Other than a large mountain to start off the stage, there should be a sprint to finish off the race.
Mori of Lampre decides he needs some time alone and attacks from the start. He will have a lonely ride for the day.
Sastre wants to move some places up in the GC, so he tests out his legs by going for the sprint bonus. He takes it ahead of the peleton and starts back to the group so he can rest up.
But disaster! As soon as Sastre gets back to the peleton the favorites decide to attack on the flat. Big mistake by CSC and we will pay for it. This could be the end of the race for us.
I send every teammate we have have to go and work as hard as possible to reel in the leaders. Schleck is protected and stays in the middle peleton for now.
Finally the group is all together. But the mistakes continue. Working so hard to reel in the break, the peleton has split under heavy crosswinds. Schleck is left behind, although he isn't our leader anymore.
With the strong winds, it was anybody's sprint, and Jufre manages to take a win for the Red Bird Squad. Relief comes at the line, where it becomes apparent the back group is linked up with the peleton and Schleck won't lose any time.
Stage Results:
1 Josep Jufré Saunier Duval - Scott 3h33'31
2 Matej Mugerli Liquigas s.t.
3 Javier Moreno Andalucía - Cajasur s.t.
4 Iñigo Landaluze Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
5 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom s.t.
6 Juanjo Cobo Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
7 Kjell Carlström Liquigas s.t.
8 Claudio Corioni Liquigas s.t.
9 Johann Tschopp Bouygues Télécom s.t. 10 Carlos Sastre Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
11 Rigoberto Urán Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
12 Amets Txurruka Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
13 Eros Capecchi Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
14 Pablo Lastras Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
15 David Millar Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
GC:
1 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom 7h08'10
2 Manuel Beltrán Liquigas + 8
3 Fran Pérez Caisse d'Epargne + 12 4 Carlos Sastre Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 16
5 Iñigo Landaluze Euskaltel - Euskadi + 20
6 Juanjo Cobo Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
7 David Millar Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
8 Mauricio Ardila Rabobank s.t.
9 Murilo Fischer Liquigas s.t.
10 David Moncoutié Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 1'25
A relatively flat stage with a short, but steep, finish.
The break moving through a small town.
Attack! All of the favorites make a move, CSC decides to wait because it is flat terrain and the final hill is coming up soon.
With the combined work of some of the teams, only Millar remains out front. He holds the smallest of advantages and is just wearing himself out.
Everything is back together at the base of the climb, and Cobo launches himself very early. Two kilometers of steep gradients remain and no rider is willing to follow.
With one kilometer to the line, the rest of the favorites unleash the sprint. Cobo remains in the lead. Will he hang on for the win or run out of gas with only meters to go?
Victory for the Spaniard. It looks as if his success last season in the hills will continue.
Stage Results:
1 Juanjo Cobo Saunier Duval - Scott 3h49'51
2 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom s.t.
3 Pablo Lastras Caisse d'Epargne s.t. 4 Carlos Sastre Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
5 Pieter Weening Rabobank s.t.
6 Paul Martens Rabobank s.t. 7 Andy Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
8 Koos Moerenhout Rabobank s.t.
9 Johann Tschopp Bouygues Télécom s.t.
10 Rigoberto Urán Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
11 Iñigo Landaluze Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
12 Kjell Carlström Liquigas s.t.
13 Rubén Pérez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
14 Trent Lowe Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
15 Steve Zampieri Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
GC after stage:
1 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom 10h57'49
2 Juanjo Cobo Saunier Duval - Scott + 12
3 Manuel Beltrán Liquigas + 20
4 Fran Pérez Caisse d'Epargne + 24 5 Carlos Sastre Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 28
6 Iñigo Landaluze Euskaltel - Euskadi + 32
7 David Millar Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
8 Murilo Fischer Liquigas s.t.
9 Mauricio Ardila Rabobank s.t. 10 Andy Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 1'37
Points:
1 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom 57
2 Juanjo Cobo Saunier Duval - Scott 42 3 Carlos Sastre Team CSC - Saxo Bank 32
4 Iñigo Landaluze Euskaltel - Euskadi 28
5 Josep Jufré Saunier Duval - Scott 25
Mountain:
1 David Millar Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 26
2 Massimilliano Mori Lampre 22
3 Dariusz Baranowski DHL - Author 20
4 Slawomir Kohut Amore e Vita - McDonald's 18
5 Nicolas Hartmann Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone 18
Interesting, the replay for stage 5 glitched and all the riders were invisible.
