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Cricket Web Cycling Team
- Thread starter Magrat Garlick
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Gegy what a gun.
Magrat Garlick
Rather Mad Witch
Most of the guys need race fitness to be ready for the new season. That's why there was no room.
bugssy
Cricketer Of The Year
oh ok cool! no probsMost of the guys need race fitness to be ready for the new season. That's why there was no room.
Magrat Garlick
Rather Mad Witch
Trofeo Laigueglia
Team: Nathan Hoy, David Kearsley, Jamee Gray, George Roberts, Alex Fensome, Julian Dean, David Arroyo, Gert Steegmans
Three rather significant mountain passes: Passo del Ginestro, Passo del Ginestrino (no, it's different, honest), and Passo Balestrino.
Other dangerous names on the start list: Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone), Daniele Bennati (Lampre), Riccardo Riccó (Saunier Duval), Ruggero Marzoli (Tinkoff), Luca Mazzanti, Emanuele Sella (Panaria), Sylvain Calzati, Simon Gerrans(AG2R), Mauricio Soler (Barloworld), Paolo Savoldelli (Astaná). 10 ProTour teams have turned up.
Hoy tried to break away before Passo del Ginestro, but that was rather fruitless, as the peloton feared him and chased accordingly. Sergei Klimov (Tinkoff) led a sizeable peloton over the top.
At the second climb, there were many attacks on a Casson Dairy dominated peloton, but eventually Sella and Roberts made decisive moves. That gave a minute and a half's lead, on a group cut down to 49 by the high pace.
Roberts remained a minute ahead, but on the flats between Ginestrino and Balestrino, an interesting group of four broke loose from the field. It included Petacchi, but also one-day specialists Carrara (Unibet) and Podgorny (Tenax). Tinkoff were seemingly content, as they let the group leave, while Roberts hooked onto the tail and let people like Petacchi do the work for him. As they began Balestrino, the group had 45 seconds on the peloton. However, an attack by Sella led Roberts to do work in catching up, and that in turn incited inspiration from the main group to attack. Gerrans and Riccó wanted to leave, with Garzelli and Gray joining.
This was too steep for Gray, however, who struggled to keep up with the pace as Marzoli and Gerrans came from behind. Those six eventually formed a group, but Riccó broke free again over the top, followed by a struggling Roberts, Marzoli, Garzelli, Gerrans and Gray, with the 25-man group some 50 seconds adrift with Fensome in top form for the hill finish.
They got more time in the downhill, pressuring Gray and Roberts, who both struggled to hold on to the group. With 10 km to go, Roberts met the man with the hammer, and fell far back; on the next climb, Gray could not hold on. Somehow, however, he came back in the downhill, then latched onto Gerrans' wheel in the sprint into Laigueglia.
However, in a few hundred metres the Australian smashed his opponents to bits, leaving Gray to fight for second. That didn't work either, as Riccó and Garzelli got past his wheel, and in what was left of the main bunch, Carrara and Muravjev outsprinted Hoy and Fensome.
Final result:
1 Simon Gerrans AG2R PRÉVOYANCE 4h52'13
2 Riccardo Ricco' SAUNIER DUVAL - PRODIR s.t.
3 Stefano Garzelli ACQUA & SAPONE - CAFFÈ MOKAMBO s.t.
4 Jamee Gray TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
5 Ruggero Marzoli TINKOFF CREDIT SYSTEMS s.t.
6 Matteo Carrara UNIBET.COM + 1'18
7 Dmitri Muravjev ASTANÁ s.t.
8 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
9 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
10 Luca Mazzanti CERAMICA PANARIA - NAVIGARE s.t.
22 David Arroyo TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
29 George Roberts TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 3'43
54 Julian Dean TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 16'24
106 David Kearsley TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 22'33
Team: Nathan Hoy, David Kearsley, Jamee Gray, George Roberts, Alex Fensome, Julian Dean, David Arroyo, Gert Steegmans
Three rather significant mountain passes: Passo del Ginestro, Passo del Ginestrino (no, it's different, honest), and Passo Balestrino.
Other dangerous names on the start list: Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone), Daniele Bennati (Lampre), Riccardo Riccó (Saunier Duval), Ruggero Marzoli (Tinkoff), Luca Mazzanti, Emanuele Sella (Panaria), Sylvain Calzati, Simon Gerrans(AG2R), Mauricio Soler (Barloworld), Paolo Savoldelli (Astaná). 10 ProTour teams have turned up.
Hoy tried to break away before Passo del Ginestro, but that was rather fruitless, as the peloton feared him and chased accordingly. Sergei Klimov (Tinkoff) led a sizeable peloton over the top.
