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Cricket Web Cycling Team
- Thread starter Magrat Garlick
- Start date
Magrat Garlick
Rather Mad Witch
Yup, have some things stored. Will upload shortly.
Magrat Garlick
Rather Mad Witch
Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali, Stage Six of Six, Castellarano - Sassuolo, 163 km
Three times round a circuit, with downhill towards the finish.
Three strong climbers go away early in the final stage of the Italian cycling week, Szmyd (POL, Lampre), Young (IRL, Casson Dairy) to defend the mountain jersey. However, a lot of good riders wanted the mountain points, and Pozzovivo (ninth in the overall, Ceramica Panaria) broke free to take the points on the first climb ahead of Ferrara (ITA, LPR).
Pozzovivo was, however, allowed to remain in the leading group, made up of six riders: in addition to the ones already mentioned, Illiano (ITA, Flaminia) was present, but they later left Szmyd and an uninspired Pozzovivo behind. Thus, with 110 km to go, four people remained in the lead of 9'20 on the peloton; Illiano trailed slightly behind after the high pace set by Young in the mountains.
Simoni attempted an attack as they entered the third lap, with 40 km to go, so Walsh went with him. A stupid move; Walsh believed Simoni was strong enough to win, so pulled a lot on the flat, but the racers were caught on the final climb. It then rained attacks, and Pellizotti (Liquigas), Mazzanti (Panaria), Trentin (Saunier Duval) and Gárate (Quick Step) got away; Simoni wasn't strong enough to join, but gained a gap on the sprinting peloton.
Pellizotti, bottom in green, rallied to beat Mazzanti on the line
Stage result:
1 Franco Pellizotti LIQUIGAS 4h19'13
2 Luca Mazzanti CERAMICA PANARIA - NAVIGARE s.t.
3 Guido Trentin SAUNIER DUVAL - PRODIR s.t.
4 Juan Manuel Gárate QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
5 Gilberto Simoni SAUNIER DUVAL - PRODIR + 29
6 Christian Knees TEAM MILRAM + 1'11
7 José Enrique Gutiérrez Cataluña TEAM LPR s.t.
8 Andrei Kunitski ACQUA & SAPONE - CAFFÈ MOKAMBO s.t.
9 Craig Walsh TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
10 Domenico Pozzovivo CERAMICA PANARIA - NAVIGARE s.t.
15 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
29 David Arroyo TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
51 Stephen Young TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 6'45
68 Bradley Wiggins TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 8'45
100 Mathew Mitchell TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 13'53
120 Geraint Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 28'14
General classification:
1 Franco Pellizotti LIQUIGAS 19h51'56
2 Luca Mazzanti CERAMICA PANARIA - NAVIGARE + 15
3 Guido Trentin SAUNIER DUVAL - PRODIR + 41
4 Juan Manuel Gárate QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC + 49
5 Gilberto Simoni SAUNIER DUVAL - PRODIR + 1'18
6 Tadej Valjavec LAMPRE - FONDITAL + 1'27
7 Gianpaolo Caruso LAMPRE - FONDITAL s.t.
8 Davide Rebellin GEROLSTEINER + 1'29
9 Craig Walsh TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'43
10 Domenico Pozzovivo CERAMICA PANARIA - NAVIGARE + 1'46
31 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 6'18
53 Stephen Young TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 13'34
64 David Arroyo TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 19'56
92 Mathew Mitchell TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 32'46
96 Bradley Wiggins TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 35'50
118 Geraint Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1h07'39
Points:
1 Franco Pellizotti LIQUIGAS 73
2 Mark Cavendish T-MOBILE TEAM 50
3 Gennadi Mikhailov ASTANÁ 40
Mountain:
1 Stephen Young TEAM CASSON DAIRY 84
2 Raffaele Ferrara TEAM LPR 42
3 Massimo Codol ACQUA & SAPONE - CAFFÈ MOKAMBO 40
Another strong win for Pellizotti. However, I doubt he'll have the mountain punch to be a serious contender for the overall standings in the Giro.
Three times round a circuit, with downhill towards the finish.
