Database: PCM Daily 2011 Patch: 1.0.4.2 Race Difficulty: Hard Management Difficulty: Hard
Statistics
Team: Rabobank UCI Code: RAB Country: Netherlands Since: 1996 Competition: Pro Tour Bicycles: Giant Parts: Shimano / Mavic
Management Team
Director: Harold Knebel Team Manager: Erik Breukink Directeur Sportif: Erik Dekker, Nico Verhoeven, Tom Boveree
Facts
Rabobank is a the most populair professional bicycle racing team in the Netherlands, they are named after their sponsor Rabobank. A bank which is the biggest cooperative bank within Europe. The team consists of three sections: the UCI Pro Team , the Continental Team and Off-Road. The Continental team acts in the UCI Europe Tour and is a team which contains young talents, riders like Gesink, Boom, Maaskant and Veelers rode for the Continental team. The Off-Road team was very famous because of Belgium cyclocross legend Sven Nys which now switch to another bank, Landbouwkrediet. Since this year the team also has its interest in mountainbiken and like the continental team their team is based on talents mixed with some experienced riders like Gerben de Knegt and Bart Aernouts. Since January 2009 the team started with a two year contract with Dutch cycling manufacture Giant which builds frames who were equipped with Shimano components.
The cycling team was founded for the 1984 season under the name Kwantum, with mostly cyclists coming from the TI-Raleigh cycling team. Since 1984, the team has entered every Tour de France and since the introduction of divisions in 1998, the team has always been in the first division. We want to keep it that way of course.
The team signed American Levi Leipheimer in 2002 as a rider for the Tour de France. Leipheimer finished eighth in his first Tour but crashed out of the race on the first stage of the 2003 Tour de France. Leipheimer finished ninth overall the following year. The team became more of a Grand Tour team as could be seen by Michael Rasmussen's win in the Mountains Classification of the 2005 Tour de France. When Denis Menchov took the lead in the 2005 Vuelta a España, he was not expecting to be competing for the overall classification.The Rabobank team at that year's Vuelta were not seen as particularly strong or able to assist Menchov in the mountain stages. Menchov finished second to Roberto Heras which was the highest placing of a Rabobank team rider at a grand tour after Michael Boogerd's fifth place in the 1998 Tour de France. Heras was later disqualified for doping and Menchov was made the winner. The following year Menchov focused on the Tour de France where the team rode strongly with Menchov, Boogerd and Rasmussen.
During the 2007 Tour de France, Rabobank fired Michael Rasmussen (2005 Tour de France, 2006 Tour de France K.O.M.) for code-violations while he was in the yellow jersey. The remaining riders of the Rabobank team were given the choice to start the 17th stage without Michael Rasmussen, or to withdraw. That evening they decided to withdraw, but the team changed its mind and announced the following morning that the riders would be starting the 17th stage. Although he started with the rest of the team, Denis Menchov (team leader on the road, who deferred to Rasmussen when the latter seemed to have a better chance at winning) abandoned the race in the middle of the stage.
The Rabobank team was invited for the 2008 Tour de France. Denis Menchov had decided to focus on the Tour de France. To do that, he did not defend his Vuelta a España-title, and rode the 2008 Giro d'Italia as preparation for the Tour de France. Menchov finished 4th place in the 2008 Tour de France, and Óscar Freire won the points classification. The team had to wait until 2009 for the first successes in the Giro d'Italia, when Denis Menchov won two stages; a mountain finish and a time trial. This second win earned him the pink leader jersey, which the team defended to the end of the race, earning Menchov, and Rabobank, their third Grand Tour GC win.
Most Import Results
These are the results until the 1st of January 2011.
