2012 Criterium du Dauphine Stage 6

The Queen's stage of the Criterium du Dauphine was not a good stage for the more known RadioShack Nissan Trek riders. Although this should come as no surprise, but Andy Schleck abandoned the stage. Also, with his 2nd place finish, Cadel Evans was able to take the Points Jersey from Tony Gallopin. But, on the plus side, a RSNT rider, Haimar Zubeldia, crossed the finish line in 10th place today and Tiago Machado crossed the line 14th. Machado was also part of a 19-man breakaway today.

In the Dauphine today, Brice Feillu managed to get a good lead on the peleton, but he was caught before the end. I was hoping he would win because I randomly chose him on my Road.cc fantasy cycling team when I changed up my roster last night. He had a good run, I'm just sad he couldn't hold off to win. However, the Sky Team is doing an amazing job keeping Bradley Wiggins in the lead.

Andy Schleck abandons Criterium du Dauphine

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/andy-schleck-abandons-criterium-du-dauphine)

Andy Schleck's Criterium du Dauphine has gone from bad to worse, and the RadioShack-Nissan captain threw in the towel on Saturday's sixth stage, abandoning the race. He had come into the penultimate stage in 129th place, over 29 minutes behind race leader Bradley Wiggins.

Schleck had not performed well in any stage, but his worst stage was the fifth, when he lost nearly 14 minutes. He explained his early poor performance was due to knee problems which cost him a week's training in May.

He then crashed heavily in Thursday's windy time trial, and suffered a heavy blow to his right aide and ribcage, as well as severe road rash. After Friday's stage, he declared his intentions to continue in the race, saying, “I’ve abandoned too many times this year already.”

June 9, Stage 6: Saint-Alban-Leysse - Morzine 166.5km

Dauhpine: Wiggins and Sky dominate the Joux Plane

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/criterium-du-dauphine-2012/stage-6/results)

Nairo Quintana (Movistar) won the sixth stage of the Criterium du Dauphine, holding off not only Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team) but also Team Sky. Evans broke from the small group of favourites to finish second, 16 seconds down, with Daniel Moreno of Katusha leading the group across the finish line another eight seconds later.

Bradley Wiggins easily defended his lead, but there were changes behind him. Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) had fallen back on the brutal final climb, and also fell off the podium. Evans attacked near the end but it was not enough to bring him a significant gain, but with Martin gone Michael Rogers moved up to second and Evans to third.

A large escape group had broken away early and stayed away much of the stage. Brice Feillu (Saur-Sojasun) broke from the group on the penultimate ascent, and was able to stay away until near the top of the final climb. The rest of the break group had been caught earlier on the climb.

The day saw a number of riders abandon, but the most significant was Andy Schleck. The RadioShack-Nissan rider was suffering from injuries caused by a crash in the stage four time trial, and had to drop out after 65 kilometres.

However, the stage was a masterful piece of work by Team Sky, with three riders staying with Wiggins until the end, and never showing any signs of weakness. Christopher Froome climbed in to fourth place, giving the British team first, second and fourth places overall. Still, the stage also showed that their competition was weak. Evans was left to fend for himself on the final climb, and top names like Martin and Vincenzo Nibali were unable to conquer the final climb.

Six climbs on the race's queen stage

The race started with the ascent of the category one-ranked Col de Plainpalais, and almost immediately Andy Schleck had difficulties. He only made it to the third ascent of the day before leaving the race.

Others were luckier, and a large escape group formed on that first climb. Petr Ignatenko, Alberto Losada and Yuriy Trofimov (Katusha), Thomas Voeckler and Pierre Rolland (Europcar), Blel Kadri and Christophe Riblon (AG2R), Tiago Machado (RadioShack), Maciej Paterski and Cayetano Sarmiento (Liquigas), Rémy Di Gregorio and David Moncoutié (Cofidis), Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel), Mario Marzano (Lampre), Jesus Hernandez (Saxo Bank), Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma), Brice Feillu (Saur - Sojasun), Alexandre Geniez (Argos) and Matteo Carrara (Vacansoleil) formed the large group which had a lead of up to three and a half minutes on the early part of the stage.
The day's course was not an easy one, as it featured six ranked climbs, including the opening Col de Plainpalais. the category one Col de Colombiere and closing with the Col de Joux Plane (hors categorie), although there was no mountaintop finish.

At around the feeding zone, Andrey Grivko of Astana attacked out of the peloton. It took a long time, but he was able to meet up with the escape group on the descent of the Colombiere.

The category 3 Cote de Chatillon popped up between the two final larger climbs, and Feillu took advantage of it to break from the group.

The expected – or at least, hoped-for – fireworks for the GC never happened. Team Sky had the peloton in full control, with race leader Bradley Wiggins well protected. He kept a close eye on second-placed Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-QuickStep).

