Thanks for the support, understanding and advice, guys
I'm enjoying my little break. Never got more work done for school than in the last 2 days. Also found some time to finish Writer's Block.
Weirdly enough, I'm already missing the story. Since I have a (sort of) deadline Friday, I might already return for the weekend. Of course not with the pace it's been going before, but decent enough
@TMM: Hope you get into Henry one of these days, if you decide to start following more on a regular basis. I think this is my finest work I've ever done, and I believe I can still make it better. Thanks for dropping in!
The life of a cyclist is not always an easy one. It's a dedication not many a willing to make. It takes hard work, all year round, and it expects a certain life style.
Last season I missed a big part because of a momentarily loss of control. This year, my training was off just a little bit and I had the worst season start so far.
It's my third year as a pro now, I can't slack off now. I have achieved more than I ever dreamed possible, but I don't want it to stop here. I want to keep growing stronger and stronger. And therefor I need to keep focused, keep my eye on the prize.
I need to get my form up, so I'm telling you, just like I told Becca, I don't have a lot of time for the wedding or any other personal business for now.
I need to develop a more professional attitude.
Tour of Oh-Man!
My professional attitude is paying off already. The competition wasn't as fierce as usual here, but I still had a handful with Rolland, Spilak, Henao...
On the first of two mountain stages, the one finishing uphill, I sprinted to a close victory, my first of the season! I was quite happy with that.
We had brought a very strong team so the next day we worked the peloton with a whip!
I reacted to all attacks and they brought me to the finish, where I won a close sprint against Rolland.
General Classification
1
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
21h16'45
2
Simon Spilak
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 18
3
Pierre Rolland
Team Europcar
+ 20
4
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
+ 1'17
5
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2'45
6
Roman Kreuziger
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 2'49
7
Silvio Herklotz
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 4'18
8
Matteo Rabottini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 4'56
9
Daniel Navarro
Bauknecht - Author
+ 5'21
10
Luis León Sánchez
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 5'46
11
Leocadio Manresa
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 6'39
Spoiler
12
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
+ 6'43
13
Tom Slagter
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
14
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
15
Jonathan Hivert
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 7'32
16
Vasil Kiryienka
Sky Procycling
+ 7'40
17
Bauke Mollema
Lampre - Merida
+ 9'02
18
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
19
Petr Ignatenko
Katusha Team
s.t.
20
Cayetano Sarmiento
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
21
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
22
Dominik Nerz
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 9'39
23
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
+ 10'27
24
Peter Kennaugh
Sky Procycling
+ 10'41
25
Pierrick Fédrigo
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 10'51
26
Lieuwe Westra
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 10'55
27
Jean-Marc Marino
Team Europcar
s.t.
28
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky Procycling
s.t.
29
Davide Malacarne
Team Europcar
+ 11'18
30
Maxim Belkov
Katusha Team
+ 11'21
31
Marcel Kittel
Katusha Team
+ 12'42
32
Tomasz Marczynski
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 12'49
33
Caleb Ewan
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 12'54
34
Dries Devenyns
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 12'58
35
Ramunas Navardauskas
Garmin - Sharp
+ 13'00
36
Moreno Moser
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
37
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
38
Christophe Riblon
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
39
Meron Russom
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
40
Luca Dodi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
41
Thomas Löfkvist
Bauknecht - Author
s.t.
42
Sergey Chernetskiy
Katusha Team
s.t.
43
Darren Lill
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
44
Francis De Greef
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
45
José Serpa
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
46
Carlos Barbero
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 13'16
47
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 13'26
48
Luca Zanasca
Lampre - Merida
+ 13'29
49
Andrew Fenn
Sky Procycling
+ 13'36
50
Fabio Sabatini
Lampre - Merida
+ 13'40
51
Tomas Vaitkus
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 13'44
52
Pieter Ghyllebert
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
53
Vladimir Isaychev
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
+ 13'46
54
Alex Howes
Garmin - Sharp
+ 13'48
55
Arthur Vichot
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 13'50
56
Kristian Sbaragli
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
57
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
58
Heinrich Haussler
Sky Procycling
s.t.
