Nice to get third and fourth, but in a way i wouldn't have minded if Dan would have gotten a second or two more by not attacking.
I'll send in questions in a sec.
Spoiler
WOOOHOOOOO, what a win!
Mountain Jersey secured!
Looking better in GC!
And, last but not least, i could also be in Switzerland or Austria.
Sending Astarloza into the break today was a big mistake from Katu. He should've sent Anton, who would have had much better chances for the stage win and could've scored a lot of points for the polkadot jersey. Zakur would never mess up like that, bring him back!
@Dippofix: That's about the amount of bananas I expected for Dan Martin.
@Blueprint:
Well, looking back, Igor Antón or Nieve would have been the only one from our team that would have stood a chance against Dan Martin and Schleck. It was certainly a mistake by the manager, however Dan Martin attacked when Astarloza was already in the break and I remember Antón was quite exhausted after the previous stage (however, I don't remember for sure). And hey, don't be so mean on Katu!
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
I woke up late at night. It must have been around 2 or 3 o’clock. The Alpes have made me nauseous, and I was coughing quite a lot. Surely, the last days didn’t quite help it but alas, I couldn’t sleep well and decided to type some stuff down; paradigms of a possible future. I kept typing, but more I kept drinking and the time passed quite decently. I didn’t hear much but I heard later how a car pulled over at the front of the hotel. Since I am one hell of a noisy neighbor, I risked a look through the window.
There was a car and two people were rushing around it. Grabbing some stuff and throwing it into the trunk. I didn’t think much at first, probably some tourists. But then I heard them speak about the Tour de France. Well, that’s not weird – everybody talks about the Tour de France. But when one of them started to panic a bit, that they might get seen (I always sleep with my windows open), I got interested. The lights of the car didn’t reveal much of these two down there. Some alpine fog was coming down from high-above; it crawled through the streets, halted at our doorstep – and just lightly pressed the ring bell. Something was fishy.
Juan José Lobato Interview
Young Spaniard Juan José Lobato made a name for himself with two one-day wins. One at the Volta Limburg Classic, the other one at the Spanish Road Race National Championship, where the entire team worked for him. Right now, he is riding the Tour de France – and with some decent success too for a young sprinter such as him. Three 6th places in various sprints show his potential for the future.
We meet in the hotel hall after the sprint. His lovely girlfriend has come to visit him and she tells me that J.J. doesn’t have too much time. Of course, because there’s so much to do on a rest day…
X: So first things first: How does it feel to ride in the National Jersey of Spain?
JJ: It’s a great feeling. I am not sure but someone told me I am actually the first Euskaltel – Euskadi rider to win it but I am not sure that’s true [laughs]. Maybe that’s because the basques don’t care about it, but for me it’s really important. The jersey looks great, our designers did an amazing job. I will enjoy wearing this jersey for all the time that’s ahead of me.
X: You had a good run at the Tour de France so far, how would you rate your performance and your season so far?
JJ: For me, it’s the first time. I came from a continental level, from Team Andalucia. This is my first year in the World Elite. To ride the Tour de France in your first year, that’s a challenge. But I think I’m doing well. The bunch sprints are nothing like I have seen before. They are tougher, more furious, faster… more rewarding too. I rode Mailand – San Remo earlier the season but there I didn’t participate in the bunch sprint, so yes, this is an all new experience for me. I think my performance is quite decent. Katu told me, he was tired of Euskaltel – Euskadi always waiting for the second or third week for good results and that’s why he brought me along. I hope he doesn’t regret his decision. But I imagine that after the Tour de France I won’t be much of use anymore. It’s really tiresome and I feel my form slipping away. As for my season; I had two wins, that’s about what I expected. The quality of the wins is quite nice though, and I feel like I am improving result-wise. But I am lacking experience and endurance. I want to get to a point where I am competitive during the entire campaign and ride for stage wins. We will need to perfect my training and racing schedule in that sense, and maybe then I can ride to win for more than just one-day races.
