Today's the finish of a really successful tour for us. The last stage is a criterium, twelve rounds in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital. We aim for the sixth victory with Petacchi. Considering his last performances, I think it should be possible.
I really hope that this won't become standard: The game crashed again. Therefore, no screens. But the stage wasn't that spectacular anyway.
The couse is quite short today, and many riders tried to get into the break of the day. Their problem: There was no break of the day. Not a single try was successful, neither the ones of big groups up to 13 riders, nor some solo attacks. The sprinter teams were very careful.
Our lead out was Pietropolli, as usually. He did his job good and began the sprint being completely in the wind. Consequently, he faded soon, but Hondo didn't. Petacchi neither. Our run persists.
The rider of the tour is easily defined: With 6 wins out of 6 sprint finishes, Alessandro Petacchi overtops everything and everyone in Malaysia. No one was able to even come close to him.
Another rider who performed extraordinary well was of course the overall champion, Johan Mombaerts. Usually in another category (MO 71), he challenged the favorites and won stage 5 and the whole tour, a huge victory for his small team, Big Mat – Auber 93.
A rider that I have expected more of is Katusha's Yury Trofimov. He was one of the best climbers in the peloton and performed really well in the Giro della Calabria. A sixth overall isn't that bad, though.
Furthermore, there is Tiago Machado. Actually, it's not fair to call him a disappointment, as he rode really well in the mountains and was ranked second in the overall. But in the end, was it because of a puncture or a crash, he ended up 14th, which is certainly a disappointment for him.
The tour for Lampre – ISD
The trip to Malaysia was really successful for us – as the whole season so far. Six stage wins and a second overall are hard to top, although my tactical mistake on stage five still grieves me a little. But considering that he climbed alone for nearly the double amount of time, Cunego did a good job hanging on during the last kilometres, which gives me hope for Tirreno-Adriatico.
Hondo again proved to be an impressively competent lead out for Petacchi. Loosli, Pietropolli and Gavazzi all did a great job as domestiques. So all in all, there is very, very little to complain about.
The race to the sun is an early highlight in the calendar. The first of eight stages is a short, 9km time trial in Monfort-l'Amaury. After two more or less flat stages, the competition for the GC starts with the hilly stage four to Aurillac.
The second half of the race contains of two stages with short finishing climbs and two hilly stages with a rather flat end.
The favorites
The field is remarkably strong. Nearly all top grand-tour riders are here, including the big two, Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador, who start their season here. Other contenders are Euskaltel's Sammy Sanchez and Geox' Denis Menchov. Only the likes of Basso and Nibali, and maybe Cadel Evans, are missing, Liquigas seems to concentrate on Tirreno-Adriatico, sending Peter Sagan as their captain to France.
In addition to the top riders named above, there are some really good climbers present, for example Danilo Di Luca, Robert Gesink, and of course our own captain Michele Scarponi. HTC-Highroad comes to France with Marco Pinotti and Tony Martin, but they would have to make a lot of time in the time trial to realistically aim for a top position in the GC.
As there are only two real sprinter stages, the sprinter's concurrence isn't too big. It's not that bad either, of course. Garmin brings in Tyler Farrar and Heinrich Haussler, challenged by Matthew Goss, Movistar's Joaquim Rojas, Daniele Benatti (Leopard) or Allan Davis (Astana). It'll be interesting to see what the old Australian, Robbie McEwen is still able to achieve.
With Michele Scarponi, our main grand-tour leader starts his season here. Andrey Kashechkin and Przemyslav Niemiec will be a good support in the mountains. Considering the strong peloton, my goal for him are the top 5.
For the sprints, our man is Grega Bole. Especially the third stage, with some hills close to the finish, should suit him well.
Michele Scarponi Anrdey Kashechkin Przemyslaw Niemiec Grega Bole Manuele Mori Marco Marzano Matteo Bono Enrico Magazzini
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I'm going on holiday tomorrow. I don't know whether I'll have internet there, so maybe you'll have to wait until next thursday for the next posts Edited by cunego59 on 21-04-2011 19:44
Wow, 6/7 stage wins in Malaysia, omg. Just a hint: if you're afraid of your game crashing (which has happened some times now) you could take 1 or 2 'backup' screens while playing.
