie Team Columbia s.t.
9 Stuart O'Grady Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
10 Philippe Gilbert Française des Jeux s.t.
11 Erik Zabel Team Milram s.t.
12 Paolo Bettini Quick·Step + 1'48
13 Roberto Petito Liquigas s.t.
14 Martijn Maaskant Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
15 Sebastian Langeveld Rabobank s.t.
16 Sergei Ivanov Astana Cycling Team + 2'23
17 Staf Scheirlinckx Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 8'07
18 Thor Hushovd Crédit Agricole s.t. 19 José Joaquín Rojas Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
20 Bert De Waele Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner s.t.
21 Pedro Horrillo Rabobank s.t. 22 Francisco Pérez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
23 Magnus Bäckstedt Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t. 24 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
25 Dimitri Muravyev Astana Cycling Team s.t.
26 David Kopp Cycle Collstrop s.t.
27 Roger Hammond Team Columbia s.t.
28 Frederik Willems Liquigas s.t. 29 Arnaud Coyot Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
30 Steven De Jongh Quick·Step s.t.
Edited by fenian_1234 on 31-10-2008 15:11
While we have no specific sponsor goal for this race, it is important to them and we go to the Vuelta a Pais Vasco looking to do well. I will be looking to take the overall - though am a little concerned with what kind of effect the final 20k+ ITT will have on things.
To win this race, we need a strong team and probably a little luck. The race is too hilly for one team to dominate - but I am happy with the riders who have been selected to work for me. As for me, my fitness is coming along nicely and I will be ready for the Ardennes.
But first, the Basque country awaits...and it is a strong field I will need to overcome. Sammy Sanchez, Gomez Marchante, Alberto Contador, Franco Pellizotti, Kim Kirchen, Thomas Dekker, Stefan Schumacher, Damiano Cunego, Carlos Sastre, Cadel Evans are some of the names I see on the startlist.
Stage 1, 138km
This is a short stage and because there is a lot of competition for the mountain points a breakaway never really builds up any advantage over the pack.
It is not until there is little over 40k to go that a couple of riders make a move that looks promising. Nocenti (AG2R) and Florencio (BT) rocket out of the pack and start to build a promising looking lead. Both riders are fairly dangerous and are riding well together.
Behind them caught in no-man's land are Bertagnolli (Liquigas) and Cioni (Lotto). The question for the escapees is, can they hold off the Caisse/CSC express that is collaborating to bring them back?
At the bottom of the final climb of the day, the gap to the leading two is down to 1'02. There are 11k left and I (wearing no.11) am feeling very good and ready to strike.
The chase is losing a little in steam, but the two up front are struggling so I up the pace a little and move to the front of the pack. I wonder will anyone have the cojones to attack?
The answer is no and I ease up a little - the two escapees are almost reeled in and Valjavec makes a move. Maybe for the mountain points, maybe for the stage. In any case, I go after him.
He is not so strong, and eases up almost immediately. I do too and it is Joaquim who surges off the front. He gets a gap and when there is no reaction from the pack I jump too.
Over the top Joaquim is level with the Nocenti and I am closing down on them fast. Sanchez I think is behind me, so I know I will have to go full gas down this hill to hold him off.
Nocenti is fading fast, but so too is Joaquim and I make the decision to leave him. Only Sanchez can conceivably stop me from taking the stage and race lead now.
Sanchez though it seems, has wasted too much energy early in the day taking part in some of those King of the Mountain sprints and I find have the legs to easily hold off the Euskatel rider. He has so little left, that he can't even come around Joaquim who is riding on empty.
It is the perfect start for us today and I have shown that I am in better shape than a lot of my biggest rivals for the Ardennes.
Stage (and Overall)
1 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne 3h24'23 2 Joaquím Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne + 16
3 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
4 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 38
5 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner s.t.
6 Rinaldo Nocentini AG2R La Mondiale + 1'06
7 Andy Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
8 Jens Voigt Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
9 Sylvester Szmyd Lampre s.t.
10 Jurgen Van Goolen Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
Selected others
13 Damiano Cunego Lampre s.t.
16 Carlos Sastre Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
18 Robert Gesink Rabobank s.t.
20 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas s.t.
