With no opportunities for taking time, and no KOM checkpoints en route, today should be a quiet one for us, we'll take 6th place and the KOM, though it's a shame Horner couldn't improve on last years 2nd place.
Well, Skil-Shimano couldn't have wished for a better finish to the race! After Lieuwe Westra out in a late dig just 6km from home, he manage to stay clear for victory, with 2nd place going to Marcel Kittel, and and 3rd to Tom Veelers! A Skil-Shimano 1-2-3
Spoiler
A lot of planning and Skil went in to that performance!
Final Stage Results
1
Lieuwe Westra
Skil - Shimano
3h15'37
2
Marcel Kittel
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
3
Tom Veelers
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
4
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
5
Nikolas Maes
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
6
Branislau Samoilau
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
7
Roger Kluge
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
8
Mauro Finetto
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
9
Enrico Rossi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
10
Marc De Maar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
12
Paolo Longo Borghini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
13
Manuele Mori
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
14
Davy Commeyne
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
15
Yuriy Agarkov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
16
Rubén Bongiorno
Amore & Vita
s.t.
17
Andriy Grivko
Amore & Vita
s.t.
18
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
19
Julian Dean
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
20
Tony Martin
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
21
Yukiya Arashiro
Team Europcar
s.t.
22
René Weissinger
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
23
Laurent Beuret
Atlas Personal
s.t.
24
Alexandre Usov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
25
Paolo Bailetti
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
26
Pierre Rolland
Team Europcar
s.t.
27
Jacobus Venter
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
28
Fred Rodriguez
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
29
Dennis Pohl
LKT Team Brandenburg
s.t.
30
Nicolas Sanderson
Amore & Vita
s.t.
31
Koen De Kort
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
32
Nico Eeckhout
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
33
Leonardo Moser
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
34
Frederique Robert
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
35
Bert De Backer
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
36
Aurélien Duval
Team Europcar
s.t.
37
Pasquale Muto
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
38
Peter Wrolich
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
39
Simone Ponzi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
40
Robert Kiserlovski
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
41
Raffaele Ferrara
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
42
Davide Cimolai
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
43
Davide Appollonio
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
44
Wim Van Huffel
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
45
Sergio Marinangeli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
46
Michael Weicht
LKT Team Brandenburg
s.t.
47
David Hesselbarth
LKT Team Brandenburg
s.t.
48
Hannes Blank
LKT Team Brandenburg
s.t.
49
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
50
Siarhei Papok
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
51
Robin Chaigneau
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
52
Vincent Jérôme
Team Europcar
s.t.
53
Domenico Pozzovivo
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
54
Nikias Arndt
LKT Team Brandenburg
s.t.
55
Daniel Lloyd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
56
René Haselbacher
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
57
Chris Horner
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
58
Matic Strgar
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
59
Ludovic Capelle
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
60
Jempy Drucker
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
61
Franco Pellizotti
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
62
Giuseppe Di Salvo
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
63
Tom Zirbel
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
64
Fabio Sabatini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
65
Tony Hurel
Team Europcar
s.t.
66
Paolo Ciavatta
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
67
Brett Lancaster
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
68
Silvan Dillier
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
69
James Vanlandschoot
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
70
Gerhard Trampusch
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
71
Angelo Pagani
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
72
Marius Bernatonis
Atlas Personal
s.t.
73
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
74
Bert Grabsch
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
75
Aleksandr Kuschynski
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
76
Pirmin Lang
Atlas Personal
s.t.
77
William Aranzazu
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
78
Peter Femal
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
79
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
80
Moisés Aldape
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
81
Nicolas Baldo
Atlas Personal
s.t.
82
Benjamin King
Team Type 1
s.t.
83
Raphael Addy
Atlas Personal
s.t.
84
Paolo Locatelli
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
85
David Rosch
Atlas Personal
s.t.
86
Stefano Pirazzi
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
87
Alfredo Balloni
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
88
Andrey Klyuev
Amore & Vita
s.t.
89
Leopoldo Rocchetti
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
90
David Veilleux
Team Europcar
s.t.
91
Carlo Scognamiglio
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
92
Jack Bobridge
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
93
Travis Meyer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
94
Andreas Stauff
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
95
Filippo Savini
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
96
Jérôme Pineau
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
97
Matthew Wilson
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
98
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
99
Caleb Fairly
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
100
Gianluca Brambilla
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
101
Michael Albasini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
102
Sergiy Gretchyn
Amore & Vita
s.t.
103
Franck Bouyer
Team Europcar
s.t.
104
Andrei Kunitski
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
105
Constantino Zaballa
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
106
Christian Moreni
Miche - Guerciotti
s.t.
107
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
s.t.
108
Gregory Brenes
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
109
Dominik Hrinkow
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
110
Roberto Indovina
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
111
José Serpa
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
112
Mikayil Protsenko
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
113
Peter Erdin
Atlas Personal
s.t.
114
Yuri Metlushenko
Amore & Vita
s.t.
115
Josef Benetseder
Team Vorarlberg
s.t.
