@ Neillster: For sure the TdF was above expectation, but at the end of the day it is only 1 win and a KoM. You are right the difference between an average and a good season will be decided in the Vuelta: our team main objective
@ Ian: I have always liked the Mountain jersey, my favorite since I was a kid
Uran, Anton, Schleck, Rodriguez, Martens, Cunego, Vanenderert, Evans, Moreno, Fuglsang, or the recent Tour winner: Van Den Broeck
The Final is approcahcing and no real decisión has been made. Until Frank Schleck launches his attack.
Only riders were chasing him: Anton leading the group of his leader: Van Den Broeck, the race favourite Uran and the Russian Karpets
But they got a bit short and Schleck is getting a fabulous win.
Gerdemann did a great race, sticking to the 2nd chasing group and failing by nothing in the sprint for the Top 10.
1
Fränk Schleck
Isd - KazMunayGas
5h59'25
2
Rigoberto Uran
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
3
Jürgen Van Den Broeck
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
4
Vladimir Karpets
Katusha Team
s.t.
5
Igor Anton Hernandez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
6
Nicolas Roche
Ag2r La Mondiale
+ 59
7
Matthew Lloyd
Isd - KazMunayGas
s.t.
8
Paul Martens
RadioShack - Nissan - Trek
s.t.
9
Simon Spilak
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
10
Damiano Cunego
Saxo Bank Sungard
s.t.
11
Linus Gerdemann
AT&T
s.t.
So let's wrap up a bit the last 3 months, should we?
So where do we stand vs our objectives?
We are in line or better for GT and HC races and ell behind for WT classics and stage races. At the end of the day the Vuelta will be very key for this season succes
The progression has been correct but much less enthousiastic compared to the first part of the year:
For the leaders, only Tejay got nice progressions. Alberio, Stetina, Buttler and Loutit have done well too.
Finally here is our new trainee. You know the furtur World number 1 blablabla?
Well he will never participate any GT with is ridiculous MO abilities. Oh, I have fired my scout and get no plan to hire a new one
Next time I need a trainee, I'll pick from U23, could only be better
@ sutty: Not that bad for Linus. For Barry, I can't wait the end of the contract to get him out of the team
He will once again be our leader and we will see if we have progressed
Then we will move to the preparation of Poels for the Vuelta.
No suspense and massive sprint today, except for Viviani to surprise Goss for the win.
1
Elia Viviani
Liquigas - Cannondale
2h16'02
2
Matthew Harley Goss
Isd - KazMunayGas
s.t.
3
Jens Keukeleire
GreenEdge
s.t.
4
Lucas Sebastian Haedo
Saxo Bank Sungard
s.t.
5
Tom Boonen
RadioShack - Nissan - Trek
s.t.
22
Linus Gerdemann
AT&T
s.t.
Stage 2 – Flat
No suspense and massive sprint today. Goss takes the win and the yellow
1
Matthew Harley Goss
Isd - KazMunayGas
3h31'58
2
Lucas Sebastian Haedo
Saxo Bank Sungard
s.t.
3
Gorka Izagirre Insausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
4
Philippe Gilbert
Bmc Racing Team
s.t.
5
Michel Kreder
ProTeam Astana
s.t.
24
Dominique Nerz
AT&T
s.t.
Stage 3 - Flat
Anther sprint and another win for Goss.
But the surprise today came from the big wind. Only 50 riders finished with Goss and that did not include many favourites: Kolobnev or Chavanel among others have lost 4’ today.
1
Matthew Harley Goss
Isd - KazMunayGas
3h12'15
2
Elia Viviani
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
3
Steve Houanard
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
4
Andreas Stauff
Omega Pharma QuickStep
s.t.
5
Oscar Freire Gomez
Isd - KazMunayGas
s.t.
13
Linus Gerdemann
AT&T
s.t.
Stage 4 – Hills
ISD let a break with strong riders having lost time in GC. Miller then Nerz did some chasing to make sure the gap would be small on the line. Until
Yeah, the guy in blue between the 2 yellow is Gerdemann and he will loose 2’ today.
Meanwhile Machado wins from the break.
1
Tiago Jose Machado Pinto
RadioShack - Nissan - Trek
4h26'43
2
Mikhail Ignatiev
Katusha Team
s.t.