Three strong climbers go away early in the final stage of the Italian cycling week, Szmyd (POL, Lampre), Young (IRL, Casson Dairy) to defend the mountain jersey. However, a lot of good riders wanted the mountain points, and Pozzovivo (ninth in the overall, Ceramica Panaria) broke free to take the points on the first climb ahead of Ferrara (ITA, LPR).
Pozzovivo was, however, allowed to remain in the leading group, made up of six riders: in addition to the ones already mentioned, Illiano (ITA, Flaminia) was present, but they later left Szmyd and an uninspired Pozzovivo behind. Thus, with 110 km to go, four people remained in the lead of 9'20 on the peloton; Illiano trailed slightly behind after the high pace set by Young in the mountains.
Simoni attempted an attack as they entered the third lap, with 40 km to go, so Walsh went with him. A stupid move; Walsh believed Simoni was strong enough to win, so pulled a lot on the flat, but the racers were caught on the final climb. It then rained attacks, and Pellizotti (Liquigas), Mazzanti (Panaria), Trentin (Saunier Duval) and Gárate (Quick Step) got away; Simoni wasn't strong enough to join, but gained a gap on the sprinting peloton.
Pellizotti, bottom in green, rallied to beat Mazzanti on the line
Stage result:
1 Franco Pellizotti LIQUIGAS 4h19'13
2 Luca Mazzanti CERAMICA PANARIA - NAVIGARE s.t.
3 Guido Trentin SAUNIER DUVAL - PRODIR s.t.
4 Juan Manuel Gárate QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
5 Gilberto Simoni SAUNIER DUVAL - PRODIR + 29
6 Christian Knees TEAM MILRAM + 1'11
7 José Enrique Gutiérrez Cataluña TEAM LPR s.t.
8 Andrei Kunitski ACQUA & SAPONE - CAFFÈ MOKAMBO s.t.
9 Craig Walsh TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
10 Domenico Pozzovivo CERAMICA PANARIA - NAVIGARE s.t.
15 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
29 David Arroyo TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
51 Stephen Young TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 6'45
68 Bradley Wiggins TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 8'45
100 Mathew Mitchell TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 13'53
120 Geraint Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 28'14
General classification:
1 Franco Pellizotti LIQUIGAS 19h51'56
2 Luca Mazzanti CERAMICA PANARIA - NAVIGARE + 15
3 Guido Trentin SAUNIER DUVAL - PRODIR + 41
4 Juan Manuel Gárate QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC + 49
5 Gilberto Simoni SAUNIER DUVAL - PRODIR + 1'18
6 Tadej Valjavec LAMPRE - FONDITAL + 1'27
7 Gianpaolo Caruso LAMPRE - FONDITAL s.t.
8 Davide Rebellin GEROLSTEINER + 1'29
9 Craig Walsh TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'43
10 Domenico Pozzovivo CERAMICA PANARIA - NAVIGARE + 1'46
31 Greg Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 6'18
53 Stephen Young TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 13'34
64 David Arroyo TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 19'56
92 Mathew Mitchell TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 32'46
96 Bradley Wiggins TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 35'50
118 Geraint Thomas TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1h07'39
Points:
1 Franco Pellizotti LIQUIGAS 73
2 Mark Cavendish T-MOBILE TEAM 50
3 Gennadi Mikhailov ASTANÁ 40
Mountain:
1 Stephen Young TEAM CASSON DAIRY 84
2 Raffaele Ferrara TEAM LPR 42
3 Massimo Codol ACQUA & SAPONE - CAFFÈ MOKAMBO 40
Another strong win for Pellizotti. However, I doubt he'll have the mountain punch to be a serious contender for the overall standings in the Giro.
Last edited:
Magrat Garlick
Rather Mad Witch
Critérium International
This race, formerly an informal French championship, was opened to the international competition in 1979. It has high prize money and high status, and thus, although it is not on the ProTour, 12 of the participating 17 teams are ProTour teams. Among the former title winners are Louison Bobet (1951 and 1952), Jacques Anquetil (4 wins, 1961-67) and Raymond Poulidor (5 wins 1964-72), Bernard Hinault (1978 and 1981), Joop Zoetemelk (1979), Laurent Fignon (1982 and 1990), Séan Kelly (1983, 1984, 1987), Miguel Indurain (1989), Chris Boardman (1996), Bobby Julich (1998 and 2005), Jens Voigt (1999, 2004, 2007).
