welker3257, Jakstar22, Dippofix - Indeed, what a performance from De Gendt. He was losing time in the final week, at one point only 1 minute on Vanendert, but he totally cracked in the time trial and final mountain stages
“All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
The Wedding Crashers - Part II
I jumped on my feet. Had I really overslept? I checked the clock. Expected at the church in 56 minutes.
Uh-oh.
It was time to get to work. But first, I needed a shower!
While I was in the bathroom, Warren went to pick up my parents. They had already left two messages on my mobile.
I was stressed, but happily stressed. Because in about two hours from now, I'd be married. Well, if nothing would go wrong, that is...
Tour de Suisse - Stages 1 & 2
New Ideas
Tour de Suisse. I'm supposed to be at around 95% now. Winning here is not a necessity. I'm fully focused on the Tour, and it's too early to be 100% now if I want to be the best I can be at the Tour.
I will try something different here...
The playboy interview made me think things through. A climber has a hard time winning a Grand Tour, that is true.
So one way to turn that around is to sharpen my tactical abilities.
After buying and reading The Art of War by Sun Tzu, I had a long, good talk with Van Impe. It's time we started using brilliant tactics combined with my climbing abilities. It's the only way I'll ever win the Tour.
Stage 1
A prologue, nothing to add.
At days like this, I really feel I stopped training a lot on the time trial bike...
Obviously I couldn't lose that much time here. I took it somewhat easy, keeping something in reserve for what's coming.
Stage 2
This was my first chance to use my new ideas about tactics. Some of my biggest competitors for the Tour are here. Don't think the Tour starts in two weeks. No, no, it has started already, mentally.
Valverde's jersey seems to give him wings at times. I decided not to react straight away. He was not riding far ahead, I looked around to read some faces of those around me.
When Valverde was 10 seconds ahead, I made the jump. Only Costa was able to follow.
Two team mates against me. And not just any two team mates, two strong riders, two winners.
I was almost riding against my limit. I placed a feigned attack to check their reactions. Conclusion? Valverde is very strong, Costa is having some problems.
I was unsure what to do next. Winning the stage against the World Champion would be very hard, considering I was outnumbered.
Against my natural instinct, I set up a little theater. I hung back and pretended to be on the verge of cracking. When we headed into the final kilometer, I took Valverde's wheel.
Tactics are all fine, but when the competition is just better, it's hard to win up a mountain slope. As soon as I realized it won't be for today, I sat back down. Don't push the limits now.
Result - Stage 1
1
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
9'25
2
Tony Martin
Katusha Team
+ 1
3
Rohan Dennis
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 3
4
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Alexander Kristoff
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 4
6
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 7
7
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
+ 10
8
Jesse Sergent
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 12
9
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
+ 13
10
Travis Bickle
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 16
Result - Stage 2
1
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
4h23'12
2
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
s.t.
3
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
s.t.
4
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1'04
5
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
6
Joaquím Rodríguez
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
7
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
s.t.
8
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
9
Simon Spilak
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Richie Porte
Katusha Team
s.t.
General Classification
1
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
4h32'52
2
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 3
3
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
+ 11
4
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
+ 59
5
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
+ 1'02
6
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'05
7
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'08
8
Simon Spilak
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'10
9
Richie Porte
Katusha Team
+ 1'11
10
Lou Smeets
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'22
Spoiler
11
Joaquím Rodríguez
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1'23
12
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1'28
13
Carlos Betancur
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'29
14
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
+ 2'14
15
Silvio Herklotz
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 2'19
16
Jakob Fuglsang
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2'31
17
Kenny Elissonde
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2'49
18
Rohan Dennis
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 3'26
19
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'44
20
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
+ 4'34
21
Egor Silin
Astana Pro Team
+ 4'38
22
Johann Tschopp
IAM Cycling
+ 4'40
23
Romain Bardet
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4'47
24
Miguel Rubiano
IAM Cycling
+ 4'59
25
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
+ 6'26
26
Geraint Thomas
Katusha Team
+ 6'32
27
Rory Sutherland
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 6'37
28
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 6'47
29
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 6'52
30
Louis Meintjes
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 6'53
31
Patrick Schelling
IAM Cycling
+ 6'57
32
Lachlan Morton
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
33
Eros Capecchi
Movistar Team
+ 7'00
34
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 7'23
35
Andreas Klöden
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 8'33
36
Roméo Beal
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 8'35
37
Jesús Hernández
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 8'41
38
Lieuwe Westra
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 8'55
39
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 8'57
40
Sandy Casar
FDJ.fr
+ 11'06
41
Tony Martin
Katusha Team
+ 11'07
42
Alexander Kristoff
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 11'10
