I do not feel like saying too much about La Flèche. Things did not go as we had hoped and others were stronger.
The team we sent was strong and the tactic was similar to Amstel. Joaquim would be given free rein to pursue his own ambitions. This race is more important to our sponsor, so it was also possible Joaquim would have been asked to work for me.
We managed to get Lastras in the day's break and the lead maxed out at around 8'30 before the pack - mainly CSC, Lampre and QS - began to turn the screw.
The break was brought back - and as the race arrived at the foot of the Cote de Ben-Ahin with just 13.5k to go all was together and I was feeling strong and had managed to conserve alot of energy.
CSC kept things together on this climb and over the top and down the other side there is still a fairly large group together. Joaquim and Leon Sanchez are up close to the front with me.
Down into the last four kilometers and Schumacher decides it is time to take off. Kirchen and Joaquim go after him and quickly get a gap. On the front, it looks as if CSC have done all they can...
As I quickly take the last of my energy gel, Luis Sanchez decides to have a go. Moreau goes after him, and Frank Schleck too. I know the moment has arrived for me to go too. I take off after them.
I cannot believe the strength Frank Shleck displays - I am not able to get near him as he powers his way to the front of the race.
At the front, Kirchen and Schumacher are proving stronger than Joaquim, but each of them has no answer to the power Schleck is generating on this cruelest of climbs.
Schleck has his second big, big win of the week and must be odds on for the triple this weekend. I suffer badly on the Mur du Huy and barely scrape into the top 10.
All I can say in my defence is that when I went after Schleck, I thought I had a full tank of gas and was optimistic of beating him....He was too strong though. My condition and sensations today were simply not good enough.
Joaquim also joked after the race that perhaps next season we need an anti-doping program like CSC and Columbia....
Can I still win LBL? It will be extremely difficult - but, maybe Schleck will have lost a little in sharpness and I will have gained. And, of course, I can perhaps take comfort from the fact that we will not have to climb the Mur de Huy.....
Results
1 Fränk Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank 4h52'19
2 Kim Kirchen Team Columbia s.t.
3 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner s.t.
4 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas s.t.
5 Christophe Moreau Agritubel + 29 6 Joaquím Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
7 Paolo Bettini Quick•Step s.t.
8 Linus Gerdemann Team Columbia s.t.
9 Davide Rebellin Gerolsteiner s.t. 10 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
11 Jelle Vanendert Française des Jeux s.t.
12 Matthew Lloyd Silence - Lotto s.t.
13 Damiano Cunego Lampre s.t.
14 Yaroslav Popovych Silence - Lotto s.t.
15 Mario Aerts Silence - Lotto s.t.
16 Dario Cioni Silence - Lotto s.t.
17 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia s.t. 18 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
19 Jussi Veikkanen Française des Jeux s.t.
20 Rinaldo Nocentini AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
Valverde had most of the green bar left, and the other two bars were full when he counterattacked Schleck. He was -3 on the day and had used up all of the red bar before he got to the bottom of the climb. Schleck though just kept on going and attacked all the way up the climb. Sometimes happens on hard - brought back memories for me of trying to beat Cunego in the Giro in PCM'06.
The biggest race of the spring for us is here and we have put out a team that is serious about winning. I am the leader - Joaquim has been given his freedom the last two races and he is here purely to help me win. I feel my condition is slightly better than at La Fleche, and as this race suits my abilities better, I am confident I have what it takes in spite of my collapse just a few days ago.
The race gets under way and a small group manages to get away.
It's extremely unlikely they will make it - even so, it is Caisse and Lampre who do the work to make sure nothing too dangerous develops.
Then absolute disaster strikes.....for CSC. There is a touch of wheels in the pack and the race favourite Frank Schleck is down!
CSC send men back for him, but the big question is whether he has been injured or not.
They nurse him back to the pack and we watch him closely over the next few kilometers.
At first, it seems he has escaped without too much damage, but as the race enters the final 50k and things begin to break up a little, it is obvious he is struggling to stay with the leaders.
Unlike the CSC man, I am up front watching Bettini and ready for anyone who tries to make a move.
Cunego is one rider that I have to follow. He looks to be in great shape today and is light on the pedals.
Joaquim has the strength to come along too and with 20k to go we have a gap. Cunego is not interested in working with us - and I do not blame him.
We ease up a little and take a moment to recuperate.
Behind us, the chasers are still having to dig deep to get back up to us.
Bettini is able to join us and immediately attacks. I am able to follow the move. Cunego makes one more effort too. He is going to be difficult to shake, and as for the World Champion, is today going to be his day?
We three cannot agree to collaborate and suddenly Rebellin and Kirchen accelerate past us. I know they cannot be let go with just the Côte du Sart-Tilman-Tilff and Saint-Nicolas to come, so I go after them.
So what if Bettini or Cunego have the strength to get on my wheel?
But, they do not respond immediately and I am able to settle into a steady rythmn as I power up the climb.
We are all suffering, but nobody has ever won this race without his share of pain and I am possessed by a burning desire to win.
Close to the summit, I am almost taken by surprise when a Silence-Lotto rider comes by. I react on instinct - I do not know who it is, but he is moving fast and with just under 6k to go, way too dangerous to let go.
There are 3km to go and I am sure he is not happy to have me on his wheel - though the way he is pedalling, he may only be vaguely aware I am here.
Under the 1.5k to go banner and those behind have closed the gap a little. I, however, can almost taste the victory....