Stage One, Sédan - Charleville - Mézières, 187 km
Casson Dairy are the only team with a true high-class team, however, including Fensome, Vasseur and Hoy. However, no big breakaway went on the first stage: Meschenmoser (GER, Skil - Shimano) and Erviti (Caisse d'Epargne) were the only riders to go in the break.
Then, on the first climb with 40 km to go, things started to get serious. Unai Etxebarria (Euskaltel) attacked, and Hoy took his wheel. They quickly got a minute's lead, and Gerrans (AG2R) and Cardénas (Barloworld) attempted to bridge the gap on the next climb. At the top, that pair had gained 15 seconds, while Hoy remained a meagre minute ahead. They were quickly caught, however, and another group led by Bernhard Kohl attempted to join Hoy, now all alone in his chase for glory. John-Lee Augustyn (Barloworld) and Pate (Slipstream) were the most insistent, gaining a thirty second lead, but still losing to Hoy. Eventually they, too, gave up the chase, Hoy now 1'15 ahead with 21 km to go.
Hoy trying to hold the wolves at bay
Hoy crossed the mountain first, but had failed to gain anything on the pack, now leading by a minute with just 13 km remaining. The crowd could see Hoy entering the city mere seconds ahead of the chasing pack; he tried to start a long sprint, but very quickly tired, and was caught with 750 metres to go. Aitor Perez (Caisse d'Epargne) won the sprint comfortably, while Casson Dairy still have six men well placed before tomorrow's short climbing stage and the 10km time trial.
Stage result:
1 Aitor Perez Arrieta CAISSE D'EPARGNE 4h37'32
2 Geoffroy Lequatre COFIDIS, LE CRÉDIT PAR TÉLÉPHONE s.t.
3 Gregory Henderson T-MOBILE TEAM s.t.
4 Aurélien Clerc BOUYGUES TELECOM s.t.
5 Mauro Santambrogio LAMPRE - FONDITAL s.t.
11 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
19 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
20 Jamee Gray TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
37 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
38 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
44 George Pardoe TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
79 Amets Txurruka TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 3'29
102 David Millar TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
Points:
1 Aitor Perez Arrieta CAISSE D'EPARGNE 25
2 Geoffroy Lequatre COFIDIS, LE CRÉDIT PAR TÉLÉPHONE 20
3 Imanol Erviti CAISSE D'EPARGNE 18
13 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY 5
Mountain:
1 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY 11
2 Unai Etxebarría EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 10
3 Pablo Lastras CAISSE D'EPARGNE 3
Stage Two, Les Vieilles Forges - Monthermé, 99 km
Casar, grinning, launches what proved to be a decisive attack.
A short stage, with frantic attacks. Sandy Casar (FDJeux.com) was the one that reaped the final rewards got away on the final mountain climb, though the long flat and some 20 km to the finish meant he should have been caught. Instead the Casson Dairy team saved energy; that turned out to be an unwise choice. Casar had plenty in the tank, and despite a massive finish in the final uphill by Casson Dairy, Casar held on.
Casson Dairy win the hill sprint - but Casar has already crossed the line
Stage rankings:
1 Sandy Casar FRANÇAISE DES JEUX 2h30'15
2 Jamee Gray TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 14
3 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
4 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
5 Axel Merckx T-MOBILE TEAM + 23
6 Simon Gerrans AG2R PRÉVOYANCE s.t.
7 John-Lee Augustyn BARLOWORLD s.t.
8 Giuseppe Guerini T-MOBILE TEAM s.t.
9 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
10 Eric Berthou CAISSE D'EPARGNE s.t.
11 Massimilliano Mori LAMPRE - FONDITAL s.t.
12 Bernhard Kohl GEROLSTEINER s.t.
13 Felix Cardénas BARLOWORLD s.t.
14 Yon Bru Pascal EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI s.t.
15 Aitor Perez Arrieta CAISSE D'EPARGNE s.t.
25 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'48
27 Amets Txurruka TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 2'41
41 George Pardoe TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
52 David Millar TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
Overall standings:
1 Sandy Casar FRANÇAISE DES JEUX 7h07'27
2 Jamee Gray TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 22
3 Aitor Perez Arrieta CAISSE D'EPARGNE + 23
4 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 26
5 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 34
6 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 43
9 additional riders in same time
Points:
1 Aitor Perez Arrieta CAISSE D'EPARGNE 26
2 Sandy Casar FRANÇAISE DES JEUX 25
3 Geoffroy Lequatre COFIDIS, LE CRÉDIT PAR TÉLÉPHONE 20
4 Jamee Gray TEAM CASSON DAIRY 20
7 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY 16
9 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY 14
10 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY 12
Mountain:
1 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY 17
2 Unai Etxebarría EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 12
3 Bernhard Kohl GEROLSTEINER 10
Stage Three, Charleville Mézières, ITT, 8 km
A short individiual time trial. Early starts by Millar and Pardoe, both excellent time triallists, didn't give much hope for Casson Dairy; they were well behind Nicolas Rousseau (FRA, AG2R), who surprised with a strong early time despite having lost nine minutes in the overall standings. However, Rousseau's time couldn't stand. Benoît Vaugrenard (FRA, FDJeux, 16th in the GC at 1'15 behind Casar, was first to beat him, clocking a time under 10 minutes despite the headwind and slight incline ahead of the first time check. Six minutes later, Bernhard Kohl (AUT, Gerolsteiner) showed his time trial credentials, finishing seven seconds behind Vaugrenard on the day to take the overall lead.
The success story of the day, however, was Håkon Mørk. Casson Dairy dominateed the start list towards the end, having four of the last six to start, but Mørk was the only one to mount a serious challenge. On the first time check, he clocked 3'36 - already 10 seconds ahead of Vaugrenard. Though the pace slowed somewhat after that splendid opening, he still finished in a spectacular 9'45.
Hoy, left in the red mountain jersey, beaten by eighty seconds by the Norwegian.
Jamee Gray and Alex Fensome had just slightly too little left in the tank, losing 52 and 57 seconds to the fast Norwegian respectively, which brought them down to fifth and eleventh before the last finisher, Sandy Casar, was due to cross the line. Early times had given Mørk hope, but it was his start that had been massive; Casar took third place on the stage, and held on to a 15-second win over Mørk, who was left to rue poor tactics on the early morning's effort.
Stage result:
1 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY 9'45 @ 48.6 km/h
2 Benoît Vaugrenard FRANÇAISE DES JEUX + 14 @ 47.5 km/h
3 Sandy Casar FRANÇAISE DES JEUX + 19
4 Nicolas Rousseau AG2R PRÉVOYANCE + 21
5 Bernhard Kohl GEROLSTEINER s.t.
14 George Pardoe TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 27
16 David Millar TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 28
65 Jamee Gray TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 52
75 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 57
82 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'01
112 Amets Txurruka TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'15
115 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'22 (and last)
Final standings:
1 Sandy Casar FRANÇAISE DES JEUX 7h17'31
2 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 15
3 Bernhard Kohl GEROLSTEINER + 45
4 Eric Berthou CAISSE D'EPARGNE + 53
5 Aitor Perez Arrieta CAISSE D'EPARGNE + 55
6 Jamee Gray TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
7 Giuseppe Guerini T-MOBILE TEAM + 56
8 Felix Cardénas BARLOWORLD + 59
9 John-Lee Augustyn BARLOWORLD + 1'00
10 Axel Merckx T-MOBILE TEAM + 1'03
11 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'04
20 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'46
25 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 2'50
29 George Pardoe TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 3'24
56 Amets Txurruka TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 7'26
74 David Millar TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 9'54
Points:
1 Sandy Casar FRANÇAISE DES JEUX 41
2 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY 39
3 Benoît Vaugrenard FRANÇAISE DES JEUX 30
=6 Jamee Gray TEAM CASSON DAIRY 20
=9 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY 16
No mountain points, Hoy takes the jersey.
