Mainly a warm-up race for Giro d’Italia. We cannot expect to be very present in the GC but our climbers will do their best throughout the race to get something home. The race should show who will be the favourites for Giro d'Italia.
Stage 1 – TT
When Bøchman sets of as last Falcon none of the others have made themselves noticed. Lasse was expected to be our best bid for the TT and he handles the pressure well getting a provisional 4th.
Results:
1. Tony Martin, Omega Pharma - QuickStep
2. Edvald Boasson Hagen, Sky
3. Michael Rogers, Orica - GreenEdge 6. Lasse Bøchman, Falcon – STARK
Stage 2 Bøchman and many others tried their best to get in a break, but Omega Pharma – QuickStep was having none of it. Later on he tries going with Irish Champion Daniel Martin and Failli, but the two prove too strong on the climbs.
33 km to go and Yellow jersey Tony Martin tries to surprise the other favourites by attacking early, but in the end it cost him more than he gains. Jesper Hansen is looking good and tries to follow the various attacks, but when riders like Cunego, Evans and Nibali are setting the pace on the hills it is still too much for Hansen. Cunego takes a solo victory but doesn’t gain any time except for bonus seconds. Hansen crosses the line in the peloton 2’32’’ later.
Stage 3
Today Falcon manage to get in a solid BOTD with Mads Christensen, Swift, Pate and Hupond. Later the break expanded to 12 riders in total.
With 24 km to go the group has a lead of 3’35’’. They still have a decent chance of making it! Christensen is struggling on the last climb and loses contact with the others as the favourites start attacking from behind. Bøchman and Hansen do their best to keep up, but can’t play a role in the pelotons sprint finish.
Results:
1. Ben Swift, Sky
2. Fabio Taborre, Acqua & Sapone
3. Sébastian Hinault, AG2R La Mondiale 46. Jesper Hansen, Falcon – STARK
Provisional Standing:
1 Damiano Cunego, Lampre - ISD
2 Rui Costa, Movistar Team
3 Joaquím Rodríguez Katusha Team 50. Jesper Hansen, Falcon - STARK
Spoiler
1
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
8h05'20
2
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
+ 6
3
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
+ 10
4
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 11
5
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 15
6
Karol Domagalski
Caja Rural
+ 16
7
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
+ 17
8
Pavel Brutt
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
+ 18
9
Bauke Mollema
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
11
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol Team
+ 19
12
Wout Poels
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 20
13
Ion Izagirre
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
14
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 21
15
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
16
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 22
17
Gianni Meersman
Lotto Belisol Team
s.t.
18
Carlos Betancur
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
19
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
+ 23
20
Alexandr Kolobnev
RadioShack - Nissan
s.t.
21
Matteo Rabottini
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
+ 26
22
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'43
23
Amets Txurruka
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'12
24
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
+ 2'40
25
Michael Rogers
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 2'43
26
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2'45
27
Sandy Casar
FDJ - BigMat
+ 2'46
28
Richie Porte
Sky Procycling
s.t.
29
Ángel Vicioso
Movistar Team
+ 2'47
30
Thomas Dekker
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2'48
31
Arkaitz Durán
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
32
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 2'49
33
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
34
Rein Taaramäe
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
s.t.
35
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
36
Anthony Roux
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
37
Vladimir Karpets
Movistar Team
s.t.
38
Francesco Failli
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
s.t.
39
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'50
40
Robert Gesink
RadioShack - Nissan
+ 2'51
41
Constantino Zaballa
Caja Rural
s.t.
42
Bruno Pires
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
s.t.
43
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Nissan
+ 2'52
44
Simon Spilak
Katusha Team
s.t.
45
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
46
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
47
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'53
48
Óscar Freire
Katusha Team
+ 2'55
49
Guillaume Bonnafond
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
50
Jesper Hansen
Falcon - STARK
s.t.
51
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
52
Haimar Zubeldia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
53
Davide Rebellin
Lampre - ISD
+ 2'56
54
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
+ 2'57
55
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
s.t.
