danto194 wrote:
No not yet mate, I'll have a look later but I'm still a bit wary of making a cock-up. I had difficulties with this alone nevermind a lot of other stuff. Will definitely look and try though. Really appreciate all your efforts, we stand out far more now in the peloton.
Well.. If you can add the shirt, add the other stuff in the same folder. Name should be good this time.. Just copy paste it into c00.
sutty68 wrote:
Hope the new jersey brings you more luck
I've let down the new jersey so far as you'll see........... a lack of wins in this batch of reports.
De Panne Tour (Albasini, Bertogliati, Degenkolb, Grabsch, Kluge, Schar)
Stage 1 (Flat then lumpy, two cat 4s and two cat 3s, tricky final)
1) Leukemans
2) Ballan +0’22
3) Scheirlinckx +0’22 4) Albasini +0’37
This final suited Albasini so we worked for him. On the final climb with 8km to go, Albasini attacked with 3 others and went onto contest the win. However, Albasini cracked on the uphill sprint which Leukemans dominated.
Stage 2 (Flat with awkward lumps, four cat 4s)
1) Boassen Hagen 2) Degenkolb +0’00
3) Vangenechten +0’00 5) Albasini +0’00
There was an uncategorised lump 7km from the finish but no-one dared to attack even though our leadout train pace was sedate. Boassen Hagen outlasted Degenkolb in the sprint.
Stage 3 (Flat with one tiny cat 3)
1) Lodewyck
2) Jacobs +0’00
3) Gatto +0’00 4) Degenkolb +0’00
We messed this one right up. Degenkolb was cut adrift numerous times, was 4th but very distant.
Stage 4 (12km pan-flat individual time trial)
1) Thomas
2) Boassen Hagen +0’01
3) Gretsch +0’04 4) Grabsch +0’07
Decent showing from Grabsch as Sky locked out the top 2.
Ballan did enough to secure the overall GC with Albasini best for Adecco in 9th. With a 2nd and three 4ths this was far from a disaster, but we’d hoped to pinch a stage somewhere.
GP de Vitre (Dietziker, Kennaugh, Langeveld, Pinot, Stalder, Van Avermaet)
1) Arroyo
2) Vichot +0’25
3) Vogondy +0’25 5) Van Avermaet +0’25
This was a tough workout as we rode all day for Van Avermaet. It was too chaotic though thanks to the lumpy profile and favoured a puncher.
Gp del Navarra (Intxausti, Kennaugh, Morabito, Pinot, Quintana, Stalder, Tschopp, Zaugg)
1) Arroyo 2) Intxausti +0’13
3) Moreno +0’13 8) Pinot +0’13
Intxausti made the day’s breakaway of 4. At 80km to go he decided to go solo and rode superbly, only to be caught heartbreakingly inside the last km by a fast approaching Arroyo. A superb effort from Intxausti.
GP Van Het Mergelland (Bertogliati, Dietziker, Grabsch, Kluge, Veelers, Wyss)
1) Boeckmans
2) S.Dumoulin +0’00
3) Serebryakov +0’00
Too many lumps and bumps for Veelers unfortunately, and he was our only option for the win. Only strong enough for 11th.
Ronde Vlaanderen (Albasini, Bertogliati, Elmiger, Langeveld, Rast, Schar, Van Avermaet, Veelers)
1) Ballan
2) Cancellara +0’38
3) Flecha +0’38 10) Van Avermaet +4’48
On the first steep cobbled climb a few attacks and our own pace-setting splintered the peloton, with the main favourites and their elite domestiques now free to fight at the front. With 50km to go, Cancellara and Boonen applied heavy pressure and cracked everyone bar 11 others, which included Langeveld and Van Avermaet who were holding on but struggling. Eventually, the critical move came when Cancellara, Ballan, and Flecha rode away, with Van Avermaet part of a chase group. Ballan made the decisive move at 7km and came home unchallenged, a fabulous effort from one of the classics in-form man. Van Avermaet wheel was cruelly sat on by Eisel in the last 5km, denying him a fair shot at 9th, instead our talisman rounded off the top 10.
Route d’Emeraude – St. Malo (Degenkolb, Dietziker, Grabsch, Kluge, Morabito, Stalder, Tschopp, Wyss)
1) Demare
2) Boeckmans +0’00
3) Blythe +0’00 9) Degenkolb +0’00
We worked for Degenkolb early on but it became too hectic, it was all about positioning and we couldn’t get it.
