Perhaps it could even make sense to sign Goikoexta already as he probably won't get much cobbles-training on Euskadi CT?
At least some of the others would probably appreciate not having to race the cobbles-races
@Atlantius: Yeah, that's one of my fears too. But honestly, he will have to develop into a decent allrounder anyway first before we can start to dream about his cobbles-training. Right now, he isn't worth so much as his potential may make us believe.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Obviously it's you're decision, but I generally like having a lot of riders on contract in order to be able to have room for one or two riders, who I mainly want to have around to control their training. He can still be useful getting bottles in the first half of most races.
25 riders that I have expectations for and the rest just hanging around until they get better.
I understand you of course. It's something I have preferred to do in my long-running careers too. H owever for the story purposes, I want to also include the continental team in an active manner. Plus, right now I really don't have the money to make a contract with a talent for 3 years - that may turn out to be... really bad.
Against the Illusion – Part 6
A few days after le Tour, a few days after the scandal, the A sample confirmed doping. Something we already knew by then and Serebryakov tried to explain himself in an interview. I am sorry, that stuffyou know… bla bla. He said, "I, Alexander Serebryakov, wish to clarify the matter of my recent positive doping control. I want to make it clear that the team has nothing to do with this situation, and that it is a personal problem that I will try to clarify in the next few days."*
Euskaltel – Euskadi stated: “The team is astonished that some riders have not yet understood that cycling should be a clean sport without shortcuts, so it condemns emphatically this type of behavior […] True to its commitment towards a clean and credible cycling, and in application of the internal rules of procedure consistent with this spirit, the team has decided to immediately expel the cyclist from the team and suspend him of employment and salary."
How long will Serebryakov get? I don’t know. Probably two years. I got slap on the head from my editor, told me that this would have been an amazing story. One that could have set me on a path to become a future David Walsh, that kind of guys. Surely, that’d be something. But then again, these guys were my friends and had I decided to withheld the information, instead investigated on my own, behind their backs, well – I might have just betrayed their trust then; and would have proven that Zakur may have been right all along. This whole doping swamp; it’s about the rider, it’s about the teams... and in a way it belongs to the world, I guess. However, I just know that it wasn’t my story.
Nicely weaved together with real life events, though I have to admit part of me dreamt about him having an excuse as creative as in the "good old days" when we heard stuff like "that testostoron belong to my mother-in-law", "oh that is just because of my un-born twin", "that artificial testostoron must be because of the whiskey I drank last night" etc.
Hahaha, thanks mate. Unfortunately I'm not so creative as some of these guys back in the days, but then again, my life doesn't depend on it.
I knew from the start that I wouldn't keep Serebryakov around since he doped. It only seemed natural to use small parts of his real life doping story for Gora Euskadi.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
About the rankings: what are you going to do with promotions to the World Tour? Keeping 19 teams at WT level or pushing one team back to get back to 18, which it actually is in 2014?
Unlike the other preparation races for the World Tour such as Tour de Romandie or Crit#erium du Dauphné, the Vuelta a Burgos isn’t classified as a UCI World Tour race, but without a doubt, it’s probably the best race to test the legs for the Vuelta in a few weeks. After the Tour de France, I am a bit fed up with racing though and thus I take it lightly.
The line-up of Euskaltel Euskadi sees Alpe d’Huez stage winner Mikel Nieve alongside Mikel Landa and 2 times Giro d’Italia stage winner Gorka Verdugo. Jorge Azanza, Miguel Minguez, André Schulze and Garikoitz Bravo will help them. Pablo Urtasun (this year’s winner of 2nd stage at Paris – Nice) will be our fast man.
Contenders for overall victory include Carlos Betancur, Sergio Henao, Benat Intxausti and Mikel Nieve.
Stage 1
The first stage from Miranda de Ebro to Oje Guarena sees already an Euskadi rider amongst the Top 5. But it’s not a rider from Euskaltelel – Euskadi. Carlos Barbero clearly pushes for the world elite with this 3rd place today, especially since there’s a spot available for a sprinter after Serebryakov’s departure. The first 6 riders managed to have a gap on the peloton of 37 seconds. All Euskaltel – Euskadi riders are in the peloton, Pablo Urtasun lands on 17th place.
Stage 2
I decide to a ride myself when the race is on and from home, I catch up on the recap. Sergio Henao and Benat Intxausti smashed the competition in Burgos. Jonathan Hivert and Nicki Sörensen lead the other riders with 8 seconds into the finish. Carlos Betancur loses 23 seconds alongside Garikoitz Bravo and Pablo Urtasun. I imagine there will be a long talk with them though, since they abandoned their captain on the last kilometer, and Mikel Nieve got 34 seconds. No sign of Carlos Barbero today on this classified hilly stage.