56
Zdenek Stybar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2'58
57
Christophe Le Mével
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
58
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'59
59
Francesco Masciarelli
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
60
Sylwester Szmyd
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 3'00
61
Damiano Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
62
Morris Possoni
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
63
Luca Mazzanti
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
+ 3'01
64
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3'07
65
Fabio Taborre
Acqua & Sapone
+ 4'10
66
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol Team
+ 4'15
67
Simone Ponzi
Astana Pro Team
+ 4'17
68
Leonardo Moser
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
+ 4'25
69
Tom Boonen
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 4'58
70
Mikhail Ignatiev
Katusha Team
+ 5'00
71
Dario Cataldo
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
72
Marco Pinotti
BMC Racing Team
+ 5'02
73
Sam Bewley
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 5'03
74
Michael Matthews
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 5'04
75
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
+ 5'05
76
Karsten Kroon
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
+ 5'07
77
Gerald Ciolek
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 5'08
78
Romain Feillu
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
79
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
+ 5'09
80
Rafal Majka
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
+ 5'10
81
Tom Slagter
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 5'11
82
Nicki Sørensen
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
+ 5'15
83
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
+ 5'16
84
Alexander Kvachuk
Lampre - ISD
+ 5'53
85
Alessandro Vanotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 5'56
86
Sébastien Hinault
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 6'05
87
Antonio Olmo
Caja Rural
+ 6'07
88
Francis Mourey
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
89
Lasse Bøchman
Falcon - STARK
+ 6'52
90
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
+ 6'57
91
Borut Božic
Astana Pro Team
+ 7'00
92
Boris Shpilevski
Katusha Team
+ 7'02
93
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 7'07
94
Danny Pate
RadioShack - Nissan
+ 8'44
95
Roberto Ferrari
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 8'52
96
Walter Proch
Acqua & Sapone
+ 8'56
97
Julián Sánchez Pimienta
Caja Rural
+ 9'12
98
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
+ 9'18
99
Thierry Hupond
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 9'35
100
Stefan Schumacher
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 9'45
101
Simon Geschke
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
102
Allan Davis
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 9'47
103
Mauro Finetto
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
+ 9'48
104
Mathieu Perget
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 10'00
105
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ - BigMat
+ 10'27
106
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol Team
+ 10'28
107
Denys Kostyuk
Lampre - ISD
+ 10'29
108
Francisco José Pacheco
Caja Rural
+ 10'30
109
Kris Boeckmans
Lotto Belisol Team
+ 10'34
110
Maxime Vantomme
Lotto Belisol Team
+ 10'39
111
Ben King
RadioShack - Nissan
+ 11'44
112
Vasil Kiryienka
Movistar Team
+ 11'51
113
Hernâni Brôco
Caja Rural
+ 11'54
114
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 11'55
115
André Cardoso
Caja Rural
+ 11'58
116
Troels Ronning Vinther
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
+ 12'44
117
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 12'51
118
Paolo Tiralongo
Astana Pro Team
+ 12'53
119
Mathieu Sprick
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 12'54
120
Ruggero Marzoli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 12'55
121
Daniel Navarro
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
122
Ezequiel Mosquera
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 13'00
123
Mark Cavendish
Sky Procycling
+ 13'29
124
Sebastian Langeveld
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 13'33
125
Andrey Zeits
Astana Pro Team
+ 13'56
126
Gert Steegmans
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 14'31
127
Alessandro Donati
Acqua & Sapone
+ 14'40
128
Thomas Bertolini
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
+ 14'47
129
Mitchell Docker
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 14'49
130
Heinrich Haussler
Garmin - Sharp
+ 15'28
131
Denis Galimzyanov
Katusha Team
+ 15'31
132
Fabio Sabatini
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 18'21
133
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
+ 18'33
134
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
+ 18'35
135
Fabio Aru
Astana Pro Team
+ 18'37
136
Rasmus Sterebo
Falcon - STARK
+ 18'42
137
Magnus Cort
Falcon - STARK
+ 19'27
138
Koen De Kort
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 19'32
139
Jakob Rathe
Garmin - Sharp
+ 19'33
140
Julien Vermote
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 20'08
141
Alan Marangoni
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 20'20
142
Albert Timmer
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 20'23
143
Giacomo Nizzolo
RadioShack - Nissan
+ 21'05
144
Davide Appollonio
Sky Procycling
+ 21'10
145
Paolo Ciavatta
Acqua & Sapone
+ 21'19
146
Coen Vermeltfoort
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 21'20
147
Julian Dean
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 21'57
148
Tobias Ludvigsson
Falcon - STARK
+ 22'21
149
Christofer Stevenson
Falcon - STARK
+ 22'27
150
Morten Kruse Brink
Falcon - STARK
+ 23'11
151
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
+ 24'24
152
Danilo Napolitano
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
153
Claudio Corioni
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
154
Roger Hammond
Sky Procycling
+ 24'44
155
Adam Blythe
BMC Racing Team
+ 25'21
156
Yauheni Hutarovich
FDJ - BigMat
+ 26'07
157
Michael Færk Christensen
Falcon - STARK
+ 26'35
158
Hayden Roulston
RadioShack - Nissan
+ 27'02
159
Gregor Gazvoda
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 27'38
160
Brent Bookwalter
BMC Racing Team
+ 30'34
161
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol Team
+ 33'02
162
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 33'39
163
Roger Kluge
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 33'43
164
Enrique Sanz
Movistar Team
+ 33'47
165
Geoffrey Soupe
FDJ - BigMat
s.t.