X: You do want to finish the Tour de France though?
JJ: Yes, of course. I want to finish it. I want to see Paris. Especially in the jersey of Spain’s national champion, that would be wonderful. The mountains are hard though. I already feel the pain of the Pyrenees. The basque fans were really supportive though, the crowd in general is phenomenal. But if it’d be up to me: I am not sure if I want to race it again already next year. There are other wonderful races too, and right now I am feeling like I am still missing for a top result. But eventually, I want to win as many stages at the Tour as possible. But that’s the goal of any rider I presume.
X: Speaking of, Selwink asks, how realistic you would consider a podium at one of the remaining stages?
JJ: Right now, I think that’s going to be tough. The best flat stages are behind us and it will get only tougher from here on out. I will try my best and I am of course not completely satisfied by now, but I fear that this might have been everything I could give. I was in perfect positions sometimes, sometimes where I just had to keep the wheel – but I failed. I am still missing these wattages and that power that makes sprinters like Kittel or Cavendish so dangerous and successful. For example on stage 2, I just didn’t have it anymore – that would have been the stage to win for me… I still regret that one.
Juan José Lobato in the white jersey of the best young rider
X: Euskaltel – Euskadi are famous for their breakaways. Do you also want to try your luck at one during this Tour de France?
JJ: I would love too, yes. But honestly; the guys did work for me in the first week and each time I would try to go into a breakaway, I would rob them of their chance. I don’t know if I’ll have the legs for it anyway, but if I can – I want to try too. We’ll see what tactics Katu thinks of along the way.
X: How do you think guys like Nieve or Antón did or will profit from you, especially in the flat stages?
JJ: Oh my. That’s a bit hypothetical. But I think that maybe due to my presence in the peloton they orientated themselves a bit further up on the peloton. The crashes on stage 5 and 6 were insane, and we were lucky that only one time our guys, Vrecer if I remember correctly, were caught in it. So yeah, maybe that’s something. Besides that, I don’t think I am much use to them in the races themselves, especially not in the mountain stages. However, I did carry some bottles to them up front, so I try to help the squad as much as possible. I am no captain and no star, and I appreciate it immensely that the team lets me take my chances in the sprints; it’s only naturally that I try to pay them back by such duties.
X: Atlantius asked two questions – first; what have you got to say to all the people who can't really get their head around the concept of a skilled spanish sprinter in the basque Euskaltel – Euskadi team?
JJ: Maybe that miracles can happen? When they contacted me at first last season I couldn’t really believe it myself that they were interested in me. I am a fan of Euskaltel – Euskadi, like I am a fan of every other Spanish team. But they always had the reputation of being mostly climbers and with some luck maybe worthwhile puncheurs too. But sprinters, well – that was never really much in the equation for them. I guess the recent developments encouraged Euskaltel – Euskadi to take me under contract; right now, the progress of basque talent may be a bit hindered and you know that they have signed some foreign riders last season as well. I reckon that won’t stay for too long though. They did it for the World Tour points and I think that neither I nor anybody else can feel too secure about their position at Euskaltel – Euskadi. It was a born basque project to begin with, I think it should end as one too someday.
X: So you think you will leave Euskaltel – Euskadi someday, maybe because they switch again to an all basque policy or maybe you feel like you have better chances in another team?
JJ: No, no. Right now I feel very at home. I learn basque, it’s a complicated language, so that should show the effort I am willing to put in this and to try to make it work. And if Euskaltel – Euskadi hangs the ikurrina someday on the wall for good, I hope it will be after many successful decades. But personally, I will have to watch out for my career too of course. This team isn’t based upon sprinters and if I continue to progress, I still doubt that I will ever have a really great lead-out. Urtasun, Kocjan, Serebryakov – they are great sprinters, but we are all more the type of lone wolves, the guys who look for their own luck and then achieve it out of nowhere. Maybe a decent enough sprint lead-out in the future will be something I have to spin my head around if I want to have a fulfilling professional cycling career. But let’s just state for the record again, I am very happy at Euskaltel – Euskadi right now.
