The first of the stages in which we hope to play a part. 4 laps of the final circuit which includes a 3km climb averaging 8.7% It's pretty similar to the Muur De Huy where Chris won last year, so we're hopeful of a strong finish today.
A sprinters break with 1 anomaly this morning, that anomaly being George Hincapie. He's hitting good form and what better way to build up fitness for Roubaix than long breakaways
He's out front in a big group with some strong sprinters such as Mondory, Haedo, Gatto and Cesar.
The break was so big that it was never allowed a big gap today, Hincapie tried an attack when the gap got really close, but he was caught just before the penultimate lap of the finish climb.
Onto that final climb, Beyer is looking after Horner up front. Chris isn't actually feeling great today, (-1) but we're hopeful of a decent finish none the less...
1.4km to go, Horner opens up the sprint, he's looking good at the moment with a small gap appearing, can he make it count and carry the attack to the line?
No. Perhaps it's age, but he doesn't has his explosive kick from last year, and several riders come past him. Leading the charge is Frank Schleck, with Pelizotti not far behind...
Hushovd comes from nowhere round the outside of Pelizotti, but no one is taking today away from the Older Schleck brother! He stormed up the climb and takes a great victory. Horner slid to 24th spot, in a continuation of some poor results for the team of late, hopefully the spring classics will show an improvement for Exxon-Walmart!
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012 PCM.Daily NHL Prediction Game Champion: 2013 PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
Stage 4 has another fairly short climb to the finish line, Slightly longer than yesterday at 5.2km which might suit Chris slightly better, we're aiming for top 5 here, and hopefully to see a reduced peloton.
Sky let a surprisingly powerful break go clear today, with 12 men including Karpets, Jackson Rodriguez, José Gutierrez and Dani Hondo free this morning. They were all after a stage after suffering from big time losses early on.
As the break hit the penultimate climb, they still held a 2'00 gap, Sky were only interested in protecting the leaders jersey it would seem, and were happy to give the break the stage.
On the very base of the final slope, Gutierrez and Karpets stepped up the pace in the break, The peloton was close enough to worry them, but in reality, it would still be there day unless they hit the wall.
Seeing Valverde make a move in the peloton, Horner latched onto his wheel, as he tried to get away on the slopes to the finish line...
Under the flamme rouge and Karpets opens his sprint up to come around Gutierrez. The Euskaltel man is slow to react, and Quicksteps Malacarne latches onto his wheel, it's down to these three for the stage
As the peloton pass under the Red kite, The remnants of the break are still in sight. When Valverde really opens his sprint he quickly leaves Horner behind, will he gain time on the other contenders?
Back up front, (All 400m away) Katushas Vladimir Karpets wins the final sprint, and takes the stage win, Valverde finishes 10" behind the last man of the break, and 10" ahead of the main bunch to move into joint leader.
Horner finishes 5th of the main peloton today, so sort of completing our goal, let's just hope he can do something in the big climbing day on stage 6, to rescue our T-A.
The 20km TT promises to be decisive, along with tomorrows mountain finish. Damage limitation will be the order of the day for Chris, he's not in great form, and TT isn't his strongest discipline...
Jos Van Emden set a powerful early time setting off 12th, 1'31 down on the eventual winner.
Radioshacks Sam Bewley followed 4 riders later, shaving 12" off the dutchmans time. The New Zealander was looking good, holding the provisional lead for almost 100riders...
When Vinokourov came along! Vino may be retiring at the end of the year, but he's still got it. His time was enough for 5th come the end of the day, 53" down.
Fabian Cancellara. Need I say more? The Swiss powerhouse destroyed the competition with a time of 28'47" over 30" ahead of joint-second Geraint Thomas and Edvald Boassen-Hagen. Taking a 24" lead in the GC over the Sky duo.
Horner put in a decent ride today, he finishes a weak 39th on the day, but moves into the top 30. Tomorrow may provide a chance to move up the GC, and improve our awful race!
Yeah I've spent a lot of time on 2012 lately, where they seem pretty different, so I kindah screwed up and went to hard expecting them to recover on the downhill with the early guys, which meant i didn't have many left to try and find an ideal effort-rate :/
Today is the last chance for the climbers to really shake up the GC, with a summit finish before we drop down to the coast tomorrow.
