The only classified "Mountain" stage of the race. Today includes the Pas de la Graille, an 18km climb averaging 6.7% However, the race includes both halves of the pass, and it's 42km from the summit to the finish line, so it we may see a large group at the finish line.
After 7, yes, 7! Failed attempts, a breakaway was finally allowed clear. Sebastien Delfosse (Landbouwrekediet) and Julien El Farés (Cofidis) went clear after 70km.
The duo held a 7'42" gap as the peloton reached the base of the climb. We wanted to try and break Urán today, so we sent Serpa and Zabriskie to set a high pace, thinning the peloton to around 35riders.
As he crested the summit of the pass. El Fares dropped his associate trying to keep the pace up to stay ahead. He lead over the top 3'41 ahead of the peloton.
Not wanting to see the break carry such a massive gap into the decent, Tejay upped the pace in the peloton with a collection of small attacks. He split the main peloton into 3 groups of about 20 on the rode.
VG was joined by Kreuziger in front as they passed over the summit, they were quickly joined however, as the trio of groups reformed to a pack of about 60riders 2'20 behind El Fares as they finished the descent.
With 9km to ride, El Fares held 1'15" on the peloton. His gap was falling fast at this point it looks like he's hit the wall. Can he suffer through the pain?
2.5km to go and more attacks from in the peloton. Van Garderen joins again as Voigt and Sánchez lead the surges. El Fáres is still clinging on, he might just make it to the line!
But no, with just 700m to ride Sanchéz manages to latch onto the wheel of the Cofidis rider, surely in a sprint the Euskaltel leader will take it thanks to his much fresher legs...
And yes, it's all El Fares can do to hang on for second. After such a strong ride, it must be soul-destroying to lose a 202km race in the last 400m, but thats cycling, and Euskaltel collect the stage win. VG stays safe in the pack, sadly along with Urán, he maintains his grip on the jersey, but still by only 5".
One for the breakaway? Perhaps... We're after the KOM points today to protect Zwizanski in the Polka-dot, and of course to protect the white jersey of Tejay Van Garderen.
6 men formed the break today, with 2 leaders jerseys! Carrara in points, and Zwizanski in the KOM get out front, surprisingly, Carrara is allowed clear in a breakaway!
Only Cyril Bessy fights Scott for the climbing sprints, however he's less powerful, and the KOM leader takes the full points, moving to 30. He's in prime spot now, to hold on overall.
Seeing the break still had a big gap with 34km to ride, several GC favourites attacked, Carrara was provisional leader, and Cunego along with current leader Tony Martin were the riders leading the race attacks.
However, the peloton didn't want to let them go, increasing pace each time they attacked, and no group could get clear. Vacansoleil were controlling the pack at low speed, giving the leader out in front the best possible chance.
Carrara saw this opportunity and upped the pace, only Santambrogio and Bessy could go with him, they held 1'57 with 17km to ride.
With 7km Carrara upped the pace again, his lead was still 1'32" as Garmin failed to control the peloton for Tony Martin. VG is still comfortably in the pack, but it looks like the Vacansoleil climber will be swapping Green for Yellow at the end of today...
And yes, 1'04 ahead of the peloton, Carrara wins the stage, carrying a 31" second advantage into the final day. Philippe Gilbert sprints out of the peloton to take 3rd, but is given the same time as the main group. VG is one stage away from winning White.
Not sure how much longer I'm going to keep the story going, It seems like most of my followers have dried up, at which point there's not much point me continuing...
Is anyone reading still? If so I'm happy to carry on, just seems silly if no one actually wants to read!
It sucks that this is the stage my PC decided to break on, but the pics didn't take, so I'll give a brief summary of what happened, and then include the results afterwards...
Stage 8
The final day of the Paris-Nice is pretty hilly. The climb of the Col D'Eze comes shortly before the finish, and might provide the chance for a late attack.
Kim Kirchen lead the morning breakaway yet again. After a disappointing first 2 days, he's been keen to get active and look for a stage win to improve his race.
The breakaway got a large gap and it was clear they would contest the stage win. Meanwhile behind, Schleck, Martin and Van Garderen put in a succession of attacks which destroyed the peloton, just 47 men remained upon the top of the final Col.
Kirchen dropped his break-mates, and finished the stage as victor, 51 seconds ahead of Andy Schleck who came across second, Tejay and Captain America crossed in the front group, and this means that Tejay moves up to 9th place on the final day, breaching the top 10!