Legenda
GC : General Classification
MC : Mountain Classification
PC : Points Classification
YC : U25/Youth Classification
World championships RR: Óscar Freire (2004)
World championships TT U23: Lars Boom (2007)
GC Giro d’Italia: Denis Mensjov (2009)
GC Vuelta a Espana: Denis Mensjov (2005, 2007)
GC Parijs-Nice: Michael Boogerd (1999)
GC Tirreno-Adriatico: Erik Dekker (2002), Óscar Freire (2005), Thomas Dekker (2006)
GC Tour de Romandië: Thomas Dekker (2007)
GC Driedaagse van De Panne-Koksijde: Joost Posthuma (2008), Lars Boom (2011)
GC Tour of Belgium: Lars Boom (2009)
GC Tour de Luxemburg: Marc Wauters (1999), Joost Posthuma (2008)
GC Vuelta a Murcia: Denis Mensjov (2009)
GC Tour of Qatar: Óscar Freire (2011)
MC Tour de France: Michael Rasmussen, (2005) and (2006)
PC Tour de France: Óscar Freire, (2008)
Milano-San Remo: Óscar Freire, (2004), (2007), (2010), Matti Breschel (2011)
Gent-Wevelgem: Óscar Freire, (2008)
Tour of Flanders: Rolf Sørensen (1997)
Amstel Gold Race: Michael Boogerd (1999), Erik Dekker (2001)
Vattenfall Cyclassics: Léon van Bon (1997), Óscar Freire (2006)
Clásica San Sebastián: Erik Dekker (2000)
Grand Prix Montréal: Robert Gesink (2010)
Giro d’Emilia: Michael Boogerd, (1999), Robert Gesink, (2009), (2010)
Paris-Tours: Marc Wauters (1999), Erik Dekker (2004), Óscar Freire (2010)
UCI World Cup: Erik Dekker (2001)
20 stages in the Tour de France
11 stages in the Vuelta a Espana
3 stages in the Giro d’Italia
Edited by Tombola on 07-07-2011 13:07
These are the most important results from the 1st of January up till this moment for the Rabobank ProTeam.
Victories
2011
Australian Championships Road Race – Michael Matthews Santos Tour Down Under / Stage 1 – Michael Matthews
Tour of Qatar / Stage 2 - Óscar Freire
Tour of Qatar / Stage 4 - Óscar Freire
GC Tour of Qatar - Óscar Freire
PC Tour of Qatar - Óscar Freire
Vuelta a Andalucia / Prologue - Lars Boom
PC Vuelta a Andalucia - Matti Breschel Tirreno-Adriatico / Stage 1 – Oscar Freire
Tirreno-Adriatico / Stage 2 – Oscar Freire
Tirreno-Adriatico / Stage 3 – Oscar Freire
Milano-San Remo - Matti Breschel
Volta Ciclista a Catalunya / Stage 4 - Juan Manuel Garate
KBC-Driedaagse van De Panne-Koksijde / Stage 1 - Lars Boom
GC KBC-Driedaagse van De Panne-Koksijde - Lars Boom
PC KBC-Driedaagse van De Panne-Koksijde - Lars Boom
Important Results
Spoiler
2nd Santos Tour Down Under / Stage 6 – Coen Vermeltfoort
2nd Tour of Qatar / Stage 2 - Graeme Brown
2nd Tour of Qatar / Stage 3 - Óscar Freire
2nd Tour of Qatar / Stage 5 - Óscar Freire
2nd Tour of Qatar / Stage 6 - Óscar Freire 2nd YC Santos Tour Down Under - Coen Vermeltfoort
2nd Vuelta a Andalucia / Prologue - Matti Breschel
2nd Vuelta a Andalucia / Stage 1 - Matti Breschel
2nd Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne - Oscar Freire
2nd Nokere Koerse - Coen Vermeltfoort
3rd Vuelta a Andalucia / Stage 4 - Matti Breschel 3rd Paris-Nice / Stage 1 - Matti Breschel 3rd Tirreno-Adriatico / Stage 1 - Michael Matthews 3rd Paris-Nice / Stage 8 - Matti Breschel 3rd Tirreno-Adriatico / Stage 4 - Oscar Freire 3rd Milano-San Remo - Oscar Freire 4th GC Santos Tour Down Under – Coen Vermeltfoort
2nd KBC-Driedaagse van De Panne-Koksijde / Stage 3 - Lars Boom
2nd KBC-Driedaagse van De Panne-Koksijde / Stage 4 - Lars Boom
Hel van het Mergelland - Michael Matthews
Individual 1. Ryder Hesjedal – GAR / 154 2. Andre Greipel– OLO / 118 3. Damiano Cunego – LAM / 114 6. Matti Breschel – RAB / 109
Team 1. Team Garmin-Cervelo / 366 2. Rabobank Cycling Team / 352 3. Pro Team Astana / 307
Pro Tour Results
Santos Tour Down Under
Spoiler
2011
1. André Greipel - Omega Pharma - Lotto
2. Jean-Christophe Peraud - AG2R La Mondiale
3. Geraint Thomas - Sky ProCycling 4. Coen Vermeltfoort - Rabobank Cycling Team S Tyler Farrar - Team Garmin – Cervélo M Mauro Finetto - Liquigas - Cannondale U25 Geraint Thomas - Sky ProCycling
Paris - Nice
Spoiler
2011
1. Ryder Hesjedal - Team Garmin - Cervélo
2. Sandy Casar - FDJ
3. John Gadret - AG2R La Mondiale 17. Laurens ten Dam - Rabobank Cycling Team S Heinrich Haussler - Team Garmin – Cervélo M Kjell Carlström - Sky ProCycling U25 Rigoberto Urán - Sky ProCycling