Dombrowski was one of the three men making up this mornings breakaway, who escaped after 45km on the road, he took full points on the first climb to move into joint 2nd in the KOM competition.
In the final climb Valverde attacked along with his team mate José Marchante, Riccardo Riccó, JC Peraud and Chris Horner.
Horner slipped back in the sprint for the line, and finishes 5th, but gets no time bonus on the peloton, meaning a poor final placing is all but guaranteed... Valverde took the stage win, moving into 2nd place in the GC.
Stage 6 Results
1
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
4h13'23
2
Riccardo Riccò
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
3
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
4
José Ángel Gómez Marchante
Movistar Team
+ 12
5
Chris Horner
Exxon Walmart
+ 22
Player
6
Fränk Schleck
Leopard Trek
s.t.
7
Sandy Casar
FDJ
s.t.
8
David López
Movistar Team
s.t.
9
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
10
Ryder Hesjedal
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
12
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
s.t.
13
Mikel Astarloza
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
14
Franco Pellizotti
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
15
Dario Cataldo
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
16
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
17
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
18
José Iván Gutiérrez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
19
Alexandr Kolobnev
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
20
Daniel Navarro
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
21
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
22
Domenico Pozzovivo
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
23
Marco Marzano
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
24
Vladimir Karpets
Katusha Team
s.t.
25
Luca Pierfelici
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
26
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
27
Patrik Sinkewitz
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
28
Tiago Machado
Team RadioShack
s.t.
29
Michael Albasini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
30
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
31
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
32
Robert Gesink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
33
Francesco Failli
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
34
Fabian Cancellara
Leopard Trek
s.t.
35
Johan Van Summeren
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
36
Sylvain Chavanel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
37
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
38
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
39
Michele Scarponi
Katusha Team
s.t.
40
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
41
Chad Beyer
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
42
Amets Txurruka
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
43
Óscar Pujol
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
44
Jérôme Pineau
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
45
Heinrich Haussler
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
46
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
47
Cyril Dessel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
48
Markel Irizar
Team RadioShack
s.t.
49
Giampaolo Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1'53
50
Simon Gerrans
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
51
Manuele Mori
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
52
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
53
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
54
Sergueï Ivanov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
55
Joseph Dombrowski
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
56
George Hincapie
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
57
Johnny Hoogerland
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
58
Alessandro Bertolini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
59
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
60
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
61
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
62
Manuel Cardoso
Team RadioShack
s.t.
63
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
64
Daniele Bennati
Leopard Trek
s.t.
65
Vasil Kiryienka
Movistar Team
s.t.
66
Francesco Bellotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
67
Addy Engels
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
68
Thor Hushovd
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
69
Frederik Willems
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
70
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
71
Egor Silin
Katusha Team
s.t.
72
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
73
Martijn Maaskant
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
74
Alessandro Vanotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
75
Samuel Dumoulin
FDJ
s.t.
76
Davide Rebellin
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
77
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
78
Matthew Goss
Leopard Trek
s.t.
79
Ben Hermans
Team RadioShack
s.t.
80
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
81
Anthony Roux
FDJ
s.t.
82
Gianluca Mirenda
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
83
Xavier Tondo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
84
Emanuele Vona
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
85
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
86
David Le Lay
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2'49
87
Sep Vanmarcke
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
88
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
89
Simone Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
90
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
91
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
s.t.
92
Filippo Pozzato
Katusha Team
s.t.
93
Tom Boonen
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
94
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Landbouwkrediet
+ 3'33
95
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
96
Vicente Reynès
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
97
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
98
Bjorn Selander
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
99
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
100
Antonio Santoro
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
101
Jeff Louder
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
102
Óscar Freire
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
103
Tom Zirbel
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
104
Pierpaolo De Negri
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
105
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
106
Mark Cavendish
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
107
Denys Kostyuk
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
108
Daniel Oss
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
109
Elia Rigotto
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
110
Maarten Wynants
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
111
Gerald Ciolek
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
112
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
113
Paolo Longo Borghini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
114
Emanuele Sella
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
115
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
116
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
+ 4'01
117
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
s.t.
118
Valentin Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
119
Leif Hoste
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
120
Bert De Waele
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
121
Martin Mortensen
Leopard Trek
s.t.
122
Alessandro De Marchi
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
123
Matthew Busche
Team RadioShack
s.t.