3
Carlos Barredo Llamazales
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Jacek Morajko
Bank Bgz
s.t.
5
Thierry Hupond
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
6
Mikel Landa Meana
Movistar Team
s.t.
7
Matthew Harley Goss
Isd - KazMunayGas
+ 59
8
Oscar Freire Gomez
Isd - KazMunayGas
s.t.
9
Elia Viviani
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
10
Philippe Gilbert
Bmc Racing Team
s.t.
34
Dominique Nerz
AT&T
s.t.
Stage 5 – Hills
Nerz is now leader and benefiting from Gerdemann’s work.
Why? Because 4 men are in the front: Scarponi the luxury team mate, Lloyd, Goss and Gilbert!
Gerdemann succeeded to close the gap but noone could counter Gilbert for the last move of the day.
He now has a 1’50 advantage in GC.
1
Philippe Gilbert
Bmc Racing Team
5h38'30
2
Matthew Harley Goss
Isd - KazMunayGas
+ 2'12
3
Michel Kreder
ProTeam Astana
s.t.
4
Pavel Brutt
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
5
Dominique Nerz
AT&T
s.t.
6
Laurens Ten Dam
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Francesco Gavazzi
Isd - KazMunayGas
s.t.
8
Linus Gerdemann
AT&T
s.t.
9
Michele Scarponi
Isd - KazMunayGas
s.t.
10
Thierry Hupond
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
Stage 5 – Hills
Long difficult stage. Nerz is more a favourite than Gerdemann now that he has build up his form. But he is in a very bad day and in the final when the favourites are starting the battle, he can’t follow. A little later Gerdemann has to let go Gilbert, Lopez Garcia, Visconti and Chavanel.
No surprise for the winner’s name:
Nerz despite finishing at a poor 17th place gets in the GC Top 5. Gerdemann is back at 6th.
1
Philippe Gilbert
Bmc Racing Team
5h39'03
2
David Lopez Garcia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 19
3
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
4
Sylvain Chavanel
RadioShack - Nissan - Trek
+ 34
5
Matthew Lloyd
Isd - KazMunayGas
s.t.
6
Michele Scarponi
Isd - KazMunayGas
+ 1'14
7
Linus Gerdemann
AT&T
+ 1'30
8
Cyril Gautier
Bmc Racing Team
s.t.
9
Matthew Harley Goss
Isd - KazMunayGas
+ 1'42
10
Dries Devenyns
Omega Pharma QuickStep
s.t.
Stage 6 – Flat
Goss is the favourite and Goss gets an easy win. A great Tour for him with 3 stages, the Points jersey and a podium in GC!
@ sutty: Yes pitty we missed the podium and no stage win, still two Top 5 is descent result
@ The Rider: Poels has ridden all the Ardennaise, he will join the Enco, he will get TVG's support. Hope your feeling's right and he'll do something good!
Objective
- Top 5
Our Team
Gerdemann, Poels, Nerz, Alberio, Miller, Cogburn
Not really sure who should be our leader though...
Who can beat Cancellara? Rasmussen does set a great time! Gerdemann does a fabulous Prologue. Then comes Boasson Hagen and even Cancellara couldn’t do better.
Strong wind today and when Rosseler attacks in the final no one realise what a good rider he is on the flat. So strong in fact that he managed to hold up.
Ho, and Gerdmann was hidden on the left, but he managed to get a 3rd place. A pitty he reacted a little late to Rosseler’s attack.
Much more classical stage with a classical sprint and a classical winner.
1
Marcel Kittel
Lotto - Belisol
3h58'42
2
Matthew Harley Goss
Isd - KazMunayGas
s.t.
3
Heinrich Haussler
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
4
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
5
Andrea Guardini
RadioShack - Nissan - Trek
s.t.
16
Linus Gerdemann
AT&T
s.t.
Stage 4 – Hills
Very difficult stage today. And Hermans has decided that lagging 2’ in GC he will have a free card. And indeed, it seems he is allowed to go and find a stupid rider to ride with him.
So we ask Miller first, Alberio then to control the gap. The final is here and the gap is still important so I have to make a choice between my 3 leaders and decide to sacrifice Gerdemann.
He brings all the favourites together and on the next attack Chavanel goes, Gilbert counters and Nerz takes his wheel.
