Tag Archives: Omega Pharma Lotto

Tour de France 2011 – Stage 10

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Blitzy start, an early breakaway, composed chase by peloton, attack on the final climb and a close sprint finish. Ah feels good that things are back to normal on Le Tour. Thankfully this report would be more about the technical aspects of professional cycling and not a lament about the brutal nature of the sport – supported by gory images.

To top a peaceful day in the Massif Central, we were treated to an exciting sprint finish, André Greipel edging out arch rival Mark Cavendish by half a bike-length to claim his maiden stage victory in the Tour. Both riders showed tremendous skill and tenacity to have fought till the line, despite having survived a hard day through the rolling terrain.

There is no love lost between Cav and Greipel and both have exchanged many heated words, despite working as team-mates till last year.  This uncomfortable scenario led to the German leaving HTC for Omega Pharma-Lotto this year, as he considered his earlier employers were not giving him his due and instead favouring the Manx missile.

There were no hard feelings in Cavendish’s post race comments, but the hurt was there for all to see. He said, “I didn’t hesitate but I didn’t commit early enough. I kind of rolled round Rojas on the last corner and kicked with 170m to go and Greipel just came past and beat me. I’m happy for him. I feel I made a mistake but Greipel beat me so there’s nothing I can say about that.”

Monday’s break ensured there would be no further crash ridden stories, but it brought a different twist to the Tour with its first doping incident. Russian Alexandr Kolobnev withdrew after testing positive for a banned substance in a sample he had provided on 06 July. Though the Russian has strongly pleaded his innocence, his team are being quiet about it till the B sample is verified.

Doping control has come down hard in recent years, but their insensitivity seemed to stretch a bit too far when they roused the injured Johnny Hoogerland (and his team) early on the day for a drugs test. While authorities claimed to have followed standard procedure, one expected more compassion from them towards a rider who has had three sets of 13 stitches on his legs.

The crashes continued to take a toll despite the relative peace, with Yaroslav Popovych being the latest to fall out and did not make to the start on Tuesday. His withdrawal leaves Radioshck with just six riders remaining in the Tour, making them one of the worst hit teams this year.

But the rest day seemed to have done rest of the peloton some good as they recorded the fastest start to a stage this year, with the average speed for the opening hour being 51.6km/h! As things settled with distance, there was the usual breakaway with the main group ambling within manageable distance of them. At the half way mark the six riders were 3′ 48″ ahead of the peloton.

First action of the day arrived late with just 16km to go as Omega Pharma-Lotto exploded the peloton on the last climb of the day. Their obvious aim was to break the sprint teams and in the process drop as many rivals of green jersey holder Philippe Gilbert as possible. An aim in which they partly succeeded as the main bunch was whittled down to around 25 riders within a few minutes.

The maillot vert himself attacked within a kilometer of the summit of Côte de Mirandol-Bourgnounac followed by four riders including the maillot jaune. It was exciting – and a bit unusual - to see the two jersey holders break and pull a gap of around 10 seconds between them and the main bunch.

The World No 1 put in all the hard work as the other three bickered behind him, and continued ahead solo once they fell back during the descent. But his brave charge was reeled in by the peloton, which contained all the leading sprinters sans a few (Matt Goss, Alessandro Petacchi and Tyler Farrar being the notable casualties of the climb).

The final kilometer to the finish line contained a few nasty corners and considering the speeds at which the riders were charging, it was a near miracle we did not see any mass pile ups. As Greipel surged ahead to a memorable victory, the results behind him did not bring about any changes to the provisional podium or the jersey wearers.

Today’s stage is lighter than the earlier, probably in anticipation of the hell awaiting the riders in the Pyrenees from Thursday. It is also the last opportunity for the sprinters to hog the limelight, as the final two sprint stages will definitely be overshadowed by the battle for overall victory. Watch out then for a hurt Cavendish, or big name riders with no honours to their name yet. For me this is just the last bit of filler till the serious stuff begins on stage 12. So till tomorrow then…

Jersey holders:                                                                  General Classification:

Maillot Jaune –  Thomas Voeckler                                     Thomas Voeckler – 42h 06’ 32”   Maillot Vert –  Philippe Gilbert                                         Luis-Leon Sanchez – 42h 08’ 21” Maillot à Pois Rouges –  Johnny Hoogerland                  Cadel Evans – 42h 08’ 58”             Maillot Blanc –  Robert Gesink

ps: Sunday’s crash caused by the French TV car was as bizarre as they come, but it certainly is not the only one. This crash back in 2007 was the day Le Tour “literally” went to the dogs :P

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Tour de France 2011 – Stage 4

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172.5km of effort, 6 inches of glory! That best describes yesterday’s stage 4 of Le Tour. Where else does one find such microscopic distances distinguishing competitors in a marathon event. For the record, Cadel Evans edged out a highly spirited Alberto Contador in the most dramatic fashion at the end of day four yesterday. It was so close in fact that the Spaniard raised his arm in triumph, confident of having nipped his old adversary by his late charge.