124
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
125
Maxime Vantomme
Katusha Team
+ 4'17
126
Tom Stamsnijder
Leopard Trek
s.t.
127
Martin Elmiger
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4'33
128
Nick Nuyens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
129
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
130
Alessandro Donati
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
131
Cameron Meyer
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
132
Phil Zajicek
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
133
Sébastien Rosseler
Landbouwkrediet
+ 4'41
134
Kevin Peeters
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
135
Bernhard Eisel
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
136
Bert Scheirlinckx
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
137
Alan Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'49
138
Borut Božic
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
139
Davide Viganò
Leopard Trek
+ 4'57
140
Mickaël Delage
FDJ
s.t.
141
William Bonnet
FDJ
+ 6'09
142
Grégory Rast
Team RadioShack
+ 8'57
143
Jos Van Emden
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
144
Stijn Joseph
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
145
Ben Swift
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
146
Luca Barla
Androni Giocattoli
+ 9'05
147
Marco Bandiera
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 9'13
148
Mark Renshaw
Sky ProCycling
+ 9'29
149
Jens Debusschere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
150
Geoffrey Soupe
FDJ
+ 9'37
151
Frédéric Guesdon
FDJ
s.t.
152
Giacomo Nizzolo
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
153
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
154
Rino Belardi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 9'45
155
Francesco Di Paolo
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
156
Matthew Wilson
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
157
Igor Abakoumov
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
158
Benny De Schrooder
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
159
Juan José Haedo
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 9'53
160
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
161
Adam Blythe
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
162
Fabio Negri
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
163
Robbie McEwen
BMC Racing Team
+ 10'01
164
Bernardo Riccio
Team RadioShack
s.t.
165
Roger Hammond
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
166
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
167
Theo Bos
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 10'09
168
Aidis Kruopis
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
169
David Boucher
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
170
Sam Bewley
Team RadioShack
s.t.
171
Andrea Guardini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 10'17
172
Florentino Pérez Escamilla
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
173
Wouter Weylandt
Leopard Trek
s.t.
174
Bobbie Traksel
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 14'33
175
Gianluca Gorrini
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 16'33
General Classification
1
Fabian Cancellara
Leopard Trek
22h48'20
2
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
+ 18
3
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 22
4
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
+ 24
5
Heinrich Haussler
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 37
6
Sandy Casar
FDJ
+ 59
7
Ryder Hesjedal
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 1'03
8
Riccardo Riccò
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'05
9
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'06
10
Markel Irizar
Team RadioShack
+ 1'09
Spoiler
11
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1'11
12
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 1'12
13
Fränk Schleck
Leopard Trek
+ 1'16
14
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1'20
15
Mikel Astarloza
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
16
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
17
Tiago Machado
Team RadioShack
+ 1'21
18
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'28
19
Franco Pellizotti
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'34
20
Sylvain Chavanel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'35
21
Chris Horner
Exxon Walmart
+ 1'36
Player
22
Johan Van Summeren
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 1'41
23
Michele Scarponi
Katusha Team
+ 1'45
24
Patrik Sinkewitz
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 1'47
25
Michael Albasini
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
26
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'55
27
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'56
28
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'57
29
Alexandr Kolobnev
Acqua & Sapone
+ 2'00
30
José Iván Gutiérrez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
31
David López
Movistar Team
+ 2'01
32
Robert Gesink
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2'05
33
Chad Beyer
Exxon Walmart
+ 2'12
Player
34
Vladimir Karpets
Katusha Team
+ 2'17
35
Daniel Navarro
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'25
36
Luca Pierfelici
Acqua & Sapone
+ 2'29
37
Thor Hushovd
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 2'33
38
Martijn Maaskant
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 2'54
39
Amets Txurruka
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'59
40
Daniele Bennati
Leopard Trek
+ 3'07
41
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'10
42
Anthony Roux
FDJ
+ 3'16
43
Matthew Goss
Leopard Trek
+ 3'27
44
Vasil Kiryienka
Movistar Team
+ 3'28
45
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'30
46
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'35
47
Davide Rebellin
Acqua & Sapone
+ 3'48
48
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'51
49
Simon Gerrans
Sky ProCycling
+ 3'52
50
Dario Cataldo
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3'54
51
Manuel Cardoso
Team RadioShack
+ 3'55
52
Johnny Hoogerland
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 3'56
53
Sergueï Ivanov
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'58
54
Domenico Pozzovivo
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
55
Samuel Dumoulin
FDJ
+ 3'59
56
Frederik Willems
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 4'00
57
Tom Boonen
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'05
58
Marco Marzano
Lampre - ISD
+ 4'08
59
Gianluca Mirenda
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 4'09
60
Sep Vanmarcke
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 4'36
61
Mark Cavendish
Sky ProCycling
+ 4'37
62
Cyril Dessel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4'47
63
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'53
64
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'58
65
Tom Stamsnijder
Leopard Trek
+ 5'00
66
Francesco Failli
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
67
Óscar Freire
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 5'04
68
Daniel Oss
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
69
Martin Mortensen
Leopard Trek
+ 5'13
70
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 5'29
71
Leif Hoste
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 5'34
72
David Le Lay
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 5'50
73
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 5'52
74
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
+ 6'03
75
Maarten Wynants
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 6'04
76
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 6'08
77
Bernhard Eisel
Sky ProCycling
+ 6'13
78
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
+ 6'16
79
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
s.t.
