Selwink: hope that we can get it baseballlover312: Nope, They were either going to ride the Giro and the Vuelta, and I prefer USA Pro and Utah over Cali, in fact the team isn't participating in ATOC.
baia: Thanks, probably won't happen too often. The AI was kind of dumb and Contador had attacked about 5 times in the first 4 km of the climb
Tour of Oman Stage 5
Today's stage classified as hilly and it has 3 cat 3 climbs towards the end of the stage. I hope to help Froome get those 21 seconds on Contador, maybe I can get into the top 15.
The Race
A six man group formed at the start of the stage the names were: Pagani of Bardiani, Florencio of Katusha, Camano of NetApp, Van Niekerk of MTN-Qhubeka, Devenyns of Omega Pharma, and Lutensko of Astana.
Jump to the first climb of the day, and the field is splitting under the pace of team Saxo Bank! I'm safely at the front protecting Thomas, but Kiryienka is dropped along with many white jersey contenders like Van Gardren, Quintana, and Kelderman. The break is still 3 minutes ahead at this time.
After the second climb, 13 riders are together: I make the group along with Voeckler, Moreno, Meersman, Camano, a bunch of Saxo riders, Froome and Thomas. Four riders are still ahead by 1 30.
At the foot of the last climb, Froome asks me to put some pressure on the rest and launch him in an attack.
The attack didn't work very well though, and it was easily countered by Contador, Voeckler and Moreno caught up in the descent. Lutensko and Devenyns still lead by 30 seconds.
The next group through 5 km to go is lead by me! I got a slight gap to the group while launching Froome and kept going, however our lead is only 25 seconds and I need 33 over Majka to take over white.
At the finish Contador shows that he is the strongest in this race! He takes the stage win and will win the GC barring a crash or puncture tomorrow! Froome is second ahead of Voeckler. Moreno finishes fourth ahead of breakaway riders Lutensko and Devenynes who were caught with 2 km to go.
I couldn't keep up with the other riders in my group in the sprint and cross the line in 10th place. A good ride from me today.
Stage Results
1
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
3h37'40
2
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
s.t.
3
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
4
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
5
Alexey Lutsenko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
6
Dries Devenyns
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Xavier Florencio
Katusha Team
+ 2'16
8
Angelo Pagani
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
9
Dennis Van Niekerk
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
10
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
+ 3'46
GC Standings
1
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
17h58'46
2
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
+ 29
3
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
+ 52
4
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
+ 1'59
5
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
+ 6'11
6
Leopold König
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 7'43
7
Rafal Majka
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
8
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
+ 7'55
9
Dries Devenyns
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 8'43
10
Sérgio Paulinho
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 8'52
Points
1
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
25
79
2
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
16
67
3
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
0
59
4
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
14
56
5
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
4
51
KOM
1
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
0
16
2
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
0
14
3
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
0
14
4
Dries Devenyns
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
12
12
5
Ignatas Konovalovas
MTN - Qhubeka
0
10
Post Race Comments- A great ride from me today. I felt great (+5 daily form) and it showed. I hope I can keep this up all year long although I wouldn't count on it. Shame that Froome couldn't crack Contador, who was in better form. Tomorrow is the last stage, Some riders have asked permission to try something hopefully we can get win number 3 on the year!
Sutty68: Thanks, Hopefully he can carry it over to Tirreno-Adriatico.
Game crashed while loading twice, so I gave up and quick-simmed it.
Tour of Oman Stage 6
Today's stage was uneventful, the break went away, it got caught and there was a sprint finish.
Stage Results
1
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
3h10'33
2
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Mark Renshaw
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
5
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
s.t.
6
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
7
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Andreas Stauff
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
9
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
10
Borut Božic
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
Final GC
1
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
21h09'19
2
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
+ 29
3
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
+ 52
4
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
+ 1'59
5
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
+ 6'11
6
Leopold König
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 7'43
7
Rafal Majka
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
8
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
+ 7'55
9
Dries Devenyns
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 8'43
10
Julien El Fares
Sojasun
+ 8'50
Points
1
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
31
90
2
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
0
79
3
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
0
67
4
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
0
56
5
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
0
51
KOM
1
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
0
16
2
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
0
14
3
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
0
14
4
Dries Devenyns
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
0
12
5
Ignatas Konovalovas
MTN - Qhubeka
0
10
U25
Rank
Name
Team
General Time
1
Rafal Majka
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
21h17'02 (1)
2
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
+ 12 (2)
3
Alexey Lutsenko
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'09 (3)
Post Race Comments- All in all, a great race for me and the team. We took 2 stage wins, 2nd, 5th, and I ended up 8th in the GC, and the KOM jersey. I hope that every race goes like this. My next race is Strade Bianchi, I hope to get a top 15.