GP al Pais Vasco (Frank, Intxausti, Pinot, Porte, Quintana, Schelling Taaramae, Zaugg)
Stage 1 (Mountainous, four cat 3s, one cat 2, one cat 1)
1) Iglinsky
2) Froome +0’00
3) Valverde +0’00
Attacks all day from punchy climbers such as De Gendt, which we marked extremely well; with first Intxausti on his own and then our team formation. In the final, 33 survivors contested the sprint, we couldn’t challenge but we 4 riders present which was the important thing. Quintana and Taaramae lie 1st and 2nd in the young riders GC, 2’13 cushion to 3rd.
Stage 2 (Medium mountain, five cat 3s, one cat 2)
1) Goss
2) T.Martin +0’00
3) De Gendt +0’00 4) Porte +0’00
Pinot made the day’s breakaway and was the final escapee to be caught at less than 10km to go. Goss came through for a dominant sprint with Porte an encouraging 4th. GC unchanged.
Stage 3 (Mountainous, one cat 3, four cat 2s, one cat 1, and a summit finish – Arrate)
1) Scarponi
2) J.Rodriguez +0’00
3) Cobo Acebo +0’25
Midway through the stage Quintana crashed which was disastrous for both his white jersey hopes and also our team formation. It signified what was a messy day, the narrow roads and bad weather proving very awkward. Rodriguez takes the yellow jersey from Iglinsky, with Porte +0’55 in 14th. Taaramae takes over the white jersey from Quintana.
Stage 4 (Medium mountain, one cat 3, three cat 2s, and a short summit finish)
1) J.Rodriguez
2) R.Costa +0’39
3) A.Schleck +0’39
We wanted a rider in the breakaway and Quintana was the man to do it. It was a quality little group and Quintana really pushed the pace on the climbs to put Katusha under pressure back in the peloton. On the final climb with the breakaway still clear, Quintana cracked the rest with an attack which was cruelly caught with less than 1km to go by an onrushing peloton. Yellow jersey Rodriguez took a dominant win with our GC hopes safely in the following group led home by Rui Costa.
Stage 5 (Mountain, three cat 3s and two cat 2s)
1) Gerrans
2) Froome +0’00
3) Rodriguez +0’00
Intxausti made the day’s breakaway, once again a very decent group of riders. Katusha chased hard though and a really tough final saw Gerrans outclass the opposition. Taaramae, along with numerous other big GC riders, had found difficulty on the late cat 2 climb but there was a regrouping of all the elite favourites.
Stage 6 (Rolling 18km individual time trial)
1) Martin
2) Thomas +0’04
3) Wiggins +0’06 9) Porte +0’20
The time-trial heavyweights came to the fore and dominated. A great effort from Porte to mix it up and strengthen his GC standing, rising to 6th from 10th. Scarponi overhauled Rodriguez to win the overall GC by a mere 2 seconds ahead of Wiggins.
As expected, a gruelling tour in which the team generally coped very well against a lot of elite riders. Porte’s 6th place in the overall GC, +0’46 to Scarponi, is a testament to the team’s consistent and unerring support. Taaramae landed a very commendable 12th in the overall GC, and dominated the young riders GC beating Uran by exactly 4 minutes. We were also unlucky with a couple of stage win attempts too so all in all a very positive tour for Adecco.
Tour de la Sarthe (Albasini, Bertogliati, Degenkolb, Dietziker, Kluge, Morabito, Tschopp, Wyss)
Stage 1 (Flat) 1) Degenkolb
2) Henderson +0’00
3) JJ Haedo +0’00 5) Albasini +0’00
These French races provide tricky finals for sprints but this was an absolute opposite. It was almost a track standing start, the last 5km were like a casual Sunday bike ride. We weren’t phased though, Albasini got to the front, led it out, and Degenkolb swooped late to win. Absolutely baffling stage.
Stage 2 (Flat 9.4km individual time trial)
1) Bodrogi
2) Boaro +0’04
3) Roux +0’04
Wyss was best for Adecco in 9th, Degenkolb did just enough in 20th place to hang onto yellow by 1 second to Henderson.