Aerts is the Lotto rider and he makes his bid for victory as we move towards the final kilometer.
Today, when I make my move, I have the power that was missing just a few days ago.
Aerts stands no chance - though second is a fantastic result for him.
I have won La Doyenne and the first part of my season is a success!
I cannot put into words how I feel as I cross the line...
Results
1 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne 6h46'23
2 Mario Aerts Silence - Lotto + 11
3 Thomas Dekker Rabobank + 35
4 Damiano Cunego Lampre s.t.
5 Roman Kreuziger Liquigas s.t.
6 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner s.t.
7 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia s.t.
8 Paolo Bettini Quick·Step s.t.
9 Jussi Veikkanen Française des Jeux + 1'21
10 Jelle Vanendert Française des Jeux s.t.
11 Pieter Weening Rabobank s.t. 12 Joaquím Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
13 Kim Kirchen Team Columbia + 2'46
14 Davide Rebellin Gerolsteiner s.t.
15 Fabian Wegmann Gerolsteiner s.t.
16 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas + 3'25
17 Cadel Evans Silence - Lotto + 3'43
18 Sergei Ivanov Astana Cycling Team s.t.
19 Christophe Brandt Silence - Lotto s.t.
20 Vladimir Efimkin AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
21 Alberto Contador Astana Cycling Team s.t.
22 Markus Fothen Gerolsteiner s.t.
23 Ronny Scholz Gerolsteiner s.t.
24 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas s.t.
25 Dario Cioni Silence - Lotto s.t.
26 Yaroslav Popovych Silence - Lotto s.t.
27 Rinaldo Nocentini AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
28 Linus Gerdemann Team Columbia s.t.
29 Antonio Colom Astana Cycling Team s.t.
30 Kanstantsin Sivtsov Team Columbia s.t.
71 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne + 4'54
74 David López Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
77 Pablo Lastras Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
94 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 10'12
116 Francisco Pérez Caisse d'Epargne + 13'19
144 Rigoberto Urán Caisse d'Epargne + 19'25
It is Jose here again and Alejandro has asked me to give you all a quick run down of the Tour of Romandie. I was leader and went in hoping to do well on the GC and make a showing in the time trials.
The course was mostly flat, with one short climb and suited someone who could generate extreme amounts of power over a short distance. I gave it my best shot and here I am on my way to 12th on the stage, 23 seconds behind winner Bradley Wiggins.
Not bad considering my condition, but there is definitely room for improvement.
Stage
1 Bradley Wiggins Team Columbia 8'59
2 Thomas Dekker Rabobank + 4
3 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia + 7
4 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner + 14
5 Gustav Larsson Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
6 Martin Velits Team Milram + 17
7 Jurgen Van Goolen Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
8 Markus Fothen Gerolsteiner + 19
9 Jason McCartney Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
10 Paolo Savoldelli LPR Brakes - Ballan + 21
11 Laurent Lefèvre Bouygues Télécom + 22 12 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 23
13 Christian Knees Team Milram s.t.
14 Alexandre Pliuschin AG2R La Mondiale + 24
15 Andriy Grivko Team Milram s.t.
We thought going into the stage, that the difficult climb just over 20k from the finish might be enough to prevent the stage going down to a sprint.
We were right and as the race exploded on the climb, I managed to get away with with the elite group. The climb and fast run in meant I had little left for the sprint and Dekker followed up his impressive result yesterday by outsprinting the 16 riders in the lead group for the stage win.
Gustav Larsson of CSC led the pack home, which included race leader Wiggins, nearly 3 minutes behind.
Stage
1 Thomas Dekker Rabobank 4h46'59
2 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner s.t.
3 Gilberto Simoni Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
4 Jurgen Van Goolen Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
5 Andrea Tonti Quick·Step s.t.
6 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia s.t.
7 José Angel Gómez Marchante Scott - American Beef s.t.
8 Johann Tschopp Bouygues Télécom s.t.
9 Michael Albasini Liquigas s.t. 10 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
Overall
1 Thomas Dekker Rabobank 4h55'52
2 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia + 13
3 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner + 14
4 Jurgen Van Goolen Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 23 5 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 29
6 José Angel Gómez Marchante Scott - American Beef + 31
7 Gilberto Simoni Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 33
8 Egoi Martínez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 39
9 Sébastien Turgot Bouygues Télécom + 40
10 Johann Tschopp Bouygues Télécom + 43
This looked like one of the few stages in the race that the sprinters would have a chance in.
And that's what happened. Robbie Hunter took the stage, narrowly edging out Oscar Freire and Robbie McEwen. There was no change on GC as the pack finished together.
A 19km time trail - and I knew my chances here would be hurt by a fairly difficult climb in the first part of the course.
Nevertheless, I went full gas to test my condition and finished with a decent enough time of 26'51.
It was enough to get me 6th on the stage. Thomas Dekker continued his good form and took his second victory of the race.
Stage
1 Thomas Dekker Rabobank 26'27
2 Bradley Wiggins Team Columbia + 12
3 Gustav Larsson Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 20
4 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia + 22 5 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 23
6 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner + 24
7 Paolo Savoldelli LPR Brakes - Ballan + 26
8 Bernhard Kohl Gerolsteiner + 38
9 Jurgen Van Goolen Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 49
10 Andriy Grivko Team Milram + 50
Overall
1 Thomas Dekker Rabobank 9h24'13
2 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia + 35
3 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner + 38 4 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 52
5 Jurgen Van Goolen Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 1'12
6 José Angel Gómez Marchante Scott - American Beef + 1'23
7 Gilberto Simoni Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 1'36
8 Egoi Martínez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 1'49
9 Johann Tschopp Bouygues Télécom + 1'56
10 Andrea Tonti Quick·Step + 2'06
The Queen stage, and I knew this would be all about limiting my losses and trying to keep as high a GC place as possible.
