Gotta keep Gusev in the Top 10. This race is hard to call...but I think it will be a mass sprint finish. Vaitkus better be ready.
Half of the peleton is not even across the start line when Saunier Duval's Gilberto Simoni attacks. With 2 of his teammates well placed in the Overall General Classification...I'm not sure what to make of this. A fantastic climber...Simoni is a name we will be seeing often during the Giro de Italia.
With the first sprint points 6 km out from the start, all kinds of riders are flying off the front. Things eventually shake out, and are lead breakaway group is a strong one indeed. Simoni is joined by another strong climber, Xavier Zandio of Caisse D'Eparagne and Manuel Lloret of F-Canarias. This group has some potential.
The remaining attack riders form a second group of 8. It contains 3 riders from Freenet, as well as some familiar breakaway names this tour... Moravyev, Burghardt and Lowik. They are 2:30 behind the lead group and 1:20 in front of pack with 116 km to go.
Discovery's Sergio Paulinho is riding solo in between the two groups. He was a little late to respond to initial attacks, and was hoping to get in lead group to get some mountain points.
Euskaltel again is up front controlling the pace of the main group. Simoni is a dangerous rider to have in a breakaway.
The peleton after a lazy chase, finally catches the lead group 20 km out. Simoni is conspicuously absent.
Several km later, Simoni's excellent ride is almost over.
As Simoni is caught, Michael Boogerd of Rabobank takes a shot at a stage win, Carlos Barredo of Quickstep counters...as does Oscar Sevilla of Relax.
A wild finish to this race...but we are on level terms. Riccardo Ricco, a pre-race favorite finds himself at the front, after a nice pull from teammate Koldo Gil. Gusev...who had been sitting on Gerolsteiner's Steffan Schumacher's wheel is in good position...if only he could sprint. Vaitkus got caught at the back of the peleton, and again is in bad position for the finish. Gerolsteiner has a nice train going...and has their sprinter Zberg in a good spot.
Ricco who isn't much of a sprinter, has Jose Ruiz Sanchez of Andalucia and
Jose Ivan Gutierrez of Caisse D'Epargne on his heels. The big boy sprinter's are gonna be left out of this one...after a frenetic chase to the finish. This is gonna be close. Gerolsteiner's Zberg is flying up the left side...and can't be counted out yet.
Who is it? I can't tell. The judges consult the film and say Ricco prevailed.
Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez wins the tour.
Vaitkus was out of gas again today, and had to be pulled up front after falling far back on the final short descent. Gusev hangs on to take 10th overall. Gutierrez gains valuable bonus time and knocks Vaitkus out of Top 10.
I'm not disappointed though. Half the team in this race was racing for the first time this season. We had a team leader who was slightly out of his element and a sprinter who is out of form and racing badly tactically. Yet we still manage a Top 10 Result (Gusev's second straight after G P de Marseille) Benjamin Noval crashed earlier in the stage and barely finished the race. Ruberio and Brajkovic are slowly getting in shape. Steven Cummings is in top form...I may try something with him next time he races. Paulinho was given free reign. I just wanted to get some races under his belt, as I am considering making him Team Leader for the Volta a regiao do Algarve in a couple of days, in his home country of Portugal. Egoi Martinez is gonna be fine as a helper early in the season, I like what I've seen from him so far. We placed 3 riders in the Top 10 in the U25 category (Gusev, Vaitkus and Cummings), and finished 6th overall in the team competition
OOPS! I forgot to export results. (Sorry guys!)
These screen shots will have to suffice.
Stage 5
General Classification
Xaiber Zandio of Caisse D'Epargane wins the Mountain Jersey.
Race Winner Sanchez Gonzalez is the Sprint Points leader by 13 points over teammate Koldo Fernanez.
Team Discovery finishes 6th in Team overall, while the very strong Sauiner Duval team wins.
Second Place finisher Luis Leon Sanchez is the best under-25 rider.
Our head scout Marcel Meyvisch has just returned from a month long trip to Germany, Austria and Switzerland in search of talented young riders. We have two riders that we are extremely excited about, one who has already been offered a sponsorship.
20 year old Ernst Hempelmann is a strong climber who won several races at altitude with his National team, against professional competition. We have offered him 15000 Euros for equipment and competition. He would be a nice addition to our fold, and Meyvisch thinks he could be a future Grand Tour Champion.
19 year old Sirko Hassa is a very good flat rider and time trialist. We are monitoring his progress, and will make a decision on his prospects later on this month.