Stage 3 (Flat with small lumps, four tiny cat 4s)
1) Belletti
2) Dehaes +0’00
3) JJ.Haedo +0’00 5) Degenkolb +0’00
We underestimated the breakaway group and catch was a bit tight for comfort. It was caught though and we led it out the sprint nicely, but Degenkolb was outpaced. He holds onto the yellow jersey though.
Stage 4 (Flat, a few early insignificant lumps)
1) S.Dumoulin
2) Mondory +0’00
3) Engoulvent +0’00 5) Degenkolb +0’00
Morabito took to the day’s breakaway so we wouldn’t have to chase. Plenty of other teams did, ensuring there would be a sprint. However it was another weirdly slow final like stage 1, but it was too crowded for us to get Degenkolb close enough to challenge. Engoulvent stole the overall GC by 1 second from Degenkolb thanks to his bonus seconds. Degenkolb did however hang onto the points classification.
An ok tour for us. We’re disappointed to lose the yellow but these things happen. Stage 3 was the real disappointment, Degenkolb is still clearly warming into the season and lacking a little sharpness at the minute. He will get stronger.
Next batch of reports will include Paris-Roubaix, should be done in about a week's time.
Edited by danto194 on 04-09-2012 16:57
Scheldetour Vlaanderen (Elmiger, Grabsch, Langeveld, Rast, Schar, Van Avermaet, Veelers)
1) Haussler
2) Hushovd +0’00
3) Chicchi +0’00
It was too messy for us, we tried to organise but it was just impossible. Haussler won comfortably.
GP Ciremi (Elmiger, Grabsch, Kennaugh, Langeveld, Rast, Schar, Van Avermaet, Veelers) 1) Van Avermaet
2) Hoste +0’29
3) Hunt +0’29
5) Langeveld +0’46
Grabsch made the day’s breakaway. It never stood a chance though and we actually contributed to the chase, hoping Grabsch may help us later. He did, we nullified all attacks and made the move ourselves with the Van Avermaet and his right-hand man Langeveld springing away with just 3 others on the final cobbled climb at 8km to go. Van Avermaet dominated the final for another win.
Paris-Roubaix (Bertogliati, Elmiger, Grabsch, Langeveld, Rast, Schar, Van Avermaet, Veelers)
1) Boonen
2) Ballan +0’00
3) Vanmarcke +0’00 7) Langeveld +0’00
The team worked for Langeveld primarily. There was a fast but even tempo in the peloton for a long long period which kept the race relatively tight and together. With about 65km to go, Cancellara fell which brought Boonen forward to attack and up the tempo.....very convenient. BMC were well in charge of the race though. Eisel made the significant attack at 40km to go, it shattered the field and left just 11 elite chasers, Langeveld clinging on to them. With Eisel caught, the pace eased which allowed Langeveld to feel more comfortable. Entering the velodrome, the lead group was 9, with Langeveld still clinging on but not really able to win. Boonen took up the sprint early and left everyone in his wake, with Langeveld a strong 7th.
GP Primavera (Frank, Intxausti, Kennaugh, Pinot, Quintana, Stalder, Tschopp, Zaugg) 1) Quintana
2) Van Garderen +0’08
3) Arroyo +0’08
Movistar were going to be our main challengers. We set a hard pace to set up a Pinot attack on the major climb. When the other teams caught him, we seized control with Intxausti and Zaugg setting the win up for Quintana. Very good teamwork.
Koln Rundfahrt (Dietziker, Kennaugh, Intxausti, Pinot, Quintana, Schelling, Stalder, Zaugg)
1) Sutton 2) Quintana +0’00
3) Riblon +0’00
On the large climb, Pinot and Intxausti set a searing pace to shake the race up and ended up riding off into the distance together. Pinot was the stronger of the pair and they parted with 45km to go. He was caught at 15km to go and a sprint between 30 survivors of the race ensued. We led it out with our surviving climbers, and Quintana delivered an excellent 2nd.
Paris-Vimoutiers (Albasini, Dietziker, Elmiger, Kennaugh, Morabito, Stalder, Tschopp, Wyss)
1) Westra
2) Vaitkus +0’34
3) Wegmann +0’34 4) Albasini +0’34
Elmiger suffered greatly to force a breakaway, so decided to slip back and help the chase. Westra made the definitive attack in the final 5-10km and won the day, with Albasini strong in the sprint behind.