The gap between the peloton and the large escape group remained fairly constant, but Feillu built up his lead over the group. His lead got to be too much for Lotto Belisol, who moved up to help Sky with the lead work. The chase soon showed effect, as the gap fell by about a minute.

Feillu started up the final climb with a three minute lead. And the start of the climb was the cue for Evans' BMC team to move to the head of the field. The pace was high enough that many rides started dropping off the back of the field, as Lotto Belisol and Sky reclaimed the head of the peloton.

The field splintered entirely, with Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana), Philippe Gilbert (BMC) and Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) all dropped.

Feillu clung doggedly to his shrinking lead, and the one-time break group shattered as well. They were finally caught by the Sky-led group, just as Tony Martin had to drop back.

Richie Porte and Edvald Boasson Hagen were the main locomotives for Sky on the climb, putting in monstrous efforts.
Quintana made his move with some 15km to go, trying to bridge up to Feillu. Wiggins still had three teammates with him, including Michael Rogers who looked to move up to second after Martin’s capitulation. Evans had only one teammate at his side, but was soon alone in the small group.

Feillu didn't make it alone to the top of the climb. Quintana caught and passed him and Feillu quickly fell back through the Wiggins group. The Movistar rider took a 22 second gap into the descent.

Evans finally jumped on the descent, with 12km to go. He never had more than a few metres, and Sky quickly and calmly gathered him back in.

It was a fast and dangerous descent. Quintano went all out and wobbled a few times on the tricky curves, but was able to add a few seconds to his narrow lead.

Evans pulled away again with just over 5km to go. But he had left it too late to put in enough time to take the overall lead, and Sky was more concerned with coming down the mountain in one piece.

The Australian was hoping to catch and pass Quintana for the stage win, but the Colombian was in fact increasing his lead on the Wiggins group with every corner. Quintana took the win with a comfortable gap over Evans, with the Wiggins group coming in a few seconds later.

Full Results

1	Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Col) Movistar Team	4:46:12
2	Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team	0:00:16
3	Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Katusha Team	0:00:24
4	Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling
5	Pieter Weening (Ned) Orica GreenEdge
6	Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling
7	Vasil Kiryienka (Blr) Movistar Team
8	Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol Team
9	Michael Rogers (Aus) Sky Procycling
10	Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) RadioShack-Nissan



2012 Skoda-Tour de Luxembourg Stage 2

It is hard to find information on the Skoda-Tour de Luxembourg, so I'm using other sites.

Greipel triumphs yet again in Tour of Luxembourg

(http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12009/Greipel-triumphs-yet-again-in-Tour-of-Luxembourg.aspx)

 

André Greipel repeated his performance of yesterday and scooped up another win in the Skoda Tour of Luxembourg. The Lotto-Belisol rider beat Ben Swift (Sky Procycling) by over a bike length, with Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto Belisol) third. French rider Jimmy Engoulvent, who won the prologue on Wednesday, keeps the yellow leader's jersey.

Gripel’s ride netted his fifth win in nine days and his eleventh of the season. "It may look simple to the people watching, but it's not," the German said after the finish. "The final was hard but in the end all went well."

The first hour of today's 183.9 kilometers long stage from Schifflange to Leudelange went at a very high pace. The peloton reached an average of almost 50 kilometers per hour as Radioshack kept the pressure on and let no one escape. Kim Andersen: "We are a Luxembourg team so this race is very important to us. Yesterday we tried to make the race tough with the wind but it didn't work out. We'll try again today," Radioshack's directeur sportif said before the start.

After an hour into the race two riders from smaller teams were allowed to break away. Kevin van Melsen from Accent Jobs-Willems Veranda's and Gediminas Kaupas of local team Differdange quickly gained a lead on the bunch who were tired after the fast first hour. The two had seven minutes before Radioshack, Team Sky and Lotto-Belisol started the chase.

In the last of the three local loops Van Melsen and Kaupas were caught. The sprinter teams kept everything together for a new bunch sprint. Before the final kilometer Andreas Klöden of Radioshack-Nissan-Trek attacked. "The only goal here is to win the yellow jersey on Sunday, everything else is a bonus. Last year we won with Gerdemann. I don't care who of the team will take the overall, as long as it is a Radioshack-Nissan-Trek rider'" Andersen said.

Klöden was caught in the final, 300 meters straight road to the finish. There it was Lotto-Belisol's André Greipel who triumphed ahead of Swift. His team-mate Jurgen Roelandts, who has only been back in competition for two weeks after a broken vertebra in the Tour Down Under, got a good third place.

Tomorrow the Tour of Luxembourg has its key stage from Eschweiler to Differdange, running over 205,4 kilometers. It has seven categorised climbs including the Col de l'Europe, a 7.6% climb which is included in the 9.5 kilometres long local circuit. Traditionally the overall classification will be determined in this stage.