A summary:
CSC helped out Garmin-Chipotle by chasing the breakaways and allowing Millar to get the final KOM points. Then everything was set up for the mass sprint finish. Pineau, the superstar of the race, easily took it ahead of some classy sprinters.
1 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom 18h22'07
2 Juanjo Cobo Saunier Duval - Scott + 24
3 Iñigo Landaluze Euskaltel - Euskadi + 52
4 Manuel Beltrán Liquigas + 1'09 5 Carlos Sastre Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 1'17
6 Fran Pérez Caisse d'Epargne + 1'37
7 Mauricio Ardila Rabobank + 1'45
8 Murilo Fischer Liquigas + 2'44 9 Andy Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 2'50
10 David Moncoutié Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
FINAL POINTS:
1 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom 102
2 Juanjo Cobo Saunier Duval - Scott 67
3 Iñigo Landaluze Euskaltel - Euskadi 48 4 Carlos Sastre Team CSC - Saxo Bank 44
5 Manuel Beltrán Liquigas 34
6 Murilo Fischer Liquigas 32
7 Javier Moreno Andalucía - Cajasur 26
8 Fran Pérez Caisse d'Epargne 25
9 Josep Jufré Saunier Duval - Scott 25 10 Andy Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank 24
FINAL MOUNTAIN:
1 David Millar Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 36
2 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom 26
3 José Antonio Redondo Andalucía - Cajasur 22
4 Charles Wegelius Liquigas 22
5 Massimilliano Mori Lampre 22
6 Bauke Mollema Rabobank 20
7 Dariusz Baranowski DHL - Author 20
8 Slawomir Kohut Amore e Vita - McDonald's 18
9 Nicolas Hartmann Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone 18
Reaction: Some mistakes made during the race kept the team on its toes. However a rocksolid group performance fixed those problems. 5th and 9th spot overall is very good considering its the first race of the year for our GC men, and they were out of shape.
UP NEXT: The start of bumpy belgian roads
Edited by allez21 on 01-07-2008 23:19
The beginning of the cobble classics, today will be important to show who is in form and trying to win the major races. We will obviously go for the win today, as it is important to show the team's strength. Our three leaders will be Kroon, O'grady and Cancellara.
A breakaway is established early in the race, seen here riding through the trees.
The real racing begins when Team CSC - Saxo Bank's own Karsten Kroon attacks the peleton with 40k to go. It is a move to put the other teams under pressure.
The pace is really high, and Kroon stays away until the second to last cobble section. It was a good effort and he has done well today.
The big guns start up their engines. We are active today in starting the fireworks and as soon as Kroon is caught, Cancellara attacks.
A lead group of Cancellara, Devolder, and Gusev holds a very slight advantage over the chasers. However, even these three strong men cannot stay away.
After being caught, Gilbert starts a chain reaction among the favorites.
The group pictured here goes wild. At least 30 attacks occur, and riders must pick certain attacks to respond to and just hope it was the right decision.
Finally a group containing Nuyens, Boonen, Gilbert, Hincapie and Ballan hold a twenty second advantage over the rest of the riders, of whom are scattered all over the place. Gilbert starts his sprint early but with 100 meters to go Bonnen is closing fast.
Its not to be for Tommeke, Gilbert takes the 2008 edition of Omloop.
A great win for the young Belgian, CSC - Saxo Bank did OK. We were there and there abouts but the race turned into mass chaos and we were just unlucky. Tomorrow we will try to take a different approach and save our team leaders to the end, using teammates to chase down attacks instead.