Brabanse Prijs (Bertogliati, Kluge, Langeveld, Rast, Schar, Van Avermaet, Veelers) 1) Van Avermaet
2) Gilbert +0’08
3) Thomas +1’22 6) Langeveld +1’36
We worked for Van Avermaet and hit the cobbled sections fast. After a short while Van Avermaet and Langeveld found themselves alone at the head of the race with 40km to go. A catch occurred at 20km to go with Gilbert coming through strong and Van Avermaet sticking to his wheel. It was cheeky, and it paid off as Van Avermaet dominated the sprint, but as a team we felt we’d done enough to earn that right.
Circuit de Denain (Bertogliati, Degenkolb, Grabsch, Kennaugh, Kluge, Schar)
1) Napolitano
2) Casper +0’00
3) Sutton +0’00 4) Degenkolb +0’00
Centimetres in it between the top four, Degenkolb a touch unlucky, could have gone to any of the four.
Semana a Castilla y Leon (Frank, Intxausti, Pinot, Quintana, Schelling, Stalder)
Stage 1 (Medium mountain, three cat 3s)
1) Florencio
2) Spilak +0’00
3) Barredo +0’00
Le Lay’s attack on the final climb at 15km to go looked to be decisive, but he cracked badly with less than 5km to go and was caught by a chase group including Pinot and Frank.
Stage 2 (Mountainous, three cat 3s and two cat 2s)
1) Wegmann
2) Thomas +0’00
3) Cobo +0’00
Stalder made the day’s breakaway but it never threatened. On the final climb, some severe attacks and pace-setting cracked yellow jersey Florencio. A lead group of 11 contested the win which Wegmann took, and also the yellow jersey too. Pinot clung onto the group and remains well placed in GC. He also leads the young riders GC by 3’18 to teammate Quintana.
Stage 3 (Mountainous, five cat 2s) 1) Quintana
2) Cobo Acebo +1’36
3) Lofkvist +1’36
We were desperate to get riders up the road and began with Quintana from the flag and Intxausti 20km later. The race situation with 30km to go saw Quintana the only escapee left, with a huge 5 minute advantage. A number of favourites attacked on the final categorised climb leaving Wegmann exposed. As the favourites battled it out behind for the yellow jersey, Quintana went on to take a magnificent and dominant solo stage win. Quintana’s excellence saw him secure the mountains jersey and the young riders GC ahead of teammate Pinot. Cobo sealed the overall GC with Quintana jumping up to 7th at +1’34.
A bit of a niggly race for us early on but Quintana’s stage victory was a special ride. We did have designs on the overall GC but with the young riders GC, the mountains classification, and a fantastic stage win under our belts, we are more than happy.
Route du Finistere (Degenkolb, Dietziker, Grabsch, Kennaugh, Kluge, Wyss)
1) Vichot
2) Sutton +0’00
3) Westra +0’00
Kluge took to the breakaway but it failed. Our only hope for victory, Degenkolb, suffered in a big crash at the head of the peloton with 15km to go.
Amstel Gold Race (Albasini, Dietziker, Frank, Kennaugh, Pinot, Schelling, Stalder, Wyss)
1) Gilbert
2) Valverde +0’22
3) Gerrans +0’36 16) Pinot +0’36
Albasini attacked from the flag and formed a breakaway group with 3 others. Their biggest advantage was 11 minutes. With 150km to go, Albasini decided to break free of the weak group in a do or die move. It was a great move, but too many teams had incentive to chase him down, and he also ran out of energy having ridden so long on his own. Gilbert and Valverde had attacked at around 25km to go, but were brought back for the final climb to the line. Despite their exerts, they still were far too strong for the chasing group of elite riders, which included an isolated Pinot.
Coppa dell’Appennino (Bertogliati, Degenkolb, Intxausti, Kluge, Morabito, Tschopp)
1) Boeckmans
2) Napolitano +0’00 3) Degenkolb +0’00
Not a bad effort from Degenkolb, the technical finish and hilly course counted against him.