Milano - San Remo
Spoiler
2011 1 Matti Breschel Rabobank Cycling Team 7h19'51
2 Thor Hushovd Team Garmin - Cervélo s.t. 3 Óscar Freire Rabobank Cycling Team s.t.
4 Alessandro Petacchi Lampre - ISD s.t.
5 Fabian Cancellara Leopard Trek s.t.
6 Allan Davis Pro Team Astana s.t.
7 Tom Boonen Quick•Step Cycling Team s.t.
8 Edvald Boasson Hagen Sky ProCycling s.t.
9 Philippe Gilbert Omega Pharma - Lotto s.t.
10 Juan Antonio Flecha Sky ProCycling s.t.
11 Tyler Farrar Team Garmin - Cervélo s.t.
12 Alessandro Ballan BMC Racing Team s.t.
13 Marcus Burghardt BMC Racing Team s.t.
14 Damiano Cunego Lampre - ISD s.t.
15 Bernhard Eisel HTC - Highroad s.t. 16 Lars Boom Rabobank Cycling Team s.t.
17 Jens Voigt Leopard Trek s.t.
18 Danilo Di Luca Katusha Team s.t.
19 Heinrich Haussler Team Garmin - Cervélo s.t.
20 Kurt-Asle Arvesen Sky ProCycling s.t.
Gent - Wevelgem
Spoiler
2011
1 Björn Leukemans Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team 5h31'04
2 Juan Antonio Flecha Sky ProCycling s.t.
3 Filippo Pozzato Katusha Team s.t.
4 Tom Boonen Quick•Step Cycling Team s.t.
5 Nick Nuyens Saxo Bank SunGard s.t.
6 Heinrich Haussler Team Garmin - Cervélo s.t.
7 Leif Hoste Katusha Team s.t.
8 Gert Steegmans Quick•Step Cycling Team s.t.
9 Thor Hushovd Team Garmin - Cervélo s.t. 10 Matti Breschel Rabobank Cycling Team s.t.
11 Bernhard Eisel HTC - Highroad s.t.
12 Edvald Boasson Hagen Sky ProCycling s.t. 13 Lars Boom Rabobank Cycling Team s.t.
14 Alessandro Ballan BMC Racing Team s.t.
15 Tyler Farrar Team Garmin - Cervélo s.t.
16 Roger Hammond Team Garmin - Cervélo s.t.
17 Marcus Burghardt BMC Racing Team s.t. 18 Óscar Freire Rabobank Cycling Team s.t.
19 Geraint Thomas Sky ProCycling s.t.
20 Kurt-Asle Arvesen Sky ProCycling s.t.
Vuelta Ciclista a Catalunya
Spoiler
2011
1. Roman Kreuziger - Pro Team Astana
2. Janez Brajkovic - Team RadioShack
3. Matteo Carrara - Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team 11. Stef Clement - Rabobank Cycling Team S Roman Kreuziger - Pro Team Astana M Óscar Pujol - Omega Pharma - Lotto U25 Roman Kreuziger - Pro Team Astana
We have several sponsors at the moment, Shell, AEG Worldwide and Spar. They asked us to reach the following goals for some nice bonuses. Behind the goal you see the rider which we asked to train for this goal.
Top 3 Milano-San Remo Achieved -Breschel 1st
Top 3 Tour of Flanders (Breschel/Langeveld)
Top 5 Liege-Bastogne-Liege (Gesink/Martens)
Top 5 Tour de France (Gesink)
Top 5 Vattenfall Cyclassics (Freire/Matthews)
Win World Championships ITT (Lars Boom)
These are important races;
Tour de France
Amstel Gold Race
Liege-Bastogne-Liege
Eneco Tour
Dutch Championships
World Championships
Mangement goals
