Stage 6, from Sorgues to Manosque. 180 kilometres over very hilly terrain. After yesterday's demonstration of power on the slopes of the Montée Laurent Jalabert, is there anyone in this peloton that has the guts to fight Philippe Gilbert?
KOTM-leader Jack Bobridge has a pretty bad day (-5) and decides not to ride for the points today. Of coure, we want to defend his jersey and because of that, Thomas De Gendt is the first on today's first KOTM-summit (Col de Murs). In the last part towards the 2nd KOTM-sprint, he finds himself in front of the peloton, together with Staf Scheirlinckx and GC-leader Philippe Gilbert. They don't bother sprinting for the points, so De Gendt takes them.
After that KOTM-sprint, De Gendt tries twice to get in a breakaway. The first time alone, the second time together with Christophe Riblon (Garmin) and Michele Scarponi (BMC). Although all of them are 3 minutes behind in the GC, the peloton won't let them ride away. But then Scarponi tries it on his own and he succeeds in getting a 2 minute gap. He passes the 3rd and 4th KOTM-summit all alone, but gets caught 30 kilometres before the finish.
23 kilometres before the finish, Philippe Gilbert attacks out of the peloton. Alberto Contador and Damiano Cunego try to follow and the peloton is almost one minute behind.
But when the 3 find each other, the cooperation stops and they get caught. Then another attack with Gilbert and Contador involved. This time 12 kilometres before the finish in Manosque. They get joined by GC's number 2 Sébastien Joly (Saur), Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) and stage winner Leonardo Duque. When the peloton, led by Qantas and FDJ, is closing them in, Gilbert tries for the 3rd time to get away.
But in the long descend towards Manosque, Gilbert doesn't get away, and 55 riders can make up for the sprint for the stage win. Romain Zingle is up front of the peloton and knows he won't stand a chance in the sprint. His legs are still pretty good, so he attacks with less than 2 kilometres remaining.
And Zingle is able to defend his small gap to the peloton and takes the win in Manosque. His first win for our team, and the biggest in his career. What a big surprise!! Carlos Barredo and Paul Martens (Rabobank) sprint to the 2nd and 3rd place. Also De Gendt finishes in this group.
Results
1
Romain Zingle
Monster Energy - Ford
4h22'42
2
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Fränk Schleck
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
5
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto - Ridley
s.t.
6
Jonathan Hivert
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
7
Jérôme Pineau
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
8
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
9
Christophe Riblon
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
10
Dario Cataldo
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Florian Stalder
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
12
Chris Horner
Lotto - Ridley
s.t.
13
Maxime Monfort
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
14
Chris Anker Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
15
Stijn Devolder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
16
Jérémy Roy
FDJ
s.t.
17
Francisco José Pacheco
Movistar Team
s.t.
18
Michael Albasini
Team Qantas
s.t.
19
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
s.t.
20
Jérémie Galland
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
21
Mikel Nieve
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
22
Andreas Klöden
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
23
Staf Scheirlinckx
Lotto - Ridley
s.t.
24
Simon Gerrans
Team Qantas
s.t.
25
Ryder Hesjedal
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
26
Alberto Contador
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
27
Giairo Ermeti
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
28
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
29
Guillaume Levarlet
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
30
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
31
Marcos García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
32
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
33
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
34
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
35
Robert Kiserlovski
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
36
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
37
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
s.t.
38
Denis Menchov
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
39
Sébastien Joly
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
40
Jean-Marc Marino
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
41
Thomas De Gendt
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
42
Ángel Vicioso
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
43
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
44
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
45
José Joaquín Rojas
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
46
Daryl Impey
Team Qantas
s.t.
47
Gabriele Bosisio
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
48
Leonardo Duque
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
49
Bruno Pires
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
50
Marek Rutkiewicz
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
51
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
52
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
53
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
54
René Mandri
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
55
Anthony Roux
FDJ
s.t.
56
Santo Anza
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'47
57
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
58
Matthew Lloyd
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
59
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
60
Andrey Kashechkin
Lampre - Generali
+ 2'01
61
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
62
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
63
Rob Ruijgh
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
64
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
65
Thibaut Pinot
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
66
Kevin De Weert
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
67
Grischa Niermann
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
68
Michele Scarponi
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
69
Christophe Le Mével
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
70
Nicki Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
71
Janez Brajkovič
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
72
Bart De Clercq
Lotto - Ridley
s.t.