Stage 8 Results
1
Kim Kirchen
Lampre - ISD
3h18'01
2
Andy Schleck
Team RadioShack
+ 51
3
Julien Loubet
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
4
Rémi Pauriol
FDJ
s.t.
5
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
6
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
7
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
s.t.
8
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
9
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
10
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
12
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
13
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
14
Gustav Erik Larsson
Leopard Trek
s.t.
15
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
16
Thomas Dekker
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
17
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
18
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
s.t.
19
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
20
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
21
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
22
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
23
David Zabriskie
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
24
Tejay Van Garderen
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
25
Tony Martin
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
26
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
27
Dries Devenyns
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
28
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
29
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
30
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
31
Julien El Fares
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
32
Linus Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
s.t.
33
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
34
Serge Pauwels
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
35
Rigoberto Urán
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
36
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
37
Mikel Nieve
Leopard Trek
s.t.
38
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
39
Jens Voigt
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
40
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
41
Stephen Cummings
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
42
Marc De Maar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
43
Xavier Florencio
Movistar Team
s.t.
44
Jussi Veikkanen
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
45
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
46
José Alberto Benítez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
47
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
48
Sebastian Langeveld
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2'23
49
Jérémie Galland
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
50
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
51
Yaroslav Popovych
Team RadioShack
s.t.
52
Michał Kwiatkowski
Team RadioShack
s.t.
53
Cyril Bessy
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
54
Christian Vande Velde
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
55
Joost Van Leijen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
56
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
57
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
58
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
59
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
s.t.
60
John-Lee Augustyn
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
61
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
62
Nicolas Vogondy
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
63
José Serpa
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
64
Scott Zwizanski
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
65
Simon Zahner
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'38
66
David Millar
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
67
Coen Vermeltfoort
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
68
Tom Leezer
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
69
Jürgen Van de Walle
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
70
Alberto Contador
Movistar Team
s.t.
71
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
s.t.
72
Jean-Marc Marino
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
73
Denis Menchov
Katusha Team
s.t.
74
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
75
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ
s.t.
76
Dominic Klemme
Leopard Trek
s.t.
77
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
78
Stijn Devolder
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
79
Jakob Fuglsang
Leopard Trek
s.t.
80
Rodrigo García
Movistar Team
s.t.
81
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
82
Maxim Belkov
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
83
Rémy Di Gregorio
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
84
Massimiliano Gentili
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
85
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Leopard Trek
s.t.
86
Janek Tombak
Leopard Trek
s.t.
87
Gianni Meersman
FDJ
s.t.
88
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
s.t.
89
Richie Porte
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
90
David Moncoutié
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
91
Allan Davis
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
92
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
93
Massimo Giunti
Leopard Trek
s.t.
94
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
95
Moisés Aldape
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
96
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
s.t.
97
Jason McCartney
Team RadioShack
s.t.
98
Sébastien Delfosse
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
99
Carlos Oyarzun
Movistar Team
s.t.
100
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
101
Robert Hunter
Team RadioShack
s.t.
102
Geoffroy Lequatre
Team RadioShack
s.t.
103
Wesley Sulzberger
FDJ
s.t.
104
Paul Poux
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
105
Francisco Pérez
Movistar Team
s.t.
106
Balint Szeghalmi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
107
Yoann Le Boulanger
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
108
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
109
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
110
Kristjan Koren
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
111
René Mandri
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
112
Josep Jufré
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
113
Nikolas Maes
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
114
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
115
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
116
Carlos Sastre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
117
Taylor Phinney
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
118
Pierre Cazaux
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
119
Yukiya Arashiro
Team Europcar
s.t.
120
Jürgen Roelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 5'31
121
Sven Van Dousselaere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
122
Reinier Honig
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
123
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
124
Sébastien Minard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
125
Yannick Talabardon
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
126
Dmitriy Fofonov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
127
Jan Kuyckx
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
128
Sylwester Szmyd
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
129
Gert Steegmans
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
130
Michal Golas
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
131
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
132
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
+ 6'35
133
Tony Gallopin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
134
Alessandro Spezialetti
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
135
Daniel Lloyd
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 7'07
136
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
s.t.
137
Cameron Wurf
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
138
Alex Dowsett
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
139
Mathieu Claude
Team Europcar
s.t.
140
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
141
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
142
Yuriy Krivtsov
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
143
Nelson Oliveira
Team RadioShack
s.t.
144
Tristan Valentin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
145
Giovanni Bernaudeau
Team Europcar
s.t.