(Picture from: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12009/Greipel-triumphs-yet-again-in-Tour-of-Luxembourg.aspx)

Results:

1	André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol Team	4:29:20
2	Ben Swift (GBr) Sky Procycling
3	Jurgen Roelandts (Bel) Lotto Belisol Team
4	Romain Feillu (Fra) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
5	Jean-Pierre Drucker (Lux) Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda's
6	Michael Van Staeyen (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
7	Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne
8	Roy Curvers (Ned) Argos-Shimano
9	Maxime Monfort (Bel) Radioshack-Nissan
10	Wouter Poels (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team

2012 Skoda-Tour de Luxembourg Stage 1

After an amazing RadioShack Nissan Trek showing at the Prologue Individual Time Trial yesterday, where out of 128 riders, all 8 of the RSNT team finished 61st and above: Gregory Rast - 2nd, Jakob Fuglsang - 5th, Maxime Monfort - 22nd, Frank Schleck - 25th, Jens Voigt - 45th, Andreas Kloden - 46th, Linus Gerdemann - 58th, Laurent Didier - 61st. That's a team Johan Bruyneel should be proud of.

Even today, Voigt managed to get a 3 minute solo breakaway, but he was chased down my the sprinters' teams before the finish. However, I'm confused as to why he crossed the finish line over 4 minutes down. The Skoda-Tour de Luxembourg isn't a Grand Tour, so trying to find information on it is next to impossible. But I am still working on it. In fact, if you look at the cyclingnews.com summary below, you can tell it's about half the length of a normal race's summary. But before the race summary, I want to share an article I saw on the RSNT site:

On the giving end of pain

(http://www.radioshacknissantrek.com/news/giving-end-pain)

When it’s time to dish out some pain, who better to deliver the goods than Jens Voigt? The Jensie was waging battle in the Tour of Luxembourg on Thursday, earning himself the most aggressive rider jersey for his heart-felt ‘all in’ attack.

 

“We had a plan from the beginning that we’d let a little group go so we could control the situation,” said Jens Voigt after stage 1.  “We knew the team of the yellow jersey would ride.  We planned to go pretty hard on the last climb with 65k to go. The whole team was together going hard for another 10-15km but we needed a little bit of wind to split things up. 

"I think we did hurt some people but in general it wasn’t working the way we wanted it to.  So Fränk suggested that we back off some to save energy and I could go again.  That’s what I did.  I was hiding in the group for another 5km and then when things slowed down a little bit, that’s when I went." 

The field of 16 teams rode 181km/112mi from Luxembourg to Hesperange on a day with three rated climbs and one sprint point.   An immediate attack put in by Jesus Rosendo of Andalucia from kilometer zero resulted in a successful getaway.  He was joined by Albert Timmer (Argos-Shimano) and the main field let the time advantage to the duo go out to near three minutes.  Once RSNT started riding hard, the duo were caught, setting up the chance for Voigt to make his solo attack soon after.   With an advantage of almost three minutes, victory looked possible for Jens, but the motivated teams of the sprinters brought him back, setting up a group sprint won by Andre Greipel of Lotto-Belisol.  Second and third went to David Appollonio (Sky) and Samuel Dumoulin of Cofidis.  For the overall Jimmy Engoulvent (Saur-Sojasun) continues to lead with Gregy Rast sitting close in second at 3-seconds off the pace.  Teammate Jakob Fuglsang still holds fifth on the GC at seven seconds back. 

Voigt: “I was always alone on my ride but I was all in.  I thought maybe I could take the stage win and the yellow jersey.  I was believing in myself today, especially when the gap was something close to three minutes.  I gave it everything I had.  It felt like the good ol’ days with Jensie off the front, everyone chasing from behind, people hating me because I’m attacking all the time…….It was beautiful.  Like I always say:  ‘It’s better to be on the giving end of pain rather than on the receiving end.’ 

There is more road action to come as the Luxembourg tour continues Friday with stage 2.  The stage begins in Schifflange and ends in Leudelange.  At 184km the profile includes more up and down rollers throughout the day along with three rated climbs before arriving in Leudelange.   

“I think tomorrow is really for the sprinters, but maybe if we do some more work and take the jersey in a few days, then I will be able to attack again.” 

It doesn’t take much to please Mr. Voigt. 

(Picture from: http://www.radioshacknissantrek.com/team/riders/jens-voigt)

May 31, Stage 1: Luxembourg - Hesperange 181km

Greipel takes sprint victory in Hesperange

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/skoda-tour-de-luxembourg-2012/stage-1/results)

Having won three straight stages at the Tour of Belgium last week, Andre Greipel (Lotto Belisol) continued his run of top form with a sprint victory in the opening road stage at the Skoda-Tour de Luxembourg. Davide Appollonio (Sky) finished second behind Greipel, followed by Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis) in third place for the 181km stage.