X: Well, there’s another question by Atlantius that fits the topic: You have come a long way this season from talent to champion. How far do you see yourself going in the future?
JJ: First of thanks, that’s a very nice compliment. I may have won the national championship but I am not really a champion yet… but I plan on becoming one. If I believed in my limits, I’d be in the wrong sport. Cycling is about pushing yourselves over the limits. But of course, I will never win Alpe d’Huez. I am not the type of rider for that. But in terms of what I dream of like winning Mailand – San Remo or Clásica San Sebastian, I think I can achieve everything. You need some confidence in yourself to make it in this sport. That and some talent and ambition too. That’s something I learned the hard way. The Tour de France helps me in that way. I can still improve and I am young. You may see one day winning the green jersey [laughs]. But probably not the yellow one.
X: Which leads me perfectly to the next question; Dippofix would like to know: What sort of a rider would you like to develop in to in the future: More a pure sprinter, a bit of a punchy sprinter, or maybe even a sprinter who's fairly handy on the cobbles?
JJ: I think what I want and what is possible are two different things. I would love to be a sprinter like Peter Sagan, one that can do basically everything. One of the best in the bunch sprints, one of the best on hills… but that’s quite a lot to ask for. I want to win stages. As many stages that I won’t be able to count them. I feel like it’s best I concentrate on the purest attributes for that to happen. However, I want and need to get better on hilly parcours too, I know that. Otherwise I will miss out on too many possible stages and may be too exhausted for many bunch sprints that usual happen. Especially if I want to win a stage in the Vuelta a Espana at some point. Pablo Urtasun showed at Paris – Nice this year how rewarding it can be to win such a stage. I think with the right training that may be possible. For cobblestones though; I think we can cut that one. I am not interested in them nor am I any good. I may be able to compete one day in some very small cobblestone races but Euskaltel – Euskadi is unlikely to race them.
X: The transfer market is already in full swing. Any wishes, like some fast men for a possible, feared orange sprint train?
JJ: I’d like to see Carlos Barbero in the Pro Tour squad. He is showing great talent in the Euskadi continental team, I think he can be a great service to the team. Koldo Fernandez would be another basque signing that I could particularly profit from. But I think the team is more interested in getting a sprint train ready for the mountain stages and not so much for bunch sprints.
X: In any case, how would you rate Euskaltel’s season so far?
JJ: It’s great. Really. Maybe it’s because I am new to the team and don’t know how it has been before, but for me it looks great. We have a decent, seemingly secure standing in the World Tour so far. Our sponsor seems to be pleased as hell with all these King of the Mountain jerseys flying into the windows. And most of all, we got some amazing wins. Samuel Sánchez was pure class at Vuelta Ciclista al País Vasco. Verdugo was exceptional at Giro d’Italia, that was just great to watch. Euskaltel – Euskadi has never been a team that snatches victories right and left, I don’t think that would even fit into its identity, but each win counts for something. Each win is more than just a win. Katu told me that in many cases it’s a also a symbol. That’s a unique, special feeling. You have to conserve these goose bumps you get when you cross the line as the first rider. When you can raise your arms into the air even if you are too tired for that. When you know that the basque country cheers for you, when Spain cheers for you, when all this international supporters press their thumbs for you…
X: One thing I was particularly always wondering about; how do Spanish fans react to Euskaltel – Euskadi and even more specific, what kind of standing did Euskaltel – Euskadi enjoy in the peloton before their only-basque policy dropped?
