Today was the final preparation for the Giro. You know what would be the best way to end a preparation, and the best thing that could happen for my self-esteem? That's right, a win. That would be incredible. I was still waiting for my first win, and here is how I WON MY FIRST RACE!
Well, this is a great profile. I felt great when I woke up tomorrow, and I decided to test my legs one last time before the Giro. So I wanted to set a good pace on the hills, and see if maybe I could split the peloton, like I once did before. If you can do that, you're a decent climber. And I was in the best shape of my life today.
There was a big audience today. All Italian fans waiting to see their heroes. Unfortunately for them and fortunately for me, there weren't any Italian top riders present today.
On the second climb of the day, I found a nice pace. To my surprise, the peloton didn't find it necessary to come with me. I wasn't much of a threat. After all, there were still 72km to go.
The biggest surprise of the day came when I suddenly saw my name written on the ground, very largely. I wonder who did it. If it is one of you (someone who reads this blog) do let me know! It was awesome, especially during a solo!
On the top of the third mountain I had 1'46" on a (smaller) peloton, but now they had started chasing! So my distance was decreasing a bit.
By some kind of miracle I kept a good distance and when I had descended the final mountain and I still had 16km of flat road ahead of me, I was 1 minute ahead of Brambilla and 2 minutes ahead of Gerdemann!
Brambilla came closer to 45 seconds, but at about 6km from the finish he finally cracked, victory was to be mine!
In my opinion, this is a great way to approach the Giro, with a lot of confidence. A solo win of 72km is something special, I've never won a sprint but I think it's much more satisfying than winning a sprint. What a great day. We'll see you at the Giro d'Italia!
Stijn Van Gent
What a great win for Eric! Now we both have one win on our palmares, which is super. One photo I'd like to share:
This is me dying in the peloton, at about the same time that Eric killed the peloton himself.
Dennis Vanendert ended on a 14th place in this race, a good result for him!
Other news: Van Den Broeck ended 14th in Romandie, nothing special. Valverde took the GC, right in front of Wiggins.
Well, there's nothing left to say. The Giro starts with 3 stages that I like, a prologue and 2 flat stages.
I wonder what I can do, and especially what Eric can do! See you there!
Finally it is here, the long-expected Giro d'Italia!
Being one of the 3 Grand Tours, it is a special race to compete in. This year's edition will be the first for the both of us. It will also be our first Grand Tour. The expectations for many experienced riders are high, and pink glory is in the air, while we younglings look for a chance to prove ourselves. Let's take a look at this year's Giro d'Italia!
The Giro takes us to Denmark for the first 3 days, where Lars Bak will try and get a stage win, without a doubt. However, it won't be easy, as the sprinters will gather around for a feast of speed.
With many mountain stages, average time trial km and some hilly stages, there are many riders lurking for pink. Our biggest favorites: De Gendt, Scarponi and Nibali, Froome won’t be competing, strangely enough. Also, BMC decided to send Van Garderen as their leader, a big candidate for the young jersey.
As for sprinters (unlucky for Stijn), Cavendish is present, as is Petacchi, Boeckmans, McEwen, Goss and Farrar.
What will winner of Giro 2011 Scarponi do? And what about big talent Nibali?
So who marked what days on their calendar?
Stijn Van Gent
Well, I've been able to prove myself on the cobbles so far, now I want to prove myself as a fast man. Stages 2 - 3 - 5 - 9 - 11 - 13 and 18 are all possible mass sprints. Stage 11 is the one where I see myself having the best chance. The race is 242.7km long and, being a classic rider, I get better the longer a race is, as I already noticed in Paris - Roubaix.
The prologue should've been a bit shorter for me, but imagine that I happen to have to greatest day of my life. Could pink be a reality? I'll definitely try, so keep your fingers crossed!
Eric Lombaerts
Besides the prologue, I haven't much to do the first week, except stay out of trouble and try not to lose time. However, the TTT could be catastrophic. I will try to ride for the GC as good as possible (I dream of a top 20 place), but since I've never raced 3 weeks before, I don't know what to expect. Normally I should survive it, I get better by the day, as I once said.
