One sight we certainly didn't expect to see in the very first kilometres of the race was this. Belgian champion Philippe Gilbert working at the front of the main field. I guess that means that Sylvain Chavanel is OPQS' leader today.
An early breakaway eventually succeeded to escape. Quite surprising considering the names in it. Sebastian Langeveld (79 COB), Matthew Hayman (76), Tomas Vaitkus (76), Maxim Iglinski (75) and Maarten Wynants (75). No teams seemed to mind though, as there was no chase.
The pace eventually picked up though, and the peloton was down to just 19 riders with over 60 kilometres to go! Still OPQS in control, and still Gilbert at the front, taking a lot of turns for his team. Boom, Curvers and Docker were also still there, representing us.
A big shock then. Norwegian champion Thor Hushovd, one of the pre-race favourites, was unhitched off the back of the 'pack'. The line also snapped for American champion George Hincapie and Docker.
Not far later, we saw the first attack from the favourite group. It's defending champion Sylvain Chavanel who wants to try his rivals' legs up one of the un-paved climbs. No immediate reaction.
Chavanel quickly caught up with the five early escapees up front, distancing the main competition by over a minute in just a few kilometres! The French champion certainly does want another title in this race.
We then reached Geraardsbergen, where the next attack came. This time a punchy little kick from Nick Nuyens right at the foot of the Muur. Also Fabian Cancellara started to move now, possibly seeing this attack as a possible springboard for an own one.
The leading group and the favourite group melted together up the Muur, but Chavanel wasn't done. In the steepest part, just before the top, he kicked again, trying to build up his advantage again. Behind, Filippo Pozzato and Björn Leukemans tried to make the junction too.
Chavanel got company from Pozzato just as we hit the foot of the last climb of the day, the Bosberg. Also catching on to this move now was Gert Steegmans, who so far had been completely invisible.
Unfortunately for us, Boom really started to struggle near the top of the Bosberg. Together with Niki Terpstra and early escapee Hayman, he got gapped by the other favourites slightly, with a gap opening up.
To our delight, the gaps eroded when everyone was back together after the top. The names in the group were now: Nuyens, Franzoi, Pozzato, Cancellara, Vaitkus, Leukemans, Chavanel, Steegmans, Langeveld, Boom, Iglinski, Wynants, Hayman and Terpstra.
A really tired Boom managed to dig up enough energy to place himself on Chavanel's wheel just before the sprint was going to kick off. Leukemans was leading Franzoi and Pozzato at the front.
Franzoi immediately jumped around Leukemans once the sprint started, hitting the front. Boom completely exploded when Chavanel launched up alongside the front.
Out of nowhere came Steegmans, catapulting himself to the front under the Flamme Rouge. Pozzato seemed to be the only one with anything left in the tank to even try to close down the Belgian. Boom had gone boom and was now nowhere to be seen.
Not even Pozzato could close the gap, and Gert Steegmans could celebrate a dominant sprint victory. Pippo P and Nuyens was the fastest behind, taking second and third, with Cancellara and the hugely surprising Wynants completing the Top 5 today. An exhausted Boom could only manage a 13th.
Wow, great effort by Steegmans! Really surprising win. A bit unlucky sprint for Lars Boom but still a nice result, I think. Great race report by the way!
Very nice screens!
And I just realized that the name Boom (means "tree" ) looks awkward for English-speaking people Edited by fcancellara on 29-02-2012 22:26
Thanks! Great to see such support even without any notable result!
One week after de Ronde van Vlaanderen comes the French equivalent, Paris-Roubaix. It's in most people's eyes seen as even bigger and more prestigious than the Ronde, as it's older and includes much more paved road. Record holder for most wins is Roger de Vlaeminck, who won four in 1972, '74, '75 and '77.
Last year's result:
1
Thor Hushovd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
7h30'23
2
Fabian Cancellara
Leopard Trek
s.t.
3
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Sylvain Chavanel
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Geraint Thomas
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
6
Sebastian Langeveld
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Tom Boonen
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Matti Breschel
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 48
9
Sep Vanmarcke
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
10
Sébastien Hinault
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Tom Veelers
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
12
Matthew Hayman
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
13
Johan Vansummeren
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
14
Jürgen Roelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
15
Martijn Maaskant
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
16
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
17
Ian Stannard
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
18
Juan Antonio Flecha
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
19
Bernhard Eisel
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
20
Stuart O'Grady
Leopard Trek
s.t.
