June 17, Stage 9: Näfels-Lintharena - Sörenberg 215.8km
Costa wins Tour de Suisse overall
After seeing his overall lead slashed to a slender 14-second margin over Fränk Schleck (RadioShack-Nissan) on Saturday, Rui Costa’s grip on the yellow jersey had appeared somewhat tenuous as the stage began, but the Portuguese rider showed considerable tactical acumen and resolve to defend his lead on a day that saw the peloton tackle two hors categorie climbs and the tricky haul to the finish at Sörenberg.
The biggest challenge to Costa’s lead came from Schleck himself, who launched a bold attack on the penultimate climb, the Glaubenberg. Crossing the summit, the Luxembourger had almost a minute in hand on the fragmented yellow jersey group and although there were still 40 kilometres to go, Schleck appeared on course to move up to top spot on the podium.
The long, open descent took its toll on his chances, however, and when there was a general regrouping behind, Schleck opted to sit up and play his hand on the final climb rather than continue alone. With Robert Gesink (Rabobank), Levi Leipheimer (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) and Mikel Nieve (Euskaltel-Euskadi) all alongside Schleck and Rui Costa in the yellow jersey group, the stage appeared set for a battle royale on the final climb.
Instead, Rui Costa’s overall lead never came under the kind of threat he might have anticipated in the closing kilometres, thanks in no small part to the work of his teammate Alejandro Valverde, who returned from suspension for his part in Operacion Puerto at the beginning of his season.
When Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank) powered off the front at the base of the final climb in a dangerous move that included Robert Kiserlovski (Astana), Chris Anker Sorensen (Saxo Bank) and Mathias Frank (BMC), it was Valverde who hit the front to set the tempo for Rui Costa and ensure that the Dutch talent’s lead never stretched much beyond 30 seconds and never seriously threatened the overall lead.
Valverde’s pace-setting then had another, equally important residual effect – it kept an even pace in the yellow jersey group and discouraged attacks from the likes of Schleck and Nieve, much to the relief of Rui Costa, who had floundered in the face of their accelerations the previous day.
The attack from Nieve finally came when Valverde finally swung over in the closing kilometres, but with the road flattening out, it was too little, too late from the Euskaltel rider. Rui Costa proved equal to the task of following the pace in the group of favourites, and he came across the finish line alongside Schleck, Leipheimer and Gesink to confirm his overall victory.
How it unfolded
With 218 kilometres and three major climbs on the agenda, it was perhaps not surprising that no fewer than 52 riders opted to withdraw from the race on what was a long and arduous final stage. The fast opening to affairs can hardly have helped their morale, either – it took almost an hour of attacking before the day’s break was finally rubber-stamped and Jeremy Roy (FDJ-BigMat), Brent Bookwalter (BMC), Kris Boeckmans (Vacansoleil-DCM), Tanel Kangert (Astana) and Matteo Montaguti (Ag2r-La Mondiale) went clear.
They soon built up a lead of over 12 minutes – enough to put Kangert briefly into the virtual overall lead – but with RadioShack-Nissan springing into life as the roads climbed in the second half of the stage, that advantage steadily began to tumble.
Gregory Rast and Linus Gerdemann’s work on the Glaubenbielen significantly reduced the size of the peloton, and on the following climb, it was their leader Fränk Schleck who put the hammer down. The Luxembourger responded to an attack from Nieve with 45 kilometres to go, and opted to continue alone when he saw the carnage that had been caused behind.
Climbing seated, Schleck tapped out a fine rhythm en route to the summit, while Tom Danielson (Garmin-Barracuda), Nieve, Gesink and Rui Costa scrambled behind. By the top, Schleck had a minute and it momentarily appeared as though he might carry that lead all the way to the finish, but once the chase organised itself on the descent, it soon became clear that he would be swallowed up sooner or later.
And so to a final ascent high on tension, but ultimately low on aggression from those closest to Rui Costa’s lead, thanks in no small part to his teammate Valverde’s efforts.
Up the road, meanwhile, the group of early leaders had fragmented as the climbing took its toll. Only Roy, Kangert and Montaguti remained on the final ascent, and Roy’ looked to go clear alone with two kilometres to go. Kangert matched him pedal stroke for pedal stroke, however, and when another Roy acceleration 800 metres from home failed to rid him of the Estonian, there was an air of inevitability about the two-up sprint.