116
Maurizio Fioratti
Acqua & Sapone
+ 3'19
117
Anatoliy Pakthusov
ISD - Lampre Continental
+ 4'39
118
Michael Van Staeyen
Veranda's Willems - Accent
+ 11'43
Final General Classification
1
Andriy Grivko
Amore & Vita
21h50'55
2
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 32
3
Branislau Samoilau
ISD - Lampre Continental
+ 41
4
Marc De Maar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 42
5
Jacobus Venter
Veranda's Willems - Accent
+ 1'00
6
Chris Horner
Exxon Walmart
+ 1'09
7
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'34
8
Lieuwe Westra
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
9
Paolo Bailetti
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 1'44
10
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'46
11
Manuele Mori
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'54
12
Leonardo Moser
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
13
Simone Ponzi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
14
Wim Van Huffel
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
15
Jérôme Pineau
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
Points
1
Branislau Samoilau
ISD - Lampre Continental
64
2
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
60
3
Marcel Kittel
Skil - Shimano
47
4
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
43
5
Lieuwe Westra
Skil - Shimano
43
6
Andriy Grivko
Amore & Vita
39
7
Enrico Rossi
Liquigas - Cannondale
38
8
Tom Veelers
Skil - Shimano
32
9
Roger Kluge
Skil - Shimano
31
10
Chris Horner
Exxon Walmart
28
11
Marc De Maar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
23
12
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
23
13
Paolo Bailetti
Colnago - CSF Inox
22
14
Jacobus Venter
Veranda's Willems - Accent
20
15
Domenico Pozzovivo
Lampre - ISD
20
King of the Mountains
1
Gregory Brenes
Exxon Walmart
26
2
Travis Meyer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
24
3
Filippo Savini
Colnago - CSF Inox
22
4
Branislau Samoilau
ISD - Lampre Continental
16
5
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
14
6
Domenico Pozzovivo
Lampre - ISD
14
7
Andriy Grivko
Amore & Vita
12
8
Chris Horner
Exxon Walmart
12
9
Paolo Bailetti
Colnago - CSF Inox
12
10
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
10
11
Roger Kluge
Skil - Shimano
10
12
Yuriy Agarkov
ISD - Lampre Continental
10
13
Hannes Blank
LKT Team Brandenburg
10
14
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
10
15
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
8
Youth Classification
1
Jacobus Venter
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
21h51'55 (1)
2
Simone Ponzi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
+ 54 (2)
3
Frederique Robert
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
+ 2'56 (3)
4
Marcel Kittel
Skil - Shimano
+ 3h15'37
+ 3'14 (4)
5
Travis Meyer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
+ 3'24 (5)
6
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
+ 3'28 (6)
7
Yuriy Agarkov
ISD - Lampre Continental
s.t.
+ 3'44 (7)
8
Jack Bobridge
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
+ 3'48 (8)
9
Stefano Pirazzi
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
+ 3'56 (9)
10
Andrey Klyuev
Amore & Vita
s.t.
+ 4'04 (10)
11
Davide Cimolai
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
+ 4'28 (11)
12
Tony Hurel
Team Europcar
s.t.
+ 5'00 (12)
13
David Rosch
Atlas Personal
s.t.
+ 5'32 (13)
14
Caleb Fairly
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
+ 5'48 (14)
15
David Veilleux
Team Europcar
s.t.
+ 5'50 (15)
DS Reaction
Well, we came here with the intention of winning it, sadly a miscalculation on day 1 was enough to put paid to that, seeing the breakaway eventually fill most of the top 10.
Early season races are more about who has the best legs, and this was Chris' return race, he's not as strong as he was last year, no shock given his age and he still managed to outrace some serious riders on the summit finish, coming second the ISD-Conti leader Samoilau, who has a lot more racing under his belt already this year.
Turning away from the GC, It was great to see one of our young hopes Greg Brenes fighting for and winning the KOM jersey, it gives the team a prize from the race, and he can be very proud of his efforts!
It's here, the Belgian Opener, and with a good forecast, we should see some serious attacks late on with all the favourites making the trip for the first race on the cobbles. We're going for joint leadership here, Farrar and Hincapie, and the aim is for a top 10.
Well, almost all of the big stars are here, Cancellara, Boonen, Hushovd, Devolder, Breschel, Flecha etc so we may well serious a huge fight for this semi-classic title.
The Race
We kick started activity here with an early attack through Dominique Rollin, he took with him a group who have no real strength on the cobbles, including Pérez, Pauwels and Jan Barta.
As the peloton travelled over the first cobbled section of the year, a huge 40man crash occurred in the middle of the peloton, Phinney went down but was able to get back quickly for us. 2 men withdrew immediately, Pasamontes-Movistar and Chainel-FDJ. Despite continuing after the crash, Rabobank leader Breschel was also forced to withdraw later in the day, with scans showing he had suffered broken Coccyx.
As the peloton moved into the second half of the race, so Sky came forward with a collection of real fast men - Renshaw, Eisel, Cavendish and Swift and set about upping the pace to bring back the break.
The pace quickly brought back the break, and shed many riders out of the back as well. Our hope for the future Shy Vogel was comfortably in the pack which had been reduced to just 45men, until he punctured with 30km to go, leaving him without a chance of getting back to the bunch, a cruel ending to what had been a great race for him!
On the final cobbled section, Hincapie followed a move by Hushovd to try and stay away, he had no chance in a sprint, and Farrar was all but cooked, so a late attack seemed like our best hope.
However, this attack was thwarted by the other teams and the huge winds, and the duo were brought back. Into the final 5km Quinziato and Maaskant are out in front, whilst Farrar and Hincapie are both trying to hold the wheel of Pozzato or Haussler.