146
Maxim Gourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
147
Jack Bobridge
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 7'47
148
Francisco Javier Aramendia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 8'35
149
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 9'07
150
Maarten Neyens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
151
Ramunas Navardauskas
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
152
Sébastien Chavanel
Team Europcar
+ 11'23
153
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
s.t.
154
Koen Barbé
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
155
Kevin Van Impe
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
156
Alexander Mironov
Katusha Team
s.t.
157
Edward King
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
158
Alexei Markov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
159
Florent Barle
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
160
Arnaud Coyot
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
161
Jens Keukeleire
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
162
Danilo Napolitano
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
163
Baptiste Planckaert
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
164
Arnaud Gérard
FDJ
+ 12'27
165
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
166
Matthew Hayman
Sky ProCycling
+ 14'51
167
Rony Martias
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
168
Arkimedes Arguelyes
Katusha Team
s.t.
169
Alberto Loddo
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
170
Francesco Chicchi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 16'51
171
Geert Omloop
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
Final General Classification
1
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
30h41'25
2
Tony Martin
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 31
3
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
+ 49
4
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
+ 55
5
Jens Voigt
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 1'03
6
Gustav Erik Larsson
Leopard Trek
+ 1'06
7
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 1'08
8
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1'09
9
Tejay Van Garderen
Exxon Walmart
+ 1'11
Player
10
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'12
Spoiler
11
Andy Schleck
Team RadioShack
+ 1'14
12
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'15
13
Rigoberto Urán
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1'16
14
Xavier Florencio
Movistar Team
s.t.
15
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
+ 1'18
16
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
+ 1'20
17
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'21
18
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
19
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
20
Dries Devenyns
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'23
21
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
22
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1'25
23
Thomas Dekker
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
24
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'34
25
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'35
26
Mikel Nieve
Leopard Trek
+ 1'46
27
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'01
28
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'04
29
Linus Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
+ 2'39
30
Marc De Maar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2'42
31
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2'52
32
Jussi Veikkanen
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 3'03
33
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'21
34
Richie Porte
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 3'42
35
Carlos Oyarzun
Movistar Team
+ 3'49
36
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 3'52
37
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
+ 3'57
38
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Leopard Trek
+ 4'01
39
Denis Menchov
Katusha Team
+ 4'04
40
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 4'10
41
Alberto Contador
Movistar Team
+ 4'11
42
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'17
43
David Zabriskie
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
44
Michał Kwiatkowski
Team RadioShack
+ 4'21
45
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'26
46
Massimiliano Gentili
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 4'42
47
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 4'52
48
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
+ 4'53
49
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
+ 5'43
50
Jakob Fuglsang
Leopard Trek
+ 5'45
51
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
+ 5'49
52
Stephen Cummings
Sky ProCycling
+ 5'50
53
Christian Vande Velde
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 5'53
54
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 6'01
55
Serge Pauwels
Sky ProCycling
+ 6'02
56
Jérémie Galland
Saur - Sojasun
+ 6'12
57
Julien El Fares
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 6'26
58
Sebastian Langeveld
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 7'18
59
Kim Kirchen
Lampre - ISD
+ 7'23
60
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 7'45
61
Dmitriy Fofonov
Pro Team Astana
+ 8'09
62
Rodrigo García
Movistar Team
+ 8'13
63
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
+ 8'32
64
Julien Loubet
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 8'39
65
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
+ 8'44
66
Francisco Pérez
Movistar Team
+ 8'54
67
Stijn Devolder
Landbouwkrediet
+ 8'59
68
Nicolas Vogondy
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 9'15
69
Cyril Bessy
Saur - Sojasun
+ 9'16
70
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 9'17
71
Massimo Giunti
Leopard Trek
+ 9'22
72
David Millar
Landbouwkrediet
+ 10'31
73
Josep Jufré
Pro Team Astana
+ 10'33
74
Allan Davis
Pro Team Astana
+ 10'45
75
Gianni Meersman
FDJ
+ 10'47
76
Jürgen Van de Walle
Landbouwkrediet
+ 10'48
77
Rémy Di Gregorio
Pro Team Astana
+ 10'50
78
David Moncoutié
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 10'58
79
Jean-Marc Marino
Saur - Sojasun
+ 11'28
80
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 12'14
81
José Alberto Benítez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 12'16
82
Balint Szeghalmi
Lampre - ISD
+ 12'21
83
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
+ 13'02
84
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ
+ 13'38
85
Kristjan Koren
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 14'02
86
Jack Bobridge
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 14'10
87
Sébastien Delfosse
Landbouwkrediet
+ 14'13
88
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 14'30
89
José Serpa
Exxon Walmart
+ 14'36
Player
90
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
+ 14'44
91
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
92
René Mandri
BMC Racing Team
+ 14'50
93
John-Lee Augustyn
Sky ProCycling
+ 14'57
94
Jason McCartney
Team RadioShack
+ 15'33
95
Rémi Pauriol
FDJ
+ 15'46
96
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
+ 16'41
97
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
+ 16'59
98
Carlos Sastre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 17'03
99
Coen Vermeltfoort
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 18'21
100
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
+ 19'59
101
Scott Zwizanski
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
102
Francisco Javier Aramendia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 20'00
103
Pierre Cazaux
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 20'14
104
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
+ 20'31
105
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 22'07
106
Joost Van Leijen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 22'18
107
Yukiya Arashiro
Team Europcar
+ 23'55
108
Paul Poux
Saur - Sojasun
+ 24'33
109
Robert Hunter
Team RadioShack
+ 25'16
110
Nikolas Maes
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 25'22
111
Janek Tombak
Leopard Trek
s.t.