59
Raymond Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
60
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
61
Maarten Wynants
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
62
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
63
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
64
Maciej Paterski
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
65
Jakub Danačík
Bauknecht - Author
s.t.
66
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
67
Trent Lowe
Drapac Cycling
s.t.
68
Manuel Medina
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
69
Lachlan Norris
Drapac Cycling
s.t.
70
Nicolas Edet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 14'27
71
Tiziano Dall'Antonia
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 15'08
72
Yauheni Hutarovich
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 15'10
73
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 15'18
74
Marco Haller
Katusha Team
s.t.
75
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
76
Lloyd Mondory
Team Europcar
s.t.
77
Yukiya Arashiro
Team Europcar
s.t.
78
Steele Von Hoff
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
79
David Tanner
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
80
Sven Vandousselaere
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
81
Dennis Van Winden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
82
Ben King
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
83
Manuel Quinziato
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
84
Darren Lapthorne
Drapac Cycling
+ 15'53
85
Stéphane Poulhiès
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 16'02
86
Steven Tronet
Team Europcar
s.t.
87
Stanislav Kozúbek
Bauknecht - Author
+ 16'44
88
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
89
Adriano Malori
Team Celesio - Macquarie
s.t.
90
Dominique Cornu
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
91
Timothy Roe
Drapac Cycling
+ 17'00
92
Adam Semple
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 17'23
93
Eliot Lietaer
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
94
Cameron Wurf
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
95
Freqalsi Debesay
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 17'35
96
Frantisek Padour
Bauknecht - Author
+ 18'00
97
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 18'08
98
Jarl Salomein
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
99
Mauro Da Dalto
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
100
František Klouček
Bauknecht - Author
s.t.
101
Biao Liu
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
102
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 18'43
103
James Perry
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 19'04
104
Arran Brown
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 19'10
105
Martin Hebik
Bauknecht - Author
+ 19'21
106
Massimo Graziato
Lampre - Merida
+ 20'03
107
Alexander Serov
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
+ 20'18
108
Alexandre Pichot
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 21'15
109
Davy Tuytens
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
+ 22'29
110
Zakkari Dempster
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 23'17
111
Robert Hunter
Garmin - Sharp
+ 23'33
112
Bobbie Traksel
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
+ 23'54
113
Michael Hepburn
Drapac Cycling
+ 23'58
114
Matthew Brammeier
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
+ 24'52
115
Ronan Racault
Team Europcar
+ 25'06
116
Jure Zrimsek
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
117
Mart Ojavee
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
118
Stuart Shaw
Drapac Cycling
+ 25'41
119
Tim Mertens
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
+ 27'34
120
Thomas Zechmeister
Bauknecht - Author
+ 29'11
121
Gamba Mphela
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
122
Vincent Leicester
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 30'53
123
Kenneth Shannon
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 32'02
124
Ilario Ragone
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 38'52
I also took the Young Jersey and the Mountain Jersey! Needless to say, our team conquered the Team Classification Award.
Analysis & Daily Thoughts
Two stage wins, three jerseys. Can't complain here!
After a disastrous start in Australia, I seem to be finding my form. I wonder if I can repeat my Paris - Nice miracle from last year?
Big interview
Van Impe has been monitoring my career from close by since the start. He doesn't allow a lot of interviews and moments with the press, trying to keep me focused and calm. However, I do have a big interview coming up now. It seems Van Impe couldn't resist the ones who want the interview. Well, it's for... Playboy, well, the French version that is.
The interview will take place in a few days. It'll be released, probably, in the March Edition. I'll put it on the site as soon as it has! However, I might only get my hands on it after Paris - Nice.
See you at Paris - Nice,
Henry
Spoiler
If you want to ask a question yourself, feel free to PM me any
Nice pun And great victory! I'm sure Henry will come just right into form for Paris - Nice. Playboy magazine you say? Shame it's the french version, I imagine there will be some gross hairy armpits in it. Would love to read an interview with Radio B sometime again btw. Edited by Shonak on 18-01-2014 10:22
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Shonak - Thanks! Oh yeah, French edition Well, Henry's only interested in the article anyway. Hope he won't have to pose naked, though. Not sure how it works with those guys
Don't worry, Radio B will show up at the most inappropriate time
Back again.