43
Ramunas Navardauskas
Garmin - Sharp
+ 11'16
44
Leocadio Manresa
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 11'19
45
Nelson Oliveira
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 11'22
46
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 11'24
47
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
48
Bart De Clercq
Lotto Belisol
+ 11'25
49
Jesús Del Nero
Movistar Team
+ 11'27
50
Cameron Wurf
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 11'29
51
Simon Gerrans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
52
Ben King
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 11'30
53
Moreno Moser
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 11'31
54
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
55
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
+ 11'32
56
Maxime Bouet
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 11'33
57
Raymond Künzli
IAM Cycling
+ 11'37
58
Danny Pate
Sky Procycling
+ 11'38
59
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 11'41
60
Rafael Valls
Movistar Team
+ 11'43
61
Alex Howes
Garmin - Sharp
+ 11'47
62
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 11'49
63
Pieter Serry
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 11'50
64
Vladimir Karpets
Movistar Team
+ 11'52
65
Reto Hollenstein
IAM Cycling
+ 11'53
66
Jure Kocjan
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 11'54
67
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
68
Morris Possoni
BMC Racing Team
+ 11'55
69
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
+ 13'05
70
Yohan Offredo
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 13'29
71
Mickaël Delage
BMC Racing Team
+ 13'41
72
Emilien Viennet
FDJ.fr
+ 14'20
73
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 14'57
74
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 14'59
75
Jesse Sergent
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 15'06
76
Dominik Nerz
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 15'11
77
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 15'14
78
Ben Jacques-Maynes
Garmin - Sharp
+ 15'16
79
John Degenkolb
Sky Procycling
s.t.
80
Tiziano Dall'Antonia
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 15'19
81
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
+ 15'20
82
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 15'21
83
Raymond Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
84
Geoffrey Soupe
FDJ.fr
+ 15'24
85
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 15'25
86
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ.fr
s.t.
87
Maarten Wynants
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 15'27
88
Matthew Goss
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
89
Nick Van der Lijke
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 15'28
90
Mathieu Sprick
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 15'29
91
Elia Favilli
Astana Pro Team
+ 15'32
92
Nariyuki Masuda
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 15'34
93
Kai Reus
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 15'35
94
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
+ 15'36
95
Aquilino Matamala
Movistar Team
+ 15'37
96
Nico Jan Sinkgraven
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 15'38
97
Marcel Aregger
IAM Cycling
s.t.
98
Mauro Da Dalto
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 15'43
99
Valeriy Dmitriyev
Astana Pro Team
+ 15'45
100
Jérôme Pineau
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 15'46
101
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 15'48
102
Travis Bickle
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 16'28
103
Aitor Hernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 16'34
104
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 16'35
105
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
+ 16'36
106
Bryan Coquard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 16'40
107
Heinrich Haussler
Sky Procycling
s.t.
108
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 16'42
109
Imanol Abreu
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 16'43
110
Sebastian Lander
BMC Racing Team
+ 16'47
111
Wouter Mol
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 16'53
112
Lars Van der Haar
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 16'56
113
Tarik Chaoufi
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 16'57
114
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
115
Adam Semple
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 16'59
116
Matthias Krizek
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 17'01
117
Oliver Hofstetter
IAM Cycling
+ 17'03
118
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
119
Matteo Pelucchi
IAM Cycling
+ 17'05
120
Dylan van Baarle
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 17'51
121
Anton Vorobyev
Katusha Team
+ 18'40
122
Eloy Teruel
Movistar Team
+ 18'44
123
Rick Zabel
Lotto Belisol
+ 18'45
124
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 18'50
125
Dion Beukeboom
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 18'52
126
Steele Von Hoff
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
127
Lluis Guillermo Mas
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
128
Barry Markus
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
129
Greg Henderson
Lotto Belisol
+ 18'53
130
Julien Duvivier
FDJ.fr
+ 18'54
131
Tom Veelers
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 18'56
132
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
+ 18'58
133
Danny Van Poppel
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 18'59
134
Sep Vanmarcke
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 19'02
135
Davide Appollonio
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
136
Maarten Neyens
Lotto Belisol
+ 19'04
137
Caleb Ewan
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 19'06
138
Benoit Drujon
FDJ.fr
s.t.
139
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
+ 19'09
140
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
141
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
+ 19'10
142
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
143
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
144
Wilfried Clain
FDJ.fr
+ 19'12
145
Luke Roberts
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 19'13
146
Jake Keough
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
147
Juan José Lobato
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
148
Jonathan Cantwell
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 19'14
149
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 19'15
150
Ramon Sinkeldam
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
151
Yohann Gène
FDJ.fr
s.t.
