Omega Pharma-Lotto is a Belgian professional cycling team sponsored by the Belgian lottery and Omega Pharma.
Main sponsors
Lotto
Lotto has a long history of cycling sponsorship, they began sponsoring 1984 with Tönissteiner-Lotto-Mavic-Pecotex. In 1985, it became prime sponsor of a team bearing only its name.
Omega Pharma
Omega Pharma became the main sponsors in 2005, under their Davitamon brand name, the team name switched to Omega Pharma's Predictor brand name in 2007, and finally under the Silence brand from 2008 onwards.
Other sponsors
- Sporza
- Fortis Bank
- Latexco
Season goals
- Finish in the top 3 Ronde van Vlaanderen
- Finish in the top 5 Paris-Roubaix
- Finish as leading climber Tour de France
- Finish in the top 3 Amstel Gold Race
- Finish in the top 10 Eneco tour
- Finish in the top 3 Liege-Bastogne-Liege
Team roster
[img-r]https://www.omegapharma-lotto.be/site2010/rennersfoto/aerts_hoofd.gif[/img-r]Name: Mario Aerts Nationality: Age: 35 Specialisation: All - rounder Height: 1.82m Weight: 77kg Pro since: 1996
[img-r]https://www.omegapharma-lotto.be/site2010/rennersfoto/bakelants_hoofd.gif[/img-r]Name: Jan Bakelants Nationality: Age: 23 Specialisation: Puncheur Height: 1.77m Weight: 69,7kg Pro since: 2009
[img-r]https://www.omegapharma-lotto.be/site2010/rennersfoto/blythe_hoofd.gif[/img-r]Name: Adam Blythe Nationality: Age: 20 Specialisation: Sprinter Height: 1.76m Weight: 77,5kg Pro since: 2010
[img-r]https://www.omegapharma-lotto.be/site2010/rennersfoto/kaisen_hoofd_nieuw.gif[/img-r]Name: Olivier Kaisen Nationality: Age: 26 Specialisation: All - rounder Height: 1.95m Weight: 82,9kg Pro since: 2005
[img-r]https://www.omegapharma-lotto.be/site2010/rennersfoto/lang_hoofd.gif[/img-r]Name: Sebastian Lang Nationality: Age: 30 Specialisation: Time-trials Height: 1.87m Weight: 77kg Pro since: 2002
[img-r]https://www.omegapharma-lotto.be/site2010/rennersfoto/ljungblad_hoofd_nieuw.gif[/img-r]Name: Jonas Ljungblad Nationality: Age: 30 Specialisation: Sprinter Height: 1.77m Weight: 70,9kg Pro since: 2000
[img-r]https://www.omegapharma-lotto.be/site2010/rennersfoto/lloyd_hoofd_nieuw.gif[/img-r]Name: Matthew Lloyd Nationality: Age: 26 Specialisation: Puncheur Height: 1.69m Weight: 59,2kg Pro since: 2006
The Tour Down Under is a cycling race in Adelaide, South Australia and surrounding area. The race starts on the third Tuesday of January each year and attracts riders from across Australia and the world. In 2008 the Tour Down Under became the first UCI ProTour event outside Europe, and the following year it became the inaugural event of the UCI World Ranking calendar.
Course
The Tour generally features stages surrounding Adelaide, which varies from flat to moderately undulating. There are no large mountains in the area, giving specialist climbers few opportunities to show their particular skills. One notable climb featured involves two laps of Willunga Hill, a 3 km climb at an average gradient of 7.6%. However, it is typical for most tour stages to finish as a bunch sprint. The Tour does not include a time trial, as is typical in early season races and to avoid imposing extra shipping costs on the international teams.