80
Martin Elmiger
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 6'18
81
Filippo Pozzato
Katusha Team
+ 6'19
82
Jérôme Pineau
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
83
Alessandro Bertolini
Androni Giocattoli
+ 6'25
84
Borut Božic
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 6'48
85
Giampaolo Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 7'01
86
Pierpaolo De Negri
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 7'09
87
Sébastien Rosseler
Landbouwkrediet
+ 7'12
88
Simone Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
89
Cameron Meyer
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 7'18
90
Bert De Waele
Landbouwkrediet
+ 7'37
91
Davide Viganò
Leopard Trek
+ 7'45
92
Paolo Longo Borghini
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 8'04
93
Nick Nuyens
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 8'27
94
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
95
George Hincapie
Exxon Walmart
+ 8'33
Player
96
José Ángel Gómez Marchante
Movistar Team
+ 9'03
97
Manuele Mori
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
98
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
+ 9'17
99
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
s.t.
100
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 9'28
101
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
+ 9'40
102
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Landbouwkrediet
+ 9'42
103
Ben Hermans
Team RadioShack
+ 10'14
104
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - ISD
+ 10'29
105
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
+ 10'48
106
Kevin Peeters
Landbouwkrediet
+ 10'53
107
Vicente Reynès
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 10'59
108
Addy Engels
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 11'25
109
Mark Renshaw
Sky ProCycling
+ 11'28
110
Jens Debusschere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 11'48
111
Adam Blythe
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 12'10
112
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
+ 12'11
113
Theo Bos
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 12'16
114
Tom Zirbel
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
115
Gerald Ciolek
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 13'17
116
Bjorn Selander
Exxon Walmart
+ 13'24
Player
117
Phil Zajicek
Exxon Walmart
+ 13'26
Player
118
Maxime Vantomme
Katusha Team
s.t.