The photo-finish replays proved otherwise and it is just another sign how things are not going as per plan for the defending champion. But Contador and his manager seem pleased with his overall performance, and considering he got one better over most of the main contenders, this could be seen as a sign that the Saxo Bank leader is not taking things lying down.

Evans was ecstatic after the victory – his first since 2007 – and thanked his team for the achievement. He said, “My hero today is Marcus Burghardt who made sure I was exactly where I was meant to be. I can’t believe I beat Philippe Gilbert going into a headwind like that.” This victory was more remarkable considering the BMC rider had to drop off to the rear for fixing his gears a mere 15km from the finish. The only minor irritant for Evans may have been his failure to snatch maillot jaune from Thor Hushovd, who finished a commendable sixth.

The Norwegian was expected to struggle on this stage, especially in the tricky uphill finish. But it was to his credit that despite all odds he pulled himself, successfully defending his slender margin of ‘one second’ over Evans. Based on this performance and with the profiles of the upcoming stages, he should pretty much see through till Saturday in yellow.

Race organisers had specially designed this stage to finish on “The Wall” with its mile long dead straight ascent to throw the peloton out of its comfort zone. Higher powers were in no mood of mercy either with much of the stage being run in miserable conditions. Sleeting rain rendered roads so greasy that the first crash came in the neutral zone itself, even before the stage was flagged off by the race director.

Yet again a breakaway was formed within the first 10km, this time being lead by the Frenchman Jeremy Roy (FDJ) with Gorka Izagirre Insausti (Euskatel), Imanol Erviti (Movistar), Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil) and Blel Kadri (AG2R) for company. They continued on their own till the day’s intermediate sprint with a max gain of around four minutes over the main group. But soon Garmin-Cervelo and Omega Pharma-Lotto whipped the peloton into action and despite the sternest fight from the leaders, they were caught well before the tricky ascent.

Action of the day belonged to Vacansoleil-DCM sprinter Romain Feillu who after a forced halt, rode inches behind the team car trying to rejoin the peloton. With the vehicle zipping along at 75km/hr, an incontent Feillu gave the rider a thumbs-up urging him to go faster! Even considering the driver was not quite as adventurous as the cyclist on slippery tarmac, hats off to the physical ability of the French rider.

Yesterday also brought the first retirement in this year’s Tour with Omega Pharma-Lotto’s Jurgen van de Walle abandoning the race, probably as an after effect of his crash early on day one. Makes the job of the remaining 197 competitors so much easier then!

Towards the end the peloton had stretched out like a freight train, though speeds were in check considering the surface conditions. Also the ‘three-kilometers rule’ was not applicable on this stage, meaning a crash at any distance would entail a damaging delay for the rider(s) involved.

Hence all top contenders were right at the fore of the pack with most spectators eyeing birthday boy Philippe Gilbert gunning for his second victory of the Tour. Sadly that was not to be as Evans and Contador out paced everyone in the final dash, with Vinokourov taking up the last podium place. Massive crowds at Mûr-de-Bretagne made this appear as a major mountain finish, and with the two big guns going elbow to elbow, this could be a tasty appetizer before the main course of the Alpine stages.

At the end of the day there were no major fluctuations in the general classifications. However the keen-eyed would have noticed the almost surreptitious climb of one of the Schlecks into the top three. Just a sign of matters heating up and riders beginning to get into their strides.