Leopard clearly didn't like this, and brought it all back once more. As the sprint opened up, Devolder is in front, followed by Weylandt and Tombak of Leopard, whilst Langeveld and Nuyens of Rabobank sit just behind them. We've all but faded from the picture, today will not be where we open our cobbles account.
What a turn of speed by Langeveld! He easily came past the rest in the final 900m to take the victory here in Belgium! It was surprising to see none of the big favourites such as Boonen and Cancellara contesting today, perhaps they were more interested in testing the legs on the cobbles without taking any big risks?
Results
1
Sebastian Langeveld
Rabobank Cycling Team
5h02'48
2
Stijn Devolder
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
3
Nick Nuyens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Janek Tombak
Leopard Trek
s.t.
5
Niki Terpstra
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
6
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Johan Van Summeren
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
8
Wouter Weylandt
Leopard Trek
s.t.
9
Daniele Bennati
Leopard Trek
s.t.
10
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Filippo Pozzato
Katusha Team
s.t.
12
Matthew Goss
Leopard Trek
s.t.
13
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
14
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
15
Bernhard Eisel
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
16
Staf Scheirlinckx
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
17
Heinrich Haussler
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
18
Sep Vanmarcke
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
19
Fabian Cancellara
Leopard Trek
s.t.
20
George Hincapie
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
21
Tom Boonen
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
22
Thor Hushovd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
23
Mark Cavendish
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
24
Robbie McEwen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
25
Karsten Kroon
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
26
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
27
Wilfried Cretskens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
28
Sven Van Dousselaere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
29
Jürgen Roelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
30
Jan Kuyckx
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
31
Erwin Meunier
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
32
Mark Renshaw
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
33
Arnoud Van Groen
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
34
Maarten Neyens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
35
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
36
Roger Hammond
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
37
Nikolai Trussov
Katusha Team
s.t.
38
Andreas Klier
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
39
Gert Steegmans
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
40
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
41
Martijn Maaskant
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
42
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
43
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
44
Taylor Phinney
Exxon Walmart
+ 2'48
45
Martin Elmiger
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
46
Sylvain Chavanel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
47
Leif Hoste
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
48
Gustav Erik Larsson
Leopard Trek
s.t.
49
José Iván Gutiérrez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
50
Frédéric Guesdon
FDJ
s.t.
51
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
52
Kurt Hovelynck
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
53
Preben Van Hecke
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
54
Jérôme Baugnies
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
55
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
56
Kevin Hulsmans
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
57
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
58
Kevin Van Impe
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
59
Kenny De Haes
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
60
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
61
Jussi Veikkanen
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
62
Wim De Vocht
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
63
Theo Bos
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
64
Chad Beyer
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
65
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
66
Xavier Florencio
Movistar Team
s.t.
67
Geert Omloop
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
68
Bert De Waele
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
69
Steven Van Vooren
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
70
Kristof Goddaert
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
71
Bobbie Traksel
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
72
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
73
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
s.t.
74
Rodrigo García
Movistar Team
s.t.
75
Ronan Van Zandbeek
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
76
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
77
Tom Stamsnijder
Leopard Trek
s.t.
78
Ben Swift
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
79
Frédéric Amorison
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
80
Gianni Meersman
FDJ
s.t.
81
Dominique Rollin
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
82
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
s.t.
83
Francesco Gavazzi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
84
Pieter Jacobs
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
85
Maxime Vantomme
Katusha Team
s.t.
86
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
87
Anders Lund
Leopard Trek
s.t.
88
Rob Goris
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
89
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
90
Thierry Hupond
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
91
Sébastien Delfosse
Landbouwkrediet
+ 6'16
92
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
+ 8'08
93
Markus Eichler
Team NSP
s.t.
94
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
95
Eric Baumann
Team NetApp
s.t.
96
Tom Leezer
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
97
Igor Abakoumov
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
98
Jarl Salomein
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
99
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
s.t.
100
Stefan Schumacher
Team NSP
s.t.
101
Sebastian Siedler
Team NSP
s.t.
102
Danilo Napolitano
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
103
Sébastien Hinault
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
104
Stefan Van Dijk
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
105
Jonas Vangenechten
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
106
Steven Kruijswijk
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
107
José Ángel Gómez Marchante
Movistar Team
s.t.
108
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
109
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
110
Wouter Van Mechelen
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
111
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
s.t.
112
Shy Vogel
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
113
Kim Borry
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
114
Kristof Vandewalle
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
115
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
116
Andy Cappelle
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
117
Ben Jacques-Maynes
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
118
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
119
Freddy Cruz
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
120
Serge Pauwels
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
121
Michael Vanderaerden
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
122
Jan Barta
Team NetApp
s.t.
123
Joris Cornet
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
124
Sebastien Baldauf
Team NSP
s.t.
125
Alexander Gottfried
Team NetApp
+ 11'44
126
Cameron Meyer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
127
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
128
Bartosz Huzarski
Team NetApp
s.t.
129
René Obst
Team NSP
+ 12'40
130
Alan Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
131
Laurens Ten Dam
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
132
Sébastien Rosseler
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
133
Jesús Del Nero
Team NetApp
s.t.
134
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
135
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
136
Rémi Pauriol
FDJ
s.t.
137
Adriano Malori
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
138
Michaël Bär
Team NetApp
s.t.