Prologue time trial winner Jimmy Engoulvent (Saur-Sojasun) finished safely in the peloton and remains in the general classification lead, as no time bonuses were allotted during today's stage. Grégory Rast (Radioshack-Nissan) and Jonathan Hivert (Saur-Sojasun) hold second and third overall respectively, tied on time at three seconds behind Engoulvent.

The attacks came literally from the gun in the Tour of Luxembourg's first road stage, as Jesus Rosendo Prado (Andalucia) jumped away from the peloton at kilometre zero. The Spaniard was soon joined by Albert Timmer (Argos-Shimano) to form the early break. The duo's advantage was pegged at two to three minutes and their escape continued through the third and final classified climb at 117.9km.

The RadioShack-Nissan team set a strong tempo over the final ascent in hope of splintering the field, and while the team was successful in neutralising the escape their plan didn't break up the peloton as planned. However, several kilometres later, Jens Voigt (RadioShack-Nissan) launched a solo attack and soon found himself with a lead of approximately three minutes over the peloton in the approach to the 16km finishing circuit.

"I thought maybe I could take the stage win and the yellow jersey," said Voigt on his team website. "I was believing in myself today, especially when the gap was something close to three minutes. I gave it everything I had."

The teams of the sprinters, however, increased the tempo in the peloton and caught Voigt inside the final 10 kilometres and set the stage for a field sprint finale.

(Picture from: http://www.wort.lu/de/view/skoda-tour-andre-greipel-gewinnt-erste-etappe-im-sprint-4fc79975e4b0409e8f7a4f48)

Full Results

1	André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol Team	4:53:56
2	Davide Appollonio (Ita) Sky Procycling
3	Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne
4	Romain Feillu (Fra) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
5	Koen De Kort (Ned) Argos-Shimano
6	Sascha Weber (Ger) Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
7	Roy Curvers (Ned) Argos-Shimano
8	Vincent Baestaens (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-Euphony
9	Ben Swift (GBr) Sky Procycling
10	Yohann Gene (Fra) Team Europcar

2012 Giro d'Italia Stage 6

May 11, Stage 6: Urbino - Porto Sant'Elpidio 207km

Rubiano solos to Giro d'Italia stage win in Porto Sant'Elpidio

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/giro-ditalia/stage-6/results)

Colombian rider Miguel Rubiano (Androni Giocattoli) produced the best performance of his career to win stage six of the 2012 Giro d’Italia at Porto Sant'Elpidio, as the race headed to the hills for the first time.

The 27-year-old was part of a breakaway group that put some distance between themselves and the peloton early on in the race and he made his bid for glory with around 45km to go. He crossed the line in a time of 5:38:30, earning himself the 20-second time bonus on offer. He also seized control of the mountains classification.

“At first I was just aiming for the mountain points, but then when I heard how far behind the group was I decided to take a risk and try a breakaway, and it went well,” a delighted Rubiano said afterwards.

Lampre-ISD’s Adriano Malori takes over the pink jersey from Garmin-Barracuda’s Ramunas Navardauskas as overall race leader. The Italian finished second in the stage, just edging out Michal Golas (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) for a 12-second bonus that helped to catapult him to the top of the standings and sent the home fans into raptures.

The beautiful walled city of Urbino, which is classified as a World Heritage site, was the starting point for the riders ahead of the 207km stage. Relentless undulations provided the peloton with their first tough assignment of the Giro and the rolling hills certainly left their mark on some of the big names.

Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Barracuda), Thor Hushovd (BMC) and Roman Feillu (Vacansoleil-DCM) all failed to finish, while stage winners Mark Cavendish (Sky) and Taylor Phinney (BMC) trailed home as part of a group that were 33:12 behind Rubiano. Today’s stage had been labelled as the one where the Giro starts in earnest, and it lived up to expectations.

At the 40km point a group of riders had forged almost five minutes clear. Rubiano, Malori and Golas were joined by several others including Alfredo Balloni (Farnese Vini-Selle Italia), Jack Bauer (Garmin-Barracuda) and Luke Roberts (Saxo Bank), who was the highest placed member of the pack in the overall GC. Just 15km later the gap had widened dramatically to 8:36 as the pressure was applied to the peloton from a long way out.

The first climb, at the 95km point, took its toll on some of the leaders as they lost touch with the other breakaway riders. Surprisingly, Balloni, who led the mountains classification heading into the stage, was one of those to crack.

The race for pink

As the stage progressed past the halfway point Liquigas-Cannondale was doing the lion’s share of the work in the main chasing group, looking to protect Ivan Basso and move him into contention. Race leader Ramunas Navardauskas (Garmin-Barracuda) appeared to be struggling at one point, but managed to drag himself back onto the tail of the main group with around 70km to go. At this point the calculators came out – for the first time people sensed the possibility that the breakaway group might not be caught. Just how far behind them could Navardauskas finish and hang on to the pink jersey? The Lithuanian was still clinging onto the main peloton but his chances of retaining the jersey were fading fast as he reached the top of the day's third classified climb, the category 3 Montelupone.