21
Karsten Kroon
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
22
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
23
Niki Terpstra
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
24
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 4'28
25
Jeremy Hunt
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
26
Roger Hammond
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 4'46
27
George Hincapie
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
28
Tomas Vaitkus
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
29
Nick Nuyens
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
30
Roy Curvers
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
31
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
32
Sébastien Rosseler
Team RadioShack
+ 7'09
33
Lars Ytting Bak
HTC - Highroad
+ 7'41
34
Daniele Bennati
Leopard Trek
+ 9'30
35
Bert De Backer
Skil - Shimano
+ 9'57
36
Kevin Van Impe
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 11'36
37
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 12'33
38
John Degenkolb
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
39
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
40
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
41
Filippo Pozzato
Katusha Team
s.t.
42
Koen De Kort
Skil - Shimano
+ 13'28
43
Grégory Rast
Team RadioShack
+ 14'15
44
Andreas Klier
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
45
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
46
Gorik Gardeyn
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 15'26
47
Matthew Goss
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
48
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
s.t.
49
Jens Debusschere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
50
Ronan Van Zandbeek
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
51
Rick Flens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
52
Joost Posthuma
Leopard Trek
s.t.
53
Robbie McEwen
Team RadioShack
s.t.
54
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
s.t.
55
Laurens Ten Dam
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
56
Heinrich Haussler
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
57
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
58
Aleksejs Saramotins
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
59
Mark Cavendish
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
60
Tony Gallopin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
61
Marcel Sieberg
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
62
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
63
David Millar
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
64
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
s.t.
65
Martin Elmiger
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
66
Bert Grabsch
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
67
Vincent Jérôme
Team Europcar
s.t.
68
Jens Voigt
Leopard Trek
s.t.
69
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
70
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
+ 16'15
71
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 20'04
72
Geoffroy Lequatre
Team RadioShack
+ 21'43
73
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
74
Sébastien Chavanel
Team Europcar
s.t.
75
David Boucher
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
76
Tejay Van Garderen
HTC - Highroad
+ 22'18
77
Tom Stamsnijder
Leopard Trek
+ 22'54
78
Yauheni Hutarovich
FDJ
+ 23'35
79
Michael Albasini
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
80
Mickaël Delage
FDJ
s.t.
81
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
Three men, Fabian Cancellara, Lars Boom and Thor Hushovd destroyed the rest of the field in the last kilometres, and entered the velodrome together. The God of Thunder then crushed the other two in the sprint for the victory. Veelers unable to repeat his Top 10 from the Ronde as 11th.
The course:
Unlike the Ronde, Roubaix is flat as a pancake. Well, more or less at least. But it's not famous for being a really hard hilly classic. No, it's famous, or maybe infamous, because of the brutal cobbled sections along the route. Some of them are in such bad shape it's hard to pass over them. A great race should be expected.
Project squad:
Boom will be trying to improve his 13th from the Ronde here. However, we're a bit worried that his not-on-absolute-top form might once again cause problems for him. Also Curvers will be looking for a result here, racing in a free role today. Docker and Posthuma will try to spice up the racing a bit.
After his incredibly strong performance and surprise victory in the Ronde, Gert Steegmans has to be seen as the big favourite here. Fabian Cancellara, Nick Nuyens and Sylvain Chavanel will all be dangerous too, hoping for revenge after their miss last week. Positive however, is the fact that many of the top names from the Ronde are missing. Filippo Pozzato for example.
A furious pace delivered by mainly OPQS and Radioshack in the beginning of the race shut down everyone trying to escape. Therefore still no breakaway when we hit the first cobbled section, after one third of the race!
More action was needed according to us, so halfway through that section, Joost Posthuma punched away from the front. As a bit of an outsider team, we thought that we needed to try some special tactics.
Even though the pace at the front of the main field wasn't especially hard, Posthuma struggled to stretch out the advantage his attack gave him. A few kilometres after the jump he was still just a minute in front.
Just moments later, we realized that the pace hadn't been that easy after all. All of a sudden, the huge main field was splitted in four groups! Fortunately Boom's good position placed him in the first of those.
Then we decided it was pointless for Posthuma to push on right in front of the first peloton, so we called him down to help the team instead.