This race, formerly an informal French championship, was opened to the international competition in 1979. It has high prize money and high status, and thus, although it is not on the ProTour, 12 of the participating 17 teams are ProTour teams. Among the former title winners are Louison Bobet (1951 and 1952), Jacques Anquetil (4 wins, 1961-67) and Raymond Poulidor (5 wins 1964-72), Bernard Hinault (1978 and 1981), Joop Zoetemelk (1979), Laurent Fignon (1982 and 1990), Séan Kelly (1983, 1984, 1987), Miguel Indurain (1989), Chris Boardman (1996), Bobby Julich (1998 and 2005), Jens Voigt (1999, 2004, 2007).
Stage One, Sédan - Charleville - Mézières, 187 km
Casson Dairy are the only team with a true high-class team, however, including Fensome, Vasseur and Hoy. However, no big breakaway went on the first stage: Meschenmoser (GER, Skil - Shimano) and Erviti (Caisse d'Epargne) were the only riders to go in the break.
Then, on the first climb with 40 km to go, things started to get serious. Unai Etxebarria (Euskaltel) attacked, and Hoy took his wheel. They quickly got a minute's lead, and Gerrans (AG2R) and Cardénas (Barloworld) attempted to bridge the gap on the next climb. At the top, that pair had gained 15 seconds, while Hoy remained a meagre minute ahead. They were quickly caught, however, and another group led by Bernhard Kohl attempted to join Hoy, now all alone in his chase for glory. John-Lee Augustyn (Barloworld) and Pate (Slipstream) were the most insistent, gaining a thirty second lead, but still losing to Hoy. Eventually they, too, gave up the chase, Hoy now 1'15 ahead with 21 km to go.
Hoy trying to hold the wolves at bay
Hoy crossed the mountain first, but had failed to gain anything on the pack, now leading by a minute with just 13 km remaining. The crowd could see Hoy entering the city mere seconds ahead of the chasing pack; he tried to start a long sprint, but very quickly tired, and was caught with 750 metres to go. Aitor Perez (Caisse d'Epargne) won the sprint comfortably, while Casson Dairy still have six men well placed before tomorrow's short climbing stage and the 10km time trial.
Stage result:
1 Aitor Perez Arrieta CAISSE D'EPARGNE 4h37'32
2 Geoffroy Lequatre COFIDIS, LE CRÉDIT PAR TÉLÉPHONE s.t.
3 Gregory Henderson T-MOBILE TEAM s.t.
4 Aurélien Clerc BOUYGUES TELECOM s.t.
5 Mauro Santambrogio LAMPRE - FONDITAL s.t.
11 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
19 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
20 Jamee Gray TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
37 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
38 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
44 George Pardoe TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
79 Amets Txurruka TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 3'29
102 David Millar TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
Points:
1 Aitor Perez Arrieta CAISSE D'EPARGNE 25
2 Geoffroy Lequatre COFIDIS, LE CRÉDIT PAR TÉLÉPHONE 20
3 Imanol Erviti CAISSE D'EPARGNE 18
13 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY 5
Mountain:
1 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY 11
2 Unai Etxebarría EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 10
3 Pablo Lastras CAISSE D'EPARGNE 3
Stage Two, Les Vieilles Forges - Monthermé, 99 km
Casar, grinning, launches what proved to be a decisive attack.
A short stage, with frantic attacks. Sandy Casar (FDJeux.com) was the one that reaped the final rewards got away on the final mountain climb, though the long flat and some 20 km to the finish meant he should have been caught. Instead the Casson Dairy team saved energy; that turned out to be an unwise choice. Casar had plenty in the tank, and despite a massive finish in the final uphill by Casson Dairy, Casar held on.
Casson Dairy win the hill sprint - but Casar has already crossed the line
Stage rankings:
1 Sandy Casar FRANÇAISE DES JEUX 2h30'15
2 Jamee Gray TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 14
3 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
4 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
5 Axel Merckx T-MOBILE TEAM + 23
6 Simon Gerrans AG2R PRÉVOYANCE s.t.
7 John-Lee Augustyn BARLOWORLD s.t.
8 Giuseppe Guerini T-MOBILE TEAM s.t.
9 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
10 Eric Berthou CAISSE D'EPARGNE s.t.
11 Massimilliano Mori LAMPRE - FONDITAL s.t.
12 Bernhard Kohl GEROLSTEINER s.t.
13 Felix Cardénas BARLOWORLD s.t.
14 Yon Bru Pascal EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI s.t.
15 Aitor Perez Arrieta CAISSE D'EPARGNE s.t.
25 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'48
27 Amets Txurruka TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 2'41
41 George Pardoe TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
52 David Millar TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
Overall standings:
1 Sandy Casar FRANÇAISE DES JEUX 7h07'27
2 Jamee Gray TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 22
3 Aitor Perez Arrieta CAISSE D'EPARGNE + 23
4 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 26
5 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 34
6 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 43
9 additional riders in same time
Points:
1 Aitor Perez Arrieta CAISSE D'EPARGNE 26
2 Sandy Casar FRANÇAISE DES JEUX 25
3 Geoffroy Lequatre COFIDIS, LE CRÉDIT PAR TÉLÉPHONE 20
4 Jamee Gray TEAM CASSON DAIRY 20
7 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY 16
9 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY 14
10 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY 12
Mountain:
1 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY 17
2 Unai Etxebarría EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 12
3 Bernhard Kohl GEROLSTEINER 10
Stage Three, Charleville Mézières, ITT, 8 km
A short individiual time trial. Early starts by Millar and Pardoe, both excellent time triallists, didn't give much hope for Casson Dairy; they were well behind Nicolas Rousseau (FRA, AG2R), who surprised with a strong early time despite having lost nine minutes in the overall standings. However, Rousseau's time couldn't stand. Benoît Vaugrenard (FRA, FDJeux, 16th in the GC at 1'15 behind Casar, was first to beat him, clocking a time under 10 minutes despite the headwind and slight incline ahead of the first time check. Six minutes later, Bernhard Kohl (AUT, Gerolsteiner) showed his time trial credentials, finishing seven seconds behind Vaugrenard on the day to take the overall lead.
The success story of the day, however, was Håkon Mørk. Casson Dairy dominateed the start list towards the end, having four of the last six to start, but Mørk was the only one to mount a serious challenge. On the first time check, he clocked 3'36 - already 10 seconds ahead of Vaugrenard. Though the pace slowed somewhat after that splendid opening, he still finished in a spectacular 9'45.
Hoy, left in the red mountain jersey, beaten by eighty seconds by the Norwegian.
Jamee Gray and Alex Fensome had just slightly too little left in the tank, losing 52 and 57 seconds to the fast Norwegian respectively, which brought them down to fifth and eleventh before the last finisher, Sandy Casar, was due to cross the line. Early times had given Mørk hope, but it was his start that had been massive; Casar took third place on the stage, and held on to a 15-second win over Mørk, who was left to rue poor tactics on the early morning's effort.
Stage result:
1 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY 9'45 @ 48.6 km/h
2 Benoît Vaugrenard FRANÇAISE DES JEUX + 14 @ 47.5 km/h
3 Sandy Casar FRANÇAISE DES JEUX + 19
4 Nicolas Rousseau AG2R PRÉVOYANCE + 21
5 Bernhard Kohl GEROLSTEINER s.t.
14 George Pardoe TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 27
16 David Millar TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 28
65 Jamee Gray TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 52
75 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 57
82 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'01
112 Amets Txurruka TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'15
115 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'22 (and last)
Final standings:
1 Sandy Casar FRANÇAISE DES JEUX 7h17'31
2 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 15
3 Bernhard Kohl GEROLSTEINER + 45
4 Eric Berthou CAISSE D'EPARGNE + 53
5 Aitor Perez Arrieta CAISSE D'EPARGNE + 55
6 Jamee Gray TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
7 Giuseppe Guerini T-MOBILE TEAM + 56
8 Felix Cardénas BARLOWORLD + 59
9 John-Lee Augustyn BARLOWORLD + 1'00
10 Axel Merckx T-MOBILE TEAM + 1'03
11 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'04
20 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'46
25 Cédric Vasseur TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 2'50
29 George Pardoe TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 3'24
56 Amets Txurruka TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 7'26
74 David Millar TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 9'54
Points:
1 Sandy Casar FRANÇAISE DES JEUX 41
2 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY 39
3 Benoît Vaugrenard FRANÇAISE DES JEUX 30
=6 Jamee Gray TEAM CASSON DAIRY 20
=9 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY 16
No mountain points, Hoy takes the jersey.
headhunter
International Vice-Captain
Wahey easy mountains victory 
Magrat Garlick
Rather Mad Witch
Will also add Mr Flaus shortly.
