@Sutty Yeah, Sky are looking pretty dominant at the moment, they've got a strong team all round this year!
@Miguel Yeah, hopefully we'll be able to compete more effectively this season against the big guns on the cobbles
Stage 4
Turning back towards spain now, we come the Volta Catalunya. Today is another potentially decisive day, with the dual climb of the Alt du Paumeres, finishing just 19km from the line.
6men made up the main break today, including powerful names such as Leipheimer, Riblon, Capacchi and Rohregger. Wiggins moved out for a while, but dropped back after 30km.
Movistar were once again unwilling to chase, and seeing the threat from a powerful break, we accepted the role and set the pace to keep the gap under control once the lead hit 10minutes.
Capecchi, Rohregger and Leipheimer were keeping a high pace which split the break in two, on the first ascent of the Alt du Paumeres the trio still held just over 4minutes lead. They would contest the stage, and if we weren't careful, they'd be a threat to the GC!
Fortunately another team finally accepted we weren't wrong in keeping a high pace, Vacansoleil started to help us out, but we had burned most helpers, only Danielson, Serpa and Horner were left in the front group...
On the second ascent everything was quiet until... BAM! Mega attack from Nibali and Kreuziger. Horner recognises the threat without domestiques to bring back attacks, so he goes with them, along with Dekker and Urán.
This group passes by the remnant of the break, just the Trio are out in front, but still over 3minutes ahead, the peloton is bringing the recent attackers back but Nibali and Kreuziger are determined to keep the pace up as they begin the descent.
Back out in front, 3 sharp digs from Capecchi have shed Levi from the group, and are giving the Leopard rider Rohregger serious difficulties, he's the lesser sprinter, but has much more left!
Rabobank and Quickstep take up control of the peloton once the attack is brought back. Nibali and Kreuziger are making use of there descending capabilities to stay just ahead, Horner decides it's fruitless and has returned to the pack.
Capecchi takes a great stage win ahead of Rohregger, Leipheimer follows home a minute behind them. The attacks behind have reduced all threat of the break taking the leaders jersey as happened in Paris-Nice, and thanks to the trio there are no more time bonuses, meaning Chris can sit happily in the pack knowing second is safe for today!
Kreuziger beats Nibali over the line in the sprint behind, but no one gains any time, The worst of the GC stages are now behind us, so 2nd is looking safer, though getting into first will be more difficult...
A hilly day which will be difficult to control, Protecting 2nd is the job today, and possibly seeing whether we can hurt Plaza on the days final short climb.
Movistar have played this race tactically poorly so far, and that is true once more, they pulled back several non-threatening attacks, before eventually letting a group of 13men escape, severa; of whom are just 3minutes behind.
We saw the threat, and joined Movistar in the chase early, but the group out front was very strong and we couldn't properly control it, the gap grew to 7minutes with 50km left.
The gap caused panic in the peloton, and team after team threw men into the chase, the gap was reducing, but with 30km to ride, they still had well over 5minutes, It would all come down to the final climb of the day for the GC!
With the gap still not falling properly, Horner made an attack to try and close down the gap, he was joined by a group of favourites, but Cesar, Machado and Nocentini were setting a high pace up front as well!
FDJ's man in the break, Sandy Cesar decided to go solo once the gap hit 3minutes, and in an amazing show of power, re-opened the gap over the peloton!
Plaza, Nibali and Giunti were setting the pace behind, over the summit his lead of 4'20" Could the best descenders in the group bring the lead back under 3'35?
5km to ride and Cesar is off the descent! He's got a lead of just under 5' still! What power the frenchmen is showing! Nibali has dropped the others in the group due to his pace on the descent, Horner really isn't comfortable at this speed, but is hanging in there...
FDJ take the stage and GC lead! Great (If depressing) Show of power by the rider, Nibali finishes 10" ahead of the others in the favourites group, and Horner falls to fourth. Mahcado follows his breakaway companion home just under a minute later to move into second, whilst Plaza is in 3rd, 1" ahead of Chris!
Stage Results
1
Sandy Casar
FDJ
4h43'00
2
Tiago Machado
Team RadioShack
+ 53
3
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
4
Dries Devenyns
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'11
5
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
6
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
7
Cameron Meyer
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 2'32
8
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 4'35
9
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
+ 4'45
10
Vladimir Karpets
Katusha Team
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Massimo Giunti
Leopard Trek
s.t.