Rider of the Month: Alberto Contador Contador only rode the Tour of Oman, but he impresses, winning the race and taking two stages. Surprise Ride of the Month: Vladimir Isaychez The Russian won this year's Tour of Qatar with a great TTT and going in the break on four occasions, picking up bonus seconds at every opportunity.
WT Rankings
No change as TDU winner Florencio remains on top.
Kathusha reamains on top with Florencio their only scorer.
CQ Ranking
Florencio is on top in this ranking as well as WT. Meyer is in second from his wins in Tour of Malaysia and Tour of San Luis.
Katusha also leads the CQ ranking ahead of Team Sky.
Other Results
Vuelta a Mallorca: Vincenzo Nibali Tour Mediterranean: Alejandro Valverde Volta ao Algarve: Tanel Kangert Vuelta Andulacia: Edvald Boasson Hagen Omloop: Fabian Cancellara K-B-K: Tom Boonen Le Samyn: Taylor Phinney
Monthly Interview
Interviewer: Today we are here with two American Neo-Pros; Joe Dombrowski and Ian Boswell! How are both of you today? Joe: Fine, thank you. Ian: I just got back from a training ride and I feel great! Interviewer: How are you adjusting to life in the European peloton? Ian: It's definitely different, everything is so much faster, I have to actually try to finish in the peloton on flat days. Joe: I don't actually know what its like yet, as I start my season in a few days in Flanders. Interviewer: What are some of your season goals? Joe: I will be riding the Giro and I just hope to not die on some of the harder stages. I then hope to finish in the top 5 in some of the American races at the end of the season. Ian: I just want to enjoy my first year as a pro and help the team in any way that I can. Interviewer: Who your favorite rider on the team to be around? Ian: Easiest question ever, Danny Pate Joe: I really like Bernie Eisel as he really helps out the younger guys like me and Ian. Interviewer: Well that's all the time we have for today. Good luck to both of you.
wogrus: Thanks Sutty68: It definitely is.
Next report will be last one for today.
Strade Bianchi
The route is up and down and there is a bunch of sections on gravel roads. Cataldo will be the leader here, the team hope for the win as the startlist is very weak.
The Race
A three man group got away after about 50 kms of failed attacks. The trio was: Habeaux of Accent Jobs, Malaguti of Androni, and Laborie of Sojasun.
With 40 km to go a large split in the field occurred and the peloton is reduced to 38 riders. All Sky riders made the split. The break leads by 1 30.
With 15 km to go Cataldo has ridden away from the bunch with Froome and Elmiger (IAM). They will contest the finish as they lead all others by 1 45.
Five km to go and Elmiger has cracked and Cataldo is riding away for the win. It should be a Sky 1-2 although Froome is out of energy.
And Cataldo takes the win! Froome takes second and Elmiger finishes third. Taborre finishes fourth 1 minutes back and Haussler takes fifth.
As the peloton comes in it's obvious that we are the best team in the race as we take 1-4 in the field sprint. I finish in a very solid 10th place.
Results
1
Dario Cataldo
Sky Procycling
4h23'41
2
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
+ 11
3
Martin Elmiger
IAM Cycling
+ 27
4
Fabio Taborre
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
+ 51
5
Heinrich Haussler
IAM Cycling
+ 3'10
6
Christophe Le Mével
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 3'31
7
Francesco Bongiorno
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
8
Vasil Kiryienka
Sky Procycling
+ 4'06
9
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
s.t.
10
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
s.t.
11
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
12
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
s.t.
13
Matej Mugerli
Adria Mobil
s.t.
14
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
s.t.
15
Ian Stannard
Sky Procycling
s.t.
16
Xabier Zandio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
Post Race Comments- Another race, another win for the team. I'm happy with 10th place, and congrats to Cataldo getting his fourth career pro. Hopefully everything goes this smoothly in Tirreno Adriatico.
This year's edition of Tirreno-Adriatico has a day for everyone. The race starts with a Team Time Trial that is short and won't have very big gaps. Stages two and three are flat and should end in bunch sprints. Stages 4 and 5 are in the mountains and should see huge time gaps. Stage 6 is probably the hardest stage of the race, as there are slopes at almost 30%. The race ends with a 10 km Time Trial.