NZTailender
I can't believe I ate the whole thing
Awesome stuff. Good jobs all round.
Magrat Garlick
Rather Mad Witch
Fair bit. May get a gig at the Tour of Georgia in mid-April though. (Currently at April 4).
Josh
International Regular
Sweet.
Magrat Garlick
Rather Mad Witch
Three Days of The Panne
Stage One: Middelkerke - Zottegem, 192 km
Team: Håkon Mørk, Nathan Hoy, Tarick Weber, Craig Walsh, Alex Fensome, Ben Read, Gert Steegmans, Steffen Wesemann
The first stage of the classic Belgian stage race Driedaagse van De Panne is a long, arduous, and slightly hilly affair. The 1-km long Berendries is climbed three times for mountain points, at 106, 139 and 175 km, before the riders cross the Eikenmolen and the Stuivenberg and head to the finish.
Weber went in the early break, but was not match fit for this kind of racing, and had to let go after gaining some early mountain points. Christophe Brandt (BEL, Predictor - Lotto) and Mikaël Chérel (FRA, FDJeux) stayed away for the longest, and Rabobank and Casson Dairy had to do some serious work to catch them - the pack was down to 35 after 160 km, due to the massive pace. Luckily, Casson Dairy had excellent domestiques in Wesemann, Mørk, Walsh and Fensome, who all did their work for a Hoy attack or a Steegmans sprint in the wheel of Tommeke Boonen.
Caught with 15 km to the line, at the third ascent of the Berendries
Above we see Rabobank and Quick Step catching the blokes up front; now all was about attacking before Boonen could sprint to victory on home asphalt. Rabobank went first, with Joost Posthuma, their favourite of the day; Hoy took his wheel, as did Danielson (USA, Discovery) and Grivko (UKR, Milram). However, as can be seen below, the Australian was the quicker, gaining 10-15 seconds over the first top.
Up, up and away
Posthuma set his heart on catching Hoy, but found it impossible to hold his wheel over Stuivenberg:
A new gap opens
As they entered the streets of Zottegem for the last time, having raced downhill from Stuivenberg, Hoy had opened a comfortable 24-second gap on a tired Posthuma, but the peloton was only a further ten seconds down, with ar rapidly rallying Boonen. However, the long sprint was not for Tommeke; he comfortably dominated the peloton, but Hoy dug deep and held on with a ferocious sprint for the line - he needed to gain time ahead of a time trial late on in the stage race.
All alone at the finish
Stage result (including all in first bunch, thus the only ones who realistically remain in contention for the overall title):
1 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY 4h44'35
2 Tom Boonen QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC + 22
3 Bram De Groot RABOBANK s.t.
4 Steffen Wesemann TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
5 Gert Steegmans TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
6 Sergei Kolesnikov UNIBET.COM s.t.
7 Joost Posthuma RABOBANK s.t.
8 Mauro Santambrogio LAMPRE - FONDITAL s.t.
9 Michael Albasini LIQUIGAS s.t.
10 Juan Manuel Gárate QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
11 Benoît Vaugrenard FRANÇAISE DES JEUX s.t.
12 Gianpaolo Caruso LAMPRE - FONDITAL s.t.
13 Koos Moerenhout RABOBANK s.t.
14 Manuel Quinziato LIQUIGAS s.t.
15 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
16 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
17 Christophe Brandt PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
18 Andrei Grivko TEAM MILRAM s.t.
19 Tom Danielson DISCOVERY CHANNEL PRO CYCLING TEAM s.t.
20 Craig Walsh TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'42 with 5 others
126 Tarick Weber TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 16'20
127 Ben Read TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
General classification: Hoy leads Boonen by 30 seconds. Most others at 42 seconds except Brandt (32 behind, gained seconds in breakaway) and De Groot (34 behind, third today for bonus seconds).