Last year the whole of France stood up as one man behind me as I took the overall victory in Paris - Nice. Has it really been only one year? It seems so much has happened in that time, both in my professional and my private life.
A year ago I was a young, somewhat talented, rider. I was quite nervous and keen to prove myself.
Today I stand here as a confident rider. I have earned my place in the peloton and at the most races I start, I'm considered an outsider, if not a favorite.
This brings a different level of difficulty and stress, but one I am happy to embrace. This Paris - Nice won't be easy, but I want to win it more than anything else.
Paris - Nice 2015
This year's edition might be perfect for me. There are only two time trials; the 3 km prologue, where I can't lose much time, and the final time trial, which is 99% uphill. There are some flat stages, some hillier stages and one summit finish mountain stage, where I plan to make my big move, obviously!
Stage 1
Since November I stopped training time trialing regularly. Since January I stopped all together. I felt that today... 30 seconds isn't dramatic, but on 3 km it's a lot.
Result
1
Tony Martin
Katusha Team
3'19
2
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
+ 5
3
Rohan Dennis
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
4
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 7
5
Manuele Boaro
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 9
6
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 10
7
Manuel Quinziato
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 11
8
Dennis Van Winden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
9
Marcel Kittel
Katusha Team
s.t.
10
Cameron Meyer
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 13
(...)
95
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 33
Stage 2
A nice profile for the sprinters. The wind is blowing dangerously strong, so I will need to stay at the front to avoid gaps.
I'm feeling pretty good these days. I think I have about the same legs as the ones I used to win last year. I'll know for sure when he hit the highlands.
Carlos Barbero, the next Freire? He's certainly coming up in the world!
Only after I had finished, I heard the peloton got ripped to pieces in the final kilometers. I went to higher ground where I could see the finish and to my surprise I saw Valverde, the World Champion, finish, this is almost two minutes later, losing previous time.
Result
1
Carlos Barbero
RadioShack - Leopard
4h08'41
2
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
3
Marcel Kittel
Katusha Team
s.t.
4
Matthew Goss
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
5
Arnaud Demare
Team Europcar
s.t.
6
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
7
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
8
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
9
Romain Feillu
Team Europcar
s.t.
10
Tomas Vaitkus
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
Stage 3
That finale suit sprinters as well as punchers. I will mix it up at the sprint, if only to avoid new gaps.
Definitely the toughest day so far. I stayed well at the front thanks to Stybar and finished inside the top 10!
Result
1
Arnaud Demare
Team Europcar
4h35'56
2
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
3
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
4
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
s.t.
5
Romain Feillu
Team Europcar
s.t.
6
Matthew Goss
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
7
Marcel Kittel
Katusha Team
s.t.
8
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
9
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
s.t.
10
Steven Caethoven
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
11
Carlos Barbero
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
12
Tomas Vaitkus
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
13
Zdenek Stybar
Team Celesio - Macquarie
s.t.
14
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
15
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
Provisional Classification
1
Tony Martin
Katusha Team
8h47'56
2
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
+ 5
3
Rohan Dennis
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
4
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 7
5
Marcel Kittel
Katusha Team
+ 9
6
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 10
7
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
+ 11
8
Johan Le Bon
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 13
9
Cameron Meyer
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
10
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky Procycling
s.t.
(...)
37
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 33
Spoiler
11
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 14
12
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
+ 15
13
Dario Cataldo
Sky Procycling
+ 16
14
Jérémy Roy
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
15
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
+ 17
16
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
+ 18
17
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
18
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
19
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
+ 19
20
Jurgen Van den Broeck
BMC Racing Team
+ 21
21
Pierrick Fédrigo
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
22
Arnaud Demare
Team Europcar
+ 23
23
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
24
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
25
Yohan Offredo
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 24
26
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 25
27
Tomas Vaitkus
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 26
28
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
29
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
30
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 27
31
Rafal Majka
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
32
Adrien Petit
Astana Pro Team
+ 28
33
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
34
Vasil Kiryienka
Sky Procycling
+ 30
35
Chris Anker Sørensen
Astana Pro Team
+ 31
36
Matthew Goss
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 32
37
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 33
38
Carlos Barbero
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
39
Domenico Pozzovivo
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
40
Riccardo Chiarini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
41
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 36
42
Leopold König
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
43
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
+ 39
44
Christopher Juul-Jensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 41
45
Vicente Reynès
Lotto Belisol
+ 43
46
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 44
47
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 46
48
Enrique Mata
Movistar Team
s.t.
