During the second week of December, the whole team was present in Brittany for the Pre-Season Training Camp, It was the time to meet our new team-mates, and to re-ride in groups. We also had a meeting with the sponsor delegates, we talked (we listen is better there ) about the objectives of the firm, what were expected from us in terms of Image.
We had a very interesting meeting with a french journalist who taught us who to behave with the press. I learned a lot from there and I'm sure that it will be very useful in the future.
Now less writing, here comes the pictures:
And a little bonus, picture of my training with Thibaut, Arthur, Francis and Laurent the day after christmas:
I will come back to race in late January so see you there
Before Starting the 2014 season, I wanted to tell that two of my best friend finally got a spot in a World Tour Team. I know then since when we were in Junior Team together. I had a lot of pleasure riding with them and when they told me the news I was really happy for them. I'm talking about Simon and Adam Yates the future British Stars, I met them when I was 16, they were 17. Since that time, we remain friends and every time this was possible we went riding together.
They sign a two-year contract with Orica - GreenEdge but I hope I'll see them on the roads this season.
Here we are, the start of the 2014 season, I had a great time training with my friends during the winter but now it's time to go back to racing. During the Winter Francis won, for the 8th time, the French Cyclo Cross National Championship. With Sven Nys injured, he is one of the main favorites for the CC World Championship.
The first race of the European Circuit and it is already a race counting for the PMU French Cup. I will do my best to defend my title but the season is long and this is just the beginning.
Race Report:
The race was very active in it's first part, during almost half of it, attacks were non stop. Alexandre was the one who had to control all those attacks.
During the last climb, Arthur tried to go solo but the guys from Movistar were not giving him the right to go.
The only one who threatened the pack was Fredrik Kessiakoff (AST) who had 30" with 7 kilometers to go.
Finally, the end came to a sprint, I was at the front waiting for the right moment but I got blocked in the fences. The surprise came from Anthony Geslin who came out of nowhere and he was already challenging Egoitz Garcia Etxegibel (COF) and Kevyn Ista (IAM) for the victory.
The race would have lasted 20 more meters and the victory would have been for Anthony. Unfortunately Egoitz Garcia Etxegibel (COF) was the fastest. I came down to a great fourth position with Arthur taking five.
Race Ranking:
1
Egoitz Garcia Etxegibel
Cofidis Solutions Crédits
3h30'07
2
Anthony Geslin
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
3
Kevyn Ista
IAM Cycling
s.t.
4
Anthony Louveille
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
5
Arthur Vichot
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
6
Miyataka Shimizu
Bridgestone - Anchor
s.t.
7
Gorka Izagirre Insausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
8
Romain Bardet
Ag2r - La Mondiale
s.t.
9
Maxime Monfort
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
10
Tom Jelte Slagter
Garmin-Sharp
s.t.
11
Thibaut Pinot
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
12
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
13
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
s.t.
14
Alexis Vuillermoz
Ag2r - La Mondiale
s.t.
15
Mikhail Ignatiev
Katusha Team
s.t.
Spoiler
16
Martin Elmiger
IAM Cycling
s.t.
17
Davide Malacarne
Team Europcar
s.t.
18
Ángel Vicioso Arcos
Katusha Team
s.t.
19
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
20
Rubén Plaza Molina
Movistar Team
s.t.
21
Pierrick Fédrigo
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
22
Stig Broeckx
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
23
Daniele Ratto
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
24
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
25
Samuel Dumoulin
Ag2r - La Mondiale
s.t.
26
Pablo Lastras Garcia
Movistar Team
s.t.
27
Ramunas Navardauskas
Garmin-Sharp
s.t.
28
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
29
Simon Geschke
Team Argos-Shimano
s.t.
30
Jérôme Coppel
Cofidis Solutions Crédits
s.t.
31
Thomas Löfkvist
IAM Cycling
s.t.
32
Jésus Herrada Lopez
Movistar Team
s.t.
33
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
34
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
35
Matthieu Ladagnous
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
36
Yann Huguet
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
37
Amets Txurruka Ansola
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
38
Angel Madrazo Ruiz
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
39
Nathan Brown
Garmin-Sharp
s.t.