166
Fabricio Ferrari
Caja Rural
+ 33'48
167
Greg Henderson
Lotto Belisol Team
+ 34'59
168
Mark Renshaw
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 35'06
169
Sylvain Georges
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 35'23
170
Simone Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 35'32
171
Arnaud Demare
FDJ - BigMat
+ 35'52
172
Leonardo Giordani
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
+ 39'19
173
Thomas Bonnin
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 39'42
174
Robert Wagner
RadioShack - Nissan
+ 43'05
175
Alessandra Giampiccolo
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
+ 1h00'05
176
Marcel Santos
FDJ - BigMat
+ 1h02'00
Mountains: Francesco Failli, Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
Spoiler
1
Francesco Failli
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
18
2
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
16
3
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
12
4
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol Team
12
5
Lasse Bøchman
Falcon - STARK
10
6
Dario Cataldo
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
9
7
Simon Geschke
Team Argos - Shimano
9
8
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol Team
8
9
Simone Ponzi
Astana Pro Team
8
10
Sébastien Hinault
AG2R La Mondiale
8
11
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
7
12
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
6
13
Leonardo Moser
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
6
14
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
4
15
Danny Pate
RadioShack - Nissan
4
16
Matteo Rabottini
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
3
17
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
3
18
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
2
19
Zdenek Stybar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
2
20
Gerald Ciolek
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
2
Points: Ben Swift, Sky
Spoiler
1
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
34
2
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
31
3
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
28
4
Fabio Taborre
Acqua & Sapone
20
5
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
19
6
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol Team
16
7
Sébastien Hinault
AG2R La Mondiale
16
8
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
15
9
Thierry Hupond
Team Argos - Shimano
15
10
Francis Mourey
FDJ - BigMat
13
11
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
12
12
Karol Domagalski
Caja Rural
12
13
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
12
14
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
11
15
Dario Cataldo
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
11
16
Alexandr Kolobnev
RadioShack - Nissan
10
17
Michael Rogers
Orica - GreenEdge
10
18
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol Team
10
19
Danny Pate
RadioShack - Nissan
10
20
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
9
24
Lasse Bøchman
Falcon - STARK
7
Young Rider: Karol Domagalski, Caja Rural
Spoiler
1
Karol Domagalski
Caja Rural
8h05'36 (1)
2
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 2'33 (4)
3
Carlos Betancur
Acqua & Sapone
+ 6 (3)
4
Ion Izagirre
Astana Pro Team
+ 4 (2)
5
Jesper Hansen
Falcon - STARK
+ 2'39 (5)
6
Michael Matthews
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 4'48 (7)
7
Tom Slagter
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 4'55 (9)
8
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
+ 2'41 (6)
9
Rafal Majka
Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
+ 4'54 (8)
10
Ben King
RadioShack - Nissan
+ 11'28 (10)
Half the race gone, but I think we have seen some good attempts. Don't count us out just yet!
- Allan Grønborg
Stage 4
Early in the stage Bøchman got away along with strong riders such as Ventoso, Henao, Bozic and R. Feillu. Apparently the break was too strong for Lampre – ISD to accept. Later on he manage to get the “go” along with Henao, Feillu, Perget, Proch and Geschke.
That break is allowed as much as 5 and a half minutes and Lasse spots his chance to have a go at the Mountain jersey by winning the first KOM of the day getting second in the competition with same points as Failli.