The team is very strong for the TTT with Froome and Thomas headlining the team. I will be a pure domestique in my first WT race. The sponsor wants a win in this race, and we intend to fulfill it.
Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 1
I quick-simmed the TTT.
Stage Results
1
Sky Procycling
18'17
2
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3
3
Garmin - Sharp
+ 8
4
Movistar Team
s.t.
5
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 20
6
BMC Racing Team
+ 25
7
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
8
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 42
9
Astana Pro Team
+ 49
10
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
11
FDJ.fr
+ 55
12
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
13
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'04
14
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
15
Katusha Team
s.t.
16
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'10
17
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
18
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'14
19
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
20
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
I will wear the white jersey in stage 2.
Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 2
Today's stage is bumpy at the begginning but pan-flat over the last 50 km.
The Race
There is me in the youth jersey in my first WT road stage! I really think the jersey looks cool.
On the second climb, Juan Antonio Flecha attacked from the peloton, he quickly joined the breakaway, during his chase he caught and passed Boaro who had crashed.
Nothing else happened out of the ordinary, the break was caught after a chase led by us and Argos-Shimano with 10 km to go. Under the 1 km mark, Kittel is flying away to the stage win, he is definitely the best sprinter here.
Marcel Kittel takes the win! The only rider close was Nizzolo who takes second. Bouhanhi is third, Thomas takes sixth by following the wheel of Bennati. I finish 61st in the middle of the peloton.
Stage Results
1
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
5h20'11
2
Giacomo Nizzolo
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
3
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ.fr
s.t.
4
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
5
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
6
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
s.t.
7
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
8
John Degenkolb
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
9
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
10
Allan Davis
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
GC Standings
1
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
5h38'28
2
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
s.t.
3
Vasil Kiryienka
Sky Procycling
s.t.
4
Xabier Zandio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
5
Dario Cataldo
Sky Procycling
s.t.
6
Ian Stannard
Sky Procycling
s.t.
7
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
8
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
s.t.
9
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3
10
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
Points
1
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
13
13
2
Giacomo Nizzolo
RadioShack - Leopard
10
10
3
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ.fr
8
8
4
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
8
8
5
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
8
8
KOM
1
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
10
10
2
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
6
6
3
Manuele Boaro
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
2
2
4
Juan Antonio Flecha
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
2
2
5
Stuart O'Grady
Orica - GreenEdge
1
1
U25
I pass the youth jersey onto Puccio.
Post Race Comments- A dream start to my first WT race for me. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to hang on to the pace of the others in the team, being one of the worst Time Trialists, but I did well. I will always treasure that jersey as my first WT jersey in my career. Another good result for Geraint, tomorrow's stage suits him even better. Hopefully he can get another good result.
See you then- Ian
Edited by welker3257 on 19-08-2013 02:20
Another flat stage, Geraint will contest the finish, as it's slightly uphill. He hopes for a top 5.
The Race
A three man group got away from the gun, it included: Vicioso of Katusha, Iglinsky of Astana, and Boaro of Saxo Bank.
The trio was later joined by Flecha and Rabonttini of Vini Fantini.
I'm seen here on the left of the road, that is Puccio in the youth jersey. It was really windy today, and it showed.
Well there goes any hope of a high finish, as I was in the middle of the peloton when it split with 6 km to go. I lost 2 25 and finished in 96th place today.
With 1 km to go Kittel looked set to take another stage win. Could he hold on for win number 2?
No he doesn't! Matt Goss takes the win! Thomas finishes second, a great result for him. Kittel fades to third, Degankolb is fourth and Van Avermaet fifth.
Stage Results
1
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
4h20'47
2
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
s.t.
3
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
4
John Degenkolb
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
5
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
6
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
7
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
9
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ.fr
s.t.
10
Giacomo Nizzolo
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
GC Standings
1
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
9h59'09
2
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
+ 6
3
Dario Cataldo
Sky Procycling
s.t.
4
Vasil Kiryienka
Sky Procycling
s.t.
5
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 8
6
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 9
7
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
9
Zdenek Stybar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Gianluca Brambilla
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
Points
Rank
Name
Team
Points
General
1
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
13
26
2
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
15
17
3
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
10
15
4
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
5
12
5
Giacomo Nizzolo
RadioShack - Leopard
1
11
KOM
1
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
0
10
2
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
0
6
3
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
5
5
4
Ángel Vicioso
Katusha Team
3
3
5
Matteo Tosatto
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
2
2
U25
Navardauskas takes over the lead ahead of teammate Talansky.