152
Bolat Raimbekov
Astana Pro Team
+ 19'16
153
Fred Rodriguez
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
154
William Clarke
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 20'10
155
Mark Christian
Sky Procycling
+ 20'32
156
Alexey Pashinin
Astana Pro Team
+ 20'34
157
Zakkari Dempster
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
158
Graeme Brown
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 22'32
159
Ian Nott
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 24'40
160
Marcel Kittel
Katusha Team
+ 32'53
Conclusions
I'm not sure they'll all start at the Tour, but looking at the field I can make some conclusions already.
1. Valverde is ready. He's very strong at the moment. He has the team to back him up.
2. Froome and Nibali are not quite there, but they'll be aiming for week 2 and 3 in the Tour, where they'll pick up the pace.
3. Rodriguez is continuing his dramatic season and seems burned up so far. His climb was not too bad, but the time trial was just abysmal.
I'm at around the right shape. I'm not 100% yet, but I'm on track to be 100% when it matters, in the Tour.
I'm not sure how to tackle the rest of this Tour de Suisse, though. We'll see tomorrow,
Henry
Edited by Ian Butler on 22-01-2014 13:58
Jakstar22 - Thanks Taking the win here would be great, but Tour de France is the big picture now
Am a bit unsure about the next few days.
I'll do some more racing today, but I'm coming down with a cold (again) and sitting behind the computer too long makes me feel quite sick.
Tomorrow and Friday I only have the computer at the evening, like I already said.
Saturday I have an exam at around noon.
After the exam I wouldn't expect much problems, but before that I'm not sure how often I can update. I hope to start the Tour this weekend though
“What the ancients call a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease. He wins his battle by making no mistakes. Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.”
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
The Wedding Crashers - Part II
Expected in the church at 23 minutes. I was all washed up. After a quick check - smelling the armpit - I went downstairs.
Where the hell was my suit? I couldn't find it anywhere.
I checked my mobile again. 1 text message.
It was Becca.
Tour de Suisse - Stage 3
Another mountain stage, but finishing in a sprint. This is my terrain.
Lucien Van Impe and I had a battle plan ready. We decided we needed to sort out a few possible problems if we wanted to be succesful at the Tour.
Today we'd work on my ability to remain calm. I'm quite fiesty on my bike, and it's important to work out impulsive riding in order to be more successful.
So today's big goal: STAY CALM AT ALL TIME
The Race
My goal is put to a test straight away. Julien Duvivier gets into the breakaway. Remember him?
But the decision of the day wouldn't come from him. It came from the climbers, my competitors. They attacked earlier than we anticipated. Under normal circumstances I would've reacted straight away. Keeping to the lesson of the day, I stayed calm.
It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. I had convinced Van Impe enough of the importance of tactics he was carrying a copy of The Art of War with him in the DS car. I heard him quoting in my ear:
"If the enemy should offer us attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the enemy in its turn. Then, when the time is right, we may deliver our attack with advantage."
I waited. I stayed calm.
At the appropriate time, I bridged the gap. I noticed a lot of worn out faces.
Those who had gone early, were being left behind more easily. I was not in the position to ride, so I let the others work.
We would decide the winner in a sprint. I knew that was one of my strengths. I gathered all my strength and prepared for the sprint!
The sprint was extremely fast, coming downhill, and quite dangerous. It was very close, too!
I was wise not to cry victory before crossing the line. I raised my arms as soon as I hit the white line first! What a close call!
Result
1
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
4h51'27
2
Simon Spilak
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Carlos Betancur
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
s.t.
5
Joaquím Rodríguez
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
6
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
s.t.
7
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
9
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
s.t.
10
Richie Porte
Katusha Team
s.t.
General Classification
1
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
9h24'12
2
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
+ 7
3
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
+ 18
4
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
+ 1'09
5
Simon Spilak
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'11
6
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'12
7
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'15
8
Richie Porte
Katusha Team
+ 1'18
9
Joaquím Rodríguez
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1'30
10
Carlos Betancur
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'32
Spoiler
11
Lou Smeets
Lotto Belisol
+ 2'42
12
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'52
13
Jakob Fuglsang
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3'19
14
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3'21
15
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
+ 4'07
16
Silvio Herklotz
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 4'12
17
Kenny Elissonde
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4'42
18
Rohan Dennis
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 5'19
19
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 5'37
20
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
+ 6'27
21
Egor Silin
Astana Pro Team
+ 6'31
22
Johann Tschopp
IAM Cycling
+ 6'33
23
Romain Bardet
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 6'40
24
Miguel Rubiano
IAM Cycling
+ 6'52
25
Rory Sutherland
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 8'30
26
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 8'40
27
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 8'45
28
Lachlan Morton
Garmin - Sharp
+ 8'50
29
Patrick Schelling
IAM Cycling
s.t.