If I were to lose a lot of time, under unpredictable circumstances, I have a back-up plan: try to get a stage win (however impossible that seems now, there are 21 stages to win).
Good stages for a breakaway are:
Stage 12
Stage 16
Stage 16 could be excellent because the main contenders will spare their strength for the coming mountain stage, following a day later.
Well, we'll see you at the kick-off of this Giro, the prologue!
Edited by Ian Butler on 08-08-2012 22:21
Finally the Giro has arrived.
This is our line up for this year's Giro:
So let's take a look at the first stage, a prologue.
With its 8.3km, this is no picnic, it's hard to find a good pace for this kind of distance. However, we have both tried out best.
Stijn Van Gent
Out of me and Eric, I started first.
I had a great start, the crowd really got me going fast, what an audience!
However, when I came over the finish line, I realized wearing a pink jersey was not something I'd do quickly. My second half of the race wasn't very good, I think I started too fast.
I ended on a 19th place, which still isn't bad. But Eric would do better, I knew that. So I watched him with my fingers crossed...
Eric Lombaerts
Nearing the start of my Grand Tour career, I became very, very nervous. I almost called off the race, but luckily I didn't do that. I started right after Goss and right before Van Garderen.
Out of excitement, I made some minor mistakes, but overall I rode very fast.
I was surprised to come in on a provisional 3th place, only to lose one more place to Van Garderen.
Still, a fourth place in the prologue of the Giro is incredible and bound to help the people get to know me as a rider. I couldn't have asked for a better start!
Out of the favorites for the GC, De Gendt did excellent, while Cunego and Scarponi lost over half a minute already.
Result:
1
Geraint Thomas
Sky Pro Cycling
10'55
2
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
+ 6
3
David Millar
Team Garmin-Barracuda
+ 7
4
Eric Lombaerts
Lotto-Belisol
+ 9
IanButler
5
Jakob Fuglsang
Radioshack Nissan Trek
+ 11
6
Janez Brajkovic
Astana Pro Team
+ 12
7
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
+ 13
8
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
9
Vasil Kiryienka
Movistar Team
+ 14
10
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
+ 17
Spoiler
11
Moreno Moser
Liquigas-Cannondale
s.t.
12
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
+ 19
13
Anthony Roux
FDJ-BigMat
s.t.
14
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
15
Stef Clement
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
16
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky Pro Cycling
s.t.
17
David Zabriskie
Team Garmin-Barracuda
+ 20
18
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
19
Stijn Van Gent
Lotto-Belisol
s.t.
IanButler
20
Ivan Basso
Liquigas-Cannondale
s.t.
21
Tyler Farrar
Team Garmin-Barracuda
+ 21
22
Linus Gerdemann
Radioshack Nissan Trek
+ 22
23
Dries Devenyns
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
s.t.
24
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
s.t.
25
Levi Leipheimer
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
+ 23
26
Haimar Zubeldia
Radioshack Nissan Trek
+ 24
27
Steven Kruijswijk
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 25
28
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
29
Roman Kreuziger
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
30
Svein Tuft
Orica-GreenEDGE
+ 26
31
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas-Cannondale
s.t.
32
Tony Gallopin
Radioshack Nissan Trek
+ 27
33
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
+ 28
34
Vladimir Karpets
Movistar Team
s.t.
35
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
36
Christopher Sutton
Sky Pro Cycling
+ 29
37
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
38
Martijn Maaskant
Team Garmin-Barracuda
+ 30
39
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
40
Leigh Howard
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
41
Jens Voigt
Radioshack Nissan Trek
+ 31
42
Kristof Goddaert
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
43
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre-ISD
s.t.
44
Sandy Casar
FDJ-BigMat
s.t.
45
Gaëtan Bille
Lotto-Belisol
s.t.
IanButler
46
William Bonnet
FDJ-BigMat
s.t.
47
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
48
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 32
49
Luke Roberts
Team Saxo Bank
+ 33
50
Juan Jose Oroz
Euskaltel Euskadi
s.t.
51
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto-Belisol
s.t.