49
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
+ 47
50
Maciej Paterski
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
51
Yannick Martinez
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
52
Romain Feillu
Team Europcar
+ 49
53
Steven Tronet
Team Europcar
+ 53
54
Steven Caethoven
Lotto Belisol
+ 54
55
Tiago Machado
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1'52
56
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'55
57
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
58
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
+ 1'57
59
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
+ 1'59
60
Olivier Kaisen
Lotto Belisol
+ 2'01
61
Zdenek Stybar
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 2'04
62
Valerio Agnoli
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'10
63
Greg Henderson
Lotto Belisol
+ 2'15
64
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 2'16
65
Anthony Delaplace
Team Europcar
+ 2'22
66
Dennis Van Winden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'25
67
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 2'28
68
Luke Keough
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
69
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'31
70
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2'32
71
Stijn Devolder
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 2'35
72
Jack Bobridge
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'42
73
Michael Matthews
Sojasun
+ 2'44
74
Sergey Chernetskiy
Katusha Team
+ 2'45
75
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
+ 2'46
76
Martial Pignol
Sojasun
+ 2'47
77
Jonathan Clarke
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 2'49
78
Kenny Van Hummel
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 2'52
79
Ramon Sinkeldam
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 2'58
80
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'00
81
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
+ 3'02
82
Raymond Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
83
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
+ 3'04
84
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 3'29
85
Maarten Wynants
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'46
86
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'06
87
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Sojasun
s.t.
88
Vincent Leicester
Team Celesio - Macquarie
s.t.
89
Anthony Roux
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4'08
90
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 4'09
91
Danny Van Poppel
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 4'10
92
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
+ 4'13
93
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
94
Christian Knees
Sky Procycling
+ 4'14
95
Nikias Arndt
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
96
Nicolas Roche
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 4'15
97
Geoffroy Lequatre
FDJ.fr
+ 4'16
98
Henry Trichet
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4'17
99
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
100
Levi Leipheimer
Sojasun
+ 4'19
101
Michael Færk Christensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
102
Kevin De Weert
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'21
103
Dries Devenyns
Team Celesio - Macquarie
s.t.
104
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'22
105
Eros Capecchi
Movistar Team
+ 4'23
106
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ.fr
s.t.
107
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 4'24
108
Arthur Vichot
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 4'26
109
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
110
Arnold Jeannesson
FDJ.fr
s.t.
111
Steve Chainel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
112
Alexandre Lemair
La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
113
Antoine Lavieu
La Pomme Marseille
+ 4'27
114
Stefano Agostini
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'28
115
Gustavo Domínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'29
116
François Parisien
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 4'30
117
Cyril Bessy
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
118
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 4'31
119
Romain Bardet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
120
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
121
Toms Skujins
La Pomme Marseille
+ 4'32
122
Serafín Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
123
Julien Antomarchi
La Pomme Marseille
+ 4'33
124
Tony Hurel
La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
125
Thomas Rostollan
La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
126
Christophe Le Mével
La Pomme Marseille
+ 4'34
127
Johan Mombaerts
La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
128
Bert Grabsch
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
129
Etienne Tortelier
Sojasun
s.t.
130
Florian Guillou
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 4'35
131
Mickaël Delage
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
132
Carlos Verona
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'37
133
Alexis Vuillermoz
Sojasun
+ 4'39
134
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'41
135
Yohann Gène
FDJ.fr
s.t.
136
Valeriy Dmitriyev
Astana Pro Team
+ 4'42
137
Brice Feillu
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
138
Iban Mayoz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'43
139
Gaël Malacarne
FDJ.fr
s.t.
140
Jérémie Galland
Sojasun
s.t.