At the second climb, there were many attacks on a Casson Dairy dominated peloton, but eventually Sella and Roberts made decisive moves. That gave a minute and a half's lead, on a group cut down to 49 by the high pace.
Roberts remained a minute ahead, but on the flats between Ginestrino and Balestrino, an interesting group of four broke loose from the field. It included Petacchi, but also one-day specialists Carrara (Unibet) and Podgorny (Tenax). Tinkoff were seemingly content, as they let the group leave, while Roberts hooked onto the tail and let people like Petacchi do the work for him. As they began Balestrino, the group had 45 seconds on the peloton. However, an attack by Sella led Roberts to do work in catching up, and that in turn incited inspiration from the main group to attack. Gerrans and Riccó wanted to leave, with Garzelli and Gray joining.
This was too steep for Gray, however, who struggled to keep up with the pace as Marzoli and Gerrans came from behind. Those six eventually formed a group, but Riccó broke free again over the top, followed by a struggling Roberts, Marzoli, Garzelli, Gerrans and Gray, with the 25-man group some 50 seconds adrift with Fensome in top form for the hill finish.
They got more time in the downhill, pressuring Gray and Roberts, who both struggled to hold on to the group. With 10 km to go, Roberts met the man with the hammer, and fell far back; on the next climb, Gray could not hold on. Somehow, however, he came back in the downhill, then latched onto Gerrans' wheel in the sprint into Laigueglia.
However, in a few hundred metres the Australian smashed his opponents to bits, leaving Gray to fight for second. That didn't work either, as Riccó and Garzelli got past his wheel, and in what was left of the main bunch, Carrara and Muravjev outsprinted Hoy and Fensome.
Final result:
1 Simon Gerrans AG2R PRÉVOYANCE 4h52'13
2 Riccardo Ricco' SAUNIER DUVAL - PRODIR s.t.
3 Stefano Garzelli ACQUA & SAPONE - CAFFÈ MOKAMBO s.t.
4 Jamee Gray TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
5 Ruggero Marzoli TINKOFF CREDIT SYSTEMS s.t.
6 Matteo Carrara UNIBET.COM + 1'18
7 Dmitri Muravjev ASTANÁ s.t.
8 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
9 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
10 Luca Mazzanti CERAMICA PANARIA - NAVIGARE s.t.
22 David Arroyo TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
29 George Roberts TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 3'43
54 Julian Dean TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 16'24
106 David Kearsley TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 22'33
Neil Pickup
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Brave efforts from Jamee and George. What was the point in Dean, Kearsley and Steegmans running that?
Magrat Garlick
Rather Mad Witch
Vuelta a Andalucia
Stage Three, La Guardia de Jaén - Jaén, 157 km
Left it partly simmed through athletics, so a short write-up. Txurruka went in the early break, but unfortunately burnt himself out, leaving the field to chase the strongest man there, Ruben Plaza (Caisse d'Epargne). Plaza stayed ahead until the very last climb, a 6 % 2-km monster, where Van Huffel attacked from the group. Dwyer joined his wheel as Casson Dairy couldn't keep a high enough speed together, while Voigt and Walsh stayed behind again. However, this time the 5-km flat following the climb was too much for Dwyer to handle, and Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel) won the seven-man sprint. Juan Gárate closed the gap to Dwyer by eight seconds, but is still trailing by 20.
Stage result:
1 Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 4h20'10
2 Carlos Castaño KARPIN GALICIA s.t.
3 Juan Manuel Gárate QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
4 Chris Dwyer TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
5 Axel Merckx T-MOBILE TEAM s.t.
6 Wim Van Huffel PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
7 Angel Vicioso RELAX - GAM + 30
8 Jens Voigt TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
9 Craig Walsh TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
32 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 2'35
41 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 3'44
42 Amets Txurruka TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
55 Steffen Wesemann TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 4'45
General classification:
1 Chris Dwyer TEAM CASSON DAIRY 13h07'48
2 Juan Manuel Gárate QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC + 20
3 Carlos Castaño KARPIN GALICIA + 28
4 Axel Merckx T-MOBILE TEAM + 32
5 Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI + 49
Points classification:
1 Chris Dwyer TEAM CASSON DAIRY 64
2 Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 41
3 Juan Manuel Gárate QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC 36
Mountains classification:
1 Francisco José Terciado RELAX - GAM 44
2 Mauro Facci QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC 36
3 Denis Robin AGRITUBEL 24
Stage Four, Cabra - Córdoba, 163 km
A reasonably flat stage, only three or four climbs, which would mean too little for Dwyer to work his magic. Thus, a breakaway to defend the jersey. Mørk joined Galparsoro (Euskaltel) and Robin (Agritubel) after just a kilometer, preparing for a long day's work.