73
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
74
Simon Spilak
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
75
Arthur Vichot
FDJ
s.t.
76
Carlos Oyarzun
Movistar Team
s.t.
77
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
78
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
79
Sébastien Minard
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
80
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
81
Dimitri Champion
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
82
Pierre Rolland
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 3'02
83
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
84
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
85
Matteo Montaguti
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
86
Bert Grabsch
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
87
Linus Gerdemann
Katusha Team
s.t.
88
Steve Chainel
FDJ
s.t.
89
Cyril Lemoine
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
90
Artem Ovechkin
Katusha Team
s.t.
91
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
92
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
s.t.
93
Mitchell Docker
Team Qantas
s.t.
94
Wesley Sulzberger
Team Qantas
s.t.
95
Denis Galimzyanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
96
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
97
Andrea Moletta
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
98
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
99
Marco Bandiera
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
100
Alexandre Botcharov
Katusha Team
+ 5'14
101
Maxime Vantomme
Katusha Team
s.t.
102
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
103
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 5'51
104
Yohann Gène
Team Europcar
s.t.
105
Anders Lund
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
106
Frederique Robert
Lotto - Ridley
s.t.
107
Christian Vande Velde
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
108
Mathieu Perget
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
109
Jack Bobridge
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
110
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Sky ProCycling
+ 6'23
111
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto - Ridley
s.t.
112
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
113
Carlos José Ochoa
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
114
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
115
Pim Ligthart
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 7'12
116
Francis De Greef
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
117
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 8'12
118
Fumiyuki Beppu
Team Qantas
s.t.
119
Americo Novembrini
Androni Giocattoli
+ 8'59
120
Travis Meyer
Team Qantas
s.t.
121
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
s.t.
122
Adrien Petit
Team Europcar
s.t.
123
Karsten Kroon
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
124
Geoffroy Lequatre
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
+ 9'52
125
Maarten Wynants
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 10'17
126
Pierre Cazaux
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
127
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
128
Jonathan Monsalve
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
129
Giacomo Nizzolo
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
130
Simon Zahner
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
131
Rémy Di Gregorio
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
132
Matteo Tosatto
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
133
Javier Francisco Aramendia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
134
Sam Bewley
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
135
Adriano Malori
Lampre - Generali
+ 12'21
136
Davide Cimolai
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
137
Daniele Righi
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
138
Hayden Roulston
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
139
Simone Masciarelli
Sony Ericsson
+ 13'37
140
Martin Mortensen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
141
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
142
Julien Vermote
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 14'17
143
Shawn Milne
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
144
Iñaki Isasi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 15'59
145
Michael Barry
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
146
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
147
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
148
Job Vissers
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
149
Russell Downing
Sky ProCycling
+ 16'58
150
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto - Ridley
s.t.
151
William Bonnet
FDJ
s.t.
152
Christopher Sutton
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
153
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
154
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
155
Greg Henderson
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
156
Michal Golas
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
157
Chad Beyer
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
158
Sébastien Chavanel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
159
Leigh Howard
Team Qantas
s.t.
160
Alex Dowsett
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
161
Perrig Quemeneur
Team Europcar
s.t.
162
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
163
Tony Hurel
Team Europcar
s.t.
164
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
165
Maxim Lefèvre
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 19'56
166
Yauheni Hutarovich
FDJ
+ 27'59
167
Albert Timmer
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
168
Manuele Boaro
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
169
Sergio Hernandez
Sony Ericsson
+ 28'41
170
Giovanni Bernaudeau
Team Europcar
s.t.
171
Francesco Chicchi
Katusha Team
+ 34'01
172
Jimmy Engoulvent
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
173
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
174
Maarten Neyens
Lotto - Ridley
s.t.
175
Jens Mulder
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 40'05
GC
No big changes.
1
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto - Ridley
22h30'58
2
Sébastien Joly
Saur - Sojasun
+ 1'44
3
Simon Gerrans
Team Qantas
+ 1'52
4
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'05
5
Chris Horner
Lotto - Ridley
+ 2'08
6
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
+ 2'14
7
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Generali
+ 2'15
8
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
+ 2'16
9
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'22
10
Alberto Contador
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 2'27
...
30
Thomas De Gendt
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 3'39
31
Romain Zingle
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 3'40
Points
1
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto - Ridley
18
111
2
Greg Henderson
Pro Team Astana
0
56
3
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
0
55
4
William Bonnet
FDJ
0
55
5
Leonardo Duque
Sony Ericsson
0
50
KOTM Bobridge stays in the lead!