139
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
140
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
s.t.
141
Cesare Benedetti
Team NetApp
+ 15'04
142
Vitali Kondrut
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
143
Tino Thömel
Team NSP
s.t.
144
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
145
Matthias Kessler
Team NetApp
s.t.
146
Gorik Gardeyn
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
147
Dimitri Kryvtsov
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
148
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
149
Fabian Bruno
Team NSP
s.t.
150
Tom Stubbe
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
151
Edwig Cammaerts
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
152
Arnaud Courteille
FDJ
s.t.
153
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
+ 18'56
154
Ingmar De Poortere
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
+ 20'56
155
Thomas Bonnin
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
156
Thomas Degand
Veranda's Willems - Accent
s.t.
157
Kenneth Vanbilsen
Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly
s.t.
158
Thomas Vernaeckt
Veranda's Willems - Accent
+ 22'56
159
Johnny Hoogerland
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
160
Alessandro Spezialetti
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
161
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
162
William Bonnet
FDJ
s.t.
163
Kris Boeckmans
Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
s.t.
164
Alexander Wachowiak
Team NSP
s.t.
165
Rino Belardi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 24'40
166
Sven Van den Houte
Veranda's Willems - Accent
+ 25'04
167
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
Farrar managed to take 13th in the sprint, but in the end it was the wind that was the bigger factor in deciding the stage... No attacks were massively successful, as the smaller 2-5man groups were just decimated by the powerful winds we saw here today!
We have just one more race before returning to the WT next week, the Strade Bianchi. We will be sending a similar team there, to that which will be taking on the Tirreno-Adriatico just 4 days later, see you there!
The final race before the season proper kicks off. The sponsors have asked for a top10 here in Italy, and we're using it as a warm up race for our Tirreno team.
The squad looks very strong on paper, with Horner, Danielson and Hincapie all present, along with Dombrowski, Beyer and some more standard domestiques, and the reason for this is very simple... One of our minor sponsors want us to get top3 in Tirreno-Adriatico!
Team Type 1
211. I.Melero
212. A.Bazzana
213. F.Calabria
214. J.Eldridge
215. Benj.King
216. J.Megías
217. S.Milne
218. A.Shmidt
The startlist is pretty strong, names such as Albasini, Scarponi, Hesjedal and Leukemans so the racing should be fairly intense on the gravel hills of Tuscany.
The Race
The race saw several attacks fail early on, before this 10man group managed to get away on the section of "Strade Bianche"
At the halfway point, Charles Wegelius lead a second attack which took 3men across the gap to the break, now 2'51 ahead. We remained in the Garmin lead peloton, protecting Hincapie and Horner for a late attack.
With 13 out in front the gap began to rise, and we decided to try and get across. Chad Beyer, our breakaway specialist, was the man for the job, and 70km from home, he attacked, taking Luca Paolini with him.
With 40km to go, the 15men out in front still held a lead of 4'51" and it was starting to look more likely for the break group, unsurprisingly starting the cat & mouse attacks.
With 5km to go, Paolini made a dig from the break, splitting the 15 into 2 groups, it was clear that todays winner would come from the front group of 6 men, including Chad Beyer.
Well Chad didn't have enough to match his companions and has to be happy with 6th place. None the less, objective achieved so we can be happy with this finish, Luca Paolini howing he was the quckest man in the front group by a margin.
Beyer scored a large proportion of our early results last year, but has had a quiet start this season. It's good to see him back in form, hopefully he'll pick up a few stages as the season progresses.
The return of the World Tour! Not our biggest target, more about warming up our Giro squad, though we will of course be looking for the highest possible finish in the start to the European WT season.
The Route
A different route to last year, Stages 5,6 and 8 look set to be the decisive days for the GC. whilst everything should stay fairly quiet until the second half of the race with stages that look built for the sprinters!
The race has seen it's number of TT kilometres reduced from last year, just a short 10km prologue, so we may see some more aggressive riding on the summit finishes included en route.
The Startlist
Wow. This is looking strong! Our team is led by Tejay Van Garderen, along with team sprinter Tyler Farrar. Aside from these two, the remaining team is - Aldape, Zwizanski, Zabriskie, Phinney, Brenes and Serpa.
In other words, some decent mountain support in Serpa and Brenes, but mainly the side is about Tylers leadout train. We are hopeful of a decent performance in the prologue, but due to a complete lack of fitness, in reality this may not be plausible.
Looking away from our own squad now, several big names jump out. Alberto Contador is using this as his return to the WT, and Movistar are clearly serious about winning here, judging by the selected squad...
It's fairly clear that all the teams want victory here, Schleck makes his Radioshack debut, Cunego is here, Menchov, Roche and last years winner Kreuziger are just a few of the names to look out for in the GC.
Turning to the flat stages, Farrar is going to be right up there in the competition, though he'll face big challenges from Greipel, Chicchi, Davies and Robbie Hunter.
Last Year
Last year we struggled to make an impact on the GC, with Tom Danielson fading to 13th place on the final stage. We took the victory in the KOM thanks to Floyd Landis.
Kreuziger used this race as a stepping stone for multiple further GC successes in the early season, from here he went on to win the Volta Catalunya and the Tour of Romandie, though it does look as though competition will be greater this time round, he'll have to work hard to reclaim his title!