Edited by terpripken on 10-12-2007 09:58
Another race is in the books on the European Continent. The 6 stage Tour of Mediterranean was won by Predictor Lotto's Wim Van Huffel by the slimmest of margins. He beat Aussie Bradley McGee of Francaise Des Jeux by a scant 5 seconds. Pavel Brutt of Tinkoff finished third.
Gerolsteiner's Heinrich Haussler had a very strong tour as he won the points rankings, and finished with 3 podiums, including victories in stages 3 and 5.
John Gadret of AG2R Prevoyance won the mountain jersey, Brutt was the best young rider, and AG2R Prevoyance the best team.
This probably qualifies as our first "big" race of the year. It's on Discovery's home turf, and alot of big time teams and riders will be here, including a very powerful Team CSC who will have Carlos Sastre, Fabian Cancellara, and Frank Schleck all present. Tom Boonen of Quickstep will be here as well gearing up for what he hopes is a great season on the cobbles. This 9 day tour features everything: Time Trials, sprinter's stages, and some decent size climbs. George Hincapie requested that this race be put on his calender, and he will be here as our team leader. A nice race for him to get in top shape for the Northern Classics. I debated long and hard about whether or not to bring Allan Davis, but he has already raced 12 days this year. I need to keep him fresh, he has alot of big races coming up. Instead I will bring Tomas Vaitkus as my sprinter, who is beginning to get into pretty good form. Americans Jason McCartney and Antonio Cruz will race in front of their countrymen, and Brian Vandborg will get a chance to showcase his talents in the two time trials. Jurgen Van Goolen will be counted on to help in the hills. While Uros Murn and Volodimy Bileka will try and get Vaitkus set up in the sprints.
Team Leader
Sprinter
Free Riders
Teammates
Race Favorites Boonen and Hincapie are amongst the pre-race favorites. Team CSC could dominate this tour however, as they have 3 big time riders here who could easily win. Form of course will be a question, so it will be interesting to see how things play out amongst Carlos Sastre, Fabian Cancellera and Frank Schleck.
Discovery's Brian Vandborg, a 25 year old time trial specialist, was the fifth racer out of the starting gate. Manuel Quinzato of Liquigas had posted the best time so far at 5'38", followed by Johan Van Summeren of Predictor Lotto 3 seconds back. Vandborg had a disappointing performance and finished at 5'44", in 3rd for now. Fabian Cancellera of Team CSC, the current ITT World Champion, finished moments after Vandborg. He had an incredible time of 5'29". The bar had been set. The other favorites would have to ride a perfect time trial to beat Cancellara today.
Current Leaders: Cancellara (CSC) 5'29", Quinzato (LIQ) +9, Van Summeren (PRL) +12
Big things are expected from the Schleck brothers this season. Here is Frank, who finished at +8. (4th currently)
Current Leaders: Cancellara (CSC), Renshaw (C.A) +8, Petito (LIQ) +8
Tom Boonen of Quickstep, a favorite for the General Classification. ( +11 5th currently)
Current Leaders: Cancellara (CSC), Zeigler (TMO) +6, Renshaw (C.A) +8
I'm a little suprised that Sastre is here in California. I didn't expect to see him race much early in the season. But he is here nonetheless, and his time his 20th best, with half the field still to go. (+12)
Current Leaders: Cancellara (CSC), Zeigler (TMO) +6, Vansevenant (PRL) +7
Not a bad ride for Discovery's Volodimyr Bileka. (+13 23rd currently)
Current Leaders: Cancellara (CSC), Zeigler (TMO) +6, Vansevenant (PRL) +7
Still yet to ride are some big names. Vaitkus, Hincapie, Voigt, O'Grady, Hushovd, Backstedt, and Gerdemann to name a few. Will they be able to best Cancellera?