119
Egor Silin
Katusha Team
+ 13'37
120
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 13'49
121
Francesco Bellotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 14'05
122
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
+ 14'50
123
Grégory Rast
Team RadioShack
+ 15'03
124
Elia Rigotto
Androni Giocattoli
+ 15'13
125
Stijn Joseph
Landbouwkrediet
+ 15'18
126
Xavier Tondo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 15'22
127
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 15'32
128
Denys Kostyuk
Lampre - ISD
+ 15'57
129
Bert Scheirlinckx
Landbouwkrediet
+ 16'38
130
Jeff Louder
Exxon Walmart
+ 17'09
Player
131
Valentin Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
+ 17'35
132
Joseph Dombrowski
Exxon Walmart
+ 18'18
Player
133
Alessandro Vanotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 18'34
134
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
+ 19'58
135
Ben Swift
Sky ProCycling
+ 20'30
136
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
+ 20'37
137
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
+ 20'57
138
Alan Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 21'09
139
Emanuele Vona
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 21'27
140
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 21'50
141
Igor Abakoumov
Landbouwkrediet
+ 22'13
142
David Boucher
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 23'42
143
Giacomo Nizzolo
Androni Giocattoli
+ 24'14
144
Wouter Weylandt
Leopard Trek
+ 24'28
145
Emanuele Sella
Acqua & Sapone
+ 25'00
146
Matthew Wilson
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 26'06
147
Marco Bandiera
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 26'32
148
Alessandro Donati
Acqua & Sapone
+ 26'34
149
Luca Barla
Androni Giocattoli
+ 26'43
150
Óscar Pujol
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 27'22
151
Sam Bewley
Team RadioShack
+ 27'26
152
Matthew Busche
Team RadioShack
+ 27'29
153
William Bonnet
FDJ
+ 28'56
154
Geoffrey Soupe
FDJ
+ 30'22
155
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 30'35
156
Bernardo Riccio
Team RadioShack
+ 32'41
157
Jos Van Emden
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 33'24
158
Juan José Haedo
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 33'36
159
Mickaël Delage
FDJ
+ 33'47
160
Roger Hammond
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 33'57
161
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
+ 35'38
162
Antonio Santoro
Androni Giocattoli
+ 36'59
163
Alessandro De Marchi
Androni Giocattoli
+ 37'03
164
Frédéric Guesdon
FDJ
+ 37'04
165
Andrea Guardini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 38'21
166
Rino Belardi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 42'33
167
Robbie McEwen
BMC Racing Team
+ 45'58
168
Benny De Schrooder
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 46'04
169
Bobbie Traksel
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 48'11
170
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
+ 48'54
171
Fabio Negri
Androni Giocattoli
+ 56'47
172
Francesco Di Paolo
Acqua & Sapone
+ 57'05
173
Aidis Kruopis
Landbouwkrediet
+ 59'45
174
Gianluca Gorrini
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1h05'41
175
Florentino Pérez Escamilla
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h29'01
DS Reaction
Not a great overall race for us, though 5th place is a good result here. Joe may look to get in a break again tomorrow, looking to win the overall KOM jersey, to give the team something more from the race, as tomorrow should be all about the sprinters.
The final day is a flat sprint for the line on the Adriatic coast. Dombrowski managed to get into the breakaway, but was really feeling yesterdays efforts, and only collected the one point, leaving him as joint leader of the KOM, but De Waele takes the jersey.
The break was brought back with ease, and Sky set up there signing Mark Cavendish to perfection, collecting an easy stage victory ahead of Thor Hushovd and Filippo Pozzato.
Review
Well, that wraps up a disappointing race for the Exxon-Walmart squad. Looking back, we need to re-think our tactics ahead of these spring stage-races, we had a poor finish last time around as well...
General Classification
1
Fabian Cancellara
Leopard Trek
26h54'47
2
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
+ 18
3
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 22
4
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
+ 24
5
Heinrich Haussler
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 37
6
Sandy Casar
FDJ
+ 59
7
Ryder Hesjedal
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 1'03
8
Riccardo Riccò
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'05
9
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'06
10
Markel Irizar
Team RadioShack
+ 1'09
Spoiler
11
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1'11
12
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 1'12
13
Fränk Schleck
Leopard Trek
+ 1'14
14
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1'20
15
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
16
Mikel Astarloza
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
17
Tiago Machado
Team RadioShack
+ 1'21
18
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'28
19
Franco Pellizotti
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'34
20
Sylvain Chavanel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'35
21
Chris Horner
Exxon Walmart
+ 1'36
Player
22
Johan Van Summeren
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 1'41
23
Michele Scarponi
Katusha Team
+ 1'45