A small group of 8 will form behind Chavanel. An incredible win for the Frenchman, beating Gilbert on his terrain.
Goss is now in yellow with 2 second lead on Gilbert. Gerdemann and Poels arrive in Boasson Hagen’s group.
The Novegian is flying, even beating Cancellara. Gilbert is now in command with 14’’ on Chavanel and 18’’ on Goss. For our team, Gerdemann has been astonishing, making me regret my decision to sacrifice him yesterday. In GC Nerz is down 7th, Gerdemann 8th but it is Poels ranked 14th at 1’35 that might be our best card: he is building his form and should do great in the last long and hilly stage.
I ask Alberio to go in the break, 200+km and hills, that is perfect form him. He does. The break is large but no one to serious to contest his win in case the break can make it.
Movistar and Radioshack are now leading the pack and the gap is down to 3’ at 30km mark. Time for Alberio to make his move and after an acceleration in the next climb he is alone at the front, riding full speed. And after 5 km the gap has only reduced 20’’ and
Yes, yellow jersey team comes back to the front of the bunch. It has given up! With such as a scenario and a crazy wind and an impressive BMC team there was no chance for any one to make a move for the GC.
Gerdemann won here last year, we come this year with Nerz almost at 100% and Alberio in a very good shape too. We can only target the overall win.
Key stages
Stage 1- Hills
Our plan might be easy here: 1st favourite Alberio, 2nd favourite Offredo, 3rd favourite Nerz. With no strong team taking part (the strongest is FdJ) and a rather flat end of stage, I decide for an unsual tactic: Offredo is in middle of the pack so I ask Miller to accelerate. He couldn’t break the pack but Nerz goes free just by relaying. So I ask Alberio to join him.
The two of them got 2’30 at the top of the first big climb of the day. It will only grow despite Offredo’s late efforts.
Stage 4 – Hills
A bit before the last long climb, Alberio attacks, no leader reacts and the gap increases to 1’. Nerz is marking Offredo closely
This tactic offers Alberio the stage and the GC, for a total AT&T domination in Massif Central.
@ sutty: yes he did! He is progressing so fast since Abelbaba (if he is passing by, thanks so much for one of the best advise I received during this story :lol advised me to look for a young rider!
@ The Rider: Yeah Alberio has always been lucky since the start of this story: lucky to win in South America, lucky to progress so fast and I dare to think lucky to have been selected in our team
And now is the key moment, the moment of truth, the race tht will decide for the success of the whole season. Now is
Objective
- Overall Win
- 2 stages
Our Team
Poels, Van Garderen, Roelandts, Butler, Hanson, Miller, Hagman, Cogburn, Powers
Difficult start for the team. Van Garderen does the buk of the job despite being in a small form, Poels helps him a bit, Roelandts too, the others do their best to keep the wheels. We finish last 19’’ behind Vacansoleil.
1
Garmin - Barracuda
20'23
2
Sky ProCycling
+ 2
3
Omega Pharma QuickStep
+ 11
4
RadioShack - Nissan - Trek
+ 16
5
Bmc Racing Team
+ 18
22
AT&T
+ 1'08
Stage 2 – Flat
Not yet at the top of his form, Roelandts could do nothing in the massive sprint against Kittel, Greipel, Goss and co.
With a stage a bit more difficult in the final, we have Van Garderen to attack in the last up hills then Poels helping Roelandts to anticipate the sprint.
But at the end of the day the sprinters come back too strong.
Only the 4th stage and already decisive! A big climb to start, a transition phase and another big climb 20 km long to conclude the stage!
Didier uses the end of the 1st climb to counter. He is a strong climber and not bad at all on the flat. As no one is chasing he is building a 2’ minutes lead.
AT&T decides to control the gap and imposes a tempo to the pack, hoping the strong wind will weaken Didier. A group of 6 riders then counters, all good climbers. We have Capecchi, Caruso, Hernandez Blazquez, Cannone, Benitez and but also Cobo Acebo.
Our team accelerates the tempo still using our poor climbers, Didier has build a 5’ gap and the group of 6 a 3’ on the pack at the top of the last hill. We have to use Roelandts full speed in the descent to reduce the advantage to respectively 3’ and 2’ before the last 20 km climb. And just before the start of the climb, we stop our effort as Van Garderen attacks.