1
Jack Bobridge
Monster Energy - Ford
0
23
2
Giairo Ermeti
Androni Giocattoli
0
17
3
Thomas De Gendt
Monster Energy - Ford
16
16
4
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto - Ridley
5
15
5
Kevin De Weert
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
0
10
Today's winner
Word from the DS
When you speak of an unexpected win, this is one.... It was a difficult stage, with De Gendt trying to be in a breakaway many times without luck. But in the last descend, when Gilbert got caught, everybody started to look at each other. And suddenly, Zingle found himself in the first places of the peloton. And what a thought of simply giving a punch. Oh man, we're so happy! Garçon, une bouteille de champagne s'il vous plait, un magnum!!!
Stage 7 is a stage for those that love to collect KOTM-points. 9 categorized climbs are found on the 196km long route from Brignoles to Cannes. Some are short, some are longer, but all of them have average gradients under 6%, so not that difficult.
Jack Bobridge is one of these riders that love to collect KOTM-points. He knows he can secure his jersey here and is a member of a breakaway of 16 riders. But with riders as Linus Gerdemann and Thomas Löfkvist in it, the peloton doesn't want to let this group ride away.
After being beaten twice by Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) in the sprint for the KOTM-points, Bobridge tries another tactic. He attacks in an descend, and is the first at the summit of the 5th and 6th KOTM-sprint. With 81 kilometres remaining, he leads Chris Anker Sörensen by 2'50 and the peloton by 3'27.
Bobridge powers are fading and he gets passed by Sörensen.
In the descend towards the last climb, the Col du Tanneron, Thomas De Gendt attacks out of the chasing peloton. With 30 kilometres to go, he's still 5'11 behind Sörensen.
But the peloton doesn't let De Gendt ride away and when the last climb starts, he gets caught. This is the sign for GC-leader Philippe Gilbert to attack. 25km to go and he's 4'16 behind Sörensen.
The last of 9 climbs is done. The riders face a 10km downhill and the 10 flat kilometres towards Cannes. The gap from Sörensen to the peloton decreases rapidly and is only 2'17 to Gilbert and Chris Horner. The peloton follows at 2'33.
Sörensen has finished the descend and has lost a minute in it. 10km to go and the peloton follows at 1'16. Saur and Lotto are doing the pace and it looks pretty bad for Sörensen.
3 riders attack out of the peloton: Frank Schleck (Nissan), Biel Kadri (AG2R) and Dario Cataldo (Omega Pharma). They close the gap to Sörensen and with 5km remaining, they are '37 in front of the peloton.
But also the 4 don't stand a chance against the 44-man big peloton. One kilometre before the finish, the preparation for the sprint has started.
And it's another Belgian win in this Paris - Nice, the 4th already. BMC's Greg van Avermaet takes the win, beating Simon Gerrans (Qantas) and Philippe Gilbert in the sprint. Thomas De Gendt is our only rider in this group, and he takes the 11th place.
Results
1
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
5h02'43
2
Simon Gerrans
Team Qantas
s.t.
3
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto - Ridley
s.t.
4
Maxime Monfort
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
5
Leonardo Duque
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
6
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
7
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
8
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
9
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
s.t.
10
Jérémy Roy
FDJ
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Thomas De Gendt
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
12
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
13
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
14
Dario Cataldo
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
15
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
16
Alberto Contador
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
17
René Mandri
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
18
Robert Kiserlovski
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
19
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
20
Jonathan Hivert
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
21
Jérémie Galland
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
22
Ryder Hesjedal
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
23
Jérôme Pineau
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
24
Thibaut Pinot
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
25
Florian Stalder
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
26
Bruno Pires
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
27
Chris Horner
Lotto - Ridley
s.t.
28
Marcos García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
29
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
s.t.
30
Chris Anker Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
31
Guillaume Levarlet
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
32
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
33
Sébastien Joly
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
34
Staf Scheirlinckx
Lotto - Ridley
s.t.
35
Michele Scarponi
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
36
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
37
Stijn Devolder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
38
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
39
Denis Menchov
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
40
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
41
Gabriele Bosisio
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
42
Jean-Marc Marino
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
43
Fränk Schleck
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
44
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
45
José Joaquín Rojas
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 2'08
46
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
47
Michael Albasini
Team Qantas
s.t.