Stage 3
Multiple Tour de France stage winner André Greipel shows today that he has kept his form as he takes the victory today in Lerma. No time losses in the peloton. Unai Ippagirre from Euskadi CT abandons the race.
Stage 4
I couldn’t see for the life of mine what in the world should classify today’s stage as another hilly one? Surely, that’s more of a joke of the organizers. Anyway, it doesn’t change the outcome though. Sergio Henao takes his second stage win here and has a comfortable lead by now. Surprisingly, Pablo Urtasun is on 7th, and once again is our best man in this finish. However, Mikel Nieve loses once more time, so does Carlos Betancur.
Stage 5
Sergio Henao in the leader’s jersey is the guy to beat for us today. However, Mikel Nieve has nearly 2 minutes gap on him, so don’t expect miracles. This is a transition race for Mikel from le Tour to the Vuelta, and we are keen to treat it as such. However, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to win and going over your limits here and there. Euskaltel – Euskadi tried multiple times to get into a breakaway during this Vuelta a Burgos, but today’s the day where we will follow this plan with more determination. The stage in itself does quite suit us. The finale 50 kilometers will be most important as the peloton climbs to times the Alto del Collado and the Pasil de Roizavientos. The finish is a few kilometers up of Pasil de Roizavientos though in Lagunas de Neila.
It’s really raining hard today, and while the break had a comfortable of up to 7 minutes in the beginning, it soon decreased as Caja Rural picked up the pace. With about 107 kilometers done, the true challenges of today’s stage lay ahead for the riders on the last 57 kilometers. Mikel Landa is featured in the break. Nikki Sörensen is the best of the riders in overall classification with about 1’46’’ behind Henao.
After the climb up to Alto del Collado, the riders enjoy only a short time of descending as the next mountain, 1-cat. climb Pasil del Rozavientos, is already waiting for them.
Snow is joining the action but here to the climb. And sure, this will be just another reason why the riders may wish the finish is already really here… but in fact, they have to climb this mountain once more time. But then again, some of the guys live for these days. The peloton is real close by now.
Erviti (MOV) is the fourth up at the mountain sprint. Ahead of him Zabriskie and Landa are chasing Bellemakers (LTB), who has set himself apart. Right now, Erviti is the leader of the mountain classification.
Damn it! Of course the snowy road is dangerous, and we see it as Jorge Azanza crashes in the downhill. Hopefully nothing serious. There goes our wildcard for the finish.
Kashechkin catches up to the 3 remaining riders at the front of the race. Now it’s the same procedure as before, only with less time: 1 minute remains on the peloton. Alto del Collado waits, and may I say: Will see a collision of… something?
Going into the last 15 kilometers, Caja Rural really work hard for Piedra, seen here in the mountain jersey. Sky does some work too for their leader’s jersey.
After the Alto del Collado, 10 kilometers remain and the break is in sight as only seconds are left between the front of the race and the peloton, consisting of still 56 riders.
Following the attack of Betancur, the peloton catches up to the breakaway for good. Velasco did some good work for Caja Rural, good thing he will ride for Euskaltel – Euskadi next year though.
With Landa caught, Verdugo and Nieve test their chemistry of pacing for each other as they look to make this climb hard. Another attack by Betancur is still successful though as he breaks free.
When Verdugo can’t go anymore, Nieve doesn’t lose much time on waiting and attacks of course. What else can Euskaltel – Euskadi riders do, they are raised and nurtured by that mentality.
While Henao dropped already the other riders just with his pace, Nieve enjoyed a second Betancur’s wheel until he attacked once more. 3.5 kilometers left, it’s gonna be tough.
Nieve shows his true prowess when after the mountain sprint, where has managed to put some serious time into Betancur and Henao. His lead is currently 37 seconds, with 2 kilometers left. All other riders just form their own groups as Henao and Betancur form a formidable Colombian duo but will it be enough against the will of a single basque rider?
It’s the final kilometer. This one should be safe… and without much interest in overall classification, since Sergio Henao has this one in the bags anyway, Mikel has all the time in the world now.
Gora Mikel, Gora Euskadi!
… he can enjoy this victory in the snowy landscape of Lagunas de Neila. Great job by the Alpe d’Huez winner, snatching his second victory of the season and he shows that he is truly a man to be considered of much more than just winning stages from a breakaway early on. His superb performance today, sees him also climbing the GC up to 2nd place, and since this is the last stage, it’s for good.