Riders to watch
Many good and even great sprinters have arrived to this years TDU. The main favourites of this race are: Hagen, Freire, Farrar, Pozzato and Bennati. Norwegian young all-rounder Edvald Boasson Hagen probably is biggest favourite to win the race. He can not only sprint, but has pretty good ability to climb on short hills. So Willunga hill shouldnt be a big problem for him. The second guy from this list probably is spaniard Oscar Freire. The veteran is hoping for season without serious injuries. And anybody knows his sprint abilities. Willunga hill shouldnt be a big problem for him too. Daniele Bennati also had a lack of healthiness in recent years. Very talented sprinter who being healthy could beat almost everyone in bunch sprint. He probably isnt a favourite for overall victory but can take home some stage wins. Other italian star who has arrived here is Filippo Pozzato. Italians main goal are northern classics and he uses TDU as a preparation for them. But knowing his sprint and climbing on short hills abilities he could make some impact in this race. And last but not least from this list is last season discovery - Tyler Farrar. Last year Garmin sprinter had a magnificent August. He also had many second places losing only to Mark Cavendish. Cavendish hasn't come to this race so Tyler Farrar is biggest favourite in race if stage comes to an end in bunch sprint. Only problem for him is Willunga hill. Farrars climbing abilities are pretty low and thats why he isnt a favourite for overall. There're also other very good riders who can hope to achieve something like: Steegmans, Renshaw, Devolder, Sy.Chavanel, Vinokourov, Bos and Van Summeren.
Omega Pharma-Lotto
Our team hasn't any big names or race favourites. Our captain Matthew Lloyd uses this race as a preparation for his main goal - Giro D'Italia. Jonas Ljungblad will lead our team in sprints.
Full squad:
Mario Aerts
Jan Bakelants
Adam Blythe
Olivier Kaisen
Jonas Ljungblad
Matthew Lloyd
Charles Wegelius Edited by I_Mayo on 04-06-2010 14:14
Opening stage of Santos Tour Down Under. Stage is almost flat and contains only one categorised climb. Stage should end in bunch sprint where favourites are Farrar, Freire, Bennati and Hagen.
Riders at the start line
When 3km had ridden first riders attacked. They were Arnaud Coyot(Caisse d'Epargne), Tejay Van Garderen(HTC-Columbia) and Ermanno Capelli(Footon-Servetto).
Nine riders following after Jackson Stewart from BMC
Katusha, Rabobank and Sky was at front of the peloton for most part of the race
At kilometer 34th there was first of two intermediate sprints.
Van Garderen was 1st, Capelli 2nd and Coyot 3rd.
Van Garderen outsprinting his both companions
90km from finish the breakaway reached its biggest gap from the peloton(5:30). At second intermediate sprint Coyot and Van Garderen changed their places as Coyot crossed line 1st leaving Capelli 2nd and Van Garderen 3rd. When 50 kilometers were left Liquigas and Garmin changed 3 previous in front of peloton worked teams.
Garmin and Liquigas chasing after breakaway
When riders come closer to todays only mountain sprint gap between the peloton and the breakaway was decreasing very fast. Breakaway get caught right after mountain sprint where Van Garderen took 1st place and 16pts leaving Coyot 2nd, Capelli 3rd, Elmiger 4th and Oss(Liquigas) 5th. There was also attacks on todays only climb from Maaskant(Garmin), Hoogerland(Vacansoleil), Sentjens(Milram), Bertagnolli(Androni Giocattoli), N.Sørensen(Team Saxo Bank) and Sy.Chavanel(Quickstep).
Van Garderen holding the peloton behind him
Maaskant, Elmiger and Hoogerland trying to pull away from the peloton
Now it was 100% clear that stage will end in bunch sprint. Ag2r was very active today and they were controlling the peloton along with Radioshack as 17 kilometers were left.
Ag2r and Radioshack in front
Coming closer to finish there was several splits in the peloton.
Our sprinter Ljungblad was in 15-20 position.
Lead out men in front but where is main sprinters?
When 3km were left there was several crash involving riders like Cherel(Française des Jeux), Schroder(Milram), Lucas Haedo(Team Saxo Bank) and Van Garderen.
Fortunately crash was after 3km from finish mark and fallen riders didn't lose any time
When 2km were left Meyer brothers(both Garmin) and I.Guttierez(Caisse) were in front.
Travis and Cameron Meyers did their work but where was Farrar?
When 1km was left Guttierez was still in front but now Perez Moreno was in front along with him. Ljungblad was in 9th position at this moment.
How often do you see tow spaniards in front of bunch sprint?
But when 300 meteres were left Freire made his move on left side and Cooke was following him.
Freire saw the free space in left side and took his opportunity
In the end crossing the finish line in first position Freire was celebrating his first victory of the season leaving Pozzato in 2nd but Cooke in 3rd postions. Ljungblad finished 18th. Freire is also leader in the general classification. Van Garderen is best young rider and has most points in the KOM clasification. Coyot is leading in the points clasification. Garmin-Transitions is best team. Ljungblad is 19th in general classification. But Adam Blythe was only Omega Pharma-Lotto rider who lost the time today(+2.57). In teams classification our team is 19th.