112
Maxim Gourov
Pro Team Astana
+ 25'43
113
Moisés Aldape
Exxon Walmart
+ 26'54
Player
114
Daniel Lloyd
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 27'08
115
Gert Steegmans
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 27'09
116
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Walmart
+ 27'25
Player
117
Sven Van Dousselaere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 27'33
118
Taylor Phinney
Exxon Walmart
+ 27'55
Player
119
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 27'56
120
Jan Kuyckx
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 28'00
121
Sébastien Minard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 28'48
122
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 29'10
123
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
+ 29'20
124
Geoffroy Lequatre
Team RadioShack
+ 29'25
125
Dominic Klemme
Leopard Trek
+ 29'29
126
Jürgen Roelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 29'34
127
Tom Leezer
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 31'41
128
Simon Zahner
BMC Racing Team
+ 32'10
129
Alex Dowsett
Sky ProCycling
+ 32'56
130
Wesley Sulzberger
FDJ
+ 33'39
131
Danilo Napolitano
Lampre - ISD
+ 33'44
132
Maxim Belkov
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 33'47
133
Reinier Honig
Landbouwkrediet
+ 34'19
134
Tristan Valentin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 34'22
135
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 34'33
136
Mathieu Claude
Team Europcar
+ 34'38
137
Michal Golas
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 34'56
138
Yaroslav Popovych
Team RadioShack
+ 35'12
139
Tony Gallopin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 35'30
140
Alessandro Spezialetti
Lampre - ISD
+ 35'37
141
Arnaud Coyot
Saur - Sojasun
+ 35'44
142
Giovanni Bernaudeau
Team Europcar
+ 35'52
143
Yuriy Krivtsov
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 36'24
144
Sylwester Szmyd
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 37'23
145
Alexei Markov
Pro Team Astana
+ 37'33
146
Yoann Le Boulanger
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 38'11
147
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
+ 38'30
148
Koen Barbé
Landbouwkrediet
+ 39'00
149
Nelson Oliveira
Team RadioShack
+ 40'28
150
Sébastien Chavanel
Team Europcar
+ 42'26
151
Jens Keukeleire
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 44'23
152
Cameron Wurf
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 44'53
153
Geert Omloop
Landbouwkrediet
+ 45'15
154
Yannick Talabardon
Saur - Sojasun
+ 45'48
155
Kevin Van Impe
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 46'46
156
Baptiste Planckaert
Landbouwkrediet
+ 47'29
157
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 47'33
158
Edward King
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 47'47
159
Ramunas Navardauskas
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 53'04
160
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
+ 54'04
161
Alexander Mironov
Katusha Team
+ 55'20
162
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
+ 1h03'14
163
Alberto Loddo
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1h04'42
164
Arnaud Gérard
FDJ
+ 1h07'18
165
Florent Barle
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 1h09'44
166
Arkimedes Arguelyes
Katusha Team
+ 1h10'44
167
Rony Martias
Saur - Sojasun
+ 1h13'56
168
Matthew Hayman
Sky ProCycling
+ 1h14'17
169
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h17'47
170
Francesco Chicchi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1h27'57
171
Maarten Neyens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 1h30'59
Points Classification
1
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
93
2
Andy Schleck
Team RadioShack
84
3
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
65
4
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
64
5
Tony Martin
Team Garmin - Barracuda
62
6
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
52
7
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
50
8
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
48
9
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
46
10
Richie Porte
Team Garmin - Barracuda
44
Spoiler
11
Tyler Farrar
Exxon Walmart
44
Player
12
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
43
13
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
39
14
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
39
15
Linus Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
37
16
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
36
17
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin - Barracuda
35
18
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
33
19
Daniel Lloyd
Team Garmin - Barracuda
33
20
Sebastian Langeveld
Rabobank Cycling Team
32
21
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Barracuda
32
22
Gert Steegmans
Quick·Step Cycling Team
30
23
Xavier Florencio
Movistar Team
27
24
Kim Kirchen