IanButler
52
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
53
Mark Renshaw
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
54
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas-Cannondale
+ 34
55
Ryder Hesjedal
Team Garmin-Barracuda
s.t.
56
Rigoberto Uran
Sky Pro Cycling
+ 35
57
José Serpa
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
s.t.
58
Michele Scarponi
Lampre-ISD
s.t.
59
Ben Hermans
Radioshack Nissan Trek
s.t.
60
Daryl Impey
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
61
Sander Cordeel
Lotto-Belisol
s.t.
IanButler
62
Danilo Hondo
Lampre-ISD
s.t.
63
Rémi Pauriol
FDJ-BigMat
s.t.
64
Cameron Meyer
Orica-GreenEDGE
+ 36
65
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Sky Pro Cycling
s.t.
66
Luca Ascani
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
67
Bauke Mollema
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
68
Branislau Samoilau
Movistar Team
+ 37
69
Grégory Rast
Radioshack Nissan Trek
s.t.
70
Daniel Oss
Liquigas-Cannondale
s.t.
71
Michael Albasini
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
72
Mark Cavendish
Sky Pro Cycling
s.t.
73
Benoit Vaugrenard
FDJ-BigMat
+ 38
74
Iljo Keisse
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
s.t.
75
Jan Bakelants
Radioshack Nissan Trek
s.t.
76
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Lampre-ISD
s.t.
77
Volodimir Gustov
Team Saxo Bank
+ 39
78
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
s.t.
79
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 40
80
Daniel Navarro Garcia
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
81
Fabio Felline
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
s.t.
82
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ-BigMat
s.t.
83
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
+ 41
84
Robert Kiserlovski
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
85
Andrea Piechele
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 42
86
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
87
Troels Vinther
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
88
Gert Dockx
Lotto-Belisol
+ 43
IanButler
89
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
90
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
91
Sergio Luis Henao
Sky Pro Cycling
s.t.
92
Rinaldo Nocentini
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
93
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
+ 44
94
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
95
Mitchell Docker
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
96
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel Euskadi
s.t.
97
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
98
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel Euskadi
+ 45
99
Alexandre Vinokourov
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
100
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky Pro Cycling
s.t.
101
Brian Bulgac
Lotto-Belisol
s.t.
IanButler
102
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
s.t.
103
Nicki Sørensen
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
104
Stefano Pirazzi
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 46
105
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
106
Danilo Di Luca
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
107
Damiano Cunego
Lampre-ISD
s.t.
108
Diego Ulissi
Lampre-ISD
+ 47
109
Fabio Sabatini
Liquigas-Cannondale
s.t.
110
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
111
Steve Chainel
FDJ-BigMat
s.t.
112
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin-Barracuda
+ 48
113
John Gadret
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
114
Massimo Codol
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
115
Jose Rujano
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
s.t.
116
Gert Steegmans
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
+ 49
117
Pierpaolo De Negri
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
118
Robbie McEwen
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
119
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
+ 50
120
Andreas Klier
Team Garmin-Barracuda
s.t.
121
Vitaliy Buts
Lampre-ISD
s.t.
122
Grega Bole
Lampre-ISD
s.t.
123
Matthew Goss
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
124
Jeremy Hunt
Sky Pro Cycling
+ 51
125
Borut Bozic
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
126
Elia Viviani
Liquigas-Cannondale
+ 52
127
Peter Stetina
Team Garmin-Barracuda
s.t.
128
Aidis Kruopis
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
129
Sacha Modolo
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
130
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
s.t.
131
David López García
Movistar Team
s.t.
132
Matteo Tosatto
Team Saxo Bank
+ 53
133
Jérôme Pineau
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
s.t.
134
Arnold Jeannesson
FDJ-BigMat
s.t.
135
Sylvain Georges
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
136
Koldo Fernandez
Team Garmin-Barracuda
s.t.
137
Domenico Pozzovivo
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
138
Lloyd Mondory
Ag2r La Mondiale
+ 54
139
David Arroyo
Movistar Team
s.t.