A few kilometers later as the slope is getting very hard, Poels accelerates and breaks from the rest of the pack. Van Garderen waits his leader and does his best to bring him back to the front.
Van Garderen has to give up with 12 km to go. Poels is now alone in the wind 1’30 behind the leading group as Capecchi, Cobo Acebo Sicard and Caruso have joined Didier at the front.
Poels demonstrates his strength by closing the gap and joining the lead group in an easier portion. He can benefits from some relay and when the slope is hard again, he goes alone. Capecchi and Cobo Acebo are just behind, maintaining the gap as Poels has to slow down: there is still 5 km to go and he is almost out of power.
They maintain the gap around 30’’ but couldn’t reduce it. So Poels gets his first win of the season!
And what a win! He is now the leader of the race with 30’’ on Cobo Acebo and Capecchi, a bit less than 2’ on Soler and Rodriguez and a bit more on Uran and Anton!
We let a break go ensuring a small tempo. But Sky decides that they want to offer Uran a shoot at the stage.
And they manage to close the gap before the final: 1 hill a short descent and another hill. And Anton uses the first hill to attack and makes the pack explode.
At the bottom of the final climb, Uran attacks, Poels in his wheel.
So Sky would have worked for something! Great day for us too as our direct competition lost time: Poels now gets 2’30 on Lopez Garcia, Rodriguez, Anton and Uran. All the other riders are above 3’.
1
Rigoberto Uran
Sky ProCycling
5h20'02
2
Igor Anton Hernandez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
3
Wout Poels
AT&T
s.t.
4
Fredrik Kessiakoff
ProTeam Astana
+ 15
5
David Lopez Garcia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
6
Dries Devenyns
Omega Pharma QuickStep
+ 27
7
Sylvain Chavanel
RadioShack - Nissan - Trek
s.t.
8
Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver
Katusha Team
s.t.
9
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
s.t.
10
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
Stage 6 – Hills
Second hilly stage in a row. Less difficult it appears. Poels is in great form and Van Garderen is improving. In the final, Uran is attacking and Van Garderen is working for Poels again.
And when Uran is caught, Poels takes his chances.
Unfortunately a small group came back and Poels is badly placed to launch his sprint. But so is Uran at the last place of the group.
Surprise win for Lopez Garcia and second place for Poels.
1
David Lopez Garcia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
4h31'00
2
Wout Poels
AT&T
s.t.
3
Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver
Katusha Team
s.t.
4
Rigoberto Uran
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
5
Fredrik Kessiakoff
ProTeam Astana
s.t.
6
Tejay Van Garderen
AT&T
s.t.
7
Sylvain Chavanel
RadioShack - Nissan - Trek
s.t.
8
Vicente Reynès Mimo
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
9
Gorka Izagirre Insausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
10
Sergueï Ivanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
Stage 7 - Flat
No chase again for us today, but still a mass sprint. Roelandts is feeling fantastic and well positioned in the final.
Good enough for a podium, but far away from the first 2.
Amazing for Poels, already 2 minutes after seven stage. Top favourite to take it home. Seems like the determining success of the season is only a matter of time.
Also some great stages at Eneco and Limousin.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Pokes is doing great already, and I wouldn't be surprised if he takes this by a big margin. Also if TJVG keeps improving his form he should easily bag a top 10 himself and possibly threaten the top 5 if the others start to fade in the goal week.
It's definately a good early sign of form ahead of the WITT.
@ sammyt: big margin, TVG in the Top 10. Heu let's make sure he wins it even by 1''. (Not that I wouldn't welcome nice bonuses )
@ The Rider: Stage 4 has been important but thhere are so many other to come!
@ sutty & welker: he is looking good, doing well Poels is the star of the moment
Stage 8 – Hills
Again an hilly stage, again no chasing. We even let Rodriguez attack in the final. Then the leaders regrouped. Poels is better sprinter than Van Garderen who will serve as a lead out man. They managed to create a small gap.
And because Anton is a poor sprinter, it is enough for our second win in this Vuelta. Van Garderen is even coming back in the Top 10 after those hilly stages.
1
Wout Poels
AT&T
5h48'16
2
Igor Anton Hernandez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
3
Tejay Van Garderen
AT&T
s.t.