Good luck for Paris - Nice, real challenge begins now =)
07.03.2011
Paris – Nice: Stage 1
The prologue isn't that easy: Two small climbs with a grade up to 4,5% are waiting for the riders on the 8,1km long course.
I'm sorry, but this time it was my fault that there are no screenshots: I didn't know that there obviously is no replay for time trials. But for a time trial, they are less important as for other stages, at least in my opinion. Next time, I'll shoot the screens right away.
One of the favorites for today, Contador's super domestique and Australian champion Richie Porte (Saxo Bank) set an early best time: 12'23“.
Our Kazakh Andrey Kashechkin equalized his time at the checkpoint, but couldn't hold his tempo, finishing 22 seconds behind Porte, which eventually brings him the 49th overall rank.
Movistar's captain, Ruben Plaza, flew downright through the parcours, less than a second slower than Porte.
Another contender for today's stage win did well, but not well enough: Swedish champion Gustav Erik Larsson finished 1 second behind his teammate.
Michele Scarponi did really well in the first part, but than declined a little, finishing 20 seconds behind the current leader, eventually he'll be 39th overall.
Denis Menchov, the only favorite who allready has ridden a race this year, did quite well: 12'31“, twelve seconds behind.
Andy Schleck did the best he could to limit his losses today, and he ended up only 20 seconds behind Porte, isochronal with Scarponi, but one place behind him in the GC.
Samuel Sachez wasn't able to come close to Porte either, but with a time of 12'35“, he ended up 8 seconds in front of his Luxembourgish rival.
Then, it was time for Alberto Contador. Usually, he is one of the best time trialists in the peloton, but he seemed to have a bad day today: He lost five seconds to Sanchez, eventually finishing 30th in the GC.
Richie Porte's time lasted for a really long time, but then a German came and crushed it. But it wasn't the expected Tony Martin, but surprisingly Leopard's oldie Jens Voigt. 12'19“ means four seconds ahead of the best of the rest.
Tony Martin, the big favorite for today, started shortly after him. But he wasn't able to compete with his elder compatriot: He finished 8 seconds behind him.
Again thanks for all the comments allthough I might not have responded to each. The real challenges indeed are about to begin now.
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08.03.2011
Paris – Nice: Stage 2
Today is the only totally flat stage of this year's edition of the race to the sun. As Bole hasn't the best chances in the sprint, we'll be trying to get into the break.
No sooner said than done, Manuele Mori tried his best to get into the break of the day. The first part of the race was very hectic, lots of riders attacked.
But the field didn't want to let any group go until the first intermediate sprint. A group of five riders broke free: Karsten Kroon (BMC), Paolo Longo Borghini (Liquigas), Romain Sicard (Euskaltel), Oliver Kaisen (Omega) and Jonas Aaen Jörgensen (Saxo Bank).
A but surprising, four riders tried a late escape: Katusha's Leif Hoste, Sky's Juan Antonio Flecha, Frenchman Thibault Pinot (FDJ) and Steven Kruijswijk for Rabobank. The latter got caught early, but the others established a solid lead and eventually closed the gap to the first group.
But that didn't change anything: Soon enough, they all were brought back to the pack and the preperations for the sprint began.
Bole was in a good position behind Enrico Gasparotto, who lead out for Allan Davis, Koldo Fernandez and Daniele Benatti (right). On the other side of the street, RadioShack pulled a train of for Robbie McEwen, who was followed by Farrar and Rojas.
McEwen, Farrar and Australian champion Allen Davis seemed to be the strongest. Bole had changed the wheel he was following and was now right behind the Garmin-sprinter. Next to him were Euskaltel's Koldo Fernandez and Joaquim Rojas.