A great sign of form as the team prepares for the Vuelta d’Espana. Mikel Nieve claimed his status as co-leader impressively today.
Indeed everyone in basque country is super excited for our freaking home classic race. But first we gotta deal with the Eneco Tour. Also, there will be a major announcement ahead of the Vuelta a Espana to which I looked forward to since I started this story. It has been hinted here and there so far and it will involve you guys.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
We can expect at this year’s Eneco quite some bunch sprints and the bonus seconds could prove vital for the possible winner of the race. However, there are quite some opportunities to gain – and lose – time, like the team time trial, the time trial or the stage, which features some short cobbles and good climbs.
Stage 1
Although the first stage from Wallijk to Middelburg features flat and nothing but flat, the tsprint teams fail in catching the breakaway. Steve Chainel wins ahead of Gert Dockx and Thomas Degnand. Adriano Malori was featured in the break too and takes an unlucky 4th place but may profit from the 20 seconds lead later on in the Eneco Tour. None Euskaltel – Euskadi riders featured in the first 30, but none of them suffers any time loss as they all arrive safe within the peloton.
Stage 2
The nearly 19 kilometer long Team Time Trial in Sittard remains largely unimportant to us. Euskaltel – Euskadi ain’t famous for their abilities in the fight against the clock, and with about a minute to winning team, Omega Pharma, this just shows that. However, our guys have left some notable, presumably better time trial teams behind them. Radioshack and Sky complete the podium, this year’s Mailand – San Remo and Ronde winner Tom Boonen takes leader’s jersey.
Stage 2, Results
1
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
20'38
2
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 12
3
Sky Procycling
+ 25
4
Movistar Team
s.t.
5
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
6
BMC Racing Team
+ 38
7
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
8
Team Europcar
+ 49
9
Lotto Belisol
+ 57
10
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
11
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'02
12
Katusha Team
+ 1'09
13
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
14
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1'22
15
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'26
16
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
17
FDJ
+ 1'41
18
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
19
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
20
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'51
21
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'01
22
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
Spoiler
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
20'38
2
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Niki Terpstra
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
6
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Tony Gallopin
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 12
8
Ben Hermans
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
9
Fränk Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
10
Fabian Cancellara
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
11
Nelson Oliveira
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
12
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
13
Ian Stannard
Sky Procycling
+ 25
14
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
s.t.
15
Matthew Hayman
Sky Procycling
s.t.
16
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
17
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
s.t.
18
Luke Rowe
Sky Procycling
s.t.
19
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
20
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
21
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
22
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
s.t.
23
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
s.t.
24
Ángel Madrazo
Movistar Team
+ 32
25
Edward King
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
26
Maciej Bodnar
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
27
Tiziano Dall'Antonia
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
28
Brian Vandborg
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
29
Peter Sagan
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
30
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
31
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
+ 38
32
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
33
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
34
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
35
Daniel Oss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
36
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
37
Karsten Kroon
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
38
Matteo Tosatto
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
39
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
40
Benjamín Noval
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
41
Michael Rogers
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
42
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 40
43
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
+ 49
44
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
s.t.
45
Davide Malacarne
Team Europcar
s.t.
46
Pierre Rolland
Team Europcar
s.t.
47
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
s.t.
48
Morgan Lamoisson
Team Europcar
s.t.
49
Maarten Neyens
Lotto Belisol
+ 57
50
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
51
Gert Dockx
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
52
Greg Henderson
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
53
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
54
Tim Wellens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
55
Stijn Neirynck
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
56
Sander Armee
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
57
Jelle Wallays
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
58
Sven Vandousselaere
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
59
Yves Lampaert
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
60
Kenny De Ketele
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
61
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'02
62
Ricardo Mestre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
63
Stefan Radochla
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
64
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
65
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
66
Mikel Landa
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
67
Gatis Smukulis
Katusha Team
+ 1'09
68
Alberto Losada
Katusha Team
s.t.
69
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Katusha Team
s.t.
70
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
71
Xavier Florencio
Katusha Team
s.t.
72
Sergey Chernetskiy
Katusha Team
s.t.
73
Thierry Hupond
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
74
Patrick Gretsch
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
75
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
76
Ramon Sinkeldam
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
77
George Preidler
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
78
Tom Veelers
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1'14
79
Nick Nuyens
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1'22
80
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
81
Johan Vansummeren
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
82
Sébastien Rosseler
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
83
Ramunas Navardauskas
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
84
Jakob Rathe
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
85
Steve Chainel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'26
86
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
87
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
88
Gediminas Bagdonas
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
89
Romain Bardet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
90
Axel Domont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
91
Adriano Malori
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
92
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
93
Luca Wackermann
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
94
Winner Anacona
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
95
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
96
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
+ 1'35
97
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ
+ 1'41
98
Jussi Veikkanen
FDJ
s.t.