Another attack threatened to conspire against the three, however, as the new group of five, including sprinter Ventoso (Saunier Duval), set the peloton in motion. By the top of the first small climb, at 35 km, the group had grown to nine, with Gutiérrez (Caisse d'Epargne) just six minutes down in the overall. Eventually, Úran (Unibet) and Hoste (Predicotr-Lotto) got up, while other dangermen included the Czech veteran Hruska (Relax), Tiralongo (Lampre) and Abal (Karpin Galicia).
In such strong company, Mørk decided to go light on the workload. Cooperation was poor, as most of the big names were content at the rear of the group, which left Mørk attacking in the desperate hope of blowing the group apart on the flat. However, though Gutiérrez and Hoste were depressingly inactive, the group was quickly brought together again, and Mørk joined the strikers in doing no work.
It was too little, too late.
Over the final climb, Mørk fought desperately to hang on to Gutiérrez, and gained a tiny lead as they began the final descent. However, with 12 km to go there simply was not more left in the tank: Benitez (Saunier Duval) and Gutiérrez easily travelled away, and in the sprint, the hard-working Benitez was shattered to pieces.
Stage results:
1 José Ivan Gutiérrez Palacios CAISSE D'EPARGNE 3h52'09
2 Alberto Benitez SAUNIER DUVAL - PRODIR + 29
3 Leif Hoste PREDICTOR - LOTTO + 1'10
4 Rigoberto Úran UNIBET.COM + 1'32
5 David Abal KARPIN GALICIA s.t.
6 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
16 Jens Voigt TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
24 Steffen Wesemann TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
48 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
50 Chris Dwyer TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
51 Craig Walsh TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
52 riders in same time
57 Amets Txurruka TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 3'54
No real classification changes, though Sánchez (Euskaltel) earned 4 points towards the points classification.
Final stage tomorrow.
Stage Three, La Guardia de Jaén - Jaén, 157 km
Left it partly simmed through athletics, so a short write-up. Txurruka went in the early break, but unfortunately burnt himself out, leaving the field to chase the strongest man there, Ruben Plaza (Caisse d'Epargne). Plaza stayed ahead until the very last climb, a 6 % 2-km monster, where Van Huffel attacked from the group. Dwyer joined his wheel as Casson Dairy couldn't keep a high enough speed together, while Voigt and Walsh stayed behind again. However, this time the 5-km flat following the climb was too much for Dwyer to handle, and Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel) won the seven-man sprint. Juan Gárate closed the gap to Dwyer by eight seconds, but is still trailing by 20.
Stage result:
1 Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 4h20'10
2 Carlos Castaño KARPIN GALICIA s.t.
3 Juan Manuel Gárate QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
4 Chris Dwyer TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
5 Axel Merckx T-MOBILE TEAM s.t.
6 Wim Van Huffel PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
7 Angel Vicioso RELAX - GAM + 30
8 Jens Voigt TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
9 Craig Walsh TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
32 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 2'35
41 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 3'44
42 Amets Txurruka TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
55 Steffen Wesemann TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 4'45
General classification:
1 Chris Dwyer TEAM CASSON DAIRY 13h07'48
2 Juan Manuel Gárate QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC + 20
3 Carlos Castaño KARPIN GALICIA + 28
4 Axel Merckx T-MOBILE TEAM + 32
5 Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI + 49
Points classification:
1 Chris Dwyer TEAM CASSON DAIRY 64
2 Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 41
3 Juan Manuel Gárate QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC 36
Mountains classification:
1 Francisco José Terciado RELAX - GAM 44
2 Mauro Facci QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC 36
3 Denis Robin AGRITUBEL 24
Stage Four, Cabra - Córdoba, 163 km
A reasonably flat stage, only three or four climbs, which would mean too little for Dwyer to work his magic. Thus, a breakaway to defend the jersey. Mørk joined Galparsoro (Euskaltel) and Robin (Agritubel) after just a kilometer, preparing for a long day's work.
Another attack threatened to conspire against the three, however, as the new group of five, including sprinter Ventoso (Saunier Duval), set the peloton in motion. By the top of the first small climb, at 35 km, the group had grown to nine, with Gutiérrez (Caisse d'Epargne) just six minutes down in the overall. Eventually, Úran (Unibet) and Hoste (Predicotr-Lotto) got up, while other dangermen included the Czech veteran Hruska (Relax), Tiralongo (Lampre) and Abal (Karpin Galicia).
In such strong company, Mørk decided to go light on the workload. Cooperation was poor, as most of the big names were content at the rear of the group, which left Mørk attacking in the desperate hope of blowing the group apart on the flat. However, though Gutiérrez and Hoste were depressingly inactive, the group was quickly brought together again, and Mørk joined the strikers in doing no work.
It was too little, too late.