Today’s stage 5 continues east across Brittany, beginning in captivating countryside and with the latter half a scenic ride down the coast. However the peloton would not have the time to marvel on the beauty and would be more focussed on the cross-winds which will prompt echelons to form. Opportunities exist then, for a team with adequate horsepower to try to split the field. Traditionally it should be won by a sprinter, but after yesterday’s results I will refrain from making a prediction (though it may be noted that I had highlighted Evans for glory in my short preview of stage 4). So till tomorrow then…

Jersey holders:                                                                    General Classification:

Maillot Jaune –  Thor Hushovd                                        Thor Hushovd – 13h 58’ 25”
Maillot Vert –  Joaquin Jose Rojas                                  Cadel Evans – 13h 58’ 26”
Maillot à Pois Rouges –  Cadel Evans                              Frank Schleck – 13h 58’ 29”
Maillot Blanc –  Geraint Thomas

ps: Thor Hushod apologised to Mark Cavendish over the disqualification of both riders from yesterday’s intermediate sprint. Referees penalised the riders for allegedly clashing helmets going for the line, however Hushovd claimed all responsibility for the mishap. In reply Cav tweeted “Just heard that Thor’s offered to take the punishment solely. What a true gentleman. I reckon it won’t change fuck-all though. But thank you.”

Tour de France 2011 – Stage 2

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Yesterday for the Tour meant 23km of painful, hooter-to-the-pedals, flat-out sprinting. Teams started seven minutes apart hitting the deck as fast as possible. The manic pace always ensures casualties and exhausted riders peel off the group as discarded serpent skin. This is all well as the team is awarded the time of the fifth rider to cross the line, ensuring that we generally get to see a bunch of 5-6 riders finishing for each team (am not sure if the dropped riders keep their own time, or are jumped up to that of the team).

Team Sky, HTC-Highroad and Garmin-Cervelo were the favourites for the day, though with little to distinguish between them. It was made up to be a direct face-off between Geraint Thomas, Mark Cavendish and David Millar, with each trying to lead and inspire their team for glory. The proceedings then were begun by Saxo Bank-Sunguard of Alberto Contador. Never the favourites on the day, their main aim was to limit the deficit as far as possible for the Spaniard, who had already had a disastrous start to the Tour the previous day.

They finished in a credible time of 25m 16s with an average speed of 54.6km/h. That sounds freakishly fast to achieve on a bike with pedals, however such is the calibre of the men on the Tour that at the end of the day it was good enough for just eighth place in the standings. Such margins are lost and won in the twinkling of an eye; a few stints on the front from a rider who is below-strength or a couple of misjudged corners. In an event this short with margins this tight, only perfection is good enough.

The first to go from among the favourites were Garmin-Cervelo and they had supposedly practiced for this event in great detail. No surprises then when they posted the best time of the day with six riders covering the circuit in 24m 48s. Team Sky did give them a fight, being a second ahead at the first split, but eventually finished four seconds below the American team.

Last of the main contenders (for the time trial) were HTC-Highroad, but disaster struck early for them. One of their main engines, Bernhard Eisel crashed shortly after the start, and the team never seemed to have recovered from thereon. They finished a further second adrift of Sky, limiting their damage, but would be disappointed with the day’s events for sure.

Performance of the day came from BMC of Cadel Evans and Leopard Trek of the Schleck brothers. Both finished tied with Sky, four seconds short of the best time, that places their top riders in an excellent position for the coming days. Fabian Cancellara stood out of all the rest, the World TT Champion putting in a lung bursting effort for the team from Luxembourg, guiding them almost single-handedly to a remarkable time.

Both these teams seemed to have run a textbook perfect time trial with the riders smoothing along corners like water slipping off a smooth stone. Its one of the many sights of the Tour to watch a stream of riders clad in aerodynamic suits – look like a bunch of aliens to me – banking on corners and gliding along the tarmac as if on wings. While it might look effortless, a closer look at the faces would show the agony each man is going through, even if for such a short distance.

Last to take the road was Omega Pharma-Lotto, who frankly were never expected to save Philippe Gilbert’s jersey at the end of the day. They duly finished 10th fastest and the maillot jaune shifted to the shoulders Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo). The Norwegian is surely having a colourful Tour, which he started in the world champion’s rainbow jersey, shifted to the polka dot (quite an oxymoron for  a sprinter) after day one, and today proudly dons the best of the lot.

Alberto Contador’s deficit has increased to 1’42” but that does not seem to have perturbed the Spaniard who yesterday said, “The Tour can be lost every day, but it is won in the mountains.” That is an undeniable fact, but the mountains are still some distance away. For today’s stage 3, we head out of the Vendée and into Britanny, crossing the Loire via the Saint-Nazaire bridge. It’s a largely flat 198km finishing at Redon and is the first chance for the sprinters to fight for glory. Will we see some headbanging like last year, well I can only guess. So till tomorrow then…

Thor Hushovd – 5h 06’ 25”               Maillot Jaune – Thor Hushovd
David Millar – 5h 06’ 25”                  Maillot Vert – Philippe Gilbert
Cadel Evans – 5h 06’ 26”                   Maillot à Pois Rouges – Philippe Gilbert

Tour de France 2011 – Stage 1

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Catch your breath everyone this is the Tour de France!!! Generally I would have expected to write this somewhere in the final week of the tour, but such was the start itself that frankly it leaves me short of finding the right expletives. Not that Contador fans would see it that way, but am tempted to say that someone released a woman fan among the peloton, and she did her best to stir things up.