99
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
s.t.
100
Dominique Rollin
FDJ
s.t.
101
Francis Mourey
FDJ
s.t.
102
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
103
Sebastian Langeveld
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
104
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
105
Allan Davis
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
106
Svein Tuft
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
107
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
108
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
109
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
110
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
111
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
112
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
113
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
114
Valerio Agnoli
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'48
115
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'51
116
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
117
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
118
Juan Antonio Flecha
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
119
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
120
Willem Wauters
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
121
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'01
122
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
123
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
124
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
125
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
126
Sep Vanmarcke
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
127
Jurgen Van Goolen
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
128
Steven Caethoven
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
129
Thomas Degand
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
130
Roy Jans
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
131
Jerôme Gilbert
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
132
Grégory Habeaux
Accent Jobs - Wanty
+ 2'03
Stage 3
[img] https://i1291.phot...f88bc7.jpg[/img]
A flat stage with some hills on the way to Genk; they shouldn’t be underestimated. Euskaltel – Euskadi try to get one of ours into the break
Gorka Izagirre is featured alongside Italian champ Gasparotto (AST), Hoogerland (VCD), Iglinskiy (ALM), Favili (LAM), Rollin (FDJ) and Smukulis. Riding up the passage of the most obvious steep hills, the breakaway secured a lead of a minute by now… obviously not good enough after nearly 80 kilometers. One nice thing: Gorka Izagirre is right now the virtual leader of GC.
After the second intermediate sprint of the day, the break has at least gained a bit more time quite quickly as Team Argos – Shimano have decreased their efforts apparently. With about a lead of 3 minutes, they head into the last 40 kilometers. Most work is done by now by Gorka Izagirre and Gasparotto.
20 kilometers remain and the last intermediate sprint is behind them. The guys sprinted it out, but it’s unlikely that they will sprint it out for the finale, as the lead is decreased again to 1’30’’.
10 kilometers later, the spook is over as the peloton catches the break and the teams prepare themselves for a bunch sprint.
Team Argos – Shimano paces hard for Kittel up front, on his wheel are Edvald Boasson Hagen and Tom Boonen in the white jersey of the race’s leader.
With about a kilometer left, Kittel makes his movem, which was clearly too early though as Edvald Boasson Hagen and Boonen pass him after the last curve. It looked already everything set for a stage win of Team Sky but Peter Sagan (CAN) suddenly remerges from the crowded peloton and looks to be dangerously close for the stage win.
And yes, it wasn’t enough for Edvald Boasson Hagen as he loses unimaginable close to Peter Sagan. The Slovakian World Tour Rankings leader takes the stage win home and clearly shows that he is in a form to win this Eneco Tour. A split occurred in the peloton, and at first look only 57 riders seemed to have the same time as Sagan. I already thought that the curvy, difficult finish might cause some favourites to lose time, but eventually the jury decided to award everybody the same time.
Stage 3, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Peter Sagan
Cannondale Pro Cycling
4h11'11
2
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
s.t.
3
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Allan Davis
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
5
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
6
Greg Henderson
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
7
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
8
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
9
Steven Caethoven
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
10
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
12
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
13
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
14
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
15
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
16
Ramunas Navardauskas
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
17
Sven Vandousselaere
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
18
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
19
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
s.t.
20
Tony Gallopin
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
21
Fabian Cancellara
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
22
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
23
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
24
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
25
Stefan Radochla
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
26
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
27
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
28
Steve Chainel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
29
Johan Vansummeren
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
30
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
s.t.
31
Ramon Sinkeldam
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
32
Gediminas Bagdonas
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
33
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
s.t.
34
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
35
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
36
Sebastian Langeveld
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
37
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
38
Daniel Oss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
39
Davide Malacarne
Team Europcar
s.t.
40
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
41
Adriano Malori
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
42
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
43
Sébastien Rosseler
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
44
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
45
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
46
Roy Jans
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
47
Gert Dockx
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
48
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
49
Michael Rogers
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
50
Karsten Kroon
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
51
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
s.t.
52
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
53
Tom Veelers
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
54
Grégory Habeaux
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
55
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
56
Thomas Degand
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
57
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
58
Jurgen Van Goolen
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
59
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
60
Patrick Gretsch
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
61
Valerio Agnoli
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
62
Axel Domont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
63
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
64
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
65
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
66
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
67
Matteo Tosatto
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
68
Morgan Lamoisson
Team Europcar
s.t.