McEwen had a little advance, but the old man couldn't hold his speed. Farrar raised his arms in victory. Davis completes the podium while Bole does a really respectable fourth place.
Gustav Erik Larsson crashed and never came back again. He therefore lost his Top-10 rank
A favorite's win today. Farrar proved to be both strongest and cleverest. Bole went really well, in this relatively strong field, a fourth is a great result.
Thanks both. Indeed, our sprinting results are very satisfying so far. I hope it will continue like that, especially considering Milan - San Remo.
09.03.2011
Paris – Nice: Stage 3
The last stage that is categorized as a flat stage. The uphill finish should suit sprinters with some puncheur qualities, like Grega Bole.
Cyril Dessel takes the first mountain sprint, coming out of the group of four. But the group didn't last long.
The break of the day was created a couple of kilometres later. Two national champions honoured the group with their presence: Sky's Christian Knees and Belorussian champion Alexandr Kuschynski (Katusha). Other notable riders were Luke Roberts (Saxo Bank) and Rafael Valls (Geox). The latter was first in the second mountain sprint.
The break was caught with about 25km to go.
Alessandro Ballan (BMC) attacked at the last mountain sprint, 10km to go. But the pack was careful and the sprint preperations began.
Bole didn't really got a good wheel but held himself at the front. Davis was in a good position, lead out by his teammate Gasparotto (Astana). On the right, Hunter pulled McEwen to the front, followed by Tyler Farrar and Joaquin Rojas.
Entering the uphill section, Davis was in front. Was it too early for the Australian champion? Omega's Roelandts and Leopard's Bennati were right behind him, Bole a couple of positions behind.
Allan Davis showed an impressive strength and won with a comfortable advance. Romain Feillu oversprinted Bennati and came in second. Grega Bole repeated his strong fourth from yesterday.
Tony Martin had to help Matthew Goss, who crashed during the race. But they never came back to the pack. So after Larsson yesterday, another Top-10 rider lost his rank
After his third rank yesterday, Allan Davis proved enormous strength today. Bole again with a great performance.
Thank you. Bole is doing well so far. About Martin: "Officially", Pinotti is HTC´s leader, at least he´s listed first in the startlist. That´s probably why he was sent back, although he had better chances in the GC.
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10.03.2011
Paris – Nice: Stage 4
With 210 km, three mountains of the fourth and three of the third category, one of them 2km in front of the finish in Aurillac, the tougher stages begin today. Scarponi will try to hang on to the favorites, and depending on how he feels, maybe try something on the last hill.
After the first mountain sprint, several groups were splitted in front of the peloton. Among the top riders were the likes of Leif Hoste (Katusha) and Volodymir Gustov (Saxo Bank), a bit further behind Michel Albasini and co. Later on, they joined each other.
The group grew a maximum advance of 8 minutes, until the peloton started to enforce the pace. Especially Leopard did a lot of work.
Albasini came in first in most of the mountain sprints and will wear the jersey tomorrow.
The escapees were caught early, and with about 15 km to go, the first favorites started to attack, namely Sammy Sanchez and Alberto Contador, accompanied by mountain jersey wearer Alessandro Ballan.
Unfortunatly, Scarponi missed the right time to attack, and when he did, he had problems to get away from the Rabobank-led pack.
He found himself in a group of five together with Andy Schleck, allready a minute behind the leading group aroud Contador.
3km in front of the finish, Saxo Bank's leader attacked.
Scarponi had nothing more to give and came in 19th, 1'18 after the winner, 56'' after the likes of Contador, Schleck and Sanchez, and got the same time as the peloton.
A surprising result today. French domination. For us, the day wasn´t good at all, we lost nearly a minute to many other favorites, allthough e.g. Contador didn´t seem to be in too good shape. The big time gaps are still to come, hopefully Scarponi will do better then.
I hope so, too. We'll see...
BTW, I will first finish the P-N reports and then do Tirreno - Adriatico. I think that is better/clearer.
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11.03.2011
Paris – Nice: Stage 5
Today is the first mountain stage of this tour. The finish is only 2,5km long but really steep and will probably create some time gaps.