Final Results:
1 Philippe Gilbert Française des Jeux 5h30'17
2 Tom Boonen Quick·Step s.t.
3 Nick Nuyens Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
4 Alessandro Ballan Lampre s.t.
5 George Hincapie Team Columbia s.t.
6 Leif Hoste Silence - Lotto + 32
7 Juan Antonio Flecha Rabobank s.t.
8 Marcus Burghardt Team Columbia s.t. 9 Stuart O'Grady Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
10 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t. 11 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
12 Roger Hammond Team Columbia + 1'21
13 Thor Hushovd Crédit Agricole s.t.
14 Johan Vansummeren Silence - Lotto s.t.
15 Greg Van Avermaet Silence - Lotto + 2'19
16 Vladimir Gusev Astana Cycling Team s.t.
17 Frederic Guesdon Française des Jeux + 3'23
18 Staf Scheirlinckx Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
19 Dimitri Muravyev Astana Cycling Team + 4'03
20 David Kopp Cycle Collstrop s.t.
21 Andreas Klier Team Columbia s.t.
22 Markus Zberg Gerolsteiner s.t.
23 Kevin Van Impe Quick·Step s.t.
24 Gert Steegmans Quick·Step s.t.
25 Christophe Mengin Française des Jeux s.t. 26 Karsten Kroon Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
27 Maarten Wynants Quick·Step s.t.
28 Grégory Rast Astana Cycling Team + 7'23
29 Fabio Baldato Lampre s.t.
30 Steffen Wesemann Cycle Collstrop s.t.
We are aiming for a top five today. The hills and cobbled sections end earlier than yesterday and that will allow for larger groups to get established in the end.
A break of eight goes away today, and none of them are a threat to the finale.
Some teams have decided to launch teammates up the road to use later on, and Rast, Wesseman and Terpstra shoot away from the peleton and quickly gobble up the breakaway.
They are caught on one of the final hills by a group of 15 containing all of the favorites.
Cancellara decides it is a good time to go. He hopes to be able to out power everyone for the remainder of the course which is flat. Devolder and Vansummeren follow close behind.
Devolder goes solo after seing the Silence - Lotto rider is barely hanging onto the lead group. He catches Cancellara by suprise and holds a small gap over the Swiss rider for a couple kilometers.
Suddenly, the chase group is upon the leaders. It seems as if the attacks were too early, and now Ballan, Nuyens and Flecha have a shot at the win... can Cancellara hold with them?
Devolder has the strength to stay away just barely, but Cancellara is fighting for a shot on the podium.
Victory for the Belgian Champion.
Cancellara takes third behind Ballan, not too bad.
So Cancellara held his own and is showing good form for Tirreno and the more important races down the road.
1 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step 4h48'37
2 Alessandro Ballan Lampre s.t. 3 Fabian Cancellara Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
4 Nick Nuyens Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
5 Juan Antonio Flecha Rabobank s.t.
6 Johan Vansummeren Silence - Lotto + 48
7 Philippe Gilbert Française des Jeux + 1'11
8 Leif Hoste Silence - Lotto + 1'42
9 Greg Van Avermaet Silence - Lotto + 2'27
10 Vladimir Gusev Astana Cycling Team s.t.
11 Grégory Rast Astana Cycling Team s.t.
12 Kevin Van Impe Quick·Step + 4'34
13 George Hincapie Team Columbia s.t. 14 Stuart O'Grady Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
15 Steffen Wesemann Cycle Collstrop s.t.
16 Christophe Mengin Française des Jeux s.t.
17 Niki Terpstra Team Milram s.t.
18 Staf Scheirlinckx Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
19 Sébastien Rosseler Quick·Step s.t.
20 Frederic Guesdon Française des Jeux s.t.
21 Fabio Baldato Lampre s.t.
22 Andreas Klier Team Columbia + 5'25
23 Gorik Gardeyn Silence - Lotto + 5'54
24 David Kopp Cycle Collstrop s.t.
25 Bert De Waele Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner s.t.
26 Sylvain Chavanel Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t. 27 Karsten Kroon Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
28 Maarten Wynants Quick·Step + 7'27
29 Maarten Tjallingii Silence - Lotto s.t.
30 Simon Spilak Lampre s.t.
The bolded riders are people who I think can contend for the GC. The Schleck brothers are the leaders of Team CSC - Saxo bank, although Frank is in better shape. A tough race lays ahead.
A short prologue shouldn't send any rider's hopes packing too soon, but it will be an advantage to certain people.
(i forgot to take pictures ops
Youngster Terpstra from Milram sets a good time and holds the lead for almost the whole race. Quinziato sets a time three seconds faster, and looks like he will win the race. Gutierrez is the last hope for the stage but clocks a time less than a second slower. CSC rose fairly well, as the Shleck brothers kept themselves in contention.