24
Patrik Sinkewitz
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 1'47
25
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'52
26
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'56
27
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'57
28
Alexandr Kolobnev
Acqua & Sapone
+ 2'00
29
José Iván Gutiérrez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
30
David López
Movistar Team
+ 2'01
31
Robert Gesink
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2'05
32
Vladimir Karpets
Katusha Team
+ 2'17
33
Daniel Navarro
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'25
34
Thor Hushovd
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 2'27
35
Luca Pierfelici
Acqua & Sapone
+ 2'29
36
Martijn Maaskant
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 2'54
37
Amets Txurruka
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'59
38
Daniele Bennati
Leopard Trek
+ 3'07
39
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'10
40
Anthony Roux
FDJ
+ 3'16
41
Matthew Goss
Leopard Trek
+ 3'27
42
Vasil Kiryienka
Movistar Team
+ 3'28
43
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'30
44
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'35
45
Davide Rebellin
Acqua & Sapone
+ 3'48
46
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'51
47
Simon Gerrans
Sky ProCycling
+ 3'52
48
Dario Cataldo
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3'54
49
Manuel Cardoso
Team RadioShack
+ 3'55
50
Johnny Hoogerland
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 3'56
51
Sergueï Ivanov
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'58
52
Domenico Pozzovivo
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
53
Samuel Dumoulin
FDJ
+ 3'59
54
Frederik Willems
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 4'00
55
Tom Boonen
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'05
56
Marco Marzano
Lampre - ISD
+ 4'08
57
Gianluca Mirenda
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 4'09
58
Mark Cavendish
Sky ProCycling
+ 4'27
59
Sep Vanmarcke
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 4'36
60
Cyril Dessel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4'47
61
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'53
62
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'58
63
Tom Stamsnijder
Leopard Trek
+ 5'00
64
Francesco Failli
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
65
Óscar Freire
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 5'04
66
Daniel Oss
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
67
Martin Mortensen
Leopard Trek
+ 5'13
68
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 5'29
69
Leif Hoste
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 5'34
70
David Le Lay
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 5'50
71
Chad Beyer
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
72
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 5'52
73
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
+ 6'03
74
Maarten Wynants
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 6'04
75
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 6'08
76
Bernhard Eisel
Sky ProCycling
+ 6'13
77
Filippo Pozzato
Katusha Team
+ 6'14
78
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
+ 6'16
79
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
s.t.
80
Martin Elmiger
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 6'18
81
Jérôme Pineau
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 6'19
82
Alessandro Bertolini
Androni Giocattoli
+ 6'25
83
Borut Božic
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 6'48
84
Giampaolo Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 7'01
85
Pierpaolo De Negri
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 7'09
86
Simone Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 7'12
87
Cameron Meyer
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 7'18
88
Paolo Longo Borghini
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 8'04
89
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 8'27
90
Nick Nuyens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
91
Manuele Mori
Lampre - ISD
+ 9'03
92
José Ángel Gómez Marchante
Movistar Team
s.t.
93
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
+ 9'17
94
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 9'28
95
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
+ 9'40
96
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Landbouwkrediet
+ 9'42
97
Ben Hermans
Team RadioShack
+ 10'14
98
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - ISD
+ 10'29
99
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
+ 10'48
100
Sébastien Rosseler
Landbouwkrediet
+ 10'50
101
Kevin Peeters
Landbouwkrediet
+ 10'53
102
Vicente Reynès
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 10'59
103
Bert De Waele
Landbouwkrediet
+ 11'12
104
Davide Viganò
Leopard Trek
+ 11'23
105
Addy Engels
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 11'25
106
Mark Renshaw
Sky ProCycling
+ 11'28
107
Jens Debusschere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 11'48
108
Adam Blythe
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 12'10
109
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
+ 12'11
110
Theo Bos
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 12'16
111
Tom Zirbel
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
112
Gerald Ciolek
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 13'17
113
Bjorn Selander
Exxon Walmart
+ 13'24
Player
114
Phil Zajicek
Exxon Walmart
+ 13'26
Player
115
Maxime Vantomme
Katusha Team
s.t.
