Well, those riders amongst you that relish the cobbled roads of Northern Europe will be laughing with glee at the prospect of March.
What with a trip to the race Omloop Het Volk, Kuurne - Brussel - Kuurne and Dwars door Vlaanderen, the only race this month for the stage racers out there is the ending Criterium International.
Welcome to the first race of March today. Our favourites for today are very much CSC as a whole team, Adrian Kuss (Silence), Michael Brown (Quickstep), Alex Dekker and Joop Zoetemelk from Rabobank, and Crister Terejsen from Rock Racing.
Matt Booth leads the Individual Rankings and wears the lovely RDG Leaders Jersey.
As the race begins, the first man to attack is Britain's very own Geraint Thomas. With Barloworld relying solely on a rather dubious man on cobbles, Marc Nonsense, their only hope could come from the break.
Shortly after the break of 7 settle down (no human riders in it) another group of 4 breakaway to come across.
The pace settles down as the peloton, led by CSC, Quickstep and Silence Lotto, plods on through the countryside. Strangely Mike O K Jensen and Josh Crommy are involved in the pace setting.
The maximum gap gained by the break today was four minutes.
As soon as the first off eleven cobble sections are hit by the peloton, the pace started to rise.
As the race continues over the cobble sections, CSC take on the pace setting. With 10% of the work coming from Quickstep and Silence Lotto, the pack begins to be shredded on some of the cobble sections. No break lasts however.
The field is starting to be stretched out. How long until breaking point?
As Cancellara gets a puncture, the pace continues to go up. With Quickstep now lending some legs to the chase, many riders are struggling.
THe pack can now see the break as they hit the steepest part of todays race, 13% on cobbles.
Back in the field, Szurpicki gets an unfortunate puncture. His team ignore his wishes to be paced back to the field.
Over the top of the climb again CSC are on the front. Crommy, both Jensens and Brown are all up near the front.
Soon enough we get our first retirees, and more crashes.
Gordeyev calls it a day, whilst Innes and Cornejo crash.
Up front, the pack is ripped apart as Michael Brown hits the front just after Quickstep keeps the pace high. He tears away a group with him.
As Brown reaches the break of the day, he pauses for one quick turn.
Realising CSC are bearing down on him, he tries to get away quickly.
He doesn't quite manage to get away, and after passing the penultimate cobble section, we have a new situation.
Up front we have Brown, Jensen, Jensen, Hughes, Emberland and Gostoso.
In E2, just off the front of the peloton, but a minute 30 behind the leaders, some of the days break have dropped back, and been joined by Zoetemelk, Dekker, Crommy, Tafi, Booth and Huff.
The peloton a further 40 seconds behind are led by Silence Lotto who have missed out completely. Kuss won't be happy.
Passing over the final cobble section, Brown, who is clearly firing on all cylinders, forces the pace. He manages to split the rather large front group up even more. Dragging clear with him are Gostoso (who is having an amazing ride!), Jensen and Jensen!
Soon enough Brown sneaks away with C.Jensen (sorry Crue!!).
Behind, Hughes attacks E2.
And Kuss finally attacks the peleton.
As we draw into the final 5km, Jensen (C) and Brown lead Gostoso, Hughes and Jensen by 15 seconds. Behind them are the remnants of the break, who have been caught by Booth. Also contained is Emberland.
Strangely, Brad Huff retires 6km from the finish for no reason. With a chance of a top 10, his Directeur Sportif will be pissed!
As we hit the final corner, with 1.5km to go, Jensen looks left to see where Brown is. It's not the place to look though, as Brown takes an absolutely flier to his right.
Jensen just gives right in. He just refuses to sprint. Maybe it was tactics for Hughes to come through, as his team mate comes sprinting past.
Too late though, and Brown takes a victory.
Coming in after the riders, Booth's group are all sprinting for the final top 10 placings. Booth's frantic sprinting takes out Di Gregorio though.
But all to good use, as he beats his compatriots to the front of his group.
Result:
11 Matt Booth Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t. (Relegated for bad sprinting)
12 Vasili Kiryienka Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
13th - Josh Crommy @ unknown time
14th - Alex Dekker @ s.t.
15th - Simone Tafi @ s.t.
16h - Joop Zoetemelk @ s.t.
Its that race again, hard long race full of cobbled climbs.
Riders were blessed with good weather for the race but arm and knee warmers were on and stayed on.
A full field took to the roads today but not many riders have much contention in this race. The favourite is Brown who has got a sort of Sven Nys reputation in the race at the moment. Winning 2 races in the season so far he is expected to do something, he is a big figure and has a lot of power it seems likely that he will win today.
The first cobble section didn't cause any problem for any riders and they all made it safely over the top.
Brown has a lot of support in the race but he was very far back in the peleton in the bottom 20 and he occasionally found himself chasing every time the peleton was stretched out.
Half way through the race CSC started to put a lot of work in and it was Booth who did a big turn to pull the break of the day closer to the pack. However they still had 5 minutes with 60km to go.
It all got a little hectic and there were riders drifting of the front left right and center. Suddenly there was panic as Terjesen punctured, the whole team came back to pace him back and it wasnt until 10 km later that he regained contact.
Two riders that went away were pretty good cobble riders Mike Ø.K.Jensen and Alex Dekker. They made no big attack to get away they just moved off the front and with no CSC to chase it down they soon pulled out a gap.
Back down the road some big names started to move away but nothing really happened and really the whole race was a mess with lots of random riders scattered over the course.
Dekker wanted to push on and Ø.K.Jensen followed they passed the BOTD with about 25km to go.
So here is the situation with 20km to go.
Dekker , Ø.K.Jensen
>1'31”
Break of the day
> 52' – 2'23” to E1
Filipe, Corleone (Who really aren't cobblers!)
> 19 – 2'42”
Szurpicki, Smith
> 34' – 3'17”
Random Chasers + Huff and Emberland
> 3'37 – 6'54”
Peleton! With Main guys
7 Mins back! It must be over for the big guns now.
Then some of the big guns move off the front of the bunch. But Brown isn't there!!
10km to go Szurpicki decks it.
