The first of the major classics races, The epic 297km Milan San Remo is upon us! The route is familiar to all, and we look to deliver for our sponsors, who have asked for a top 5 here in MSR.
Personally, we have a different goal, No american, has EVER won the Milan-San Remo (Closest was our own man Fred Rodriguez in 2002 2nd place), and as an all american WT team, we want to change that, and we have 2 men who we will be trying to set up.
Squad
Leader: Chris Horner
Sprinter: Tyler Farrar
Free: Chad Beyer
Free: David Zabriskie
Teammates: Taylor Phinney, Sheldon Deeny, Fred Rodriguez, Christian Meier
Should the Punchers make there break on La Cipressa/La Poggio Da San Remo, we will send Chris Horner with them, and battle out the finish with likely names such as Kreuziger, Gilbert, Cancellara and Schleck. If however the teams such as Lampre and HTC manage to control the breaks, then we will be working for Tyler Farrar, who is in peak form, and will look to deliver on the Via Roma.
In terms of favourites, the 3 names pre-race that have been selected by the bookies, are Cavendish, Gilbert, and Cancellara, whilst Farrar is given an outside chance. The big trio are all stars, but with Gilbert aiming for the Ardennes, Cav for Green, and Cancellara for Roubaix, will any of them be hitting peak form at this point of the season?
It will all be decided here in the next few key hours of racing.
Following a disappointing start to the WT season, with two low GC placings, we come to MSR with high hopes for our chances, the breakaway took a long time to form (about 75km) but when they were finally allowed free, the usual suspect- Chad Beyer had found a spot up ahead of the road, with 5men including Janéz Brajkovic.
As the group passed through the Passo Del Turchino tunnel, they held 6minutes on the peloton, everyone working nicely, and HTC were grinding on the front of the peloton, in an effort to try and stop the escapees, it looked like being a long day for them, leading the pack from 100km in.
On Le Manie, the riders out in front were brought much closer, as the main group split, leaving a main group of 64riders, we had 2 men miss the split, but were on of the better represented squads in the main group.
No major splits then occurred as the riders headed toward La Cipressa, where Voigt, Cunego, Cancellara and Horner started to move to the front, though without actually making an attack, preferring to wait until later on. On the descent of la Cipressa, our race tactic was finally decided a disaster- Chris Horner hit the deck, he was fine, but it put our Puncher out of contention.
The pace from HTC was so high on the climb, that Cunego and Voigt were instantly brought back following there attack on the Poggio, only Cancellara and Gilbert carried anything frowards into the final straight, as Farrar found the wheel of Thor Hushovd who was pushing a good pace out in front.
The racers entered the final straight, the Punchers still in sight, but with the gap so large, Farrar decided to abandon the wheel of Hushovd, and go for a long sprint to catch the punchers who were looking well set.
FARRAR WINS IN SAN REMO!!!! Excellent sprint by the AMERICAN, he times it to perfection, coming easliy around the rest, and can throw his arms into the air, 100m from the line! First american EVER to win the MSR!!
1
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Duke
7h07'56
2
Fabian Cancellara
Leopard Trek
s.t.
3
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
4
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
5
Thor Hushovd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
6
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
7
Matthew Goss
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
8
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
9
Jens Voigt
Leopard Trek
s.t.
10
Matti Breschel
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Daniele Bennati
Leopard Trek
s.t.
12
Mark Cavendish
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
13
Allan Davis
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
14
Heinrich Haussler
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
15
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
16
Filippo Pozzato
Katusha Team
s.t.
17
Grégory Rast
Team RadioShack
s.t.
18
Tom Boonen
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
19
Simon Gerrans
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
20
Óscar Freire
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
21
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
22
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
23
Martin Elmiger
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
24
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
25
Linus Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
s.t.
26
Stijn Devolder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
27
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
28
Sylvain Chavanel
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
29
Tony Martin
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
30
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
31
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
s.t.
32
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
33
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
34
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
35
Ryder Hesjedal
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
36
Maxime Monfort
Leopard Trek
s.t.
37
Fabian Wegmann
Leopard Trek
s.t.
38
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
39
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
40
Sergueï Ivanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
41
Sebastian Langeveld
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
42
Ben Hermans
Team RadioShack
s.t.
43
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
44
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
s.t.
45
Leif Hoste
Katusha Team
s.t.
46
Nick Nuyens
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
47
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
48
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
s.t.
49
Luca Mazzanti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 2'58
50
Bernhard Eisel
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
51
Baden Cooke
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
52
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
53
Robbie McEwen
Team RadioShack
s.t.
54
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
55
Paolo Longo Borghini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
56
Johan Van Summeren
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
57
Maxim Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
58
Daniel Oss
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
59
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
60
Andreas Klier
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
61
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
62
Fred Rodriguez
Exxon Duke
s.t.
63
Hayden Roulston
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
64
Janez Brajkovič
Team RadioShack
s.t.
65
Chris Horner
Exxon Duke
+ 4'03
66
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
67
Jeremy Hunt
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
68
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
69
Michael Mørkøv
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
70
Andrey Kashechkin
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
71
Gerald Ciolek
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
72
Frederik Willems
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
73
George Hincapie
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
74
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
75
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
76
Roger Hammond
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
77
David Zabriskie
Exxon Duke
s.t.