30
Eros Capecchi
Movistar Team
+ 8'53
31
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 9'16
32
Andreas Klöden
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 10'26
33
Roméo Beal
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 10'28
34
Jesús Hernández
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 10'34
35
Lieuwe Westra
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 10'48
36
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 10'50
37
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
+ 10'55
38
Geraint Thomas
Katusha Team
+ 11'49
39
Pieter Serry
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 11'57
40
Ramunas Navardauskas
Garmin - Sharp
+ 13'09
41
Moreno Moser
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 13'24
42
Maxime Bouet
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 13'26
43
Alex Howes
Garmin - Sharp
+ 13'37
44
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
+ 15'53
45
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 16'10
46
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 16'12
47
Nick Van der Lijke
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 16'44
48
Sandy Casar
FDJ.fr
+ 16'53
49
Dominik Nerz
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 17'04
50
Leocadio Manresa
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 17'06
51
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 17'11
52
Bart De Clercq
Lotto Belisol
+ 17'12
53
Jesús Del Nero
Movistar Team
+ 17'14
54
Cameron Wurf
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 17'16
55
Simon Gerrans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
56
Ben King
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 17'17
57
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 17'18
58
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
+ 17'19
59
Raymond Künzli
IAM Cycling
+ 17'24
60
Rafael Valls
Movistar Team
+ 17'30
61
Vladimir Karpets
Movistar Team
+ 17'39
62
Reto Hollenstein
IAM Cycling
+ 17'40
63
Jure Kocjan
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 17'41
64
Morris Possoni
BMC Racing Team
+ 17'42
65
Tony Martin
Katusha Team
+ 17'46
66
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 19'20
67
Nelson Oliveira
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 19'48
68
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 20'46
69
Alexander Kristoff
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 20'47
70
Danny Pate
Sky Procycling
+ 21'15
71
Elia Favilli
Astana Pro Team
+ 21'19
72
Louis Meintjes
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 21'30
73
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 21'31
74
Julien Duvivier
FDJ.fr
+ 22'16
75
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
+ 22'42
76
Emilien Viennet
FDJ.fr
+ 22'46
77
Maarten Wynants
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 22'58
78
Yohan Offredo
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 23'06
79
Mickaël Delage
BMC Racing Team
+ 23'18
80
Jesse Sergent
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 23'32
81
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 23'40
82
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 23'47
83
Kai Reus
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 24'01
84
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 24'14
85
John Degenkolb
Sky Procycling
+ 24'53
86
Ben Jacques-Maynes
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
87
Tiziano Dall'Antonia
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 24'56
88
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
+ 24'57
89
Raymond Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
+ 24'58
90
Geoffrey Soupe
FDJ.fr
+ 25'01
91
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 25'02
92
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ.fr
s.t.
93
Matthew Goss
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 25'04
94
Mathieu Sprick
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 25'06
95
Nariyuki Masuda
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 25'11
96
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
+ 25'13
97
Aquilino Matamala
Movistar Team
+ 25'14
98
Nico Jan Sinkgraven
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 25'15
99
Marcel Aregger
IAM Cycling
s.t.
100
Mauro Da Dalto
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 25'20
101
Valeriy Dmitriyev
Astana Pro Team
+ 25'22
102
Jérôme Pineau
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 25'23
103
Travis Bickle
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 26'05
104
Aitor Hernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 26'11
105
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 26'12
106
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
+ 26'13
107
Bryan Coquard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 26'17
108
Heinrich Haussler
Sky Procycling
s.t.
109
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 26'19
110
Imanol Abreu
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 26'20
111
Sebastian Lander
BMC Racing Team
+ 26'24
112
Wouter Mol
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 26'30
113
Lars Van der Haar
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 26'33
114
Tarik Chaoufi
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 26'34
115
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
116
Adam Semple
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 26'36
117
Matthias Krizek
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 26'38
118
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 26'40
119
Oliver Hofstetter
IAM Cycling
s.t.
120
Matteo Pelucchi
IAM Cycling
+ 26'42
121
Anton Vorobyev
Katusha Team
+ 28'17
122
Rick Zabel
Lotto Belisol
+ 28'22
123
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 28'27
124
Barry Markus
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 28'29
125
Dion Beukeboom
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
126
Steele Von Hoff
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
127
Lluis Guillermo Mas
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
128
Tom Veelers
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 28'33
129
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
+ 28'35
130
Danny Van Poppel
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 28'36
131
Sep Vanmarcke
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 28'39
132
Maarten Neyens
Lotto Belisol
+ 28'41
133
Caleb Ewan
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 28'43
134
Benoit Drujon
FDJ.fr
s.t.