48
Ángel Vicioso
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
49
Romain Zingle
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
50
Santo Anza
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
51
Giairo Ermeti
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
52
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
53
Andrey Kashechkin
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
54
Simon Spilak
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
55
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
56
Francisco José Pacheco
Movistar Team
s.t.
57
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
58
Daryl Impey
Team Qantas
s.t.
59
Christophe Riblon
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
60
Carlos Oyarzun
Movistar Team
s.t.
61
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
62
Christophe Le Mével
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
63
Christian Vande Velde
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
64
Rob Ruijgh
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 2'55
65
Dimitri Champion
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
66
Janez Brajkovič
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
67
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
68
Andreas Klöden
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
69
Cyril Lemoine
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
70
Marek Rutkiewicz
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
71
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
72
Bart De Clercq
Lotto - Ridley
s.t.
73
Grischa Niermann
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
74
Kevin De Weert
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
75
Matthew Lloyd
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
76
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
77
Sébastien Minard
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
78
Andrea Moletta
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
79
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
80
Matteo Montaguti
Androni Giocattoli
+ 4'31
81
Alexandre Botcharov
Katusha Team
s.t.
82
Linus Gerdemann
Katusha Team
s.t.
83
Steve Chainel
FDJ
s.t.
84
Arthur Vichot
FDJ
s.t.
85
Yohann Gène
Team Europcar
s.t.
86
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
87
Anthony Roux
FDJ
s.t.
88
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
89
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
90
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
91
Jonathan Monsalve
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
92
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
93
Mathieu Perget
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
94
Maxime Vantomme
Katusha Team
s.t.
95
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
96
Carlos José Ochoa
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
97
Simone Masciarelli
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
98
Francis De Greef
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
99
Rémy Di Gregorio
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
100
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
101
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
102
William Bonnet
FDJ
s.t.
103
Mitchell Docker
Team Qantas
s.t.
104
Wesley Sulzberger
Team Qantas
s.t.
105
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
106
Russell Downing
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
107
Maarten Wynants
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
108
Frederique Robert
Lotto - Ridley
s.t.
109
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
110
Anders Lund
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
111
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
112
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
s.t.
113
Nicki Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
114
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
115
Bert Grabsch
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 6'10
116
Pierre Rolland
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
117
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
118
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
119
Artem Ovechkin
Katusha Team
s.t.
120
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
s.t.
121
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto - Ridley
s.t.
122
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
123
Michael Barry
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
124
Travis Meyer
Team Qantas
s.t.
125
Matteo Tosatto
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
126
Karsten Kroon
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
127
Fumiyuki Beppu
Team Qantas
s.t.
128
Americo Novembrini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
129
Pierre Cazaux
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
130
Marco Bandiera
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
131
Denis Galimzyanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
132
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Pro Team Astana
+ 7'57
133
Mikel Nieve
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
134
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
135
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto - Ridley
s.t.
136
Geoffroy Lequatre
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
137
Javier Francisco Aramendia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
138
Tony Hurel
Team Europcar
s.t.
139
Greg Henderson
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
140
Yauheni Hutarovich
FDJ
+ 9'45
141
Jack Bobridge
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 11'03
142
Michal Golas
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 11'54
143
Perrig Quemeneur
Team Europcar
s.t.
144
Chad Beyer
BMC Racing Team
+ 13'26
145
Iñaki Isasi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 14'38
146
Maxim Lefèvre
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 15'07
147
Adrien Petit
Team Europcar
+ 16'38
148
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 17'43
149
Giacomo Nizzolo
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
+ 18'27
150
Giovanni Bernaudeau
Team Europcar
s.t.
151
Adriano Malori
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
152
Shawn Milne
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
153
Sergio Hernandez
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
154
Daniele Righi
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
155
Leigh Howard
Team Qantas
s.t.
156
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
157
Hayden Roulston
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
s.t.
158
Maarten Neyens
Lotto - Ridley
s.t.
159
Simon Zahner
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
160
Albert Timmer
Sony Ericsson
+ 19'06
161
Job Vissers
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 20'38
162
Davide Cimolai
Androni Giocattoli
+ 21'05
163
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
164
Alex Dowsett
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
165
Sébastien Chavanel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
166
Martin Mortensen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
167
Pim Ligthart
Monster Energy - Ford
s.t.
168
Sam Bewley
Sony Ericsson
s.t.