78
Ben Swift
Sky ProCycling
+ 6'43
79
Haimar Zubeldia
Team RadioShack
s.t.
80
Kristof Goddaert
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 7'55
81
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
82
John Degenkolb
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
83
Mark Renshaw
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
84
Sheldon Deeny
Exxon Duke
s.t.
85
Matteo Tosatto
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
86
Lars Ytting Bak
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
87
Coen Vermeltfoort
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
88
Francesco Gavazzi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
89
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
90
Marco Marzano
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
91
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
92
Geoffroy Lequatre
Team RadioShack
s.t.
93
Tanel Kangert
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
94
Theo Bos
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
95
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
96
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
+ 9'07
97
Iñaki Isasi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 9'31
98
Sébastien Hinault
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 10'11
99
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 10'43
100
Santo Anza
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
101
Amets Txurruka
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
102
Patrik Sinkewitz
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
103
Niki Terpstra
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
104
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
105
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
106
Wouter Weylandt
Leopard Trek
s.t.
107
Gert Steegmans
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
108
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
109
Vicente Reynès
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
110
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
111
Sven Van Dousselaere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
112
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
113
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
114
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
115
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
116
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
s.t.
117
Alan Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
118
José Serpa
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
119
Damiano Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
120
Gert Dockx
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 11'39
121
Michał Kwiatkowski
Team RadioShack
+ 12'11
122
Davide Viganò
Leopard Trek
s.t.
123
Juan José Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
124
Marcel Sieberg
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
125
Manuele Boaro
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
126
Luis Pasamontes
Movistar Team
s.t.
127
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
128
Andrea Guardini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
129
David Millar
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
130
Bart De Clercq
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
131
Brian Vandborg
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
132
José Vicente García Acosta
Movistar Team
s.t.
133
Mathieu Perget
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
134
Alessandro Bertolini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
135
Giairo Ermeti
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
136
Francisco Pérez
Movistar Team
s.t.
137
Simon Zahner
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
138
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
139
Massimo Graziato
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 14'03
140
Matteo Rabottini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
141
Leonardo Giordani
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
142
Alan Marangoni
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
143
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
144
Jarosław Marycz
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
145
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
146
José Rujano
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
147
Vladimir Karpets
Katusha Team
s.t.
148
Cayetano Sarmiento
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
149
Vladimir Miholjevic
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
150
Luca Solari
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
151
Marco Bandiera
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
152
Jack Bobridge
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
153
Joost Van Leijen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
154
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 15'07
155
Fabio Taborre
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
156
Sébastien Minard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
157
Alessandro Proni
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
158
Roman Kireyev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
159
Dimitri Champion
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 16'43
160
Chad Beyer
Exxon Duke
+ 17'15
161
Sergio Pardilla
Movistar Team
+ 18'43
162
Taylor Phinney
Exxon Duke
s.t.
163
Alessandro Donati
Acqua & Sapone
+ 19'07
164
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
165
Daniele Righi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
166
Ben King
Team RadioShack
+ 21'39
167
Francesco Chicchi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 22'19
168
Carlos Betancourt
Acqua & Sapone
+ 23'31
169
Antonio Santoro
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
170
Elia Favilli
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
171
Elia Viviani
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 27'47
172
Enrique Sanz
Movistar Team
s.t.
173
Simone Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
174
Christian Meier
Exxon Duke
s.t.
175
Andrea Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
176
Nicola D'Andrea
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
What a day for the team- showing we can mix it with the big boys! we were scared after Horners crash, as we would need help pulling back the late attacks, but we got it and Farrar timed his sprint to perfection!
Welcome all, to the Volta Cyclista Catalunya! we come here with fairly high expectations, in what is normally, a challenging race, with climbs, TT's and sharp finishes to break up the general classification.
Day 4 looks likely to be the most decisive, with 2 selective climbs close to the finish, we may see an attack here which will carry its weight to the end of the week.
The squad here is very strong, led by our Veteran Lance Armstrong. To help him in the climbs he will have support from Danielson, and a group of men all of whom are very capable in the mountains, we hope to make a strong showing on days where the sprinters and weaker men will tire.
Last years winner does not return to defend his title, and teh favourites list has some serious names enscribed. The three men selected pre-race, were Kreuziger-Currently in sparkling form can he continue his spring run?
Armstrong- Yet to ride this season, but in good shape none the less, and looking to score strongly in his return race.
Nibali- The italian is heading to Italy in may, and will be looking to take good form with him, can Catalunya provide a stepping stone?
Outsiders include- Popovych, Porte, Sanchéz and Peraud, will they prove stronger than the 3 and take the win...
The first stage is a 4km prologue ride, we are hopeful of limiting losses today, with the distance so short, no one should be able to earn a large gap.
The early lead was taken by our own man, the US TT champion- Taylor Phinney he rode 20th, and set a much stronger time, which looked good early on.
After 35(ish) riders had set of, Euskaltel rider Gorka Verdugo, a full 11" quicker! he was well set, and many riders who had high hopes for the day fell short, including David Millar of Garmin.