69
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
70
Ángel Madrazo
Movistar Team
s.t.
71
Jakob Rathe
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
72
Ben Hermans
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
73
Winner Anacona
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
74
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
75
Luca Wackermann
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
76
Luke Rowe
Sky Procycling
s.t.
77
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
78
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
79
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
80
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
81
Juan Antonio Flecha
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
82
Stijn Neirynck
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
83
Yves Lampaert
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
84
Maciej Bodnar
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
85
Ian Stannard
Sky Procycling
s.t.
86
Jelle Wallays
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
87
Niki Terpstra
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
88
Svein Tuft
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
89
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
90
Francis Mourey
FDJ
s.t.
91
Ricardo Mestre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
92
Matthew Hayman
Sky Procycling
s.t.
93
Jerôme Gilbert
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
94
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
95
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
96
Nelson Oliveira
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
97
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
s.t.
98
Kenny De Ketele
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
99
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ
s.t.
100
Sander Armee
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
101
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
102
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
103
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
104
Willem Wauters
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
105
Mikel Landa
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
106
Tiziano Dall'Antonia
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
107
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
108
Jussi Veikkanen
FDJ
s.t.
109
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
110
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
111
Romain Bardet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
112
Tim Wellens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
113
Dominique Rollin
FDJ
s.t.
114
Benjamín Noval
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
115
Nick Nuyens
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
116
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
s.t.
117
Pierre Rolland
Team Europcar
s.t.
118
Maarten Neyens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
119
Fränk Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
120
Gatis Smukulis
Katusha Team
s.t.
121
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
122
Xavier Florencio
Katusha Team
s.t.
123
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
124
Alberto Losada
Katusha Team
s.t.
125
Sergey Chernetskiy
Katusha Team
s.t.
126
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Katusha Team
s.t.
127
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2'25
128
George Preidler
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3'07
129
Thierry Hupond
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 4'55
130
Brian Vandborg
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
131
Edward King
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
132
Sep Vanmarcke
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 14'18
Stage 4
Today’s stage saw another flat stage from Heers to Bergen op Zoom. Marcel Kittel learned from yesterday and Team Argos – Shimano improved their sprint train, thus getting Kittel’s stage win since quite some time. It doesn’t justify Kittel’s rather weak showing at le Tour, but it’s a start. Sagan takes 2nd ahead of Allan Davis. Tom Boonen stays in leader’s jerseys. No time gaps in the peloton.
Stage 5
We take it lightly ahead of tomorrow’s time trial. The road’s profiles seem to be identical to each other like twins by now, another flat stage sees the second win by Kittel. Again, Sagan takes 2nd. Most of the riders arrive with the peloton, except for a small group of riders, containing Mikel Landa, who lose 53 seconds.
Thanks to his frequent time bonuses, Tom Boonen has managed to get quit some lead on the his teammates. Ahead of tomorrow’s time trial, he is leading with 18 seconds to Kwiatkowski.
Stage 6
Today’s time trial will be an important factor, as it’s the second last stage and with about 17 kilometers on the road, we can expect the first serious time gaps in the peloton ahead of tomorrow’s deciding stage. Favourites include Tony Martin, Fabian Cancellara, Edvald Boasson Hagen, last year’s winner Lars Boom and Michal Kwiatkowski.
Thanks to the Team Time Trial, 4 of our 6 riders start right after each other. Only Mikel Landa, who has lost time on a previous stage, is already in the finish, while André Schulze will get into the race soon. Somehow Florenico from Katusha is between Schulze and the here displayed Ion Izagirre. A difficult task for the team car, but both our rides concentrate on the Izagirre brothers.
Ion Izagirre is by far our best rider at the intermediate, ranking 14 seconds after current leader Navardauskas.
Heading into the last kilometer, Ion Izagirre has plenty of reserves left and activates them now.
His effort on the last meters clearly paid off as he is ranked 3rd in the finish. Only 5 seconsd behind Eneco Tour’s last year winner Lars Boom.
Michael Rogers passes his teammate Benjamin Noval as he sets the new best time incredible 18 seconds ahead of Lars Boom. But how much will this time be worth once the other contenders head to the finish line?
Swiss National Champion Fabian Cancellara didn’t have the best season yet, as he didn’t manage to pull off a win of huge importance. Maybe this Eneco Tour time trial can be a turning point for him? He later at least defeats Michael Rogers time at the intermediate in an impressive manner by 11 seconds.