At the same time 2km down the road Brown attacks to try and catch the big guns group.
Terjesen and Jensen then go for it 6km out.
But there is no doubt that the winner will come from either Dekker or Ø.K.Jensen.
1.km out Ø.K.Jensen goes all out. Can he Gap Dekker?
Yes he can! He puts a huge gap into Dekker.
And cruises to the win!! Another win for CSC and the first for the “Team Leader”
The first serious rider cobble rider home is Jensen.
But the winner stands a top the podium and again we see that CSC jersey who are really dominating the season so far.
1 Mike Ø.K.Jensen Team CSC Saxo Bank 5h13'41
2 Alex Dekker Rabobank s.t.
3 Leif Hoste Silence - Lotto + 3'05
4 David Clinger Rock Racing s.t.
5 Paolo Bettini Quick·Step s.t.
6 Matthew Smith Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
7 Pedro Filipe Française des Jeux s.t.
8 Santini Corleone Lampre s.t.
9 Koldo Gil Liberty Seguros + 4'24
10 John Huff Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
11 Wolfgang Murer ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
12 Even Emberland Team GLS s.t.
13 Jason Donald Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
14 Rafal Szurpicki Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
15 Vasil Kiryienka Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
16 Christian Jensen Team CSC Saxo Bank + 6'18
17 Christer Terjesen Rock Racing s.t.
18 Joop Zoetemelk Rabobank + 7'05
19 Victor Cornejo ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
20 Adrian Kuss Silence - Lotto s.t.
21 Patrick Hughes Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
22 Michael Morkov Team GLS s.t.
23 Luca Mazzanti Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
24 Mikhail Ignatiev Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
25 Marc Nonsense Barloworld s.t.
26 Simone Tafi Liquigas s.t.
27 Tom Danielson Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
28 Michael Brown Quick·Step s.t.
29 Pavel Brutt Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
30 Alberto Loddo Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
31 Clemens Frankhauser ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
32 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
33 Julian Dean Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 + 8'02
34 Josh Crommy Silence - Lotto + 9'24
35 Salvatore Coppi Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
36 Euan Innes Lampre s.t.
37 Miroslav Gordeyev Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
38 Matt Booth Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
39 Robbie McEwen Silence - Lotto s.t.
40 Gustavo Gostoso Lampre s.t.
41 John-Lee Augustyn Barloworld s.t.
42 Manuel Cardoso Liberty Seguros s.t.
43 Antonio Jesús Liberty Seguros s.t.
44 Stefano Cavallari Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
45 Christ Hamilton Lampre s.t.
46 Claudio Corioni Liquigas s.t.
47 Nelson Oliveira Liberty Seguros s.t.
48 Peter Pichler ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
49 Tom Ceky ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
50 Filippo Pozzato Liquigas s.t.
51 Matija Kvasina Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
52 Steven Cummings Barloworld s.t.
53 Jérôme Coppel Française des Jeux s.t.
54 Tom Boonen Quick·Step s.t.
55 Héctor Guerra Liberty Seguros s.t.
56 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step s.t.
57 Mikaël Chérel Française des Jeux s.t.
58 Matthew Lloyd Silence - Lotto s.t.
59 Jure Kocjan Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
60 Marc De Maar Rabobank s.t.
61 Cadel Evans Silence - Lotto s.t.
62 Matteo Carrara Quick·Step s.t.
63 Sébastien Chavanel Française des Jeux s.t.
64 Roy Hegreberg Team GLS s.t.
65 Peter Riis Andersen Team GLS s.t.
66 Thomas Dekker Rabobank s.t.
67 Kristoffer Nielsen Team GLS s.t.
68 Santiago Botero Rock Racing s.t.
69 Chris Froome Barloworld s.t.
70 Kristjan Fajt Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
71 Alexander Arekeev Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
72 Theo Eltink Rabobank s.t.
73 Gabriele Balducci Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
74 Matteo Bono Lampre s.t.
75 Robert Hunter Barloworld s.t.
76 Gregor Gazvoda Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
77 Roberto Petito Liquigas s.t.
78 Geraint Thomas Barloworld s.t.
79 Filipe Cardoso Liberty Seguros s.t.
80 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas s.t.
81 Kristjan Koren Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
82 Robert Lauscha ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
83 Bram De Groot Rabobank s.t.
84 Matti Breschel Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
85 Glenn Bak Team GLS s.t.
86 Timothy Duggan Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
87 Massimo Codol Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
88 Paolo Bossoni Lampre s.t.
89 Marko Kump Adria Mobil s.t.
90 Rémy Di Gregorio Française des Jeux s.t.
91 Grega Bole Adria Mobil s.t.
92 Rok Grilc Adria Mobil s.t.
93 Blaz Jarc Adria Mobil s.t.
94 Mickael Delage Française des Jeux s.t.
95 Benjamin Cujnik Adria Mobil s.t.
96 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas + 11'24
97 Tyler Hamilton Rock Racing + 12'04
98 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
99 Alessandro Donati Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
100 Uros Murn Adria Mobil s.t.
101 Brock Curry Rock Racing + 12'53
102 Michael Creed Rock Racing s.t.
Welcome to Dwars door Vlaanderen another cobble classic on the RDG calander.
Yet again riders were blessed with exceptionally good weather and with no Rain forecast the riders were looking in for a dry race and usually less crashes.
The riders roll out of town.
It was a very slow race and the only occasional action occurred when the peleton would strech after each cobble section. Coming to the main set of cobbles Michael Brown punctured. He was doing a better job staying near the front today however and managed not to drop off too much will mechanics swapped his wheel. The pace was that slow it was unlikely that any rider who droped off for a crash or puncture would stay off the back.
But boy were the commentators wrong! Salvatore Coppi hit the tarmac really hard! And he was on the floor for so long. He eventually go back on his way closely followed by the doctors car. Amazingly Coppi did make it back with about 30km to go! He had gone from 10 mins back to being back in the main peleton. It just showed how slow the peleton were going...
A sudden surge forward now and into some action. 20Km to go. The peleton splits and all the big names are in the peleton (Front group) There are no attacks up the road and its down to the favourites.