141
Vincent Jérôme
FDJ.fr
+ 4'44
142
Cédric Pineau
FDJ.fr
+ 4'45
143
Benoît Sinner
FDJ.fr
+ 4'47
144
Manuele Boaro
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 5'34
145
Jack Bauer
Garmin - Sharp
+ 5'39
146
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 5'40
147
Leocadio Manresa
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 5'41
148
Dmitriy Gruzdev
Astana Pro Team
+ 5'43
149
Jos Van Emden
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
150
Jens Mouris
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 5'48
151
Yauheni Hutarovich
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 5'50
152
Peter Kennaugh
Sky Procycling
s.t.
153
Nick Nuyens
Garmin - Sharp
+ 5'54
154
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 5'55
155
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 5'57
156
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 5'58
157
Laszló Bodrogi
Sojasun
s.t.
158
Alberico Mazzaglia
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 5'59
159
Mitchell Docker
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 6'00
160
Daniel Fleeman
Sky Procycling
+ 6'02
161
Wouter Mol
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
162
Jakob Rathe
Garmin - Sharp
+ 6'03
163
Assan Bazayev
Astana Pro Team
+ 6'04
164
Joshua Edmonson
Sky Procycling
+ 6'05
165
Wesley Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 6'06
166
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 6'08
167
Frederic Gauthier
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 6'10
168
David Tanner
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 6'11
169
Michal Golas
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 6'12
170
Bert-Jan Lindeman
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 6'14
171
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 6'16
172
Piergiuseppe Policriti
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 6'19
173
Pierre Rolland
Team Europcar
+ 6'24
174
Rémi Pauriol
Team Europcar
+ 6'57
175
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 6'59
176
Anzor Kostylev
Katusha Team
+ 8'26
177
Manuel Quinziato
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 8'29
178
Maarten Nelissen
Lotto Belisol
+ 8'40
179
Jesper Asselman
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 9'10
180
Bolat Raimbekov
Astana Pro Team
+ 9'11
181
Damien Escande
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 9'13
182
Ilario Ragone
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 10'45
183
Josu Andrés
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 10'56
184
Markel Irizar
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 11'19
Analysis & Daily Thoughts
So far, so good. Valverde lost quite some time, which may cost him the overall victory. But Van Impe always says: getting caught behind is always a sign of a bad form. Someone in great shape doesn't let himself get caught off guard.
I'm attentive and I can't wait to hit the first hills tomorrow!
Henry
Paris - Nice is getting along great. With a hilly stage today, we are halfway. Still two big climbs to come, though, so I have my hopes up!
Stage 4
Nuyens and Offredo created the breakaway and fought for the mountain points.
Quickstep and Radioshack were at the front all day, keeping the pace high.
And then, as expected, the attacks came. I didn't react straight away.
I came with the second wave, but they weren't strong enough, so I had to go looking for the escapees solo. I came really close, too. The hills were behind us now, though. Just flat road ahead of us.
But the headwind made it impossible to bridge those final 20 meters.
Nuyens, contrary to Offredo, stayed away and took the victory. I kept my pace high and finished in the same time as the group of attackers, phew!
Result
1
Nick Nuyens
Garmin - Sharp
3h53'20
2
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
+ 24
3
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
4
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Pierre Rolland
Team Europcar
s.t.
6
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
7
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
s.t.
8
Matthew Goss
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1'26
9
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
10
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
Provisional Classification
1
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
12h41'50
2
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
+ 1
3
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto Belisol
+ 6
4
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 23
5
Tony Martin
Katusha Team
+ 52
6
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
+ 57
7
Rohan Dennis
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
8
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 59
9
Marcel Kittel
Katusha Team
+ 1'01
10
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'02
Spoiler
11
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky Procycling
+ 1'05
12
Johan Le Bon
Team Celesio - Macquarie
s.t.
13
Cameron Meyer
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
14
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1'06
15
Jérémy Roy
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1'08
16
Dario Cataldo
Sky Procycling
s.t.