Stage Results
| # | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tanel Kangert (Est) Pro Team Astana | 5:54:22 | |
| 2 | Jérémy Roy (Fra) FDJ-Big Mat | 0:00:02 | |
| 3 | Matteo Montaguti (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale | 0:00:31 | |
| 4 | Robert Kiserlovski (Cro) Pro Team Astana | 0:01:46 | |
| 5 | Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team | ||
| 6 | Mathias Frank (Swi) BMC Racing Team | ||
| 7 | Chris Anker Sörensen (Den) Team Saxo Bank | ||
| 8 | Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan | 0:01:48 | |
| 9 | Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team | ||
| 10 | Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por) Movistar Team |
| # | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por) Movistar Team | 35:54:49 | |
| 2 | Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan | 0:00:14 | |
| 3 | Levi Leipheimer (USA) Omega Pharma - QuickStep | 0:00:21 | |
| 4 | Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team | 0:00:25 | |
| 5 | Mikel Nieve Ituralde (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi | 0:00:40 | |
| 6 | Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Pro Team Astana | 0:00:47 | |
| 7 | Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin-Barracuda | 0:00:48 | |
| 8 | Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team | 0:00:59 | |
| 9 | Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team | 0:01:42 | |
| 10 | Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale | 0:01:52 |
There was another stage race that ended yesterday, that I haven't posted about. However I'd like to mention it now, as it was surprising who took the win. Will he become a future Yellow Jersey contender? I doubt it, although it is nice to see that he is becoming more of an all-rounder cyclist.
Cavendish claims his first GC victory
(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cavendish-claims-his-first-gc-victory)Team Sky's Mark Cavendish claimed the first general classification victory of his career by winning the Ster ZLM Toer on Sunday by eight seconds ahead of Lars Boom (Rabobank).
"I've been second a couple of times in the past but this is my first GC win and I'm really, really happy with it," said Cavendish.
Top three places on the opening two stages in Holland had put him joint top of the standings but the race-defining performance came in Saturday's queen stage as the world champion stayed in the mix throughout on the hilly route in the Ardennes.
"The team rode so well yesterday, setting such a high tempo on the front that guys were going out the back all day," said Cavendish. "We were down to just 25 at the finish - it was incredible and I'm really proud of what we did."
While some of his fellow sprinters lost upwards of 13 minutes, Cavendish was in contention right to the finish as he chased home stage winner Boom on the climb to the line.
And he then closed out the overall win on the pan-flat final stage from Schijndel to Boxtel, with Team Sky and Rabobank dictating matters on the 163.5-kilometres route to make sure it ended with a bunch sprint.
"In today's final stage there was a dangerous guy up the road in the break at just one minute back on the GC but we managed to bring it all back together.
Looking ahead to the Tour de France and Olympic road race, Cavendish said, "I'm training really well. I wanted to be in my best form and definitely am so I'm looking forward to France now and hopefully Team Sky getting the green and yellow jerseys."
"It's pretty much about relaxing now and really looking after myself these next two weeks. You've got to start the Tour de France as fresh as possible - especially so this year with the Olympics so soon after."
Johnny Hoogerland has now stated that the Polka-Dot Jersey is an objective in the upcoming Tour. After his crash on Stage 9 of last years's Tour, I would love to see him wearing it as he rides into Paris.
Hoogerland aiming for mountains jersey at Tour de France
(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hoogerland-aiming-for-mountains-jersey-at-tour-de-france)Johnny Hoogerland didn't rack up a single mountain point at the Tour de Suisse, but he is planning to take the polka-dot jersey at the upcoming Tour de France. The Vacansoleil-DCM rider wore that jersey for five stages at last year's Tour.
“More than last year, I have put my mind to the mountain jersey, although I know that it is not easy,” he told De Telegraaf. “You need luck and a couple of times a good offense. There are a few stages where you can pick up a lot of points.”
Hoogerland finished 56th in Switzerland. “I got the kilometers that I needed to improve. That was successful. Now a few days rest and then with the team to try and make something good at the national road championships.”
The Dutchman had worn the King of the Mountains jersey for several stages earlier in the 2011 Tour, and regained it on the dramatic ninth stage – which also nearly saw the end of his Tour. As part of an escape group, Hoogerland had won points on all six climbs of the day to regain the jersey.
But with only 36 km to go, a media car hit breakaway companion Juan Antonio Flecha of Team Sky. Hoogerland subsequently crashed into the Spaniard and was himself catapulted onto a barbed wire fence.
Both riders finished the stage, and Hoogerland accepted the polka dot jersey with extensive bandages on his legs and tears in his eyes.
Although he rode the Tour to the end, the injuries were too severe to allow him to continue to climb well, and he lost the jersey again only two stages later.
“In 2011 it wasn't really a goal, but it happened. It was a shame I never got the chance to finally go for it,” Hoogerland said. He hopes to make up for it this year.