Drama! Adrian Kuss hits the deck badly and takes a number of helpers down with him.
After a quick wheel change he attacks hard to try and catch up but he seems pretty beat up.
CSC push it hard on the final cobble section and its Booth who puts the hammer down. The tempo has dramatically been raised.
Christian Jensen puts a dig into the peleton and pulls out a small gap. Will it be big enough to sale to the win. 5Km to go its unlikely.
He is caught with 1.5 km to go and with a charging bunch of riders including brown.
The pace is really hot now and the sprint begins to get into full flight! Its Terjesen who is putting the hammer down. Brown doesn't seem to have a lot of speed!
But wow!! Hughes is really charging for it! He is gaining on Terjesen by the meter and the gap is really coming down.
Ah!! He hits a pot hole and is sent flying! Terjesen is still in the lead and he is bound to win.
As Hughes hits the floor he hopes that nobody hits him. That was some crash! Ouch!
But the sprint will soon by set 100m to go and Terjesen is there. He has gapped the others and Szurpicki isnt coming round.
So there it is! Terjesen wins!
Oww, Hughes tries to find his feet. Booth madison slings him to the line is a desperate attempt to pass brown. But that was some fall and Hughes and Booth ride to the bus with Hughes in some extreme pain. He is clutching his left leg. It looks bad...
But there is the top 10, Terjesen sails to a great win. The first for himself and Rock Racing.
1 Christer Terjesen Rock Racing 5h42'08
2 Rafal Szurpicki Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
3 Nelson Oliveira Liberty Seguros s.t.
4 Simone Tafi Liquigas s.t.
5 Santini Corleone Lampre s.t.
6 Even Emberland Team GLS s.t.
7 Gustavo Gostoso Lampre s.t.
8 Joop Zoetemelk Rabobank s.t.
9 Pedro Filipe Française des Jeux s.t.
10 Marc Nonsense Barloworld s.t.
11 Euan Innes Lampre s.t.
12 Victor Cornejo ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
13 Christ Hamilton Lampre s.t.
14 Christian Jensen Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
15 Matthew Smith Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
16 Michael Brown Quick·Step s.t.
17 Patrick Hughes Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
18 Matt Booth Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
19 Tom Ceky ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
20 John Huff Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
21 Mike Ø.K.Jensen Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
22 Miroslav Gordeyev Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
23 Alex Dekker Rabobank s.t.
24 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
25 Tom Boonen Quick·Step s.t.
26 Thomas Dekker Rabobank s.t.
27 Adrian Kuss Silence - Lotto s.t.
28 Theo Eltink Rabobank s.t.
29 Matteo Carrara Quick·Step s.t.
30 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step s.t.
31 Clemens Frankhauser ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
32 Wolfgang Murer ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
33 Paolo Bettini Quick·Step s.t.
34 Bram De Groot Rabobank s.t.
35 Matti Breschel Team CSC Saxo Bank + 2'47
36 Michael Creed Rock Racing s.t.
37 Salvatore Coppi Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
38 Rémy Di Gregorio Française des Jeux s.t.
39 Filippo Pozzato Liquigas s.t.
40 Robbie McEwen Silence - Lotto s.t.
41 Alberto Loddo Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
42 Cadel Evans Silence - Lotto s.t.
43 Massimo Codol Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
44 Kristjan Fajt Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
45 Josh Crommy Silence - Lotto s.t.
46 Sébastien Chavanel Française des Jeux s.t.
47 Matthew Lloyd Silence - Lotto s.t.
48 Chris Froome Barloworld s.t.
49 Manuel Cardoso Liberty Seguros s.t.
50 Geraint Thomas Barloworld s.t.
51 Antonio Jesús Liberty Seguros s.t.
52 Héctor Guerra Liberty Seguros s.t.
53 Pavel Brutt Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
54 Kristoffer Nielsen Team GLS s.t.
55 Gregor Gazvoda Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
56 Marc De Maar Rabobank s.t.
57 Steven Cummings Barloworld s.t.
58 Leif Hoste Silence - Lotto s.t.
59 Jérôme Coppel Française des Jeux s.t.
60 Jason Donald Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
61 Robert Hunter Barloworld s.t.
62 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas s.t.
63 Santiago Botero Rock Racing s.t.
64 Roberto Petito Liquigas s.t.
65 Vasil Kiryienka Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
66 David Clinger Rock Racing s.t.
67 Mikaël Chérel Française des Jeux s.t.
68 Filipe Cardoso Liberty Seguros s.t.
69 Glenn Bak Team GLS s.t.
70 Matija Kvasina Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
71 Mikhail Ignatiev Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
72 Julian Dean Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
73 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas s.t.
74 Claudio Corioni Liquigas s.t.
75 Kristjan Koren Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
76 Timothy Duggan Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
77 Alexander Arekeev Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
78 Tom Danielson Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
79 Jure Kocjan Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
80 Tyler Hamilton Rock Racing s.t.
81 Stefano Cavallari Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
82 Michael Morkov Team GLS s.t.
83 Robert Lauscha ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
84 Paolo Bossoni Lampre s.t.
85 Brock Curry Rock Racing s.t.
86 Koldo Gil Liberty Seguros s.t.
87 Luca Mazzanti Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
88 Peter Riis Andersen Team GLS s.t.
89 Matteo Bono Lampre s.t.
90 Alessandro Donati Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
91 Mickael Delage Française des Jeux + 5'27
92 Roy Hegreberg Team GLS s.t.
93 Peter Pichler ELK Haus - Simplon + 5'49
94 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC Saxo Bank + 6'32
95 John-Lee Augustyn Barloworld + 7'09
96 Gabriele Balducci Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo + 7'50
97 Marko Kump Adria Mobil + 8'33
98 Rok Grilc Adria Mobil + 9'45
99 Uros Murn Adria Mobil s.t.
100 Blaz Jarc Adria Mobil s.t.
101 Grega Bole Adria Mobil s.t.
Welcome to the first Stage race of the RDG year. Its the prestigious Criterium International, the race is 3 stages long and it also presents the riders with the first time trial of the year.
The weather is wonderful again but rain is forecast for the coming days.