140
Ángel Vicioso
Katusha Team
+ 55
141
Sylvester Szmyd
Liquigas-Cannondale
s.t.
142
Leonardo Giordani
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
143
Elia Favilli
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
144
Takashi Miyazawa
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
145
Francesco Reda
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
146
Ruggero Marzoli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 56
147
Kris Boeckmans
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
148
Luca Mazzanti
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
149
Rob Ruijgh
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 57
150
Juan Manuel Gárate
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
151
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
152
Claudio Corioni
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
153
Enrico Battaglin
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
154
Theo Bos
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
155
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre-ISD
+ 58
156
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
157
Roberto Ferrari
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
+ 59
158
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
159
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'00
160
Frederic Guesdon
FDJ-BigMat
s.t.
161
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
s.t.
162
Hubert Dupont
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
163
Gianluca Brambilla
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
164
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
s.t.
165
Graeme Brown
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
166
Jonathan Cantwell
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
167
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'01
168
Sebastien Hinault
Ag2r La Mondiale
+ 1'03
169
Francesco Gavazzi
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
170
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas-Cannondale
s.t.
171
Filippo Savini
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 1'04
172
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
s.t.
173
Andrea Pasqualon
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
174
Jorge Azanza
Euskaltel Euskadi
s.t.
175
Miguel Angel Rubiano
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
+ 1'05
176
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel Euskadi
s.t.
177
Manuel Belletti
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
178
Ricardo García
Euskaltel Euskadi
+ 1'06
179
Jackson Rodriguez
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
+ 1'07
180
Francesco Failli
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
181
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
s.t.
182
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel Euskadi
+ 1'08
183
Kevin Hulsmans
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
184
Francisco Ventoso
Movistar Team
+ 1'10
185
Dennis Vanendert
Lotto-Belisol
s.t.
IanButler
186
Pablo Urtasun
Euskaltel Euskadi
s.t.
187
Andrea Guardini
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
188
Miguel Minguez
Euskaltel Euskadi
+ 1'11
189
Francesco Chicchi
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
s.t.
190
Anthony Ravard
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
191
Francesco Ginanni
Acqua & Sapone
+ 1'12
192
Omar Lombardi
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
193
Oliver Zaugg
Radioshack Nissan Trek
s.t.
194
Danilo Napolitano
Acqua & Sapone
+ 1'14
195
Bart De Clercq
Lotto-Belisol
+ 1'15
IanButler
196
Lucas Sebastian Haedo
Team Saxo Bank
+ 1'17
197
Wladimir Miholjevic
Acqua & Sapone
+ 1'18
198
Miguel Armando Ubeto
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
+ 1'19
Now we must cut this blog short as we should get some sleep. Tomorrow is a chance for Stijn, although it will be hard with all these fine sprinters riding around, we'll see what happens, a top 10 place would be excellent!
See you tomorrow, for another day in Denmark!
Welcome to the second stage of the Giro. We were ready for every inch of it.
The profile would be quite flat, so it really was a day for Stijn. But since we're on Danish ground, Bak wanted to try something, too.
One €1000 intermediate sprint and one mountain sprint (3 points) was everything between the start and the finish.
Stijn Van Gent
Lars Bak opened the race with an attack, he had the crowd on his side.
Unfortunately the breakaway was formed without him. Tossato, Schär and Ribon would fight for the €1000 and they crossed the intermediate line in the same order as mentioned.
Meanwhile the peloton was getting ready for some leftover points, while Thomas enjoyed his jersey.
On top of a little hill was the mountain sprint, where Tossato won again. He'll be wearing the mountain jersey tomorrow.
Disaster struck at 18km from the finish.
FDJ had three riders down. The greatest victim, however, was Inxausti, who had to abandon. His Giro is already over...
Knowing Lars Bak, he tried it again at 10km from the finish line. He took 30 seconds and kept going strong!
The peloton was a bit stirred up because of the fall and some sprinters were held up. I took Kreder's wheel and was good up front.
However, Lars Bak was still on the loose, and he had only 1km left to go!
But a bitter disappointment followed, Not even 2 meters before of the finish he saw Ventoso passing him by, what a bummer! I really hoped he'd make it.