As a team mangement we also set some goals for our self, which we think that our riders are capable off. The races are assembled in negotiation with the riders. Like the goals set by the sponsor you see the rider which we asked to train for this race. So he will be in a top shape at the start, only the Dutch Championships aren’t filled in because it doesn’t really matter who will win there but as the biggest Dutch pro cycling team we just have too. We also like to win a stage in every Grand Tour this year.
Win Dutch Championships Road Race
Win Dutch Championships Time Trial
Win Worldchampionships Road Race (Lars Boom)
Win Worldchampionships TT (Lars Boom)
Win MC in all three GT's with the same rider. (Steven Kruijswijk)
Win KBC Driedaagse van de Panne-Koksijde (Lars Boom)
Top 5 Vuelta a Espana (Luis Leon Sanchez)
Top 5 Eneco Tour (Carlos Barredo)
Top 10 Giro d’Italia (Bauke Mollema)Edited by Tombola on 03-07-2011 00:00
Carlos Barredo Climber
Goals: With Flecha he’s one of the few Spaniards who love the cobbles, also this year he is going to aim for a nice result in the Tour of Flanders. But he’s knows that the younger Breschel, Boom and Langeveld will probably do better, so his real aim is the Vuelta Castilla y León.
Lars Boom Northern Classics
Goals: This young talent is already for several years a rider of the Dutch equipe. His not so Dutch character and abilities for almost every course makes him a popular rider by the true cycling fans. This year he’s going to aim for the KBC Driedaagse van de Panne-Koksijde and he will help Breschel and Langeveld in the other Northern Classics. He might ride the Tour de France but his second goal are the World Championships on the road and the time trial, this year it should be possible to do the double!
Theo Bos Sprinter
Goals: Has his first peak in the end of March and April, but Theo still has to learn a lot so he will compete in the minor classics this year. At the end of the year he might ride the Vuelta if the World Championships are an option.
Matti Breschel Northern Classics
Goals: Of course the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, like Boom he also wants to ride the Tour but it’s not necessary. The second half of his year will have the World Championships as the mayor goal.
Graeme Brown Sprinter
Goals: We don’t really know what to expect of him this year, had some good results in the past but last year it didn’t worked out that well. Like Oscar Freire he will be a tutor for Matthews and Vermeltfoort. His mayor goal is the Giro this year, I don’t know why because there is almost no flat stage.
Stef Clement Timetrials
Goals: Will be a great helper for the Tour and Vuelta the upcoming season, his own goals are the long time trials in the Grand Tours and the Dutch championships of course. But he has to show some skill of course before riding the Tour or Vuelta.
