Writers note: Two issues with this stage, one not really my fault and the second most definitely is my fault.
1) There is no Strade Bianchi on this stage - some will have already known this. It's just a hilly one with a pretty nasty climb at the end.
2) I am sure I clicked on the results but no results file exists - I was able to get all the important information from my notes and double checked with the results from stage 6 and stage 8. However the usual in depth results is missing from this stage I will make sure it does not happen again!
Carrara - Montalcino 215kms
Following yesterdays very decisive selection, the peleton will be very wary of this nasty stage. It is a testy 215 km long and takes in 3 tough climbs. The Volterra, Cerreta and Civitella, the last climb being crested just 3km from the end of the stage.
We have a new leader, however it is the same team in charge as 24 year old German Keinath took over from team mate Christensen. He is a pretty tough nut on the hilly stuff and could be difficult to shift even on tomorrows slopes of the Terminillo. Most of the press seem to be concerning themselves with Cunego whose crash yesterday really now puts him behind the 8 ball a bit - he is listed as a tentative favourite today.
Also looking for a stage win in this terrain is Ulissi (Festina) and Ballan (Sony Eriksson) they are not overall candidates and so will feel this is one of those stages where they can get a bit of glory.
Its also possible for a breakaway one would think and a 10 man move formed early on.
Break of the day
Its riders:
Van Zandbeek (Lafarge), Schar (Nespresso), Fenn (Carmeuse), Hulsmans (Warner Brothers), Mouris (Philips), Speirs (Domina Vacanze), Clesen (Vesuvio), Vaugranard (Jack Wolfskin), Healion (Cafe du Columbi), Ascani (Vespa).
Vaugranard and Healion are two riders who have picked up a reasonable amount of points before in the King of the Mountains competition currently led by Pagato (Vespa) on 20 points. Vaugranard has 13 points and Healion has 12 points. But first we have a hotspot spint.
Schar -> Vaugranard -> Hulsmans
Onto the climb of Volterra and its Ascani (Vespa) who tries to protect his mate Pagato who is back in the peleton.
Ascani leads us over the Volterra
But Healion takes the 9 points for second and with Vaugranard back in 5th place he moves into the lead of the KOM competition with 21 points. Back in the pack, its Sony and Wiggle who lead the chase.
Setting it up for Ballan and probably Ponzi
With 75 to go the gap is just 4.40 and so it's an easy chase, Wiggle and Sony don't rush it and with 50 to go the gap has reduced by just a minute to 3.42. Another one of those hotspot sprints in the mean time.
Vaugranard - > Speirs - > Clesen
Festina and B+O join Wiggle and Sony in the chase and the break's time in front is numbered. Four riders from the break work hard to make it for the second prime and there are some nasty 21% ramps here.
4 men from the break push on
Van Zandbeek (Lafarge), Schar (Nespresso), Hulsmans (Warner Brothers) and Vaugranard (Jack Wolfskin) are the riders here. At the KOM prime for the Cerreta its Hulmans who takes the 10 points ahead of Schar and then Vaugranard in third. This means the Jack Wolfskin rider takes the outright lead in the KOM! With 25 to go the lead is just 1.13 and the peleton reel the riders in with 13 to go. The pack though is still quite big now lead by Lipton Iced Tea.
Not as decisive as yesterday
There are loads of moves for KOM points and its Castano, Rujano and Ulissi who are the strongest...
Festina men looking good
This is just before the prime and its the Pink jersey that surprises everyone with a move near this prime. So at the points spot it is Castano, Rujano, Keineth, Ulissi, Visconti and then Ardila in 6th. The Pink jersey is clearly think he should be attacking from the front and unlike the Festina riders and Rujano he keeps going. Its Visconti that is following him:
The pride of pink
With 1km to go though the Festina boys wake up to the fact there is a stage win in the offering. Visconti begins to fade as does Rujano and another Festina man Ardila is behind. Ulissi and Castano challenge Keineth
Ulissi has real turn of speed and is overtaking the GC leader, Castano seems to have burned himself out going for the KOM prime.
Festina sandwich the Pink jersey
It's a fine day for the Festina riders as Ulissi takes the win, Keinath holds on for second and Castano takes third.
A win on a punchaers stage for Ulissi
Riders are spread out behind but conveniently so no time gaps are made for the first 100 or so riders.
Stage (Really sorry about this, no gaps as a I said)