We were of course not finished however. A minute later, we reached the infamous forest of Arenberg. Just as we entered it, Docker was sent away as replacement for the tired Posthuma. No lifted pace this time.
This proved to be a clever move. Docker quickly bounced out his advantage to over two minutes, with the gap still growing. Still, it was a pity he didn't get any company, as it's a nightmare to push the cobbles alone.
It took all the way until with just over thirty kilometres to go before the peloton started to chase. Lotto and Garmin began the pursuit, with OPQS soon taking over control.
A few kilometres after that, Juan Antonio Flecha kicked off the real race by being the first of the main favourites to attack. The peloton was on full speed now though, so no one cared to react.
That proved to be a good decision, as it was soon all back together again. Same for the day's brave man, Docker, who also got swepped up now.
All empty after the long solo ride at the front, Docker dropped right through and off the back of the peloton. Also De Backer couldn't take anymore now, leaving us with Boom and Curvers.
Onto the next cobbled section, and now even more action. Sylvain Chavanel was the man causing it, by jumping off the front. Immediately covering this was Fabian Cancellara and again, Flecha.
Even they couldn't resist the rampaging pace the peloton was riding at at the moment though, and it was once again all back together.
Not for long at all though, as Chavanel was off again on the next section, just seconds later. This time only followed by a surprisingly strong Lars Bak.
The company was only temporary though, as Chavanel proved way too strong for the rest, gapping the closest followers by about half a minute.
Unfortunately, this acceleration was too much for both Boom and Curvers, who was the stronger of the two today. Still a quite big group ahead, so a Top 10 seemed far away at this moment.
Meanwhile, Chavanel entered the velodrome still slightly ahead of the rest. Strangely, his own team mate Gert Steegmans was now speeding up behind, trying to latch onto the wheel of the man up front.
Curvers and Boom took the turn onto the famous velodrome in a trio also including Maxim Iglinski. All chances of a top result were now completely vanished. Too bad for us.
Back to the front, where we now had two OPQS boys, as Steegmans managed to claw his way up to Chavanel. Seems like they don't need Tom Boonen after all!
It was clear who was the stronger of them though. Once the sprint kicked off, Chavanel just blew Steegmans off his wheel like he was nothing. Behind those, Cancellara was coming back at them.
No one could come close to Chavanel though. He was most likely the strongest last week in the Ronde, but missed out, and now gets his revenge. Steegmans as clear second looked more disappointed for missing out than happy for his team.
In a photofinish, only Cancellara could stop OPQS from taking a triple, with Terpstra as close fourth. Hushovd back to his old self as fifth, with Nuyens in sixth.
Curvers and Boom finished alongside each other in 16th and 17th. Another very disappointing day for us. Let's move to the Ardennes now and hope for better results there!
Wow, OmegaPharma was dominating a lot here. Steegmans again on the podium and with Terpstra another man far in front. Didn´t expect something like that.
Pretty unlucky day for your team, as I thought Bos could do better but sometimes there is no luck. Anyway, I´m looking forward to the next reports.
I have to say those results are a bit more human from you Great reports and very unlucky as well, but with the previous results I'd still say cobbled classics had been quite an good success for your team. What a OPQS domination, Stegmans had to be in form of his life.
well even YOU cant win every race but nice results in the classics before the ronde especially the win from docker - now good luck for some better results in the hilly classics!
Probably this is the best report that I have never seen in any story. You have not obtained the victory and nevertheless you have my congratulation, this has been incredible.
Again, thanks a lot everyone! Great to hear good things about the reports!
@ valverde - Hahah, I wish! I'm quite sure I didn't though.
Here's the preview for the three Ardennes classics!
Last year's result:
1
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
6h43'35
2
Simon Gerrans
Sky ProCycling
+ 10
3
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
4
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
5
Fränk Schleck
Leopard Trek
s.t.
6
Peter Kennaugh
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
7
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Jan Bakelants
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
9
Mitchell Docker
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
10
Jelle Vanendert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Wouter Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
12
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
13
Bauke Mollema
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
14
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
15
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
16
Roy Curvers
Skil - Shimano
+ 58
17
Sebastian Langeveld
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1'48
18
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
19
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
20
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
s.t.