Over the final climb, Mørk fought desperately to hang on to Gutiérrez, and gained a tiny lead as they began the final descent. However, with 12 km to go there simply was not more left in the tank: Benitez (Saunier Duval) and Gutiérrez easily travelled away, and in the sprint, the hard-working Benitez was shattered to pieces.
Stage results:
1 José Ivan Gutiérrez Palacios CAISSE D'EPARGNE 3h52'09
2 Alberto Benitez SAUNIER DUVAL - PRODIR + 29
3 Leif Hoste PREDICTOR - LOTTO + 1'10
4 Rigoberto Úran UNIBET.COM + 1'32
5 David Abal KARPIN GALICIA s.t.
6 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
16 Jens Voigt TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
24 Steffen Wesemann TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
48 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
50 Chris Dwyer TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
51 Craig Walsh TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
52 riders in same time
57 Amets Txurruka TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 3'54
No real classification changes, though Sánchez (Euskaltel) earned 4 points towards the points classification.
Final stage tomorrow.
Magrat Garlick
Rather Mad Witch
Tour of California
Stage Two, Santa Rosa - Sacramento, 170 km
The sprinters' chance to shine: flat for the last 65 km. However, despite sterling work by Casson Dairy, no one wanted to help them catch the breawkay. After working out Mitchell, Gelman, Rose and Wiggins with 30 km to go, and the lead still more than 3 minutes, Casson Dairy desperatlely needed people to race in front and put Davis up front to do the job. With help from CSC, the group was caught with 2 km to go.
Nevertheless, after all the hard work by Casson Dairy, it was Liquigas and Filippo Pozzatowho came up trumps; Dunn came in for another third place, his fourth podium spot of the season.
Stage results:
1 Filippo Pozzato LIQUIGAS 3h59'23
2 Paolo Bettini QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
3 Ryan Dunn TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
4 Hayden Godfrey COLAVITA - SUTTER HOME PRESENTED BY COOKING LIGHT s.t.
5 Kirk O'Bee HEALTH NET PRESENTED BY MAXXIS s.t.
24 Heath Te-Ihi-O-Te-Rangi Davis TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
55 Johan Vansummeren TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
61 Xavier Rose TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
73 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
94 Zac Gelman TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
115 Mathew Mitchell TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
125 Bradley Wiggins TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 3'32
No significant changes in the other competitions, though Pozzato drew level with Lang and Thomas in the points total.
Stage Three, Stockton - San José - 150 km
Classed as "mountainous", this stage includes a ferocious category 1 climb up to 65 km, after that it's more gently undulating, but the group ought to be shattered on that mountain.
Johnson (Health Net, sixth in the overall) attempted a break, and it took some time to realise that the early breaker was actually a danger. High speeds were necessary, because the leaders from hosting teams went at it from the start.
The original plan was to let Thomas attack and get some more time; however, the attack came to early and he wore himself out. Instead, Rose took hefty time in front, shattering the peloton, only for Gustov and Schumacher to threaten with attacks. With Thomas worn out the only option was to attack with Rose, as the remaining domestiques were far down the mountain; this seemed to work, as Rose gained 47 seconds on the chasing pack of 18, including Thomas and [/color=red]Vansummeren[/color].
However, a second group of 28 including Evans, Pozzato, Bettini and Kroon also formed, a minute behind Thomas' group and two minutes behind Rose. Somehow, however, the small gap between the yellow jersey group and Evans' group remained into the final climb, which quickly grew as Vansummeren and Pellizotti worked in front of the yellow jersey's group. Rose took another serious stint in front, and the group shrunk to thirteen, before Kirchen attempted to wear out the pack.
By the top they were ten: Cioni, Horner, Vandenbroeck (Predictor-Lotto), Thomas, Rose (Casson Dairy), Kirchen (T-Mobile), Gustov, Zabriskie (CSC), Kohl (Gerolsteiner) and Nibali (Liquigas). The remaining groups were minutes down, though they still had chances in the downhill.
There was, however, little chance of that. The lead group charged down at fearsome pace, led by Kirchen, and quickly gained more time. Gustov fell off the group as soon as they hit flat ground, leaving nine men to the finish.