With just a very few riders remaining, his time was smashed, by Janez Brajkovic, as the best riders really started to come home, and eat serious chunks out of Gorkas time.
The days favourite was Bradley Wiggins, the team sky leader, however, he looked far from up to the job, placing a weak time, he seems out of form at the moment, can he improve during the week?
3 riders were left to set off, Kreuziger first, Armstrong second and finally Samuel Sanchéz, not that the second two mattered! Kreuziger continues his fine run of form, with a destructive ride in the prologue, a full 10" quicker than second place Barredo over the 4km.
Armstrong couldn't touch the time, but managed to limit his losses to just 22" on the day, he is well set for later in the race, as his fitness really starts to improve.
Stage Results
1
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
6'17
2
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 10
3
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
4
Janez Brajkovič
Team RadioShack
+ 11
5
Brent Bookwalter
BMC Racing Team
+ 13
6
Linus Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
+ 15
7
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 16
8
Adam Hansen
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
9
Markel Irizar
Team RadioShack
+ 18
10
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Tom Danielson
Exxon Duke
s.t.
12
Michael Mørkøv
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
13
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 20
14
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
15
Richie Porte
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 21
16
Bradley Wiggins
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
17
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
18
Kristof Vandewalle
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 22
19
José Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
20
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
21
Rein Taaramäe
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
22
Yaroslav Popovych
Team RadioShack
s.t.
23
Lance Armstrong
Exxon Duke
s.t.
24
Greg Henderson
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
25
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
26
Floyd Landis
Exxon Duke
+ 23
27
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
28
Stef Clement
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
29
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
30
Frantisek Rabon
HTC - Highroad
+ 24
31
Oleg Chuzhda
Caja Rural
s.t.
32
David Le Lay
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 25
33
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
34
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
s.t.
35
Vladimir Karpets
Katusha Team
s.t.
36
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
37
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
s.t.
38
Jack Bobridge
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
39
Kevyn Ista
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 26
40
David Millar
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
41
José Vicente García Acosta
Movistar Team
s.t.
42
Christian Vande Velde
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
43
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
44
Kristjan Koren
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
45
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
46
Aitor Pérez Arrieta
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
47
Xavier Florencio
Geox - TMC
s.t.
48
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
49
Daniel Oss
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 27
50
Borut Božic
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
51
Ivan Basso
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
52
Francisco Javier Aramendia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
53
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
54
Bart De Clercq
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
55
Luke Roberts
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
56
Joost Posthuma
Leopard Trek
+ 28
57
David Boucher
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
58
Grischa Niermann
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
59
Javier Moreno
Caja Rural
s.t.
60
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
61
Kanstantsin Siutsou
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
62
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 29
63
Taylor Phinney
Exxon Duke
s.t.
64
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
+ 30
65
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
s.t.
66
Damien Monier
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
67
Alan Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 31
68
David Blanco
Geox - TMC
s.t.
69
Grega Bole
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
70
Mirco Lorenzetto
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
71
Kasper Klostergaard
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
72
Francisco Pérez
Movistar Team
s.t.
73
Jérôme Pineau
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 32
74
Bjorn Selander
Exxon Duke
+ 33
75
Travis Meyer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
76
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
+ 34
77
Yevgeniy Nepomnyachshiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
78
Tomas Vaitkus
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
79
Scott Zwizanski
Exxon Duke
s.t.
80
Cameron Wurf
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
81
Tom Leezer
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
82
Philip Deignan
Team RadioShack
s.t.
83
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 35
84
Arkaitz Durán
Geox - TMC
s.t.
85
Francesco Gavazzi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
86
Michael Albasini
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
87
Roman Kireyev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
88
Michael Barry
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
89
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
90
Óscar Pujol
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 36
91
Danny Pate
Exxon Duke
s.t.
92
Guillermo Lana
Caja Rural
s.t.
93
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Pro Team Astana
+ 37
94
Ángel Madrazo
Movistar Team
s.t.
95
Dimitriy Muravyev
Team RadioShack
s.t.
96
John Murphy
BMC Racing Team
+ 38
97
Fabio Felline
Geox - TMC
s.t.
98
Volodymir Gustov
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
99
Alberto Losada
Katusha Team
s.t.
100
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
101
Kjell Carlström
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
102
Diego Milán
Caja Rural
+ 39
103
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
104
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
105
William Clarke
Leopard Trek
s.t.
106
Maxime Bouet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
107
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
108
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
+ 40
109
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
110
Joan Horrach
Katusha Team
s.t.
111
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
112
Marco Bandiera
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
113
Tom Stamsnijder
Leopard Trek
+ 41
114
David Moncoutié
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 42
115
Stefan Denifl
Leopard Trek
+ 43
116
Mauricio Ardila
Geox - TMC
s.t.
117
Yoann Bagot
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
118
Christian Meier
Exxon Duke
s.t.
119
Nikolas Maes
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
120
Peter Kennaugh
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
121
Rubén Reig
Caja Rural
+ 44
122
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
+ 45
123
Mikhail Ignatiev
Katusha Team
s.t.