12
Rigoberto Urán
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
13
Thomas Dekker
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
14
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
15
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
s.t.
16
Jaume Rovira
Movistar Team
s.t.
17
Marc De Maar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
18
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
19
Morris Possoni
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
20
Marco Marzano
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
21
Russell Downing
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
22
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
23
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
24
Santo Anza
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
25
Rodrigo García
Movistar Team
s.t.
26
Daniel Martin
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
27
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
s.t.
28
Chris Horner
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
29
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ
s.t.
30
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
s.t.
31
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
32
Xabier Zandio
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
33
Rafael Valls
Geox - TMC
s.t.
34
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
35
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
36
René Mandri
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
37
Daniel Navarro
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
38
Xavier Florencio
Movistar Team
s.t.
39
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
s.t.
40
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
41
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
42
Simon Clarke
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
43
Laurens Ten Dam
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
44
Bradley Wiggins
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
45
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
46
Luca Solari
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
47
David De la Fuente
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
48
Tom Danielson
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
49
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
50
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
51
Tanel Kangert
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
52
José Serpa
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
53
Christophe Le Mével
FDJ
s.t.
54
Samuel Dumoulin
FDJ
s.t.
55
Ivan Basso
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
56
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
57
Sylwester Szmyd
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
58
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
59
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
60
Carlos Oyarzun
Movistar Team
s.t.
61
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
62
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
63
Miguel Rubiano
Leopard Trek
s.t.
64
Peter Velits
Leopard Trek
s.t.
65
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
66
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
67
David Millar
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
68
Jack Bobridge
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
69
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
70
Jussi Veikkanen
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
71
Levi Leipheimer
Team RadioShack
s.t.
72
Sven Van Dousselaere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
73
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
74
Andreas Klöden
Team RadioShack
s.t.
75
Ivan Rovny
Team RadioShack
s.t.
76
Markel Irizar
Team RadioShack
s.t.
77
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
78
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
79
Thomas Rohregger
Leopard Trek
s.t.
80
Robert Hunter
Team RadioShack
s.t.
81
Francesco Ginanni
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
82
Josep Jufré
Pro Team Astana
+ 6'14
83
Balint Szeghalmi
Lampre - ISD
+ 7'02
84
Giampaolo Cheula
Geox - TMC
s.t.
85
Francisco Javier Aramendia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 7'10
86
Janez Brajkovič
Team RadioShack
s.t.
87
Bjorn Selander
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
88
Kanstantsin Siutsou
FDJ
+ 7'26
89
Simon Zahner
BMC Racing Team
+ 7'50
90
Maxim Belkov
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
91
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
s.t.
92
Ángel Vicioso
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
93
Karsten Kroon
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
94
Gert Dockx
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 7'58
95
Aitor Pérez Arrieta
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
96
Stef Clement
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
97
Bert Grabsch
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
98
Vicente Reynès
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
99
José Herrada
Caja Rural
s.t.
100
Óscar Pujol
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
101
Maarten Neyens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
102
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Geox - TMC
s.t.
103
Jonathan Monsalve
Androni Giocattoli
+ 8'06
104
Giairo Ermeti
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
105
Davide Viganò
Leopard Trek
s.t.
106
Frédéric Amorison
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
107
David García Dapena
Caja Rural
s.t.
108
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
109
Alexei Markov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
110
Sven Nys
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
111
Dominic Klemme
Leopard Trek
s.t.
112
Floyd Landis
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
113
Matteo Pelucchi
Geox - TMC
s.t.
114
Denis Galimzyanov
Katusha Team
+ 8'14
115
Julian Dean
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
116
Maxim Gourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
117
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
118
Ben Jacques-Maynes
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
119
Bernardo Colex
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
120
Fred Rodriguez
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
121
Alan Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
122
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
123
Matteo Bono
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
124
Fabio Felline
Geox - TMC
s.t.
125
Jos Van Emden
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 8'22
126
Igor Abakoumov
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
127
Dirk Bellemakers
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
128
Sébastien Minard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
129
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
130
Olivier Pardini
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
131
Geoffrey Soupe
FDJ
s.t.
132
Yuriy Krivtsov
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
133
Edward King
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
134
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 8'30
135
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
136
Matthew Wilson
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
137
Iñaki Isasi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
138
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
139
Baptiste Planckaert
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
140
Gabriel Rasch
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
141
Liam Holohan
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
142
Mikel Nieve
Leopard Trek
s.t.