21
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
22
Vasil Kiryienka
Movistar Team
+ 2'29
23
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
24
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
25
Simone Ponzi
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 2'46
26
Roger Hammond
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 3'10
27
Koen De Kort
Skil - Shimano
+ 3'53
28
Angel Madrazo
Movistar Team
+ 4'09
29
Laurens Ten Dam
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 4'19
30
Russell Downing
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
31
Michael Albasini
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
32
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
33
Rigoberto Urán
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
34
Sep Vanmarcke
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
35
Gustav Larsson
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
36
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
37
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
38
Mathieu Sprick
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
39
Maxime Monfort
Leopard Trek
s.t.
40
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
41
Maarten Neyens
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
42
Grégory Rast
Team RadioShack
s.t.
43
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
44
Lars Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
45
Jan Tratnik
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
46
Francis De Greef
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
47
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
48
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
49
Martin Velits
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
50
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
51
Matteo Pelucchi
Geox - TMC
+ 6'25
52
Francesco Bellotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 6'42
53
Sergio Pardilla
Movistar Team
+ 6'51
54
Rafael Valls
Geox - TMC
+ 7'18
55
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
56
Jérôme Pineau
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
57
Olivier Kaisen
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
58
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
59
Chris Horner
Team RadioShack
s.t.
60
Thomas Rohregger
Leopard Trek
s.t.
61
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 8'12
62
Thor Hushovd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
63
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
64
Yukihiro Doi
Skil - Shimano
+ 8'49
65
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
66
Janez Brajkovic
Team RadioShack
s.t.
67
Grischa Niermann
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
68
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
69
Joost Posthuma
Leopard Trek
s.t.
70
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
s.t.
71
Xabier Zandio
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
72
Nicki Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
73
Óscar Pujol
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
74
Ronan Van Zandbeek
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
75
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli
+ 10'12
76
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
77
Andreas Klier
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
78
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
79
Tony Martin
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
80
Addy Engels
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
81
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
82
Tejay Van Garderen
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
83
Sergueï Ivanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
84
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
85
Haimar Zubeldia
Team RadioShack
s.t.
86
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
87
José Serpa
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
88
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
s.t.
89
Dario Cataldo
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
90
Luca Solari
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
91
Matthew Hayman
Sky ProCycling
+ 11'04
92
Bart De Clercq
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
93
Evgeni Petrov
Pro Team Astana
+ 11'24
94
Peter Velits
HTC - Highroad
+ 12'27
95
Alberto Losada
Katusha Team
s.t.
96
David Le Lay
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
97
Robert Gesink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
98
Cristiano Salerno
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
99
Bernhard Eisel
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
100
Rémy Di Gregorio
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
101
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
102
Chris Anker Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
103
Andrey Zeits
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
104
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
+ 13'22
105
Julien Loubet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
106
Matthew Busche
Team RadioShack
s.t.
107
Kevin De Weert
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
108
Branislau Samoilau
Movistar Team
s.t.
109
David Loosli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
110
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
111
Jesús Hernández
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
112
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
+ 14'06
113
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
114
Stuart O'Grady
Leopard Trek
s.t.
115
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
116
Dries Devenyns
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
117
Egor Silin
Katusha Team
s.t.
118
Matteo Bono
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
119
Ivan Rovny
Team RadioShack
s.t.
120
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 14'38
121
Andrew Talansky
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
122
Christian Vande Velde
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
123
Guillaume Bonnafond
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
124
Aitor Pérez Arrieta
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
125
Tom Danielson
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
126
Francesco Masciarelli
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
127
Richie Porte
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
128
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
129
André Steensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 16'31
130
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
131
Stefan Denifl
Leopard Trek
+ 16'41
132
Laurent Didier
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
133
Vitaliy Buts
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
134
Jonathan Monsalve
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
135
Craig Lewis
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
136
Bruno Pires
Leopard Trek
+ 18'22
137
Philip Deignan
Team RadioShack
s.t.
138
Robert Kiserlovski
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
139
Pierre Cazaux
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
140
Joan Horrach
Katusha Team
s.t.
141
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Geox - TMC
s.t.