Results:
1 Manuel Quinziato Liquigas 7'41
2 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
3 Niki Terpstra Team Milram + 3
4 Marco Pinotti Team Columbia s.t.
5 Josu Agirre Euskaltel - Euskadi + 8
6 José Angel Gómez Marchante Saunier Duval - Scott + 9
7 Sébastien Joly Française des Jeux + 12
8 Ronny Scholz Gerolsteiner + 13
9 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia + 15
10 Rémi Pauriol Crédit Agricole s.t. 11 Andy Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
12 Bert Grabsch Team Columbia + 16 13 Bradley McGee Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 17
14 Volodymyr Dyudya Team Milram + 18
15 Alexandre Blain Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 19
16 Yann Rault Bretagne - Armor Lux + 20
17 Damien Gaudin Bouygues Télécom + 21
18 Matthias Frank Gerolsteiner s.t.
19 Xavier Zandio Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
20 Aitor Hernández Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
21 Julien Simon Crédit Agricole + 22
22 Cyril Lemoine Crédit Agricole + 23
23 Christian Knees Team Milram s.t. 24 Fränk Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 24
25 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom + 25
26 Sébastien Duret Bretagne - Armor Lux s.t.
27 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
28 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner + 26
29 Sylvain Chavanel Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphon s.t.
30 Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas s.t.
31 Denis Menchov Rabobank + 27
32 Thomas Dekker Rabobank s.t.
33 David Le Lay Bretagne - Armor Lux s.t.
34 Amets Txurruka Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
35 Francis De Greef Silence - Lotto + 28
A couple lumps in the middle of the stage shouldnt prevent the finish ending in a mass sprint.
Arvesen is active in today's stage, getting in the first breakaway. It is, however, reeled in.
The final breakaway of four establishes itself midway through the stage. Pictured here before the first of the mountain competition summits.
Wesseman is by far the strongest rider in the group and goes solo for about 30k. He is unable to hold of the sprinters who are keen to show their strength.
The trains begin: Casper on the left of the picture, Boonen and Zabel in the middle, and Bazayev on the right.
O'grady hangs on Hushovd's wheel, but the three sprinters mentioned before had too large a lead to begin. Boonen sits comfortable in the lead.
Tornado Tom takes one for Quickstep.
Results:
1 Tom Boonen Quick·Step 4h11'42
2 Jimmy Casper Agritubel s.t.
3 Thor Hushovd Crédit Agricole s.t.
4 Assan Bazayev Astana Cycling Team s.t. 5 Stuart O'Grady Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
6 Bernhard Eisel Team Columbia s.t.
7 Koldo Fernández de Larrea Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
8 Murilo Fischer Liquigas s.t.
9 Erik Zabel Team Milram s.t.
10 Markus Zberg Gerolsteiner s.t.
11 David Kopp Cycle Collstrop s.t.
12 Gorik Gardeyn Silence - Lotto s.t.
13 Marco Marcato Cycle Collstrop s.t.
14 Greg Van Avermaet Silence - Lotto s.t.
15 Matthé Pronk Cycle Collstrop s.t.
GC after stage:
1 Manuel Quinziato Liquigas 4h19'23
2 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
3 Niki Terpstra Team Milram + 3
4 Marco Pinotti Team Columbia s.t.
5 Josu Agirre Euskaltel - Euskadi + 8
6 José Angel Gómez Marchante Saunier Duval - Scott + 9
7 Sébastien Joly Française des Jeux + 12
8 Ronny Scholz Gerolsteiner + 13 9 Andy Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 15
10 Rémi Pauriol Crédit Agricole s.t.
Points:
1 Manuel Quinziato Liquigas 25
2 Tom Boonen Quick·Step 25
3 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne 22
4 Jimmy Casper Agritubel 22
5 Niki Terpstra Team Milram 20
6 Thor Hushovd Crédit Agricole 20
7 Assan Bazayev Astana Cycling Team 18
8 Marco Pinotti Team Columbia 18 9 Stuart O'Grady Team CSC - Saxo Bank 16
10 Josu Agirre Euskaltel - Euskadi 16
The hills at the end of the stage may allow for a solo victory.