40
Clément Koretzky
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
41
Romain Hardy
Cofidis Solutions Crédits
s.t.
42
André Fernando S.Martins Cardoso
Garmin-Sharp
s.t.
43
Raymond Kreder
Garmin-Sharp
s.t.
44
Matteo Montaguti
Ag2r - La Mondiale
s.t.
45
Janier Alexis Acevedo Calle
Garmin-Sharp
s.t.
46
Sérgio Miguel Vieira Ribeiro
Louletano - Dunas Douradas
s.t.
47
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
s.t.
48
Sebastian Lander
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
49
Antonio Piedra Perez
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
50
Michel Kreder
Accent.Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
51
Francesco Gavazzi
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
52
Peter Stetina
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
53
Thierry Hupond
Team Argos-Shimano
s.t.
54
Thomas Lebas
Bridgestone - Anchor
s.t.
55
Chad Haga
Team Argos-Shimano
s.t.
56
Alexandre Geniez
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
57
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
s.t.
58
Enrique Sanz Unzue
Movistar Team
s.t.
59
Philip Gaimon
Garmin-Sharp
s.t.
60
Dayer Quintana Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
61
Pim Ligthart
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
62
Cayetano Jose Sarmiento Tunarrosa
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
63
Francesco Lasca
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
64
Kristijan Koren
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
65
Jean-Marc Marino
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
66
Damiano Caruso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
67
José Iván Gutierrez Palacios
Movistar Team
s.t.
68
Alessandro De Marchi
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
69
Warren Barguil
Team Argos-Shimano
s.t.
70
Matteo Pelucchi
IAM Cycling
s.t.
71
Damien Monier
Bridgestone - Anchor
s.t.
72
Antoine Lavieu
La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
73
Dmitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
74
Brent Bookwalter
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
75
Luis Angel Mate Mardones
Cofidis Solutions Crédits
s.t.
76
Jérôme Pineau
IAM Cycling
s.t.
77
Andrey Zeits
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
78
Bart De Clercq
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
79
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
80
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Accent.Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
81
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
s.t.
82
Ben Gastauer
Ag2r - La Mondiale
s.t.
83
Matthias Brandle
IAM Cycling
s.t.
84
Davide Appollonio
Ag2r - La Mondiale
s.t.
85
Dmitriy Gruzdev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
86
Gatis Smukulis
Katusha Team
s.t.
87
Vincent Jérôme
Team Europcar
s.t.
88
Mikael Chérel
Ag2r - La Mondiale
s.t.
89
Daniil Fominykh
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
90
Yohann Gène
Team Europcar
s.t.
91
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
s.t.
92
Clément Venturini
Cofidis Solutions Crédits
s.t.
93
Rudy Molard
Cofidis Solutions Crédits
s.t.
94
Pierre Henri Lecuisinier
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
95
Maxim Belkov
Katusha Team
s.t.
96
Volodymyr Bileka
TEAM Ventilair - Chimay
s.t.
97
George Bennett
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
98
Stéphane Poulhies
Cofidis Solutions Crédits
s.t.
99
Matej Mohoric
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
100
Jimmy Engoulvent
Team Europcar
s.t.
101
Florian Guillou
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
102
Benoît Jarrier
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
103
Pierre-Luc Perichon
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
104
Erwann Corbel
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
105
Daan Olivier
Team Argos-Shimano
s.t.
106
Grégory Habeaux
Accent.Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
107
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
108
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
s.t.
109
Aron Kremer
Colba - Superano Ham
s.t.
110
Nikias Arndt
Team Argos-Shimano
s.t.
111
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
112
Koen De Kort
Team Argos-Shimano
s.t.
113
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
114
Steven Tronet
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
115
Marco Minnaard
Accent.Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
116
Fabrice Jeandesboz
Team Europcar
s.t.
117
Laurens De Vreese
Accent.Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
118
Damien Gaudin
Ag2r - La Mondiale
s.t.