Cancellara also sets a new best current time at the finish. Tony Martin meanwhile is only 3 seconds behind him at the intermediate.
Tom Boonen loses the leader’s jersey today to Tony Martin. The german just narrowly lost the stage win today against Cancellara, but at least kept the jersey in the rows of Omega Pharma. Meanwhile, it’s hard to predict who will win the Eneco Tour overall. Cancellara surely has the best cards now seeing in what a shape he is and tomorrow’s cobbles won’t play into the cards of Tony Martin’s aspirations for overall victory. But still, Omega Pharma have all the cards to play with 4 riders in Top 5, and don’t forget Tom Boonen. Edvald Boasson Hagen and Peter Sagan could have a crack at it too still. Ion Izagirre ranks 26th overall now and will hope to further improve after a decent enough time trial on, finishing on 16th.
Stage 7
Today’s stage is not for the faint of heart and there’s no question that the Eneco Tour will be decided today. And if you want if the cobbles are anything to go by: Yes, they are. After 200 kilometer, the stage sees a finish by no other climb than Geraardsbergen. You may also know it under the name of Muur Kappelmur or Le Mur de Grammot. Under these circumstances, it’s unlikely that Tony Martin of all Omega Pharma riders will be the winner of this year’s Eneco Tour, but hey – you never know… Fabian Cancellara, his toughest opponent, had to make the jump from being a time trial specialist to an allrounder with emphasis on the cobbles too on some illustrious day. Tony Martin’s day might just be up.
Spoiler
It’s an easy enough day for the break so far. Getting into it, wasn’t difficult at all for Gorka Izagirre and Omega Pharma are willing to let them get way out of sight with over 6 minutes lead after just 40 kilometers. It’s a long tough day, and 160 remaining kilometers are still left to be raced with many hills and some dangerous cobbles. Not surprisingly, some very fine experts are in this group: Former Ronde van Vlaanderen winner Nick Nuyens is probably alongside Daniel Oss the most notable name for today’s stage in the break.
As the hills start, Gorka Izagirre feels quite alright. The break jumps from village to village. Things are still calm in the peloton. It’s obvious that we are following a similar race tactic as in the cobble races in March and April. Get someone upfront and let Ion Izagirre have a shot later on.
At the very same hill in this town, the peloton put on the pace under the command of Radioshack, and it truly worked as seen here. Only 46 riders remain and many big names such as Vanmarcke, Ladagnous or Turgot are already dropped. Ion Izagirre and Mikel Landa are the only riders left in the peloton.
The larger group of riders behind the peloton don’t quit manage to catch up for now. Meanwhile I think, give me more cobble stage races!
But it wasn’t meant to be as the large group catches up to the peloton. Euskaltel – Euskadi doesn`t really profit from that though as Mestre was the only rider in the big group of chasers. Radochla and Sicard are hanging somewhere in a break minutes way beyond.
And only soon later, everything is back how it was. Gorka’s group upfront is still leading with nearly 6 minutes though.
But their pain can be seen as they head up Geraardsbergen the first time today. They see the finish but in truth, it’s still a long way to go.
Geraardsbergen causes some natural splits in the peloton too. Mikel Landa and Ion Izagirre are in this first group that already goes into downhill, while the major part of the peloton still climbs the vicious hill. Maybe this could lead to something since all major riders like Cancellara, the Omega Pharma most prominent riders and Peter Sagan are in this group? At least, Omega Pharma and Radioshack clearly want to try their luck as Hermans (RTL) and Tony Martin(!) are dictating the pace.
The following climb and some more riders are dropped, including Peter Sagan and Paris-Roubaix winner Terpstra. Mikel Landa just tries to hang on there somehow. Clearly not a cobbler, but he did a superb job. Ion Izagirre is still in the group with Cancellara, Chavanel and Tony Martin. But not Tom Boonen, the Belgian got dropped on this hill alongside Sagan. That’s a surprise. Will Omega Pharma risk bringing Sagan back into the game at the cost of teammates possible victory? And do they believe that it is better to hang onto Tony Martin, since he has a small time gap on Cancellara. Maybe they don’t think that the other riders have the potential to make up the time against Spartacus. At least that would explain why Chavanel is doing some work now.
Spoiler
What the hell? It’s Mikel Landa suddenly at the end of the group who managed to get back in the leader’s jersey group. How the hell did he pull that one off? Sagan, Boonen & Co. are a minute behind this group. Chapeaux!