Attacks go out at the beginning of the stage, but its all together for the first sprint point and Boonen shows he is the strongest sprinter again.
But then a very interesting thing happens. Just as the sprint ends, more riders attack up to the sprinters and start uping the pace. Some sprinters decide to help the break, including O'grady. The group is so large that many teams are represented and don't chase. Also, the strong crosswinds allow the break to be just as efficient as the peleton. The gap quickly grows to five minutes.
Halfway through the hills the leaders have been narrowed to those who can survive both the gradient and the wind. Those left are Hushovd, O'grady and Zberg
Zberg tries to attack but is countered by the other two riders quickly.
On the final hill, the catch has arrived. However, O'grady still wants a win and is given the green light to attack. He holds a 25 second advantage after the descent.
Behind him Flecha and Voeckler give chase.
It looks like O'grady will hang on, Voeckler and Flecha will end up finishing on the podium but with the same time as the peleton.
A brilliant victory for O'grady. The right combination of circumstances let him stay up front and he really deserves it. By far the most exciting win of the season.
Results:
1 Stuart O'Grady Team CSC - Saxo Bank 4h28'10
2 Thomas Voeckler Bouygues Télécom + 33
3 Juan Antonio Flecha Rabobank s.t.
4 Tom Boonen Quick·Step s.t.
5 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom s.t.
6 Bernhard Eisel Team Columbia s.t.
7 Murilo Fischer Liquigas s.t.
8 Thor Hushovd Crédit Agricole s.t.
9 Erik Zabel Team Milram s.t.
10 Thomas Dekker Rabobank s.t.
11 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas s.t.
12 Pierrick Fédrigo Bouygues Télécom s.t.
13 Maxime Monfort Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
14 Dimitri Fofonov Crédit Agricole s.t.
15 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner s.t.
GC after stage:
1 Stuart O'Grady Team CSC - Saxo Bank 8h48'04
2 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne + 2
3 Manuel Quinziato Liquigas s.t.
4 Niki Terpstra Team Milram + 5
5 Marco Pinotti Team Columbia s.t.
6 Josu Agirre Euskaltel - Euskadi + 10
7 José Angel Gómez Marchante Saunier Duval - Scott + 11
8 Sébastien Joly Française des Jeux + 14
9 Ronny Scholz Gerolsteiner + 15
10 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia + 17 11 Andy Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
12 Rémi Pauriol Crédit Agricole s.t. 13 Bradley McGee Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 19
14 Christian Knees Team Milram + 25
15 Thor Hushovd Crédit Agricole + 26 16 Fränk Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
17 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom + 27
18 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
19 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner + 28
20 Sylvain Chavanel Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
Points:
1 Tom Boonen Quick·Step 46 2 Stuart O'Grady Team CSC - Saxo Bank 41
3 Thor Hushovd Crédit Agricole 36
4 Bernhard Eisel Team Columbia 32
5 Murilo Fischer Liquigas 27
6 Manuel Quinziato Liquigas 25
7 Erik Zabel Team Milram 24
8 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne 23
9 Jimmy Casper Agritubel 23
10 Thomas Voeckler Bouygues Télécom 22
KOM:
1 Stuart O'Grady Team CSC - Saxo Bank 12
2 Markus Zberg Gerolsteiner 6
3 Stefan Schumacher Gerolsteiner 5
4 Steffen Wesemann Cycle Collstrop 4
5 Christophe Edaleine AG2R La Mondiale 4
6 Thor Hushovd Crédit Agricole 4
7 Thomas Voeckler Bouygues Télécom 3
8 Damien Gaudin Bouygues Télécom 2
9 Hervé Duclos-Lassalle Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone 2 10 Fränk Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank 2
A fairly mountainous stage. Depending on how hard teams push it before the final climb and how hard riders push it up the final climb will determine the end group. However, I suspect many riders will remain in contention after the stage.
The breakaway of the day is extremely unorganised. About ten riders are scattered within 3 minutes of one another, Van Avermaet leads that group alone for most of the race.
Heading up the second to last climb, German Stefan Schumacher attacks in the peleton. Followed by him are Kloden, Txurruka, and Tirralongo. Saunier Duval - Scott send 5 riders to start chasing, and CSC - Saxo Bank send Julich, Sorensen and Gustov.