Lampre - ISD
27
25
Cyril Bessy
Saur - Sojasun
25
26
Julien El Fares
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
22
27
Massimo Giunti
Leopard Trek
22
28
Jack Bobridge
Team Garmin - Barracuda
22
29
Gianni Meersman
FDJ
22
30
Geert Omloop
Landbouwkrediet
22
31
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
21
32
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
20
33
Julien Loubet
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
20
34
Jens Keukeleire
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
20
35
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
19
36
Alberto Contador
Movistar Team
19
37
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
18
38
Rémi Pauriol
FDJ
18
39
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Leopard Trek
17
40
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
16
41
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
16
42
Allan Davis
Pro Team Astana
16
43
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
16
44
Danilo Napolitano
Lampre - ISD
16
45
Rigoberto Urán
Rabobank Cycling Team
15
46
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
15
47
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
14
48
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Pro Team Astana
14
49
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
14
50
Nicolas Vogondy
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
14
51
Arnaud Coyot
Saur - Sojasun
14
52
Tristan Valentin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
14
53
Jérémie Galland
Saur - Sojasun
13
54
Paul Poux
Saur - Sojasun
13
55
Jens Voigt
Omega Pharma - Lotto
12
56
Marc De Maar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
12
57
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
12
58
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
11
59
David Zabriskie
Exxon Walmart
11
Player
60
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
10
61
Coen Vermeltfoort
Rabobank Cycling Team
10
62
Alexander Mironov
Katusha Team
10
63
Gustav Erik Larsson
Leopard Trek
9
64
David Millar
Landbouwkrediet
9
65
Yaroslav Popovych
Team RadioShack
9
66
Carlos Oyarzun
Movistar Team
8
67
Denis Menchov
Katusha Team
7
68
Dries Devenyns
Quick·Step Cycling Team
7
69
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
7
70
Robert Hunter
Team RadioShack
7
71
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
6
72
Thomas Dekker
Quick·Step Cycling Team
5
73
Jean-Marc Marino
Saur - Sojasun
5
74
Tony Gallopin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
5
75
Massimiliano Gentili
Liquigas - Cannondale
4
76
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
3
77
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
3
78
Jan Kuyckx
Omega Pharma - Lotto
3
79
Dominic Klemme
Leopard Trek
3
80
Mathieu Claude
Team Europcar
3
81
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
3
82
Scott Zwizanski
Exxon Walmart
2
Player
83
Joost Van Leijen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
2
84
Yukiya Arashiro
Team Europcar
2
85
Janek Tombak
Leopard Trek
2
86
Kevin Van Impe
Quick·Step Cycling Team
2
87
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
1
88
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
1
89
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
1
90
Sébastien Delfosse
Landbouwkrediet
1
91
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
1
92
René Mandri
BMC Racing Team
1
93
José Alberto Benítez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
1
94
Tom Leezer
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
1
King of the Mountains
1
Scott Zwizanski
Exxon Walmart
36
Player
2
Rémi Pauriol
FDJ
24
3
Kim Kirchen
Lampre - ISD
22
4
Julien Loubet
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
22
5
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
17
6
Sébastien Delfosse
Landbouwkrediet
14
7
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
12
8
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
12
9
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
12
10
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
11
Youth Classification
1
Tejay Van Garderen
Exxon Walmart
30h42'36 (1)
Player
2
Rigoberto Urán
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 5 (2)
3
Michał Kwiatkowski
Team RadioShack
+ 3'10 (3)
4
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'15 (4)
5
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 3'41 (5)
6
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 8'06 (6)
7
Jack Bobridge
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 12'59 (7)
8
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
+ 13'33 (8)
9
Coen Vermeltfoort
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 17'10 (9)
10
Sven Van Dousselaere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 26'22 (10)
Well, we missed out on our stage win, but The KOM and White jerseys are 2 nice rewards, which rather make up for missing out on the first few days.