17
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
+ 1'09
18
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
+ 1'10
19
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
20
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
+ 1'11
21
Jurgen Van den Broeck
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'13
22
Pierrick Fédrigo
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
23
Yohan Offredo
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 1'14
24
Arnaud Demare
Team Europcar
+ 1'15
25
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
26
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
27
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1'17
28
Tomas Vaitkus
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1'18
29
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
30
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
31
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1'19
32
Rafal Majka
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
33
Adrien Petit
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'20
34
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
35
Vasil Kiryienka
Sky Procycling
+ 1'22
36
Chris Anker Sørensen
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'23
37
Matthew Goss
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1'24
38
Carlos Barbero
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1'25
39
Riccardo Chiarini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
40
Domenico Pozzovivo
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
41
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'28
42
Leopold König
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
43
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
+ 1'31
44
Christopher Juul-Jensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1'33
45
Vicente Reynès
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'35
46
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1'36
47
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1'38
48
Enrique Mata
Movistar Team
s.t.
49
Yannick Martinez
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1'39
50
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
51
Maciej Paterski
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
52
Romain Feillu
Team Europcar
+ 1'41
53
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'45
54
Steven Tronet
Team Europcar
s.t.
55
Steven Caethoven
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'46
56
Tiago Machado
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2'44
57
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'47
58
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
+ 2'49
59
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
+ 2'51
60
Olivier Kaisen
Lotto Belisol
+ 2'53
61
Zdenek Stybar
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 2'56
62
Valerio Agnoli
Astana Pro Team
+ 3'02
63
Greg Henderson
Lotto Belisol
+ 3'07
64
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 3'08
65
Anthony Delaplace
Team Europcar
+ 3'14
66
Dennis Van Winden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'17
67
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 3'20
68
Luke Keough
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
69
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'23
70
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 3'24
71
Stijn Devolder
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 3'27
72
Jack Bobridge
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'34
73
Michael Matthews
Sojasun
+ 3'36
74
Sergey Chernetskiy
Katusha Team
+ 3'37
75
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
+ 3'38
76
Martial Pignol
Sojasun
+ 3'39
77
Jonathan Clarke
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3'41
78
Kenny Van Hummel
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3'44
79
Ramon Sinkeldam
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3'50
80
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'52
81
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
+ 3'54
82
Raymond Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
83
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
+ 3'56
84
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 4'21
85
Maarten Wynants
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'38
86
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'58
87
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Sojasun
s.t.
88
Anthony Roux
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 5'00
89
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 5'01
90
Danny Van Poppel
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 5'02
91
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
+ 5'05
92
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
93
Christian Knees
Sky Procycling
+ 5'06
94
Nicolas Roche
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 5'07
95
Geoffroy Lequatre
FDJ.fr
+ 5'08
96
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 5'09
97
Henry Trichet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
98
Nick Nuyens
Garmin - Sharp
+ 5'11
99
Levi Leipheimer
Sojasun
s.t.
100
Kevin De Weert
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 5'13
101
Dries Devenyns
Team Celesio - Macquarie
s.t.
102
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 5'14
103
Eros Capecchi
Movistar Team
+ 5'15
104
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ.fr
s.t.
105
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 5'16
106
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
+ 5'18
107
Arthur Vichot
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
108
Steve Chainel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
109
Arnold Jeannesson
FDJ.fr
s.t.
110
Antoine Lavieu
La Pomme Marseille
+ 5'19
111
Stefano Agostini
BMC Racing Team
+ 5'20
112
Gustavo Domínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 5'21
113
François Parisien
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 5'22
114
Cyril Bessy
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
115
Romain Bardet
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 5'23
116
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
117
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
118
Toms Skujins
La Pomme Marseille
+ 5'24
119
Serafín Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
120
Julien Antomarchi
La Pomme Marseille
+ 5'25
121
Tony Hurel
La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
122
Christophe Le Mével
La Pomme Marseille
+ 5'26
123
Johan Mombaerts
La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
124
Bert Grabsch
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
125
Etienne Tortelier
Sojasun
s.t.
126
Mickaël Delage
BMC Racing Team
+ 5'27
127
Florian Guillou
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
128
Carlos Verona
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 5'29
129
Alexis Vuillermoz
Sojasun
+ 5'31
130
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 5'33
131
Yohann Gène
FDJ.fr
s.t.
132
Brice Feillu
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 5'34
133
Valeriy Dmitriyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
134
Iban Mayoz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 5'35
135
Jérémie Galland
Sojasun
s.t.