Laurens ten Dam Climber
Goals: Like Barredo will Laurens lay his first peak around the Vuelta Castilla y León, afterwards he will take some rest to be as fit as possible for the Tour de France. Because of the “easy” world championship course he might also ride the Vuelta instead, depending on his form.
Jos van Emden Timetrials
Goals: This Dutch time trial champion did a great job last year by helping Menchov to his Giro win. Also this year he will go to the Giro but with a whole other goal. We will probably go to the first big tour of the season with a team of youngsters and puncheurs. His own goals are the mayor timetrials in the Giro and maybe the Vuelta.
Rick Flens Timetrials
Goals: We don’t really know what to expect of him, in our meetings he told me that he will mainly focus on July, so it looks like he is preparing for the Tour. But I don’t know if he is able to handle the high level in France. Personally I think it’s better to ride the minor northern classics.
Óscar Freire Sprinter
Goals: Do I need you guys to tell something about this riding legend? His focus will be on the Tour of Flanders, a race he still wants to win. We had a little argue about it because I would like to see him win in San Remo, I think he has a better shot of winning there. But will see, he has done a lot for us so I don’t blame him. The next goal will be the green jersey in the Tour de France, but with riders as Cavendish, Hushovd, Haussler, Petacchi and Farrar it will be a tough one. But like Hushovd once said, “I’m not be the fastest sprinter, but the best sprinter, that’s why I wear this green jersey”. Oscar has to grab some points in the stages which are a bit tougher with uphill sections.
Juan Manuel Gárate Climber
Goals: Another great help for the Tour. There for he suggest to make himself completely ready for Paris – Nice. That’s okay with us because we need a strong rider who is able to take the lead in our squad in such races, races like Paris – Nice, Tirreno, Dauphine and Suisse are going to be hard to ride for results because our best candidates will mainly focus on the Tour and the Vuelta.
Robert Gesink Grand Tour
Goals: Dutch hope in cold days! But it looks like those cold days are over with Boom and Langeveld for the classics, Mollema and Gesink for the grand tours and after last year we can’t wait to see what Kruijskwijk is up to! Of course Robert is going for the podium at the Tour de France, thé goal of the season. With a 6th place behind Jurgen Vandenbroeck last year he felt that he should be able to do that. With his better time trial and his character we are 100% behind him!
Steven Kruijswijk Climber
Goals: The young Dutchmen seem to surprise everybody last year’s Giro, a really strong performance from the first years professional. He is still improving and for this year he came up with the following idea to become a legend. In the interview at our trainings camp we laughed about it a few times but now it is serious, Steven is going to win the mountain jersey in all three of the grand tours. But of course, as a manager I have to take the decision of who’s going to ride what grand tour. So he should be fit because when I see the rider is to fatigue I don’t let him ride for his own protection.
Sebastian Langeveld Northern Classics
Goals: Time for the breakthrough this year! Sebastian want’s to shine in Roubaix, don’t know if that’s possible with all the mud but will see! We know he is capable of riding good results, we already saw glimpse of his talents like he showed us in the Omloop het Nieuwsblad of last year were he became second after Flecha. His next mayor goal are the world championships, with the not so steep hill he and Boom good be perfect partners in the rainbow race.
Tom Leezer Sprinter
Goals: Like with Flens we don’t really know where to let him ride, of course he wants to go to the Tour but who doesn’t? I might be better to ride the smaller Benelux classics and the Vuelta, but when he is in tiptop condition he could be a great lead out for Freire in the Tour so will see about that.
Paul Martens Hills
Goals: After Gesink choosing for the Tour de France, Martens is one of our few hopes for the Ardennes classics. These are the races he wants to be at his best, his own goal is to ride top 10 in the Amstel Gold Race, Le Fleche Wallonië and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Afterwards he will rest to ride the Tour or the late classic season, depending on his fatigue.