4
Rigoberto Uran
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
5
Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver
Katusha Team
s.t.
6
Marcel Wyss
Bmc Racing Team
s.t.
7
Fredrik Kessiakoff
ProTeam Astana
s.t.
8
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
9
Juan Mauricio Soler Hernandez
Isd - KazMunayGas
s.t.
10
Laurens Ten Dam
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
Stage 9 – Mountain
A big long climb to conclude the day. We let leaders attack at the beginning of the climb when the slope is not too difficult. And when it is getting hard, Poels accelerates with Van Garderen in his wheel. And they are catching everyone at the front quickly. Surprisingly Anton cannot follow and Van Garderen decides to stay in his wheel to deny him any help. At the front, Poels is leading followed by Wyss and Soler.
And when the slope is getting difficult again Poels finds himself alone. But he cannot create a real gap. Enough to win the stage though. And behind Van Garderen is passing Anton and joining the chasing group! He is now 8th in GC.
Boasson Hagen is assuming his status of favorite and getting the provisional best time. Of course all our hopes rely on Van Garderen.
He is down 6’’ on the first intermediate. But no suspense anymore from the second. Poels is also doing great, so well (or Anton so bad) that he beats Anton in the sprint!
Van Garderen is now 2nd in GC with 1’ lead on Wyss, which means Poels has 6’30 on his immediate challenger…
1
Tejay Van Garderen
AT&T
57'28
2
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'44
3
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
4
Jack Bauer
Garmin - Barracuda
+ 1'49
5
Wout Poels
AT&T
+ 1'59
6
Tom Jelte Slagter
Vacansoleil - Dcm Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'11
7
Jakob Fuglsang
RadioShack - Nissan - Trek
s.t.
8
Adriano Malori
Isd - KazMunayGas
+ 2'26
9
Fredrik Kessiakoff
ProTeam Astana
+ 2'32
10
Wilco Kelderman
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2'33
Stage 11 – Mountain
Once again the difference is going to take place in the last climb.
When Poels attacks, only Soler can take his wheel. Van Garderen is just behind with Wyss so Poels let Soler work and Wyss comes back with Van Garderen and Didier. Then Poels accelerates again and Soler follows again. But his time he hold on till the arrival, even resisting to Poels’ sprint.
Still a great result for us as Van Garderen finishes 3rd and consolidates his 2nd place.
Long flat after a difficult middle stage and a big break goes. What 20’? But what are the leader’s team thinking, can’t they realize they a job to do? Oh wait, AT&T IS the leader’s team! By the way, congrates to Offredo.
And as Van Garderen benefits from the total sleep of the peloton to get 30’’ and Poels to win the peloton’s sprint, that is a kind of tactic we might well want to repeat!
Not a very difficult stage with the hardest climb far from the arrival. We first control the break as Didier was participating. Then we let the other leaders attack each other in the big climb, not using any energy. Butler was also preserved and in the chasing group of 19.
In the latter smaller climbs, leaders go on attacking and it was time for Butler to do his job. Until in the last descent with 15 km to go
I ask Poels to do all the job and let go Van Garderen with 8 km to go. Strangely enough when the first chasing group cought an exhausted Poels, they did not relay and of course Poels was riding as slow as possible.
Great day for Van Garderen who not only won the stage but is now well established in 2nd in GC more than 3’ behind his leader but more than 3’ ahead of Wyss and 4’ ahead of Soler!
Next two stages are the last two mountain stages and will be decisive for the GC. We decided to control the race today to give Poels and chance for the stage win.
And indeed, in the last climb, with less than 2 km to go we find our two men in front of a small chasing group!
And the red shirt wins it alone at the end!
Unfortunately it is not our Red shirt, but Soler’s who is wearing the KoM jersey (he is by the way closing the gap to Poels with his win). Because our two men were chasing behind him and couldn’t close the gap.
In GC, it is still a good result: Poels lead is not threaten at all and Van Garderen still have more than 2’30 on Soler who has taken the 3rd place.
@ all: OK now we can talk about big margin, TVG classement, but also points and mountain classifications Not sure we can achieve all but some are in damn good shape
What a 2nd week for the team! This week has turned a good season into a magnificent one! 4 stage wins and 6 podium finishes! Tejay doing a absolute stellar job in the TT and the duo mastering every stage do date! Oh do please keep it up
@ The Rider: well, I won't maintain the suspense: you are right Competition was rally weak on this vuelta: Anton was the best rider and obviously not at his best...