124
Valentin Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
+ 46
125
Florent Barle
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
126
Vicente Reynès
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 47
127
Matthew Brammeier
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
128
Arkimedes Arguelyes
Katusha Team
s.t.
129
Timothy Duggan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
130
Cameron Meyer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
131
Addy Engels
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
132
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 48
133
Gatis Smukulis
HTC - Highroad
+ 49
134
José Herrada
Caja Rural
s.t.
135
Stuart O'Grady
Leopard Trek
s.t.
136
Adriano Malori
Lampre - ISD
+ 50
137
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
138
Daniel Martin
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 51
139
Julien Loubet
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 53
140
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
141
Xabier Zandio
Sky ProCycling
+ 54
142
Russell Downing
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
143
Maarten Neyens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
144
Robert Hunter
Team RadioShack
s.t.
145
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
+ 55
146
Peter Velits
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
147
Matteo Tosatto
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
148
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
149
Gabriel Rasch
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 58
150
Daniel Navarro
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
151
Leigh Howard
HTC - Highroad
+ 1'00
152
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'02
153
Nicolas Vogondy
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
154
Dennis Van Winden
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
155
Alexandre Pliuschin
Katusha Team
s.t.
156
Dimitri Champion
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
157
Fabio Duarte
Geox - TMC
s.t.
158
Leonardo Duque
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
159
Ivan Rovny
Team RadioShack
+ 1'03
160
Daniele Righi
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'05
161
Francis De Greef
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 1'07
162
Ben King
Team RadioShack
+ 1'09
163
Johnnie Walker
Geox - TMC
+ 1'10
164
Giacomo Nizzolo
Leopard Trek
s.t.
165
Jan Ghyselinck
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
166
Michael Matthews
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
167
Jarosław Marycz
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
168
Julien Vermote
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
169
Igor Romero
Caja Rural
+ 1'11
170
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
171
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
172
Davide Viganò
Leopard Trek
s.t.
173
Michal Golas
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'18
174
David Loosli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
175
Denis Galimzyanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
176
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'19
Stage 2
Stage 2, is again unlikely to be important in terms of the GC, looking to be one for the sprinters, as such, not a day for us unless something unusual occurs, we will look to join the break, for the KOM points.
In the morning, an 8 man break went clear, including Scott Zwizanski who joined the attacks, and managed to win the KOM sprint placing himself in the Red KOM jersey going into tomorrow.
The day was playing out in the standard fashion, the break were being reeled in, when a massive crash occured in the peloton, we escaped with just one faller- Floyd Landis, but 55 men went down! including some of the race favourites- Richie Porte, Vicenzo Nibali, Janez Brajkovic and Vladimir Karpets. Sadly all of these look to be out of contention, 3'45" back on the remaining competitors, so we may get some fireworks as they hunt for stage wins!
With 2.7km to go, the last remaining member of the breakaway was reeled in (David Le Lay) and the sprinters that were left came forwards, along with some of the punchers, who would look to out fight the sprinters with a longer distance sprint.
The punchers gave it a go, and at one point it seemed Kreuziger would hang on again, but the sprinters had everything under control, with Mauro Finetto taking it on the line, in front of Mirco Lorenzetto and Robbie Hunter.
All in all, 2 good days for us, we placed reasonably in the TT, and then due to the other teams misfortune in the crash, we moved up a few places in the GC, Danielson is 7th, and Armstrong is now 14th.
To combine our strong positions, we also hold the KOM jersey after 2 days, thanks to Zwizanski who will try to protect the Red through the next two days.
The third stage, is likely to see major splits, as the only declared "mountain stage" in the race, though the 15km descent to the finish, may give what remains of the peloton, a chance to reel any escapees.
The morning saw a very strong group of 5 breakaway, Millar, Porte, and Duque, all found there way into the group, sadly Zwizanski missed out, still feeling the effects of yesterdays break.
Having missed out on the break, and with Armstrong feeling good, we decided to make life difficult for the peloton, using Landis, Zwizanski and Meier to set a high pace out in front, the plan worked a treat, reducing the peloton to just 70men.
Over the final summit, Kreuziger attacked, shortly followed by Sanchéz and Barredo, The three are expert descenders, so we decided to stay in the pack, and push a high pace with help, rather than send Armstrong alone, as he is a much weaker downhill rider.
With 1.5km left to ride, the group could see the trio up ahead, could we pull them back in time? we were working up front, Danielson leading the charge, along with HTC, who were lending a hand.
Well, the trio take it on the line, but we avoided a time gap thanks to some hard work, Kreuziger wins yet again, he just seems unstoppable at the moment! Armstrong managed to take 9th place on the day, and climbs the rankings to 10th whilst Danielson moves up to 6th.
Stage Results
1
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
4h53'40
2
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
3
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Nicolas Vogondy
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
5
Rein Taaramäe
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
6
Fabio Duarte
Geox - TMC
s.t.
7
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
8
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
9
Lance Armstrong
Exxon Duke
s.t.
10
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Damien Monier
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
12
Francis De Greef
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
13
Peter Velits
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
14
Leonardo Duque
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
15
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
16
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
17
Óscar Pujol
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
18
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
19
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
20
Aitor Pérez Arrieta
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
21
Janez Brajkovič
Team RadioShack
s.t.