It was difficult and the heavyweights put in some big attacks. I did not try to follow, but instead concentrated on finding my rhythm and getting up the mountain as quickly as I could.
Of the contenders for the overall, it was Thomas Lovkvist who was the strongest. He just failed to take the stage - Gadret managed to hold him off - but there was some consolation in that he took over the race lead.
I was content too and managed to come home at the back of the third group on the road and hold on to a high placing overall.
Stage
1 John Gadret AG2R La Mondiale 3h56'54
2 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia s.t.
3 José Angel Gómez Marchante Scott - American Beef + 13
4 Yoann Le Boulanger Française des Jeux + 15
5 Jackson Rodríguez Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 16
6 Thomas Dekker Rabobank + 1'06
7 Josep Jufré Scott - American Beef + 1'11
8 Jurgen Van den Broeck Silence - Lotto + 1'12
9 Oliver Zaugg Gerolsteiner + 1'30
10 Bernhard Kohl Gerolsteiner + 1'31
11 John Devine Team Columbia + 1'36
12 Laurens Ten Dam Rabobank + 1'38
13 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner s.t.
14 Egoi Martínez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
15 Gabriele Bosisio LPR Brakes - Ballan s.t.
16 Andrea Tonti Quick·Step + 1'45
17 Johann Tschopp Bouygues Télécom + 1'47
18 Paul Martens Rabobank + 1'48
19 Alessandro Spezialetti LPR Brakes - Ballan s.t.
20 Lars Bak Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 1'49
21 Jure Golcer LPR Brakes - Ballan + 1'50
22 Christian Knees Team Milram + 1'53
23 Gustav Larsson Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 1'54
24 Rubén Pérez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
25 Amets Txurruka Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
26 Gorka Verdugo Euskaltel - Euskadi + 1'56
27 Laurent Lefèvre Bouygues Télécom + 1'57 28 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 2'00
29 David Loosli Lampre + 2'37
30 Jurgen Van Goolen Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 3'01
Overall
1 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia 13h21'36
2 Thomas Dekker Rabobank + 37
3 José Angel Gómez Marchante Scott - American Beef + 1'03
4 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner + 1'47 5 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 2'23
6 Egoi Martínez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 2'58
7 Johann Tschopp Bouygues Télécom + 3'14
8 Andrea Tonti Quick·Step + 3'22
9 Jurgen Van Goolen Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 3'44
10 Gilberto Simoni Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 4'29
After yesterday's hard stage, which saw withdrawals from some of the top sprinters including McEwen, we thought a break might have a chance here.
We tried to get Fransisco Perez in the break, but the pace on the first climb of the day was too high for him and he ended up dropping back into the pack.
We were left frustrated when the break did make it all the way to the finish and Thomas Voeckler proved strongest of those in the break and took the stage.
There were attacks on the run in from the overall contenders but it was not difficult enough for Dekker to gain time on Lovkvist. Dekker, it was who, led us home nearly 8 minutes behind Voeckler. The Dutchman has looked impressive this week and if he is to ride the Giro will be a big threat on the overall.
I moved up one place on GC as Stefan Schumacher missed the split today. I am content with 4th overall - my climbing weakness climbs means I have a better result than I expected.
Stage
1 Thomas Voeckler Bouygues Télécom 3h45'36
2 Patrick Calcagni Barloworld s.t.
3 Daniele Pietropolli LPR Brakes - Ballan s.t.
4 Martin Elmiger AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
5 Valerio Agnoli Liquigas s.t.
6 Sergei Yakovlev Astana Cycling Team s.t.
7 Geert Steurs Silence - Lotto + 1'19
8 Steve Morabito Astana Cycling Team + 4'11
9 Rein Taaramäe Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 5'05
10 Jason McCartney Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 5'35
11 Manuel Belletti Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 6'31
12 Michael Albasini Liquigas + 7'32
13 Thomas Dekker Rabobank + 7'45
14 Matteo Carrara Quick·Step s.t.
15 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia s.t.
16 Jure Golcer LPR Brakes - Ballan s.t.
17 José Angel Gómez Marchante Scott - American Beef s.t.
18 Gilberto Simoni Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t. 19 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
20 Christian Knees Team Milram s.t.
Overall
1 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia 17h14'57
2 Thomas Dekker Rabobank + 37
3 José Angel Gómez Marchante Scott - American Beef + 1'03 4 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 2'23
5 Egoi Martínez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 2'58
6 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner + 3'01
7 Sergei Yakovlev Astana Cycling Team + 3'17
8 Johann Tschopp Bouygues Télécom + 3'45
9 Andrea Tonti Quick·Step + 3'53
10 Daniele Pietropolli LPR Brakes - Ballan + 4'05
We also had a team racing in Spain at the Vuelta a Asturias.
This again was a race we used mainly to get some of our guys in shape for the Giro - but we were hunting stage wins with Rojas in the sprints and a high overall with climber David Arroyo.
This looked like one for the sprinters and we didn't try to put anyone in the break.
We were one of the teams to do the work bringing the break back and setting things up for a sprint. Rojas got himself into a good position, but the Andalucia-Cajasur rider Fransisco Ventoso was just too strong for him.