JJ: I can’t talk for the people, neither for the fans nor for the riders obviously. Spain is diverse, or at least we like to believe it is. I myself always respected the team and I am glad to be a part of them. They may be a basque team, but first and foremost they are a World Tour team, competing on the highest level. And well – I think that Madrilenians may look at the team at times a bit suspicious. Especially since Euskaltel – Euskadi has never made a secret out of its underlining ideology. But I myself come from Andalucia and I always understood them not just as a world-famous basque team, but also as an independent Spanish team. Catalonia, Aragon, Asturias, Castile and Léon and so on, all these regions may not have been included in the original idea of the Euskaltel – Euskadi team, but that was the point… You can’t postulate that you want to develop basque talent and then sign riders from all around Spain. I believe that people understood the concept behind, to show your freedom and independence - in a sociological sense as well as (even more so) on a sportive side – and for me it was a reason to cheer for the orange boys; they gave you something to relate to. In any case, Euskaltel – Euskadi is one of the teams where the team name counts as much as the riders name when a fan presses his thumbs for us. That’s not a given in our professional cycling word.
Juan José Lobato winning the national championship.
X: So then, what’s your sweetest moment so far in the orange jersey?
JJ: Well you would expect me to say the national championship right? And you’d pretty right about that. It was massive for me. But my win at Volta Limburg Classic has shown me that I can perform in this team as well as I did in my previous one. Ask me again in a couple of years, maybe then it will be harder for me to give you an answer – hopefully.
X: And as last question we have another one from Dippofix: Why do names seem to be so important around here. Why can only Gorkas win Giro stages for Euskaltel, and why can only Juan Josés sprint of all the spaniards?
JJ: [laughs] I don’t know, but a fair point. If I ever have a son, I’ll might name him Gorka. Or Alberto if I want to him to win the Tour de France.
X: Thanks a lot for the interview. I hope your girlfriend won't be too mad now.
@VoetsT: Always nice to get a new reader on board. Hope you stay. Awesome signature by the way.
@duxili: Yeah, it should be his version of the Iban Mayo cap.
@Dippofix: Juan José Alberto Gorka Lobato you say? We will get right to the administration to change the name but then again, I doubt that the UCI allows so much awesomeness in one rider alone.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
After yesterday’s rest day, the peloton sees a return of the flat stages for sprinters, as they leave the Pyrenees behind them and head from Saint Gildas des Bois to Saint Malo.
After 10 days of sun, the bad weather hits le Tour. Serebryakov is in the break together with Oss (BMC), Poulhies (COF) and Canadian champion Boivin (CAN).
A largely uneventful stage heads into its final kilometers, and Serebryakov and Oss are the last ones to be caught. A bunch sprint seems inevitable by now.
The sprint trains are in full motion as the Flamme Rogue is up ahead. Orica Green Edge, Omega Pharma and Lotto Belisol pace as hard as they can.
Clear victory for Cavendish and Omega Pharma, ahead of Greipel and Goss.
Stage 10, Reuslts
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
3h48'40
2
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
3
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
4
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
5
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
6
Barry Markus
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
8
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
9
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
s.t.
10
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
12
Allan Davis
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
13
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
s.t.
14
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
15
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
16
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
17
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
18
Juan José Lobato
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
19
Giacomo Nizzolo
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
20
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
21
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
22
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
23
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
s.t.
24
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
s.t.
25
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
26
Arthur Vichot
FDJ
s.t.
27
Niki Terpstra
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
28
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
29
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
30
Ángel Madrazo
Movistar Team
s.t.
31
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
32
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
s.t.
33
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
34
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
35
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
36
Adrien Petit
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
37
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
s.t.
38
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
39
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ
s.t.
40
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
41
Davide Appollonio
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
42
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
43
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
s.t.
44
Luis León Sánchez
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
45
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
46
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
47
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
48
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
49
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
50
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
51
Jérôme Coppel
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
52
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
53
Nicolas Roche
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
54
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
55
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
56
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
57
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
58
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
s.t.
59
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
60
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
61
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
s.t.
62
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
63
Pierre Rolland
Team Europcar
s.t.
64
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
65
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
66
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
67
Greg Henderson
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
68
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
s.t.
69
Aidis Kruopis
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
70
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
s.t.