119
Nico Sijmens
Accent.Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
120
Tim Wellens
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
121
Théo Vimpère
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
122
Mathieu Drujon
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
123
Kenny Dehaes
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
124
Tomoyuki Iino
Louletano - Dunas Douradas
s.t.
125
Darijus Dzervus
Doltcini - Flanders
s.t.
126
Fernando Grijalba
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
127
Kuranosuke Yonemura
Bridgestone - Anchor
s.t.
128
Baden Cooke
Colba - Superano Ham
s.t.
129
Timothy Dupont
TEAM Ventilair - Chimay
s.t.
130
Antonio Molina
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
131
Benjamin Sydlik
Doltcini - Flanders
s.t.
132
Marcos Garcia Fernandez
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
133
Dylan Teuns
TEAM Ventilair - Chimay
s.t.
134
Florian Vachon
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
135
Boris Zimine
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
136
Sebastien Reichenbach
IAM Cycling
s.t.
137
Jim Vercruyce
Colba - Superano Ham
s.t.
138
Ruben Fernandez Andujar
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
139
Koldo Fernandez De Larrea
Garmin-Sharp
+ 2'49
140
Niels Van Dorsselaer
Colba - Superano Ham
+ 3'37
141
Benjamin Le Montagner
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
142
Steve Schets
Doltcini - Flanders
s.t.
143
Christophe Laborie
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
144
Vincent Canard
Bridgestone - Anchor
s.t.
145
Jimmy Raibaud
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
146
Vegard Breen
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
147
Fatih Harmanci
Bridgestone - Anchor
s.t.
148
Kévin Suarez Martinez
Doltcini - Flanders
s.t.
149
Antonio Olmo Menacho
Louletano - Dunas Douradas
s.t.
150
Romain Bacon
BigMat - Auber 93
+ 4'47
151
Ronan Racault
La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
152
Roy Jans
Accent.Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
153
Luis Filipe Albino Silva
Louletano - Dunas Douradas
s.t.
154
Emiel Wastyn
TEAM Ventilair - Chimay
s.t.
155
Boris Vallée
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
156
Ruben Pols
TEAM Ventilair - Chimay
s.t.
157
Frederick Veuchelen
Accent.Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
158
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Katusha Team
s.t.
159
Dominic Pereira Mestre
Louletano - Dunas Douradas
s.t.
160
Romain Zingle
Cofidis Solutions Crédits
s.t.
161
Mathias Van Holderbeecke
Doltcini - Flanders
+ 5'39
162
Takenouchi Yu
Colba - Superano Ham
s.t.
163
Jake Tanner
Doltcini - Flanders
s.t.
164
Christopher Jennings
La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
165
Max Bayle
La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
166
Tom Stamsnijder
Team Argos-Shimano
s.t.
167
Quentin Tanis
Colba - Superano Ham
s.t.
168
Fabien Bacquet
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
169
Tim Van Speybroeck
TEAM Ventilair - Chimay
s.t.
170
Fabio Ruben Rafael Leaça
Louletano - Dunas Douradas
s.t.
171
Nick Mertens
Doltcini - Flanders
+ 6'24
172
Domenico Fantini
La Pomme Marseille
+ 7'05
173
Jean-Michel Minard
Louletano - Dunas Douradas
+ 11'02
174
Foppe Peppinck
Louletano - Dunas Douradas
s.t.
175
Maksym Voznyuk
Doltcini - Flanders
s.t.
176
Serse Lapedota
La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
PMU French Cup Ranking after Grand Prix La Marseillaise
Rider Ranking:
Rank
Nat
Rider
Team
Points
1
Egoitz Garcia Etxegibel
Cofidis Solutions Crédits
50
2
Anthony Geslin
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
35
3
Anthony Louveille
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
20
4
Arthur Vichot
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
18
5
Romain Bardet
Ag2r - La Mondiale
12
6
Thibaut Pinot
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
6
7
Alexis Vuillermoz
Ag2r - La Mondiale
3
Team Ranking:
Rank
Nat
Team
Points
1
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
12
2
Ag2r - La Mondiale
9
3
Cofidis Solutions Crédits
8
4
Team Europcar
7
5
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
6
6
BigMat - Auber 93
5
7
La Pomme Marseille
4
I was missing that kind of feelings of riding in a pack, now that the season had really started for me, I can't wait to take a victory again
This is not a race were I will be the leader, first because they are better riders than me in our squad and secondly because I'm just starting to build my shape for the cobbled classics.