Rubiano clinched more mountain points and then committed himself to the finish line from 45km out. His move splintered the breakaway group into two, with Malori, Golas, Cesare Benedetti (Team NetApp) and Alex Dyachenko (Astana) comprising the first chase group ahead of Bauer, Roberts and Gatis Smukulis (Katusha). It appeared that Roberts, who was in 25th position in the GC before the stage, was in pole position for pink if he could hold his position and consolidate the time gap between Rubiano in front and those trying to close behind.

With 27km to go Rubiano was 4:33 ahead of the main chasing peloton and almost a minute clear of the first chasing pack. Garmin-Barracuda made a late bid to drag Ryder Hesjedal to the top of the GC but left it too late. Roberts faded badly in the final few kilometres and as Rubiano crossed the line in splendid isolation to cap the greatest day of his cycling life, eyes immediately switched to the race for second place, that would potentially decide which shoulders the pink jersey would rest on ahead of the Giro’s second weekend.

It was Malori who prevailed, narrowly out-sprinting Golas to claim that 12-second time bonus that lifted him ahead of his Polish rival in the overall GC and ensure that an Italian would be awarded the precious maglia rosa on the podium in Porto Sant'Elpidio.

 

Full Results

1	Miguel Angel Rubiano Chavez (Col) Androni Giocattoli	5:38:30
2	Adriano Malori (Ita) Lampre - ISD	0:01:10
3	Michal Golas (Pol) Omega Pharma-Quickstep
4	Alexsandr Dyachenko (Kaz) Astana Pro Team
5	Cesare Benedetti (Ita) Team NetApp
6	Daryl Impey (RSA) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team	0:01:51
7	Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
8	Fabio Sabatini (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale
9	Francisco José Ventoso Alberdi (Spa) Movistar Team
10	Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Omega Pharma-Quickstep

2012 Giro d' Italia Stage 3 & Weylandt, #108

May 7, Stage 3: Horsens 190km

Goss wins crash-marred sprint in Horsens

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/giro-ditalia/stage-3/results)

Matthew Goss (Orica-GreenEdge) won a crash-marred stage 3 of the Giro d'Italia ahead of Juan Jose Heado (Saxo Bank) and Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Barracuda). The Australian was ahead of a major spill that took down stage 2 winner Mark Cavendish (Team Sky) and maglia rosa Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing).

The Orica-GreenEdge team were the most dominant and well-disciplined squad in the final kilometres of the race, only surging to the front inside the final two kilometres, to deliver Goss to his first win of the season and Orica's first Grand Tour stage win.

"I guess it was a bit of really fast sprint," a delighted Goss said at the finish. "We went uphill with about a kilometre to go, and then it was downhill and very fast to the finish.
"I had two guys who delivered me to the last 300 metres, but I think there was a bit of carnage behind.

"It's my second Giro stage win. It's great to win here in a pure bunch sprint. I'm very happy for the team. There were a lot corners in the finale, that always strings the bunch out but I had a great team."

Goss's improvement from second place in stage two was a sharp contrast to Cavendish, who after picking up yesterday's win was left to scrape himself off the tarmac today. In truth the world champion's problems started long before the final challenge for the line.

At this stage in the race so many teams and riders are nervous – all competing for the thin strips or road, the tiniest gaps between wheels, and all fresh enough to think they can win. The likes of Sky, GreenEdge and Garmin Barracuda have honed their leadout trains but a number of riders are fresh enough to immerse themselves in the sprints. With two kilometres remaining Cavendish found himself isolated from his leadout. Peter Kennaugh led the bunch before swinging off for Geraint Thomas. However the Welshman, seeing that Cavendish was further back, sat up.

By now GreenEdge were in full control, as Goss's rivals fought tooth and nail to secure the Australian's rear wheel. Cavendish at first positioned himself behind former teammate Mark Renshaw but as the line approached he looked to move forward. He was too far back to rival Goss and needed to launch his move earlier than usual but as he began to wind up his speed Robert Ferrari moved from his line, swiping Cavendish's front wheel from under him.

With Goss ahead by a clear set of wheels, Haedo and Farrar were sprinting for the minor places, while Cavendish and Phinney sat up and observed their injuries. Cavendish was on his feet soon enough but the maglia rosa stayed down longer. After a brief spell in an ambulance, Phinney emerged and made his way to the podium to accept his third pink jersey.

"I’m better now," Phinney said. "When I was on the ground I was a bit confused and in a state of shock, but I started to feel better when I was in the ambulance."