The youngster from the Basque team trys his luck at a stage and attacks his companions, but only Schumacher can follow.
With the work of the Red Bird Squad everything is back together by the final climb, and their team leader tries to escape.
The situation out on the road: Ricco and Barredo lead by a couple meters over the second group who have most notably Frank Schleck, Menchov, and Nibali. But with only 1k to the top it becomes apparent everything is back together.
At the bottom of the descent a group of 40 riders has established. Gutierrez of Caisse D'Epargne motors away on the flat. Schleck and Ricco try to follow him, but can't quite catch up.
A nice victory for the Spanish time trial champion.
Schleck has the better legs and takes second. Ricco and Schleck will take 19 seconds from the reduced peleton.
So we stayed with it today. Frank moves up in the GC and Andy remains in contention. Tomorrow the Ventoux will prove to be decisive. It looks like the biggest competition will be Ricco and Gutierrez if he can hang on at that altitude.
Results:
1 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne 4h11'36 2 Fränk Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 20
3 Riccardo Riccò Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
4 Koos Moerenhout Rabobank + 39
5 Mario Aerts Silence - Lotto s.t.
6 Johan Vansummeren Silence - Lotto s.t.
7 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas s.t.
8 Pierrick Fédrigo Bouygues Télécom s.t.
9 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
10 Cyril Dessel AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
11 David Moncoutié Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
12 Rigoberto Urán Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
13 Joaquím Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
14 Josep Jufré Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
15 Tom Stubbe Française des Jeux s.t.
16 Laurent Lefèvre Bouygues Télécom s.t.
17 Iñigo Landaluze Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
18 José Angel Gómez Marchante Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
19 Chris Horner Astana Cycling Team s.t.
20 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
21 Bauke Mollema Rabobank s.t.
22 Sébastien Joly Française des Jeux s.t.
23 Sylvain Chavanel Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
24 Benoit Salmon Agritubel s.t. 25 Andy Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank s.t.
26 Mathieu Sprick Bouygues Télécom s.t.
27 Christophe Moreau Agritubel s.t.
28 Sérgio Paulinho Astana Cycling Team s.t.
29 Gorazd Stangelj Lampre s.t.
30 Gorka Verdugo Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
GC after stage:
1 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne 12h59'36 2 Fränk Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 46
3 José Angel Gómez Marchante Saunier Duval - Scott + 54
4 Sébastien Joly Française des Jeux + 57 5 Andy Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 1'00
6 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia s.t.
7 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step + 1'10
8 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom s.t.
9 Sylvain Chavanel Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 1'11
10 Riccardo Riccò Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
11 Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas s.t.
12 Denis Menchov Rabobank + 1'12
13 Thomas Dekker Rabobank s.t.
14 Manuel Beltrán Liquigas + 1'15
15 Joaquím Rodríguez Caisse d'Epargne + 1'16
Points:
1 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne 48
2 Tom Boonen Quick·Step 46 3 Stuart O'Grady Team CSC - Saxo Bank 41
4 Thor Hushovd Crédit Agricole 36
5 Bernhard Eisel Team Columbia 32
6 Murilo Fischer Liquigas 27
7 Pierrick Fédrigo Bouygues Télécom 26
8 Riccardo Riccò Saunier Duval - Scott 25
9 Manuel Quinziato Liquigas 25
10 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas 24
KOM:
1 Greg Van Avermaet Silence - Lotto 13 2 Stuart O'Grady Team CSC - Saxo Bank 12
3 Riccardo Riccò Saunier Duval - Scott 10
4 Matteo Bono Lampre 9 5 Fränk Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank 8
6 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step 8
7 Thomas Voeckler Bouygues Télécom 7
8 Julien Simon Crédit Agricole 7
9 Markus Zberg Gerolsteiner 6
10 Christian Knees Team Milram 6
This is a very tough stage, with the last 20k uphill. While the winner may not be decided on the stage, many will lose their chance. Both the Schlecks hope to be active on today's race.
Bobby Julich slips into today's breakaway, which contains 12 riders total.
Nibali and Hushovd go down, disaster for Liquigas. Will he be able to perform later in the stage?