Spoiler
Someone a bit later the group doesn’t have the same harmony going as in the previous race kilometers. Vacansoleil with Hoogerland keep it somehow up for Flecha, but Langeveld demands just some bottles and all the rest are looking at each other. Maybe they are assuming that this is somehow ridiculous that two Euskaltel riders are with them? Well, you better deal with it. They are here to stay. At least for now. Sagan meanwhile leads back the group with the help of his teammate Vandborg. They are now 18 riders again, but have about still 1’30’’ on the peloton. And Tony Martin is soon back to working for Boonen.
Spoiler
Ion Izagirre enjoys the ride alongside Mondory, with who had many adventures in the cobble classics this season already, when they were featured together in the many breakaways. It’s only fitting that they meet here again. Meanwhile, Saxo Tinkoff and world champion Gilbert (BMC) work for their captains as they come closer and closer to Group Tony Martin, and yes, they catch up a bit later on. Not good for our riders but alas, when you don’t work for it, you don’t deserve it anyway.
It’s crowded in here. Maybe another split will occur once more? It does indeed although a bit smaller. 38 riders. Most notable riders who are missing, are: Greg Van Avermaet, Turgot, Sinkeldam and Ladagnous.
Langeveld (OGE) was one of the rider’s featured alongside the top favourites and he shows his great form as he attacks in this downhill section, 40 kilometers from the finish. Flecha follows him a bit later and is the only rider willing to do so.
Spoiler
Shortly after, Lars Boom (BEL) attacks too and shows that it wasn’t a coincidence that he won last year’s Eneco Tour.
Great racing by Flecha and Langeveld who catch up to the break in the climb of Geraardsbergen. They have about 3 minutes to the peloton. Quite impressive.
A bit later on, Niki Terprstra shows his class by pacing up Muur Kappelmurr too. Strong performance by him. He is a team rider but certainly would be capable of winning such a stage too. Maybe he pays back today for his victory of Paris-Roubaix when Boonen and him played it ouf perfectly, with the former suffering a puncture later on?
Of course, in the descent there appears another gap. Izagirre and Landa are both in the first group. Is this the time to get to work now? Well, probably not. Niki Terprstra is a beast. Tony Martin and Cancellara are featured alongside Hayman (SKY) and King (CAN) in this break together. Herrmans is the last rider. 40 seconds to Group Boonen.
The break’s lead is still comfortable though. Gorka Izagirre can hang, but with riders such as Flecha, Langeveld and Oss, this will become more and more a question of when and not if he will drop.
Can you believe it? Gorka Izagirre was the fasted in the downhill and actually had quite a gap on the other riders, but Flecha and two other riders are quick to counter. Meanwhile, the peloton once more catches up to Gorka’s brother Ion… jeez. 4 minutes to the peloton. 20 kilometers left.
Spoiler
Excuse my laugh, but Pierre Rolland of all people wants to get serious here in this flat section and attacks? What the hell?! Gorka Izagirre and Flecha don’t even have to pay any extra effort to keep him at bay…
Omega Pharma seemed to have fucked it up you think? Well, they have decreased the lead and certainly Tony Martin holds the leader’s jersey virtual again. The lead of the break is still over 2 minutes though, so the stage win might be decided. But at least Peter Sagan attacks now with 10 kilometers left, Ion Izagirre tries his luck at his wheel, but unfortunately, they don’t get anywhere.
A bit over 5 kilometers, Gorka Izagirre is ready to make this one count now. There was a small cobblestone section, but hey – nevermind that one. It was real small. This hill could be so freaking important now, just to get enough time on the others.
But well, the real cobblesection of Kappelmuur/Geraardsbergen is way tougher and longer . Gorka Izagirre is determined to get over it at the fast and even…
…attacks in the downhill, Armee the only one trying to hold his wheel for now. But his move doesn’t seem to be quite good enough yet.
Spoiler
Ion Izagirre is an illustrious group too, as he is the only rider next to Boonen, Kwiatkowski and Terpstra who isn’t named Philippe Gilbert. The world Champion attacks in the downhill.
There they go, there they sprint. Gorka Izagirre has still some meters. The downhill plays in his favor now. I guess, I hope…
Every meter, every breath counts… Roughly 100 meters to the others.
But no, there they are… but this isn’t over. There’s still that cobbled climb. Save your energy Gorka, at least a bit of it…
Oss and Langeveld are the first to take the corner and gain a look at the finish.
And it’s a win for Daniel Oss. The Italian rider wins the stage for BMC. Gorka Izagirre is incredible exhausted after this finish, but well – that finish sure was worth it to give everything. The basque rider takes 10th on the stage.