Stage 1
Big Sprinters are taking part of this race, so it was not our job to chase the breakaway, we did not send someone at the front either as we knew the stage would end in a sprint.
When we get to the finish, we did not anticipate the movement of all the sprinters' teams. we ended up in the middle of the pack unable to launch Anthony Roux who took the 19th position.
José Joaquin Rojas Gil (MOV) won the stage in front of Mark Cavendish (OPQ) and Sacha Modolo (LAM).
Stage 2
Like in stage 1, we did not work this day, we let the other team do the chase and we just came to the front of the pack when the finish was getting closer.
This time we did no mistakes and Anthony managed to grab Degenkolb's wheel, Anthony did a great sprint taking the 6th position.
The stage was won by André Greipel (LTB) in front of Mark Cavendish (OPQ) and Francisco José Ventoso Alberdi (MOV).
Stage 3
That stage was a very messy one, first Alexandre tried to go in the breakaway but he failed and then no breakaway really managed to get formed.
The pace was so high that they were many tension in the pack, which ended in a mass crash 8 kilometers before the end. 4 riders withdrew from the race.
At the front the crash had no important, it was the stage win that matters.
At that game John Degenkolb (ARG) was the fastest. He arrive in front of Mark Cavendish (OPQ) and Sacha Modolo (LAM). Anthony Roux made 5th and Anthony Geslin 6th.
Ranking Stage 1:
1
José Joaquin Rojas Gil
Movistar Team
3h16'25
2
Mark Cavendish
OmegaPharma - Quick Step Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Sacha Modolo
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
4
André Greipel
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
5
Oscar Gatto
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
6
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
s.t.
7
Pirmin Lang
IAM Cycling
s.t.
8
Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver
Katusha Team
s.t.
9
Egoitz Garcia Etxegibel
Cofidis Solutions Crédits
s.t.
10
Gediminas Bagdonas
Ag2r - La Mondiale
s.t.
---
25
Anthony Louveille
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
Ranking Stage 2:
1
André Greipel
Lotto - Belisol
3h08'21
2
Mark Cavendish
OmegaPharma - Quick Step Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Francisco José Ventoso Alberdi
Movistar Team
s.t.
4
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
s.t.
5
Louis Verhelst
Cofidis Solutions Crédits
s.t.
6
Anthony Roux
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
7
José Joaquin Rojas Gil
Movistar Team
s.t.
8
Pirmin Lang
IAM Cycling
s.t.
9
Juan José Lobato Del Valle
Movistar Team
s.t.
10
Sacha Modolo
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
---
60
Anthony Louveille
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
Ranking Stage 3:
1
John Degenkolb
Team Argos-Shimano
2h58'49
2
Mark Cavendish
OmegaPharma - Quick Step Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Sacha Modolo
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
4
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
s.t.
5
Anthony Roux
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
6
Anthony Geslin
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
7
José Joaquin Rojas Gil
Movistar Team
s.t.
8
André Greipel
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
9
Egoitz Garcia Etxegibel
Cofidis Solutions Crédits
s.t.
10
Francisco José Ventoso Alberdi
Movistar Team
s.t.
---
15
Anthony Louveille
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
This first 3 stages went quite well regarding the sprinting fields present here, Anthony managed to take two top 10 and I did not lose time yet.
The real race start now for us. First with the finish n top of the Mont Faron and then the stage to Grasse. We will focus our ride on Thibaut or Arthur.
Stage 4
This stage was the most suited to Thibaut, no technical downhill and a climbing Finish. The races was controlled by team mates of Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (KAT) and by Alexandre too.
The fight began with 18 kilometers to go with the acceleration of Christophe Le Mével (COF)
But the man of the day was certainly the Spanish from Katusha, he attacked with 4 kilometers left and no one saw him after that he was gone for the victory. Behind him Thibaut also accelerated bringing Johnny Hoogerland (AND) with him.