Back in the peloton Katusha and Lotto is pulling over the climb reducing the main group to 68 riders. 20 km to go, 2’30’’ to the peloton and time for the last climb before the finish.
Henao attack and Bøchman tries to beat him, but only gets second in the sprint. Still enough for him to take over the jersey. The attacks on the climb push up the speed in the break and with 8 km to go they have a gap of almost 3 minutes, so the six are preparing to ride for the stage win. With Rodriguez coming from behind Bøchman decide to start the sprint early. It is looking good for the podium as Henao is far too strong for Lasse uphill, but on the last 100 m he gets passed by both Rodriguez and Vanendert.
Results:
1. Sergio Henao, Sky
2. Joaquím Rodriguez, Katusha
3. Romain Feillu, Garmin - Sharp 5. Lasse Bøchman, Falcon – STARK
Mountains: Lasse Bøchman
Stage 5
The big mountain stage. Jesper Hansen will have to do his best and see how far that goes. Lasse Bøchman will aim to defend his jersey, though it is a tough task ahead of him. As planned Lasse get in the early break along with strong riders like Nicki Sørensen, Paolo Tiralongo and Stefan Schumacher. On the first climb Bøchman defended the jersey nicely by winning the sprint, but with a max of 36 points left it is still far from won. On the second climb he gets second expanding his lead in the competition to 23 pts with 24 left to fight for.
In the third climb of the day the front group Taaramäe, Rogers and Frank, but that doesn’t stop Bøchman winning the sprint by putting in a strong attack 700 m from the top. Lasse now has a lead of 31 pts and with only 12 pts left to fight for the jersey is secured!
As the final climb starts 14 km from goal the 14 riders in front has 3’30’’ to the main peloton, where Lampre – ISD, Kastusha and Lotto Belisol.
With Rogers, Frank and Taaramäe setting the pace up the final climb Lasse fight bravely to hang in there.
5 km to go and it turn in to a battle between the favourites. Taaramäe attack two km from goal and wins the KOM. Not that it matters for the Dane, who is riding towards the top alongside Scarponi.
It’s a fierce battle in front the last few kilometers but Taaramäe just manage to hold on to the lead taking the stage.
Results:
1. Rein Taaramäe, Saxo Bank – Tinkoff Bank
2. Vincenzo Nibali, Liquigas - Cannondale
3. Joaquím Rodriguez, Katusha 13. Lasse Bøchman, Falcon – STARK
Mountains: Lasse Bøchman
Stage 6 - TT
As none of our riders are present in the GC this is not a very important stage for us. Bøchman is a decent TT’er and have shown good form, so he might have something in the bag to show his jersey best possible.
First Falcon – STARK rider on the course is Michael Færk Christensen who is 3rd best on both intermediate and in goal.
Stevenson gets 2nd best on the intermediate, but is only provisionally 8th on goal. Ludvigsson does better beating Stevenson on the intermediate and 7th in goal.
As last Falcon on the road Bøchman is provisional 5th on the intermediate and 4th in goal 12 seconds slower than Boasson Hagen. Still 44 riders to go.
German world champion Tony Martin destroys everything beating Boasson Hagen's time by 44 seconds, but ends up getting beaten by Cadel Evans.
Results:
1. Cadel Evans, BMC
2. Tony Martin, Omega Pharma - Quickstep
3. Vincenzo Nibali, Liquigas - Cannondale 23. Lasse Bøchman, Falcon – STARK
Final Standing:
40.
Lasse Bøchman
Falcon – STARK
+9’02’’
Mountains: Lasse Bøchman, Falcon – STARK Points: Joaquím Rodriguez, Katusha Young rider: Karol Domagalski, Caja Rural Team: Sky Procycling
Well done Lasse! By now everyone should have realized that no mountain jerseys are free on The World Tour. We will fight to the last hill - and we're good at them
- Allan Grønborg
Next up: Rund um den Finanzplatz Eschborn-Frankfurt
This month we have seen Matti as a very competent lieutenant for Tom Boonen. How have it been to have to dedicate yourself to helping the big favourite?
I have learned a lot from Tommeke. He is a real champion, even though he missed out on winning the biggest classics. And it didn’t stop me from getting in top 10 in the three main cobble classics – even a podium in Gent – Wevelgem. And I will get plenty of chances in the rest of the year.