We had a very odd day today as most of the peleton went on protest. It must have been over the way the press have been acting, one rider said “We are protesting over, the close media are getting” Not perfect english but he was the only person to say anything.
The early pace was set by CSC but Perutnina Ptul took over and worked most of the day.
The first intermediate was taken by the break of the day and infact all of them were.
CSC and Silence started to push the pace coming to the first Categorised climb. Booth was very near the front and he was looking up for todays stage
The break took it, but the peleton were in sight and the break were constantly looking over their shoulder.
On the next climb Brown attacks! This is about 30km from the finish. Tafi and Filipe go with him.
They lead of the second climb and they sit up.
But what's this! Szurpicki counter attacks, its one hell of a quick move!
Josh Crommy follows behind and this is a very serious mood. Well it depends. Crommy pulled a wacky face to the moto camera and then glanced back looked at the camera again and then attacked!
The two join up but they don't work together. They are determined to race each other. The pack chased hard to try and catch them.
The pack come out of the of the forest and face the final climb. The attack is in sight.
On the climb there was a number of attacks and they jumped across the gap and formed a large attack that quickly established a lead.
The riders that are in the attack are (In order with 4km to go):
Crommy,Nonsense,Smith, Szurpicki,Coppi,Cornejo,Emberland.
There are no CSC guys there!
They have a good gap on the pack and they start playing cat and mouse. The first move comes ith 1.8 to go and its Crommy who tries to get away.
But Nonsense is have no nonsense from anyone and he hits the front with 1km to go. He has so much power, he just keeps on riding and no-one can come by.
No Challengers! He has just too much power. He wins easily and showman style looks back to see Smith 1 and a half bike lengths behind! Smith, looks like he is smiling over the line however as its his biggest results so far.
The Peleton is lead home by Terjesen who is proving to become a bit of a sprint legend.
And there he stands. Proud for his team, this time its not just a minor top 10 placing. There is a good chance that he can keep this lead all the way to the end too.
There yellow jersey. The first leaders jersey in the RDG season.
1 Marc Nonsense Barloworld 4h29'45
2 Matthew Smith Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
3 Victor Cornejo ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
4 Rafal Szurpicki Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
5 Salvatore Coppi Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
6 Even Emberland Team GLS s.t.
7 Josh Crommy Silence - Lotto s.t.
8 Christer Terjesen Rock Racing + 57
9 Joop Zoetemelk Rabobank s.t.
10 Pedro Filipe Française des Jeux s.t.
11 Mike Ø.K.Jensen Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
12 Gustavo Gostoso Lampre s.t.
13 Adrian Kuss Silence - Lotto s.t.
14 Santini Corleone Lampre s.t.
15 Michael Brown Quick·Step s.t.
16 Miroslav Gordeyev Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
17 Patrick Hughes Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
18 Euan Innes Lampre s.t.
19 Matt Booth Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
20 Tom Ceky ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
21 Simone Tafi Liquigas s.t.
22 Christ Hamilton Lampre s.t.
23 Glenn Bak Team GLS s.t.
24 John Huff Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
25 Nelson Oliveira Liberty Seguros s.t.
26 Christian Jensen Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
27 Roberto Petito Liquigas s.t.
28 Thomas Dekker Rabobank s.t.
29 Mikaël Chérel Française des Jeux s.t.
30 Alex Dekker Rabobank s.t.
31 Wolfgang Murer ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
32 Tom Boonen Quick·Step s.t.
33 Clemens Frankhauser ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
34 Filipe Cardoso Liberty Seguros s.t.
35 Julian Dean Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
36 Tyler Hamilton Rock Racing s.t.
37 Michael Creed Rock Racing s.t.
38 Alessandro Donati Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
39 Mikhail Ignatiev Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
40 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step s.t.
41 Filippo Pozzato Liquigas s.t.
42 Koldo Gil Liberty Seguros s.t.
43 Santiago Botero Rock Racing s.t.
44 Peter Pichler ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
45 Cadel Evans Silence - Lotto s.t.
46 Manuel Cardoso Liberty Seguros s.t.
47 Stefano Cavallari Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
48 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas s.t.
49 Jérôme Coppel Française des Jeux s.t.
50 Jason Donald Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
51 Mickael Delage Française des Jeux s.t.
52 Antonio Jesús Liberty Seguros s.t.
53 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas s.t.