Matteo Carrara makes a deserved winner of the overall race, he was the most aggressive of the GC contenders, and collects multiple stage victories, leading to a double of Points and GC!
Welcome all to Italy, for the Tirreno Adiratico! We didn't do overly well last year, as our team suffered teething problems early in the season, hopefully this time round our performance will be a lot better.
The Route
This edition of the T-A should be decided on the days 5 and 6, with a 20km TT and the 16km 6% climb of the Colle San Giacomo. The most interesting fight of this edition should be the points jersey. The stages are dominated by short 1-2km uphill sprint finishes.
Last Year
Last year saw CT team Acqua&Sapone's leader Stefano Garzelli take the overall victory after staying in the front group on both of the key stages. We took the KOM classification thanks to Chris Horner, Matteo Carrara won the Points jersey, whilst Bauke Mollema beat a Sky Duo to the -25 jersey.
Horner returns bringing with him GC aspirations. The team is aiming for a top10 overall and a stage victory/KOM jersey. Hincapie will be active in the breaks along with Dombrowski who makes his WT debut here in Italy, ahead of the upcoming Giro D'Italia.
This is going to be serious! Cadel Evans, Frank Schleck, Robert Gesink, Joaquin Rodriguez, Jurgen Van Den Broeck and many more names will be fighting out the GC.
Garzelli returns again, though it appears his team is built more around new signing Ivan Kolobnev so he may not get the option to defend his title...
Turning to the sprints Mark Cavendish and his Sky train looks like the best set for the 2 flat days, but Peter Sagan will surely be eyeing up those short uphill finishes which will suit his explosive uphill style. Vacansoleil also bring a powerful sprint duo of Theo Bos and Borut Bozic, so they'll be the obvious competition to the GB sprinters...
Today might be a sprint, or might see a punchy attack on the later climbs take victory due to the collection of climbs which the riders face enroute. Personally we'll aim for the latter, as we have no sprinter here in Italy.
Franchesco Belotti and Marcus Burgardht led the morning attacks which finally created the BotD, a 5 man group which got clear around the 25km mark.
Over the only categorised climb of the day, which the Liquigas Puncheur easily won, to take the KOM jersey for tomorrow...
King of the Mountains
Spoiler
1
Francesco Bellotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
5
2
Simone Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
3
3
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
1
With 75km to go, at the top of the penultimate climb, Chad Beyer made his attack from within the peloton, he intended to join the break, and go for a stage win outfoxing the sprinters...
And with 63km to ride, he joins the break catching a much needed breather, this group has 5'37 advantage at this point, can Beyer give Exxon a much needed lift here?
After sitting in the wheels for 25km his group has a lead of 3'12 with 35km left, the other riders are clearly exhausted, and the pace is dropping so he attacks again. Bellotti follows him and the duo quickly leave there companions behind!
With 18km to ride and 1'50 the gap back from the duo, Belotti suddenly stops riding! He's clearly had a change of plan and tries to make Chad do all the work. Beyer isn't having that and puts in another dig, it's now him vs the pack with 17.7km to ride...
1.8km to ride and the gap is still just about there, he has 13" to go but he's really suffering now, the peloton is winding up for the sprint, can he hang on for another 1800m?
Nooooooo... With just 900m left to the finish line, an exhausted Beyer is passed by the sprinting pack! Kolobnev is trying to use the slight gradient to come by on the left, whilst Pozzato and Thomas move past on the right!
In a cruel ending to stage one here in Italy, Filippo Pozzato wins ahead of G.Thomas on the line. Commiserations to Beyer who just misses out after a great ride, but his legs just gave way, and in the end he slipped to 23rd place.
Today should come down to a group sprint, theres a small hill 8km from the finish, but I think the pace will be high enough to stop a late attack. It might lead to an odd top10 however, as many sprinters will probably lose out due to the climb.
10 men including Tom Zirbel went clear early in the stage, opening a gap of 9'21 by the half way mark. However, in the end they were caught with 17km to go, due to Sky's hard work.
As the peloton descended from the small climb just before the finish, Bert De Waele made a mistake clipping the wheel of Petacchi just in front of him. This caused a huge crash with 75 riders being brought down, including several sprinters and some big GC names such as Purito, Vino and Mosquera. as well as current leader Pippo Pozzato, all of whom would lose 2'37 today, effectively ending there GC hopes.
Back up front, Sky sprinter-all rounder Edvald Boassen-Hagen takes the victory in front of young Slovak Peter Sagan. Geraint Thomas finished 3rd whilst Horner remained safely in the front group.