Freire was strongest today
Stage results
1st Oscar Freire (Rabobank) 3h13'33
2nd Filippo Pozzato (Katusha) s.t.
3rd Baden Cooke (Team Saxo Bank) s.t.
4th Jose Ivan Guttierez (Caisse d'Epargne) s.t.
5th Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Transitions) s.t. 18th Jonas Ljungblad (Omega Pharma-Lotto) s.t.
General Classification
1st Oscar Freire (Rabobank) 3h13'33
2nd Filippo Pozzato (Katusha) +4
3rd Baden Cooke (Team Saxo Bank) +6
4th Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Columbia) +6
5th Jose Ivan Guttierez (Caisse d'Epargne) +10 19th Jonas Ljungblad (Omega Pharma-Lotto) +10
Story of the day
Tejay Van Garderen from HTC-Columbia was todays stage hero. He not only did the most work in breakaway but also won one intermedaite sprint, survived attacks from peloton on mountain sprint and also could stay with the peloton after the crash. And for this effort he put in he was rewarded with KOM classifications, best young rider classifications leader jerseys and of course 4th place in general classification. Bravo, Tejay!
Edited by I_Mayo on 04-06-2010 14:14
The second stages profile is pretty same as the first ones. So the favourites are same. Freire will try to make a double as Bennati, Farrar and Hagen will try to get their first vicotires.
Todays stage started from centre of Gawler
As expected there was several riders who wanted to get in todays breakaway, including Lancaster (CTT), Bertogliati (Androni), Schar (BMC) and Isasi (Euskaltel). We decided to send our rider too. Olivier Kaisen made his move. The first intermediate sprint was only in 12 kilometeres from a start. Isasi was 1st, Schar 2nd and Honig from Acqua & Sapone 3rd.
Kaisen following other attackers
Isasi showed his sprinter abilities
But sprinter teams didnt wanted to let this breakaway go, especially Liquigas. Biggest gap from the first breakaway to pelton was 1 minute and 30 seconds. The first breakaway was caught when 20 kilometres were ridden.
Liquigas was doing all to didn't let the breakaway go
And when the first breakaway was caught about 20 riders attacked. Some of the first breakways riders attacked for the second time. The gap between the breakaway and the peloton was about 1 minute when our rider Jan Bakelants attacked.
The Sun wasn't a friend for riders today
Jan Bakelants attacks alone
When 50 km were ridden there was a fall. Pozzato (Katusha), Mate (Androni), Henderson (SKY) and Seb.Chavanel (FDJ) fell down. Chavanel even abandoned.
At first look it looked like Pozzato had an injury, but fortunately he was ok and was able to continue the race
When 80 km were left gap between the peleton and the breakaway was 2 minutes and Bakelants joined the breakaway. In 70 km from finish Pozzato cought the peloton with a help from three of his teammates.
Bakelants catches the breakaway after 10 km long chase
Pozzatos teammates did a great job to help their captain
When only 50 km were left gap had raised to 3 minutes. After 6 km the breakaway reached todays only categorised climb and Bakelants took all 16 pts there. Meanwhile there was a split in the peloton on last meters of this climb. 10 riders - 5 from Sky, including Hagen, 4 from Rabobank, including Freire and lonely Oss from Liquigas gained some gap between them and rest of the peloton.
Bakelants showed his climber skills
Situation in the peleton was very nervous after climb
30 km from finish: Breakaway +2.00 Freire, Hagen Group +1.00 Peloton
20 km from finish: Breakaway +2.00 Freire, Hagen Group +1.00 Peloton
16 km from finish there was second intermediate sprint, taken by Lancaster
First who attacked from peleton was Bertogliati, Guesdon, Marzoli and Bakelants followed him, meanwhile peloton caught the Freire and Hagen group.