142
Thomas Peterson
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
143
Carlos Sastre
Geox - TMC
+ 18'54
144
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 19'06
145
Marko Kump
Geox - TMC
+ 19'47
146
Robin Chaigneau
Skil - Shimano
+ 20'06
147
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
+ 20'48
148
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
149
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
150
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
151
Sérgio Paulinho
Team RadioShack
+ 21'38
152
Jeff Louder
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
153
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
154
Albert Timmer
Skil - Shimano
+ 21'52
155
Kristjan Koren
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 23'16
156
Martijn Keizer
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
157
Giampaolo Cheula
Geox - TMC
s.t.
158
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
159
Mauricio Alberto Ardila
Geox - TMC
+ 25'10
160
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli
+ 25'53
161
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
+ 27'59
162
Gorazd Stangelj
Pro Team Astana
+ 28'26
163
Patrick Gretsch
HTC - Highroad
+ 31'55
164
Tom Stamsnijder
Leopard Trek
+ 32'02
165
Luca Barla
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
166
Enrico Magazzini
Lampre - ISD
+ 32'24
167
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 32'31
168
Carlos José Ochoa
Androni Giocattoli
+ 32'50
Thanks to a bit of luck, Roman Kreuziger managed to prevail atop Cauberg. The day's strongest rider and the pre-race favourite, Philppe Gilbert, would most likely have won if he hadn't got boxed in at the foot of the final climb. Therefore he could only save a third place, beaten also by Simon Gerrans. Mitch Docker's 9th place was a positive surprise for us.
The course:
No change from last year. Still a long day of climbing a huge amount of tiny, steep hills. The action is expected to start on the Eyserbosweg, with about twenty kilometres to go, and then continue over the Keutenberg and then finish on Cauberg.
Project squad:
We'll head to the Netherlands with a twin-headed leader. Daily form will decide whether Fuglsang or Martens receives the main leader role. Most important help will come from Lagutin and Geschke, who both survives some hills without exploding. Still, it's up to our two leaders in the end.
After missing out on what I think would have been an easy victory last year, Philippe Gilbert is back a year later, stronger and more fit than ever. He's three points higher than his main rivals in terms of hill stat. Beat him and you'll win for sure. Best of the rest are among others MSR champion Purito Rodriguez, the separated Schlecks and Wout Poels. The winner should be one of those.
Last year's result:
1
Dries Devenyns
Quick·Step Cycling Team
4h51'16
2
Simone Ponzi
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
3
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
4
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
+ 35
6
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
7
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'50
8
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
9
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
10
Joaquim Rodriguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Fränk Schleck
Leopard Trek
s.t.
12
Peter Kennaugh
Sky ProCycling
+ 3'11
13
Jelle Vanendert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
14
Vasil Kiryienka
Movistar Team
s.t.
15
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
16
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
17
Jakob Fuglsang
Leopard Trek
s.t.
18
Francis De Greef
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
19
Janez Brajkovic
Team RadioShack
s.t.
20
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
21
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
22
Mitchell Docker
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
23
Wouter Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
24
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
25
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
26
Mathieu Sprick
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
27
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
28
Bauke Mollema
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
29
Koen De Kort
Skil - Shimano
+ 3'51
30
Jan Bakelants
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
31
Simon Gerrans
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
32
Maxime Monfort
Leopard Trek
s.t.
33
Thomas Rohregger
Leopard Trek
s.t.
34
Laurens Ten Dam
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
35
Andrey Kashechkin
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
36
Simon Clarke
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
37
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
38
Jürgen Van de Walle
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
39
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
40
Steven Kruijswijk
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
41
Jens Voigt
Leopard Trek
s.t.
42
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
43
Bart De Clercq
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
44
Sergueï Ivanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
45
Roy Curvers
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
46
Marco Pinotti
HTC - Highroad
+ 4'50
47
Chris Horner
Team RadioShack
s.t.
48
Rein Taaramae
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 5'03
49
Haimar Zubeldia
Team RadioShack
s.t.
50
Juan Manuel Gárate
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 5'18
51
Stefan Denifl
Leopard Trek
+ 5'38
52
Romain Zingle
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
53
Bruno Pires
Leopard Trek
s.t.
54
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 5'50
55
Ramunas Navardauskas
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
56
Josep Jufré
Pro Team Astana
+ 6'11
57
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 6'21
58
Richie Porte
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 6'30
59
Óscar Pujol
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 6'45
60
Rémi Pauriol
FDJ
s.t.