@ sutty: we are enjoying very much indeed
@ Neillster: The season was correct before the vuelta, it becomes good when Poels was for sure in the Top 3 and great in this 2nd week indeed! Tx for the bananas
@ sammyt: almost certain as there is still a big mountain stage, but let's look at it right now:
Stage 15 – Mountain
Last mountain stage, but what a stage. Just one word: L’Angliru. Poels has certainly not appreciated to be beaten on his terrain yesterday.
And as the last climb starts, Soler is taking the lead of the pack, Van Garderen looking good.
He will answer all Soler’s attacks and beat him in the final sprint!
Oh, I almost forgot, Poels went from the bottom of the climb and got a solo win with a 3’ gap!
4 hilly stages before the flat final stage. Not the moment to lose time! So we chased the break in the early stage. And before the final climb and downhill 4 riders breaks free: Van Garderen, Poels, Anton and Voekler.
And as no one relays, Van Garderen attacks in the descent.
But no real gap is created and Anton launches his sprint followed by Poels, with few meters to go it is so close!
Close till the end, but you know who is the best man on this Vuelta?
1
Wout Poels
AT&T
5h36'12
2
Igor Anton Hernandez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
3
Tejay Van Garderen
AT&T
s.t.
4
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
+ 20
5
Marcel Wyss
Bmc Racing Team
+ 49
6
Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver
Katusha Team
s.t.
7
Rigoberto Uran
Sky ProCycling
+ 59
8
Johann Tschopp
Bmc Racing Team
+ 1'30
9
Tom Jelte Slagter
Vacansoleil - Dcm Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'57
10
Fredrik Kessiakoff
ProTeam Astana
+ 2'28
Stage 18 – Hills
The arrival is easier but in the last climb 4 men gets away: Peols, Van Garderen, Anton and Uran.
But no one helps us so we let the chasing group come back. And in the chasing group was the winner of the day:
In the final hill of the days, 3 riders come to the front, do I put the picture or can you guess?
Spoiler
Voeckler is benefiting from the downhill to join the group. Poels is doing all the job. And with a very bad sprint Van Garderen loses the sprint to Voeckler.
1
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
4h12'10
2
Igor Anton Hernandez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
3
Tejay Van Garderen
AT&T
s.t.
4
Wout Poels
AT&T
+ 27
5
David Lopez Garcia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 52
6
Fredrik Kessiakoff
ProTeam Astana
s.t.
7
Rigoberto Uran
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
8
Marcel Wyss
Bmc Racing Team
+ 1'46
9
Johann Tschopp
Bmc Racing Team
s.t.
10
Tom Jelte Slagter
Vacansoleil - Dcm Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
Stage 20 – Hills
Very difficult climb but then 30km to go. But in the climb our two riders isolate themselves at the front. Van Garderen has to wait for Poels a couple of time. Behind another duo as Lopez Garcia is chasing for his leader Anton. With 1’ gap and 30 km to go nothing is done so I ask Poels to lead on the first part of the flat. Unfortunately Van Garderen has a puncture and comes back in the wheels of Anton (Lopez Gacia has been dropped).
But despite all his efforts, Poels has in fact enough in the tank to win another stage!
And Van Garderen has of course no difficulty to win the sprint as he did not relay for the last 30 km…
1
Wout Poels
AT&T
5h09'51
2
Tejay Van Garderen
AT&T
+ 1'44
3
Igor Anton Hernandez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
4
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
+ 2'28
5
Rigoberto Uran
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
6
Sylvain Chavanel
RadioShack - Nissan - Trek
s.t.
7
Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver
Katusha Team
s.t.
8
Fredrik Kessiakoff
ProTeam Astana
s.t.
9
Johann Tschopp
Bmc Racing Team
s.t.
10
David Lopez Garcia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
Stage 21 – Flat
A massive sprint to conclude this Vuelta and another win for Rojas! (Even I thought the win was for Goss).
Should I? Apart from there is little to be said.
The main point being we are back in 2nd in the WT ranking, BMC has still a solid lead thanks to Gilbert's fantastic season but could we dare dreaming of World number 1?
Poels is the star of the moment 