54 Claudio Corioni Liquigas s.t.
55 Timothy Duggan Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
56 Peter Riis Andersen Team GLS s.t.
57 Leif Hoste Silence - Lotto s.t.
58 Robbie McEwen Silence - Lotto s.t.
59 Brock Curry Rock Racing s.t.
60 Robert Lauscha ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
61 Matteo Carrara Quick·Step s.t.
62 Geraint Thomas Barloworld s.t.
63 Tom Danielson Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
64 Marc De Maar Rabobank s.t.
65 Paolo Bettini Quick·Step s.t.
66 Matteo Bono Lampre s.t.
67 Theo Eltink Rabobank s.t.
68 Jure Kocjan Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
69 Kristjan Fajt Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
70 Gregor Gazvoda Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
71 Kristjan Koren Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
72 Rémy Di Gregorio Française des Jeux s.t.
73 Matthew Lloyd Silence - Lotto s.t.
74 John-Lee Augustyn Barloworld s.t.
75 Matti Breschel Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
76 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
77 Matija Kvasina Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
78 David Clinger Rock Racing s.t.
79 Sébastien Chavanel Française des Jeux s.t.
80 Blaz Jarc Adria Mobil s.t.
81 Steven Cummings Barloworld s.t.
82 Gabriele Balducci Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
83 Pavel Brutt Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
84 Chris Froome Barloworld s.t.
85 Michael Morkov Team GLS s.t.
86 Alberto Loddo Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
87 Luca Mazzanti Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
88 Alexander Arekeev Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
89 Robert Hunter Barloworld s.t.
90 Vasil Kiryienka Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
91 Roy Hegreberg Team GLS s.t.
92 Massimo Codol Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
93 Grega Bole Adria Mobil + 2'27
94 Uros Murn Adria Mobil s.t.
95 Benjamin Cujnik Adria Mobil s.t.
96 Héctor Guerra Liberty Seguros s.t.
97 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
98 Rok Grilc Adria Mobil s.t.
99 Marko Kump Adria Mobil s.t.
100 Paolo Bossoni Lampre + 5'10
101 Kristoffer Nielsen Team GLS s.t.
102 Bram De Groot Rabobank s.t.
GC
1 Marc Nonsense Barloworld 4h29'25
2 Matthew Smith Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 + 8
3 Victor Cornejo ELK Haus - Simplon + 12
4 Rafal Szurpicki Tinkoff Credit Systems + 20
5 Salvatore Coppi Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
6 Even Emberland Team GLS s.t.
7 Josh Crommy Silence - Lotto s.t.
8 Christer Terjesen Rock Racing + 1'17
9 Joop Zoetemelk Rabobank s.t.
10 Pedro Filipe Française des Jeux s.t.
11 Mike Ø.K.Jensen Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
12 Gustavo Gostoso Lampre s.t.
13 Adrian Kuss Silence - Lotto s.t.
14 Santini Corleone Lampre s.t.
15 Michael Brown Quick·Step s.t.
16 Miroslav Gordeyev Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
17 Patrick Hughes Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
18 Euan Innes Lampre s.t.
19 Matt Booth Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
20 Tom Ceky ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
21 Simone Tafi Liquigas s.t.
22 Christ Hamilton Lampre s.t.
23 Glenn Bak Team GLS s.t.
24 John Huff Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
25 Nelson Oliveira Liberty Seguros s.t.
Points
1 Marc Nonsense Barloworld 25
2 Matthew Smith Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 20
3 Victor Cornejo ELK Haus - Simplon 16
4 Bram De Groot Rabobank 14
5 Rafal Szurpicki Tinkoff Credit Systems 14
6 Paolo Bossoni Lampre 12
7 Salvatore Coppi Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo 12
8 Kristoffer Nielsen Team GLS 10
9 Even Emberland Team GLS 10
10 Josh Crommy Silence - Lotto 9
11 Christer Terjesen Rock Racing 8
12 Joop Zoetemelk Rabobank 7
13 Pedro Filipe Française des Jeux 6
14 Mike Ø.K.Jensen Team CSC Saxo Bank 5
15 Gustavo Gostoso Lampre 4
KOM
1 Paolo Bossoni Lampre 5
2 Michael Brown Quick·Step 5
3 Josh Crommy Silence - Lotto 5
4 Bram De Groot Rabobank 3
5 Simone Tafi Liquigas 3
6 Rafal Szurpicki Tinkoff Credit Systems 3
7 Kristoffer Nielsen Team GLS 1
8 Pedro Filipe Française des Jeux 1
9 Christer Terjesen Rock Racing 1
Today is a slightly hilly stage and there is only 90km of it. It features an uphill sprint – a new challenge to the riders.
Marc Nonsense was very well protected today and he wore the yellow with pride. It was a great achievement for him – he hasn't had races go his way from the start of the season. If he wins overall here he will certainly profit in the overall ranking.
There was a mixture of teams on the front today, but Nonsense's team barloworld and Emberland's GLS were at the front pushing the pace.
The first attack came from Matt Booth for CSC, he went on the penultimate climb and was aiming to catch the break of the day that were only a few hundred meters up the road.
Booth was heavily marked and he wasn't allowed to go away.
The break was caught with about 20km to go but one was still dangling off the front. One rider tried to sneak away from the bunch – Corleone.
The danger was seen and it was Filipe who attacked closely follwoed by Tafi. They quickly estabhlished a lead and began to chase corleone.
Then Crommy comes across to them and almost crashes into Tafi!!
Back in the pack the favourites head the peleton, this is the downhill before the final climb and Ceky is getting as aero as possbile with Huff snug on his wheel.
Across the bridge and 4km to go. The situation stands. Corleone leads with the final break of the day guy, Filipe, Crommy and tafi are just behind but a fast moving peleton has basically brought the race back together. Some riders attack out of the bunch!
We now have an elite front group, Filipe, Brown, Terjesen, Szurpicki, Corleone. They have got about 10 seconds on the bunch! 2Km to go!
Filipe takes it from the front and the bunch are right behind!
Last 400 meters and there are 3! Will Filipe hold off Szurpicki? But Emberland! He is coming so fast! He has jumped right from the front of the bunch and has caught these sprint up. Can he squeeze through?
Filipe wins! Wow what a final sprint! A brilliant win for the rider from Portugal, he really showed his power up a final climb!
And there he stands atop the podium.
Marc Nonsense holds onto yellow, and with an 8km TT tomorrow and over a minutes lead on some big TT guys. It looks hopeful for him.
1 Pedro Filipe Française des Jeux 2h33'13
2 Rafal Szurpicki Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
3 Even Emberland Team GLS s.t.
4 Michael Brown Quick·Step s.t.
5 Christer Terjesen Rock Racing s.t.
6 Miroslav Gordeyev Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
7 Christ Hamilton Lampre s.t.
8 Matt Booth Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
9 Santini Corleone Lampre s.t.
10 John Huff Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
11 Victor Cornejo ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
12 Tom Ceky ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
13 Salvatore Coppi Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
14 Euan Innes Lampre s.t.
15 Marc Nonsense Barloworld s.t.
16 Matthew Smith Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
17 Simone Tafi Liquigas s.t.
18 Christian Jensen Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
19 Mike Ø.K.Jensen Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
20 Joop Zoetemelk Rabobank s.t.
21 Adrian Kuss Silence - Lotto s.t.
22 Filippo Pozzato Liquigas s.t.
23 Jason Donald Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
24 Josh Crommy Silence - Lotto s.t.
25 Alex Dekker Rabobank s.t.
26 Patrick Hughes Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
27 Nelson Oliveira Liberty Seguros s.t.
28 Alexander Arekeev Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
29 Filipe Cardoso Liberty Seguros s.t.
30 Glenn Bak Team GLS s.t.
31 Massimo Codol Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
32 Claudio Corioni Liquigas s.t.
33 Tom Boonen Quick·Step s.t.
34 Thomas Dekker Rabobank s.t.
35 Theo Eltink Rabobank s.t.
36 Matti Breschel Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
37 Mikaël Chérel Française des Jeux s.t.
38 Mickael Delage Française des Jeux s.t.
39 Jérôme Coppel Française des Jeux s.t.
40 Antonio Jesús Liberty Seguros s.t.
41 Julian Dean Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
42 Clemens Frankhauser ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
43 Alessandro Donati Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
44 Manuel Cardoso Liberty Seguros s.t.
45 Rémy Di Gregorio Française des Jeux s.t.
46 Gustavo Gostoso Lampre s.t.
47 Mikhail Ignatiev Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
48 Koldo Gil Liberty Seguros s.t.
49 Kristjan Fajt Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
50 Roberto Petito Liquigas s.t.
51 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas s.t.