Bouncing back after a difficult race in Spain, Tomas Vaitkus posts a strong time. (+7 4th currently)
Current Leaders: Cancellara (CSC), Zeigler (TMO) +6, Vansevenant (PRL) +7
T-Mobile's Linus Gerdemann. (+8 currently 12th)
Current Leaders: Cancellara (CSC), Zeigler (TMO) +6, Vansevenant (PRL) +7
It's good to see George Hincapie back in the saddle. He shows no signs of rust, and posts a good time. (+7 currently 6th)
Current Leaders: Cancellara (CSC), Zeigler (TMO) +6, Vansevenant (PRL) +7
It looks like Cancellara's teammate Jens Voigt has risen to the challenge. Halfway through he is ahead by 2 seconds. He loses time in the second half though, and finishes less than a second behind. It could be Team CSC's day. (+0 currently 2nd)
Current Leaders: Cancellara (CSC), Voigt (CSC) +0, Zeigler (TMO) +6
Gerolsteiner's Team Leader Davide Rebellin. (+11 currently 27th)
Current Leaders: Cancellara (CSC), Voigt (CSC) +0, Zeigler (TMO) +6
Magnus Backstedt of Liquigas will be quick today as well. (+3 currently 3rd)
Current Leaders: Cancellara (CSC), Voigt (CSC) +0, Backstedt (LIQ) +3
Another strong performance by Team Discovery, as Jason McCartney posts the team's best time today. (+6 currently 5th)
Current Leaders: Cancellara (CSC), Voigt (CSC) +0, Backstedt (LIQ) +3
The powerful Thor Hushovd will be aiming for the points jersey. He is strong today in the time trial. (+4 4th currently)
Current Leaders: Cancellara (CSC), Voigt (CSC) +0, Backstedt (LIQ) +3
The final rider of the day, Gerolsteiner's Andrea Moletta, was victorious at the G P de Marseilles. Today he finishes 55th. (+16)
Nicely done by Cancellara and Voigt. Team CSC has an incredible team here. We are off to a nice start though, with 3 riders in the top 10. Hincapie is in good position to be a factor in the race. Vaitkus earns valuable sprint points. Jason McCartney was fantastic and is the fittest rider on the squad. With another time trial ahead, he has to be considered a dangerous rider in this tour. I'm not quite sure what was with Uros Murn today, he finished dead last by a large margin. Let's hope he bounces back.
A fairly flat stage. I think most of the action will happen in the hilly section in the last third of the race. We want to set Vaitkus up in a train with Murn and Bileka for a shot at a stage win if it is going to be mass sprint. Other option is to make sure that Hincapie is up front in case any of the GC favorites try any funny business on the short climb.
There were several early attacks, including a curious one by Quickstep's Paulo Bettini. Eventually a 12 man group formed, but didn't contain any really serious GC threats.
As the breakaway group is caught before the last short climb, the main group begins to fragment due to the hot pace.
George Hincapie countered an attack by Quickstep's Tom Boonen on the hill. Quickstep was very aggresive today. Here Hincapie passes him on the descent before pulling up and letting the peleton rejoin them.
15 km from the finish, Discovery and Liquigas are leading the train trying to set up Vaitkus and Pozzato respectively.
George Hincapie even takes a pull 6.5 km from finish. With 3 helpers around, Vaitkus should be nice and strong for the sprint.
Vaitkus makes his move off Murn's wheel. CSC's Stuart O'Grady, Predictor Lotto's Freddy Rodriquez, Thor Hushovd, Pozzato, and Yellow clad Fabian Cancellara are well placed and begin to make their moves.
Charging by on his right, Vaitkus can't hold off Hushovd. O'Grady and Boonen try to catch Rodriguez for 3rd.
Hushovd will win the stage, and with yesterday's 4th in the prologue, is now the tour leader. He looks to be in great form, after getting pushed around in the Tour of Australia. Vaitkus will wear blue tomorrow as the best U-25 rider, and is 2nd now in the GC. Cancellera who finishes 9th will exchange yellow for green tomorrow.
Man...I though I had stage win. I turned Vaitkus loose a little too soon. Hushovd is a beast though. Rodriguez was impressive, while O'Grady still is out of shape. George Hincapie rode a smart race, shutting down a dangerous attack, and then deciding not too push things too much today. It was also nice to get 4 guys in the Top 20 today. This tour is off to a very promising start, with alot of options for GC success. Brian Vandborg and Antonio Cruz had poor rides today. Let's hope they bounce back, as we need them as helpers.