71
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
72
Bart De Clercq
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
73
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
74
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
75
Romain Bardet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
76
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
77
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
78
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
79
Michael Rogers
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
80
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
81
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
82
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
83
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
84
Roman Kreuziger
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
85
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
86
Simon Clarke
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
87
Zdenek Stybar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
88
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
89
Christophe Laborie
Sojasun
s.t.
90
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
91
Jonathan Hivert
Sojasun
s.t.
92
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
93
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
94
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
95
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
s.t.
96
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
97
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
98
Francis De Greef
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
99
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
100
Roberto Ferrari
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
101
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
s.t.
102
Simon Spilak
Katusha Team
s.t.
103
Chris Horner
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
104
Marco Haller
Katusha Team
s.t.
105
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
106
Stéphane Poulhiès
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
107
Tom Slagter
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
108
Dario Cataldo
Sky Procycling
s.t.
109
Richie Porte
Sky Procycling
s.t.
110
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
111
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
112
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
s.t.
113
Eros Capecchi
Movistar Team
s.t.
114
Simone Ponzi
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
115
Filippo Pozzato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
116
Egoitz García
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
117
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
118
Vasil Kiryienka
Sky Procycling
s.t.
119
Alexander Serebryakov
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
120
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
s.t.
121
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
122
Daniel Oss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
123
John Degenkolb
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
124
Maxime Daniel
Sojasun
s.t.
125
Fabian Wegmann
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
126
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
127
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
128
Julien El Fares
Sojasun
s.t.
129
Dominik Nerz
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
130
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
131
Evaldas Siskevicius
Sojasun
s.t.
132
Danny Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
133
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
134
Juan Antonio Flecha
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
135
Matteo Tosatto
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
136
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
137
Nicolas Edet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
138
Daniele Ratto
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
139
Jorge Azanza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
140
Alexis Vuillermoz
Sojasun
s.t.
141
Simon Geschke
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
142
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
s.t.
143
Fabian Cancellara
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
144
Fabrice Jeandesboz
Sojasun
s.t.
145
Adriano Malori
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
146
Sebastian Langeveld
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
147
Koen De Kort
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
148
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
149
Rein Taaramäe
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
150
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
s.t.
151
Rémi Pauriol
Sojasun
s.t.
152
Tom Dumoulin
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
153
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
154
Guillaume Levarlet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
155
Vincent Jérôme
Team Europcar
s.t.
156
Jérémy Roy
FDJ
s.t.
157
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
158
Yoann Bagot
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
159
Kristjan Koren
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
160
Sébastien Chavanel
Team Europcar
s.t.
161
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
162
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ
s.t.
163
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
s.t.
164
Moreno Moser
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
165
Christophe Le Mével
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
166
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
167
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
168
Jakob Rathe
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
169
Haimar Zubeldia
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
170
Brice Feillu
Sojasun
s.t.
171
Ben King
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
172
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
s.t.
173
Johan Vansummeren
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
174
Andreas Klöden
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
175
Damiano Caruso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
176
Peter Stetina
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
177
Karsten Kroon
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
178
Nicki Sørensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
179
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
180
Alessandro De Marchi
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
181
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
182
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
s.t.
183
Fabio Aru
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
184
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
185
Wout Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
186
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
s.t.
187
Robert Kiserlovski
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
188
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
189
Guillaume Boivin
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
190
Mikel Astarloza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 5'13
191
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
+ 6'18
192
José Serpa
Lampre - Merida
+ 7'16
Stage 11
A 30 kilometer Time Trial will mix up the general classification quite a bit. Current leader Froome should have an advantage here against his opponents and the question will be how much time he will gain on them? For our top riders today will be a struggle, while the other riders will take it more easy and ride to get into the finish.
World Time Trial Champion Tony Martin is certainy the man favourite for today’s stage. It suits him perfectly but will the form hold up? His time at the intermediate was impressive, and so was his time in the finish. And it even stands when riders such as Phinney, Cancellara or Peter Velits arrive at the finish.