With 4 km to go, Nibali and Zabriskie began the long sprint by attacking the field. Rose set in his sprint too early and could only watch Kirchen's celebration; further back in the group Thomas just clung on to his jersey, despite finishing last in the sprint.
toc3sprint.JPG
Stage results:
1 Kim Kirchen T-MOBILE TEAM 3h45'28
2 David Zabriskie TEAM CSC s.t.
3 Bernhard Kohl GEROLSTEINER s.t.
4 Dario David Cioni PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
5 Chris Horner PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
6 Jurgen Vandenbroeck PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
7 Xavier Rose TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
8 Vincenzo Nibali LIQUIGAS s.t.
9 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
14 Johan Vansummeren TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 3'39
60 Bradley Wiggins TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 14'20
93 Ryan Dunn TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 18'04
94 Heath Te-Ihi-O-Te-Rangi Davis TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
95 Zac Gelman TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
101 Mathew Mitchell TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
General classification:
1 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY 11h36'36
2 Kim Kirchen T-MOBILE TEAM + 2'01
3 David Zabriskie TEAM CSC + 2'06
4 Dario David Cioni PREDICTOR - LOTTO + 2'21
5 Vincenzo Nibali LIQUIGAS s.t.
6 Jurgen Vandenbroeck PREDICTOR - LOTTO + 2'23
7 Xavier Rose TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
34 Johan Vansummeren TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 6'19
71 Bradley Wiggins TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 22'23
92 Mathew Mitchell TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 32'26
93 Ryan Dunn TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 32'35
94 Heath Te-Ihi-O-Te-Rangi Davis TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 32'51
98 Zac Gelman TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 34'03
Points classification:
1 David Zabriskie TEAM CSC 40
2 Kim Kirchen T-MOBILE TEAM 39
3 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY 32
4 Paolo Bettini QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC 30
5 Filippo Pozzato LIQUIGAS 29
Mountains classification:
1 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY 42
2 Chris Horner PREDICTOR - LOTTO 32
3 Xavier Rose TEAM CASSON DAIRY 30
Halfway through, four stages to go, including a 36km Individual Time Trial which will likely see Thomas lose that jersey.
Stage Two, Santa Rosa - Sacramento, 170 km
The sprinters' chance to shine: flat for the last 65 km. However, despite sterling work by Casson Dairy, no one wanted to help them catch the breawkay. After working out Mitchell, Gelman, Rose and Wiggins with 30 km to go, and the lead still more than 3 minutes, Casson Dairy desperatlely needed people to race in front and put Davis up front to do the job. With help from CSC, the group was caught with 2 km to go.
Nevertheless, after all the hard work by Casson Dairy, it was Liquigas and Filippo Pozzatowho came up trumps; Dunn came in for another third place, his fourth podium spot of the season.
Stage results:
1 Filippo Pozzato LIQUIGAS 3h59'23
2 Paolo Bettini QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
3 Ryan Dunn TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
4 Hayden Godfrey COLAVITA - SUTTER HOME PRESENTED BY COOKING LIGHT s.t.
5 Kirk O'Bee HEALTH NET PRESENTED BY MAXXIS s.t.
24 Heath Te-Ihi-O-Te-Rangi Davis TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
55 Johan Vansummeren TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
61 Xavier Rose TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
73 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
94 Zac Gelman TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
115 Mathew Mitchell TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
125 Bradley Wiggins TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 3'32
No significant changes in the other competitions, though Pozzato drew level with Lang and Thomas in the points total.
Stage Three, Stockton - San José - 150 km
Classed as "mountainous", this stage includes a ferocious category 1 climb up to 65 km, after that it's more gently undulating, but the group ought to be shattered on that mountain.
Johnson (Health Net, sixth in the overall) attempted a break, and it took some time to realise that the early breaker was actually a danger. High speeds were necessary, because the leaders from hosting teams went at it from the start.
The original plan was to let Thomas attack and get some more time; however, the attack came to early and he wore himself out. Instead, Rose took hefty time in front, shattering the peloton, only for Gustov and Schumacher to threaten with attacks. With Thomas worn out the only option was to attack with Rose, as the remaining domestiques were far down the mountain; this seemed to work, as Rose gained 47 seconds on the chasing pack of 18, including Thomas and [/color=red]Vansummeren[/color].
However, a second group of 28 including Evans, Pozzato, Bettini and Kroon also formed, a minute behind Thomas' group and two minutes behind Rose. Somehow, however, the small gap between the yellow jersey group and Evans' group remained into the final climb, which quickly grew as Vansummeren and Pellizotti worked in front of the yellow jersey's group. Rose took another serious stint in front, and the group shrunk to thirteen, before Kirchen attempted to wear out the pack.
By the top they were ten: Cioni, Horner, Vandenbroeck (Predictor-Lotto), Thomas, Rose (Casson Dairy), Kirchen (T-Mobile), Gustov, Zabriskie (CSC), Kohl (Gerolsteiner) and Nibali (Liquigas). The remaining groups were minutes down, though they still had chances in the downhill.
There was, however, little chance of that. The lead group charged down at fearsome pace, led by Kirchen, and quickly gained more time. Gustov fell off the group as soon as they hit flat ground, leaving nine men to the finish.