61
Yukihiro Doi
Skil - Shimano
+ 6'56
62
Nicki Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 7'21
63
Tony Martin
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
64
Bobbie Traksel
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
65
Michael Albasini
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
66
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ
s.t.
67
Gustav Larsson
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
68
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
69
Gianni Meersman
FDJ
s.t.
70
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Lampre - ISD
+ 7'46
71
Gatis Smukulis
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
72
Daniel Martin
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
73
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
74
Geert Verheyen
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
75
Jérôme Pineau
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
76
Joost Van Leijen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
77
David Loosli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
78
Sébastien Rosseler
Team RadioShack
s.t.
79
Christophe Le Mével
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
80
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
81
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
82
Ruslan Pidgornyy
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
83
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
84
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ
s.t.
85
Cristiano Salerno
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
86
Robert Gesink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
87
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
88
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
s.t.
89
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
90
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
91
Mario Aerts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
92
Kevin De Weert
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
93
Robert Kiserlovski
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
94
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
95
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
+ 9'03
96
Ivan Rovny
Team RadioShack
+ 9'16
97
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 9'30
98
Branislau Samoilau
Movistar Team
s.t.
99
Arnold Jeanneson
FDJ
s.t.
100
Daniel Lloyd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
101
Matthew Busche
Team RadioShack
s.t.
102
Ronan Van Zandbeek
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
103
Alexander Kvachuk
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
104
Gorazd Stangelj
Pro Team Astana
+ 10'09
105
Johannes Fröhlinger
Skil - Shimano
+ 10'18
106
Baden Cooke
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 10'40
107
Kevyn Ista
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
108
Peter Velits
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
109
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
110
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
111
Serge Pauwels
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
112
Sérgio Paulinho
Team RadioShack
s.t.
113
Mickaël Buffaz
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
114
Samuel Dumoulin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
115
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
116
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
117
Mirco Lorenzetto
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
118
Andrew Talansky
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
119
Jean-Eudes Demaret
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 11'28
120
Sandy Casar
FDJ
s.t.
121
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
122
Reinier Honig
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
123
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
124
Oliver Zaugg
Leopard Trek
+ 11'48
125
Joan Horrach
Katusha Team
+ 13'03
126
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
127
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
128
Ryder Hesjedal
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
129
Bert Scheirlinckx
Landbouwkrediet
+ 13'51
130
Jan Tratnik
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
131
Ivan Basso
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
132
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
133
Christian Vande Velde
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
134
Kanstantsin Sivtsov
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
135
Travis Meyer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
136
Sergio Pardilla
Movistar Team
s.t.
137
Joeri Stallaert
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
138
Julien El Fares
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
139
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 14'29
140
Matteo Bono
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
141
Leif Hoste
Katusha Team
s.t.
142
Balint Szeghalmi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
143
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
144
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
145
Francesco Bellotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
146
Brent Bookwalter
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
147
Jan Ghyselinck
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
148
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
149
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
150
Kristof Goddaert
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
151
Albert Timmer
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
152
Philip Deignan
Team RadioShack
s.t.
153
Javier Iriarte
Movistar Team
s.t.
154
Julien Loubet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
155
Xabier Zandio
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
156
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
157
Daniel Navarro
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
158
Brian Vandborg
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
159
Rafal Majka
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 15'35
160
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Pro Team Astana
+ 15'52
161
Petr Ignatenko
Katusha Team
+ 16'11
162
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
s.t.
163
Kevin Van Impe
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
164
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
165
Benjamin Gourgue
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
166
Kristjan Koren
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
167
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
s.t.
168
Egidijus Juodvalkis
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
169
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
170
Damiano Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 18'11
171
Edwig Cammaerts
Landbouwkrediet
+ 19'23
172
Patrick Gretsch
HTC - Highroad
+ 20'09
173
Francis Mourey
FDJ
s.t.
174
Christopher Butler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
175
Jorge Azanza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
176
Florent Barle
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
The peloton miscalculated their chase and allowed a mid-race breakaway to battle it out for the victory up Mur de Huy. Dries Devenyns was the one with most left in the tank and best timed move, turning him into the day's lucky man. Simone Ponzi and Greg Van Avermaet were probably pretty satisfied with their podium spots as well. Kreuziger was the strongest of the favourites once again, while Docker had a mediocre day, crossing the line in 22nd.