The game crashed again, this time during the replay. Very strange, never happened to me before. For the next stages I will take lluuiiggii's advice and take some screens during the race
A group of six riders dominated today, riding in front most of the time. The group featured some good climbers like Katushas's Daniel Moreno, Portuguese Sergio Paulinho (RadioShack) and our Przemyslav Niemiec. They had a maximum advance of 7:30, but never got even close to the victory.
These two groups of three entered the last climb with a little gap between each other and to the field. Obviously, none of those gaps would be closed, so Sanchez was fighting the two frenchmen for the victory.
@ricotero: I really hope that he will continue like that and not like he did the stage before. But the next stages aren't very hard so big time gaps aren't expected. Anyways, thanks. Luck will probably be needed
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12.03.2011
Paris – Nice: Stage 6
The sixth stage leads the peloton from Pernes-les-Fontaines to Aix-en-Provence. It shouldn't be too selective, as the most difficult mountain is far from the finish. The slight uphill finish could suit Grega Bole, if he arrives in the first group.
FDJ controlled the pack so none of the early breakaways succeeded. After the first rated mountain, Pierre Roland (Europcar) and Alessandro Ballan (BMC) created a gap.
The pack was really lively now: Lots of riders attacked. Scarponi countered Contador's attack.
They found themselves in a group behind the yellow jersey. But while Contador continued to attack, Scarponi seemed allready empty. A repition of stage 4?
… while Scarponi was suffering at the end of the E3-group, a minute behind the leaders. Grega Bole caught up to support him, but Scarponi was totally empty, so all they could do was trying to minimize the loss of time.
Scarponi came in 1'03 after the winner. He therefore loses his Top-10 overall. Very disappointing, that he obviously isn't able to attack more than once, allthough he meanwhile is in a decent shape. But again, part of the blame is on me, as I again missed the right group to attack.
I think I can bury my hopes for a Top-5 result in France after today. At least, the Top-10 are in reach. That must be the goal for the last two stages.
13.03.2011
Paris – Nice: Stage 7
Today the riders face the queen stage of this race. Eight categorized climbs will cause a lot of trouble for the pack. Probably, the GC will be fixed today as tomorrow's stage isn't too hard. Our goal for today is to bring Scarponi back in the Top 10.
Another goal for us was to get the mountain jersey with Przemyslav Niemiec. He is allready third in this ranking, and there are a lot of points to get this stage.
He tried really hard to get into the BOTD, and finally, he got into a 14-men break. Unfortunatly, KoM-leader Michael Albasini (HTC) was also present. Some other riders are Sergio Paulinho (RadioShack), Gustav Erik Larsson (Saxo Bank) and Daniel Moreno (Katusha), all of them were allready very active in the recent stages.
Albasini and Niemiec fought for the intermediate mountain sprints, Sergio Paulinho took a lot of them as well but his deficit was too high. In the end, we failed again, and the Swiss took the jersey with one point of advance. Maybe, tomorrow, we'll try again.
The first favorite's attack is launched by Robert Gesink on the bottom of the last hill. He is approaching Niemiec, who in the meantime fell back from the first group.
At least on top of the mountain, he takes part in the top group. Nine riders will start the descent together. Missing from the Top-10 are Andy Schleck and Cristophe Kern, Sammy Sanchez is only about 20 seconds behind and catches up a little later, as well as Schleck.
Christophe Kern is back in the pack. He's the one that Scarponi may overtake to get into the Top 10. Kern had an advance of 1'10, the leading group is 1'45 in front: It looks good.
What a pity the 6th stage! Scarponi had a bad day. Good luck trying to reach the top10. Stay alert with the big names... and may be a last attack (Scarponi is not a contender for the GC) could give you the Top10.
Damn, I thought Scarponi had done it into the Top 10 when I saw there was a blue name in GC and you usually post only 10 names, but this time you posted 11 =P Good luck for tomorrow, a Top 10 is still in reach.