116
Egor Silin
Katusha Team
+ 13'37
117
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 13'49
118
Francesco Bellotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 14'05
119
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
+ 14'50
120
Grégory Rast
Team RadioShack
+ 15'03
121
Elia Rigotto
Androni Giocattoli
+ 15'13
122
Stijn Joseph
Landbouwkrediet
+ 15'18
123
Xavier Tondo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 15'22
124
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 15'32
125
Denys Kostyuk
Lampre - ISD
+ 15'57
126
Bert Scheirlinckx
Landbouwkrediet
+ 16'38
127
Jeff Louder
Exxon Walmart
+ 17'09
Player
128
Valentin Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
+ 17'35
129
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
+ 17'43
130
Alessandro Vanotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 18'34
131
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
+ 19'58
132
Ben Swift
Sky ProCycling
+ 20'30
133
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
+ 20'37
134
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
+ 20'57
135
Alan Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 21'09
136
Emanuele Vona
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 21'27
137
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 21'50
138
Igor Abakoumov
Landbouwkrediet
+ 22'13
139
David Boucher
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 23'42
140
Giacomo Nizzolo
Androni Giocattoli
+ 24'14
141
Wouter Weylandt
Leopard Trek
+ 24'28
142
Michael Albasini
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 24'29
143
Emanuele Sella
Acqua & Sapone
+ 25'00
144
Matthew Wilson
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 26'06
145
Marco Bandiera
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 26'32
146
Alessandro Donati
Acqua & Sapone
+ 26'34
147
Luca Barla
Androni Giocattoli
+ 26'42
148
Óscar Pujol
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 27'22
149
Sam Bewley
Team RadioShack
+ 27'26
150
Matthew Busche
Team RadioShack
+ 27'29
151
Joseph Dombrowski
Exxon Walmart
+ 28'36
Player
152
William Bonnet
FDJ
+ 28'56
153
Geoffrey Soupe
FDJ
+ 30'22
154
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 30'35
155
George Hincapie
Exxon Walmart
+ 31'15
Player
156
Bernardo Riccio
Team RadioShack
+ 32'41
157
Jos Van Emden
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 33'24
158
Juan José Haedo
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 33'36
159
Mickaël Delage
FDJ
+ 33'47
160
Roger Hammond
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 33'57
161
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
+ 35'38
162
Antonio Santoro
Androni Giocattoli
+ 36'59
163
Alessandro De Marchi
Androni Giocattoli
+ 37'03
164
Frédéric Guesdon
FDJ
+ 37'04
165
Andrea Guardini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 38'21
166
Rino Belardi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 42'33
167
Robbie McEwen
BMC Racing Team
+ 45'58
168
Benny De Schrooder
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 46'04
169
Bobbie Traksel
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 48'11
170
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
+ 48'52
171
Fabio Negri
Androni Giocattoli
+ 56'47
172
Francesco Di Paolo
Acqua & Sapone
+ 57'05
173
Aidis Kruopis
Landbouwkrediet
+ 59'45
174
Gianluca Gorrini
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1h21'35
175
Florentino Pérez Escamilla
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h46'47
Points Classification
1
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
39
2
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
32
3
Heinrich Haussler
Omega Pharma - Lotto
28
4
Thor Hushovd
Team Garmin - Barracuda
27
5
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
25
6
Fränk Schleck
Leopard Trek
22
7
Filippo Pozzato
Katusha Team
22
8
Mark Cavendish
Sky ProCycling
20
9
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
19
10
Fabian Cancellara
Leopard Trek
16
Spoiler
11
Sandy Casar
FDJ
15
12
José Iván Gutiérrez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
15
13
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
13
14
Manuel Cardoso
Team RadioShack
13
15
Vladimir Karpets
Katusha Team
12
16
Riccardo Riccò
Pro Team Astana
12
17
José Ángel Gómez Marchante
Movistar Team
11
18
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
11
19
Samuel Dumoulin
FDJ
10
20
Ryder Hesjedal
Team Garmin - Barracuda
9
21
Franco Pellizotti
Lampre - ISD
9
22
Chris Horner
Exxon Walmart
8
Player
23
Tom Boonen
Quick·Step Cycling Team
8
24
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
8
25
Bert De Waele
Landbouwkrediet
8
26
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
7
27
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
7
28
Pierpaolo De Negri
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
7
29
Paolo Longo Borghini
Liquigas - Cannondale
7
30
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
7
31
Luca Barla
Androni Giocattoli
7
32
Patrik Sinkewitz
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
6
33
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - ISD
6
34
Alexandr Kolobnev
Acqua & Sapone
5
35
David López
Movistar Team
5
36
Cyril Dessel
AG2R La Mondiale
5
37
Óscar Freire
Rabobank Cycling Team
5
38
Simone Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
5
39
Wouter Weylandt
Leopard Trek
5
40
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
4
41
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
4
42
Ben Hermans
Team RadioShack
4
43
Matthew Goss
Leopard Trek
3
44
Tom Stamsnijder
Leopard Trek
3
45
Francesco Bellotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
3
46
Joseph Dombrowski
Exxon Walmart
3
Player
47
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
3
48
Alessandro Donati
Acqua & Sapone
3
49
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
3
50
Michael Albasini
Liquigas - Cannondale
2
51
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
2
52
Kevin Peeters
Landbouwkrediet
2
53
Theo Bos
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
2
54
Valentin Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
2
55
Juan José Haedo
Liquigas - Cannondale
2
56
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
1
57
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
1
58
Bert Scheirlinckx
Landbouwkrediet
1
King of the Mountains
1
Bert De Waele
Landbouwkrediet
6
2
Paolo Longo Borghini
Liquigas - Cannondale
6
3
Joseph Dombrowski
Exxon Walmart
6
Player
4
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
5
5
Jérôme Pineau
Quick·Step Cycling Team
5
6
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
5
7
Francesco Bellotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
5
8
Valentin Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
5
9
Riccardo Riccò
Pro Team Astana
3
10
Simone Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
3
In other news...