169
Jimmy Engoulvent
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
170
Christopher Sutton
Sky ProCycling
+ 23'12
171
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
172
Jens Mulder
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 25'32
173
Manuele Boaro
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 27'47
174
Julien Vermote
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
175
Francesco Chicchi
Katusha Team
s.t.
GC
Again, no big changes in the GC. De Gendt improves to 27th place.
1
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto - Ridley
27h33'39
2
Sébastien Joly
Saur - Sojasun
+ 1'46
3
Simon Gerrans
Team Qantas
+ 1'50
4
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'07
5
Chris Horner
Lotto - Ridley
+ 2'10
6
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
+ 2'16
7
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Generali
+ 2'17
8
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
+ 2'18
9
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'24
10
Alberto Contador
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 2'29
...
27
Thomas De Gendt
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 3'41
Points
1
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto - Ridley
20
131
2
Leonardo Duque
Sony Ericsson
16
66
3
Maxime Monfort
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
18
61
4
Greg Henderson
Pro Team Astana
0
56
5
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
0
55
KOTM
Bobridge is almost certain of the KOTM-jersey. He leads with 30 points, and the maximum amount of points to be gained in the last stage is 37.
1
Jack Bobridge
Monster Energy - Ford
38
61
2
Thibaut Pinot
AG2R La Mondiale
29
31
3
Thomas De Gendt
Monster Energy - Ford
9
25
4
Chris Anker Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
23
24
5
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto - Ridley
5
20
Today's winner
Word from the DS
We are proud of the work Bobridge is doing this Paris - Nice!
Finally had some time to catch up with the few last pages.. first of all: it's nice to see your story growing like this and it seems like you have the motivation to get this going for - at least - more than two seasons, which is great
It's a very good first Pro/World-Tour-year for Monster, that's for sure. Some pretty nice results and the highlights are still yet to come. Will be interesting to see, if Gesink will able to repeat his GT-success.. but that's still too far away, so for now: nice job with Bobridge
@ tsmoha: thank you! I think the results are pretty realistic, it's more difficult now on extreme. I'll continue this story for some time, as long as I have fun in making it.
@ others: Bobridge won't be in the BOTD in the last stage, I'll focus on preventing Pinot in taking the pouints, and go for another stage win with De Gendt (what will be difficult).
dienblad wrote:
@ tsmoha: thank you! I think the results are pretty realistic, it's more difficult now on extreme. I'll continue this story for some time, as long as I have fun in making it.
@ others: Bobridge won't be in the BOTD in the last stage, I'll focus on preventing Pinot in taking the pouints, and go for another stage win with De Gendt (what will be difficult).
It would be difficult to realise but when you sure you want go for it i say do it
Paris - Nice traditionally ends with the stage around Nice. The climbs in it are famous: The Col de la Porte, La Turbie and of course the Col d'Eze.
Our goal today is to keep the KOTM-jersey for Jack Bobridge. The Aussie himself is too wasted after the many attacking moments, to collect some points today, so we must prevent Thibaut Pinot from collecting 31 points. In the first climb, we succeed in our goal: Thomas De Gendt is the first at the summit of the Cote de Duranus, followed by Pinot. De Gendt tries to sneak away after the KOTM-sprint, but again in this Paris - Nice, the peloton doesn't let him get away. In the ascend of the Col de la Porte (7.7km at 6.2%), Rob Ruijgh tries to attack 2 kilometres before the summit. But he gets passed by Pinot before the summit.
But then Ruijgh finds himself all alone in front of the peloton with a gap that quickly increases to 6 minutes at the foot of La Turbie (7.9km at 4.7%). The race to the sun has become the race to the rain, as the rain is pouring down...
And Ruijgh manages to hold on to his lead at the summit of la Turbie, with 41 kilometres remaining. Pinot leads the peloton and follows at 3'32. Because of this, Pinot is only 7 points behind Bobridge, but no way he can reach the summit of the Col d'Eze in 1st or 2nd place!
After the 2nd Intermediate sprint, located just before the start of the ascend of the Col d'Eze (8.5km at 5.7%), Ruijgh still has a gap of 3'05, but he has no more energy left. His legs are wet and cold and the rain comes down even harder.... When the attacks in the peloton have started, he knows that he won't take the win today. The first to attack was Roman Kreuziger (GC 4), 25km remaining and 2'17 behind the leader, but GC-leader Philippe Gilbert quickly takes over. Only 6 riders can follow him: Kreuziger, Sébastien Joly, Alberto Contador, Simon Gerrans, Cyril Gautier and Damiano Cunego. They're only 1'18 behind Ruijgh with 23km to go.