Stage Result
1 Francisco Ventoso Andalucía - Cajasur 3h18'23 2 José Joaquín Rojas Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
3 Francisco Pacheco Barbot - Siper s.t.
4 Cândido Barbosa Sport Lisboa e Benfica s.t.
5 Wouter Van Mechelen Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner s.t.
6 Iñaki Isasi Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
7 Vicente Reynès Team Columbia s.t.
8 Fred Rodriguez Rock Racing s.t.
9 Cláudio Fária LA - MSS - Póvoa de Varzím s.t.
10 Hilton Clarke Toyota - United Pro Cycling Team s.t.
Another stage we were expecting to finish in a sprint and another day we worked to set Rojas up.
Rojas managed to get himself into a good position again. As the sprint opens up he had the wheel of Van Mechelen, but neither Rojas or Ventoso could get around the Belgian who took the stage.
Stage Result
1 Wouter Van Mechelen Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner 4h04'39
2 Francisco Ventoso Andalucía - Cajasur s.t. 3 José Joaquín Rojas Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
4 Francisco Pacheco Barbot - Siper s.t.
5 Cândido Barbosa Sport Lisboa e Benfica s.t.
6 Vicente Reynès Team Columbia s.t.
7 Cláudio Fária LA - MSS - Póvoa de Varzím s.t.
8 Fred Rodriguez Rock Racing s.t.
9 René Haselbacher Astana Cycling Team s.t.
10 Iñaki Isasi Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
Overall
1 Francisco Ventoso Andalucía - Cajasur 7h22'30
2 Wouter Van Mechelen Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner + 12 3 José Joaquín Rojas Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
It was obvious this stage would have the biggest influence on the overall result of this race - and it did. We were hoping Arroyo would put in a good performance.
When the attacks started on the final climb, Arroyo who had not been feeling too good, decided not to follow. He rode up the climb at a steady pace and ignored the attacks that were going on around him.
Oscar Sevilla was the man who ended up stamping his authority all over this race.
Arroyo finished a fairly dissapointing 11th. As our main man in the mountains for the Giro, he will need to work hard to improve on this performance.
Stage Result
1 Óscar Sevilla Rock Racing 3h39'06
2 Antonio Colom Astana Cycling Team + 39
3 Rubén Plaza Sport Lisboa e Benfica + 51
4 Xavi Tondo LA - MSS - Póvoa de Varzím + 1'03
5 David Blanco Rodriguez Palmeiras Resort Tavira + 1'33
6 David Bernabeu Barbot - Siper + 1'34
7 Gustavo Iglesias Fercase - Rota dos Moveis + 1'37
8 Koldo Gil Liberty Seguros + 1'43
9 Carlos Castaño Xacobea - Galicia s.t.
10 Iker Camaño Scott - American Beef + 1'53 11 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne + 1'54
Overall
1 Óscar Sevilla Rock Racing 11h01'48
2 Antonio Colom Astana Cycling Team + 47
3 Rubén Plaza Sport Lisboa e Benfica + 1'03 11 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne + 2'14
Another chance for Rojas in the sprint and more work for the team at the front of the pack. We were optimistic today would be the day he delivered.
Again, we could not fault his positioning. Under the 1k to go banner he was right on Ventoso's wheel.
But once again, Rojas lacked the strength in the final kilometer to come around.
Stage Result
1 Francisco Ventoso Andalucía - Cajasur 3h25'28 2 José Joaquín Rojas Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
3 Francisco Pacheco Barbot - Siper s.t.
4 Edvald Boasson Hagen Team Columbia s.t.
5 Fred Rodriguez Rock Racing s.t.
6 Wouter Van Mechelen Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner s.t.
7 Cláudio Fária LA - MSS - Póvoa de Varzím s.t.
8 Cesar Quiterio Liberty Seguros s.t.
9 Iñaki Isasi Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
10 Henk Vogels Toyota - United Pro Cycling Team s.t.
Overall
1 Óscar Sevilla Rock Racing 14h27'16
2 Antonio Colom Astana Cycling Team + 47
3 Rubén Plaza Sport Lisboa e Benfica + 1'03 11 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne + 2'14
A mountain stage, but our plan was to give Rojas, our sprinter, one last chance of a stage win. If he could get in a break and make it over the second climb in the lead group, he'd have an excellent chance of taking any sprint. It was a big 'if' though.
The pace up the first climb though was too high to try and put him in a break. Over the top, the break had about 1'30 and Rojas then launched himself into a daredevil descent to bridge across.
He made it and the break built a big enough lead to get over the day's second climb with about a minute's lead on the fragmenting pack.
Down the other side and on the run-in to the finish the escapees work well together and the gap back to the chasers actually grows.
Into the final 3k and it was time for the strongest to make their moves.
Today, Rojas has the legs and is able to out sprint his breakaway companions to take the win.
It is a big win for the young sprinter. He has been close before in this and other races, and I think he was beginning to feel the pressure of not yet having delivered. But, all that is passed now, I hope....
And as an added bonus, his win today also enables him to finish with the points jersey.
There is drama behind too - Oscar Sevilla is unable to keep in contact with the Colom/Gil/Plaza group and Colom is able to gain precious seconds and take the overall.
Arroyo takes no chances on the descent and slips further down the GC.