"I must have hit something when I fell. It’s a pity that it happened and hopefully it’s nothing important. It’s lucky tomorrow is a rest day."

Wouter gone but not forgotten

Wouter Weylandt's death in last year's Giro d'Italia is still a memory that touches all who hold cycling dear but on the start line in Horsens the Belgian was honoured by his former colleagues and the organisers of the Giro. Weylandt crashed and died during stage 3 of last year's race and it was his former teammates from Leopard-Trek (now RadioShack-Nissan) as well was his friend Tyler Farrar who led the tributes.

A minute's silence was religiously observed with race organiser Michele Acquarone giving an emotional speech in the presence of Weylandt's family. Respects were also paid to Horsens mayor Jan Trøjborg, who had worked tirelessly to bring the Giro to Denmark, only to pass away yesterday, suffering from a heart attack during a bike ride.

The early action

Ramunas Navardauskas (Garmin-Barracuda), Reto Hollenstein (Team NetApp), Alfredo Balloni (Farnese Vini-Selle Italia), Martijn Keizer (Vacansoleil-DCM), Mads Christensen (Saxo Bank) and Miguel Minguez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) were able to forge a gap. However the sprinters' teams, along with BMC never allowed the breakaway to gain much more than 3 minutes.

Ramus Navardauskas was just 22 seconds down on Phinney in the GC, and a realistic shout for pink with stage 4 team time trial ahead and as the race headed onto the three laps of a 14.3km finishing circuit, the gap was begging to plummet.

With 36 kilometres remaining the break were just 56 seconds clear. Christensen was keen on giving the home fans some cheer and jumped clear. The remnants of the break duly sat up before the Saxo Bank rider followed suit.

Lars Bak, attacked in a repeat of yesterday's tactic, leading the race on the final lap but with 11 kilometres to race the bunch were back together. The scenario was set for a battle royal with Cavendish, Goss, Renshaw, Farrar, Haedo, and Arnaud Demare all positioning themselves for the sprint.

As the Sky train derailed, Orica-GreenEdge seized control, delivering Goss to his second career Giro stage, but behind, Androni's Roberto Ferrari made a sudden dash to his right, sweeping Cavendish's front wheel and causing a chain-reaction pile-up. The Italian was relegated to last place for irregular sprinting.

Full Results

1	Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team	4:20:53
2	Juan José Haedo (Arg) Team Saxo Bank
3	Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Barracuda
4	Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ-Big Mat
5	Mark Renshaw (Aus) Rabobank Cycling Team
6	Thor Hushovd (Nor) BMC Racing Team
7	Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha Team
8	Romain Feillu (Fra) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
9	Fumiyuki Beppu (Jpn) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team
10	Andrea Guardini (Ita) Farnese Vini - Selle Italia

2012 Giro d'Italia to commemorate anniversary of Weylandt’s death

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/2012-giro-ditalia-to-commemorate-anniversary-of-weylandts-death)

The Giro d’Italia will hold a minute’s silence at the start of stage three of the race Monday in Horsens to commemorate the death of Wouter Weylandt on the descent of the Passo del Bocco climb in stage three of the 2011 Giro.

The Giro organisers noted that it was also on stage three of the race, in 2010, when Weylandt won  in  Middelburg, Holland.

“The third stage of the race, from Horsens to Horsens, will be dedicated to him,” the communique said, “there will be a minute’s silence at the start, followed by the playing of Weylandt’s favourite song, Sex on Fire by the Kings of Leon.”

Invited by the organsiation, Weylandt’s family will be present at the ceremony. As the squad themselves proposed, riders from the RadioShack-Nissan team - formed by a fusion from the Leopard-Trek squad, Weylandt’s team, and RadioShack - will be present at the front of the bunch.

Asked this morning about the upcoming anniversary, Tyler Farrar, Weylandt’s close friend said: “Last year it was the third stage where Wouter passed away but two years ago was the third stage which he won and I’ll try to dwell more on those memories than the bad ones.”

As for the decision by the organisation not to use the 108 race number in the 2012 Giro - which Weylandt was wearing last year - Farrar said “that’s really nice. It’s something special and I know his family and friends really appreciate it.”

Santos Tour Down Under Results

Gerrans crowned Tour Down Under champion in Adelaide

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/tourdownunder/stage-6/results_)

Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) has taken his third Tour Down Under victory, and his fourth win for the week after a text book sprint down King William Road. Mark Renshaw (Rabobank) tried to compete but was unable to come by the German's wheel on the uphill sprint. Italian Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-ISD) was a close third.

The bunch finish was nearly spoiled however by Cameron Meyer (GreenEdge) who made a bold solo move with a little over a lap to go. Meyer's overall hopes had been dashed yesterday when he missed the select front group on the first time up Old Willunga Hill. The field would not be denied, particulalry Andre Greipel's Lotto Belisol team who put the him in a perfect position - the German finishing off with ease.