I myself pulled off a formidable sprint and with some competitors missing, I sped to a 5th place! What an unbelievable result, I hope the next days will go just as smoothly!
The last one to finish was De Clerq, who, on top of not being 100% fit yet, came down with a fever. I doubt he'll finish the Giro... However, we must applaud his will to continue.
Result
1
Francisco Ventoso
Movistar Team
4h40'04
2
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto-Belisol
s.t.
IanButler
3
Kris Boeckmans
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Geraint Thomas
Sky Pro Cycling
s.t.
5
Stijn Van Gent
Lotto-Belisol
s.t.
IanButler
6
Michele Scarponi
Lampre-ISD
s.t.
7
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Jens Voigt
Radioshack Nissan Trek
s.t.
9
Sebastien Hinault
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
10
Sacha Modolo
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Valerio Agnoli
Liquigas-Cannondale
s.t.
12
Rémi Pauriol
FDJ-BigMat
s.t.
13
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ-BigMat
s.t.
14
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky Pro Cycling
s.t.
15
Borut Bozic
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
16
Matthew Goss
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
17
Jakob Fuglsang
Radioshack Nissan Trek
s.t.
18
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
19
John Gadret
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
20
Bauke Mollema
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
21
Fabio Felline
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
s.t.
22
Haimar Zubeldia
Radioshack Nissan Trek
s.t.
23
Vitaliy Buts
Lampre-ISD
s.t.
24
Danilo Napolitano
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
25
Steven Kruijswijk
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
26
Ivan Basso
Liquigas-Cannondale
s.t.
27
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
28
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel Euskadi
s.t.
29
Oliver Zaugg
Radioshack Nissan Trek
s.t.
30
Elia Viviani
Liquigas-Cannondale
s.t.
31
Mark Cavendish
Sky Pro Cycling
s.t.
32
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
33
Vincenzo Nibali
Liquigas-Cannondale
s.t.
34
Jose Rujano
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
s.t.
35
Sergio Luis Henao
Sky Pro Cycling
s.t.
36
Rigoberto Uran
Sky Pro Cycling
s.t.
37
Gianluca Brambilla
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
38
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
39
David Arroyo
Movistar Team
s.t.
40
Hubert Dupont
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
41
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
42
José Serpa
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
s.t.
43
Janez Brajkovic
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
44
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel Euskadi
s.t.
45
Christopher Sutton
Sky Pro Cycling
s.t.
46
Jeremy Hunt
Sky Pro Cycling
s.t.
47
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
48
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky Pro Cycling
s.t.
49
Daniel Navarro Garcia
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
50
Linus Gerdemann
Radioshack Nissan Trek
s.t.
51
Matteo Tosatto
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
52
Damiano Cunego
Lampre-ISD
s.t.
53
Wladimir Miholjevic
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
54
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Lampre-ISD
s.t.
55
Grega Bole
Lampre-ISD
s.t.
56
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre-ISD
s.t.
57
David Millar
Team Garmin-Barracuda
s.t.
58
Eric Lombaerts
Lotto-Belisol
s.t.
IanButler
59
Koldo Fernandez
Team Garmin-Barracuda
s.t.
60
Dennis Vanendert
Lotto-Belisol
s.t.
IanButler
61
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin-Barracuda
s.t.
62
Danilo Hondo
Lampre-ISD
s.t.
63
Diego Ulissi
Lampre-ISD
s.t.
64
Martijn Maaskant
Team Garmin-Barracuda
s.t.
65
Ryder Hesjedal
Team Garmin-Barracuda
s.t.
66
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Sky Pro Cycling
s.t.
67
David Zabriskie
Team Garmin-Barracuda
s.t.
68
Andreas Klier
Team Garmin-Barracuda
s.t.
69
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
s.t.
70
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
71
Daniel Oss
Liquigas-Cannondale
s.t.
72
Sandy Casar
FDJ-BigMat
s.t.
73
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
74
Sylvester Szmyd
Liquigas-Cannondale
s.t.