Igor Antón is in the race. At the start of the day he resides at 25th overall. Doubtful that he can keep it, but his goal will be stage wins anyway and if he gets a bit of time onto it now, it might even help the cause.
Ahead of Nieve’s start many top riders launched already. Behind him starts Wiggins on 9th position. Oho. The chances that he will remain in the Top 10 after this day are low but still, he will have to fight for every second. Igor Antón meanwhile passed the first intermediate and has around 2 minutes gap on Tony Martin.
After the intermediate, Wiggins has his sights already on Nieve, who lost about 2 minutes. Wiggins is currently 4th, 20 seconds behind Martin.
And not long after, the inevitable happens. Well. We expected that. Bad luck when you start ahead of Wiggins.
Woah, that hurts. 3’44’’. A bit too much time if you ask me… Meanwhile, Chris Froome and Tony Martin fight for the stage win. The Briton is only 9 seconds behind Tony Martin at the intermediate.
Heading into the last kilometer, he doesn’t get Tony Martin. However, he extends his lead big time and his teammate Wiggins now resides at 2nd place. Nearly like last year, except this time, Froome is in yellow.
Stage 11, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
40'55
2
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
+ 15
3
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
+ 30
4
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
+ 39
5
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 41
6
Michael Rogers
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1'03
7
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1'07
8
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'16
9
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
+ 1'22
10
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'26
Spoiler
11
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'29
12
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1'31
13
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'35
14
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
s.t.
15
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'36
16
Simon Spilak
Katusha Team
+ 1'37
17
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
s.t.
18
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
19
Simon Geschke
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1'41
20
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
21
Dario Cataldo
Sky Procycling
s.t.
22
Luis León Sánchez
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
23
Fabian Cancellara
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1'42
24
Tom Dumoulin
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
25
Niki Terpstra
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'45
26
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
27
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
+ 1'46
28
Rein Taaramäe
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
29
Haimar Zubeldia
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1'48
30
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
31
Andreas Klöden
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1'49
32
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'53
33
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
+ 1'54
34
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
+ 1'55
35
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
+ 1'59
36
Jérémy Roy
FDJ
+ 2'02
37
Zdenek Stybar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
38
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
s.t.
39
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
+ 2'03
40
Nicolas Roche
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2'07
41
Chris Horner
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 2'10
42
Jérôme Coppel
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
43
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
+ 2'12
44
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 2'14
45
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2'15
46
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - Merida
+ 2'17
47
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
+ 2'19
48
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2'21
49
Kristjan Koren
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 2'23
50
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2'24
51
Roman Kreuziger
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
52
Adriano Malori
Lampre - Merida
+ 2'28
53
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ
+ 2'29
54
Richie Porte
Sky Procycling
+ 2'33
55
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
56
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
+ 2'34
57
Sebastian Langeveld
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 2'36
58
Juan Antonio Flecha
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
59
Ben King
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 2'37
60
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'38
61
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
+ 2'39
62
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2'40
63
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
64
Moreno Moser
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 2'47
65
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
+ 2'48
66
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2'49
67
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 2'50
68
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'58
69
José Serpa
Lampre - Merida
+ 2'59
70
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
+ 3'01
71
Jonathan Hivert
Sojasun
+ 3'02
72
Mikel Astarloza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'04
73
Christophe Le Mével
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 3'06
74
Pierre Rolland
Team Europcar
s.t.
75
Vasil Kiryienka
Sky Procycling
+ 3'07
76
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
+ 3'10
77
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 3'11
78
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
79
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
+ 3'12
80
Nicki Sørensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
81
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
82
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ
+ 3'15
83
Francis De Greef
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
84
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Sharp
+ 3'16
85
Daniele Ratto
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 3'21
86
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
+ 3'23
87
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
88
Wout Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'24
89
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
90
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
91
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3'25
92
Arthur Vichot
FDJ
s.t.