Stage Result
1 José Joaquín Rojas Caisse d'Epargne 4h15'38
2 Juan José Oroz Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
3 Vicente Reynès Team Columbia s.t.
4 Jaime García Latorre Extremadura - Ciclismo Soldario s.t.
5 Luis Ángel Maté Andalucía - Cajasur s.t.
6 Eladio Jimenez Fercase - Rota dos Moveis s.t.
7 Manuel Lloret Barbot - Siper s.t.
8 Koldo Gil Liberty Seguros + 1'17
9 Rubén Plaza Sport Lisboa e Benfica s.t.
10 Antonio Colom Astana Cycling Team s.t.
11 Alejandro Paleo Xacobea - Galicia s.t.
12 Edvald Boasson Hagen Team Columbia s.t.
13 Krassimir Vasilev Palmeiras Resort Tavira + 1'31
14 Óscar Sevilla Rock Racing + 2'13 21 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne + 2'40
Overall
1 Antonio Colom Astana Cycling Team 18h44'58
2 Óscar Sevilla Rock Racing + 9
3 Rubén Plaza Sport Lisboa e Benfica + 16
4 Koldo Gil Liberty Seguros + 1'16
5 Xavi Tondo LA - MSS - Póvoa de Varzím + 1'59 13 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne + 2'50
Points
1 José Joaquín Rojas Caisse d'Epargne 81
2 Francisco Ventoso Andalucía - Cajasur 70
3 Wouter Van Mechelen Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner 47
Hi. Alejandro here. And here is Mojacar, Spain. Myself, Luis, Daniel, Xavier and Pablo have come here on a 'leisure' camp to help us recover from the first part of our seasons. Luis, escpecially, has had a heavy race program.
Anyway, on the eve of the Giro, I thought I would share some stats with you so you can see how Caisse and I have done compared to the other teams.
As you can see here, my wins in April in the Basque country and at LBL catapulted me into the ProTour lead. Cunego is second, and Bettini third. If Cunego rides the Giro, it is likely he will re-take the lead.
I also lead the individual rankings when continental races are factored into the equation.
Cunego is second again - but guys who excel in the cobbled races, like Devolder, Hoste and Cancellara are higher up the rankings here. Joaquim is 7th and Leon Sanchez 17th.
In terms of ProTour rankings for teams, our lack of a rider for the cobbles means we are behind Quickstep and CSC.
On the sponsor front, my wins in April have finally brought a smile to the face of our sponsor.
And one last thing, our scouts are very excited about two young talents they have identified. Galvez Obrero apparently could be the next Olano, and as for Subirats, I have rarely heard a young rider spoken of so highly.
And I'm pleased to tell you that team manager, Eusebio Unzue has agreed to provide the Giro updates for me.
OK, I'm a busy man, but will try and update the Giro after every stage. It's a great race, though for the team, not high up on our list of priorities. Hopefully, Rojas will be able to take a sprint victory, and Rujano and Arroyo will be able to do well in the mountains, and one finish Top 5. We'll also be agressive in finding the right break to get away in, and just about everyone we're sending to the Giro will be capable of winning from a break.
The Team
And the start list, which contains one or two big surprises, shows it's going to be a hotly contested race.
LPR must be confident of a Tour invite, as Di Luca is sitting this one out, so Schleck has to be a big favorite after his performances in the Ardennes - but I think someone like Leipheimer may have too much for him in the TT's. And as for Cunego? Pah! I don't think so....
A 30km Team Trial. We have some good guys against the clock in the team and we'll be riding this one flat out. If we can finish high up, we might be able to grab the Maglia Rosa in the second stage.
We are the first team off, so have no time to beat.
It's a fairly technical course with some climbing and Gutierrez leads us over the line in a time of 40'54. The gaps with Astana have been encouraging and it'll be interesting to see if they better our time.
And they are good enough to knock 6' off our time, but we know that if we are so close to a team like Astana, then we have a good time.
A number of teams cross the line and no-one is close to knocking us out of second. Damiano Cunego's Lampre team disappoint the tifosi and fail to make the top 3.
Columbia get close to the lead times and move into 3rd position, 11' seconds down on Astana. It looks as if we might have grabbed an excellent result in the day's opening stage.
On the course, only CSC and Gerolsteiner are left to finish.
Well drilled and efficient CSC may be, faster than my boys they are not.
Gerolsteiner ride hard into the finish, but the times already set are too good for them and they are ragged as they finish.
I am pleased with second place and we will fight hard to take the lead tommorrow.