So you’re not disappointed that Rabobank replaced you as cobble-captain this season?
No. I have to be realistic. For Rabobank the spring classics are very important, and I haven’t been able to win any of them for the team. As I said I feel I’m learning a lot from Tom, and my results haven’t really suffered much from it compared to last season.
Does that mean that the rumours of you leaving Rabobank are false?
Yes. My contract runs through 2014, so I’m not going anywhere till then.
What about the rest of the season?
Hopefully I’ll do either Tour de France or Vuelta a España. I’m hoping to do well at the World Championships as the course isn’t too bad for a rider like me.
Who should The Rear Wheel interview next month, and what should we ask him?
March in Cycling
Rider of the month: Joaquím Rodriguez, Katusha. Given for a great performance winning Romandie, third in Pais Vasco and some decent placings in the Ardenne Classics. Nordic rider of the month: Lars Ytting Bak, Falcon – STARK. Hushovd did what he was signed to do, but he couldn’t have done it without the support of Lars Bak. After working hard for his captain Lars still managed 11th in Roubaix and 7th in Ronde van Vlaanderen. Madsens victory in Pino Cerami is also largely due to Bak. Finally he picked up the win in the first Scandinavian race of the season Himmerland Rundt.
World tour ranking:
1. Thor Hushovd, Falcon - STARK
2. Jelle Vanendert, Lotto Belisol
3. Tom Boonen, Rabobank
1. Falcon - STARK
2. Rabobank
3. RadioShack - Nissan 8. Saxo Bank – Tinkoff Bank
CQ-ranking:
1. Thor Hushovd, Falcon - STARK
2. Jelle Vanendert
3. Tom Boonen, Rabobank 28. Lars Ytting Bak, Falcon - STARK
112. Kjell Carlström, Falcon - STARK
204. Gustav Erik Larsson, Vacansoleil - DCM
1. Falcon – STARK (WT)
2. Movistar (WT)
3. Rabobank (WT)
7. Farnese Vini – Selle Italia (CNT)
9. Cofidis, le credit en ligne (CNT) 23. Saxo Bank – Tinkoff Bank
34. Christina Watches – Onfone
58. Glud & Marstrand
64. Blue Water
68. Joker Merida
74. Øster Hus
78. Concordia Forsikring
NA. Svenska Cyklister
U23 races:
Four U23-classics have been ridden. Brian Matzen won Liège – Bastogne – Liège Espoirs and remains on top of the U23 ranking. The month gave a few decent secondary positions for other Danish riders. No young riders from the rest of the North have made themselves noticed in the races this far.
Short news: Christina Watches – Onfone have made public that they wish to be the third Nordic team in this year’s Tour de France. We expect three of the four wildcards will go to AG2R, Europcar and Saur – Sojasun. CWO’s chances of grabbing the final spot seems very slim.
Katusha have announced that they will cease sponsorships after this season. Another big Russian Company, Gazprom, is ready to take over sponsorship of the team.
This one should have been posted before "The Rear Wheel" but here goes:
Rund um den Finanzplatz Eschborn-Frankfurt
This race is hard enough for a breakaway to succeed and easy enough to end in a bunch sprint. Stevenson and Cort are working hard all day to get the success for the breakaway. CCC and Christina Watches – Onfone is pulling for the sprint.
Going in to the last 10 km 2 riders have a 24 second lead to a 50-rider peloton containing the entire Falcon – STARK team. Rene Jørgensen (CWO) attack with 5 km to go and Michael Færk Christensen tries to follow him, but can’t quite hang on. Jørgensen wins and Reihs dominates the sprint behind getting a double for the Danish team.
Jakstar: Luckily you won't have to wait much longer
Neillster: Sure. The results are great so I understand your curiosity. The only reason I have not posted stats and detail is for the realism (you wouldn't know these things IRL).
The results have all been made in races where the rider were in exceptional form (P-R: Hushovd 99 pts, T-A: Hansen >95pt all race etc.) and the attacking style of racing will cost later on. The riders haven't got the skills for GT results anyway, so I have made the early races top priority as the necessary points are easier to win in those races than in the TdF...