What must happen happened, Rodriguez took the win with a lead of 1'18 on Hoogerland. Thibaut complete the podium, he ended in the same time as Hoogerland.
Stage 5
This was the last stage of the race, a breakaway of 14 men quickly get created, Anthony Geslin did not missed it. There biggest gap was up to 11'00.
Before getting to big climb of the day, with 38 kilometers remaining, Romain Bardet (ALM) went onto the attack.
It's when those three guys attacked that the pack really started to up the pace, Katusha had already lost Simon Spilak because of a flat tire, Rodriguez was starting to be isolated.
- Tejay Van Garderen (BMC)
- Jurgen Van Den Broeck (LTB)
- Franco Pellizotti (AND)
Despite being alone, instead of keeping his lead like it was, Rodriguez attacked at the summit of the climb, the chase was not organized, Thibaut was struggling to keep in touch of the group but thanks to Anthony who managed to hang on after his breakaway, he stayed in the main group.
Not happy of his lead, Rodriguez decided to increased it, he ended the stage 2'19 before the chasing group where Thibaut and Anthony were.
In the end, Thibaut took the third position in the GC and he won the Young Ranking. Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver took the overall victory, while Johnny Hoogerland took the second position.
Ranking Stage 4:
1
Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver
Katusha Team
3h13'16
2
Johnny Hoogerland
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
+ 1'18
3
Thibaut Pinot
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
4
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'34
5
Rinaldo Nocentini
Ag2r - La Mondiale
s.t.
6
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
7
Domenico Pozzovivo
Ag2r - La Mondiale
+ 1'54
8
Rigoberto Uran Uran
OmegaPharma - Quick Step Cycling Team
+ 2'05
9
Robert Kiserlovski
Radioshack - Leopard
s.t.
10
Arthur Vichot
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
--
27
Anthony Louveille
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
+ 3'34
Ranking Stage 5:
1
Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver
Katusha Team
4h58'03
2
Rinaldo Nocentini
Ag2r - La Mondiale
+ 2'19
3
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
4
Franco Pellizotti
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
s.t.
5
Robert Kiserlovski
Radioshack - Leopard
s.t.
6
Johnny Hoogerland
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
s.t.
7
Rigoberto Uran Uran
OmegaPharma - Quick Step Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Jurgen Van Den Broeck
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
9
Jarlinson Pantano Gomez
Colombia
s.t.
10
Serge Pauwels
OmegaPharma - Quick Step Cycling Team
s.t.
--
71
Anthony Louveille
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
+ 11'42
General Ranking:
1
Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver
Katusha Team
17h34'14
2
Johnny Hoogerland
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
+ 4'05
3
Thibaut Pinot
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
+ 4'09
4
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'25
5
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'33
6
Domenico Pozzovivo
Ag2r - La Mondiale
+ 4'53
7
Rigoberto Uran Uran
OmegaPharma - Quick Step Cycling Team
+ 5'04
8
Franco Pellizotti
Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
s.t.
9
Robert Kiserlovski
Radioshack - Leopard
s.t.
10
Romain Bardet
Ag2r - La Mondiale
s.t.
--
43
Anthony Louveille
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
+ 15'56
Points Ranking:
Mark Cavendish | OmegaPharma - Quick Step Cycling Team
Mountain Ranking:
Jarlinson Pantano Gomez | Colombia
Young Ranking:
Thibaut Pinot | Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
Team Ranking:
Ag2r - La Mondiale
This conclude the Tour Méditerranéen, I will now have a week before going to the Tour du Haut Var.
@sutty68: He did his best but Rodriguez was way too strong there
@welker3257: Thanks
@Ian Butler: This can easily be explain bye the fact that Thibaut is targetting the Giro and Arthur the Ardennes, this race was more a way for them to get day raced
This two day race will be a god training for Paris - Nice which coming soon now, The two days finish on top of a small hill, Our main guys here are Arthur and Anthony Roux. And this will also be the first time I will ride against my Friend Simon Yates (OGE)
Stage 1
The first part of the race was at the advantage of the attackers, many up and downs, it was very hard for the pack to organized itself.
