Stage 1 Code: Events for stage Güeñes - Güeñes -- 20/5/2013 12h48min -- Race update. Numerous riders are attempting attacks to break away from the peloton. Riders prominent in these attempts are : J.Hernández, S.Vandenbergh Attack by Dirk Bellemakers. Danny Pate (Lampre) is trying to counter! Warren Barguil (Argos) is awake to everything and tries to react to every attack. Roman Kreuziger (Melton Mowbray) has fallen inside the peloton. Luckily enough, no other rider has been affected. The escapees have now put a minute between themselves and the peloton. Attack by 3 riders. (J.Hivert, L.S.Haedo, D.Arroyo) Veterans know that riding at the head of the group is a good way to avoid surprises. Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) seems to be well aware of that. Several riders have seen an opportunity in the slow pace of the peloton. We have 3 riders trying to create a breakaway. It remains to be seen if M.Kreder, D.Zabriskie, P.Fédrigo can agree amongst themselves to make the breakaway work. Bad news for the escapees. The peloton has woken up and the gap is melting away. The peloton is upping the pace. Race update. Numerous riders are attempting attacks to break away from the peloton. Riders prominent in these attempts are : S.Vandenbergh, D.Pate Dirk Bellemakers (Vacansoleil) is trying to stick to the wheels of the attackers. Attack by Andrey Kashechkin. Dirk Bellemakers (Vacansoleil) wins the mountain sprint. 2nd Danny Pate (Lampre). 3rd Stijn Vandenbergh (Orica). Danny Pate (Lampre) is awake to everything and tries to react to every attack. Attack by Warren Barguil. Michel Kreder (Garmin) has fallen inside the peloton. Luckily enough, no other rider has been affected. Attack by Bram Tankink. Attack by 2 riders. (J.Hivert, D.Arroyo) The understanding among the breakaway riders seems to be coming apart and Bram Tankink (Blanco) has decided to set off alone. Attack by Arnold Jeannesson. Attack by Rob Ruijgh. Despite the breakaway, the peloton doesn't seem to be willing to make a big effort. Rob Ruijgh (Vacansoleil) has fallen inside the peloton. Luckily enough, no other rider has been affected. With more than 2 minutes on the peloton, the breakaway is beginning to look more convincing. The peloton doesn't seem to have any intentions of pursuing the breakaway riders today. There's plenty of movement in the peloton with 2 riders trying to break away. The names are : B.Tankink, A.Jeannesson. Arnold Jeannesson (BMC) wins the mountain sprint. 2nd Bram Tankink (Blanco). 3rd Stefan Schumacher (Melton Mowbray). Attack by Amets Txurruka. Attack by Karsten Kroon. Attack by Simon Gerrans. Astana Pro Team won't let any leaders get away. Everybody is working for Paolo Tiralongo. Despite not having any team-mate to help him, Alexsandr Dyachenko (Astana) is trying to reduce the gap with the leaders in front of him. The peloton continues to lay down a fast pace The understanding among the breakaway riders seems to be coming apart and Arnold Jeannesson (BMC) has decided to set off alone. Bram Tankink (Blanco) is trying to counter! Despite not having any team-mate to help him, Fabio Aru (Astana) is trying to reduce the gap with the leaders in front of him. Arnold Jeannesson (BMC) wins the mountain sprint. 2nd Bram Tankink (Blanco). 3rd Amets Txurruka (Caja Rural). We're already at the half-way stage. Paolo Tiralongo seems to have given instructions to his team-mates in Astana Pro Team to catch up with the leaders. Team Argos - Shimano is giving its all in order to catch up. Tanel Kangert (Astana) has fallen off the pace. He might, of course, be bluffing, but it doesn't look god for him. Despite not having any team-mate to help him, Fabio Aru (Astana) is trying to reduce the gap with the leaders in front of him. Instructions are clear for Astana. Paolo Tiralongo must play safe and stay at the front. The understanding among the breakaway riders seems to be coming apart and Arnold Jeannesson (BMC) has decided to set off alone. Bram Tankink (Blanco) is trying to stick to the wheels of the attackers. None of the big teams seem worried by the breakaway. Attack by Amets Txurruka. Race update. Numerous riders are attempting attacks to break away from the peloton. Riders prominent in these attempts are : D.Pietropolli, S.Gerrans There's plenty of movement in the peloton with 4 riders trying to break away. The names are : A.Jeannesson, M.Scarponi, B.Tankink, P.Niemiec. Bram Tankink (Blanco) wins the mountain sprint. 