They are not even completely in the finish, and the favourites race up the climb. Tony Martin is at the far end of that group, while Boonen overtakes Neyens. Cancellara was a bit ahead too though, so it will be interesting if any time gaps appeared in the sprint of the peloton. And then, I hear a massive noise of uproar from the Omega Pharma team bus as the winner is announced:
It`s Fabian Cancellara. 4 seconds ahead of Chavanel. Kwiatkowski and Terpstra finish 3rd and 4th. Tony Martin lost quite some time and fell back on 8th. Our best guy in the general classification is Ion Izagirre with a nice 16th place, Gorka Izagirre makes Top 25 too and lands on a soft 19th spot.
Stage 7, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Daniel Oss
BMC Racing Team
5h07'29
2
Sebastian Langeveld
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
3
Nick Nuyens
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
4
Juan Antonio Flecha
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
6
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Xavier Florencio
Katusha Team
s.t.
8
Sander Armee
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
9
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ
s.t.
10
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Thomas Degand
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
12
Pierre Rolland
Team Europcar
s.t.
13
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 42
14
Peter Sagan
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
15
Maarten Neyens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
16
Fabian Cancellara
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
17
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
18
Sven Vandousselaere
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
19
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
20
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
21
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
s.t.
22
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
23
Karsten Kroon
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
24
Allan Davis
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
25
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
26
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
27
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
28
Niki Terpstra
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
29
Matthew Hayman
Sky Procycling
+ 1'27
30
Michael Rogers
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
31
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
s.t.
32
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
33
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
34
Maciej Bodnar
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
35
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
+ 2'15
36
Tony Gallopin
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 3'20
37
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
+ 3'28
38
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
39
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
40
Ramunas Navardauskas
Garmin - Sharp
+ 3'47
41
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
42
Tom Veelers
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
43
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
44
Greg Henderson
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
45
Ramon Sinkeldam
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
46
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
47
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
s.t.
48
Ian Stannard
Sky Procycling
+ 4'09
49
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
+ 4'23
50
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'32
51
Romain Bardet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
52
Yves Lampaert
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
53
Gediminas Bagdonas
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
54
Stijn Neirynck
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
55
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
56
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
57
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
58
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
59
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
60
Sébastien Rosseler
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
61
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
s.t.
62
Luke Rowe
Sky Procycling
s.t.
63
Svein Tuft
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
64
Brian Vandborg
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
65
Ricardo Mestre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
66
Mikel Landa
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
67
Ben Hermans
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
68
Matteo Tosatto
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 5'11
69
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 5'26
70
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
71
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
+ 5'47
72
Jelle Wallays
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
73
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
74
Tiziano Dall'Antonia
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
75
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
s.t.
76
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
77
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
+ 6'09
78
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
79
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
80
Jurgen Van Goolen
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
81
Gert Dockx
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
82
Steven Caethoven
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
83
Nelson Oliveira
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
84
Johan Vansummeren
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
85
Adriano Malori
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
86
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
87
Benjamín Noval
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
88
Steve Chainel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
89
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
90
Patrick Gretsch
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
91
Francis Mourey
FDJ
s.t.
92
Fränk Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
93
Valerio Agnoli
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
94
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
s.t.
95
Dominique Rollin
FDJ
s.t.
96
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
97
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
98
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 7'02
99
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
100
Axel Domont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
101
Tim Wellens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
102
Edward King
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
103
Gatis Smukulis
Katusha Team
s.t.
104
Winner Anacona
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
105
Grégory Habeaux
Accent Jobs - Wanty
+ 8'33
106
Jakob Rathe
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
107
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
108
Kenny De Ketele
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
109
Alberto Losada
Katusha Team
s.t.
110
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
111
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
112
Roy Jans
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
113
Ángel Madrazo
Movistar Team
s.t.
114
Jussi Veikkanen
FDJ
s.t.
115
Luca Wackermann
Lampre - Merida
+ 9'30
116
George Preidler
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
117
Willem Wauters
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 10'18
118
Sergey Chernetskiy
Katusha Team
s.t.
119
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
120
Davide Malacarne
Team Europcar
+ 10'36
121
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Katusha Team
+ 11'14
122
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
123
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 11'44
124
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
125
Jerôme Gilbert
Accent Jobs - Wanty
+ 12'15
126
Morgan Lamoisson
Team Europcar
s.t.
127
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
+ 20'30
128
Thierry Hupond
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
129
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
ENECO Tour, Final Standings
General Classification: Fabian Cancellara (RTL) Points Classification: Peter Sagan (CAN) Mountain Classification: N/A Team Classification: Omega Pharma, Belgium U25 Classification: Michal Kwiatkowski (OPQ)
, whish earned him a well deserved place on the Final podium 