52 Timothy Duggan Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
53 Sébastien Chavanel Française des Jeux s.t.
54 Matija Kvasina Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
55 Cadel Evans Silence - Lotto s.t.
56 Leif Hoste Silence - Lotto s.t.
57 David Clinger Rock Racing s.t.
58 Kristjan Koren Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
59 Robbie McEwen Silence - Lotto s.t.
60 Alberto Loddo Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
61 Brock Curry Rock Racing s.t.
62 Bram De Groot Rabobank s.t.
63 Gregor Gazvoda Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
64 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
65 Tyler Hamilton Rock Racing s.t.
66 Michael Morkov Team GLS s.t.
67 Pavel Brutt Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
68 Peter Riis Andersen Team GLS s.t.
69 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas s.t.
70 Paolo Bettini Quick·Step s.t.
71 Steven Cummings Barloworld s.t.
72 Santiago Botero Rock Racing s.t.
73 Matthew Lloyd Silence - Lotto s.t.
74 Michael Creed Rock Racing s.t.
75 Stefano Cavallari Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
76 Peter Pichler ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
77 Wolfgang Murer ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
78 Vasil Kiryienka Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
79 Robert Hunter Barloworld s.t.
80 Robert Lauscha ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
81 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step s.t.
82 Paolo Bossoni Lampre s.t.
83 Roy Hegreberg Team GLS s.t.
84 Gabriele Balducci Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
85 Luca Mazzanti Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
86 Matteo Bono Lampre s.t.
87 Geraint Thomas Barloworld s.t.
88 Marc De Maar Rabobank s.t.
89 Chris Froome Barloworld s.t.
90 Jure Kocjan Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
91 Grega Bole Adria Mobil s.t.
92 John-Lee Augustyn Barloworld s.t.
93 Kristoffer Nielsen Team GLS s.t.
94 Tom Danielson Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
95 Matteo Carrara Quick·Step + 1'57
96 Marko Kump Adria Mobil + 2'05
97 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC Saxo Bank + 3'33
98 Uros Murn Adria Mobil + 5'09
99 Blaz Jarc Adria Mobil s.t.
100 Rok Grilc Adria Mobil s.t.
101 Benjamin Cujnik Adria Mobil s.t.
102 Héctor Guerra Liberty Seguros s.t.
GC:
1 Marc Nonsense Barloworld 7h02'38
2 Rafal Szurpicki Tinkoff Credit Systems + 8
3 Matthew Smith Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
4 Even Emberland Team GLS + 12
5 Victor Cornejo ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
6 Salvatore Coppi Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo + 20
7 Josh Crommy Silence - Lotto s.t.
8 Pedro Filipe Française des Jeux + 57
9 Christer Terjesen Rock Racing + 1'17
10 Michael Brown Quick·Step s.t.
11 Miroslav Gordeyev Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
12 Santini Corleone Lampre s.t.
13 Matt Booth Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
14 Christ Hamilton Lampre s.t.
15 Joop Zoetemelk Rabobank s.t.
16 Mike Ø.K.Jensen Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
17 Euan Innes Lampre s.t.
18 Tom Ceky ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
19 Adrian Kuss Silence - Lotto s.t.
20 John Huff Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
21 Simone Tafi Liquigas s.t.
22 Patrick Hughes Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
23 Christian Jensen Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
24 Nelson Oliveira Liberty Seguros s.t.
25 Glenn Bak Team GLS s.t.
Points:
1 Rafal Szurpicki Tinkoff Credit Systems 34
2 Pedro Filipe Française des Jeux 31
3 Even Emberland Team GLS 26
4 Marc Nonsense Barloworld 26
5 Victor Cornejo ELK Haus - Simplon 21
6 Christer Terjesen Rock Racing 20
7 Matthew Smith Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 20
8 Salvatore Coppi Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo 15
9 Michael Brown Quick·Step 15
10 Bram De Groot Rabobank 14
11 Paolo Bossoni Lampre 12
12 Miroslav Gordeyev Perutnina Ptuj 10
13 Kristoffer Nielsen Team GLS 10
14 Santini Corleone Lampre 9
15 Christ Hamilton Lampre 9
KOM:
1 Pavel Brutt Tinkoff Credit Systems 12
2 Filippo Pozzato Liquigas 10
3 Pedro Filipe Française des Jeux 7
4 Rafal Szurpicki Tinkoff Credit Systems 7
5 Robbie McEwen Silence - Lotto 6
6 Filipe Cardoso Liberty Seguros 6
7 Jérôme Coppel Française des Jeux 6
8 Paolo Bossoni Lampre 5
9 Michael Brown Quick·Step 5
10 Josh Crommy Silence - Lotto 5
11 Paolo Bettini Quick·Step 4
12 Brock Curry Rock Racing 4
13 Bram De Groot Rabobank 3
14 Simone Tafi Liquigas 3
15 Even Emberland Team GLS 2
Its the final stage of the Crit' Int' now and the forecast rain has finally arrived. The race today is a time trial. Its not a testing profile and its pretty much flat for only 8km. Marc Nonsense holds the overall leaders jersey and he has over a minutes lead on some of the big TT guns. Zoetemelk is today's favourite can he prove himself as a TT rider today?
The first man to really lay the hammer down was Euan Innes, its his first strong performance since the start of the season. He went 1st for a while...
Now its time for Zoetemelk! Can he go first and stay there, unfortunatly the weather seemed a little too hard for Joop and he struggled into an eventual 5th.