Result
1 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team 40'47
2 Janez Brajkovic Astana Cycling Team s.t.
3 Steve Morabito Astana Cycling Team s.t.
4 Antonio Colom Astana Cycling Team s.t.
5 Sergei Ivanov Astana Cycling Team s.t.
6 Maxim Iglinskiy Astana Cycling Team s.t.
7 Benjamín Noval Astana Cycling Team s.t. 8 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 7
9 Marlon Pérez Arango Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
10 Francisco Pérez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
11 Jose Vicente García Acosta Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
12 Imanol Erviti Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
13 José Rujano Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
14 Ignas Konovalovas Crédit Agricole + 9
15 Jimmy Engoulvent Crédit Agricole s.t.
16 Pietro Caucchioli Crédit Agricole s.t.
17 Mark Renshaw Crédit Agricole s.t.
18 Gabriel Rasch Crédit Agricole s.t.
19 Eric Berthou Crédit Agricole s.t.
20 Thor Hushovd Crédit Agricole s.t.
21 Kanstantsin Sivtsov Team Columbia + 11
22 Gerald Ciolek Team Columbia s.t.
23 Thomas Frei Astana Cycling Team s.t.
24 Grégory Rast Astana Cycling Team s.t.
25 Kim Kirchen Team Columbia s.t.
26 George Hincapie Team Columbia s.t.
27 Linus Gerdemann Team Columbia s.t.
28 Marcus Burghardt Team Columbia s.t.
29 André Greipel Team Columbia s.t.
30 Servais Knaven Team Columbia s.t.
31 Andreas Klier Team Columbia s.t.
32 Sebastian Lang Gerolsteiner + 14
33 Fabian Wegmann Gerolsteiner s.t.
34 Markus Fothen Gerolsteiner s.t.
35 Sven Krauss Gerolsteiner s.t.
36 Johannes Fröhlinger Gerolsteiner s.t.
37 Davide Rebellin Gerolsteiner s.t.
38 Oliver Zaugg Gerolsteiner s.t.
39 Jure Golcer LPR Brakes - Ballan + 20
40 Rein Taaramäe Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
41 Leonardo Duque Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
42 Paolo Savoldelli LPR Brakes - Ballan s.t.
43 Sergio Marinangeli LPR Brakes - Ballan s.t.
44 Bingen Fernández Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
45 Giairo Ermeti LPR Brakes - Ballan s.t.
46 Florent Brard Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
47 Roberto Ferrari LPR Brakes - Ballan s.t.
48 Nicolas Hartmann Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
49 Claudio Cucinotta LPR Brakes - Ballan s.t.
50 Rik Verbrugghe Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
51 Cristiano Salerno LPR Brakes - Ballan s.t.
52 Amael Moinard Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
53 Paolo Bailetti LPR Brakes - Ballan s.t.
54 Thomas Dekker Rabobank + 21
55 Pedro Horrillo Rabobank s.t. 56 David Arroyo Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
57 José Joaquín Rojas Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
58 Gerben Löwik Rabobank s.t.
59 Matthew Hayman Rabobank s.t.
60 Rick Flens Rabobank s.t.
61 Theo Eltink Rabobank s.t.
62 Óscar Freire Rabobank s.t.
63 Laurens Ten Dam Rabobank s.t.
64 Gustav Larsson Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 23
65 Alexandr Kolobnev Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
66 Rémi Pauriol Crédit Agricole s.t.
67 Jeremy Hunt Crédit Agricole s.t.
68 Jurgen Van Goolen Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
69 Fränk Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
70 Bradley McGee Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
71 Stuart O'Grady Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
72 Karsten Kroon Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
73 Kurt-Asle Arvesen Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
74 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas + 24
75 Roman Kreuziger Liquigas s.t.
76 Daniele Bennati Liquigas s.t.
77 Roberto Petito Liquigas s.t.
78 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas s.t.