143
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
+ 8'38
144
Kirk O'Bee
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
145
Crescenzo D'Amore
Androni Giocattoli
+ 10'06
146
Marcel Sieberg
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
147
Benny De Schrooder
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
148
Elia Viviani
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
149
Marco Corti
Geox - TMC
s.t.
150
Joost Posthuma
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 10'14
151
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
152
Alfredo Balloni
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
153
Javier Benítez
Caja Rural
+ 10'30
154
Eladio Jiménez
Caja Rural
s.t.
155
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
s.t.
156
Ángel Vallejo
Caja Rural
s.t.
157
Stefan Van Dijk
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 10'38
158
Sheldon Deeny
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
159
Andreas Klier
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
160
Bart Dockx
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
161
Joaquín Ortega
Geox - TMC
s.t.
162
William Clarke
Leopard Trek
s.t.
163
Alberto Fernández de la Puebla
Caja Rural
+ 12'46
164
Florentino Pérez Escamilla
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 12'54
165
Omar Bertazzo
Androni Giocattoli
+ 13'02
166
Alberto Loddo
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 14'14
167
Francesco Chicchi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
168
Joaquín Sobrino
Caja Rural
s.t.
169
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 17'18
170
Alexander Kristoff
BMC Racing Team
+ 24'30
171
Dimitri Kryvtsov
Lampre - ISD
+ 24'38
172
Graeme Brown
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
173
Alexandre Pliuschin
Katusha Team
+ 30'46
General Classification
1
Sandy Casar
FDJ
19h07'18
2
Tiago Machado
Team RadioShack
+ 52
3
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
+ 1'23
4
Chris Horner
Exxon Walmart
+ 1'24
Player
5
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'28
6
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'31
7
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
8
Vladimir Karpets
Katusha Team
+ 1'39
9
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'41
10
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'42
Spoiler
11
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
s.t.
12
Thomas Dekker
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'43
13
Rigoberto Urán
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1'46
14
Xabier Zandio
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'47
15
Jaume Rovira
Movistar Team
+ 1'50
16
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
+ 1'54
17
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
s.t.
18
Sylwester Szmyd
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1'55
19
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
20
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'57
21
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
s.t.
22
Simon Clarke
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'59
23
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
24
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
+ 2'00
25
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
s.t.
26
Marco Marzano
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
27
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'02
28
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 2'03
29
Christophe Le Mével
FDJ
s.t.
30
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'07
31
Marc De Maar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2'11
32
René Mandri
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'12
33
Massimo Giunti
Leopard Trek
+ 2'13
34
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ
s.t.
35
Samuel Dumoulin
FDJ
+ 2'17
36
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 2'19
37
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'35
38
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2'48
39
Dries Devenyns
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2'56
40
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2'59
41
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 3'03
42
Thomas Rohregger
Leopard Trek
+ 3'11
43
Josep Jufré
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'19
44
Jack Bobridge
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 3'21
45
Miguel Rubiano
Leopard Trek
+ 3'28
46
Laurens Ten Dam
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 3'34
47
Tanel Kangert
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'36
48
Sven Van Dousselaere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 3'38
49
Rafael Valls
Geox - TMC
+ 3'40
50
Daniel Martin
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 3'44
51
Santo Anza
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'45
52
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
53
Luca Solari
Androni Giocattoli
+ 3'49
54
Francesco Ginanni
Androni Giocattoli
+ 3'54
55
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 4'50
56