The pace was higher when all those hill were passed, but it did not avoid attacks from leaders, the first one to try was Yann Huguet (BIG).
Our team was very strong and we managed to shut down all the attacks, Which led us to be all at the front when we crossed the 1 kilometer banner.
The stage had to be for us, and despite having all the riders at the front only one of us managed to stay on the podium. Arthur, with his National Champion Shirt managed to resist to the strong come back of Stefan Denifl (IAM) and took the victory. 4 riders of FDJ.fr ended in the top 10 and I took the 14th position.
Stage 2
In that stage the pressure was on us, we had to protect the leader jersey of Arthur no matter what.
The pace of the pack was control by Alexandre but we were all at the front to support our leader.
With 20 kilometers left, I took my turn. I simply destroyed the pack, the gap with the breakaway was melting and I was eventually still fresh so I continue to accelerate, the pack was now a group of 20 riders.
Unfortunately all our efforts did not served much, as Lars Petter Nordhaug (BEL) accelarated so hard that it was almost impossible for anyone to follow him, he took the win with a lead of 12" on Romain Bardet (ALM) and 20" on the chasing group where Arthur won the sprint. I arrive 17th, 53" after the winner.
Ranking Stage 1:
1
Arthur Vichot
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
5h01'36
2
Stefan Denifl
IAM Cycling
s.t.
3
Dries Devenyns
Team Argos-Shimano
s.t.
4
Thibaut Pinot
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
5
Andrea Palini
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
6
Anthony Geslin
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
7
Anthony Roux
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
8
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Belkin Pro Cycling
s.t.
9
Blel Kadri
Ag2r - La Mondiale
s.t.
10
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
--
14
Anthony Louveille
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
Ranking Stage 2:
1
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Belkin Pro Cycling
5h26'50
2
Romain Bardet
Ag2r - La Mondiale
+ 12
3
Arthur Vichot
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
+ 20
4
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
5
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
6
Jonathan Castroviejo Nicolas
Movistar Team
s.t.
7
Dries Devenyns
Team Argos-Shimano
s.t.
8
Thibaut Pinot
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
9
Blel Kadri
Ag2r - La Mondiale
s.t.
10
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
--
17
Anthony Louveille
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
+ 53
General Ranking:
1
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Belkin Pro Cycling
10h28'06
2
Arthur Vichot
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
+ 12
3
Romain Bardet
Ag2r - La Mondiale
+ 20
4
Dries Devenyns
Team Argos-Shimano
+ 32
5
Thibaut Pinot
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
+ 40
6
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
7
Andrea Palini
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
8
Blel Kadri
Ag2r - La Mondiale
s.t.
9
Anthony Roux
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
10
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
--
18
Anthony Louveille
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
+ 1'13
Points Ranking:
Arthur Vichot | Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
Mountain Ranking:
Cyril Gautier | Team Europcar
Young Ranking:
Romain Bardet | Ag2r - La Mondiale
Team Ranking:
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
This race did not go as well as we expected, the victory here was an objective, of course 2nd is great too but this is not 1st.
On another subject, I will race the Belgian Opening Week End and this will be my firsts Cobbled races of the year. Let's hope the team will perform well there.
Those are the first two cobbled classics of the season, Matthieu is not yet in shape so we will work for Yoann in the Omloop and for Arnaud in K-B-K.
- Omloop Het Nieuwsblab
The race started fast and it was impossible to leave the pack. When the pack slow down some riders managed to leave including my team mates David Boucher.
To my surprise, the race was a waiting race, only one rider tried something alone and it was Fabian Cancellara (RLT), he tried to leave the pack when there were still 25 kilometers.
With 10 kilometers left, a bunch of about 30 riders was riding toward the finish. They were still 4 FDJ.fr in that group including Matthieu, Dominique, Yoann and I.
The pace was made by Cancellara (RLT), Boonen (OPQ) and Gilbert (BMC)
The race ended in a sprint were Tom Boonen was the best. As we had lost Arnaud, we were not able to compete for victory. Yoann ended at the gate of top 10 taking 11th. I arrived 26th in the same time as Boonen.
