@cunego59: Haha, someone has to learn from the best I'm really glad you enjoy reading the story, those are some big words! Well, there's enough to catch up on, so hope you'll enjoy that too

@MrTeamSky: Yeah, i'd wish to see that too... Competing with a free role in the Giro was one of the key goals for Salvatore for the next season with Farnese Vini. But i can't assure anything though

Another page in the history book of cycling has been settled and closed. Through the year we were witness to a great show and battle in the highest ranks. If you didn't get to watch it all, then here's a little summary of the season that has passed. Take a look below...

A lot of riders were in the run for the prestigious Vélo d'Or price this year. Crowning the best rider of the year isn't always easy, and especially not in a year with lots of equality and big results. Even though, the members of the nomination control ended up with 10 candidates who were to battle for the highly desired price.

	Tom Boonen	1st Gent - Wevelgem
	Fabian Cancellara	1st World Championships RR
	Mark Cavendish	6 stage wins Tour de France
	Alberto Contador	1st Vuelta a España
	Chris Froome	2nd Tour de France
	Vincenzo Nibali	1st Tour de France
	Joaquím Rodríguez	1st Liége - Bastogne - Liége
	Peter Sagan	1st Tirreno - Adriatico
	Michele Scarponi	1st Giro d'Italia
	Bradley Wiggins	1st Volta Ciclista a Catalunya

Even though many had favorited Fabian Cancellara who won two monuments and the world championships, it was Rodríguez who ran away with the price. Having ended 1st on the World Tour rankings with wins at the Paris - Nice and the Liége - Bastogne - Liége, it was obvious that Rodríguez was competing very strong in the competition. Cancellara took second place ahead of Tour de France winner Nibali.

The battle for most wins this season got very close in the end with just 1 victory seperating first and second place. But in the end it was Mark Cavendish who got the edge on his biggest rival André Greipel, with 19 victories in front of the german's 18 victories. Third place went to the Norweigian Sky rider Edvald Boasson Hagen with 16 wins.

In terms of most race days, Italian rider Marco Marcato dominated with splendid 128 race days. Having ridden both the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España, Marcato's race days increased highly. But what seperated Marcato from most others was that he kept himself going from the very start at the Santos Tour Down Under, until the very end at the Japan Cup. But on other hands it hasn't been the greatest season for Marcato, although he won a beautiful stagewin at the Vuelta a España, no other results seemed to match his normal standards.

Thanks Froomey