The course:
The main obstacle on the route in this short classic is of course Mur de Huy, which is climbed thrice. The last of those is the famous uphill finish atop. It's so brutal that the big peloton that usually starts the climb together usually finishes in pieces, often with minutes in between first and last man. It's all about the final climb.
Project squad:
Same tactic as in Amstel will be applied once again here. Fuglsang and Martens will both lead the squad, and the one feeling best of them will be supported by the other in the finale. Lagutin, also a decent puncher, will have a more free role than the rest of the squad too, possibly to try an 'early' attack.
Joining Gilbert, Schleck, Rodriguez and Co. are names such as Alejandro Valverde, Michele Scarponi and Damiano Cunego. As you understand, that means even less chance for us, and even more exciting racing to be expected. Should be a great race, with many big names.
Last year's result:
1
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
6h47'18
2
Joaquim Rodriguez
Katusha Team
+ 9
3
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
4
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
5
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
6
Jelle Vanendert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
7
Peter Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
8
Fränk Schleck
Leopard Trek
s.t.
9
Haimar Zubeldia
Team RadioShack
+ 39
10
Nicolas Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
12
Bauke Mollema
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
13
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
14
Vasil Kiryienka
Movistar Team
s.t.
15
Chris Horner
Team RadioShack
s.t.
16
Simon Gerrans
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
17
Janez Brajkovic
Team RadioShack
s.t.
18
Nicki Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 59
19
Mathieu Sprick
Skil - Shimano
+ 1'59
20
Wouter Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'14
21
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'45
22
Steven Kruijswijk
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 3'40
23
Michael Albasini
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
24
Jérôme Pineau
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
25
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
26
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
27
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
28
Fabian Wegmann
Leopard Trek
s.t.
29
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 4'31
30
Jakob Fuglsang
Leopard Trek
s.t.
31
Ben Hermans
Team RadioShack
s.t.
32
Francis De Greef
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 4'41
33
Koen De Kort
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
34
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
35
Yaroslav Popovych
Team RadioShack
s.t.
36
Vladimir Karpets
Katusha Team
+ 5'45
37
Carlos Barredo
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 6'56
38
Linus Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
+ 7'06
39
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 7'17
40
Mitchell Docker
Skil - Shimano
+ 7'32
41
Addy Engels
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 8'11
42
Alberto Contador
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 8'31
43
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
44
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
+ 8'49
45
Bert De Waele
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
46
Tejay Van Garderen
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
47
Thomas Rohregger
Leopard Trek
s.t.
48
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
49
Simon Clarke
Pro Team Astana
+ 9'17
50
Maxime Monfort
Leopard Trek
+ 10'17
51
Stefan Denifl
Leopard Trek
+ 10'25
52
Francesco Masciarelli
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
53
Davy Commeyne
Landbouwkrediet
+ 11'18
54
Andrey Zeits
Pro Team Astana
+ 11'39
55
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 12'06
56
Tony Martin
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
57
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
+ 12'21
58
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
+ 12'29
59
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
+ 12'37
60
Jérémy Roy
FDJ
+ 12'56
61
Peter Kennaugh
Sky ProCycling
+ 13'08
62
Bobbie Traksel
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
63
Daniel Martin
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
64
Andrey Kashechkin
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
65
Marc De Maar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
66
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
67
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
68
Roy Curvers
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
69
Nico Sijmens
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 14'07
70
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 15'18
71
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
72
Mario Aerts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
73
Alberto Losada
Katusha Team
s.t.
74
Matthew Busche
Team RadioShack
+ 16'15
75
Ronan Van Zandbeek
Skil - Shimano
+ 16'25
76
Simone Ponzi
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 16'34
77
Laurens Ten Dam
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
78
Rigoberto Urán
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
79
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
80
Marco Pinotti
HTC - Highroad
+ 17'00
81
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
82
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
+ 17'22
83
Gustav Larsson
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
84
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
85
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
86
Amets Txurruka
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
87
Nikolas Maes
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
88
Andrew Talansky
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
89
Geert Verheyen
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
90
Yukihiro Doi
Skil - Shimano
+ 17'45
91
Sebastian Lang
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
92
Robert Kiserlovski
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
93
Kevin De Weert
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 18'25
94
Juan Manuel Gárate
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
95
Peter Velits
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
96
Dario Cioni
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
97
Bert Scheirlinckx
Landbouwkrediet
+ 18'47
98
Oliver Zaugg
Leopard Trek
s.t.