Michael Matthews Sprinter
Goals: Michael “Bling” Matthews, what a bloke it is. With his shiny earrings and great laugh he is a true completion for the team. Last year he became World Champion U23 in his “own” Geelong, that’s not the only reason why we see the next Oscar Freire in him. He is not only a great sprinter but is also able to follow the peloton on hills and some tougher terrain. Michael is ready for the month of April and the Vuelta.
Bauke Mollema Grand Tour
Goals: Bauke has one mayor goal, the white jersey in the Giro d’Italia. This year he’s getting every chance to develop himself because we don’t have a big “leader” for this year’s Giro. With Bauke and also Steven the Giro could get a nice Dutch twist this year. Further on in the season Mollema will ride the classics and other races in August.
Grischa Niermann Climber
Goals: Great helper for the Tour and the Vuelta, but we already have a lot of helpers so it’s a matter of fatigue and results which riders will be in this year’s Tour and Vuelta for Rabobank.
Luis León Sánchez Grand Tour
Goals: We probably won’t see him a lot before the real sun starts to shine, he totally prepares for the Vuelta in his home country. But first he’s going to be the mayor helper for Robert in the Tour, but Luis León will not be at his very best there. A podium spot at the Vuelta is his main goal.
Tom-Jelte Slagter Puncheur
Goals: Really young so we don’t really have a clue from what he’s up to. We might see him in the Giro or Vuelta but that’s all depending on how he will develop in the pro peloton. His goal is to ride a good Tour de Suisse, but we think that the level might be a little bit too high for him yet.
Bram Tankink Hills
Goals: A great help for Martens in the April classics and for Gesink in the Tour, also a rider who is able to attack and has a chance of winning a stage. Bram is a real loyal helper.
Maarten Tjallingii Hills
Goals: For Tjallingii counts the same, but he focuses more on the late season with the Vuelta.
Coen Vermeltfoort Sprinter
Goals: Coen is going to be a rider for the classics and a true sprinter. The upcoming to seasons he has to prove if he’s going to be a luxury helper or a leader himself. We know that Coen has the skills to do so but we will see if he is going to show these quality’s. He will ride the minor classics in March and June as main goals, maybe a bigger race when the opportunity comes by.
Pieter Weening Climber
Goals: Like Maarten and Bram also Pieter is a loyal helper, with probably a free role the upcoming Giro we will have a nice team of puncheurs which could be able to surprise the Italian. After looking for his own success in the Giro he should be able to be a great helper for the Tour.
Dennis van Winden Puncheur
Goals: Like Vermeltfoort he’s going for the classic season too. Dennis is more the guy for the long attacks and should be a great help in the northern classics, but watch out! When he’s able to stay ahead of the favorite’s with a small group he is very quick.
Maarten Wynants Northern Classics
Goals: Is really going for the northern classics this year, with Boom and Langeveld on his side it could also be a great chance for him. Getting away with a small group of riders and let fait decide what happends next. Maarten is just a great guy with a lot of humor and a great help during several races. After the northern classics he will prepare for the late season and Vuelta.
Rider Statistics
The statistics are from the 1st of January from every new season.