Then Booth came home, a disappointing tour for him and he has a lot to prove... He did go first! Which was really shocking!
Josh Crommy came close, what has been a hard season so far for Crommy he came within 1 second of Booth's time
But Matt Smith destroyed the smiles in the CSC camp and put two seconds into Booth. Move over booth – Smith is were its at!
The yellow jersey rolled in safe and sound and came an impressive 7th, surprising as he isnt really a good TT rider. He must be in decent shape.
Smith Takes the stage.
Nonsense takes the tour. An awesome win for the man from Britain.
In the end it was a very close GC, 3 seconds was all that seperated 1 – 2 if only Smith had gone 3 seconds quicker!
1 Matthew Smith Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 11'37
2 Matt Booth Team CSC Saxo Bank + 2
3 Josh Crommy Silence - Lotto + 3
4 Euan Innes Lampre + 4
5 Joop Zoetemelk Rabobank + 5
6 Miroslav Gordeyev Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
7 Marc Nonsense Barloworld s.t.
8 Christer Terjesen Rock Racing + 6
9 Mike Ø.K.Jensen Team CSC Saxo Bank + 7
10 John Huff Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 + 8
11 Christian Jensen Team CSC Saxo Bank + 10
12 Adrian Kuss Silence - Lotto s.t.
13 Rafal Szurpicki Tinkoff Credit Systems + 12
14 Tom Ceky ELK Haus - Simplon + 13
15 Santini Corleone Lampre s.t.
16 Michael Brown Quick·Step s.t.
17 Even Emberland Team GLS s.t.
18 Alex Dekker Rabobank s.t.
19 Patrick Hughes Team CSC Saxo Bank + 14
20 Salvatore Coppi Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
21 Simone Tafi Liquigas + 16
22 Christ Hamilton Lampre s.t.
23 Pedro Filipe Française des Jeux + 20
24 Victor Cornejo ELK Haus - Simplon + 21
25 Sébastien Chavanel Française des Jeux + 22
26 Nelson Oliveira Liberty Seguros + 23
27 Gustavo Gostoso Lampre s.t.
28 Michael Morkov Team GLS + 26
29 Robert Lauscha ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
30 David Clinger Rock Racing s.t.
31 Peter Riis Andersen Team GLS s.t.
32 Massimo Codol Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
33 Peter Pichler ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
34 Mikaël Chérel Française des Jeux + 27
35 Filipe Cardoso Liberty Seguros + 29
36 Filippo Pozzato Liquigas + 30
37 Tom Boonen Quick·Step s.t.
38 Vasil Kiryienka Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
39 Marc De Maar Rabobank s.t.
40 Pavel Brutt Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
41 Geraint Thomas Barloworld s.t.
42 Alberto Loddo Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
43 Matthew Lloyd Silence - Lotto s.t.
44 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
45 Paolo Bettini Quick·Step s.t.
46 Gregor Gazvoda Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
47 Kristjan Koren Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
48 Stefano Cavallari Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
49 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas s.t.
50 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step s.t.
51 Brock Curry Rock Racing s.t.
52 Kristjan Fajt Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
53 Robbie McEwen Silence - Lotto s.t.
54 Rémy Di Gregorio Française des Jeux s.t.
55 Alexander Arekeev Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
56 Leif Hoste Silence - Lotto s.t.
57 Michael Creed Rock Racing s.t.
58 Wolfgang Murer ELK Haus - Simplon + 31
59 Timothy Duggan Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
60 Theo Eltink Rabobank s.t.
61 Tyler Hamilton Rock Racing s.t.
62 Cadel Evans Silence - Lotto s.t.
63 Jérôme Coppel Française des Jeux s.t.
64 Mikhail Ignatiev Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
65 Alessandro Donati Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
66 Julian Dean Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
67 Glenn Bak Team GLS s.t.
68 Jason Donald Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 + 32
69 Clemens Frankhauser ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
70 Thomas Dekker Rabobank + 33
71 Matteo Carrara Quick·Step + 34
72 Chris Froome Barloworld s.t.
73 Luca Mazzanti Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
74 Robert Hunter Barloworld s.t.
75 John-Lee Augustyn Barloworld s.t.
76 Gabriele Balducci Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
77 Jure Kocjan Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
78 Tom Danielson Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
79 Matija Kvasina Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
80 Santiago Botero Rock Racing s.t.
81 Héctor Guerra Liberty Seguros s.t.
82 Matti Breschel Team CSC Saxo Bank + 35
83 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas s.t.