At the bottom of Ventoux the survivors of the breakaway still have about 30 seconds. The leader of the race, Gutierrez decides the best defense is a good offense, and attacks only 2k into the climb. CSC doesn't think its a good idea to follow but when the rest of the favorites go, we are forced to follow.
The breakaway is passed by the leaders, and more attacks go out by the superstars like Ricco.
But Astana sets a very fast pace and manages to bring it all back together, at which point some of the underdogs make a go. Seen here the group of 5 leading contains Valjevec, Chavanel, Rubiera, Beltran and Gomez Marchante. Frank Schleck tries to give chase but doesn't want to push it too hard so early.
Its all back together and the French champion Moreau attacks! He doesn't get to far before Valjevec puts in a stronger counter!
But that draws out the big guns, Menchov turns the power on and Ricco is quick to follow! It looks like this will break the group to pieces.
Frank Schleck feels really good all the sudden and tries to counter the move. He is suprised to see how easily he passes the favorites and soon he is all alone out front!
The next closest riders are Ricco and Devolder, about 100m behind.
The second stage win for CSC - Saxo bank at this year's Paris - Nice! Great riding by Frank.
Well the gap was just small enogh for Gutierrez to hang on, so we have more work to do. All in all, it was a good stage and we have a shot to win the race to the sun. (not to mention keeping my goal alive )
Results:
1 Fränk Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank 4h44'10
2 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step + 14
3 Riccardo Riccò Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
4 Thomas Dekker Rabobank + 35
5 Christophe Moreau Agritubel s.t.
6 Tadej Valjavec AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
7 Denis Menchov Rabobank s.t.
8 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
9 Sébastien Joly Française des Jeux s.t.
10 Sylvain Chavanel Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
11 Chechu Rubiera Astana Cycling Team s.t.
12 Manuel Beltrán Liquigas s.t.
13 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step s.t. 14 Andy Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 1'32
15 David Moncoutié Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 1'46
16 Maxime Monfort Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
17 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia s.t.
18 Andreas Klöden Astana Cycling Team s.t.
19 Johan Vansummeren Silence - Lotto s.t.
20 José Angel Gómez Marchante Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
21 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom s.t.
22 Laurent Lefèvre Bouygues Télécom s.t.
23 Jurgen Van den Broeck Silence - Lotto s.t.
24 Iñigo Landaluze Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
25 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
26 Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas s.t.
27 Dimitri Fofonov Crédit Agricole s.t.
28 Cyril Dessel AG2R La Mondiale + 2'38
29 Koos Moerenhout Rabobank s.t.
30 Tom Stubbe Française des Jeux s.t.
GC after stage:
1 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne 17h44'21 2 Fränk Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 5
3 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step + 45
4 Riccardo Riccò Saunier Duval - Scott + 48
5 Sébastien Joly Française des Jeux + 57
6 Sylvain Chavanel Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 1'11
7 Thomas Dekker Rabobank + 1'12
8 Denis Menchov Rabobank s.t.
9 Manuel Beltrán Liquigas + 1'15
10 Christophe Moreau Agritubel + 1'28
11 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step s.t.
12 Tadej Valjavec AG2R La Mondiale + 1'36
13 Chechu Rubiera Astana Cycling Team s.t. 14 Andy Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 1'57
15 José Angel Gómez Marchante Saunier Duval - Scott + 2'05
Points:
1 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne 61 2 Fränk Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank 47
3 Tom Boonen Quick·Step 46
4 Riccardo Riccò Saunier Duval - Scott 45 5 Stuart O'Grady Team CSC - Saxo Bank 41
6 Thor Hushovd Crédit Agricole 36
7 Bernhard Eisel Team Columbia 32
8 Thomas Dekker Rabobank 29
9 Murilo Fischer Liquigas 27
10 Sébastien Joly Française des Jeux 26
11 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step 26
Mountain:
1 Fränk Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank 23
2 Riccardo Riccò Saunier Duval - Scott 20
3 Greg Van Avermaet Silence - Lotto 13
4 Steffen Wesemann Cycle Collstrop 12 5 Stuart O'Grady Team CSC - Saxo Bank 12
6 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step 12
7 Matteo Bono Lampre 9
8 Christophe Moreau Agritubel 8
9 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step 8
10 Thomas Dekker Rabobank 8
Edited by allez21 on 03-07-2008 21:07
Although some decent climbing will start out the stage. The sprinters should be able to make it to the finish.