With 4 km to go, Nibali and Zabriskie began the long sprint by attacking the field. Rose set in his sprint too early and could only watch Kirchen's celebration; further back in the group Thomas just clung on to his jersey, despite finishing last in the sprint.
toc3sprint.JPG
Stage results:
1 Kim Kirchen T-MOBILE TEAM 3h45'28
2 David Zabriskie TEAM CSC s.t.
3 Bernhard Kohl GEROLSTEINER s.t.
4 Dario David Cioni PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
5 Chris Horner PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
6 Jurgen Vandenbroeck PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
7 Xavier Rose TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
8 Vincenzo Nibali LIQUIGAS s.t.
9 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
14 Johan Vansummeren TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 3'39
60 Bradley Wiggins TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 14'20
93 Ryan Dunn TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 18'04
94 Heath Te-Ihi-O-Te-Rangi Davis TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
95 Zac Gelman TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
101 Mathew Mitchell TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
General classification:
1 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY 11h36'36
2 Kim Kirchen T-MOBILE TEAM + 2'01
3 David Zabriskie TEAM CSC + 2'06
4 Dario David Cioni PREDICTOR - LOTTO + 2'21
5 Vincenzo Nibali LIQUIGAS s.t.
6 Jurgen Vandenbroeck PREDICTOR - LOTTO + 2'23
7 Xavier Rose TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
34 Johan Vansummeren TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 6'19
71 Bradley Wiggins TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 22'23
92 Mathew Mitchell TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 32'26
93 Ryan Dunn TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 32'35
94 Heath Te-Ihi-O-Te-Rangi Davis TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 32'51
98 Zac Gelman TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 34'03
Points classification:
1 David Zabriskie TEAM CSC 40
2 Kim Kirchen T-MOBILE TEAM 39
3 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY 32
4 Paolo Bettini QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC 30
5 Filippo Pozzato LIQUIGAS 29
Mountains classification:
1 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY 42
2 Chris Horner PREDICTOR - LOTTO 32
3 Xavier Rose TEAM CASSON DAIRY 30
Halfway through, four stages to go, including a 36km Individual Time Trial which will likely see Thomas lose that jersey.
Magrat Garlick
Rather Mad Witch
Conclusion Vuelta Andalucia & Fourth Stage Tour of California
Vuelta a Andalucia
Stage Five, Écija - Antequera: 179 km
Seven men were allowed to break away, including Russian champion Khatuntsev (Unibet), mountain jersey leader Terciado (Relax, 45th overall), Cañada (Saunier Duval) and Unai Etxebarria (Euskaltel). However, Rabobank and Caisse d'Epargne wanted a mass sprint, and quickly began to haul in the group. A maximum lead of 9' dwindled easily, and was 2 minutes by 37 km left, when Mørk made a move from the group.
It failed. Though he got 40 seconds in the uphill, and caught Khatuntsev, the chasing pack easily caught the two downhill. The group was caught with 15 km left, and a mass sprint began to arise: Voigt placed himself second behind Ballan before the sprint, but though the Italian led out, both he and Voigt quickly tired. Max van Heeswijk took the sprint, while Voigt managed a credible 11th.
Voigt pictured behind Ballan, before things fell apart
Stage result:
1 Max Van Heeswijk RABOBANK 4h10'16
2 Mauro Facci QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
3 Angel Vicioso RELAX - GAM s.t.
4 Fabio Baldato LAMPRE - FONDITAL s.t.
5 Alberto Benitez SAUNIER DUVAL - PRODIR s.t.
11 Jens Voigt TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
18 Steffen Wesemann TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
34 Craig Walsh TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
39 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
41 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
59 Chris Dwyer TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
78 Amets Txurruka TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'59
Final general classification:
1 Chris Dwyer TEAM CASSON DAIRY 21h11'45 (also best U25 rider)
2 Juan Manuel Gárate QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC + 20
3 Carlos Castaño KARPIN GALICIA + 28
4 Axel Merckx T-MOBILE TEAM + 32
5 Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI + 49
6 Angel Vicioso RELAX - GAM + 1'02
7 Wim Van Huffel PREDICTOR - LOTTO + 1'52
8 Jens Voigt TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 2'10
9 Marcos Serrano KARPIN GALICIA + 2'18
10 Constantino Zaballa CAISSE D'EPARGNE + 2'20
16 Craig Walsh TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 3'00
34 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 9'07
35 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 10'22
46 Amets Txurruka TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 14'45
50 Steffen Wesemann TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 15'39
Final points classification:
1 Chris Dwyer TEAM CASSON DAIRY 64
2 Angel Vicioso RELAX - GAM 50
3 Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 48
8 Jens Voigt TEAM CASSON DAIRY 33
12 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY 20
14 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY 16
21 Craig Walsh TEAM CASSON DAIRY 13
Final mountain classification:
1 Francisco José Terciado RELAX - GAM 50
2 Mauro Facci QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC 36
3 Denis Robin AGRITUBEL 24
Final team classification:
1 TEAM CASSON DAIRY 63h40'39
2 CAISSE D'EPARGNE + 1'37
3 KARPIN GALICIA + 1'57
Tour of California
Stage Four: Seaside - San Luis Obispo, 210 km
A smattering of short hills through the first 115 km, and a few climbs towards the finish, plus the length, means that the stage is once again set for a Bettini or a Pozzato. Yet, we'll try to get the sprinters into the finish, preferably by letting a break go with one of our riders so that we can keep the speed low on the early hills.