Peloton put lot of effort to catch this group
But what spurised us most was gap between the peloton and the breakaway: +2.30! Bertogliati was only some 25 metres in front of chasers (Marzoli and Bakelants), but they couldn't minimize this small gap. Situation stayed unchanged until the end. Bertogliati even didn't stand on his pedals during these 10 km and in the end he won leaving Bakelants 2nd and Marzoli 3rd. Closest chasers lost 58 seconds to this trio. Meanwhile there was several big falls in the peloton involving riders like Chicchi (LIQ), Renshaw (THR), Forster (MRM), Posthuma (RAB), Maaskant (GRM), Grabsch (THR) and Vinokourov(AST). Bertogliati is now also first in general classification, but his both companions - Bakelants and Marzoli are respectively 2nd and 3rd. Peloton lost 2.10 today but riders who fell lost from 5 to even 20 minutes. Van Garderen is still leader in KOM classification, however he and Bakelants had an exactly same number of points - 16. But Bakelants had not only second places today, he is leader in young riders classification. Stroetinga is leading points classification. Androni Giocattoli leads team classification, Omega Pharma-Lotto is 3rd.
Bertoglaiti was first who tried to left his companions
Rubens Bertiogliati was todays most active rider. He was one of the first races attackers and attacked one more time when his group was caught. He also was first who did this brave step and attacked when 10 km were left. In the end he was rewarded for all his efforts with stage win and lead in general classification.Congratulations to Rubens and his team!
Edited by I_Mayo on 04-06-2010 14:15
Todays stage should end with bunch sprint, but there is some chances for riders with good uphill finish.
First attacks started after 6 km of ride. Nine guys, icluding Rollin (CTT), Wrolich (MRM) and Garcia Acosta (GCE), tried their luck. But unfortunately for escapers their biggest gap from peleton was only 40 seconds. And they got caught after being 6km in front.
Bakelants felt pretty confident before start of stage
Goddaert led the first escapes
Breakaway can't do anything about it
After 10km of silence new group of riders attacked again, icluding 4 from previous break, but this time break also included Vinokourov. And Vinokourov wanted to go by himself, so he attacked one more time.
Omega Pharma-Lotto and Androni Giocattoli controlled the pace of the peloton biggest part of the race
Short hill was a good place for an new attack
Vinokourov tried to left his breakaway companions
But this wasn't the only attack from peloton. After 5km 7man group attacked. This break also included several riders from first break. When 100km were left, Vinokourov was in front front and 3 breakaway groups were chasing him. Vinokourov also took first intermediate sprint, leaving Celis from Footon and Hansen from HTC in 2nd and 3rd places respectively.
And they keep on attacking
First chasing group caught Vinokourov right after intermediate sprint
Vinokourov was caught and there was a 5man group in front of the race. Later Vinokourov showed his climbing abilities on todays only categorised climb. He dropped all other breakaway riders, took 16 points and again went by himself. After that he took second intermediate sprint and gap between him and other chasing gorups started to grew very fast. 50 km from finish it was 2 minutes from 2nd chasing group and 3m30s from peloton.
Vinokourov proved that he is best climber in breakaway group
Katusha, Rabobank and RadioShack took the peloton leading "torch" from Androni Giocattoli and Omega Pharma-Lotto
Soon all chasing groups were caught and only Vinokourov was still in front with pretty solid lead (2min and 30km left). But then other teams joined chasing after Vinokourov and 20km from finish he was caught. From this moment fight for the better position started.
For many riders the pace of the peleton was too high
Finally Vinokourov got caught
Wegelius and Kaisen did ok job to set up Bakelants for final sprint, but unfotunately 5km from finish Bakelants was in front of group alone. So we needed to change the plan. Matthew (Lloyd) was in pretty good position and had saved energy for finish. We knew that guys like Hagen, Freire and Pozzato would outsprint him, so we attacked in 2km from finish. Lloyd immedilately got gap and hold it. First victory of the season for Omega Pharma-Lotto. Thank you, Matthew!
Bakelants was opened too early
Lloyd accelerates
Lloyd holds Hagen and Freire behind him
Bakelants celebrates Lloyds win right behind general clasification leader R.Bertogliati
Bakelants finished in middle of bunch. His opponent in general classification Rubens Bertogliati finished right before him. Lloyd moved to 13th place in GC. Freire is leading points classification. Bakelants leads in king of mountains classification (tied with Vinokourov and Van Garderen) and best young rider classification.
We will see Bakelants in black jersey at least for one more day
Story of the day
Alexander Vinokourov was todays most agressive rider. He attacked when first breakaway was caught. But he diddnt wanted to go with other breakaway riders. He went by himself. Took both intermediate sprints and only categorised climb. Was caught last and is now tied for the 1st place in KOM classification. Thank you, Vino, for your effort!
Edited by I_Mayo on 04-06-2010 19:53