The break consists of any riders, but Mengin of FDJ attacks his companions in an attempt to go solo with many kilometers left to ride.
With 30k to go, the lead rider have seven minutes and Mengin still leads two other riders by a minute. The relaxed atmosphere in the peleton changes when a mass crash occurs. Devolder and Valjevec are on the pavement.
The time gaps between riders have been significantly reduced but Mengin will hold off the peleton.
Victory for FDJ!
Not so good for some riders today, who will lose their place in GC. Over two minutes for the former third place rider Devolder.
Results:
1 Christophe Mengin Française des Jeux 4h28'27
2 Josu Agirre Euskaltel - Euskadi + 46
3 Gorik Gardeyn Silence - Lotto s.t.
4 Tom Boonen Quick·Step + 1'12
5 Thor Hushovd Crédit Agricole s.t.
6 Greg Van Avermaet Silence - Lotto s.t.
7 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom s.t.
8 Wouter Weylandt Quick·Step s.t.
9 Manuel Quinziato Liquigas s.t.
10 Roger Hammond Team Columbia s.t.
11 Dimitri Fofonov Crédit Agricole s.t.
12 Murilo Fischer Liquigas s.t.
13 Nicolas Jalabert Agritubel s.t.
14 Tom Criel Cycle Collstrop s.t.
15 Borut Božic Cycle Collstrop s.t.
16 Erik Zabel Team Milram s.t.
17 Koldo Fernández de Larrea Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
18 Bauke Mollema Rabobank s.t.
19 Matthé Pronk Cycle Collstrop s.t.
20 Jean-Luc Delpech Bretagne - Armor Lux s.t.
21 Andreas Klöden Astana Cycling Team s.t.
22 Juan Antonio Flecha Rabobank s.t.
23 Sergei Ivanov Astana Cycling Team s.t.
24 Sergei Rudaskov Cycle Collstrop s.t.
25 Maxime Monfort Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
26 Matteo Tosatto Quick·Step s.t.
27 Jimmy Casper Agritubel s.t.
28 Andrea Noè Liquigas s.t.
29 Maarten Wynants Quick·Step s.t.
30 Marco Marcato Cycle Collstrop s.t.
GC after stage:
1 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne 22h14'00 2 Fränk Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 5
3 Riccardo Riccò Saunier Duval - Scott + 48
4 Sébastien Joly Française des Jeux + 57
5 Sylvain Chavanel Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone + 1'11
6 Denis Menchov Rabobank + 1'12
7 Thomas Dekker Rabobank s.t.
8 Manuel Beltrán Liquigas + 1'15
9 Carlos Barredo Quick·Step + 1'28
10 Christophe Moreau Agritubel s.t.
11 Chechu Rubiera Astana Cycling Team + 1'36 12 Andy Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank + 1'57
13 José Angel Gómez Marchante Saunier Duval - Scott + 2'05
14 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia + 2'11
15 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom + 2'21
Points:
1 Tom Boonen Quick·Step 64
2 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne 61
3 Thor Hushovd Crédit Agricole 52 4 Fränk Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank 47
5 Riccardo Riccò Saunier Duval - Scott 45 6 Stuart O'Grady Team CSC - Saxo Bank 41
7 Josu Agirre Euskaltel - Euskadi 40
8 Manuel Quinziato Liquigas 37
9 Murilo Fischer Liquigas 36
10 Jérôme Pineau Bouygues Télécom 35
Mountain:
1 Fränk Schleck Team CSC - Saxo Bank 23
2 Riccardo Riccò Saunier Duval - Scott 20
3 Christophe Mengin Française des Jeux 15
4 Greg Van Avermaet Silence - Lotto 13
5 Steffen Wesemann Cycle Collstrop 12
6 Stuart O'Grady Team CSC - Saxo Bank 12
7 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step 12
8 Maxime Bouet Agritubel 9
9 Matteo Bono Lampre 9
10 Christophe Moreau Agritubel 8
ops