36 José Angel Gómez Marchante Scott - American Beef s.t.
51 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team s.t.
55 Cadel Evans Silence - Lotto s.t.
Today's stage is probably the flattest stage of the Tour and it should be fairly easy for us to defend the jersey today.
We try to get Lastras in the break of the day, but others bring his group back and when the smoke of the early attacks have cleared a group of 5 have managed to establish a lead. We are happy to let them go and move to the front of the pack to set the pace and make sure their lead does not get too big.
I am probably one of the better sprinters in the field - this is a climbers race - so, if things do come down to a sprint, I could conceivably take my second stage win in as many days.
I may decide not to contest the sprint, though, as I my first priority today is to keep hold of the yellow jersey.
The team work hard on the front keeping the break manageable and the escapees are gradually reeled back in. Lastras puts in one final mighty pull on the front before we drop off and leave it for the 'sprinters' teams to set set up for the sprint.
I am up front keeping out of trouble feeling good again, when Karsten Kroon comes passed doing a fairly good impression of a motorbike. On the spur of the moment I latch onto his wheel and he powers to the front of the peloton.
Unfortunately, I am a marked man and I know I have riders on my wheel. But, I am committed now and will try for the stage.
Kroon runs out of gas and I am left having to try from a long way out.
I cannot hold the lead but grit my teeth through the pain and sprint flat out for the line. Francisco Ventoso is the winner and Luciano Pagliarini comes around to relegate me to 3rd. But, nonetheless I am pleased and still have the race lead.
Stage Results
1 Francisco Ventoso Andalucía - Cajasur 3h41'59
2 Luciano Pagliarini Scott - American Beef s.t. 3 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
4 Fabian Wegmann Gerolsteiner s.t.
5 Kim Kirchen Team Columbia s.t.
6 Maxim Iglinskiy Astana Cycling Team s.t.
7 Jeremy Hunt Crédit Agricole s.t.
8 Karsten Kroon Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
9 Jaume Rovira Extremadura - Ciclismo Soldario s.t.
10 Bauke Mollema Rabobank s.t.
Today is the race's longest stage. It is hilly and it will be much more difficult for the team to defend the jersey.
We are content and are happy with how the stage is progressing. We are on the front setting a steady pace - keeping the day's 6 escapees on a tight leash when suddenly from out of the pack with a 100k to go burst some very dangerous riders.
Wegmann, Kroon and Gesink are the engine of this group and we know that it is time to up the pace immediately.
We are on our own in the chase though, and Lastras, Lopez, Moreno, Pasamontes and Horrach absolutely bury themselves in trying to keep the escapees close.
With 25k to go the gap is just under 1'30 and it is clear we can do no more. I am relieved to see Euskatel and Lampre come to our aid and take up the pace at the front of the group.
At the bottom of the day's final climb, the leaders still have about a minute and it's clear that the chase is tiring. Valjavec and Pellizotti make their move. There are still 7.5km to the top of the climb but it is clear to me that it is time to try and bridge the gap.
Joaquim, who I owe so much to, is the man to give me his wheel.
We are strong and with 2k to the summit we have swept up most of the the break. Only Gesink and Kroon remain ahead and then Contador, looking strong, puts in another big attack. I am on his wheel immediately. This time it is Joaquim's turn to take my wheel.
Over the top, and we have joined the two leaders, Kroon and Gesink.
Sammy Sanchez, as many of you know, is a great descender and he bridges across from the second group on the road and nearly sweeps straight passed all of us in the lead group.
There is no way we will give him a gap at this stage though and we manage to hang on down the twisting, fast descent.
It is Contador who is at the front when the sprint for the line opens up. I am confident I can come around him, so it is I who am the first to sprint.
I do not know how he does it, but Alberto manages to hold off both Sammy Sanchez and I. He was amazingly strong - Kroon, Joaquim and Gesink are blasted off our wheels - but, Alberto, not known for his sprinting, manages to come away with the win.
I may not have taken the win, but I have taken a big step towards the overall today. Schumacher, Evans, Schleck, Sastre and Cunego crossed the line in the main bunch, 1'43" behind me. However, I have a feeling I may need to find some more time on Contador before the final TT. And Sammy too is a very good time trailist....