Chris Horner has signed what we suspect will be a final contract, to continue into next season, stepping down from his leaders role, along with George Hincapie.
They both feel they've reached a point in there career where age is too much of a factor in there racing, both will ride next season as super-domestiques, before retirement at the end of the year.
Jeff Louder (Vuelta KOM winner 2011) has also announced that he will be retiring from racing after Il Lombardia this year, aged 35.
We've entered talk with a young american named Chris Barton, who has spent the last 3 years riding in the peloton with BMC, he admitted a move could interest him and we're hopeful he will be the next to join our fleet of hopeful young americans.
We have also started our search for new riders for leaders roles, and one man on our radar, is the Canadian Ryder Hesjedal. We'd love to hear your thoughts on signings, and team reshuffles anyone you'd like to see us take an interest in?
They aren't actually retiring until the end of the season after this one, sorry if that's unclear all
I was thinking about possibly signing a Non-Stateside rider on a one year contract as well, because a lot of our most-talented guys of the future are still very much developing, I'm worried the team will be really weak next year...
Edited by baggieboys32 on 06-09-2012 12:03
Actually not so much that, as there being a limited number of US young-riders, compared to other scouting locations, and then our leaders and top riders are all at least 35, so they're getting worse.
In other words, I've team full of youngsters who aren't top-quality yet, and older riders who are declining at a rate of knots
The first of the spring classics, "La Primavera" 297km of hell from Milan to the Italian coastline in San Remo. Last year saw the team take its first classics victory, thanks to a great finish by Tyler Farrar.
He returns with a team built around him, and with some great form he will surely be heavily involved in the fight for the finish line.
The Route
Everybody knows where this one goes, 297km in length, climbing very slowly up to Le Paso Del Turchino fills the first third of the race, and this is where we will expect to see a breakaway go clear.
Once the riders pass through the tunnel marking the summit, its a fast descent from there towards the coast. At 93km from the finish line comes the first of the more challenging climbs, Le Manie. 4.7km at 6.7% coming after more than 200km on the road will be sure to break up the pack, and we'll see the first signs of who has the form to win the MSR.
The remainder of the pack will then continue ever further along the coast, to the beginning of the "Capi" climbs which provide a chance for the punchers to attack once again, the challenge here for the sprinters teams, is to control attacks, but not set a pace too high for there leaders, whilst several men try to go solo against the pack.
The final climb comes in the last 8km, the Poggio Di San Remo. If the sprinters can make it over this final challenge, then they must summon whatever is left in there legs for a final sprint for the line in San Remo.
The trio of favourites all have there entire teams supporting them, which will help when stopping the punchers. Sky's Cavendish is showing good form, he won the final stage of the Tirreno Adriatico a week previously, and is technically the fastest man here. On paper he should win.
Behind these three are 2 riders who are slightly stronger all round but lack the speed, and Greipel who is just as quick, but shares leadership with Gilbert, which could lead to a less devoted team, which will make his job harder...
Punchers
If the sprinters teams lose control, then suddenly the race gets blown open, and a whole new band of racers get a shot...
Gilbert and Cancellara prove themselves year after year over these huge distance races, and the Poggio provides a perfect point to attack. Cunego meanwhile came up just short repeatedly last year until the world championships, which finished upon very similar par cours.
Behind them come 6 names, all of whom are tried and tested in one day classics. Boom and Vinokourov stand out as the oddest of the bookies tips, but Lars is looking for a breakthrough and is in good form, whilst Astana's veteran Kazakh is looking to go out with a bang in his final season.
Edited by baggieboys32 on 06-09-2012 16:15
Hopefully it will get better. 