Spoiler
I play on hard
Evolution: 1.0 (I like fast-moving games)
I have not edited any riders in the DB (PCMDaily 2012) but I do have some great trainers
Ian: There's nothing to forgive - You're completely right. And I would have been in serious trouble had he picked up a spring injury
Edit: The team has 640 WT-pts and Hushovd won the 473 of them. Without Hushovd's points the team would be third-lowest ranking WT-team Edited by Atlantius on 27-11-2012 12:00
For this the teams first ever Grand Tour the ambitions are small. We will chase the breakaways and get whatever we can. The sponsor want us to wear the Mountain Jersey, so that will be the target for the first few stages. After that we’ll see what happens.
Favourites:
The big favourite has to be Nibali, who is highly motivated to win his home country’s grand tour. Riders like Scarponi, Hesjedal, Van den Broeck, Antón and Evans will be a challenge for the Italian though.
Most people agree that the white jersey most likely will be a battle between Nairo Quintana and Romain Sicard. Complete startlist:
Stage 1 – Prologue
We’ll start with an 8 km flat TT.
None of the first four Falcons managed to do anything worth mentioning, but Sky’s Swede Thomas Löfkvist held provisional best for a good while. First Löfkvist is beaten by Pinotti and shortly after also by Lasse Bøchman, who is 2 seconds slower than the Italian. Lars Bak just manage to squeeze in to the provisional top 5 and as the captains get ready Falcon – STARK have two riders in the top 5, while Pinotti maintains the lead.
Results:
1. Vincenzo Nibali, Liquigas - Cannondale
2. Michele Scarponi, Lampre - ISD
3. Marco Pinotti, BMC 5. Lasse Bøchman, Falcon – STARK
10. Lars Ytting Bak, Falcon – STARK
Stage 2
A mostly flat stage, but with a small hill followed by a rather long descent about 30 km from goal could mix things up a bit.
It takes more than 60 km, but in the end Lars Bak get away with 9 other riders. The break never seems likely to make it, but they will get to fight for the right to wear the KOM-jersey tomorrow. On the climb Bak shows everyone who’s boss leaving the other breakers behind.
With 18 km to go and a gap of one minute Lars decide to push up the speed and get away along with Franzoï, but the attempt amount to nothing as Lampre – ISD pull them in quickly.
But Falcon – STARK is not that easily beaten! With 5 km to go Lasse Bøchman manage to get a decent gap by himself, but is caught by the sprinters right before the finish line.
Results:
1. Danilo Napolitano, Lampre - ISD
2. Davide Appolonio, Sky
3. Tyler Farrar, Garmin - Sharp 5. Lasse Bøchman, Falcon – STARK
Mountains: Lars Ytting Bak
Stage 3
Categorized as hilly, but the steep climb just before goal could do some real damage if the big names decide to use it in the GC battle.
BOTD has 11 minutes and Lasse Bøchman is the best placed rider in there. He can’t match Callagarin and Wegmann on the hills though and the German ends up taking the mountain jersey.
With 30 km to go seven riders have a gap of just under four minutes to the peloton. Nibali has just one helper left, but luckily for him Lampre and Euskaltel are ready to work.
6.5 km to the top and Nibali goes on the attack quickly passing the breakaway.
As expected Jesper Hansen is the strongest Falcon on the climb, but that doesn’t amount to following Nibali and Cunego.
It has been an interesting first few days. I'm extremely happy with Bøchman's two 5th places and Bak's day in the Mountain jersey. Jesper looked good on the hills today as well, but to be honest I wouldn't be that surprised if Nibali stays in pink throughout the race!
- Allan Grønborg
Tour de Romandie 
Tony Martin, Omega Pharma - QuickStep
Edvald Boasson Hagen, Sky
Michael Rogers, Orica - GreenEdge
Lasse Bøchman, Falcon – STARK
Damiano Cunego – Lampre - ISD
Rui Costa, Movistar
Joaquím Rodriguez, Katusha
Swift, 
Pate and 
Hupond. Later the break expanded to 12 riders in total.
Karol Domagalski, Caja Rural
Henao, 
Taaramäe, 
Frank, but that doesn’t stop Bøchman winning the sprint by putting in a strong attack 700 m from the top. Lasse now has a lead of 31 pts and with only 12 pts left to fight for the jersey is secured!
Jelle Vanendert, Lotto Belisol
Rabobank
Kjell Carlström, Falcon - STARK
Gustav Erik Larsson, Vacansoleil - DCM