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
+ 4'59
57
Morris Possoni
Sky ProCycling
+ 5'05
58
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
59
Russell Downing
Sky ProCycling
+ 5'07
60
David García Dapena
Caja Rural
+ 5'09
61
Carlos Oyarzun
Movistar Team
+ 5'11
62
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
+ 5'18
63
Cameron Meyer
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 5'25
64
José Herrada
Caja Rural
+ 5'27
65
Balint Szeghalmi
Lampre - ISD
+ 5'54
66
Daniel Navarro
Pro Team Astana
+ 6'13
67
Jussi Veikkanen
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 6'30
68
Xavier Florencio
Movistar Team
+ 6'36
69
Rodrigo García
Movistar Team
+ 6'43
70
Markel Irizar
Team RadioShack
+ 6'45
71
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 6'52
72
Bjorn Selander
Exxon Walmart
+ 7'25
Player
73
Tom Danielson
Exxon Walmart
+ 7'34
Player
74
David Millar
Landbouwkrediet
+ 7'36
75
Levi Leipheimer
Team RadioShack
+ 7'45
76
Peter Velits
Leopard Trek
+ 7'57
77
Aitor Pérez Arrieta
Lampre - ISD
+ 8'15
78
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 8'27
79
Ivan Rovny
Team RadioShack
+ 8'32
80
Jonathan Monsalve
Androni Giocattoli
+ 8'33
81
Maxim Belkov
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 8'36
82
Ivan Basso
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 9'14
83
Bradley Wiggins
Sky ProCycling
+ 9'15
84
Óscar Pujol
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 9'37
85
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 10'21
86
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 10'31
87
Simon Zahner
BMC Racing Team
+ 10'36
88
Robert Hunter
Team RadioShack
+ 10'49
89
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
+ 10'50
90
Eladio Jiménez
Caja Rural
+ 10'55
91
Floyd Landis
Exxon Walmart
+ 11'05
Player
92
Andreas Klöden
Team RadioShack
+ 11'20
93
Ángel Vicioso
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
94
Stef Clement
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 11'29
95
Vicente Reynès
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 11'47
96
David De la Fuente
Pro Team Astana
+ 12'01
97
José Serpa
Exxon Walmart
+ 12'03
Player
98
Francisco Javier Aramendia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 12'35
99
Sven Nys
Landbouwkrediet
+ 13'21
100
Ángel Vallejo
Caja Rural
+ 13'32
101
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 13'51
102
Kanstantsin Siutsou
FDJ
+ 14'02
103
Matteo Bono
Lampre - ISD
+ 14'04
104
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 14'27
105
Maxim Gourov
Pro Team Astana
+ 14'40
106
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 15'17
107
Janez Brajkovič
Team RadioShack
+ 15'18
108
Alan Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 16'28
109
Matteo Pelucchi
Geox - TMC
+ 16'33
110
Ben Jacques-Maynes
Exxon Walmart
+ 17'27
Player
111
Giairo Ermeti
Androni Giocattoli
+ 18'34
112
Igor Abakoumov
Landbouwkrediet
+ 18'45
113
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 19'53
114
Sébastien Minard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 20'00
115
Gert Dockx
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 20'04
116
Bert Grabsch
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 20'44
117
Bernardo Colex
Exxon Walmart
+ 20'56
Player
118
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
+ 20'58
119
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 22'32
120
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Geox - TMC
+ 23'44
121
Dominic Klemme
Leopard Trek
+ 24'10
122
Javier Benítez
Caja Rural
+ 24'32
123
Olivier Pardini
Landbouwkrediet
+ 24'35
124
Edward King
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 24'42
125
Matthew Wilson
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 24'44
126
Jos Van Emden
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 25'21
127
Giampaolo Cheula
Geox - TMC
+ 25'36
128
Fabio Felline
Geox - TMC
+ 26'58
129
Marco Corti
Geox - TMC
+ 27'00
130
Alexei Markov
Pro Team Astana
+ 27'10
131
Yuriy Krivtsov
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 27'35
132
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 28'10
133
Liam Holohan
Sky ProCycling
+ 29'02
134
Alfredo Balloni
Lampre - ISD
+ 30'14
135
Julian Dean
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 31'17
136
Karsten Kroon
BMC Racing Team
+ 32'11
137
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 32'20
138
Joost Posthuma
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 32'56
139
Mikel Nieve
Leopard Trek
+ 33'12
140
Alberto Fernández de la Puebla
Caja Rural
+ 33'35
141
Fred Rodriguez
Exxon Walmart
+ 36'33
Player
142
Geoffrey Soupe
FDJ
+ 38'42
143
Kirk O'Bee
BMC Racing Team
+ 38'59
144
Gabriel Rasch
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
145
Maarten Neyens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 39'42
146
Frédéric Amorison
Landbouwkrediet
+ 39'51
147
Elia Viviani
Androni Giocattoli
+ 40'28
148
Benny De Schrooder
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 40'44
149
Davide Viganò
Leopard Trek
+ 42'03
150
Denis Galimzyanov
Katusha Team
+ 43'02
151
Baptiste Planckaert
Landbouwkrediet
+ 43'08
152