And now to the daily RadioShack Nissan Trek news. I'm thinking about making this into a daily column. It would make a good soap opera...or maybe more of a reality TV show.
First up, let's hear from Frank Schleck. Although I'm not really surprised at this article, I knew he couldn't do much without his brother around. Yes, this does mean I am surprised by his 2nd place results in the Tour de Suisse.
Schleck doesn't want captain's role at Tour de France
(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/schleck-doesnt-want-captains-role-at-tour-de-france)Fränk Schleck has answered his critics by finishing second in the Tour de Suisse, after dropping out of the Giro d'Italia. But the RadioShack-Nissan rider doesn't necessarily expect his good form to hold out for the Tour de France, which starts in less than two weeks – and neither does his sport director.
At the Tour, “I don't want to be captain. I can't continue to perform at top level,” he told Het Nieuwsblad.
Sport Director Kim Andersen echoed those thoughts. “I've obviously heard predictions that Fränk with his current form has a good chance to be in the showdown for the win, but to pin your hopes on it seems to me crazy,” he told politiken.dk
“It should be remembered that Fränk has competed at a high level ever since the start of Giro d'Italia in early May, so it's completely unrealistic to believe that he can compete among the best in the Tour over three weeks in July.”
Schleck said that he did not see Suisse as a preparation for the Tour. “No, absolutely not,” he told Het Nieuwsblad. “I did the preparation for the Ardennes classics, then I went unexpectedly to the Giro.” He noted, “I'm not a machine. You should be realistic. I am already very lean and in great shape, I can not continue to maintain this level.”
He even cited Alberto Contador as “the best proof” of the difficulty. “Last year he won the Giro and for that he paid a price in the Tour. He was not strong enough and he has not even raced between the Giro and the Tour, as I now do.”
In addition, “I don't want to be named as the leader, because if I put in a disappointing performance, then everyone can afterwards complain that I was not good enough. "
This is the shocker of the day: RSNT released the names of the riders for the Tour de France this morning, and what do you know...American Chris Horner is named as one of the riders. Now is this because he is healed up? Or because Andy Schleck is out and Frank Schleck doesn't want to lead? Or is it because Johan Bruyneel has stepped back and someone else chose the Tour team? I would bet that it is the middle question I posed, but whatever the reason I hope Horner KICKS SOME ASS at the Tour!!! I'm just mad that Jakob Fuglsang didn't get picked.
Horner chosen for RadioShack-Nissan Tour de France team
(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/horner-chosen-for-radioshack-nissan-tour-de-france-team)American Chris Horner will be a part of the RadioShack-Nissan team for the Tour de France after all. The squad announced its nine riders for the race, which begins on June 30 in Liège, Belgium today.
Horner was initially left off the RadioShack-Nissan long team for the Tour after he decided to skip both the Critérium du Dauphiné and Tour de Suisse, two important preparation races for the Grand Tour, because he was lacking form after taking time to rehabilitate a back injury.
Last week he told Cyclingnews that his back was fully healed and he was sending his training files to the team directors as proof that he is ready for the Tour.
In addition to Horner, the team will be represented by Fabian Cancellara, Tony Gallopin, Andreas Klöden, Maxime Monfort, Yaroslav Popovych, Fränk Schleck, Jens Voigt and Haimar Zubeldia.
Since newly declared 2010 Tour de France champion Andy Schleck is out of the race with a fractured sacrum, sustained during the Critérium du Dauphiné, and his brother Fränk is declining the role as leader citing fatigue after his second place in the Tour de Suisse, Horner could be one of the team's GC leaders for the Tour de France.
After being left off the drama-filled RSNT's team, I completely understand and support Joost Posthuma's decision to find a new team.
Posthuma ready to return to a Dutch team in 2013
(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/posthuma-ready-to-return-to-a-dutch-team-in-2013)Joost Posthuma is ready to come home. After two years away, he wants to ride for a Dutch team again in 2013. He previously rode for Rabobank, on both the Continental and WorldTour teams, from 2002 to 2010.
In 2011, he transferred to Leopard Trek, and is with RadioShack-Nissan this year, which he counts as “foreign” teams. “I've now had two years experience abroad,” he told broadcaster rtvoost.nl. "But the Dutch mentality appeals to me more. You can get your own opportunities there.I am now 31 years old and want to have some good results for myself.”
Posthuma had a virus that kept him out of the Criterium du Dauphine. He has not ridden much this season, but his most recent outing was an eighth place overall in the Bayern Rundfahrt. His plans for the rest of the season include the Tour of Poland, the Eneco Tour and the Vuelta a Espana.
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