22
David Moncoutié
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
23
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
s.t.
24
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
25
Ivan Basso
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
26
José Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
27
Tom Danielson
Exxon Duke
s.t.
28
Markel Irizar
Team RadioShack
s.t.
29
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
30
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
31
José Vicente García Acosta
Movistar Team
s.t.
32
Jérôme Pineau
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
33
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
34
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
35
Floyd Landis
Exxon Duke
s.t.
36
Daniel Navarro
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
37
Daniel Martin
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
38
Dimitriy Muravyev
Team RadioShack
s.t.
39
Christian Vande Velde
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
40
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
41
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
42
Richie Porte
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
43
Linus Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
s.t.
44
Kanstantsin Siutsou
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
45
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
46
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
47
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
48
Volodymir Gustov
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
49
Xabier Zandio
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
50
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
51
Francisco Pérez
Movistar Team
s.t.
52
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
53
Yaroslav Popovych
Team RadioShack
s.t.
54
Michael Albasini
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
55
Yevgeniy Nepomnyachshiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
56
Danny Pate
Exxon Duke
+ 3'53
57
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
58
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
59
Mauricio Ardila
Geox - TMC
s.t.
60
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
61
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
62
David Millar
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
63
Scott Zwizanski
Exxon Duke
s.t.
64
Tomas Vaitkus
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
65
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 4'25
66
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
s.t.
67
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
68
Xavier Florencio
Geox - TMC
s.t.
69
Adam Hansen
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
70
Oleg Chuzhda
Caja Rural
s.t.
71
David Blanco
Geox - TMC
s.t.
72
José Herrada
Caja Rural
s.t.
73
Javier Moreno
Caja Rural
s.t.
74
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
s.t.
75
Stef Clement
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
76
Dimitri Champion
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
77
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
78
Kristjan Koren
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
79
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
80
Julien Loubet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
81
Brent Bookwalter
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
82
Bjorn Selander
Exxon Duke
s.t.
83
Joan Horrach
Katusha Team
s.t.
84
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
85
Vladimir Karpets
Katusha Team
s.t.
86
Ángel Madrazo
Movistar Team
s.t.
87
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
88
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
89
Arkaitz Durán
Geox - TMC
s.t.
90
David Le Lay
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
91
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
s.t.
92
Christian Meier
Exxon Duke
s.t.
93
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
94
Ivan Rovny
Team RadioShack
s.t.
95
Grischa Niermann
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
96
Roman Kireyev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
97
David Loosli
Lampre - ISD
+ 6'17
98
Daniele Righi
Lampre - ISD
+ 6'57
99
Bart De Clercq
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
100
Frantisek Rabon
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
101
Guillermo Lana
Caja Rural
s.t.
102
Addy Engels
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 8'01
103
Igor Romero
Caja Rural
+ 12'33
104
Joost Posthuma
Leopard Trek
s.t.
105
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 20'25
106
Daniel Oss
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
107
Mirco Lorenzetto
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
108
Taylor Phinney
Exxon Duke
s.t.
109
Vicente Reynès
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
110
Peter Kennaugh
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
111
Stuart O'Grady
Leopard Trek
s.t.
112
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
113
Kjell Carlström
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
114
Bradley Wiggins
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
115
Kristof Vandewalle
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
116
Stefan Denifl
Leopard Trek
s.t.
117
Robert Hunter
Team RadioShack
s.t.
118
Russell Downing
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
119
Matteo Tosatto
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
120
Maarten Neyens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
121
Kasper Klostergaard
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
122
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
123
Francisco Javier Aramendia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
124
Michael Mørkøv
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
125
Grega Bole
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
126
Tom Stamsnijder
Leopard Trek
s.t.
127
Alexandre Pliuschin
Katusha Team
s.t.
128
Maxime Bouet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
129
Tom Leezer
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
130
Davide Viganò
Leopard Trek
s.t.
131
Francesco Gavazzi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
132
Michael Barry
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
133
Jarosław Marycz
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
134
Mikhail Ignatiev
Katusha Team
s.t.
135
Luke Roberts
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
136
Borut Božic
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
137
Marco Bandiera
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
138
Valentin Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
139
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
140
Alan Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
141
Fabio Felline
Geox - TMC
s.t.
142
Michael Matthews
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
143
Diego Milán
Caja Rural
s.t.
144
Rubén Reig
Caja Rural
s.t.
145
Adriano Malori
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
146
Greg Henderson
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
147
Nikolas Maes
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
148
Timothy Duggan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
149
Jack Bobridge
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
150
Giacomo Nizzolo
Leopard Trek
s.t.
151
Philip Deignan
Team RadioShack
s.t.
152
Gabriel Rasch
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
153
Jan Ghyselinck
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
154
Kevyn Ista
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
155
Michal Golas
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
156
John Murphy
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
157
Arkimedes Arguelyes
Katusha Team
s.t.
158
Gatis Smukulis
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
159
Ben King
Team RadioShack
s.t.