136
Gaël Malacarne
FDJ.fr
s.t.
137
Vincent Jérôme
FDJ.fr
+ 5'36
138
Cédric Pineau
FDJ.fr
+ 5'37
139
Pierre Rolland
Team Europcar
+ 6'14
140
Manuele Boaro
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 6'26
141
Jack Bauer
Garmin - Sharp
+ 6'31
142
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 6'32
143
Leocadio Manresa
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 6'33
144
Dmitriy Gruzdev
Astana Pro Team
+ 6'35
145
Jos Van Emden
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
146
Jens Mouris
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 6'40
147
Yauheni Hutarovich
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 6'42
148
Peter Kennaugh
Sky Procycling
s.t.
149
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 6'47
150
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 6'49
151
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 6'50
152
Mitchell Docker
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 6'52
153
Daniel Fleeman
Sky Procycling
+ 6'54
154
Wouter Mol
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
155
Jakob Rathe
Garmin - Sharp
+ 6'55
156
Assan Bazayev
Astana Pro Team
+ 6'56
157
Joshua Edmonson
Sky Procycling
+ 6'57
158
Wesley Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 6'58
159
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 7'00
160
Frederic Gauthier
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 7'02
161
David Tanner
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 7'03
162
Michal Golas
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 7'04
163
Bert-Jan Lindeman
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 7'06
164
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 7'08
165
Rémi Pauriol
Team Europcar
+ 7'49
166
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 7'51
167
Nikias Arndt
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 9'16
168
Michael Færk Christensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 9'21
169
Thomas Rostollan
La Pomme Marseille
+ 9'35
170
Benoît Sinner
FDJ.fr
+ 9'49
171
Bolat Raimbekov
Astana Pro Team
+ 10'03
172
Alexandre Lemair
La Pomme Marseille
+ 10'18
173
Alberico Mazzaglia
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 11'01
174
Vincent Leicester
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 11'21
175
Laszló Bodrogi
Sojasun
+ 12'49
176
Piergiuseppe Policriti
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 13'34
177
Jesper Asselman
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 15'02
178
Anzor Kostylev
Katusha Team
+ 15'41
179
Damien Escande
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 16'28
180
Josu Andrés
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 18'11
181
Markel Irizar
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 18'34
182
Maarten Nelissen
Lotto Belisol
+ 21'43
183
Ilario Ragone
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 21'45
184
Manuel Quinziato
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 23'06
Mountain Points
1
Yohan Offredo
Team Celesio - Macquarie
13
2
Nick Nuyens
Garmin - Sharp
11
3
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto Belisol
4
4
Danny Van Poppel
Team Argos - Shimano
4
5
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
2
Analysis & Daily Thoughts
Wow, this has turned out better than I even thought. I'll have a handful with Kwiatkowski, but I know I can beat him in the summit finish!
It's not looking too shabby!
Team Update
Team Celesio took a big score today, in winning the TTT of Tirreno - Adriatico. Well done to the lads, putting young Sean Stevens in the leader's jersey!
Great stage for Henry, who took it in his own hands eventually. Gilbert and Hushovd shouldn't be much of a problem, Tony Martin can become dangerous in the TT and well, Kwiatkowski is a great rider, but Henry beat him before if I remember correctly.
I'll get to think of some questions hopefully later today.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Shonak - Gilbert and Hushovd are no threat at all, but Kwiatek is pretty strong. However, Henry with excellent shape and a lot of confidence
Would appreciate the questions!
The Hobbit - With 4 stages left, everything is still possible!
Reception in a minute, maybe another update this evening but can't be sure
Henry doing well to bridge to the attackers, he's in pole position now.
And get back on that TT bike, how should he win GC's without being able to do all right in TTs.
Tour of Oh-Man! 
And great victory! I'm sure Henry will come just right into form for Paris - Nice. Playboy magazine you say? Shame it's the french version, I imagine there will be some gross hairy armpits in it. 
Would love to read an interview with Radio B sometime again btw. 
Well, Henry's only interested in the article anyway. Hope he won't have to pose naked, though. Not sure how it works with those guys 
Paris - Nice 2015 