The poor Dutchie gets caught 20km before the finish, and immediately Alberto Contador attacks.
The only one to react is Gilbert (who else??) and the man in yellow leaves Contador behind. At the summit of the Col d'Eze, with 18km to go, Gilbert leads a group of 5 (Kreuziger, Contador, Cunego, Gerrans & Gautier) with '20 and Joly, Horner and De Gendt with '57. This also means that Jack Bobridge has won the KOTM-rankings!
Gilbert even extends his lead in the descend of the Col d'Eze. 4km before the finish, the gap to the 5 chasers is '40 and the peloton (36 riders) is 1'10.
And again a true demonstration of his strength: the 3rd stage win and the overall win for Phil! Gautier wins the sprint for the 2nd place at '47, followed by Simon Gerrans. The peloton finishes in the same time. Unfortunately, young Jens Mulder finished outside the time limit today.
GC
One man was way stronger than the others, and with 3 stage wins Philippe Gilbert deserves the win. And just as last year, a French rider surprises with the 2nd place. Last year it was Christophe Kern, this year Saur - Sojasun's Sébastien Joly. The last spot on the podium is for Aussie Simon Gerrans. Thomas De Gendt takes the 21st place.
1
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto - Ridley
30h49'54
2
Sébastien Joly
Saur - Sojasun
+ 2'39
3
Simon Gerrans
Team Qantas
+ 2'41
4
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'00
5
Chris Horner
Lotto - Ridley
+ 3'02
6
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
+ 3'07
7
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Generali
+ 3'10
8
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'17
9
Alberto Contador
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 3'22
10
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'43
Spoiler
11
Ryder Hesjedal
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 3'47
12
Jonathan Hivert
Saur - Sojasun
+ 3'48
13
Marcos García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'54
14
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
+ 3'57
15
Leonardo Duque
Sony Ericsson
+ 3'58
16
Maxime Monfort
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
+ 3'59
17
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 4'02
18
Florian Stalder
Saur - Sojasun
+ 4'07
19
Gabriele Bosisio
Lampre - Generali
+ 4'16
20
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 4'33
21
Thomas De Gendt
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 4'34
22
Denis Menchov
Sony Ericsson
+ 4'41
23
Robert Kiserlovski
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 4'44
24
Guillaume Levarlet
Saur - Sojasun
+ 4'45
25
Chris Anker Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
26
Jérémie Galland
Saur - Sojasun
+ 4'46
27
Michael Albasini
Team Qantas
+ 5'40
28
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
+ 6'09
29
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 6'32
30
Jérôme Pineau
Saur - Sojasun
+ 6'35
31
Fränk Schleck
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
+ 6'39
32
Michele Scarponi
BMC Racing Team
+ 6'41
33
Thibaut Pinot
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 6'46
34
Stijn Devolder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 6'47
35
Bruno Pires
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 6'54
36
Dario Cataldo
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 6'55
37
Jérémy Roy
FDJ
+ 7'05
38
Staf Scheirlinckx
Lotto - Ridley
+ 7'08
39
Andreas Klöden
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
+ 7'31
40
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 7'36
41
René Mandri
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 8'26
42
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
+ 8'45
43
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
+ 8'57
44
José Joaquín Rojas
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 9'17
45
Giairo Ermeti
Androni Giocattoli
+ 9'45
46
Ángel Vicioso
Androni Giocattoli
+ 9'46
47
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
+ 9'51
48
Jean-Marc Marino
Saur - Sojasun
+ 10'13
49
Francisco José Pacheco
Movistar Team
+ 10'50
50
Romain Zingle
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 10'52
51
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
52
Daryl Impey
Team Qantas
+ 10'56
53
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
+ 10'57
54
Simon Spilak
Lampre - Generali
+ 11'09
55
Christophe Riblon
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 11'34
56
Mikel Nieve
Pro Team Astana
+ 12'07
57
Grischa Niermann
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 12'39
58
Marek Rutkiewicz
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 13'00
59
Rob Ruijgh
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 13'01
60
Kevin De Weert
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
+ 13'13
61
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 13'16
62
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 13'36
63
Sébastien Minard
Sony Ericsson
+ 13'39
64
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
+ 13'51
65
Santo Anza
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 13'57
66
Christophe Le Mével
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 14'13
67
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 14'49
68
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 14'57
69
Bart De Clercq
Lotto - Ridley
+ 15'03
70
Andrea Moletta
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
71
Anthony Roux
FDJ
+ 15'06
72
Andrey Kashechkin
Lampre - Generali
+ 15'13
73
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
+ 15'19
74
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli
+ 15'21
75
Nicki Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 15'32
76
Dimitri Champion
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 15'42
77
Matthew Lloyd
Pro Team Astana
+ 15'43
78