Iñaki Isasi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 43'14
153
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
+ 44'25
154
Dirk Bellemakers
Landbouwkrediet
+ 45'28
155
Alberto Loddo
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
156
Joaquín Sobrino
Caja Rural
+ 45'31
157
Florentino Pérez Escamilla
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 46'09
158
Marcel Sieberg
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 47'11
159
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 47'35
160
Stefan Van Dijk
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 48'08
161
Sheldon Deeny
BMC Racing Team
+ 48'54
162
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 50'20
163
Andreas Klier
Team Garmin - Barracuda
+ 52'00
164
Crescenzo D'Amore
Androni Giocattoli
+ 52'20
165
Francesco Chicchi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 52'28
166
William Clarke
Leopard Trek
+ 53'21
167
Bart Dockx
Landbouwkrediet
+ 56'48
168
Omar Bertazzo
Androni Giocattoli
+ 58'51
169
Joaquín Ortega
Geox - TMC
+ 1h03'26
170
Dimitri Kryvtsov
Lampre - ISD
+ 1h09'31
171
Graeme Brown
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1h13'20
172
Alexandre Pliuschin
Katusha Team
+ 1h23'39
173
Alexander Kristoff
BMC Racing Team
+ 1h36'08
Word from the DS
Well, that's a depressing way to fall off the podium. When we saw the big group go away late, we knew they'd be a threat and tried to help in the chase, It was difficult terrain for bringing a break back on though, and Cesar rode brilliantly to move into 1st.
The first of the WT classics, after seeing its status receive a promotion in the closed season. The E3 follows the day after Dwars. We've sent our standard cobbles team headed up by Hincapie with Vogel as deputy.
The big names are all here for this one, Cancellara, Boonen and Pozzato have been labelled as the biggest favourites on a route which is well balanced between cobbles and hills, and at 200km in length, is shorter than most of the classics to follow next week.
The horrific weather conditions from yesterday haven't improved, and unsurprisingly only 3 men were willing to try and get out in front, and they didn't open a massive gap at any point.
The break only made to the first cobbled section Muur de Geraadsbergen the break was caught, and unsurprisingly on the rain covered, cobbled descent we saw a big crash which started the process of a splitting peloton.
With 60km to ride, We made a plucky attack thanks to Shy Vogel. Dom Rollin gave his all for Shy on the cobbled climb, before releasing the team Lieutenant for a long range attack.
The move by our man, created havoc behind, and several teams were forced to react. Hincapie followed the move of the favourites, which had Weylandt and Gilbert dragging Cancellara and Haussler to bring back the young american out in front.
With 20km just beyond the Oude Kwaremont, Vogel was caught by the 40man peloton. Hincapie is the only man we've got left but he still has pretty god legs...
10km and it's started to really fracture! An elite group of Pozzato, Boonen, Haussler and Hushovd make a big attack to try and keep away. Hincapie knows he can't follow that move and sits tight, whilst the team of Cancellara desperately try to bring back the missed move.
7km to go, and all but Boonen are brought back, he has a 14" gap behind, and the overall pace is causing yet more fractures behind him!
The group behind is down to 26men, Hincapie has made this split, but his legs are starting to wane...
Sky's Flecha clearly feels confident after his win yesterday, He makes an attack as Boonen is caught with 5km left, can he hold off the pack for the last few kilometres, Leopard + Omega-Pharma Lotto are working hard.
With 1.9km to ride he's caught and yet another duo give it a go. Cancellara tries to get away extremely late on, with Heinrich Haussler tracking his wheel.
This is the decisive move, and with 1.2km to ride, Haussler starts his sprint, coming around the outside of Fabians wheel. Hincapie has nothing left for a sprint, he'll just role in this group, still building ahead of Roubaix.
Cancellara can't reply to the Omega-Pharma leaders move, and will have to settle for second. Hincapie just misses out on top20, but does finish in the first group despite a difficult hilly profile which is slightly less to his liking.
He's improving really fast, currently 73Fl 75Cob 72?Res+Stam
So i figured why not
No reports from me for a while as i move into uni tomorrow, I'll be back with you guys ASAP for the finish of Catalunya and the classics however, have no fear
baggieboys32 wrote:
He's improving really fast, currently 73Fl 75Cob 72?Res+Stam
So i figured why not
No reports from me for a while as i move into uni tomorrow, I'll be back with you guys ASAP for the finish of Catalunya and the classics however, have no fear
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
Once more back to Spain, for the penultimate stage. An uphill sprint after 2 laps of the finishing circuit make the business end of today a highly tactical location. With limited chances to get up into the podium places, today will be an opportunity for a stage win.