The Prologue
Just because i really hate commentating on race prologues, I thought i'd give a quick overview of what happened in this post...
Stage 1 is a 10km prologue in Paris, it's flat and unsurprisingly, Tony Martin of Garmin cruised to an easy victory ahead of his team mate, Jack Bobridge.
We were unable to affect the race today, no rider had the fitness for a great ride, though Dave Zabriskie managed to hold on for a top10 spot fnishing 30seconds down on the Garmin specialist.
Stage 1 Results
1
Tony Martin
Team Garmin - Cervélo
13'28
2
Jack Bobridge
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 14
3
Linus Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
+ 17
4
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
+ 18
5
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 23
6
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
+ 24
7
Richie Porte
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
8
Paul Poux
Saur - Sojasun
+ 25
9
Nicolas Vogondy
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 27
10
David Zabriskie
Exxon Walmart
+ 30
Spoiler
11
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
12
Yaroslav Popovych
Team RadioShack
s.t.
13
Carlos Oyarzun
Movistar Team
+ 31
14
Sebastian Langeveld
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
15
Marc De Maar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 32
16
Tony Gallopin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
17
Jens Voigt
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
18
David Millar
Landbouwkrediet
+ 34
19
Gustav Erik Larsson
Leopard Trek
+ 35
20
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
+ 37
21
Robert Hunter
Team RadioShack
+ 38
22
Stijn Devolder
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
23
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
24
Alexei Markov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
25
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
+ 39
26
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
27
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
s.t.
28
Michał Kwiatkowski
Team RadioShack
s.t.
29
Tejay Van Garderen
Exxon Walmart
+ 40
30
Alex Dowsett
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
31
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
+ 41
32
Nelson Oliveira
Team RadioShack
+ 42
33
Stephen Cummings
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
34
Jason McCartney
Team RadioShack
+ 43
35
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
36
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Leopard Trek
s.t.
37
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
38
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
+ 44
39
Maarten Neyens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
40
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
41
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
42
Rigoberto Urán
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 45
43
Xavier Florencio
Movistar Team
s.t.
44
Sébastien Delfosse
Landbouwkrediet
+ 46
45
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
46
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ
s.t.
47
Denis Menchov
Katusha Team
s.t.
48
Jürgen Roelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
49
Coen Vermeltfoort
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
50
Gert Steegmans
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
51
Sébastien Minard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 47
52
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
53
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
54
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
s.t.
55
Joost Van Leijen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 48
56
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
57
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
58
Kristjan Koren
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
59
Francisco Javier Aramendia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
60
Jakob Fuglsang
Leopard Trek
s.t.
61
Yuriy Krivtsov
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
62
Jürgen Van de Walle
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
63
Andy Schleck
Team RadioShack
+ 49
64
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
s.t.
65
Taylor Phinney
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
66
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
+ 50
67
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
68
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
69
Christian Vande Velde
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
70
Kim Kirchen
Lampre - ISD
+ 51
71
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 52
72
Cyril Bessy
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
73
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
74
Dries Devenyns
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
75
Scott Zwizanski
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
76
Cameron Wurf
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
77
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
+ 53
78
Alberto Contador
Movistar Team
s.t.
79
Jussi Veikkanen
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
80
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 54
81
Thomas Dekker
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
82
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
83
Serge Pauwels
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
84
David Moncoutié
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 55
85
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
86
Tristan Valentin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
87
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
88
Gianni Meersman
FDJ
s.t.
89
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
+ 56
90
Geert Omloop
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
91
Yukiya Arashiro
Team Europcar
s.t.
92
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
93
Simon Zahner
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
94
Rodrigo García
Movistar Team
+ 57
95
Allan Davis
Pro Team Astana
+ 58
96
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
s.t.
97
Francisco Pérez
Movistar Team
+ 59
98
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
s.t.
99
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
100
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
101
Yoann Le Boulanger
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'00
102
Janek Tombak
Leopard Trek
s.t.
103
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
104
Josep Jufré
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'01
105
Rémi Pauriol
FDJ
s.t.
106
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
107
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'02
108
Gregory Brenes
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
109
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
110
José Alberto Benítez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'03
111
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
112
Francesco Gavazzi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
113
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'04
114
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
115
Michal Golas
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
116
Arnaud Coyot
Saur - Sojasun
+ 1'05
117
Julien El Fares
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
118
Nikolas Maes
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'06
119
Carlos Sastre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'07
120
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
121
Maxim Iglinskiy
Team RadioShack
s.t.
122
Yannick Talabardon
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
123
Wesley Sulzberger
FDJ
+ 1'08
124
Tom Leezer
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
125
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
s.t.
126
Kevin Van Impe
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
127
Maxim Belkov
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'10
128
Dominic Klemme
Leopard Trek
s.t.
129
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
130
Jens Keukeleire
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 1'11
131
Matthew Hayman
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
132
Jérémie Galland
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
133
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
s.t.
134
Geoffroy Lequatre
Team RadioShack
s.t.
135
Danilo Napolitano
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
136
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
137
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
138
Daniel Lloyd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 1'12
139
Sven Van Dousselaere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 1'13
140
Balint Szeghalmi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
141
Florent Barle
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 1'14
142
Moisés Aldape
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
143
Edward King
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
144
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
145
Mikel Nieve
Leopard Trek
+ 1'15
146
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
147
Alberto Loddo
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
148
Koen Barbé
Landbouwkrediet
+ 1'16
149
Sébastien Chavanel
Team Europcar
s.t.