2nd Arnold Jeannesson (BMC). Arnold Jeannesson (BMC) is awake to everything and tries to react to every attack. 3rd Simon Gerrans (Tout Seul). Despite not having any team-mate to help him, Fabio Aru (Astana) is trying to reduce the gap with the leaders in front of him. Veterans know that riding at the head of the group is a good way to avoid surprises. Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) seems to be well aware of that. We are into the last third of the race. Let's see what happens in the remaining 51 kms Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) may have been badly placed at the back, but he is certainly losing contact with the head of the group. Race update. Numerous riders are attempting attacks to break away from the peloton. Riders prominent in these attempts are : A.Jeannesson, B.Tankink Bram Tankink (Blanco) wins the mountain sprint. Michele Scarponi (Melton Mowbray) is trying to counter! 2nd Arnold Jeannesson (BMC). 3rd Michele Scarponi (Melton Mowbray). Arnold Jeannesson (BMC) wins the intermediate sprint. 2nd Bram Tankink (Blanco). 3rd Amets Txurruka (Caja Rural). Attack by 3 riders. (J.Castroviejo, V.Agnoli, F.Aru) Bram Tankink (Blanco) wins the intermediate sprint. 2nd Arnold Jeannesson (BMC). Kevin De Weert (RadioShack) is trying to stick to the wheels of the attackers. 3rd Amets Txurruka (Caja Rural). Attack by Alex Howes. The riders are passing the 15 kms banner. Attack by Przemyslaw Niemiec. Przemyslaw Niemiec (Lampre) may have been badly placed at the back, but he is certainly losing contact with the head of the group. Alex Howes (Garmin) is in the lead. Who's going to catch him ? Race update. Numerous riders are attempting attacks to break away from the peloton. Riders prominent in these attempts are : Y.Popovych, A.Howes Attack by 2 riders. (S.Gerrans, J.Vanendert) Some riders are beginning to lose contact with the rear of the peloton. Race update. Numerous riders are attempting attacks to break away from the peloton. Riders prominent in these attempts are : L.Sánchez, K.De Weert, M.Scarponi, S.Casar, A.Amador Attack by 3 riders. (R.Nocentini, P.Niemiec, S.Spilak) Despite not having any team-mate to help him, Egor Silin (Astana) is trying to reduce the gap with the leaders in front of him. Alex Howes (Garmin) wins the mountain sprint. There's plenty of movement in the peloton with 2 riders trying to break away. The names are : R.Porte, A.Txurruka. 2nd Kevin De Weert (RadioShack). 3rd Przemyslaw Niemiec (Lampre). Andreas Klöden (Melton Mowbray) is trying to counter! Only 5 km to go. It's now or never ! Attack by Sandy Casar (Harpsobank) in the closing kilometres. It's a question of just going for it without looking at what's happening behind ! The peloton has caught up with the morning's breakaway group. Maybe the riders will find another day to shine. Several riders have seen an opportunity in the slow pace of the peloton. We have 2 riders trying to create a breakaway. It remains to be seen if K.De Weert, A.Klöden can agree amongst themselves to make the breakaway work. Andreas Klöden (Melton Mowbray) is the first to launch the final sprint Alexsandr Dyachenko (Astana) moves out sideways and launches his final sprint ! Valerio Agnoli (Astana) moves out sideways and launches his final sprint ! Fabio Aru (Astana) moves out sideways and launches his final sprint ! Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) moves out sideways and launches his final sprint ! Andreas Klöden (Melton Mowbray) was the fastest rider today. He took the mass sprint ! 2nd Kevin De Weert (RadioShack). 3rd Sandy Casar (Harpsobank). Instructions are clear for Astana. Paolo Tiralongo must play safe and stay at the front. Andrey Zeits (Astana) moves out sideways and launches his final sprint !
Disappointed we couldn't deny HFF once again, but it was Inevitable that Boonen would win one. Very happy with a 2nd for Cancellara, and 4th for Gilbert.
Klöden can gagf Interesting team we've picked, surprised at the lack of at least 1 of Anton/Cobo/Zubeldia. CA have certainly brought along a decent climbing team....
Excuse my ignorance, but where's/when's the pic from? And who are the other 2 riders with Boonen (I assume he's one of the front 3)
I think it's from last year so probably Pozzato and Ballan. Posted it as a pic of the finish + Flemish flags really.