Stage Result
1 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team 4h37'01 2 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
3 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
4 Karsten Kroon Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t. 5 Joaquím Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
6 Robert Gesink Rabobank s.t.
7 José Angel Gómez Marchante Scott - American Beef + 25
8 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step s.t.
9 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas s.t.
10 Tadej Valjavec AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
Overall
1 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne 11h43'23
2 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 16 3 Joaquím Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
4 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 1'03
5 Robert Gesink Rabobank + 1'06
6 Karsten Kroon Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
7 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team s.t.
8 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas + 1'31
9 José Angel Gómez Marchante Scott - American Beef s.t.
10 Tadej Valjavec AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
11 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas s.t.
12 Kim Kirchen Team Columbia + 2'05
13 Thomas Dekker Rabobank s.t.
14 Kanstantsin Sivtsov Team Columbia s.t.
15 Frederic Guesdon Française des Jeux s.t.
On the same day as today's stage, we had the following team racing in Belgium. After Flanders we were hoping for another Top 20 finish.
From what I've been told the wind played havoc with the field and echolons played a big part in the racing. Rojas emerged from the cobbled sections with the leaders - but they were motoring along far too fast for him and he all but blew up.
Leif Hoste proved too strong for the other cobbles specialists and it seems that on current form he must be favorite for Paris-Roubaix this weekend.
Results
1 Leif Hoste Silence - Lotto 5h22'50
2 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 16
3 Nick Nuyens Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
4 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
5 Alessandro Ballan Lampre s.t.
6 Greg Van Avermaet Silence - Lotto + 1'04
7 Staf Scheirlinckx Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 1'24
8 Andreas Klier Team Columbia + 2'08
9 Roberto Petito Liquigas s.t.
10 Philippe Gilbert Française des Jeux s.t.
39 José Joaquín Rojas Caisse d'Epargne + 3'58
41 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
We are in for another fairly hilly stage and given my present form and condition I am just a little dissapointed this is not more difficult.
As we have the yellow, other teams will not let a break go with one of our riders, and when a break does manage to get away without us it is fairly large and dangerous looking.
The team sets a fairly quick pace up the days most difficult climb and once over the summit we launch Lastras in a bid to bridge and shirk out of our pace setting duties.
Lastras is very strong today and he powers his way over to the group.
The pack reacts almost immediately and Lotto, QS, Euskatel and Rabobank up the pace. Over in the escape group, it is clear they are none too pleased to see Lastras and the fight goes out of the group. They are brought back, but at least the rest of the team gets a break.
Once back together Joaquim has a go just to test the water - and he is pulled back very quickly.
It seems the final two climbs will decide the stage.
Schumacher is first to attack at 2k from the top of the penultimate climb and Barredo follows. Joaquim goes and I wait to see if Contador will react. He doesn't and when Kirchen goes, I decide I can wait no longer.
I know Contador is not far behind and over the top, we five in the lead group have opened a gap. Joaquim moves to the front of the group and gives it his all in a bid to distance Alberto.
Joaquim is forced to drop off the front a spent force and Kirchen attacks again. Contador is fighting to close the gap, so I naturally go after Kirchen.
Meanwhile, (and I discover this later) Lampre and Lotto have been driving the pack along behind us and Evans is now giving Cunego an armchair ride up the final climb.
Over the top though and myself and Kirchen have a small gap on the Contador/Cunego/Barredo group.
Kirchen is not keen to work with me on the descent and we are caught with about 4k to go.
All that is left now is for us 6 to sprint for the victory. I have suffered on the run in to the finish and am not as strong as I would like to be.
Barredo cannot compete and today I have no problem coming around Contador - but Damiano Cunego is just too strong...
Joaquim suffers badly in the final 10k and loses just over 2 minutes. Any hopes he had for the overall are now gone. I, however, am one step closer to my goal here in the Basque country.
Stage Results
1 Damiano Cunego Lampre 4h02'07 2 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
3 Kim Kirchen Team Columbia s.t.
4 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner s.t.
5 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team s.t.