Final Results---Tour of California---Stage 2
1 Thor Hushovd CREDIT AGRICOLE 3h50'14 2 Tomas Vaitkus DISCOVERY CHANNEL s.t.
3 Fred Rodriguez PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
4 Stuart O'Grady TEAM CSC s.t.
5 Tom Boonen QUICKSTEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
6 Jörg Hubner ERGOMO s.t.
7 Filippo Pozzato LIQUIGAS s.t. 8 Uros Murn DISCOVERY CHANNEL s.t.
9 Fabian Cancellara TEAM CSC s.t.
10 Michael Barry T-MOBILE TEAM s.t.
11 Alexandre Muos CBM Cycling Team s.t. 12 George Hincapie DISCOVERY CHANNEL s.t.
13 Enrico Gasparotto LIQUIGAS s.t.
14 Tom Steels PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
15 Wim Vansevenant PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
16 Luca Paolini LIQUIGAS s.t. 17 Volodimyr Bileka DISCOVERY CHANNEL s.t.
18 Paolo Bettini QUICKSTEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
19 Fabian Wegmann GEROLSTEINER s.t.
20 Theo Eltink RABOBANK s.t.
21 Kurt-Asle Arvesen TEAM CSC s.t.
22 Kim Kirchen T-MOBILE TEAM s.t.
23 Davide Rebellin GEROLSTEINER s.t.
24 Scott Nydim CBM Cycling Team s.t.
25 Kirk O'Boe HEARTH NET - MIXXAS s.t.
26 Bram De Groot RABOBANK s.t.
27 Jens Voigt TEAM CSC s.t.
28 Jacob Rusenbarger CBM Cycling Team s.t.
29 Franck Popp HEARTH NET - MIXXAS s.t.
30 Serge Baguet QUICKSTEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
31 Maarten Wynants QUICKSTEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
32 Addy Engels QUICKSTEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
33 Roberto Petito LIQUIGAS s.t.
34 Johan Van Summeren PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
35 Doug Ollirenshaw HEARTH NET - MIXXAS s.t.
36 Ken Hinson CBM Cycling Team s.t.
37 Leonardo Bertagnolli LIQUIGAS s.t.
38 Andrea Moletta GEROLSTEINER s.t.
39 Dieter Hauser ERGOMO s.t.
40 Jürgen Van De Walle QUICKSTEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
41 Frank Schleck TEAM CSC s.t.
42 Sergey Ligutin NAVIGATEURS INSURANCE s.t.
43 Timothy Jihnson HEARTH NET - MIXXAS s.t.
44 Karl Pfennig ERGOMO s.t.
45 Greg Van Avermaet PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
46 Preben Van Hecke PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
47 Yannick Talabardon CREDIT AGRICOLE s.t.
48 Manuel Beltran LIQUIGAS s.t.
49 Manuel Quinziato LIQUIGAS s.t.
50 Russell Dawning HEARTH NET - MIXXAS s.t.
General Classification
1 Thor Hushovd CREDIT AGRICOLE 3h55'28 2 Tomas Vaitkus DISCOVERY CHANNEL + 11
3 Fabian Cancellara TEAM CSC + 15
4 Jens Voigt TEAM CSC + 16
5 Matthew Crone HEARTH NET - MIXXAS + 20 6 Jason McCartney DISCOVERY CHANNEL + 22
7 Stuart O'Grady TEAM CSC + 23 8 George Hincapie DISCOVERY CHANNEL s.t.
9 Wim Vansevenant PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
10 Roberto Petito LIQUIGAS s.t.
11 Filippo Pozzato LIQUIGAS + 24
12 Michael Barry T-MOBILE TEAM s.t.
13 Frank Schleck TEAM CSC s.t.
14 Manuel Quinziato LIQUIGAS s.t.
15 Linus Gerdemann T-MOBILE TEAM s.t.
16 Marc De Maar RABOBANK s.t.
17 Fred Rodriguez PREDICTOR - LOTTO + 25
18 Serge Baguet QUICKSTEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
19 Timothy Jihnson HEARTH NET - MIXXAS s.t.
20 Greg Van Avermaet PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
21 Christophe Edaleine CREDIT AGRICOLE s.t.
22 Michael Linge SLIPEER TEAM s.t.
23 Kim Kirchen T-MOBILE TEAM + 26
24 Phil Zejicek NAVIGATEURS INSURANCE s.t.
25 Andy Schleck TEAM CSC s.t.
26 Tom Boonen QUICKSTEP - INNERGETIC + 27
27 Kurt-Asle Arvesen TEAM CSC s.t.
28 Davide Rebellin GEROLSTEINER s.t.
29 Scott Mininger CBM Cycling Team s.t.
30 Kirk O'Boe HEARTH NET - MIXXAS + 28
31 Ken Hinson CBM Cycling Team s.t.
32 Johan Van Summeren PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
33 Karl Pfennig ERGOMO s.t.
34 Karsten Kroon TEAM CSC s.t.
35 Carlos Sastre TEAM CSC s.t.
36 Roman Kulun HEARTH NET - MIXXAS s.t.