Points: Hoy leads Boonen by 5 points.
Mountain: Ruben Elvira Lobato (Saunier Duval) and Mikaël Chérel (FDJeux.com) joint top with 11 points each.
Stage One: Middelkerke - Zottegem, 192 km
Team: Håkon Mørk, Nathan Hoy, Tarick Weber, Craig Walsh, Alex Fensome, Ben Read, Gert Steegmans, Steffen Wesemann
The first stage of the classic Belgian stage race Driedaagse van De Panne is a long, arduous, and slightly hilly affair. The 1-km long Berendries is climbed three times for mountain points, at 106, 139 and 175 km, before the riders cross the Eikenmolen and the Stuivenberg and head to the finish.
Weber went in the early break, but was not match fit for this kind of racing, and had to let go after gaining some early mountain points. Christophe Brandt (BEL, Predictor - Lotto) and Mikaël Chérel (FRA, FDJeux) stayed away for the longest, and Rabobank and Casson Dairy had to do some serious work to catch them - the pack was down to 35 after 160 km, due to the massive pace. Luckily, Casson Dairy had excellent domestiques in Wesemann, Mørk, Walsh and Fensome, who all did their work for a Hoy attack or a Steegmans sprint in the wheel of Tommeke Boonen.
Caught with 15 km to the line, at the third ascent of the Berendries
Above we see Rabobank and Quick Step catching the blokes up front; now all was about attacking before Boonen could sprint to victory on home asphalt. Rabobank went first, with Joost Posthuma, their favourite of the day; Hoy took his wheel, as did Danielson (USA, Discovery) and Grivko (UKR, Milram). However, as can be seen below, the Australian was the quicker, gaining 10-15 seconds over the first top.
Up, up and away
Posthuma set his heart on catching Hoy, but found it impossible to hold his wheel over Stuivenberg:
A new gap opens
As they entered the streets of Zottegem for the last time, having raced downhill from Stuivenberg, Hoy had opened a comfortable 24-second gap on a tired Posthuma, but the peloton was only a further ten seconds down, with ar rapidly rallying Boonen. However, the long sprint was not for Tommeke; he comfortably dominated the peloton, but Hoy dug deep and held on with a ferocious sprint for the line - he needed to gain time ahead of a time trial late on in the stage race.
All alone at the finish
Stage result (including all in first bunch, thus the only ones who realistically remain in contention for the overall title):
1 Nathan Hoy TEAM CASSON DAIRY 4h44'35
2 Tom Boonen QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC + 22
3 Bram De Groot RABOBANK s.t.
4 Steffen Wesemann TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
5 Gert Steegmans TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
6 Sergei Kolesnikov UNIBET.COM s.t.
7 Joost Posthuma RABOBANK s.t.
8 Mauro Santambrogio LAMPRE - FONDITAL s.t.
9 Michael Albasini LIQUIGAS s.t.
10 Juan Manuel Gárate QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC s.t.
11 Benoît Vaugrenard FRANÇAISE DES JEUX s.t.
12 Gianpaolo Caruso LAMPRE - FONDITAL s.t.
13 Koos Moerenhout RABOBANK s.t.
14 Manuel Quinziato LIQUIGAS s.t.
15 Håkon Mørk TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
16 Alex Fensome TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
17 Christophe Brandt PREDICTOR - LOTTO s.t.
18 Andrei Grivko TEAM MILRAM s.t.
19 Tom Danielson DISCOVERY CHANNEL PRO CYCLING TEAM s.t.
20 Craig Walsh TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 1'42 with 5 others
126 Tarick Weber TEAM CASSON DAIRY + 16'20
127 Ben Read TEAM CASSON DAIRY s.t.
General classification: Hoy leads Boonen by 30 seconds. Most others at 42 seconds except Brandt (32 behind, gained seconds in breakaway) and De Groot (34 behind, third today for bonus seconds).
Points: Hoy leads Boonen by 5 points.
Mountain: Ruben Elvira Lobato (Saunier Duval) and Mikaël Chérel (FDJeux.com) joint top with 11 points each.
NZTailender
I can't believe I ate the whole thing
Hoy gunning it (Y)