- Kuurne - Brussel - Kuurne
This was a pretty boring race, the pack let 3 riders escaped and then they played with them, they never got a more than a 4' gap.
Our main hope here was Arnaud, my job was, if I could survive until then, to launch Arnaud in the sprint.
Surprisingly, Niki Terpstra (OPQ) attacked in the last 5 kilometers. BMC made a major part the chase alongside us.
Finally I launched Arnaud, he was really fast but Tom Boonen was faster and stronger, he caught his team mate but Arnaud did not.
In the end Boonen took the victory in front of his team mate Terpstra and Arnaud completed the podium at a very good 3rd position.
I took the 19th position.
Ranking Omloop Het Nieuwsblab:
1
Tom Boonen
OmegaPharma - Quick Step Cycling Team
4h45'15
2
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
3
Heinrich Haussler
IAM Cycling
s.t.
4
Filippo Pozzato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
5
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
6
Niki Terpstra
OmegaPharma - Quick Step Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
8
Fabian Cancellara
Radioshack - Leopard
s.t.
9
Sep Vanmarcke
Belkin Pro Cycling
s.t.
10
Sebastian Langeveld
Garmin-Sharp
s.t.
11
Yoann Offredo
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
--
26
Anthony Louveille
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
Ranking Kuurne - Brussel - Kuurne:
1
Tom Boonen
OmegaPharma - Quick Step Cycling Team
4h17'14
2
Niki Terpstra
OmegaPharma - Quick Step Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Arnaud Démare
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
4
Louis Verhelst
Cofidis Solutions Crédits
s.t.
5
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
6
Fabian Cancellara
Radioshack - Leopard
s.t.
7
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
8
Björn Leukemans
Accent.Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
9
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling
s.t.
10
Sep Vanmarcke
Belkin Pro Cycling
s.t.
--
19
Anthony Louveille
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
I was very pleased to get back to those cobbled races.
In my next race I will defend my title, I will be leading the team in LE Samyn. They I will go back to France for Paris - Nice
Last year here I was taking my first Professional victory. The second position was taken by Arnaud Demare my team mate.
This year I'll be there as absolute leader, the team will work for me and it would be great that the race end in a sprint so I will be able to show my power.
Race Reports:
The startlist was very impressive, guys like Maarten Wynants (BEL), Stijn Vandenbergh (OPQ) and Grégory Rast (RLT) decided to ride there, the race would be harder than I thought but it avoid my team mates working too much in the chase.
When we reach the last kilometers the favorites started to attack, Johan made his job perfectly jumping from wheels to wheels aboarding all the attacks.
With few kilometers left, the pace slow down I dropped to the middle of the pack. David did an amazing job to brought me to the front with Anthony.
When the sprint started, we were not as well positioned as we hoped for.
But Anthony was so strong that we were at the front after 500 meters. Then I launched my sprint and no one managed to dispute me the victory.
This is my first victory this season but I really hope this is not the last. Of course I could not have done that without Francis who protected me all day long from the wind, then Johan who really put himself at 200% in the chase and finally David and Anthony who made my sprints train perfectly.
Race Ranking:
1
Anthony Louveille
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
4h31'22
2
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
3
Sean De Bie
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
4
Tom Veelers
Team Argos-Shimano
s.t.
5
Danilo Hondo
Radioshack - Leopard
s.t.
6
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
7
Antoine Demoitié
Wallonie-Bruxelles-Crédit Agricole
s.t.
8
Maarten Wynants
Belkin Pro Cycling
s.t.
9
Dries Devenyns
Team Argos-Shimano
s.t.
10
Anthony Geslin
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
s.t.
Winning here one year after my first pro victory is an amazing feeling, Belgium Fans are really great with the pack and we felt they were with us during the whole race.
Next race is Paris - Nice, I will support Nacer in the sprints and I may have my chances in the hillier stages.
) about the objectives of the firm, what were expected from us in terms of Image.
Australian Championship (ITT)
New Zealand Championship (ITT)
Tejay Van Garderen (BMC)
D.Rollin