37 Alexandre Muos CBM Cycling Team + 29 38 Volodimyr Bileka DISCOVERY CHANNEL s.t.
39 Paolo Bettini QUICKSTEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
40 Yannick Talabardon CREDIT AGRICOLE s.t.
41 Manuel Beltran LIQUIGAS + 30
42 Jacob Rusenbarger CBM Cycling Team + 31
43 Theo Eltink RABOBANK s.t.
44 Doug Ollirenshaw HEARTH NET - MIXXAS s.t.
45 Andrea Moletta GEROLSTEINER s.t.
46 Philip Thaaux PATATRAC TORSCHE s.t.
47 Volker Ordowski GEROLSTEINER s.t.
48 Axel Merckx T-MOBILE TEAM s.t.
49 Thomas Poterson SLIPEER TEAM s.t.
50 Jürgen Van De Walle QUICKSTEP - INNERGETIC + 32
Points
1 Thor Hushovd CREDIT AGRICOLE 39
2 Fabian Cancellara TEAM CSC 32 3 Tomas Vaitkus DISCOVERY CHANNEL 28
4 Jens Voigt TEAM CSC 20
5 Stuart O'Grady TEAM CSC 19
6 Magnus Backstedt LIQUIGAS 16
7 Fred Rodriguez PREDICTOR - LOTTO 16
8 Thomas Ziegler T-MOBILE TEAM 12
9 Carlo Westphal GEROLSTEINER 12
10 Tom Boonen QUICKSTEP - INNERGETIC 12
Mountain Points
1 Jürgen Van De Walle QUICKSTEP - INNERGETIC 10
2 Alexandre Muos CBM Cycling Team 8
3 Filippo Pozzato LIQUIGAS 6 4 George Hincapie DISCOVERY CHANNEL 4
5 Preben Van Hecke PREDICTOR - LOTTO 2
A nice day for AG2R in Italy at the Giro di Laigueglia. A 4 man group finished 24 seconds ahead of the the pack. Rinaldo Nocentiti and Simon Gerrans go 1-2 in the sprint.
A pretty long stage today. The short, steep climb may offer a little action, but this looks like another one for the sprinter's. I know Vaitkus is close to breaking through. Keep McCartney, Hincapie, and Vaitkus in Top 10. The next few stages are hilly, and there is sure to be alot of action....gotta keep them well placed.
A group of 8 riders attacked before the steep climb, and then began to push uphill.
The pack took it easy, preferring to save energy for the long stage.
151 k. out, the breakaway group really started to get rolling.
Credit Agricole rider's would take control of the peleton for their yellow shirted sprinter...Thor Hushovd.
The breakaway group was made up of Dicker from Patarac, Korczynski of CCC Popol, Dawning of Hearthnet, Ordowski of Gerolsteiner, Bovon of Rabobank, Miniger of CBM, Ven Ulden of Navigatuers, and perhaps the most dangerous rider in group...Tomas Zeigler of T-Mobile. With none of the top teams represented, this one is gonna get shut down soon. At 100 km out though, they held a 7 minute advantage.
The chase is really on now with only 32 km to go, and the pesky breakaway group still over 2 minutes ahead. Carlos Sastre of Team CSC and Serge Baguet of Quickstep are leading the charge.
10 km out, the threat finally extinguished, Uros Murn leads Vaitkus with Hushovd in tow. Steels, Boonen, Bettini and O'Grady begin to move up front as well.
The sprint trains are well formed now 4 km out. On the left: Boonen, Pettini, Steels and Pozzata. In the middle: Discovery's Bileka and Murn with Cancellera in the rear. On the right: Arvesen and O'Grady of CSC, Hushovd, Svorda of Ergomo and Vaitkus. Liquigas's Gasparrato has already begun to make his move on far right.
The CSC/Hushovd/Vaitkus train is out in front of the Bettini/Boonen/Steels train, as Gasparrato begins to fade.
O'Grady, Hushovd and Vaitkus split off...the sprint is on.
HERE IS WHERE I GET UPSET! No screenies of finish. My screen saver fails me. Hushovd clips O'Grady at the line...Vaitkus takes third. Man...gotta love a big sprinter named Thor! He takes his second straight win and has been dominate thus far. Will see how he does in the hills.
That might have been Vaitkus's last shot at a stage win until the tour finale. He moves into 2nd though, and reaches the podium for second straight day. The pace was blistering the last 20 km, and the main group split. Andy Schleck of Team CSC, Fabian Wegmann of Gerolsteiner, Axel Merckx of T-Mobile, and Jens Voigt of Team CSC were some of the top rider's who finished 2:18 back.