Keen to make good after his support work, Tom Danielson lead the mornings attack. Well... I say led, I more mean "Became!" No one followed him, and Tom was faced with a gruelling 180km solo ride ahead of him...
He started strong and the gap quickly grew, he also collects himself some nice financial bonuses on the Int. Sprints, with no competition around him.
Once his lead hit the 9minute mark, Tom's advantage began to slide backwards due to the work of Rabobank and FDJ, as he began to feel the effects of an all-day solo.
He made it to the first lap of the final circuit, before just blowing up on the climb, and he was passed and left by a merciless peloton.
Roman Kreuziger was the first man to try a long range move, attacking after one lap, the GC 6th place was marked instantly, and couldn't open more than 25seconds advantage.
In the end it was actually Lampre who took on the final chase, and with 7km to ride everyone was back together. Horner's still feeling good, so we're aiming for a top 10 finish on the uphill sprint.
3.8km to go, and Horner has made his way onto the wheel of the Radioshack train. (Hunter-Machado) Rabobank have the other side of the road with Martens and Urán.
The first sprinters kick with 2.4km to ride, namely - Ivan Basso. Machado and Horner are coming around the outside, whilst Movistar move around the left.
800m... Basso went to early, and dies just at the tip of the climb. Horner is almost at the front, but the climb is all but over, the last 600m are flat. Cesar meanwhile has come through the middle in his leaders jersey, and moved into the pole position
But points jersey wearer Pláza takes the sprint on the line! Horner couldn't match people in the flat sprint, and finishes 8th here.
That is in all likelihood, the GC wrapped up now, tomorrow is a flat day around Barcelona to finish.
2 Things, Firstly - I'm sorry reports have slowed right down, I've just moved into uni and im currently In Freshers week, meaning partying and sleeping are all that occurs. Ill speed up again in a while, sorry until then.
Secondly - Thankyou all so much for getting me to 20k Views!!! I hope you carry on enjoying the story, and we get a lot further still
baggieboys32 wrote:
2 Things, Firstly - I'm sorry reports have slowed right down, I've just moved into uni and im currently In Freshers week, meaning partying and sleeping are all that occurs. Ill speed up again in a while, sorry until then.
Secondly - Thankyou all so much for getting me to 20k Views!!! I hope you carry on enjoying the story, and we get a lot further still
A for my readers!
It's fine. Makes the story enjoyable. I love the fast reports, but too fast and people can lose interest (Tale of Two). So it's fine as long as they still come.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
Following E3, the next day brings us to the Gent-Wevelgem. All the favourites are here, and Stin Devolder will be looking to protect his race, with a second consecutive victory.
After a dull first portion of the race, we join the action as the riders hit the 20km banner, we see an attack from last years victor Stijn Devolder, trying to get away from the big group at the front.
BMC and Sky are the teams who decide to take up the chase, suggesting Flecha and Ballan are both feeling strong. We still have Hincapie in the group, but he's not got the legs for an attack, the strong winds have really taken it out of him!
The teams can't reel in the Landbouwrekrediet rider, and Thor Hushovd goes solo as a reaction with 4km left. His advantage is 26" on the peloton...
With 1.5km to ride, Hushovd makes the catch, Devolder feeling the effects of his attack, and the distance solo has really destroyed him!
Behind, Boonen and Cancellara are leading the chase, trying to close the gap to the duo...
Once he'd made the catch, it was never in doubt, and Hushovd takes his second victory of the WT classics (MSR + GW) Devolder takes second, whilst Haussler comes around the outside of Cancellara and Boonen for 3rd!
Hincapie takes 17th place today, the winds and cobbles proved too much for our team, hopefully we'll have greater success down the line, in Roubaix and RvV.
Sorry results didn't export, you can see the top10 in the picture.
The final day is broadly a nothingness, included to please the sponsors, we should see a bunch sprint after the 100km stage reaches its final destination in Montmélo.
What should have been a quiet day, saw an explosive firework, right at the off... Chris Horner attacked and got into the days break!
The group got a lead of 4'32 with 50km remaining, however many teams were helping out in the chase; due to Chris' presence. Whilst in the break, nobody really wanted to help us set the pace...
With 30km to ride, Horner gave up on the breakaway companions he had, and put in a second attack. He was joined by Leopards Peter Velits.