79 Charles Wegelius Liquigas s.t.
80 Filippo Pozzato Liquigas s.t.
81 Frederik Willems Liquigas s.t.
82 Martin Velits Team Milram + 26
83 Markus Eichler Team Milram s.t.
84 Andrea Moletta Gerolsteiner s.t.
85 Robert Förster Gerolsteiner s.t.
86 Brett Lancaster Team Milram s.t.
87 Andriy Grivko Team Milram s.t.
88 Alberto Ongarato Team Milram s.t.
89 Sergio Ghisalberti Team Milram s.t.
90 Christian Kux Team Milram s.t.
91 Volodymyr Dyudya Team Milram s.t.
92 Marco Velo Team Milram s.t.
93 Ruslan Ivanov Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli + 27
94 Richard Ochoa Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
95 Wim De Vocht Silence - Lotto s.t.
96 Yaroslav Popovych Silence - Lotto s.t.
97 Manuel Belletti Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
98 Christophe Brandt Silence - Lotto s.t.
99 Jackson Rodríguez Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
100 Dario Cioni Silence - Lotto s.t.
101 Wim Vanhuffel Silence - Lotto s.t.
102 Santo Anzà Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
103 Olivier Kaisen Silence - Lotto s.t.
104 Raffaele Illiano Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
105 Johan Vansummeren Silence - Lotto s.t.
106 Leonardo Moser Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
107 Dominique Cornu Silence - Lotto s.t.
108 Luca Solari Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
109 Sébastien Rosseler Quick·Step + 30
110 Mauro Facci Quick·Step s.t.
111 Alexander Efimkin Quick·Step s.t.
112 Matteo Tosatto Quick·Step s.t.
113 Andrea Tonti Quick·Step s.t.
114 Tom Boonen Quick·Step s.t.
115 Matteo Carrara Quick·Step s.t.
116 Kevin Van Impe Quick·Step s.t.
117 Paolo Bettini Quick·Step s.t.
118 Alessandro Petacchi LPR Brakes - Ballan + 31
119 Mauricio Soler Barloworld + 32
120 Baden Cooke Barloworld s.t.
121 Chris Froome Barloworld s.t.
122 John-Lee Augustyn Barloworld s.t.
123 Steven Cummings Barloworld s.t.
124 Paolo Longo Borghini Barloworld s.t.
125 Marco Corti Barloworld s.t.
126 Rinaldo Nocentini AG2R La Mondiale + 33
127 Stijn Vandenbergh AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
128 Grischa Niermann Rabobank s.t.
129 Stéphane Goubert AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
130 Yuri Krivtsov AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
131 Martin Elmiger AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
132 Jean-Patrick Nazon AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
133 Alexandre Usov AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
134 John Gadret AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
135 René Mandri AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
136 Damiano Cunego Lampre + 34
137 Sylvester Szmyd Lampre s.t.
138 Stefano Garzelli Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
139 Andrea Rossi Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
140 David Moncoutié Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
141 Alessandro Ballan Lampre s.t.
142 Branislav Samoilev Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
143 Paolo Tiralongo Lampre s.t.
144 Andrei Kunitski Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
145 Marzio Bruseghin Lampre s.t.
146 Dario Andriotto Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
147 Simon Spilak Lampre s.t.
148 Francesco Failli Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
149 Jérôme Coppel Française des Jeux + 35
150 Sandy Casar Française des Jeux s.t. 151 Mathieu Perget Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
152 Matti Breschel Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
153 Mathieu Ladagnous Française des Jeux s.t.
154 Jussi Veikkanen Française des Jeux s.t.
155 Sébastien Joly Française des Jeux s.t.
156 Yoann Le Boulanger Française des Jeux s.t.
157 Anthony Roux Française des Jeux s.t.
158 Murilo Fischer Liquigas + 36
159 Wim Vansevenant Silence - Lotto + 38
160 Aurélien Passeron Scott - American Beef + 45
161 Raivis Belohvosciks Scott - American Beef s.t.
162 Emiliano Donadello Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli s.t.
163 Mauro Santambrogio Lampre s.t.
164 Danilo Napolitano Lampre s.t.
165 Rubens Bertogliati Scott - American Beef s.t.
166 José Alberto Benítez Scott - American Beef s.t.
167 David Cañada Scott - American Beef s.t.
168 Javier Mejías Scott - American Beef s.t.
169 Manuele Mori Scott - American Beef s.t.
170 Thomas Voeckler Bouygues Télécom + 46
171 Anthony Geslin Bouygues Télécom s.t.
172 Patrick Calcagni Barloworld s.t.
173 Robert Hunter Barloworld s.t.
174 Xavier Florencio Bouygues Télécom s.t.
175 Damien Gaudin Bouygues Télécom s.t.
176 Yuri Trofimov Bouygues Télécom s.t.
177 Stef Clement Bouygues Télécom s.t.
178 Rony Martias Bouygues Télécom s.t.
179 Erki Pütsep Bouygues Télécom s.t.
180 Saïd Haddou Bouygues Télécom s.t.
181 Alexander Arekeev Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo + 48
182 Stefano Cavallari Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
183 Andrea Masciarelli Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
184 Samuel Dumoulin Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 49
185 Sébastien Chavanel Française des Jeux s.t.
186 Mirko Lorenzetto Lampre + 56
187 Haimar Zubeldia Euskaltel - Euskadi + 59
188 Amets Txurruka Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
189 Egoi Martínez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
190 Rubén Pérez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
191 Iñaki Isasi Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
192 Iván Velasco Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
193 Aitor Hernández Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
194 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
195 Yon Bru Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
196 Luciano Pagliarini Scott - American Beef + 1'00
197 Denis Flahaut Scott - American Beef s.t.
198 Christophe Mengin Française des Jeux + 1'02
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BTW, Gutierrez, I took Caisse out of the start list as I'd posted a graphic of the team just above, including fitness and morale.Edited by fenian_1234 on 19-11-2008 00:32
We also have a team racing in Spain. We have made a good start – Anthony Charteau won a hilly first stage. It’s unlikely he will hold on for the overall, as there’s a time trail on the final stage and they are not one of his strengths.
Result
1 Anthony Charteau Caisse d'Epargne 3h29'15
2 Alexandre Moos BMC Racing Team + 7
3 Tony Martin Team Columbia + 30
4 Daniel Petrov Andonov Sport Lisboa e Benfica + 37
5 Ezequiel Mosquera Xacobea - Galicia + 42
6 Jaume Rovira Extremadura - Ciclismo Soldario s.t.
7 José Ruiz Andalucía - Cajasur + 44
8 Tom Danielson Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 + 45
9 Daniel Navarro Astana Cycling Team + 50
10 João Cabreira LA - MSS - Póvoa de Varzím + 51
This is what we want today. The Maglia Rosa. The steep climb 10k out and then the long drag up to the finish, might give Guitierrez, Perez or Rojas an opportunity to stand on the podium tonight.
A break eventually does get away - though the opening kilometers are ridden hard, due to an attack by Pozzatto. He is not allowed to go, but a small group of five do get away. Jose Rujano falls on one of the descents, but I think he is lucky and has suffered nothing more than a few minor scrapes.
Astana spend most of the day on the front, and Quickstep and Lampre eventually move up to give them a bit of support. Over the penultimate climb and the pace is too high for any of our guys to consider attacking. The break has almost been reeled in and as we approach the final 3k up to the finish, we have not been able to set up a train due to the high pace. Still, Gutierrez and Acosta have good positions.
Acosta puts the hammer down and Gutierrez goes after him. 1k to go and it's going to be a hard fought finish.
Guitierrez looks as if he's riding into the race lead and perhaps he has the strength to take the stage?
On the line it is Bertagnolli who takes it.
The Italian riding in his home race just found that little bit extra and held Jose off. Still, we have the race lead and will try to hold it as long as possible.
Stage Result
1 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas 5h17'00 2 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
3 Thomas Dekker Rabobank s.t.
4 Kim Kirchen Team Columbia s.t.
5 Damiano Cunego Lampre s.t.
6 Fränk Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
7 Yon Bru Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
8 Stefano Garzelli Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t. 9 Jose Vicente García Acosta Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
10 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas s.t.
