Leth and Trier meet with Vinokurov for a brunch before the race.
Trier addressing Vinokurov: As you know I don’t know much about cycling races, what is your intension now there you have a rider in the lead.
AV: This is going to be a tough one for every rider, going up almost all day, we will all stay with Lulu and will not care about any weak beak going away.
Leth: Will Cataldo now be reduced from leader to just a helper ?
AV: Basically the answer is yes, but Cataldo is 3rd, could win if Sánchez blow up, so we won’t waist him for no good reason.
Trier: Not an easy game to follow for an outsider, hope I will learn over the month to come.
They all smile and the subject changes Leth explained to Trier about Jose-Maria Jimenez:
It is cloudy with showers from time to time, providing for wet roads and a few early crashes, but everyone gets up and back to the peloton.
The morning breakaway is 7 riders, the strongest and best placed in the peloton is Cofidis Nicolas Edet at 3’37. Edet manages to collect 24 KoM points today.
Astana is leading the peloton most of the day in a moderate pace, just keeping the break close to 3 minutes.
When they hit the climb Edet has only 30 sec he will be caught soon. Race leader Sánchez haven’t got the legs he struggles to hang in, while Dario Cataldo is right up in front.
Cataldo attacks, Sky’s Lars Petter Nordhaug counters.
The stage was won by Nordhaug with 25 sec. to Cataldo and 59 to Tinkoff’s Trofimov
Nordhaug now leads the race with 10 sec. to Cataldo, 3rd is Maxime Bouet (Quick Step) at 1’20. Luis León Sánchez lost 3’31 today falling to 6th. in the GC.
Before the race Leth makes a recording about the last stage of Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana:
The last stage is short favoring the sprinter, but also the kind of stage where the riders will get the freedom to go in a breakaway.
The race starts and finishes in Valencia, the only obstacle of the rute is a climb over Alto de l'Oronet mid stage, from there it goes down for about 30 km and then another 30 km of flat terrain before the finish at Plaza del Ayuntamiento in the center of Valencia.
The Town Hall Square is the most important and central square of the city, The town hall construction was started in 1758.
The Race
A huge morning break with two Astana riders gets a gap of a minute, but the peloton won’t accept a break of this size, instead it is Astana’s Alexey Lutsenko and Caja Rural’s LluÃs Guillermo Mas Bonet getting away.
Just before the 10 km mark, the break is over. Now it is all about positioning for the final sprint.
The stage was won by the favorites, Nicola Ruffoni (Bardiani) over Michael Mørkøv (Katusha)
Astana never get a proper train up, Luis León Sánchez was their best at 10th.
On the press meeting Astana announce that 38 years old Paolo Tiralongo has desided to end his career after this season.
After a long time of filming everyone is back in Copenhagen, only a small crew led by Dod Mantle is send to Qatar making a limited coverage of the Tour of Qatar, according to "Vino" the tour will not be high priority for Astana, as it is a sprinter tour and that is Astana’s weakness.
8/2-13/2 Tour of Qatar (2.HC)
It is most likely that the tour will be decided on stage 3 with the 11 km time trail, but is it possible that the ITT winner might also need some bonus seconds to stay on top.
Astana’s top sprinter Andrea Guardini is here but not in top form yet. Vincenzo Nibali is the official team leader, but out of form and only here for a fitness ride to get in race form for later. Luis León Sánchez has a double role, lead out for Guardini, but he also has a fine ITT.
Several breakaway and a fast peloton for most of the race, the only rider alone in front when he gets to the sprints is Nathan Elliott from Kenyan Riders-Down Under.
Both sprints end with this result:
Nathan Elliott over Caleb Ewan and then Kristian Sbaragli, the last two sprinting from the peloton.
It comes to a mass sprint finish, won by Alexander Kristoff over Caleb Ewan and then Marcel Kittel.
Astanas train is working fine with Luis León Sánchez - Lieuwe Westra - Andrea Guardini. Guardini gets 5th, and Westra 7th, a very good result from him.
Stage 2/6 Katara Cultural Village - Qatar University 134.6 km
The race (crash – simulated)
The stage was won by Alexander Kristoff from Team Katusha in front of Marcel Kittel & Fernando Gaviria Rendon both from Quick Step.
Our best was Andrea Guardini coming in at a disappointing 26th.
Astana’s Eros Capecchi sets a very good early best time 15’15, sitting in the hot seat for quite a while. But then get beaten by Bjorn Selander from Rally Cycling with just 1 sec. Capecchi ends at 66th, a rather good result from him.
It is then Damien Howson from Orica holding the hot seat for a long time with a 14’22 time. Nibali sets a time 26 seconds higher that Howson at the time 4th.
Astana last hope is now Luis León Sánchez, not a bad time from him, but he is 14 sec. down on Howson, at the time 3rd. But some good ITT riders is still to come.
Luis León Sánchez
The stage was won by Tom Boonen (Quick Step) 7 sec better than William Clarke (Drapac), Damien Howson took the last podium.
Astana’s Luis León Sánchez ended 7th losing 34 sec. Vincenzo Nibali 20th 46 sec. down.
Stage 4/6 Al Zubara Fort - Madinat ash-Shamal 189.1 km
The Race
Astana’s Eros Capecchi got the free role today, constantly trying to get away, and after some failed attempts he got in a group of 8 riders that had a max of 5’03 after about 60 km.
But especially Quick Step and Katusha did not accept a breakaway win, the group was reeled back, in time for the mass sprint. Astana's train worked well securing Guardini a 4th place.
Astana’s train worked fine again today securing Andrea Guardini another 4th place.
In the GC it is still Tom Boonen (Etixx - Quick Step) with 7 sec to William Clarke Drapac Professional Cycling.
Astana’s best is Luis León Sánchez at 8th, down 34 sec.
6/2-2016 Orihuela City, Alicante Province.
8/2 Zentropa, Filmbyen Avedøre, Denmark 
8/2-13/2 Tour of Qatar (2.HC)
8/2-13/2 Tour of Qatar (2.HC)
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