I didn't get screenies of this either, but there was a crash on one of the tight turns in downtown Sacramento about 7.5 km. out. It injured 3 riders, who all had to withdraw. Amongst them, pre-race favorite Frank Schleck of Team CSC and Luca Paolini of Liquigas.
I'm pretty happy with the race today. All Discovery rider's kept their assignments and finished with the main group. We'll make our moves in the hills to come, and then hopefully have a successful ITT to top off what is shaping up to be a good tour for us.
Points
1 Thor Hushovd CREDIT AGRICOLE 64 2 Tomas Vaitkus DISCOVERY CHANNEL 44
3 Stuart O'Grady TEAM CSC 39
4 Fabian Cancellara TEAM CSC 33
5 Tom Boonen QUICKSTEP - INNERGETIC 22
6 Jens Voigt TEAM CSC 20
7 Filippo Pozzato LIQUIGAS 19
8 Thomas Ziegler T-MOBILE TEAM 18
9 Fred Rodriguez PREDICTOR - LOTTO 18
10 Jörg Hubner ERGOMO 16
Mountain Points
1 Marcin Korczynski CCC POPOL 20
2 Russell Dawning HEARTH NET - MIXXAS 14
3 Scott Mininger CBM Cycling Team 12
4 Mirchell Dicker PATATRAC TORSCHE 12
5 Thomas Ziegler T-MOBILE TEAM 12
6 Jürgen Van De Walle QUICKSTEP - INNERGETIC 10
7 Bernard Ven Ulden NAVIGATEURS INSURANCE 10
8 Alexandre Muos CBM Cycling Team 8
9 Filippo Pozzato LIQUIGAS 6
10 Jan Boven RABOBANK 6
Today's crash in Sacramento will have two of the CYA Top Tour's best rider's out of commission for a month. Team CSC's Frank Schleck has a broken coccyx. This will certainly throw off his training schedule...and may hurt his chances of winning Masstricht-Valkenburg in late April, a race he was targeting this season.
Luca Paolini's injury will have him out until mid-March. He has a broken shin bone, and will likely miss Milan-San Remo on March 24th. (a race he finished 3rd in last year) A big disappointment to the native of Milan and the race. The Northern classics won't be the same without him, hopefully he gets back quickly and regains his form fast.
This race is on the schedule for two reasons, neither of which is winning. (well..I'm always gonna try and win) We want to get some young rider's some experience with the big boys, (Meersman and Li) and get some guys in shape for the Northern Classics which are right around the corner. (White, Popovych, Van Loocke) We haven't even brought a proper sprinter to the race. We also will give Portugese rider Sergio Paulinho a shot at being Team Leader, in front of his countrymen. This is a training race for Discovery basically, although Steven Cummings and Egoi Martinez are already in good form. They will be given opportunities to try and win stages. Just for fun, I may make Popovych winning the mountain jersey the main goal for this race. My secondary goal will be to keep Paulinho well placed in the GC.
Sidenote: As I will do from time to time with less important races, I will not be posting screens of the race. I will still post race results and a brief summary of the day's stage. I do not sim results! I will still play every race out. (that's the fun part anyway) The tedious task of editing images and uploading them, can get old quickly. Besides, I am itching to get to the "meat" of the schedule. This I think will keep me fresh and motivated.
Team Leader
Free Riders
Teammates
Race Favorites This race is traditionally used as a last tune-up before the Northern Classics and especially Milan-San Remo which is 3 weeks away. There are some top rider's here, but who knows what kind of form they are in. Some will be seeing their first action of the season. These guys are rider's to keep on eye though.
Should be an affair for the sprinter's, but wouldn't be suprised to see a little action on the climb. Try and set up Van Loocke in sprint, although I am sure he will be overmatched, and its his first race of the year. Wanna see what we got with our new signee. (The 1st of the 3 to race this season) Gonna try to get some mountain points with Popovych, and keep Paulinho up front and away from trouble.
Race Recap The usual early breakaway was caught on the climb. There was also a curious solo attack by Cadel Evans of Predictor Lotto. (who bonked and finished dead last) He must be doing the Giro to be racing this early. David Kopp of Gerolsteiner won the mass sprint by a hair over Alessandro Pettachi of Team Milram. Gerolsteiner also placed Stefan Schumacher and Markus Zberg in the Top 10. They look strong in this tour and may be the team to beat. Jurgen Van Loocke was, as expected, overmatched in the sprint and finished 20th. Popovych and Paulinho got threw unscathed, while Matthew White and Steven Cummings were each in breakaway groups. Popo took the mountain sprint, so looking good in that department.