However, despite this attempt, the duo were brought back with 10km to go, meaning that the sprinters would get there battle after all..
The sprint was closely contested, but Murilo Fischer collects the stage victory, possibly the biggest of his career!
Final Results
Stage Results
1
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Barracuda
2h26'03
2
Samuel Dumoulin
FDJ
s.t.
3
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
4
Denis Galimzyanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
5
Robert Hunter
Team RadioShack
s.t.
6
David García Dapena
Caja Rural
s.t.
7
Frédéric Amorison
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
8
David Millar
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
9
Sandy Casar
FDJ
s.t.
10
Giampaolo Cheula
Geox - TMC
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Bert Grabsch
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
12
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
13
Russell Downing
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
14
José Herrada
Caja Rural
s.t.
15
Matteo Pelucchi
Geox - TMC
s.t.
16
Francisco Javier Aramendia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
17
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
18
Tiago Machado
Team RadioShack
s.t.
19
Alberto Loddo
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
20
Fred Rodriguez
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
21
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
22
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
s.t.
23
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
24
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
25
Kanstantsin Siutsou
FDJ
s.t.
26
Francesco Chicchi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
27
Ángel Vallejo
Caja Rural
s.t.
28
Markel Irizar
Team RadioShack
s.t.
29
Jack Bobridge
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
30
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
31
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
32
Cameron Meyer
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
33
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
34
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
35
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
s.t.
36
Vladimir Karpets
Katusha Team
s.t.
37
Iñaki Isasi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
38
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
39
Joaquín Ortega
Geox - TMC
s.t.
40
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
41
Tanel Kangert
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
42
Thomas Dekker
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
43
Yuriy Krivtsov
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
44
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
45
Matthew Wilson
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
46
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
47
Rafael Valls
Geox - TMC
s.t.
48
Daniel Martin
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
49
Balint Szeghalmi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
50
Eladio Jiménez
Caja Rural
s.t.
51
Rigoberto Urán
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
52
Ivan Basso
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
53
Dirk Bellemakers
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
54
Alan Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
55
Igor Abakoumov
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
56
Laurens Ten Dam
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
57
Alexei Markov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
58
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
59
Geoffrey Soupe
FDJ
s.t.
60
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
61
Sven Nys
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
62
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
63
Liam Holohan
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
64
Santo Anza
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
65
Janez Brajkovič
Team RadioShack
s.t.
66
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
67
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
68
Gabriel Rasch
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
69
Baptiste Planckaert
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
70
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Geox - TMC
s.t.
71
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
s.t.
72
José Serpa
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
73
Sébastien Minard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
74
Ángel Vicioso
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
75
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
76
Tom Danielson
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
77
Bradley Wiggins
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
78
Joaquín Sobrino
Caja Rural
s.t.
79
Ivan Rovny
Team RadioShack
s.t.
80
Bart Dockx
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
81
Andreas Klöden
Team RadioShack
s.t.
82
Edward King
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
83
Stefan Van Dijk
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
84
Stef Clement
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
85
Maarten Neyens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
86
Floyd Landis
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
87
Vicente Reynès
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
88
Chris Horner
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
89
Joost Posthuma
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
90
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
91
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
92
Andreas Klier
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
93
Xabier Zandio
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
94
Levi Leipheimer
Team RadioShack
s.t.
95
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
96
Daniel Navarro
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
97
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
98
Carlos Oyarzun
Movistar Team
s.t.
99
Gert Dockx
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
100
David De la Fuente
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
101
Jaume Rovira
Movistar Team
s.t.
102
Davide Viganò
Leopard Trek
s.t.
103
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
104
Giairo Ermeti
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
105
Kirk O'Bee
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
106
Simon Clarke
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
107
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
s.t.
108
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
109
Crescenzo D'Amore
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
110
Jos Van Emden
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
111
Morris Possoni
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
112
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
113
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
114
Aitor Pérez Arrieta
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
115
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
s.t.
116
Sylwester Szmyd
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
117
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
s.t.
118
Maxim Belkov
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
119
Benny De Schrooder
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
120
Maxim Gourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
121
Vladimir Efimkin
Katusha Team
s.t.
122
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ
s.t.
123
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
124
Marco Marzano
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
125
Peter Velits
Leopard Trek
s.t.