150
Reinier Honig
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
151
Maxim Gourov
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'18
152
Alexander Mironov
Katusha Team
s.t.
153
Sylwester Szmyd
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
154
Rémy Di Gregorio
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'19
155
Dmitriy Fofonov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
156
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
s.t.
157
Baptiste Planckaert
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
158
Ludovic Turpin
Saur - Sojasun
+ 1'20
159
Pierre Cazaux
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
160
Arkimedes Arguelyes
Katusha Team
s.t.
161
Ramunas Navardauskas
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 1'21
162
Mathieu Claude
Team Europcar
s.t.
163
Alessandro Spezialetti
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'22
164
Jan Kuyckx
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
165
Francesco Chicchi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'23
166
John-Lee Augustyn
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
167
Massimiliano Gentili
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1'24
168
Arnaud Gérard
FDJ
+ 1'25
169
Giovanni Bernaudeau
Team Europcar
s.t.
170
Julien Loubet
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
171
Massimo Giunti
Leopard Trek
+ 1'27
172
José Serpa
Exxon Walmart
+ 1'28
173
Rony Martias
Saur - Sojasun
+ 1'32
174
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'33
175
Jean-Marc Marino
Saur - Sojasun
+ 1'34
176
René Mandri
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'36
Our team leader Van Garderen finished 40" down on 1st, so not a fantastic performance, but enough to stay in contention for the GC and Youth classifications.
@Sutty, yeah I was pleased I decided to get across to the break!
and Zabriskie showed some good form, hopefully he'll be able to look after Tejay on the more critical stages
Stage 2
The first real RR day of this years race to the sun. It should be sprinters vs punchers today, due to the collection of small hills as the race approaches its finale. We're in it for Farrar today, we'll attempt to set up a sprint finish, as we hunt the green jersey.
and 11 man break went clear today, with big names David Millar, Kurt Arvesen and Omloop winner Langeveld as the most threatening.
What quickly became clear, was that no team wanted to set the pace, and the breaks lead quickly climbed to over 10minutes! We were forced to come to the front, trying to pull it all back together.
Disaster struck after 117km of racing, the break was still strong and with just us chasing, the lads began to tire. Unsurprisingly this led to a crash, Greg Brenes misjudged a downhill corner, and crashed along with Popvych and Voeckler. He was forced to withdraw with a fractured kneecap...
Things went from bad to worse, in trying to pull back the break, we had all but exhausted the team, including Tyler himself. with 10km to go, the break still has 1'27 advantage, with Millar setting pace up front.
And we suffer another crash! Phinney is able to continue, but he went down in a big crash as Omega-Pharma Lotto take over the pace setting. He was caught out in a big crash, straining his wrist.
Under the Flamme Rouge, and the break still sits just in front. Tyler is too tired to sprint, and it looks like the remnants of the break might just hold on!
Sprinting out of the peloton, Carrara managed to get a podium spot, but Langeveld managed to cling on for victory in front of Garmins Daniel Loyd.
Not the day we'd been hoping for, it's clear that are guys lower fitness is going to cost us here in france. Today was heavily affected by winds, and the high pace split the peloton, with over 70riders losing 1'50 or more!
The biggest shock of the day, was seeing Euskaltel's joint leader Carlos Sastre, get dropped on the flat, and lost 9'28! The only consolation for us, is the fact that Tejay stayed in the main group, so he has lost no time.
Today is a much flatter profile, none of the hills and difficulties of yesterday, so hopefully today we'll be able to put Farrar across the line first.
Not wanting to be caught out as we were yesterday, we got a man into the morning breakaway. Scott Zwizanski joined 3 others in there attack, and the 4 opened a gap of about 5minutes in the first 40km.
As the group got to the first KOM sprint, the lead was 7'30 and we gave Scott the freedom to get involved in the fighting for checkpoints. He was unable to contest the sprints, but won all 3 KOM CP's meaning he wears the polka-dot tomorrow.
King of the Mountains
Spoiler
1
Scott Zwizanski
Exxon Walmart
18
2
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
12
3
Dominic Klemme
Leopard Trek
10
4
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
7
5
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
7
6
Sébastien Delfosse
Landbouwkrediet
6
7
Francesco Gavazzi
Lampre - ISD
5
8
David Millar
Landbouwkrediet
3
9
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
3
10
Sebastian Langeveld
Rabobank Cycling Team
2
11
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
2
Despite what looked like a big gap, once Garmin and OPL set about chasing, the gap quickly fell. With 20km to go, Cédric Pineau of FDJ tried a last ditch attempt, but he was swept up by the peloton with 14km to go, as teams prepared there sprinters.
With 5km to go, Our train was coming forwards on the right hand side of the road. In order Van Garderen, Zabriskie, Phinney, Farrar. We were followed by Movistar sprinter Ventoso, and Turgot of Europcar, whilst Greipel was held near the front by his team at Omega-Pharma.
3km to go... Quickstep and Vacansoleil are best placed, Farrar is on the wheel of Phinney, can he come past the competition out in front?
Under the Flamme Rouge and Farrar launches, Carrara still has a gap to the pack, but Farrar is closing, it's a 2 horse race now, has Tyler got the legs yet, this early in the season.