93
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
94
Robert Kiserlovski
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
95
Nicolas Edet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
96
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3'26
97
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 3'28
98
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
+ 3'30
99
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
+ 3'31
100
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
101
Romain Bardet
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3'32
102
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
103
Rémi Pauriol
Sojasun
+ 3'34
104
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
105
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
106
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
+ 3'35
107
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
108
Simon Clarke
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
109
Alexis Vuillermoz
Sojasun
+ 3'36
110
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3'37
111
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'39
112
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
113
Damiano Caruso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 3'40
114
Christophe Laborie
Sojasun
s.t.
115
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'41
116
Brice Feillu
Sojasun
s.t.
117
Fabian Wegmann
Garmin - Sharp
+ 3'42
118
Tom Slagter
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
119
Matteo Tosatto
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
120
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
s.t.
121
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
+ 3'44
122
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
123
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
+ 3'45
124
Yoann Bagot
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 3'46
125
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
s.t.
126
Daniel Oss
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'47
127
Johan Vansummeren
Garmin - Sharp
+ 3'48
128
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
129
Peter Stetina
Garmin - Sharp
+ 3'49
130
Fabrice Jeandesboz
Sojasun
s.t.
131
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
132
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3'50
133
Bart De Clercq
Lotto Belisol
+ 3'51
134
Guillaume Levarlet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 3'52
135
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
136
Koen De Kort
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3'54
137
Fabio Aru
Astana Pro Team
+ 3'55
138
Barry Markus
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'56
139
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
140
Danny Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'00
141
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
142
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
+ 4'01
143
Karsten Kroon
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
144
Adrien Petit
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
145
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'02
146
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'03
147
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'04
148
John Degenkolb
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 4'07
149
Alessandro De Marchi
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 4'08
150
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
151
Vincent Jérôme
Team Europcar
+ 4'09
152
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
+ 4'10
153
Jakob Rathe
Garmin - Sharp
+ 4'11
154
Davide Appollonio
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
155
Dominik Nerz
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'12
156
Eros Capecchi
Movistar Team
+ 4'14
157
Stéphane Poulhiès
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 4'15
158
Giacomo Nizzolo
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
159
Allan Davis
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 4'16
160
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
161
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
+ 4'17
162
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
163
Marco Haller
Katusha Team
+ 4'18
164
Julien El Fares
Sojasun
+ 4'19
165
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 4'21
166
Evaldas Siskevicius
Sojasun
+ 4'22
167
Ángel Madrazo
Movistar Team
s.t.
168
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
+ 4'24
169
Guillaume Boivin
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 4'26
170
Greg Henderson
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
171
Simone Ponzi
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
172
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'27
173
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
+ 4'28
174
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 4'31
175
Sébastien Chavanel
Team Europcar
+ 4'33
176
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
+ 4'38
177
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
+ 4'41
178
Filippo Pozzato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
179
Roberto Ferrari
Lampre - Merida
+ 4'42
180
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
+ 4'44
181
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
+ 4'46
182
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'47
183
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4'54
184
Aidis Kruopis
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 4'59
185
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
186
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto Belisol
+ 5'07
187
Egoitz García
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 5'13
188
Maxime Daniel
Sojasun
+ 5'17
189
Jorge Azanza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 5'22
190
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 5'40
191
Juan José Lobato
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 6'04
192
Alexander Serebryakov
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 7'16
A bad time trial did it for us. Nieve 21st in General Classification, Antón 26th. This was a utter defeat but we saw it coming. The basque weakness in time trial is well-known. Not much we can do about it. Hopefully this will at least give us the freedom to go for stage wins.
Great interview followed by two stages the team could have been without
Let's hope they can compensate in the mountains. Ventoux or the Alpe would certainly wipe away a bad TT
Too bad Mikel and Igor couldn't limit their losses more, but it'll make stage wins that bit more easier from now on. Edited by Dippofix on 12-01-2014 13:54
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