Mitchell attempted two breakaways, and eventually got away in a ten-man group, also including Spezialetti (Liquigas), White (Australia, Discovery) and a few decent riders from the local teams. Klinger (Gerolsteiner) was best placed overall, just eight minutes behind Thomas. That group split in two over a ten-percent monster climb, however, and Mitchell failed to hang on to either group.
Spezialetti went loose from the front group on numerous occasions, as attacking was rife during the first hilly parts of the stage. Yet, Davis survived, coming back to the peloton with 70 km to go. Mitchell was caught shortly afterwards, but the lead group of three - Spezialetti, Duyn (Slipstream) and Pauriol (C.A) remained a whopping 7'30" ahead with 65 km to go.
This lead remained stable, though the other three breakaway members rapidly lost contact, and with 30 km to go it was clear that one of the three would win. However, CSC and Predictor-Lotto set up a huge tempo, halving the distance in just 17 km. 1'16 remained at the final top, and with just 5 km to the finish, they looked moderately safe.
Huge lead...
However, the pack fought and won. Pozzato here overtakes his team-mate, with Davis in his wheel; on the right, Bettini came storming up, and the World Champion wins the sprint ahead of Pozzato and Davis, who did a fine performance after a long and tiring race.
Results:
1 Paolo Bettini QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC 5h27'26
2 Filippo Pozzato LIQUIGAS s.t.
3 Heath Te-Ihi-O-Te-Rangi Davis TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
4 David Vitoria BMC RACING TEAM s.t.
5 Fabian Wegmann GEROLSTEINER s.t.
7 Xavier Rose TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
20 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
42 Johan Vansummeren TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
62 Bradley Wiggins TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.[/color]
66 riders in same time
79 Zac Gelman TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 6'09
81 Ryan Dunn TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
96 Mathew Mitchell TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 10'09
No real changes in general or mountains classification.
Points:
1 Paolo Bettini QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC 55
2 Filippo Pozzato LIQUIGAS 49
3 Kim Kirchen T-MOBILE TEAM 43
5 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY 32
6 Xavier Rose TEAM CASSON DAIRY 31
=14 Ryan Dunn TEAM CASSON DAIRY 16
=14 Heath Te-Ihi-O-Te-Rangi Davis TEAM CASSON DAIRY 16
The remaining stages: Stage 5, 36 km ITT, Stage 6, a 176-km stage with a couple of long, gentle inclines before the finish, and 16 laps on a hilly circuit at Long Beach to end things.
Vuelta a Andalucia
Stage Five, Écija - Antequera: 179 km
Seven men were allowed to break away, including Russian champion Khatuntsev (Unibet), mountain jersey leader Terciado (Relax, 45th overall), Cañada (Saunier Duval) and Unai Etxebarria (Euskaltel). However, Rabobank and Caisse d'Epargne wanted a mass sprint, and quickly began to haul in the group. A maximum lead of 9' dwindled easily, and was 2 minutes by 37 km left, when Mørk made a move from the group.
It failed. Though he got 40 seconds in the uphill, and caught Khatuntsev, the chasing pack easily caught the two downhill. The group was caught with 15 km left, and a mass sprint began to arise: Voigt placed himself second behind Ballan before the sprint, but though the Italian led out, both he and Voigt quickly tired. Max van Heeswijk took the sprint, while Voigt managed a credible 11th.