Simon Gerrans (GreenEdge) meanwhile did all he needed to, successfully finishing in the bunch to take out his second overall title after his career defining 2006 triumph while riding for the French AG2R-Prévoyance team.

For his GreenEdge team, it was another tick in the box after their recent successes in the Mars Cycling Australia Road National Championships and the Jayco Bay Classic Series in Victoria.

The team set out to take the overall title, and despite not winning a stage, can be wholly satisified with a truly team performance that gives them the early lead in the prestigious WorldTour.

"It’s just fantastic," said a clearly excited Gerrans at the finish.

"I can’t thank my team mates enough. I was pleasantly surprised when I was told I had the lead [yesterday]. It’s such a fantastic victory for GreenEDGE. We couldn’t ask for a more perfect way to start the season."

"It’s an even sweeter victory than my first one here in 2006. It gives me the opportunity to thank for the first time the Ryan family and Shayne Bannan for putting this team together. It couldn’t be a better start for us."

Stage winner Greipel was similalry appreciative of his Lotto-Belisol team who have shown definitively to be the best organised when it comes to a bunch dash.

"What can I say," said Greipel. "Lotto-Belisol has just been amazing in leading me out to my third win of the week. It looks easy but it’s not. I was nowhere in the front on GC this year but I’m happy with the sprint finishes."

Greipel's stage win was not enough to take out the points classificaiton however. His three stage wins were cancelled out by his absences on Willunga and in Tanunda, ultimately costing him vital points that Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) was able to bank. The Norwegian would have liked a win but was happy nonetheless.

"It’s an early start to the season and to be on top form now is difficult.I’m happy to be on okay form but I can still get better."

UniSA-Australia had plenty of reason to celebrate, taking out the King of the Moutains for the second year running as well as cleaning up with Rohan Dennis who also took out best young rider.

How it unfolded

With the overall tied on time, and Gerrans a clear leader on countback, GreenEdge were happy to see a sizeable break form very early in the 20 lap circuit race in Adelaide.

It included Bernard Sulzberger, Jay McCarthy (UniSA-Australia), Luke Durbridge, Cameron Meyer (GreenEdge), Martijn Maaskant (Garmin-Barracuda), Adam Hansen (Lotto-Belisol), Sergey Lagutin (Vacansoleil-DCM), Mathew Hayman (Sky), Gorka Izagirre (Euskatel-Euskadi), Matteo Trentin (Omega Pharma-Quickstep), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), Davide Cimolai (Lampre-ISD), Jens Voigt (Radioshack-Nissan), William Bonnet (FDJ-BigMat), Sergio Paulinho and Jonas Jorgensen (Saxo Bank).

They built up an advantage of close to 40 seconds before Rabobank who had missed the move came to the front to bring them back.

With the group within reach Michael Matthews soloed across the final 10 second gap, enough to encourage the peloton that the break should come back into the fold.

With the first intermediate sprint looming and dangerous seconds on the line, GreenEdge sent Luke Durbridge up the road again and he was joined by Davide Cimolai. Cimolai took out the sprint from Durbridge who didn't contest. Jack Bauer (Garmin-Barracuda) jumped out of the peloton to take third.

Once again the speed of the peloton after the prime was enough to nullify the break, and it was all together once more.

Bakelants makes his charge

Jan Bakelants (Radioshack-Nissan), who before today sat seventh on GC, used the lull to make a bid for the bonus second on offer at the second sprint.  He needed just two seconds to get in front of Edvald Boasson Hagen and picked up all three on offer, ahead of Cameron Meyer (GreenEdge) who managed to bridge to Bakelants solo.

Shortly thereafter Romain Sicard (Euskatel-Euskadi) also bridged to make it a trio of strong riders at the front. As the laps ticked by, and the gap failed to reduce Bakelants was becoming a real threat to the overall lead of Simon Gerrans. He was just 16 seconds behind Gerrans at this stage and with the 40 second advantage the break held was virtual leader.

Justifiably he got very little help from Sicard as the race entered the closing kilometres, with Meyer playing ticket collector on the back.

The bunch was having none of it however and with Lotto-Belisol, Lampre-ISD and Liquigas-Cannondale ramping things up for their sprinters the gap rapidly fell away.

Inside 6 kilometres to go and Bakelants decided to raise the white flag, happy enough with his sixth overall. Meyer meanwhile wanted the stage win. He went alone and entered the final 4 kilometre lap with a small advantage.

Though Meyer's fight was admirable, nothing would deny the bunch on the fast city circuit, and with half a lap to go it was all together for a bunch sprint. Lotto-Belisol best placed their man, and it was Andre Greipel who took the sprint from Renshaw and Petacchi.

Gerrans crossed the line safely in the main field to take the overall.