6 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 17
7 Cadel Evans Silence - Lotto + 51
8 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas + 1'38
9 Karsten Kroon Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
10 Robert Gesink Rabobank s.t.
15 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t. 17 Joaquím Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne + 2'13
Overall
1 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne 15h45'30
2 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team + 1'06
3 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 1'20
4 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 1'54
5 Kim Kirchen Team Columbia + 2'05
6 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner + 2'21 7 Joaquím Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne + 2'29
8 Robert Gesink Rabobank + 2'44
9 Karsten Kroon Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
10 Damiano Cunego Lampre + 2'49
A fairly hilly day and the steep climb inside the last 15k will likely be the place to make a difference today.
There is an early break and they have a chance due to the horrendous weather - the rain is lashing down making things extremely treacherous.
Lastras fails to avoid the CSC rider who lost control on the descent and ends flat on his back.
It really does not seem to be CSC's day, as on the next descent it is Carlos Sastre who goes over. Luckily, there is no serious damage and he is able to continue and finish the stage.
For all of us, it is a nervous day. I want to win the race, but a fall here might destroy my Ardennes campaign. I try not to dwell on it and ride a normal race - if I am to fall, then I am to fall.
We are on the front again, trying to keep the big group up front within striking distance. The rider closest me is 5 minutes behind, so we have some room to maneuver. My goal today is to try and pick up a few extra seconds on Alberto, a stage win here is not a priority.
95k to go and some of the big guns who are interested in a stage win decide it is time to take off. Voigt, Grivko, Florencio and Lovkvist are the riders.
It forces us to ride harder thru' the rain and the gap to the lead group is 3 minutes when Voigt and company join them.
We get some help at the front from Lampre - but not Astana who have done absolutely nothing on the front in the race so far - and the gap is brought down a little, thanks in no small part to some big turns from Joaquim.
25k to go and the chase is running out of steam. The contenders for the overall make their move. Sanchez if first, then Kirchen, Barredo, and Schumacher. Contador waits for me, but today it is his wheel I will follow. He attacks.
We are together. There is 25k to go, the lead group have about a minute, and it seems today Cunego is content to sit in the pack. I take a last chance to get a drink before the fireworks begin as they surely will again.
Kirchen sets them off. Pellizotti follows and I narrowly avoid being brought down by Guedsen. Maybe today, the luck is with me...
I have the legs and it is I who break clear of this elite group. I am now just 30 seconds behind the leaders on the road and the final climb awaits.
The gradients here are extreme - alot of the climb is above 15% - but I am strong and with 1k to the summit I am with the break. Behind me, Barredo, too, is strong and has closed the gap.
I, though, have kept a little something in reserve and 300m from the top at a gradient of over 20% I put in a last attack.
It is enough to carry me clear and up to the last 2 survivors from the day's break - Voigt and Lobato.
Voigt tells me he has nothing to give on the descent and Lobato shakes his head when I ask for help...They know I have no choice but to lead us down the hill.
I give it my all, as I know I might need a little more time on Alberto. I take risks and manage to hold off the chasers, who I know are closing us down fast.
I sprint for the line and Voigt cannot respond. Lobato though obviously has kept a little something in reserve and he comes around and takes the stage.
I do not care - I have been strong enough to hold the gap and gain some more seconds. Surely, I think I have done enough to win this race and I raise my hands. It has been a hard, hard, day's racing....
Stage Results
1 Ruben Lobato Scott-American Beef 4h02'05 2 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
3 Jens Voigt Team CSC-Saxo Bank s.t.
4 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team +22"
5 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
6 Patrice Halgand Credit Agricole s.t.
7 Jose Angel Gomez Marchante Scott-American Beef s.t
8 Karsten Kroon Team CSC-Saxo Bank s.t.
9 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas s.t.
10 Damiano Cunego Lampre s.t.
Overall
1 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne 19h47'23
2 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team + 1'40
3 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 1'54
4 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 2'28
5 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner + 2'55
6 Karsten Kroon Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 3'18
7 Damiano Cunego Lampre + 3'23
8 José Angel Gómez Marchante Scott - American Beef + 3'43
9 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas + 3'43
10 Cadel Evans Silence - Lotto + 4'14
There are two climbs over the 24km course, so I think I have more than enough time on my closest rivals to go into today calm, even though we have another rainy cold day in the Basque country.