No! Vacansoleils Sprinter-Climber holds on to the line. Farrar misses out by half a bike length, not quite having the turn of speed to come round his opposition. Still, 2nd place isn't a bad result, it's just a question of whether he can improve on that in tomorrows stage, the last chance for the sprinters before the real race begins.
Stage 3 Results
1
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
4h48'43
2
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
3
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
4
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
5
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
6
Jens Keukeleire
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
7
Gert Steegmans
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Allan Davis
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
9
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
10
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Coen Vermeltfoort
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
12
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
13
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
14
Robert Hunter
Team RadioShack
s.t.
15
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
16
Andy Schleck
Team RadioShack
s.t.
17
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
18
Tony Martin
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
19
Yukiya Arashiro
Team Europcar
s.t.
20
Danilo Napolitano
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
21
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
22
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Leopard Trek
s.t.
23
Janek Tombak
Leopard Trek
s.t.
24
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
25
Francisco Javier Aramendia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
26
Julien El Fares
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
27
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
28
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
s.t.
29
Rigoberto Urán
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
30
Richie Porte
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
31
Wesley Sulzberger
FDJ
s.t.
32
Nikolas Maes
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
33
Mathieu Claude
Team Europcar
s.t.
34
Michał Kwiatkowski
Team RadioShack
s.t.
35
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
36
Stijn Devolder
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
37
Tom Leezer
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
38
Denis Menchov
Katusha Team
s.t.
39
Jürgen Roelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
40
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ
s.t.
41
Marc De Maar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
42
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
43
Dries Devenyns
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
44
Jack Bobridge
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
45
Balint Szeghalmi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
46
David Zabriskie
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
47
Joost Van Leijen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
48
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
s.t.
49
Jussi Veikkanen
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
50
Sylwester Szmyd
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
51
Alberto Loddo
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
52
Jakob Fuglsang
Leopard Trek
s.t.
53
Alexei Markov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
54
Taylor Phinney
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
55
Dmitriy Fofonov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
56
Gustav Erik Larsson
Leopard Trek
s.t.
57
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
58
Sven Van Dousselaere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
59
Jens Voigt
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
60
Kevin Van Impe
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
61
Jan Kuyckx
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
62
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
63
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
64
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
s.t.
65
Kristjan Koren
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
66
Julien Loubet
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
67
Giovanni Bernaudeau
Team Europcar
s.t.
68
Christian Vande Velde
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
69
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
70
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
71
Kim Kirchen
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
72
Tristan Valentin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
73
Ludovic Turpin
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
74
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
75
Mikel Nieve
Leopard Trek
s.t.
76
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
77
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
78
Alexander Mironov
Katusha Team
s.t.
79
Francesco Gavazzi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
80
Paul Poux
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
81
Gianni Meersman
FDJ
s.t.
82
Jérémie Galland
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
83
Simon Zahner
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
84
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
85
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
86
Serge Pauwels
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
87
Stephen Cummings
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
88
René Mandri
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
89
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
90
Cyril Bessy
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
91
Tejay Van Garderen
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
92
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
s.t.
93
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
94
Sebastian Langeveld
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
95
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
96
Arnaud Coyot
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
97
Michal Golas
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
98
Daniel Lloyd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
99
Thomas Dekker
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
100
Alessandro Spezialetti
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
101
David Moncoutié
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
102
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
103
Carlos Oyarzun
Movistar Team
s.t.
104
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
105
Nicolas Vogondy
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
106
Alberto Contador
Movistar Team
s.t.
107
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
108
Rémi Pauriol
FDJ
s.t.
109
Josep Jufré
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
110
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
s.t.
111
Koen Barbé
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
112
Xavier Florencio
Movistar Team
s.t.
113
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
s.t.
114
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
115
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
s.t.
116
Linus Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
s.t.
117
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
118
David Millar
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
119
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
120
Geert Omloop
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
121
Jason McCartney
Team RadioShack
s.t.
122
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
123
Massimiliano Gentili
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
124
Jean-Marc Marino
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
125
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
126
Yaroslav Popovych
Team RadioShack
s.t.
127
Jürgen Van de Walle
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
128
Reinier Honig
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
129
Yuriy Krivtsov
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
130
Nelson Oliveira
Team RadioShack
s.t.
131
Massimo Giunti
Leopard Trek
s.t.
132
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
s.t.
133
Ramunas Navardauskas
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
134
Yoann Le Boulanger
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
135
Rémy Di Gregorio
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
136
John-Lee Augustyn
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
137
Arnaud Gérard
FDJ
s.t.
138
Sébastien Minard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
139
Alex Dowsett
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
140
Pierre Cazaux
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
141
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
142
Francisco Pérez
Movistar Team
s.t.
143
Maxim Gourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
144
José Alberto Benítez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
145
Carlos Sastre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
146
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
147
José Serpa
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
148
Baptiste Planckaert
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
149
Maxim Belkov
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
150
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
151
Matthew Hayman
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
152
Arkimedes Arguelyes
Katusha Team
s.t.
153
Rony Martias
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
154
Yannick Talabardon
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
155
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
156
Geoffroy Lequatre
Team RadioShack
+ 2'07
157
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
158
Rodrigo García
Movistar Team
s.t.
159
Tony Gallopin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
160
Edward King
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
161
Florent Barle
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
162
Sébastien Chavanel
Team Europcar
s.t.