160
Yoann Bagot
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
161
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
162
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
163
Cameron Wurf
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
164
Cameron Meyer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
165
Dennis Van Winden
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 40'58
166
Florent Barle
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
167
Travis Meyer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
168
Denis Galimzyanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
169
Johnnie Walker
Geox - TMC
s.t.
170
David Boucher
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
171
Julien Vermote
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
172
Alberto Losada
Katusha Team
s.t.
173
Leigh Howard
HTC - Highroad
+ 42'50
174
William Clarke
Leopard Trek
s.t.
175
Matthew Brammeier
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
General Classification
1
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
9h08'09
2
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 16
3
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 24
4
Linus Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
+ 25
5
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 26
6
Tom Danielson
Exxon Duke
+ 28
7
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 30
8
Rein Taaramäe
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 32
9
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Lance Armstrong
Exxon Duke
s.t.
11
José Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
12
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
13
Yaroslav Popovych
Team RadioShack
s.t.
14
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
+ 35
15
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
King of the Mountains
1
David Millar
Team Garmin - Cervélo
50
2
Leonardo Duque
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
36
3
Richie Porte
Saxo Bank SunGard
35
4
Francis De Greef
Omega Pharma - Lotto
23
5
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
22
6
Markel Irizar
Team RadioShack
21
7
Scott Zwizanski
Exxon Duke
16
8
Kevyn Ista
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
12
9
Gabriel Rasch
Team Garmin - Cervélo
10
10
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
10
Well, today went pretty well for us all in all, the finish didn't really suit us, but we managed to avoid losing time, and will now look to improve our placings on tomorrows stage, sadly having missed the break, we lost the KOM jersey, but that was in reality a mixed blessing, we had the extra man when it counted and were able to reel in the late break, to move up the GC, and stop Kreuziger from gaining any more time.
Stage 4 saw an early break get out in front, all a long way down on the GC, and no team was willing too over work at the front, the break had 5 men initially, including Johnny Hoogerland, and David Moncutié both of whom were included in the crash on day 2.
With 50km to go, 3 riders attacked the peloton, looking for the stage win, and bridged across to the breakaway up front. included were Rabon and Xavier Florencio for GEOX.
The peloton let the break take the day, we brought them close and avoided any falls in the GC, and it was Rabon and Florencio who had most left inside the break, and the GEOX rider opens his Palmarés with a stage win at Volta Catalunya.
Stage Results
1
Xavier Florencio
Geox - TMC
4h55'25
2
David Moncoutié
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 1'46
3
Frantisek Rabon
HTC - Highroad
+ 2'20
4
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
5
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
6
José Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
7
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
9
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
10
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
Stage 5
Stage 5 looks to be the final GC opportunity, and we will try to improve on 9th, place with Lance. The morning break had 6men, and once again they looked to be getting free, holding 7minutes at 61km out.
On the penultimate difficulty, Lance and Tom made there attack, and managed to bridge up to the superstrong break group, including the liks of Vicenzo Nibali.
The other teams saw Lance's attack, and really kicked up the pace in the pack, and the front group were brought back, just 5km from the finish, losing 3'48" in just 22km!
Once they had been reeled in, Kreuziger once again made an attack, he has been annoyingly strong so far this year, and easily rode away from the rest, as a second group formed behind him, sadly, due to the attack from earlier, Armstrong couldn't follow, and ended up losing 23" falling to 13th place in the GC, though still only 9" behind fourth place.
Yeah, im going to put up the final 3 stages up in one report, the first 2, my Screens didn;t cave so i'll just give a brief write up, and then out up the first of our cobbled classics.
@baseballlover It would have been nice to take a higher placing on his return race, but i guess it was unlikely because he's not in the strongest of shapes
Right, sorry but my PC didnt take the screenshots for some reason, for either of the last 2 stages, so heres a brief summary-
Stage 6
The 6th stage saw a breakaway escape consisting of men low in the GC, including Aussie TT champion Adam Hansen, and Bradley Wiggins. the group were kept monitored, but allowed to take the stage win, Lampre man Gavazzi proved to be the strongest and takes the stage win, Wiggins rolls home for 3rd on the stage, no real shifts in the GC as we came home in the peloton, where the victor in the main group was Kreuziger again, after he Pineau and Barredo made a late attack we couldn't follow, we hold 10th with Danielson going into a short final stage.
Stage 7
The shortest of the tour at just 109km, the race was in the bag for Kreuziger, but Astana could not hold it together for an extra stage win to go with it, they reeled in most of the break, but Rabon of HTC held on to take the stage win, after his 3rd day in a breakaway. We secured 10th and 14th which is not a great result, but the finishes did not suit us perfectly, and Armstrong was far from fit at this point of teh season, compared to the Storming Kreuziger!
Final General Classification
1
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
25h25'22
2
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1'03
3
Jérôme Pineau
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'31
4
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'40
5
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'43
6
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'44
7
Linus Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
+ 1'45
8
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'46
9
Tom Danielson
Exxon Duke
+ 1'48
10
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'50
11
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'52
12
José Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
13
Rein Taaramäe
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
14
Lance Armstrong
Exxon Duke
s.t.
15
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
Kreuziger won the Youth and Points competition, whilst the KOM was taken by David Millar, following his points haul on day 3.