Stage 6 Results:

1	André Greipel (Ger) Lotto-Belisol	1:56:48
2	Mark Renshaw (Aus) Rabobank
3	Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre - ISD
4	Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) FDJ - BigMat
5	Jose Joaquin Rojas (Spa) Movistar
6	Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling
7	Romain Feillu (Fra) Vacansoleil -DCM
8	Jonathan Cantwell (Aus) Team Saxo Bank
9	Fabio Sabatini (Ita) Liquigas - Cannondale
10	Manuel Belletti (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale

Overall Results:

1	Simon Gerrans (Aus) GreenEDGE	20:46:12
2	Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar
3	Tiago Machado (Por) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:08
4	Michael Rogers (Aus) Sky Procycling	0:00:14
5	Rohan Dennis (Aus) UNI SA - Australia
6	Jan Bakelants (Bel) RadioShack-Nissan	0:00:16
7	Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling	0:00:18
8	Javier Moreno (Spa) Movistar	0:00:23
9	Michael Matthews (Aus) Rabobank	0:00:29
10	Eduard Vorganov (Rus) Katusha	0:00:32

2011 Tour de France, Stage 12

Today’s stage takes the riders into the high mountains of the Pyrenees. The 209km stage runs from Cugnaux to Luz Ardiden. However, the first 130km are relatively flat, but there are 3 major climbs: one category 1 and two HC climbs!

There was an abandon today; Feillu dropped out due to tendinitis.

The first breakaway of the day was formed by six riders: Gutierrez , Kadri, Mangel, Perez, Roy, and Thomas. With 122km to go the attackers had 8’00” on the peloton, and was over 9’00” by the time the six men hit the intermediate sprint. The best placed rider in the group is Thomas.

Mangel gets the most points at the intermediate sprint, while Cavendish again brought the peloton over the sprint line.

The 2nd attack of the day involved three riders: Chavanel, Hoogerland, and Kreuziger.

At the same time that riders are breaking away, riders are also being dropped; Galimzyanov is the first of the day.

At 75km to go, Gutierrez was dropped from the original breakaway. He couldn’t keep up with Thomas’s pace. Hoogerland was also soon dropped from the chasing group. He got caught by the peloton and then dropped off the back. Gesink soon fell back too.

At the first summit, Mangel get KOM points ahead of Perez, and Kadri. Thomas crashed on the descent and landed inches from the edge of the cliff. He was able to get back up on his bike, but then had to catch up to his fellow attackers.

The second crash of the day happened in the peloton on the first turn of the descent. Gadret, Urtasun, Velits, Kloden and Voecker involved but they all got back up eventually.

Thomas and Gutierrez did catch back up to the front 4 by the end of the first descent. Kreuziger almost caught the original 6-man breakaway but couldn’t and Gutierrez had to let go again. Gutierrez and Chavanel got caught by the peloton while Kreuzinger continued to hang between.

More riders are being dropped on the 2nd climb: Hincapie, Van Garderen, Fuglsang, Vande Velde

Thomas is pushing also at the front with 3km left to the 2nd summit. Roy is chasing but can’t seem to reach him until just before the summit, and was able to take it first. A nice prize awaited the Frenchman at the top for Bastille Day. Voigt led the peloton over the climb with Mangel and Ten Dam a few seconds in front after attacking the peloton. They join Kreuziger on the descent, trying to catch the leading duo.

The descent had riders at speeds near 90km/hr!

On the final climb there were so many attacks and breakaways. With 4km to go the GC contenders are upping the pace.

Roy and Thomas caught about 2km before the end, but Gonzalez and Vanendert now are in front.

Situation right before the finish:
Leaders: Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Jelle Vanendert (Omega Pharma-Lotto)
Chase 1: Fränk Schleck (Leopard Trek)
Chase 2: Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank Sungard), Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team), Ivan Basso (Liquigas-Cannondale), Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek) and Damiano Cunego (Lampre - ISD)
Yellow jersey: Thomas Voeckler and Pierre Rolland (Team Europcar)
Arnold Jeannesson (FDJ) and Thomas Danielson (Team Garmin-Cervelo) at ?
Chase: Laurens Ten Dam (Rabobank Cycling Team), Levi Leipheimer (Team RadioShack), Sylvester Szmyd (Liquigas-Cannondale), Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R La Mondiale), Rigoberto Uran Uran (Sky Procycling), Kevin De Weert (Quickstep Cycling Team), Rein Taaramae (Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne), Yuriy Trofimov (Katusha Team)
Gruppetto: Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil), Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad), Robert Gesink (Rabobank)

Sanchez started the sprint and Vanendert couldn’t follow. Sanchez takes the win!

Stage 12 Results:
1 Sanchez
2 Vanendert
3 F. Schleck
4 Basso
5 Evans
6 A. Schleck
7 Cunego
8 Contador
9 Voeckler
10 Rolland