84 Antonio Jesús Liberty Seguros s.t.
85 Koldo Gil Liberty Seguros s.t.
86 Manuel Cardoso Liberty Seguros s.t.
87 Mickael Delage Française des Jeux s.t.
88 Claudio Corioni Liquigas s.t.
89 Roberto Petito Liquigas s.t.
90 Roy Hegreberg Team GLS + 38
91 Steven Cummings Barloworld s.t.
92 Matteo Bono Lampre s.t.
93 Uros Murn Adria Mobil s.t.
94 Marko Kump Adria Mobil + 40
95 Bram De Groot Rabobank s.t.
96 Grega Bole Adria Mobil + 42
97 Paolo Bossoni Lampre s.t.
98 Kristoffer Nielsen Team GLS s.t.
99 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC Saxo Bank + 44
100 Rok Grilc Adria Mobil + 46
101 Benjamin Cujnik Adria Mobil s.t.
102 Blaz Jarc Adria Mobil + 50
GC
1 Marc Nonsense Barloworld 7h14'20
2 Matthew Smith Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 + 3
3 Rafal Szurpicki Tinkoff Credit Systems + 15
4 Josh Crommy Silence - Lotto + 18
5 Even Emberland Team GLS + 20
6 Victor Cornejo ELK Haus - Simplon + 28
7 Salvatore Coppi Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo + 29
8 Pedro Filipe Française des Jeux + 1'12
9 Matt Booth Team CSC Saxo Bank + 1'14
10 Euan Innes Lampre + 1'16
11 Miroslav Gordeyev Perutnina Ptuj + 1'17
12 Joop Zoetemelk Rabobank s.t.
13 Christer Terjesen Rock Racing + 1'18
14 Mike Ø.K.Jensen Team CSC Saxo Bank + 1'19
15 John Huff Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 + 1'20
16 Adrian Kuss Silence - Lotto + 1'22
17 Christian Jensen Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
18 Michael Brown Quick·Step + 1'25
19 Santini Corleone Lampre s.t.
20 Tom Ceky ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
21 Alex Dekker Rabobank s.t.
22 Patrick Hughes Team CSC Saxo Bank + 1'26
23 Christ Hamilton Lampre + 1'28
24 Simone Tafi Liquigas s.t.
25 Sébastien Chavanel Française des Jeux + 1'34
26 Nelson Oliveira Liberty Seguros + 1'35
27 Gustavo Gostoso Lampre s.t.
28 Peter Pichler ELK Haus - Simplon + 1'38
29 Massimo Codol Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
30 Peter Riis Andersen Team GLS s.t.
31 David Clinger Rock Racing s.t.
32 Robert Lauscha ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
33 Michael Morkov Team GLS s.t.
34 Mikaël Chérel Française des Jeux + 1'39
35 Filipe Cardoso Liberty Seguros + 1'41
36 Filippo Pozzato Liquigas + 1'42
37 Tom Boonen Quick·Step s.t.
38 Leif Hoste Silence - Lotto s.t.
39 Michael Creed Rock Racing s.t.
40 Rémy Di Gregorio Française des Jeux s.t.
41 Robbie McEwen Silence - Lotto s.t.
42 Alexander Arekeev Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
43 Kristjan Fajt Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
44 Franco Pellizotti Liquigas s.t.
45 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step s.t.
46 Stefano Cavallari Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
47 Brock Curry Rock Racing s.t.
48 Kristjan Koren Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
49 Paolo Bettini Quick·Step s.t.
50 Gregor Gazvoda Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
51 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
52 Matthew Lloyd Silence - Lotto s.t.
53 Pavel Brutt Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
54 Alberto Loddo Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
55 Geraint Thomas Barloworld s.t.
56 Marc De Maar Rabobank s.t.
57 Vasil Kiryienka Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
58 Glenn Bak Team GLS + 1'43
59 Julian Dean Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
60 Alessandro Donati Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
61 Jérôme Coppel Française des Jeux s.t.
62 Mikhail Ignatiev Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
63 Cadel Evans Silence - Lotto s.t.
64 Theo Eltink Rabobank s.t.
65 Wolfgang Murer ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
66 Timothy Duggan Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
67 Tyler Hamilton Rock Racing s.t.
68 Jason Donald Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 + 1'44
69 Clemens Frankhauser ELK Haus - Simplon s.t.
70 Thomas Dekker Rabobank + 1'45
71 Santiago Botero Rock Racing + 1'46
72 Matija Kvasina Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
73 Gabriele Balducci Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo s.t.
74 John-Lee Augustyn Barloworld s.t.
75 Tom Danielson Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
76 Jure Kocjan Perutnina Ptuj s.t.
77 Luca Mazzanti Tinkoff Credit Systems s.t.
78 Chris Froome Barloworld s.t.
79 Robert Hunter Barloworld s.t.
80 Roberto Petito Liquigas + 1'47
81 Claudio Corioni Liquigas s.t.
82 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas s.t.
83 Mickael Delage Française des Jeux s.t.
84 Manuel Cardoso Liberty Seguros s.t.
85 Koldo Gil Liberty Seguros s.t.
86 Antonio Jesús Liberty Seguros s.t.
87 Matti Breschel Team CSC Saxo Bank s.t.
88 Matteo Bono Lampre + 1'50
89 Steven Cummings Barloworld s.t.
90 Roy Hegreberg Team GLS s.t.
91 Grega Bole Adria Mobil + 3'24
92 Matteo Carrara Quick·Step + 3'43
93 Marko Kump Adria Mobil + 5'27
94 Bram De Groot Rabobank + 5'51
95 Paolo Bossoni Lampre + 5'55
96 Kristoffer Nielsen Team GLS + 5'57
97 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC Saxo Bank + 6'59
98 Blaz Jarc Adria Mobil + 7'11
99 Héctor Guerra Liberty Seguros + 8'25
100 Uros Murn Adria Mobil + 8'29
101 Benjamin Cujnik Adria Mobil + 8'37
102 Rok Grilc Adria Mobil s.t.
Points:
1 Matthew Smith Team Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 25 45
2 Rafal Szurpicki Tinkoff Credit Systems 3 37
3 Marc Nonsense Barloworld 9 35
4 Pedro Filipe Française des Jeux 0 31
5 Christer Terjesen Rock Racing 8 28
6 Matt Booth Team CSC Saxo Bank 20 28
7 Even Emberland Team GLS 0 26
8 Josh Crommy Silence - Lotto 16 25
9 Victor Cornejo ELK Haus - Simplon 0 21
10 Miroslav Gordeyev Perutnina Ptuj 10 20
11 Joop Zoetemelk Rabobank 12 19
12 Euan Innes Lampre 14 16
13 Salvatore Coppi Acqua e Sapone - Caffè Mokambo 0 15
14 Michael Brown Quick·Step 0 15
15 Bram De Groot Rabobank 0 14
KoM
1 Pavel Brutt Tinkoff Credit Systems 0 12
2 Filippo Pozzato Liquigas 0 10
3 Pedro Filipe Française des Jeux 0 7 <==== Winner thru default
4 Rafal Szurpicki Tinkoff Credit Systems 0 7
5 Robbie McEwen Silence - Lotto 0 6
6 Filipe Cardoso Liberty Seguros 0 6
7 Jérôme Coppel Française des Jeux 0 6
8 Paolo Bossoni Lampre 0 5
9 Michael Brown Quick·Step 0 5
10 Josh Crommy Silence - Lotto 0 5
11 Paolo Bettini Quick·Step 0 4
12 Brock Curry Rock Racing 0 4
13 Bram De Groot Rabobank 0 3
14 Simone Tafi Liquigas 0 3
15 Even Emberland Team GLS 0 2