DS Comments
Not the best of weeks for us, but we can learn from the week, and the finishes are not perfectly suited to our side, as our leaders prefer a longer ascent finish to break up the Peloton, rather than descent to the finish line.
The cobbles come next, along with the Tour of the Basque country. We have no hopes for the Flanders classics, hoping to place Farrar as high as possible in Gent-Wevelgem, meanwhile we send Horner to the Basque, preparing for the Ardennes classics, where we hope to be much more competitive!
The first of the cobbled classics included in this years protour calendar, is the Gent-Wevelgem, of the 3 included, this is the least cobbled, with just 3 sections of the dreaded pavé.
The route has a flat finish, but 2 laps of the Bergs will be sure to break up the group out in front, will the pure sprinters be able to cling on to the front group and contest the race?
Our team will be lead by Farrar, he'll try to place as high as possible, if he can hold on to the group, we come with no expectations, so any acheivement is a bonus as far as we are concerned.
The race sees all of the Cobble specialists enter, along with some of the stronger sprinters such as Cavendish, Bos and Farrar. My pick for today is Oscar Fréire, I think his strength over hills and cobbles will be enough to place him in a group he can outsprint in the Finalé. If not Farrar, then Boonen or Haussler, slightly stronger on the Cobbles, but without Fréire's ability to navigate the Bergs.
Edited by baggieboys32 on 22-04-2012 23:09
Welcome to Ghent-Wevelgem, the first cobbled classic, the morning saw a breakaway of 8 men got free early on, Including Dominic Rollin for us, the break formed after 25km of riding, and quickly opened up a large gap.
The breakaway peaked at 9'36" before Quickstep ramped up the pace over the Bergs and started to reel them in, after the first lap they held a gap of 2'46" over the remnants of the peloton, which had been reduced to 42 riders thanks to Quicksteps work. Farrar and Zabriskie had made the split for Exxon.
With 17km to go, the front group had been reduced to just 27men, Farrar was our only remaining rider, but he was still feeling quite good as the pace was set up front by a mixture of teams, trying to support there leaders.
Spoiler
If you can't see him in the pic, its because he's wearing the Protour leaders jersey
We made the final split, of 15men, but couldn't chase the Stronger Classics men, who had more left in the legs, as Devolder, Chavanel, Quinziato and Cancellara started the sprint.
Devolder proved strongest in the Belgian Champions jersey, taking the race convincingly on the line, ahead of Chavanel from Quickstep, Farrar meanwhile did cling on to 10th place! a strong result from a race we had little hope for!
Race Results
1
Stijn Devolder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
5h28'32
2
Sylvain Chavanel
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
4
Fabian Cancellara
Leopard Trek
s.t.
5
Filippo Pozzato
Katusha Team
s.t.
6
Tom Boonen
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Heinrich Haussler
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
8
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
9
Bernhard Eisel
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
10
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Duke
s.t.
Spoiler
11
George Hincapie
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
12
Wouter Weylandt
Leopard Trek
s.t.
13
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
14
Daniele Bennati
Leopard Trek
s.t.
15
Mark Cavendish
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
16
Matti Breschel
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
17
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
+32
18
Niki Terpstra
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
19
Martin Elmiger
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
20
Frederik Willems
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
21
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
22
Leif Hoste
Katusha Team
s.t.
23
Maxim Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
24
Kristof Goddaert
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
25
Grégory Rast
Team RadioShack
s.t.
26
Frédéric Amorison
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
27
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
28
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
29
Bert Scheirlinckx
Landbouwkrediet
+59
30
Vasil Kiryienka
Movistar Team
s.t.
31
Andreas Klier
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
32
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
33
Geert Verheyen
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
34
Robbie McEwen
Team RadioShack
s.t.
35
Nicki Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
36
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
+1'56
37
Paolo Longo Borghini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
38
Baden Cooke
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
39
Staf Scheirlinckx
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
40
Gert Steegmans
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
41
Jérôme Coppel
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
42
Ben Hermans
Team RadioShack
s.t.
43
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
44
Ian Stannard
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
45
Sébastien Joly
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
46
Matthew Goss
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
47
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
48
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
49
Ben Swift
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
50
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
51
Sébastien Hinault
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
52
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
53
Jan Bakelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
54
Roger Hammond
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
55
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
56
Coen Vermeltfoort
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
57
Kevin Peeters
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
58
Andrey Kashechkin
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
59
Fred Rodriguez
Exxon Duke
s.t.
60
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
61
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
62
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
63
Sébastien Minard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
64
Juan José Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
65
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
66
Geoffroy Lequatre
Team RadioShack
s.t.
67
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
68
Wim De Vocht
Veranda's Willems - Accent
+2'21
69
Sep Vanmarcke
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
70
Óscar Freire
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
71
Brian Vandborg
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
72
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
73
Jimmy Engoulvent
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
74
Francesco Masciarelli
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
75
Theo Bos
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
76
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
77
Sven Van Dousselaere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
78
David Zabriskie
Exxon Duke
s.t.
79
Mario Aerts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
80
Martin Mortensen
Leopard Trek
s.t.