We see some hills today, but still may be one for the sprinter's. Same old game plan...get Vaitkus in position if there is a sprint. Keep Hincapie and McCartney in Top 10, with any eye on the ITT in Stage 6.
The peleton awaits the start of Stage 4 in downtown Stockton, CA.
Wearing the blue jersey of the best U-25 rider, Prologue winner Fabian Cancellara leads the peleton, as Predictor Lotto's 21 year old Greg Van Avermaet launches an attack from 128 km out.
Gerolsteiner's Fabian Wegmann responds in kind.
Eventually a 9 man breakaway group has formed. Particpants are: Roman Kulun of Hearth Net, Serge Baguet of Quickstep, Bram De Groot of Rabobank, Wegmann, Peter Riis Andarsen of Team GPS, Michael Wulf of Navigateurs, Dieter Hausre of Ergmo, Van Avermaet, and Tamasz Zymor of CCC Popol. Roberto Petito of Liquigas rode a minute ahead of them solo. The group would eventually carve out a 9 minute advantage.
Team CSC leads the way up the first climb, 100 km from the finish. The main group is six minutes behind.
The breakaway group catches Petito 83 km from the finish.
On the second climb, Davide Rebellin of Gerolsteiner tries to break free.
Alexandre Muos of CBM attacks and takes the second mountain sprint.
The fun is almost over for the breakaway group which is down to six riders.
Muos is still on the loose 14 km from the finish. He has opened up a 1 minute advantage.
The sprint trains begin to form, Team CSC is behind a Jason McCartney led train, while Vaitkus and Murn follow Paulo Bettini.
Wow! It looks like Muos is gonna get a solo victory. Nice attack and ride by him. The peleton took him a little too lightly I'm afraid.
Nicely done young man! The pack prepares to sprint for second banana.
Young sprinter Matthew Crone of Hearthnet suprisingly takes the sprint. The peleton is split and many riders are out of gas. Karsten Kroon, Tom Boonen, Tomas Zeigler and Axel Merckx are some of the top rider's unable to keep pace.
All our guys finish with main group, Vaitkus drops to 3rd in the GC. The team is strong and riding well, I know a stage victory is forthcoming. Hincapie and McCartney lose some precious time they will need to get back in the ITT. It was nice to see some smaller teams step to the plate today.
A very dominant display by Rabobank's Oscar Freire at the Vuelta ciclista a Andalucia, which ended today. Freire won 3 stages, and finished 2nd in another, while winning the Points competition and overall General Classification. The entire Rabobank team was dominant in fact, as they won the team competition as well, with 4 riders in the Top 10. (Freire 1st, Juan Antonio Flecha 3rd, Thomas Dakkor 4th, and Koos Moerenhout 10th) Lampre's Alessandro Ballan finished second.
Race Recap Group of riders breaks away early. Breakaway group builds huge advantage. Peleton decides to chase. Breakaway group is caught. Mass sprint finish. We've seen this before and we'll see it again. That little hill in the last third of the race may be small, but it was steep enough to break up the peleton. Alessandro Petacchi, after a series of podiums, finally gets his first victory of the young season, and takes the yellow as well. Discovery is a none factor in the stage.
A long hilly stage, it should offer plenty of action. Goal is same, keep Hincapie, McCartney and Vaitkus well placed for tomorrow's ITT. Get a rider or 2 in any late breakaways. (maybe attempt one myself depending on morale, form, etc.) Set up Vaitkus for shot at stage win, if mass sprint is in the cards.
Current Olympic and World Road Race Champion Paulo Bettini of Quickstep gets the peleton rolling for Stage 5.
After a series of attacks (some failed), a lead group of 8 forms. Again, it is speckled full of lesser known teams and riders (alot of them American) trying to make a name for themselves. 19 year old Thomas Krustiansen of Team GPS, fellow youngster Mariusz Olosek of CCC Popol, an 18 year old future sprint star Marko Kamp of ADR2, and a well know breakaway artist this tour Robert Mclechlan of Patarac are all here. They are joined by Viktor Rupinski of American based Navigateurs Insurance, German Karl Pfenning of Ergomo, tour breakawy star Roman Kulun of Hearth Net (another American team), and young American climber Thomas Poterson of Slipeer.