41 Levi Leipheimer Astana Cycling Team s.t.
good start. I'm also up to the Giro in my story but for some reason i doubt i'll be getting any similar results
Are there alot of big names missing from your Giro? I only had a quick scan through my start list but both Ricco and Di Luca aren't riding despite looking good in the GP de Romandie a few days before.
Eusebio Unzue here again, and first of all, a quick update from Stage 2 of the Clasica de Alcobendas.
The team knew it would be difficult to control such a short hilly stage, so the tactic was always going to be to get someone in the break. The opening kilometers were rode at a frantic pace and when a group did manage to get away, we had Juan Horrach present and he was the highest placed in the group on the overall.
Juan worked hard in the break and they made it all the way to the finish. He was outsprinted in the finale though, and Mourón from Xacobea - Galicia took the win.
Charteau attacked on the run in to the finish and he crossed the line in a small group of riders 57' back. We have looked at the profile of the final stage, and if he rides strongly he may be able to hang on in tomorrows ITT over the 11km and take the overall.
Stage 2 Result
1 Juan Mourón Xacobea - Galicia 1h48'03
2 Romain Feillu Agritubel s.t.
3 Jesús Buendía Contentpolis - Murcia s.t.
4 Michael Schär Astana Cycling Team s.t.
5 Filipe Cardoso Liberty Seguros s.t.
6 William Frischkorn Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
7 Carlos Torrent Extremadura - Ciclismo Soldario s.t.
8 Joan Horrach Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
9 Pedro Lopes Sport Lisboa e Benfica s.t.
10 Mikhail Timochine Amore e Vita - McDonald's s.t.
11 Manuel Ortega Andalucía - Cajasur s.t.
12 Kazuo Inoue Nippo Endeka s.t.
13 Josu Agirre Euskaltel - Euskadi + 23
14 Ricardo Mestre Palmeiras Resort Tavira + 57
15 Daniel Navarro Astana Cycling Team s.t.
16 Tony Martin Team Columbia s.t.
17 Anthony Charteau Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
18 Tom Danielson Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
19 José Herrada Contentpolis - Murcia + 1'27
20 João Cabreira LA - MSS - Póvoa de Varzím s.t.
Overall
1 Anthony Charteau Caisse d'Epargne 5h17'53
2 Tony Martin Team Columbia + 44
3 Alexandre Moos BMC Racing Team + 47
4 Tom Danielson Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 + 1'07
5 Daniel Navarro Astana Cycling Team + 1'12
6 Juan Mourón Xacobea - Galicia + 1'15
7 Ricardo Mestre Palmeiras Resort Tavira s.t.
8 Daniel Petrov Andonov Sport Lisboa e Benfica + 1'29
9 Ezequiel Mosquera Xacobea - Galicia + 1'34
10 Joan Horrach Caisse d'Epargne + 1'36
Stage 3 - Monday, May 12: Catania - Milazzo , 221km
We had one goal here and that was to hang on to the leaders jersey. Rojas would also be trying to do something in the sprints.
It was a typical flat stage - a small break went - and we kept them close enough for the sprinters teams to reel back in.
The only thing complicating matters were the strong crosswinds on the coastal roads. The peloton splintered and only the strongest riders managed to make it home in the front group. The pace was too high for Rujano and our hope for a high overall placing lost just over 2 minutes to the other riders who will contest the GC. They in turn, nearly all came in 55 seconds down on the sprinters.
Anyway, surprisingly it was Bouygues Telecom who played their cards to perfection today.
Under the 1k banner and Haddou has been given the perfect leadout by Geslin.
And he surprises the high class sprint field by powering to the line and taking victory. Rojas comes in 5th ahead of such illustrious names as Freire, Petacchi and Boonen
Gutiérrez comes home safely in the front part of the split peloton and holds on to the Maglia Rosa. Team Columbia and Gerald Ciolek are breathing down his neck though. If the next stage comes down to a sprint then Ciolek may take the jersey.....
Stage 3 Result
1 Saïd Haddou Bouygues Télécom 4h34'41
2 Paolo Bettini Quick·Step s.t.
3 Gerald Ciolek Team Columbia s.t.
4 André Greipel Team Columbia s.t.
5 Robert Hunter Barloworld s.t. 6 José Joaquín Rojas Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
7 Leonardo Duque Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
8 Baden Cooke Barloworld s.t.
9 Óscar Freire Rabobank s.t.
10 Sergio Marinangeli LPR Brakes - Ballan s.t.
11 Alessandro Petacchi LPR Brakes - Ballan s.t.
12 Sébastien Chavanel Française des Jeux s.t.
13 Karsten Kroon Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
14 Anthony Geslin Bouygues Télécom s.t.
15 Bingen Fernández Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
16 Matteo Tosatto Quick·Step s.t.
17 Jussi Veikkanen Française des Jeux s.t.
18 Kanstantsin Sivtsov Team Columbia s.t.
19 Tom Boonen Quick·Step s.t.
20 Jure Golcer LPR Brakes - Ballan s.t. 34 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t. 188 José Rujano Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
General Classification after Stage 3
1 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne 10h32'23
2 Gerald Ciolek Team Columbia + 8
3 André Greipel Team Columbia + 16
4 Kanstantsin Sivtsov Team Columbia s.t.
5 Linus Gerdemann Team Columbia s.t.
6 Andreas Klier Team Columbia s.t.
7 Sebastian Lang Gerolsteiner + 19
8 Paolo Bettini Quick·Step + 23
9 Leonardo Duque Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 25
10 Sergio Marinangeli LPR Brakes - Ballan s.t.
xD