Owner of the Vuelta Won General, Points and Mountain Classification in 1 year
1993 - Tony Rominger
1995 - Laurant Jalabert
Owner of the Giro Won General, Points and Mountain Classification in 1 year
1968 – Eddy Merckx
Historical Mini Slam Won 4 of the 5 historical classics (career)
Milano-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Giro di Lombardia
1956 – Louison Bobet
1957 – Fred de Bruyne
1985 – Hennie Kuiper
1986 – Sean Kelly
Historical Mini Slam Won all 5 historical classics (career)
Milano-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Giro di Lombardia
1971 – Eddy Merckx
1977 – Roger de Vlaeminck
King of the Mountains Won the Mountain Classification in Giro, Tour and Vuelta in 1 year
King of the Points Won the Points Classification in Giro, Tour and Vuelta in 1 year
Owner of the Tour Won General, Points and Mountain Classification in 1 year
1969 – Eddy Merckx
Double World Champion Won the World Championships Road Race and Time Trial in 1 year
The Triple Won the Giro, Tour and the World Championships in 1 year
1974 – Eddy Merckx
1987 – Stephen Roche
Tour/Vuelta Won the Tour and the Vuelta in 1 year
1963 – Jacques Anquetil
1978 - Bernard Hinault
Giro/Vuelta Won the Giro and the Vuelta in 1 year
1973 – Eddy Merckx
1981 – Giovanni Battaglin
2008 – Alberto Contador
Giro/Tour Won the Giro and the Tour in 1 year
1952 – Fausto Coppi
1964 – Jacques Anquetil
1974 – Eddy Merckx
1985 – Bernard Hinault
1987 – Stephen Roche
1993 – Miguel Indurain
1998 – Marco Pantani
The Grand Triple Won the Giro, Tour and the Vuelta in 1 year
The Mini Triple Won the Giro, Tour and the Vuelta (career)
1963 – Jacques Anquetil
1968 – Felice Gimondi
1973 – Eddy Merckx
1980 – Bernard Hinault
2008 – Alberto Contador
Stage Winner Won at least 1 stage in the Giro, Tour and the Vuelta in 1 year
A easy quite flat terrain but our Kangaroos Brown and Matthews aren’t good time trialist. Michael is able to do a fine time trial but his condition is not so good right now, so we aim for the road race within a couple of days.
Brown was the first of the two Rabobank riders, but we didn’t play a role in this race. Matthews did a bit better but was only thinking about the road race and didn't get out of breath much.
It was Evans (BMC) who won with almost half a minute advantage on former team mate Adam Hansen (OLO). Evans was is also going to be the favorite at the road race because of the steep hill in it.
Stage Results
1 Cadel Evans BMC Racing Team 55'25
2 Adam Hansen Omega Pharma - Lotto + 24
3 Michael Rogers Sky ProCycling + 46
4 Brett Lancaster Team Garmin - Cervélo + 1'06
5 Zakkari Dempster Rapha Condor - Sharp + 1'09
6 Matthew Goss HTC - Highroad + 1'13
7 Richie Porte Saxo Bank SunGard + 1'16
8 Cameron Meyer Team Garmin - Cervélo + 1'25
9 Jack Bobridge Team Garmin - Cervélo + 1'38
10 Timothy Roe BMC Racing Team + 1'39 22 Michael Matthews Rabobank Cycling Team + 2'06 32 Graeme Brown Rabobank Cycling Team + 2'31 Edited by Tombola on 22-06-2011 13:44
A very though terrain when riders like Evans and Rogers are in shape, because with percentages of 9% Matthews and Brown are nowhere seen then. But it’s always a weird race, not a lot of riders and most of the time, everybody is totally out of shape.
With 120 kilometer to go Richie Porte (SAX), attacked with Clarke (AST). On top of the climb it was Goss (HTC), McDonald (FLY) and Hansen (OLO) who were trying to close the gap with Matthews in their wheel. We thought about getting away because with Evans and Rogers you can’t win in the last lap and Hansen is obviously strong because he was already second at the Australian TT Championships.
The last lap it was Matthews who attacked just before the hill, only Port reacted but fell back quickly. Then it were Goss and Clarke who were chasing Michael “Bling” Matthews but they never came closer than 20”. Our first win and Michael’s first win as a professional rider.
Stage Results 1 Michael Matthews Rabobank Cycling Team 5h16'55
2 Matthew Goss HTC - Highroad + 27
3 Simon Clarke Pro Team Astana s.t.
4 Peter McDonald V Australia + 51
5 Richie Porte Saxo Bank SunGard s.t.
6 Adam Hansen Omega Pharma - Lotto s.t.
7 Cadel Evans BMC Racing Team + 4'00
8 Simon Gerrans Sky ProCycling s.t.
9 Allan Davis Pro Team Astana s.t.
10 Heinrich Haussler Team Garmin - Cervélo s.t. 18 Graeme Brown Rabobank Cycling Team + 4'43