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
+ 15'52
79
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 16'13
80
Carlos Oyarzun
Movistar Team
+ 16'38
81
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Pro Team Astana
+ 17'15
82
Linus Gerdemann
Katusha Team
+ 17'20
83
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 17'46
84
Janez Brajkovič
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
+ 17'53
85
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 17'59
86
Pierre Rolland
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 18'13
87
Alexandre Botcharov
Katusha Team
+ 18'47
88
Artem Ovechkin
Katusha Team
+ 19'07
89
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 19'12
90
Arthur Vichot
FDJ
+ 19'44
91
Christian Vande Velde
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 19'57
92
Mitchell Docker
Team Qantas
+ 20'37
93
Wesley Sulzberger
Team Qantas
+ 20'47
94
Bert Grabsch
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 21'03
95
Cyril Lemoine
Saur - Sojasun
+ 21'10
96
Anders Lund
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 21'19
97
Frederique Robert
Lotto - Ridley
+ 24'22
98
Maxime Vantomme
Katusha Team
+ 24'42
99
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 24'47
100
Steve Chainel
FDJ
+ 24'51
101
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
+ 26'32
102
Denis Galimzyanov
Katusha Team
+ 26'33
103
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 26'35
104
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
+ 26'47
105
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Sky ProCycling
+ 26'58
106
Yohann Gène
Team Europcar
+ 27'13
107
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
+ 27'52
108
Matteo Montaguti
Androni Giocattoli
+ 28'04
109
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
+ 28'13
110
Mathieu Perget
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 29'43
111
Simone Masciarelli
Sony Ericsson
+ 30'23
112
Maarten Wynants
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 31'04
113
Jack Bobridge
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 31'18
114
Carlos José Ochoa
Androni Giocattoli
+ 31'23
115
Americo Novembrini
Androni Giocattoli
+ 31'33
116
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto - Ridley
+ 31'43
117
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
+ 32'12
118
Rémy Di Gregorio
Sony Ericsson
+ 32'15
119
Travis Meyer
Team Qantas
+ 32'26
120
Karsten Kroon
BMC Racing Team
+ 33'21
121
Fumiyuki Beppu
Team Qantas
+ 33'36
122
Matteo Tosatto
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 33'46
123
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 33'48
124
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
+ 34'00
125
Jonathan Monsalve
Androni Giocattoli
+ 34'38
126
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
+ 36'36
127
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
+ 37'35
128
William Bonnet
FDJ
+ 37'36
129
Pierre Cazaux
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 38'49
130
Francis De Greef
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 39'31
131
Geoffroy Lequatre
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
+ 39'56
132
Marco Bandiera
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 40'11
133
Javier Francisco Aramendia
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 42'41
134
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
+ 43'41
135
Russell Downing
Sky ProCycling
+ 43'54
136
Adrien Petit
Team Europcar
+ 45'48
137
Michael Barry
Sky ProCycling
+ 46'44
138
Pim Ligthart
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 48'31
139
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto - Ridley
+ 48'32
140
Perrig Quemeneur
Team Europcar
+ 50'22
141
Giacomo Nizzolo
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
+ 51'04
142
Chad Beyer
BMC Racing Team
+ 52'40
143
Daniele Righi
Lampre - Generali
+ 53'57
144
Tony Hurel
Team Europcar
+ 54'11
145
Michal Golas
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 54'12
146
Shawn Milne
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 55'00
147
Adriano Malori
Lampre - Generali
+ 55'09
148
Greg Henderson
Pro Team Astana
+ 55'22
149
Hayden Roulston
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
+ 56'06
150
Davide Cimolai
Androni Giocattoli
+ 57'57
151
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 59'18
152
Simon Zahner
BMC Racing Team
+ 59'37
153
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - Generali
+ 1h02'09
154
Iñaki Isasi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h02'32
155
Sam Bewley
Sony Ericsson
+ 1h02'58
156
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h03'24
157
Alex Dowsett
Sky ProCycling
+ 1h06'17
158
Martin Mortensen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h06'21
159
Sébastien Chavanel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h07'29
160
Leigh Howard
Team Qantas
+ 1h08'06
161
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h08'08
162
Maxim Lefèvre
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 1h08'24
163
Christopher Sutton
Sky ProCycling
+ 1h11'49
164
Giovanni Bernaudeau
Team Europcar
+ 1h15'37
165
Job Vissers
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1h15'51
166
Julien Vermote
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 1h19'07
167
Albert Timmer
Sony Ericsson
+ 1h21'16
168
Sergio Hernandez
Sony Ericsson
+ 1h24'25
169
Yauheni Hutarovich
FDJ
+ 1h24'38
170
Maarten Neyens
Lotto - Ridley
+ 1h30'49
171
Jonathan Castroviejo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h31'55
172
Manuele Boaro
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 1h35'50
173
Jimmy Engoulvent
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 1h41'52
174
Francesco Chicchi
Katusha Team
+ 1h48'40
Points
It's not strange that Gilbert takes home the points jersey.