Trophee Bro-Leon (Elmiger, Grabsch, Langeveld, Rast, Schar, Van Avermaet, Veelers)
1) Bonnet 2) Van Avermaet +0’00
3) Mondory +0’00
We worked for Van Avermaet as the course was ideal (flat with one or two cobbled sections). But it was a niggly race; the chase was hard and the final was technical and narrow. Van Avermaet struggled for the right positioning and ultimately Bonnet found the right gap.
Quite a lot of stuff there! Some highs and not so high moments.
Next report should be interesting; La Fleche Wallone, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Tour of Romandy, plenty more races too. It will take me a while though, probably 2 weeks at best :/
La Fleche Wallonne (Albasini, Elmiger, Intxausti, Langeveld, Pinot, Porte, Rast, Van Avermaet)
1) Gilbert
2) J.Rodriguez +0’15
3) Valverde +0’15 8) Intxausti +0’44
We managed to get Porte and Elmiger into the day’s breakaway, with Elmiger protecting Porte. Porte went solo with 60km to go but couldn’t shrug off Bouet and Nerz who were awkward breakaway companions. Back in the peloton, it became clear that our strongest rider was in fact Intxausti. As the breakaway was reeled in, the last 30km were full of attacks from the favourites, it was hectic. In the final km climb to the line with the elite favourites regrouped, Gilbert was inevitably strongest and won easily. Intxausti took an excellent 8th.
Circuito del Trentino (Frank, Grabsch, Quintana, Schelling, Taaramae, Zaugg, Wyss)
Stage 1 (15km pan-flat team time trial)
1) Movistar
2) Sky +0’00
3) Radioshack Nissan Trek +0’00
We struggled badly, ending up +2’05 down on Movistar. Probably the end of our GC hopes already.
Stage 2 (Mountainous, one cat 2, one cat 1, and a climb to a summit finish)
1) Rujano
2) Henao +1’12
3) De Gendt +1’48 4) Quintana +1’56
Frank made the day’s breakaway but it was controlled by Movistar. Come the final climb, the only escapee left was Rujano, who had attacked in the middle of the stage. On the final climb, Quintana, Henao, and De Gendt were aggressive but Rujano had the stage in the bag. Rujano took the GC lead, Quintana up to 7th.
Stage 3 (Mountainous, one cat 2 and the huge HC climb to Prada)
1) Rujano
2) De Gendt +0’00
3) Cunego +0’52 6) Quintana +1’19
The Prada climb was brutal. We had it under control for the first half but nearer the end we couldn’t contain Rujano and De Gendt. Quintana up from 7th to 5th in the GC.
Stage 4 (Gradual uphill drag to the shortish summit finish at Passo Pordoi) 1) Taaramae
2) Chaves +1’08
3) Posthuma +1’39
Taaramae was part of a 15 man breakaway, but unfortunately many were passengers. However the breakaway was not chased and went onto contest the win. On the final 9km ramp to the line, Taaramae simply rode away from his breakaway compatriots and rode solo up the climb for a great win. Rujano was still safe in the GC lead, but Quintana slipped back from 5th to 7th.
Taaramae’s stage win rescued this tour for us. The first 3 days were a bit of a struggle despite a couple of decent rides by Quintana. We would have hoped to make more of an impact on the GC but we weren’t in Rujano’s league, and the TTT set us off on the back foot.
Liege-Bastogne-Liege (Albasini, Elmiger, Frank, Langeveld, Stalder, Taaramae, Van Avermaet, Wyss)
1) F. Schleck
2) Gilbert +0’00
3) A.Schleck +0’11 13) Van Avermaet +0’33
Elmiger took to the day’s breakaway. We changed tactics midway through the race as a few favouritres got caught on the wrong side of a peloton split. We drove the race working for Langeveld primarily. As the race boiled down to the final 15km, the selection made was an elite front group of 19, including Van Avermaet. Although Van Avermaet survived to contest the sprint, he couldn’t make an impact as the terrain had taken it out of him.
Vuelta a la Rioja (Bertogliati, Dietziker, Morabito, Quintana, Schelling, Tschopp)
1) Roelandts
2) Florencio +0’00
3) Gallopin +0’00 13) Quintana +0’00
Quintana instigated a breakaway by attacking on the big climb of the day. The break was eventually swallowed up at 8km to go, but Quintana was able to stay with the elite front group on a tough final.