126
Alexander Kristoff
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
127
Elia Viviani
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
128
Graeme Brown
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
129
Marc De Maar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
130
Bernardo Colex
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
131
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
132
Marco Corti
Geox - TMC
s.t.
133
Marcel Sieberg
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
134
Francesco Ginanni
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
135
Massimo Giunti
Leopard Trek
s.t.
136
Matteo Bono
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
137
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
138
Bjorn Selander
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
139
Ben Jacques-Maynes
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
Player
140
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
141
Jonathan Monsalve
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
142
Alfredo Balloni
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
143
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
144
Rodrigo García
Movistar Team
s.t.
145
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
146
René Mandri
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
147
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
148
Sven Van Dousselaere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
149
Dominic Klemme
Leopard Trek
s.t.
150
Miguel Rubiano
Leopard Trek
s.t.
151
Jussi Veikkanen
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
152
Christophe Le Mével
FDJ
s.t.
153
Xavier Florencio
Movistar Team
s.t.
154
Thomas Rohregger
Leopard Trek
s.t.
155
Dries Devenyns
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
156
Sheldon Deeny
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
157
Karsten Kroon
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
158
Alberto Fernández de la Puebla
Caja Rural
s.t.
159
Óscar Pujol
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
160
Mikel Nieve
Leopard Trek
s.t.
161
Omar Bertazzo
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
162
William Clarke
Leopard Trek
s.t.
163
Julian Dean
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
164
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
165
Javier Benítez
Caja Rural
s.t.
166
Fabio Felline
Geox - TMC
s.t.
167
Olivier Pardini
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
168
Alexandre Pliuschin
Katusha Team
s.t.
169
Dimitri Kryvtsov
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
170
Luca Solari
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
171
Simon Zahner
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
172
Florentino Pérez Escamilla
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'37
173
Josep Jufré
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
General Classification
1
Sandy Casar
FDJ
25h52'13
2
Tiago Machado
Team RadioShack
+ 56
3
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
+ 1'17
4
Chris Horner
Exxon Walmart
+ 1'23
Player
5
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'32
6
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'35
7
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
8
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
+ 1'40
9
Vladimir Karpets
Katusha Team
+ 1'43
10
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'45
After some hard fighting early in the week, it came down to the breakaway victors to decide the top spot. None the less 4th is a good result, and when you look at the names sat behind us, it gets even better!
Points Jersey
1
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
100
2
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
70
3
Chris Horner
Exxon Walmart
62
Player
4
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
53
5
Sandy Casar
FDJ
48
6
Vladimir Karpets
Katusha Team
40
7
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
33
8
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
33
9
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
32
10
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
29
To go with 4th in the GC, we also take 3rd in the points, great riding by Mr Horner throughout a hilly week in spain!
King of the Mountains
1
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas - Cannondale
60
2
David Millar
Landbouwkrediet
60
3
Kanstantsin Siutsou
FDJ
36
4
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
30
5
Sandy Casar
FDJ
29
6
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
25
7
Tiago Machado
Team RadioShack
21
8
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
17
9
Francesco Ginanni
Androni Giocattoli
16
10
Thomas Rohregger
Leopard Trek
14
Youth
1
Rigoberto Urán
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
25h54'03 (1)
2
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
+ 13 (2)
3
Jack Bobridge
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
+ 1'35 (3)
4
Tanel Kangert
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
+ 1'50 (4)
5
Sven Van Dousselaere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
+ 1'52 (5)
6
Rafael Valls
Geox - TMC
s.t.
+ 1'54 (6)
7
Cameron Meyer
Team Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
+ 3'39 (7)
8
Bjorn Selander
Exxon Walmart
s.t.
+ 5'39 (8)
player
9
Ivan Rovny
Team RadioShack
s.t.
+ 6'46 (9)
10
Jonathan Monsalve
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
+ 6'47 (10)
22
Jonathan Monsalve
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
+ 6'47 (10)
Rabobank leader Urán takes his first jersey with his new club, after a strong collection of rides during the midweek hills.
for my readers!
Stin Devolder will be looking to protect his race, with a second consecutive victory.
Flecha and 
Ballan are both feeling strong. We still have 
Hincapie in the group, but he's not got the legs for an attack, the strong winds have really taken it out of him!
Thor Hushovd goes solo as a reaction with 4km left. His advantage is 26" on the peloton...
Cancellara are leading the chase, trying to close the gap to the duo...
Haussler comes around the outside of 