99
Sven Nys
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
100
Ian Stannard
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
101
Robert Gesink
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 19'40
102
Sven Vandousselaere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
103
Branislau Samoilau
Movistar Team
+ 19'53
104
Mickaël Buffaz
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
105
Gatis Smukulis
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
106
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
s.t.
107
Thomas Peterson
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
108
Francisco Pérez
Movistar Team
s.t.
109
Albert Timmer
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
110
Rémi Pauriol
FDJ
s.t.
111
Frederik Willems
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 20'38
112
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 20'52
113
Christian Vande Velde
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
114
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
115
David Loosli
Lampre - ISD
+ 21'18
116
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
117
Sergueï Ivanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
118
Kanstantsin Sivtsov
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
119
Ryder Hesjedal
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
120
Cristiano Salerno
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
121
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
122
Juan Mauricio Soler
Movistar Team
s.t.
123
Cyril Dessel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 21'40
124
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - ISD
+ 22'07
125
Johannes Fröhlinger
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
126
Travis Meyer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 22'36
127
Sergio Pardilla
Movistar Team
+ 23'28
128
Chris Anker Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
129
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
+ 23'46
130
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
+ 24'23
131
Mathieu Perget
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 24'43
132
Francesco Bellotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
133
Maxime Vantomme
Katusha Team
+ 26'13
134
Morris Possoni
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
135
Óscar Pujol
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 26'35
136
Leonardo Duque
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
137
Matteo Bono
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
138
Julien Loubet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
139
Jan Tratnik
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
140
Jesús Hernández
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
141
Martijn Keizer
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
142
Brent Bookwalter
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
143
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 27'29
144
Ivan Basso
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 27'53
145
Richie Porte
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 28'03
146
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
s.t.
147
Peter Stetina
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
148
Jason McCartney
Team RadioShack
+ 30'10
149
Pello Bilbao
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 31'26
150
Tom Jelte Slagter
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
151
Arnold Jeanneson
FDJ
+ 31'38
152
Balint Szeghalmi
Lampre - ISD
+ 33'47
153
Jens Keukeleire
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
154
Evgeni Petrov
Pro Team Astana
+ 33'59
155
Jeff Louder
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
156
Cédric Pineau
FDJ
s.t.
157
Mikel Landa
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
158
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
159
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
+ 34'12
160
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 35'41
161
Frédéric Amorison
Landbouwkrediet
+ 36'41
162
Rafal Majka
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
163
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
s.t.
164
Arnaud Labbe
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 38'24
165
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
+ 40'00
166
Francis Mourey
FDJ
+ 40'57
167
Yoann Bagot
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 42'10
168
Patrick Gretsch
HTC - Highroad
+ 44'17
169
Florent Barle
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 44'46
170
David Moncoutié
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
171
Olivier Bonnaire
FDJ
+ 45'50
172
Ben Gastauer
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 47'13
173
Frederique Robert
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 48'23
174
Ben King
Team RadioShack
+ 48'52
175
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
+ 52'01
176
Baptiste Planckaert
Landbouwkrediet
+ 52'08
Gilbert finally got his wanted victory after failing in Amstel and Flèche. Not saying that he got it easily though. Kreuziger's sneaky jump in the last descent almost caught the rest out. Our leader of the day, Sprick could not match the best and never made it back after losng contact up Saint-Nicolas. 19th in the end.
The course:
Somewhere in between Amstel and Flèche profile-wise. No way near as hilly as Amstel, but not as easy as Flèche either. However, with famous climbs like the Redoute, the Roche-aux-Faucons and the Saint-Nicolas, together with the uphill sprint inside Liège, this is both the most prestigious and the hardest of the three.
Project squad:
A new luxury helper, in the shape of Jurgen Van den Broeck, joins the squad. Fuglsang and Martens will still be leaders however, as the Belgian is just starting his preparation for the Giro next month. He'll still get a free role, something also Lagutin continues having. Otherwise it's the same as earlier.
Main favourite is again, surprise, surprise, Gilbert, and his main rivals will, once again, be the Schlecks, Rodriguez, Poels, Valverde and Cunego, among others. More or less exactly the same startlist as in Flèche.
Pity Boom had no energy. 