Voigt pictured behind Ballan, before things fell apart
Stage result:
1 Max Van Heeswijk RABOBANK 4h10'16
2 Mauro Facci QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
3 Angel Vicioso RELAX - GAM s.t.
4 Fabio Baldato LAMPRE - FONDITAL s.t.
5 Alberto Benitez SAUNIER DUVAL - PRODIR s.t.
11 Jens Voigt TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
18 Steffen Wesemann TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
34 Craig Walsh TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
39 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
41 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
59 Chris Dwyer TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
78 Amets Txurruka TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'59
Final general classification:
1 Chris Dwyer TEAM CASSON DAIRY 21h11'45 (also best U25 rider)
2 Juan Manuel Gárate QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC + 20
3 Carlos Castaño KARPIN GALICIA + 28
4 Axel Merckx T-MOBILE TEAM + 32
5 Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI + 49
6 Angel Vicioso RELAX - GAM + 1'02
7 Wim Van Huffel PREDICTOR - LOTTO + 1'52
8 Jens Voigt TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 2'10
9 Marcos Serrano KARPIN GALICIA + 2'18
10 Constantino Zaballa CAISSE D'EPARGNE + 2'20
16 Craig Walsh TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 3'00
34 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 9'07
35 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 10'22
46 Amets Txurruka TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 14'45
50 Steffen Wesemann TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 15'39
Final points classification:
1 Chris Dwyer TEAM CASSON DAIRY 64
2 Angel Vicioso RELAX - GAM 50
3 Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 48
8 Jens Voigt TEAM CASSON DAIRY 33
12 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY 20
14 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY 16
21 Craig Walsh TEAM CASSON DAIRY 13
Final mountain classification:
1 Francisco José Terciado RELAX - GAM 50
2 Mauro Facci QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC 36
3 Denis Robin AGRITUBEL 24
Final team classification:
1 TEAM CASSON DAIRY 63h40'39
2 CAISSE D'EPARGNE + 1'37
3 KARPIN GALICIA + 1'57
Tour of California
Stage Four: Seaside - San Luis Obispo, 210 km
A smattering of short hills through the first 115 km, and a few climbs towards the finish, plus the length, means that the stage is once again set for a Bettini or a Pozzato. Yet, we'll try to get the sprinters into the finish, preferably by letting a break go with one of our riders so that we can keep the speed low on the early hills.
Mitchell attempted two breakaways, and eventually got away in a ten-man group, also including Spezialetti (Liquigas), White (Australia, Discovery) and a few decent riders from the local teams. Klinger (Gerolsteiner) was best placed overall, just eight minutes behind Thomas. That group split in two over a ten-percent monster climb, however, and Mitchell failed to hang on to either group.
Spezialetti went loose from the front group on numerous occasions, as attacking was rife during the first hilly parts of the stage. Yet, Davis survived, coming back to the peloton with 70 km to go. Mitchell was caught shortly afterwards, but the lead group of three - Spezialetti, Duyn (Slipstream) and Pauriol (C.A) remained a whopping 7'30" ahead with 65 km to go.
This lead remained stable, though the other three breakaway members rapidly lost contact, and with 30 km to go it was clear that one of the three would win. However, CSC and Predictor-Lotto set up a huge tempo, halving the distance in just 17 km. 1'16 remained at the final top, and with just 5 km to the finish, they looked moderately safe.
Huge lead...
However, the pack fought and won. Pozzato here overtakes his team-mate, with Davis in his wheel; on the right, Bettini came storming up, and the World Champion wins the sprint ahead of Pozzato and Davis, who did a fine performance after a long and tiring race.
Results:
1 Paolo Bettini QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC 5h27'26
2 Filippo Pozzato LIQUIGAS s.t.
3 Heath Te-Ihi-O-Te-Rangi Davis TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
4 David Vitoria BMC RACING TEAM s.t.
5 Fabian Wegmann GEROLSTEINER s.t.
7 Xavier Rose TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
20 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
42 Johan Vansummeren TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
62 Bradley Wiggins TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.[/color]
66 riders in same time
79 Zac Gelman TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 6'09
81 Ryan Dunn TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
96 Mathew Mitchell TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 10'09
No real changes in general or mountains classification.
Points:
1 Paolo Bettini QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC 55
2 Filippo Pozzato LIQUIGAS 49
3 Kim Kirchen T-MOBILE TEAM 43
5 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY 32
6 Xavier Rose TEAM CASSON DAIRY 31
=14 Ryan Dunn TEAM CASSON DAIRY 16
=14 Heath Te-Ihi-O-Te-Rangi Davis TEAM CASSON DAIRY 16
The remaining stages: Stage 5, 36 km ITT, Stage 6, a 176-km stage with a couple of long, gentle inclines before the finish, and 16 laps on a hilly circuit at Long Beach to end things.
HeathDavisSpeed
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Couldn't be much happier than with my performance there. Looking at the stage profile, I didn't think I'd stand a chance to get anywhere near a top three finish. Cheers to the rest of the team for dragging me up those hills!
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Cricket Web Content Updater
When will i be next racing?
Magrat Garlick
Rather Mad Witch
Probably in Italy in early March, warming up to Tirreno-Adriatico.
So a while yet.
Congrats to Dwyer too - 3 stage race wins for the team thus far in the first 2 months, not too shabby.
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