Stage 2 Code: Events for stage Gueñes-Vitoria-Gasteiz -- 20/5/2013 12h54min -- Instructions are clear for Astana. Paolo Tiralongo must play safe and stay at the front. Looks like Andrey Kashechkin (Astana) got out of bed on the right side this morning ! His early attack will, no doubt, please the team's sponsors. Race update. Numerous riders are attempting attacks to break away from the peloton. Riders prominent in these attempts are : M.Bodnar, R.Valls, A.Klier Several riders have seen an opportunity in the slow pace of the peloton. We have 2 riders trying to create a breakaway. It remains to be seen if I.Erviti, N.Oliveira can agree amongst themselves to make the breakaway work. Karol Domagalski (Caja Rural) is trying to stick to the wheels of the attackers. Dominique Rollin (BMC) is trying to counter! Andrey Kashechkin (Astana) wins the mountain sprint. 2nd Andreas Klier (Garmin). 3rd Maciej Bodnar (Cannondale). The peloton continues to lay down a fast pace The escapees have now put a minute between themselves and the peloton. The peloton doesn't seem too worried about the breakaway. Perhaps they underestimate the danger. Attack by Nikolas Maes. Attack by Enrique Sanz. Attack by Daniele Pietropolli. Attack by Enrique Sanz. Bad news for the escapees. The peloton has woken up and the gap is melting away. Attack by Roy Curvers. Anders Lund (RadioShack) is awake to everything and tries to react to every attack. The peloton is laying down a fast pace with Team Argos - Shimano well in charge. Race update. Numerous riders are attempting attacks to break away from the peloton. Riders prominent in these attempts are : D.Zabriskie, M.Bodnar Andrey Kashechkin (Astana) is trying to stick to the wheels of the attackers. Attack by Gert Dockx. Attack by Tarik Chaoufi. With more than 2 minutes on the peloton, the breakaway is beginning to look more convincing. Several riders have seen an opportunity in the slow pace of the peloton. We have 2 riders trying to create a breakaway. It remains to be seen if M.Golas, J.Aramendia can agree amongst themselves to make the breakaway work. Attack by 5 riders. (R.Valls, W.Sulzberger, T.Dekker, I.Erviti, K.Kroon) The understanding among the breakaway riders seems to be coming apart and Andrey Kashechkin (Astana) has decided to set off alone. Andrey Kashechkin (Astana) wins the mountain sprint. 2nd David Zabriskie (Harpsobank). 3rd Daniel Navarro (Melton Mowbray). The peloton doesn't seem to have any intentions of pursuing the breakaway riders today. The breakaway has now more than 5 minutes on the peloton. We're already at the half-way stage. Things are moving at an easy pace, the riders are keeping something back for later on. The understanding among the breakaway riders seems to be coming apart and David Zabriskie (Harpsobank) has decided to set off alone. The understanding among the breakaway riders seems to be coming apart and Andrey Kashechkin (Astana) has decided to set off alone. Andrey Kashechkin (Astana) wins the mountain sprint. 2nd David Zabriskie (Harpsobank). David Zabriskie (Harpsobank) is awake to everything and tries to react to every attack. Attack by Dirk Bellemakers. 3rd Dirk Bellemakers (Vacansoleil). The peloton is upping the pace. The understanding among the breakaway riders seems to be coming apart and Andrey Kashechkin (Astana) has decided to set off alone. We are into the last third of the race. Let's see what happens in the remaining 56 kms David Zabriskie (Harpsobank) is trying to stick to the wheels of the attackers. David Zabriskie (Harpsobank) wins the mountain sprint. 2nd Andrey Kashechkin (Astana). None of the big teams seem worried by the breakaway. 3rd Dirk Bellemakers (Vacansoleil). Attack by Dirk Bellemakers. David Zabriskie (Harpsobank) wins the intermediate sprint. 2nd Andrey Kashechkin (Astana). 3rd Jure Kocjan (Fosters). The understanding among the breakaway riders seems to be coming apart and David Zabriskie (Harpsobank) has decided to set off alone. David Zabriskie (Harpsobank) wins the mountain sprint. 2nd Andrey Kashechkin (Astana). 3rd Thomas Voeckler (Fosters). Just a few minutes for the breakaway at the 20 km mark. It's going to be very tight! The peloton moves up a gear and the speed increases. Andrey Kashechkin (Astana) wins the intermediate sprint. 2nd David Zabriskie (Harpsobank). 3rd Anthony Roux (Fosters). Just 15 km to go. It's over ! The peloton didn't give them a chance. The peloton has increased the tempo Anthony Roux (Fosters) may have been badly placed at the back, but he is certainly losing contact with the head of the group. Gorka Izagirre (Citrosol) wins the mountain sprint. 2nd Pieter Weening (Fosters). 3rd Andrey Amador (Argos). We are definitely headed for a bunch sprint unless some brave rider attempts a last-ditch effort. Michal Golas (AG2R) has had a bad fall. He seems to be having some problems so let's hope that it's not serious. Ouch ! Massive fall within the peloton ! 2 riders are involved. Michael Albasini (Australis) has fallen ! He looks slightly injured, but he will no doubt finish the race. Roy Curvers (Argos) has had a bad fall. He seems to be having some problems so let's hope that it's not serious. Another crash in the peloton. Stijn Vandenbergh (Orica) is part of it and he's having trouble getting back on his feet. Ouch ! Massive fall within the peloton ! 5 riders are involved. Attack by Andrey Amador (Argos) in the closing kilometres. It's a question of just going for it without looking at what's happening behind ! Ouch ! Massive fall within the peloton ! 3 riders are involved. Tiredness is beginning to make its mark. More and more riders are falling off the back. Only 5 kms to go ! Several riders have seen an opportunity in the slow pace of the peloton. We have 2 riders trying to create a breakaway. It remains to be seen if D.Bellemakers, A.Txurruka can agree amongst themselves to make the breakaway work. Michal Kwiatkowski (Citrosol) is the first to launch the final sprint Alex Howes (Garmin) has abandoned. This one will be remembered by Michal Kwiatkowski (Citrosol) for a long time. It's not often that you can claim a win in such a fashion. 2nd Jure Kocjan (Fosters). 3rd Daniel Oss (Fosters).
A few sprinters finished with the bunch but didn't challenge - the explanation for that is that, essentially, they were out of gas having stuck around during the climbs.