What happened was as the peloton barrelled under the 10km to go mark, a careless spectator drifted oh-so-little onto the road with her back to the action. Her shoulder brushed an Astana rider, and considering the speed the peloton was doing, it caused a massive pile up. This split the lot and the escapees – including all the top contenders sans Alberto – continued to step on the gas.

Though mainly ushered by team BMC and Radioshack, this reaction may have had a little to do with Contador’s reputation in the peloton after last year’s chaingate scandal. At the end of the day then, the defending champion was left with a significant deficit of 1’20” to the leader. It might not be the deciding factor, but to lose such a  large chunk of time so early in the Tour definitely messes up with his strategy.

The day began though in much serener conditions at the west of France with the riders negotiating a packed causeway to make for a truly unique beginning. Almost as soon as the flag dropped, three riders broke free to form the first breakaway. Sadly if they had any intentions of glory, 3,430.5km stood between them and Champs-Elysees, and at the very least they had 191.5km to negotiate for any glory on the given day.

Average speed for the first hour was a leisurely 42.3km/hr as the riders got the pent-up tension out of their system. The first week of Le Tour is always marked with a lot of stress. No one wants to crash early and hence everyone tries to bunch up, which only increases the nervousness and never seems to reduce the chances of a crash.

First action of the day came early as Jurgen Van de Walle hit the deck trying to warn the peloton about a nasty stretch of tarmac. Ironic though it was, as only happens on the Tour, the Belgian remounted and continued with a torn kit without much fuss. Thereafter it was mostly a procession till things heated up momentarily as the peloton approached the intermediate sprint mark. Mark Cavendish went all guns blazing but was caught unawares by Tyler Farrar of team Garmin.

The breakaway was reeled in – as always is – with just under 20km to go. It  makes me wonder always why riders go through all the pain of riding solo, only to be caught right before the line. All it does is get their sponsors some dedicated air time! But now the peoloton was really speeding and the pace was taking its toll on a lot of the participants. The main contenders were being well looked after and it seemed all action would come for the dash to the line.

That all changed as the bewildered enthusiast gave us a bizarre twist, thankfully though no one was seriously injured in the massive pile up. While the front pack had all the big names, no one can pretend they failed to notice the absence of the defending champion. There was a second crash two kilometers from the finish and this time it held up Cavendish, Wiggins, Andy Schleck and Basso. They were in luck however, as Regulation 20A in the rulebook stipulates that in flat finishes, any rider with a mechanical failure / crash within 3km of the finish is allotted the same time as the group he was with when the incident happened.

So if anything, it prevented Cavendish a shot at the stage finish, but otherwise would not have bothered any of the riders affected. The survivors continued to race ahead and it was team Katusha which mounted the first attack for glory. Stage favourite Philippe Gilbert was not fussed, but when Cancellara pounded ahead with venom, it forced the Belgian to respond.

And he did do with the grace of a striker controlling the ball at his feet, taking time sizing up the shot, and thundering a shot in the corner of the net. Gilbert countered and the Swiss had no answer to it, which spurred Cadel Evans to take up the mantle and finish second behind the Omega Pharma Lotto rider. Thor Hushovd (Garmin Cervelo) took third, but it was Gilbert who seems to have carried his dream run that began in April, into the Tour.

Finishing with a time of 4 hours 41 minutes and 31 seconds, he had the honour of donning the maillot jaune and earning the green and white jerseys as well (to be worn by other riders). Stage 2 is a team time trial, so it is not expected he will hold on to it longer, but it is an achievement to be proud of while it lasts. The team time trial might jumble things up further, but for Contador, he cannot afford to lose any more time on the top riders. It is a short stage with just 23kms on the road, but an extremely technical one. I can’t wait for it, as personally I relish the time trials (though only second to the climbs). So till tomorrow then…

Philippe Gilbert – 4h 41’ 31”                             Maillot Jaune – Philippe Gilbert
Cadel Evans – 4h 41’ 34”                                    Maillot Vert – Cadel Evans
Thor Hushovd – 4h 41’ 37”                                Maillot à Pois Rouges – Thor Hushovd