163
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
164
Moisés Aldape
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
165
Cameron Wurf
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
166
Dominic Klemme
Leopard Trek
s.t.
167
Maarten Neyens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
168
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
169
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
s.t.
170
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
171
Sébastien Delfosse
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
172
Francesco Chicchi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3'11
173
Scott Zwizanski
Exxon Walmart
+ 3'43
Carrara's performance is enough to earn him the Green jersey ahead of tomorrow, Farrar sits 23 points down, so he needs the stage win if he's to have any chance of taking the Points Jersey overall in Nice.
Here is a screen of Carrara, he's not great but he had a decent lead over Farrar when I started Tylers sprint, and Tylers oinly at 78form so he couldn't really do that much about getting in front.
The last day for sprinters, we'll get a man in the breakaway to reduce our workload, and then it's all about Farrar, Our man for the sprints - aiming for a stage victory.
The peloton fought hard against the opening attacks, pulling back 9 attempts in the first 45km. Eventually a group was let free, and amazingly, the pack that was chosen was a 13man group!
The big names out in front are Daniel Loyd, Kurt Arvesen, and Giani Meersman.
Garmin refused to help in the chase, clearly they don't back Martin for later in the week! This forced other teams to pick up the chase. Astana and Movistar picked up the brunt of the work, though we also helped out through Zabriskie and Zwizanski.
Arvesen is clearly interested in our Polka-Dot jersey, he took first at all 3 sprints, to move just 1 point behind Scott in the KOM. As the break passed the final checkpoint, they still held 4minutes lead! The break were co-operating and it was going to be really hard to bring them back now...
King of the Mountains
Spoiler
1
Scott Zwizanski
Exxon Walmart
18
2
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
17
3
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
12
4
Dominic Klemme
Leopard Trek
10
5
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
7
6
Sébastien Delfosse
Landbouwkrediet
6
7
Francesco Gavazzi
Lampre - ISD
5
8
Geert Omloop
Landbouwkrediet
4
9
David Millar
Landbouwkrediet
3
10
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
3
With 11km to go, Bessy (Saur-Sojasun) and Kurt-Asle Arvesen (Sky Procycling) attacked from inside the break. The pack had seriously reduced the advantage, (1'48) but it is still a lot to close!
10km... We form our sprint train Van Garderen-Phinney-Farrar in the hope that this might up the pace, the peloton is 57" behind the main break, and 1'21 behind the duo out in front, now it's just a case of how high can we finish! Breaks have been the bane of our race it would seem...
4km and the peloton are snapping at the heels of the main break just 20" behind, and the duo are visible in front of them, Arvesen is holding the wheel of Bessy, who doesn't like this, and has lowered the pace out in front.
Under the flamme rouge, and theres 11" between the duo and the pack, Farrar launches trying to go for the win, whilst Arvesen launches his sprint around the Bessy, can he hold off the peloton?
The original break ending up blocking the sprinters a bit, and Arvesen takes a great breakaway stage win here in Nevers. Farrar finishes highest of the peloton, but can't get right to the front.
He misses out on his stage victory, now it's time to turn our attentions towards the climbs and GC, look forward to some rapid racing between the huge names here in La course au Soleil!
The first GC stage of the race. A summit finish atop La Col de la Republique, though the race organisers seem to peel this will suit the punchers better than the straight climbers.
We have the opportunity to move into the -25 jersey (Our race target) So it's all for Tejay this afternoon...
A Huge 15 man group went clear this morning, including Tyler Farrar. The break had some big names including Michael Rogers, Luis Sánchez and Mauro Santambrogio, all of whom lost time in the opening stages.
Farrar did what he was out there to do, winning the 2nd and 3rd sprints, helping his case for the points jersey, before sitting on the wheel of the break as the gap stayed steady around the 4minute mark.
Contador is clearly feeling good today, He had his entire team out there reeling in the breakaway! The gap was reduced a little, and as the pack reached the base of the final climb, it was down to 2'37"
As soon as the group began climbing, The break split. Santambrogio, Rogers, Kreder and Giunti easily riding away from the rest of the break.
Porte and Bertagnolli lead the first attacks from the peloton, pictured here coming past the breakaways remnants. They were quickly brought back, but this reduced the peloton to just 50 riders, and dropped both Jack Bobridge and Michael Kwiatowski! If they couldn't get back, then Tejay wears White tomorrow!
With 4km to ride, Michael Rogers had to admit defeat within the breakaway, and fell away leaving the three to continue, with a lead still at 1'53. The gap was falling, would they hang on? It seems unlikely if the favourites start to attack each other!
Like they just have! WC Damiano Cunego and Lux Champion Andy Schleck are the first of the big favourites to go, followed by Kreuziger, Gadret and Tony Martin.
However, Movistar kept the pace up, and they reeled this all-star 5 back with 1.6km to go. The peloton are still 32" behind, so it looks like the break will take it. All 3 are sprinting almost neck-a-neck under the flamme rouge!
Michael Kreder takes the victory for Garmin, 25" ahead of the peloton. The next group over the line contains around 40 riders including Tejay Van Garderen. Cunego shows he is the strongest of this group in the final sprint, but can't get the stage win because of the front trio.
And thanks to his work in the prologue, Tejay Van Garderen claims the white jersey, by just 5" over Rigo Urán. It looks like he will be the competition over the next few days as Tejay looks to protect the jersey.