75
Cameron Meyer
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
76
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
77
Robert Kiserlovski
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
78
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
s.t.
79
Domenico Pozzovivo
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
80
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre-ISD
s.t.
81
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
82
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
83
Eros Capecchi
Liquigas-Cannondale
s.t.
84
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel Euskadi
s.t.
85
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
s.t.
86
Tyler Farrar
Team Garmin-Barracuda
s.t.
87
Robbie McEwen
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
88
Branislau Samoilau
Movistar Team
s.t.
89
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
90
Stef Clement
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
91
Danilo Di Luca
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
92
Miguel Angel Rubiano
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
s.t.
93
Peter Stetina
Team Garmin-Barracuda
s.t.
94
Francesco Reda
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
95
Brian Bulgac
Lotto-Belisol
s.t.
IanButler
96
Vasil Kiryienka
Movistar Team
s.t.
97
Jan Bakelants
Radioshack Nissan Trek
s.t.
98
Daryl Impey
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
99
Gert Steegmans
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
s.t.
100
Roman Kreuziger
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
101
Ben Hermans
Radioshack Nissan Trek
s.t.
102
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
s.t.
103
Gert Dockx
Lotto-Belisol
s.t.
IanButler
104
Anthony Roux
FDJ-BigMat
s.t.
105
Dries Devenyns
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
s.t.
106
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
107
Arnold Jeannesson
FDJ-BigMat
s.t.
108
Rinaldo Nocentini
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
109
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
110
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
111
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
112
Moreno Moser
Liquigas-Cannondale
s.t.
113
Stefano Pirazzi
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
114
Roberto Ferrari
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
s.t.
115
Juan Jose Oroz
Euskaltel Euskadi
s.t.
116
Pavel Brutt
Katusha Team
s.t.
117
Michael Albasini
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
118
Luca Mazzanti
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
119
Fabio Sabatini
Liquigas-Cannondale
s.t.
120
Ángel Vicioso
Katusha Team
s.t.
121
Theo Bos
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
122
Volodimir Gustov
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
123
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
s.t.
124
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
s.t.
125
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
s.t.
126
Tony Gallopin
Radioshack Nissan Trek
s.t.
127
Mitchell Docker
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
128
Rob Ruijgh
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
129
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
130
Benoit Vaugrenard
FDJ-BigMat
s.t.
131
Juan Manuel Gárate
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
132
Leonardo Giordani
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
133
Andrea Guardini
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
134
Jérôme Pineau
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
s.t.
135
Pablo Urtasun
Euskaltel Euskadi
s.t.
136
Jackson Rodriguez
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
s.t.
137
Troels Vinther
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
138
Jorge Azanza
Euskaltel Euskadi
s.t.
139
Luca Ascani
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
140
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
141
Steve Chainel
FDJ-BigMat
s.t.
142
Manuel Belletti
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
143
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
144
Frederic Guesdon
FDJ-BigMat
s.t.
145
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
146
David López García
Movistar Team
s.t.
147
Sylvain Georges
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
148
William Bonnet
FDJ-BigMat
s.t.
149
Alexandre Vinokourov
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
150
Lloyd Mondory
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
151
Francesco Failli
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
152
Ricardo García
Euskaltel Euskadi
s.t.
153
Claudio Corioni
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
154
Grégory Rast
Radioshack Nissan Trek
s.t.
155
Andrea Piechele
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
156
Ruggero Marzoli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
157
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
158
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
159
Enrico Battaglin
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
160
Luke Roberts
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
161
Elia Favilli
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
162
Francesco Gavazzi
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
163
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
s.t.
164
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
165
Francesco Ginanni
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
166
Leigh Howard
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
167
Iljo Keisse
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
s.t.
168
Svein Tuft
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
169
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
s.t.
170
Jonathan Cantwell
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
171
Francesco Chicchi
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
s.t.
172
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel Euskadi
s.t.
173
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
s.t.
174
Takashi Miyazawa
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
175
Andrea Pasqualon
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
176
Sander Cordeel
Lotto-Belisol
+ 4'35
IanButler
177
Gaëtan Bille
Lotto-Belisol
s.t.