81
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
82
John Degenkolb
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
83
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
84
Cyril Bessy
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
85
Jelle Vanendert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
86
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
s.t.
87
Maarten Wynants
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
88
Sébastien Rosseler
Team RadioShack
s.t.
89
Serge Pauwels
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
90
Zdenek Stybar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
91
Anders Lund
Leopard Trek
s.t.
92
Dries Devenyns
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
93
Simon Clarke
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
94
Tejay Van Garderen
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
95
Koen Barbé
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
96
Michał Kwiatkowski
Team RadioShack
s.t.
97
Gorik Gardeyn
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
98
Branislau Samoilau
Movistar Team
s.t.
99
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
100
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
101
Daniel Lloyd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
102
Benjamín Noval
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
103
James Vanlandschoot
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
104
Arnoud Van Groen
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
105
Steven Caethoven
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
106
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
107
Amets Txurruka
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
108
Jakob Fuglsang
Leopard Trek
s.t.
109
Maciej Bodnar
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
110
Dario Cioni
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
111
Evgeni Petrov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
112
Ruslan Pidgornyy
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
113
Jürgen Van de Walle
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
114
Laurent Didier
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
115
Jurgen Van Goolen
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
116
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
117
Gerald Ciolek
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'26
118
Mark Renshaw
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
119
Bert Grabsch
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
120
Chris Barton
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'50
121
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
122
Alessandro Spezialetti
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
123
Bruno Pires
Leopard Trek
s.t.
124
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
125
Juan Manuel Gárate
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
126
Luis Pasamontes
Movistar Team
s.t.
127
Simon Zahner
BMC Racing Team
+ 5'38
128
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
129
Francesco Chicchi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
130
Brice Feillu
Leopard Trek
s.t.
131
Wout Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
132
Damiano Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
133
Chad Beyer
Exxon Duke
s.t.
134
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
+ 6'10
135
Jonathan Breyne
Landbouwkrediet
+ 6'34
136
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
137
Yannick Talabardon
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
138
Alex Rasmussen
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
139
Robert Kiserlovski
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
140
Chris Anker Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
141
Dominique Rollin
Exxon Duke
s.t.
142
Pierre Cazaux
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
143
Bram Schmitz
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
144
Sergio Pardilla
Movistar Team
s.t.
145
Baptiste Planckaert
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
146
Paul Poux
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
147
Rémy Di Gregorio
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
148
Ben Jacques-Maynes
Exxon Duke
s.t.
149
Vitaliy Buts
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
150
Jeff Louder
Exxon Duke
s.t.
151
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
152
Sam Bewley
Team RadioShack
s.t.
153
Sheldon Deeny
Exxon Duke
s.t.
154
Maxime Vantomme
Katusha Team
s.t.
155
John-Lee Augustyn
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
156
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 8'10
157
Christophe Laborie
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
158
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
159
Martijn Keizer
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
160
Steven Kruijswijk
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 10'02
161
Sylwester Szmyd
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
162
Ben Gastauer
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
163
Fumiyuki Beppu
Team RadioShack
+ 10'42
164
Jesús Hernández
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 11'30
165
Hans Dekkers
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
166
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
167
Sven Van den Houte
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
168
Thomas Peterson
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
169
Mikel Landa
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 12'58
170
Romain Matheou
Saur - Sojasun
+ 14'10
171
Jorge Azanza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 14'34
DS Comments
Well, that went much better than expected! Farrar held on for 10th which is great to see, hopefully next year we will have signed some stronger cobblers, Hincapie is out of contract at the end of the year, so we intend to target him!
Aside from transfer talk though, it was great to see Tyler wearing the Worldtour leaders jersey, even if he will lose it to Kreuziger after today. It shows the team really means business, and we hope to start improving our results in stage races as we get further into the year.
Edited by baggieboys32 on 22-04-2012 23:33
The Pro Tour leaders jersey, ehhh? I woonder why I never see that in game anymore...
Nice ride with Farrar, what do you intend to do for Ronde and Roubaix though?
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
Ronde will be the worst- I was thinking of taking Horner and Farrar, Horner may not be a great cobbler, but at least he could survive the hills...
As for Roubaix, i'll just use Rollin to Protect Farrar, and keep him in as high a group as possible, and put people in breaks for "TV time" It's going to be really hard to achieve anything in either race, hopefully, Horner+Armstrong can provide greater success in the Basque!
Well, with Gent completed for the year, the month of April draws to a close, and It's time to take a look at the rankings. In the Protour Individual Classification, Farrar has just been knocked off the top by Kreuziger, who was won Paris-Nice, Volta Catalunya, aswell as 6stages across the two!
We do keep second place for now, thanks to Farrar's win in Milan-San Remo, he too has had a great start to the season, combining MSR, with a stage at the Tour Down Under, and 10th in G-W.
In the team rankings, we hold 4th spot, so far failing to impress in the stage races, our highest placing has been Chad Beyer, following a successful breakaway.
Astana once again lead the way, in front of Quickstep, and Lampre, the margin is 348 to 267! The lower section of the pack is much more bunched, with a few teams trailing at the end, failing to make an impression this far.