It seems most riders are holding something back on the first climb...our tactic is different and we go hard over the first part of the course.
For a long time David Lopez has the fastest time, until Kreuziger smashes the mark David has set.
Kreuziger's time eventually falls to Linus Gerdemann, but it is not long before Thomas Dekker lowers the mark once again.
Joaquim is out on the course and riding well. He is the fastest rider so far at the first check point. Cadel Evans then demonstrates that he is not holding anything back by lowering Joaquim's time at the first check.
Then it is my turn. I am calm and have confidence as I watch Alberto ride off and into the rain.
Contador is very fast and looks to be going all out for the victory. Up the top of the hill and he has the fastest time, so far.
But, I am pacing myself according to his efforts and as I go through the checkpoint, I am only 10 seconds back.
Cadel Evans crosses the finish line at about the same time and sets the new fast time. And what a ride - he is 44 seconds faster than Dekker.
Alberto is riding well and in the flat part of the course between the two climbs he has extened his lead to 1'11. I have been saving a little something though for the final kilometers and as I accelerate in the final 4k I begin to bring the gap down again.
Credit to Alberto though, he has put in a great ride and is only 6 seconds down on Evans at the finish. Truly, it will be difficult to beat these two in July.
But, for today, what they have done is not enough and the victory is mine. I too have put in some great rides this week and as I cross the finish line I am happy.
This is not an easy race to win - but we have led from start to finish, and everyone in the team will enjoy the celebration tonight.
Stage Results
1 Cadel Evans Silence - Lotto 32'10
2 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team + 6
3 Thomas Dekker Rabobank + 45
4 Linus Gerdemann Team Columbia + 51
5 Michael Rogers Team Columbia + 52
6 Roman Kreuziger Liquigas s.t. 7 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 54
8 Yaroslav Popovych Silence - Lotto + 55
9 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 56
10 Gustav Larsson Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 1'01
Overall
1 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne 20h20'27
2 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team + 52
3 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 2'27
4 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 2'30
5 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner + 3'16
6 Cadel Evans Silence - Lotto + 3'20
7 Damiano Cunego Lampre + 3'40
8 José Angel Gómez Marchante Scott - American Beef + 4'06
9 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas + 4'11
10 Karsten Kroon Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 5'02
11 Kim Kirchen Team Columbia + 5'04
12 Michael Rogers Team Columbia + 5'34
13 Jens Voigt Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 5'45 14 Joaquím Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne + 6'04
15 Robert Gesink Rabobank + 6'09
16 Rubén Lobato Scott - American Beef + 6'20
17 Patrice Halgand Crédit Agricole + 6'23
18 Xavier Florencio Bouygues Télécom + 6'54
19 Iván Velasco Euskaltel - Euskadi + 6'56
20 John Gadret AG2R La Mondiale + 6'58
Points
1 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne 102
2 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team 62
3 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi 48
The team's goal in Hell is to survive and for as many of the riders to finish the race as possible.
It is a horrible day for the race and the rain is lashing down. Only a true hardman has any chance today.
Coyot, Rojas, Perez and Sanchez hang tough though and are still in contact with the leaders as the race enter the famed trench of Wallers-Arenberg.
It is impossible for them to hold on for long though and as the pace is gradually increased they lose contact.
As at Flanders last weekend Ballan is the first of the favourites to put in a big attack. The race ignites and it is Flecha who finds himself in the lead once the smoke has cleared.
Behind him, Ballan and Devolder work together to try and bring him back. Behind those two, Cancellara, Hoste and Hincapie are also trying to close.
But, the Spaniard is immense today and writes his name into the history books as one of the true hardmen of the north.
For us, Fransisco Perez is the first to cross the line in 53rd position, nearly 14 minutes back on Flecha.