IanButler
178
Filippo Savini
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 5'16
179
Nicki Sørensen
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
180
Levi Leipheimer
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team
s.t.
181
Massimo Codol
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
182
Mark Renshaw
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
183
Pierpaolo De Negri
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
184
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
185
Maarten Tjallingii
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
186
Miguel Armando Ubeto
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
s.t.
187
Anthony Ravard
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
188
Kristof Goddaert
Ag2r La Mondiale
s.t.
189
Aidis Kruopis
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
190
Omar Lombardi
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
191
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
192
Vladimir Karpets
Movistar Team
s.t.
193
Kevin Hulsmans
Farnese Vini Selle Italia
s.t.
194
Miguel Minguez
Euskaltel Euskadi
s.t.
195
Lucas Sebastian Haedo
Team Saxo Bank
s.t.
196
Graeme Brown
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
197
Bart De Clercq
Lotto-Belisol
+ 6'31
IanButler
Well, I call this a success, but then again a missed chance. Bak gets another chance tomorrow, and so do I. Maybe I can go for a podium place, who knows?
Another day for the sprinters as we ride the final kilometers in Denmark. Tomorrow we'll fly to Italy for the team time trial.
Like yesterday, one €1000 intermediate sprint and one mountain sprint.
Stijn Van Gent
This time Lars Bak managed to get into the breakaway of the day. With him were Felline, Tuft and Kristoff. Winning the intermediate sprint wouldn't be easy...
Felline took the sprint, then Kristoff, Bak, Tuft and a little later Farrar and Ventoso.
Something that impressed me, though, was Sutton bringing Cavendish for the sprint. They rode very smooth and agile through the peloton, but Cavendish strangely enough decided on the last moment not to take part in the sprint. Actually he decided just as he started his sprint. Maybe it was a lost cause, as Farrar was possibly too much ahead of him?
KoM:
Felline
Tuft
Bak
Too bad for our team, but what a day for Felline.
Nearing the final sprint, the peloton caught the breakaway. Just as we did, Bak tried to go for it one more time. Unfortunately, he would fail.
Meanwhile I had placed myself at the wheel of Goss, who had the wheel of Farrar. However, in taking that wheel I had lost much energy and I felt a little weak in the legs. My sprint was not going to go well, I believed.
Modolo surprised everyone with a beautiful sprint while I barely finished top 10. I guess my sprint wasn't that bad after all!
Result
1
Sacha Modolo
Colnago - CSF Inox
4h23'44
2
Fabio Sabatini
Liquigas-Cannondale
s.t.
3
Mark Cavendish
Sky Pro Cycling
s.t.
4
Matthew Goss
Orica-GreenEDGE
s.t.
5
Romain Feillu
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
6
Francisco Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
7
Danilo Napolitano
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
8
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre-ISD
s.t.
9
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Stijn Van Gent
Lotto-Belisol
s.t.
Take a look at this top 10 at the moment:
1
Geraint Thomas
Sky Pro Cycling
9h14'43
2
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
+ 6
3
David Millar
Team Garmin-Barracuda
+ 7
4
Eric Lombaerts
Lotto-Belisol
+ 9
5
Jakob Fuglsang
Radioshack Nissan Trek
+ 11
6
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 13
7
Vasil Kiryienka
Movistar Team
+ 14
8
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto-Belisol
+ 17
9
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky Pro Cycling
+ 19
10
Stijn Van Gent
Lotto-Belisol
+ 20
So great to be in the top 10 of the Giro! Although that'll chance fast, as the time trial's coming up.
Eric Lombaerts
I had a pretty good day today. The nervousness of the peloton didn't drain much energy out of me. However, I really feel for De Clerq, whose fever isn't getting any better. He finished nearly 10 minutes behind the winner.
I hope he gets better soon, but I fear for his Giro. I hope he can still save his season by riding the Vuelta, maybe?
Tomorrow we rest. The day after we have a team time trial, so let's pray we don't screw it up like in Trentino! This time we're prepared, so let's hope for the best!
See you in Italy.