1
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto - Ridley
25
156
2
Leonardo Duque
Sony Ericsson
13
79
3
Maxime Monfort
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
6
67
4
Simon Gerrans
Team Qantas
20
64
5
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
8
57
KOTM
He's dead tired after the Paris - Nice, but a dry polka dot jersey, and kisses by some beautiful French women have made all his efforts worth well! Well done, Jackie!
1
Jack Bobridge
Monster Energy - Ford
0
61
2
Thibaut Pinot
AG2R La Mondiale
23
54
3
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto - Ridley
13
33
4
Thomas De Gendt
Monster Energy - Ford
7
32
5
Chris Anker Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
0
24
U25
The 6th place in the GC is enough to win the U25-rankings for Europcar's Cyril Gautier.
1
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
30h53'01
2
Thibaut Pinot
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3'39
3
Romain Zingle
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 7'45
4
Anthony Roux
FDJ
+ 11'59
5
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 13'06
Teams
1
Pro Team Astana
92h39'57
2
Saur - Sojasun
+ 13
3
Lotto - Ridley
+ 14
4
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 2'31
5
Nissan - Radio Shack - Trek
+ 5'19
...
15
Monster Energy - Ford
+ 16'19
The one and only dominator:
Word from the DS:
First the bad thing about this Paris - Nice. De Gendt lost his chance for a top 10 in the GC in the stage to Mende. If he hadn't lost that 1 minute, a 10th place would be the result. So he has to learn from this.
Than the 2 good things. Of course the great attacking ride by Jack Bobridge what resulted in the KOTM-jersey. And the unexpected win by Romain Zingle in the 6th stage to Manosque. So we can look back at this Paris - Nice with a smile
The 47th edition of the Tirreno - Adriatico takes the riders from Sorrento to Civitanova Marche. The route isn't challenging as there aren't TT-kilometres, as well as no difficult finishes. Because of that, a lot of riders can be the successor of Cadel Evans. Evans doesn't participate this year.
The stages
Stage 1 has a difficult finish, with a short hill before the finish in Sorrento. A chance for the puncheurs?
Stage 2 from Sorrento to Baia Domizia is one for the sprinters.
Stage 3 from Sessa Aurunca to Venafro. Again, a sprinters stage.
Stage 4 should be a difficult stage, with the highest altitude of 1413 metres above sea level. But probably the route between Venafro and Tivoli isn't difficult enough to create some gaps in the GC.
Stage 5 is probably the most difficult stage. The 192km between Tivoli and Torricella Sicura has a lot of climbs in it, but a group of 20-30 is expected to reach the finish together.
The 6th stage from Teramo to Frotone is the last change for the GC-contenders to make some changes in it.
The favourites *** Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha), Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas), Igor Antón (Euskaltel) **Wilco Kelderman, Giovanni Visconti (Farnese Vini), Kim Kirchen (Team Sky) * Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sony Ericsson), Thomas Dekker, Leandro Bertagnolli (Lampre)
And I'll give you the names of the participating sprinters: Mark Cavendish, Tyler Farrar, Matthew Goss, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Koldo Fernández, Mark Renshaw, Thor Hushovd, Óscar Freire, Alessandro Petacchi, JJ Haedo, Elia Viviani, Oscar Gatto and for our team Theo Bos & Peter Sagan. Should be the unofficial sprinters world championship!
Our goals
With Kelderman, Dekker and Sagan, we will focus on a stage win and a top 5 in the GC.
..well done...maybe this is the start of better results..