Results
1 Juan Antonio Flecha Rabobank 7h09'50
2 Alessandro Ballan Lampre + 45
3 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
4 George Hincapie Team Columbia + 1'02
5 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 2'23
6 Leif Hoste Silence - Lotto s.t.
7 Andreas Klier Team Columbia s.t.
8 Stuart O'Grady Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
9 Filippo Pozzato Liquigas + 3'38
10 Roberto Petito Liquigas + 4'07
11 Roger Hammond Team Columbia + 4'31
12 Sebastian Langeveld Rabobank s.t.
13 Nick Nuyens Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
14 Dimitri Muravyev Astana Cycling Team s.t.
15 Marcus Burghardt Team Columbia + 5'21
16 Simon Spilak Lampre + 6'05
17 Kurt-Asle Arvesen Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
18 Bernhard Eisel Team Columbia s.t.
19 Bert Roesems Silence - Lotto s.t.
20 Enrico Franzoï Liquigas s.t.
21 Kevin Van Impe Quick·Step s.t.
22 Joost Posthuma Rabobank s.t.
23 Manuel Quinziato Liquigas s.t.
24 Greg Van Avermaet Silence - Lotto s.t.
25 Niki Terpstra Team Milram + 7'33
26 Philippe Gilbert Française des Jeux + 8'42
27 Jesús Del Nero Scott - American Beef s.t.
28 Tomas Vaitkus Astana Cycling Team s.t.
29 Enrico Gasparotto Barloworld s.t.
30 Ralf Grabsch Team Milram s.t. 53 Francisco Pérez Caisse d'Epargne + 13'41 Player
54 José Joaquín Rojas Caisse d'Epargne + 13'57 Player
55 Arnaud Coyot Caisse d'Epargne s.t. Player
88 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne + 20'37
90 Imanol Erviti Caisse d'Epargne + 22'44
Acosta, Lastras - who was part of an early break - and Charteau are 3 of the 35 riders who do not manage to make it inside the time limit and are forced to abandon.
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Klasika Primavera Amorebieta, 172kms
The hilly run-in should ensure that it is a puncheur and not a sprinter that wins here.
We send a weak team of six riders with Horrach and Pasamontes the leaders.
There is a break but as expected the race comes down to attacks in the hills.
Horrach responds to the attacks on the final climb and over the top finds himself second behind Cuesta who is stronger on the climb.
It's a fast run in to the finish and he cannot get back in contact with the CSC man, but manages to hang on for second. Not a bad result for "Joan".
Results
1 Iñigo Cuesta Team CSC - Saxo Bank 4h05'52 2 Joan Horrach Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
3 Michael Albasini Liquigas s.t.
4 Sérgio Paulinho Astana Cycling Team s.t.
5 Stéphane Goubert AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
6 David Bernabeu Barbot - Siper s.t.
7 Isidro Nozal Liberty Seguros s.t.
8 Héctor Guerra Liberty Seguros s.t.
9 Janez Brajkovic Astana Cycling Team s.t.
10 Bobby Julich Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
Gutierrez, I'll probably post the rankings up after LBL. I think QS and CSC are top of the team rankings, then Caisse.
To be honest, though, I don't pay much attention to the rankings. I generally focus exclusively on the sponsor goals and doing well in the big races.
Alejandro's Ardennes Classics Preview
So, the first crucial week of my season is here.
I am in good condition. LBL is my goal, though I will go all out to win Amstel for the first time and La Flèche for the second.
Cunego leads the ProTour, due to winning Paris-Nice and showed that he is in great shape in the Basque Country. He has yet to win any of these races, but that may be about to change...
World Champion Paolo Bettini will be looking to make it a hat-trick of wins at LBL and I am sure he will feature at Amstel and La Flèche, even though, his win at Tirreno-Adriatico was rather fortunate
Frank Schleck is probably the rider I will watch most closely though. On his day, I do not think there is anyone better in the hills than him. He has won Amstel before - in the year Op Puerto broke - and has raced the perfect amount of days to come into the week in excellent condition.
Even though he is getting old, it would be stupid to discount Rebellin from the list of contenders. A stage win at the GP Mediterranean is all he has to show for his efforts this season.
Kim Kirchen is a rider that I need to closely guard against too. He will be made hungrier by his failure to win anything so far this season.
Sammy Sanchez showed some good form in the Basque country and has been mentioned in the press as among the favorites, but with all due respect to Sammy, I think these races will be too hard for him. Nevertheless, he is another rider who will be hungry for the win.