Post Race Comments- I'm definitely dissapointed to lose time today. Maybe I can go into the break on stage 5 or 6? Tomorrow is the summit finish and we hope to put Froome into the leader's jersey.
Sutty68: Thanks, I also like Geraint, probably my second favorite Sky rider, behind Ian of course
Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 4
Today's stage is the first of three hard days in Italy. There is two cat 1 climbs with a 15 km summit finish. The goal is to put Froome into the leader's jersey. I don't really care about my final placing today as I will give my all then sit up and recover for tomorrow
The Race
An eight man group got away in bits and piecies and came together at the foot of the cat 3 climb. The riders were: Dyachenko of Astana, Gerrans of Orica-Greenedge, Van Summeren of Garmin, Belkov of Katusha, Landa of Euskatel, Anacona of Lampre, Gilbert of BMC, and Riblon of AG2R.
Pinot opened up the attacks on the penultimate climb, he was brought back about 10 km later.
With about 2 km to go to the summit, the reduced bunch split under the pressure of Thomas and the 11 rider group with 5 Sky riders had 1 minute at the summit.
On the descent, however Radioshack brought us back, the early break was still 45 seconds ahead.
With 10 km to go I was sitting at the front protecting Cataldo, I pulled off soon after. I finished in 30th in a group with Schleck, Cancellara, and Thomas.
With 8 km to go the breakaway was finally caught by an 18 man group with all the favorites.
With 4 km left a nine man group trails Costa by 30 seconds. In the group are: Froome, Fulgsang and Brajkovic, Purtio, Talansky, Gesink, Veilts, Van Den Broeck, and Kiserlovski,
With 1 km to go Costa leads by 12 seconds, but Froome is coming fast after dropping all the other riders in his group.
Froome takes the win! Froome overtook Costa with 300 m to go. The Astana duo of Fulgsang and Brajkovic, along with Talansky and Rodriguez finish 1 15 back.
Stage Results
1
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
4h24'59
2
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
s.t.
3
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'11
4
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
5
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
6
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
7
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'53
8
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
9
Robert Kiserlovski
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
10
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
GC Standings
1
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
14h24'02
2
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
+ 11
3
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1'30
4
Peter Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2'08
5
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
6
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'12
7
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'24
8
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
+ 2'27
9
Robert Kiserlovski
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 2'30
10
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3'03
Points
1
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
0
26
2
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
0
17
3
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
15
15
4
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
0
15
5
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
15
15
KOM
Rank
Name
Team
Mountain
General
1
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
0
10
2
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
10
10
3
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
0
6
4
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
5
5
5
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
0
5
U25
Talansky leads Pinot by 6 minutes.
Post Race Comments- This seems to happen a lot, but a great day for team Sky. Froome has 11 seconds on Costa and we need to defend that lead. I will be a good teammate tomorrow, but I have been cleared to go in the break on stage 6.
Not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing as the profile looks like misery for any breakaway rider. Another mountain stage tomorrow, hopefully it goes well.
See you then- Ian
Edited by welker3257 on 20-08-2013 03:31
... team is doing great and will be very interesting to see how many times will Froome crack Contador this season..
Alberto Contador Contador only rode the Tour of Oman, but he impresses, winning the race and taking two stages. 
Vladimir Isaychez The Russian won this year's Tour of Qatar with a great TTT and going in the break on four occasions, picking up bonus seconds at every opportunity.
Vuelta a Mallorca: Vincenzo Nibali
Tour Mediterranean: Alejandro Valverde
Volta ao Algarve: Tanel Kangert
Omloop: Fabian Cancellara
![imageshack.us/a/img203/4254/gleh.jpg[/img<br />
A trio of escapees went up the road, very early on in the stage, they were: Pietropolli of Lampre, Robert of Lotto, and Boaro of Saxo Bank.<br />
[img]https://imageshack.us/a/img856/120/2szk.jpg](https://imageshack.us/a/img203/4254/gleh.jpg[/img<br />
A trio of escapees went up the road, very early on in the stage, they were: Pietropolli of Lampre, Robert of Lotto, and Boaro of Saxo Bank.<br />
[img]https://imageshack.us/a/img856/120/2szk.jpg)
, but a great day for team Sky. Froome has 11 seconds on Costa and we need to defend that lead. I will be a good teammate tomorrow, but I have been cleared to go in the break on stage 6. 