135
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
+ 28'46
136
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
+ 28'47
137
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
138
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
139
Wilfried Clain
FDJ.fr
+ 28'49
140
Luke Roberts
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 28'50
141
Juan José Lobato
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
142
Jake Keough
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
143
Jonathan Cantwell
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 28'51
144
Ramon Sinkeldam
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 28'52
145
Yohann Gène
FDJ.fr
s.t.
146
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
147
Bolat Raimbekov
Astana Pro Team
+ 28'53
148
Fred Rodriguez
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
149
William Clarke
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 29'47
150
Mark Christian
Sky Procycling
+ 30'09
151
Alexey Pashinin
Astana Pro Team
+ 30'11
152
Greg Henderson
Lotto Belisol
+ 32'23
153
Davide Appollonio
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 32'32
154
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol
+ 32'39
155
Zakkari Dempster
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 34'04
156
Eloy Teruel
Movistar Team
+ 36'03
157
Dylan van Baarle
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 38'16
158
Graeme Brown
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 39'51
159
Ian Nott
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 45'05
160
Marcel Kittel
Katusha Team
+ 50'12
Conclusions
Yes! It payed off. I must admit I got a little scared at a point, but we stayed calm and did our job. It seems this is working. Me, Van Impe and Sun Tzu, a great combination!
Keeping to your plan is a wise thing to do, but I must admit it doesn't always sit right with me. I'm used to riding around on gut feeling. I'm not really sure if I should continue to do so or not. So far it has brought me some great results...
I'm glad to be leading, and I'm very happy with the stage victory. But I'm keeping my eyes on the main prize: Tour de France.
Tour de Suisse - Stages 4 & 5
Two flat stages. Kristoff won stage 5.
The next stage is hilly.
Tonight we will talk about what we still have to work on in order to have a successful Tour de France campaign.
See you then,
Henry
Spoiler
Got kind of a question for you all, too. Do you like these tactical race things, or do you prefer gut-feeling racing, like before? Let me know
Great Tour de Suisse for Henry so far. Really dig the more tactical style of reporting, but quoting Sun Tzu during the race just comes of a bit pretentious, sorry Ian.
Oh, and De Gendt winning the Giro is massive. Congratz, fabolous achievement for him and the team. And Heny shouldn't worry about negative consequences for him. Van Impe is convincend of him, everybody knows he's the best climber and if that result does one thing for him, it will take away the burden of a Tour success since the team already performed flawless at the Giro.
Also, Julien Duvivier - wasn't that the guy who stole Henry Michelle back then? ... Well, then again, I think it all turned out alright and Henry should even thank him for freeing him from this... lame girl.
Oh, and honestly, commeting on 3 reports in one post... erm, the pace is fine, but a tiny bit slower wouldn't be too bad either.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Jakstar22 - Defending the jersey won't be easy, especially not against Valverde with a hilly stage coming up!
Shonak - The pace will drop just a little bit I didn't mean for the quote to be pretentious, but as an explanation to why Henry is doing what he's doing
De Gendt really wrote some history, and you're right, that's one GT so the pressure is off. But if De Gendt wants to ride the Tour as a leader next year, I'm not sure even Van Impe can take away that right...
Julien Duvivier was that guy, yes I'll write him a little thank-you note
duxili - Thanks! I really liked the gut-feeling racing, too, but I'm afraid Henry would turn into Schleck 2.0 that way. Very talented, but never winning because of making bad choices. A true climber could only win the Tour by using his brains, I think.
About the tactical vs gut-feeling: I'll be thinking about it. Being tactical has its advantages, but of course, cycling is so unpredictable you can't keep to the plan at all times. Sometimes you have to improvise. So like most of you suggest, maybe I'll do a mixture. Always have a plan ready, and always deceive the enemy, but also stay flexible.
And I'm definitely not quoting Sun Tzu in every report from now on just thought it was interesting bringing this into cycling, but it won't take over the story
Oh- and a final thought: being tactical doesn't exclude attacking and even long-range attacks Andy Schleck - Galibier was a tactical masterpiece
Next update: tonight!Edited by Ian Butler on 23-01-2014 09:55
Tour de Suisse - Stages 1 & 2 
Taking the win here would be great, but Tour de France is the big picture now 
... Well, then again, I think it all turned out alright and Henry should even thank him for freeing him from this... lame girl.