Tour of Turkey (Degenkolb, Kennaugh, Kluge, Pinot, Rast, Schar, Veelers)
Stage 1 (Pan-flat) 1) Degenkolb
2) Van Djik +0’00
3) Vanlandschoot +0’00
Just 63 riders taking part in this year’s Tour of Turkey so we expected to be strong.....and we started well. A textbook leadout and Degenkolb came through a late bit of mess to win easily. Degenkolb into the GC lead.
Stage 2 (Pan-flat) 1) Degenkolb 2) Veelers +0’00
3) Keough +0’00
Wow, simply no-one wanted to instigate a breakaway, peloton coasted along all day all together. A 1-2 which proved a doddle, really strange day.
Stage 3 (Mountainous, two cat 3s, a cat 1, and a summit finish) 1) Pinot
2) De Weert +1’41
3) Champion +2’09
Rast decided to spice up the race and attack, and he was joined by Van Groen (ACC). Rast did enough to secure the polka-dot jersey. They were caught on the final climb, and Pinot launched a savage attack with 6km to go. No-one could live with him as expected, and he takes over the yellow jersey from teammate Degenkolb. Van Dijk, who came 2nd on stage 1, failed to make the time cut off.
Stage 4 (Lumpy, one small cat 2 and some awkward niggles) 1) Degenkolb
2) Lequatre +0’00 3) Pinot +0’00
Four riders took to the break and we chased. In a tough lumpy final, we showed our strength, with Pinot eventually leading out Degenkolb who won by miles.
Stage 5 (Rolling, no real difficulty, slightly uphill finish) 1) Degenkolb 2) Pinot +0’00
3) Van Keirsbulck +0’00
Nobody attacked, so we sent Kennaugh up the road for a solo breakaway and let the others chase if they wanted to, which they did. Kennaugh was caught at 15km to go and we led the sprint out perfectly, with leadout man Pinot following Degenkolb home.
Stage 6 (Lumpy circuit course but downhill finish) 1) Degenkolb
2) Trussov +0’00
3) Lequatre +0’00
We sent Schar on the attack to cover ourselves, but we still worked in order to protect Pinot’s GC lead and potentially set Degenkolb up. We set him up and we won...simple.
Stage 7 (Flat with one cat 4 pimple) 1) Degenkolb
2) Trussov +0’00
3) Kemps +0’00
Rast went on a solo breakaway to mop up the mountains points. Degenkolb dominated the sprint as usual.
Stage 8 (Flat) 1) Degenkolb
2) Van Staeyen +0’00 3) Veelers +0’00
Parisien (SPI) launched a solo breakaway but it never got going. A magnificent 7 for Degenkolb.
This was utter dominance, every stage won, and every classification (bar the team classification) won. To be quite frank, our opponents were very poor so we can’t get carried away, but you can only beat what’s put in front of you. Although it was all a bit easy for him, these wins can only boost Degenkolb’s confidence.
Tour de Romandy (Dietziker, Elmiger, Intxausti, Morabito, Porte, Stalder, Tschopp, Zaugg)
Stage 1 (Pan-flat 3.7km individual time trial)
1) Wiggins
2) Castroviejo +0’03
3) Westra +0’05
Intxausti was best for Adecco in 20th at +0’18. Our GC leader a further 2 seconds back.
Stage 2 (Medium mountain, two cat 2s and a cat 3)
1) Meersman
2) Valverde +0’00
3) Evans +0’00
Stalder took to the day’s breakaway. A separate attack by Gesink and 2 others midway through the stage caused a frantic chase which was caught at the death. Meersman dominated the sprint from the elite chase group. Porte and Zaugg clung on grimly to finish with the same time......just.
Stage 3 (Medium mountain, two cat 2s and one cat 3)
1) Valverde
2) Meersman +0’00
3) Boeckmans +0’00 5) Zaugg +0’00
Dietziker went on the attack and made the breakaway. Meanwhile, we switched team leader from Porte to Zaugg. Zaugg had climbed better on stage 2 and appeared stronger from the beginning so we protected him. The breakaway was caught within the final km, Boeckmans who was part of it managing 3rd. Zaugg produced a strong 5th and looked decent.
Stage 4 (Medium mountain, two cat 3s, one cat 2, tough uphill final)
1) Horner
2) Kiryenka +0’00
3) Valverde +0’00
Intxausti made the breakaway and back in peloton we rallied around Zaugg. Dangerous GC riders Horner and Kiryenka attacked with 20km to go ensuring Intxausti’s chances were cooked. The pair narrowly held off the chase elite group which included Zaugg, Porte, and an ailing Intxausti.