Schumacher is the last rider I would pick as a likely winner of one of these races. We gifted him Amstel last year and I am sure he will want to build on that win. He looked extremely strong at the Criterium International and featured prominently in the Basque country.
If any of the races are won by anyone outside of these - with the possible exception of Joaquim - then I will be very, very surprised.
Bear in mind it's 2008, so for example, Cunego has yet to win in the Ardennes...
The weather forecast is not good and It will be a very tough race today. We are sending a strong team and Joaquim and I will be the leaders. Joaquim will be given the freedom to ride his own race.
There are attempts at an early breakaway, but they are all brought back and when one does eventually get away, we are very pleased that we have put Luis Leon Sanchez in it. It is only a shame for Luis that the riders with him are not in the same class, or he might have had a chance today.
He is the driving force of the break and the lead maxes out at 9'30 before the pack begin to wind the escapees back in. Orders from the team car are for him to stay out front for as long as is possible - and it is not until there are just 35k left of the race that he is caught by the pack.
Then it is well and truly race on for the riders intent on winning today. The race begins to break apart in the hills and last year's winner Stefan Schumacher gets away with a group of five.
Joaquim decides it might be the move to go with and makes the effort to bridge from the pack.
He is strong today and is able to join up with the Schumacher group. The riders work well together, but behind them CSC - or rather Voigt and Kolobonev - are driving what is left of the peloton.
There are lots of little attacks at the front of the peloton, but no one seems eager to be the one to put in the big attack. I have no real trouble marking these attacks.
The pace is high at the front though, and it is clear that Joaquim's group will be caught. There is a lot of jockeying for position, and Kroon is the man who puts in a huge attack that will result what looks like the winning move forming.
The finish line is in sight, and it seems that Joaquim, Frank Schleck, Kroon, Pfannberger, Bertagnoli, Kirchen, Schumacher or I will win Amstel this year.
Joaquim makes a move on the descent and he gets a gap. Kroon, Schumacher and Pfannberger go after him, but I am equal to marking the moves.
Joaquim still has a chance for the win....but here comes Kirchen with Schleck on his wheel. It is time for me to dig deep again, this time, surely Joaquim is doomed.
Kirchen and Shleck sweep passed him, but I am right on their wheels and feeling good with just over 1k to go.
Kirchen fades and now only Schleck is left. I am giving it my all trying to come around him - and he is giving it his all trying to hang on.
I cannot do it though. Schleck has just enough left in the tank to hold me off and I have to be content with 2nd.
Joaquim has put in a fine ride and is good enough to hang on for 5th position and comes in ahead of Bettini, Schumacher, Rebellin and Cunego.
Results
1 Fränk Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank 6h29'22 2 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
3 Karsten Kroon Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 20
4 Kim Kirchen Team Columbia s.t. 5 Joaquím Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne + 49
6 Mario Aerts Silence - Lotto s.t.
7 Christian Pfannberger Barloworld s.t.
8 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner s.t.
9 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas s.t.
10 Paolo Bettini Quick·Step s.t.
11 Damiano Cunego Lampre s.t.
12 Sergei Ivanov Astana Cycling Team s.t.
13 Thomas Dekker Rabobank s.t.
14 Markus Fothen Gerolsteiner s.t.
15 Chris Horner Astana Cycling Team s.t.
16 Tom Danielson Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 + 1'46
17 Davide Rebellin Gerolsteiner s.t.
18 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia s.t.
19 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step s.t.
20 Robert Gesink Rabobank s.t.
21 Jens Voigt Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
22 Jelle Vanendert Française des Jeux + 2'40
23 Maarten Tjallingii Silence - Lotto s.t.
24 Andriy Grivko Team Milram s.t.
25 Rinaldo Nocentini AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
26 David Millar Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
27 Martijn Maaskant Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t. 28 Pablo Lastras Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
29 Dario Cioni Silence - Lotto s.t.
30 Sérgio Paulinho Astana Cycling Team s.t. 45 David López Caisse d'Epargne + 5'32
63 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 6'22
75 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
85 Rigoberto Urán Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
163 Arnaud Coyot Caisse d'Epargne + 23'27