The distinctive red jerseys of CBM are well represented up front. Their team leader Alexandre Muos is clad in yellow, and with tomorrow's ITT not his forte, this may be his last opportunity to step atop the GC podium. They will try and make sure that happens. American Jackson Stuwart leads the way. Gerolsteiner and Team Discovery are keeping an eye on things too.
With the gorgeous Pacific Ocean in the backround, the lead group has an 11 minute advantage. The young rider's have worked well together, but still have 108 km. to go. The second mountain sprint went to Rupinski, who seems to have his eye on the climber's jersey.
The peleton better put the squeeze on soon. With 61 km. until the finish, their deficit is 5:30.
Moments later, an attack by Gerolsteiner's Fabian Wegmann, is quickly countered by Discovery's Jason McCartney and Quickstep's Jurgen Van de Walle.
Whether or not they succeed, this breakaway has been impressive. Their lead is still over 4 minutes, with only 38 km to go.
With McCartney successfully smothering Wegmann's attack, Discovery decides to try their luck with a well fit Uros Murn. A fading Olosek, formerly of the lead group, tries to hang with him. 21 km out, they have a 45 second advantage.
The pack, perhaps learning from yesterday's mistake with Muos, denies all breakaways today, and begins setting up their sprinter's. Bauget leads a group containing O'Grady Arvesen, Vaitkus and Rodriguez. Bettini looking to break through, has Van Avermaet, Gasparatto and Wegmann behind him. Gerolsteiner appears to be setting up something with Moletta and Rebellin.
Bettini is way out in front, with O'Grady in hot pursuit. Vaitkus tries to hold off a late charging Hushovd, Pozzata, Rodriquez and Cancellara.
With O'Grady the clear runner-up, Vaitkus nips Rodriguez at the line for another podium. He finally bests Hushovd, and gains some precious time in the Overall GC. Tomorrow's ITT is gonna be alot of fun to watch.
Cancellara is probably gonna win tomorrow's ITT. This means that Hincapie, McCartney, and Vaitkus all have to race perfectly tomorrow to even sniff an Overall podium spot. Hushovd was 4th in the prologue and O'Grady is a decent time trialist too. Kroon, Boonen, and Clirke were all some top riders who got dropped today in the hills. With Bettini, O'Grady, and Hushovd all here and sprinting well, I should feel pleased that Vaitkus is even reaching the podium at all. Our secondary team goal of winning the Team competition is in good shape with alot of rider's in the Top 50.
*Cringes at BMC's name* Nice to see a domestic team winning. It would be nicer if Scott moninger would win though. He needs a truly big win to end his career on
March Race Calender With the Tour of California and Volta a Algarve wrapping up our February schedule, it's time to look ahead into March. The Northern Classics season is almost upon us. George Hincapie, Vladimir Gusev and Tomas Vaitkus should be in good form for the cobbles in Belgium. We will also race a couple of early month stage races to begin to get our stars into shape. We hope to accomplish our first sponsorship goal of winning Paris-Nice. A tall order, but we hope to have Popovych and Brajkovic in good form for that. More cobbles at the end of the month, and Tirreno-Adriatico sandwiched in between. Hincapie wants to do it, hopefully he still has some gas for G3-Harelbeke. Stjin Devolder will start winding his season into gear, and I can't wait to see how he performs this season. We will be leaning on him alot in April. We also have the fabled Milan-San Remo which Allan Davis has an eye on.
Calender and Scheduled Riders (subject to change) Vuelta Valenciana---Spain--- March 1-5 (Leipheimer, Danielson, Blanco, Popovych)
Levi4life wrote:
*Cringes at BMC's name* Nice to see a domestic team winning. It would be nicer if Scott moninger would win though. He needs a truly big win to end his career on
LOL...yeah there are several typos I've noticed in this database. I don't bother to correct them...maybe I should. Muos should be Moos I believe....Baden Cooke is Baden Coake...there are a few others...
Edited by terpripken on 19-12-2007 01:21
) We want to get some young rider's some experience with the big boys, (Meersman and Li) and get some guys in shape for the Northern Classics which are right around the corner. (White, Popovych, Van Loocke) We haven't even brought a proper sprinter to the race. We also will give Portugese rider Sergio Paulinho a shot at being Team Leader, in front of his countrymen. This is a training race for Discovery basically, although Steven Cummings and Egoi Martinez are already in good form. They will be given opportunities to try and win stages. Just for fun, I may make Popovych winning the mountain jersey the main goal for this race. My secondary goal will be to keep Paulinho well placed in the GC. 