Stage 5 (Mountainous, three cat 1s, one cat 2)
1) Scarponi
2) Valverde +0’36
3) Evans +0’36
Porte attacked from the flag and was surprisingly allowed to go despite being only 20 seconds down on GC. However Sky chased hard on the flat valley roads and eroded his chances. Once swallowed up, Porte dropped back as the elite riders scrapped for victory. Scarponi’s attack was the only worthwhile one, it came early and hard and he held on to win the stage. He now leads the GC. Zaugg hung onto the elite chase group at +0’36 and is in 21st overall at +1’05.
Stage 6 (16km individual time trial around Crans Montana)
1) Wiggins
2) Kloden +0’00
3) Brajkovic +0’02
Wiggins regained the overall GC lead. Porte best for Adecco in 12th at +0’20. Zaugg lost +2’13 on the stage and finished best for Adecco in the overall GC in 22nd at +3’00.
Not an easy tour for us. We didn’t make the impact we were hoping for but neither did we suffer too badly on any of the days. Had we not taken an aggressive strategy with Porte on stage 5 he’d have been in the frame for top 10. Because the GC battle was so intense a breakaway victory wasn’t possible.
Vuelta a Asturias
Stage 1 (Lumpy, one cat 3 and an awkward cat 1 close to the finish) 1) Van Avermaet
2) Simon +0’00
3) Kroon +0’00
This stage was simply a question of whether we could hold the race together over the final climb. Sending Taaramae on the offensive made others chase, and Van Avermaet crushed the opposition in the eventual sprint.
Stage 2 (Flat, one cat 3 pimple) 1) Van Avermaet
2) Galdos +0’00
3) Wegmann +0’00
We wanted a sprint and got one. It was fast and furious but both the team and Van Avermaet himself held their nerves.
Stage 3 (Rolling 18km individual time trial) 1) Grabsch
2) Zabriskie +0’03
3) Coppel +0’06 6) Taaramae +0’11
Great win for Grabsch. Taaramae rode strongly and is well placed at +0’05 behind new GC leader Coppel. Taaramae leads the young riders GC.
Stage 4 (Mountainous, one cat 1, four cat 2s, one cat 3, summit finish at Arrate) 1) Taaramae
2) Moreno +0’00
3) Coppel +0’50 5) Quintana +1’12
We hit this stage hard and on the final summit climb to Arrate, Quintana produced a fantastic turn of pace to set up Taaramae’s attack. He had timed it to perfection to hold off Moreno’s challenge and distance the yellow jersey. A superb team effort. Taaramae rode himself into the overall GC victory by a comfortable +0’57 margin to Coppel.
A brilliant tour for us, winning each of the four stages, both the overall GC and young riders GC courtesy of Taaramae, and the points classification with Van Avermaet. We expected a strong showing and a GC challenge but this success far exceeded our expectations. Van Avermaet’s superb season continues, Taaramae’s season is warming up nicely, and Quintana once again proving a superb climbing ally.
GP di Industria Larciano
1) Capecchi
2) Rujano +0’00
3) Garzelli +0’00
Schelling made the breakaway but was on a bad day and struggled. Albasini made no impression in the final.
GP di Toscana
1) Mazzanti
2) Kwiatkowski +0’00
3) Garzelli +0’00
A long and gruelling race in which we rallied around Albasini, but he could only manage 13th as the climbing was a little too much for him.
GP von Frankfurt 1) Degenkolb
2) Trentin +0’00
3) Failli +0’00
Frank launched a solo breakaway on the large climb of the day, which saved us the chase. Degenkolb did the old trick of starting all climbs at the head of the peloton and drifting back to save energy. In the final sprint, Albasini did a superb job in positioning Degenkolb at the front, and the German surpassed Trentin for a fabulous win.
Some great wins in that lot, feeling very happy with the resurgence of the team after a little lull. Turkey was a farce though so don't read much into that, the opposition was woeful and it was a cakewalk for us. Asturias and Frankfurt were more notable successes.
Next report should be 1-2 week(s) again.
Edited by danto194 on 24-09-2012 15:46
