Ronda al Pais Mexicano (2013)

[Eric8-A]

REPORT:

For the 2013 edition of the race, Vini Fantini and Vacasoleil were to be invited. But because of the recent positives that have spurred from the riders of both teams, it has been said that they will be excluded from the race.

 

[Eric8-A]

Confirmed Teams

-Astana
-Androni Giocattoli
-5-Hour Energy
-Seleccion de Mexico
-Saxo-Tinkoff
-Garmin Sharp
-EPM-UNE
-Jamis Hagens Berman
-Sky
-Blanco
-Radioshack
-UnitedHealthcare
-Colombia
-IAM Cycling
-Lampre Merida
-Canels Turbo
-Empacadora San Marcos
-Movistar

 

[Raansingh]

keep it up guyzzz you rules

 

[Eric8-A]

For the past two years, Paolo Tiralongo has been Astana's protected rider in the Ronda.

PT: The first year the race was held, we were mainly there to hunt for stages. We had no real GC rider. All of a sudden, I'm leading the King of the Mountains classification and I said "well, let's try and take this all the way to Mexico City".

By the end of the first edition of the race, Paolo Tiralongo won the King of the Mountains classification as well as being named the most aggressive rider of the entire race. His aggressiveness to notch up the points needed to win the mountains jersey made him an immediate crowd favorite, but also earned him a spot in the overall top 10 in the race. He finished ninth.

In the second edition of the race, Astana came with a better plan than the year before. Tiralongo was their man for the general classification.

PT: Winning the KoM was nice, but I wanted to see what else I was capable of doing.

In 2012, Paolo finished the race 10th overall, but also won stage six. That win allowed him to slip on the white jersey of race leader, only to lose it the following day in the time trial.

Last year, we saw Tiralongo racing against Jakob Fuglsang who was last year's winner of the race. This year, they're both riding on the same team. But with the recent news of Fuglsang's training crash, could it mean that he won't be able to defend his title?

PT: Given what's been said, Jakob could hop back on his bike in the coming days to continue his preparation for the Tour. So we're not ruling him out yet. We'll see how he is after the Tour, and if he's up for it, he'll be in Mexico to defend his 2012 title.

And Paolo says there's no tension between him and Jakob.

PT: No, I have no problem riding in the same team with him. The plan is to ride for Jakob, and I'll be there to support him in the mountains in September. Jakob will be plan A. If something goes wrong with him, I'll be plan B.

 

[Eric8-A]

A week after winning this year's Vuelta a Colombia, we caught up with Oscar Sevilla who has confirmed that he will be riding the Ronda al Pais Mexicano.

No stranger to racing in Mexico as he has won the Vuelta Mexico Telmex twice and the Vuelta a Chihuahua before in his career, Sevilla says he is looking forward to racing against the riders coming over from Europe.

EPM-UNE has again received an invitation to the Ronda and will most likely bring a loaded squad to back Sevilla. Oscar proved to be a great signing for the EPM-UNE squad this year, as he has been collecting wins in Colombia since the start of the year, and hopes to carry on that form in September.

 

[Eric8-A]

Here is the finalized list of teams that have been confirmed for the race

-Astana
-Androni Giocattoli
-5-Hour Energy
-Seleccion de Mexico
-Saxo-Tinkoff
-Garmin Sharp
-EPM-UNE
-Jamis Hagens Berman
-Sky
-Belkin
-Radioshack
-UnitedHealthcare
-Colombia
-IAM Cycling
-Lampre Merida
-Canels Turbo
-Empacadora San Marcos
-Movistar
-Aguardiente Antioqueño-Loteria de Medellin
-Depredadores PBG Design

 

[Eric8-A]

Startlist

Astana Pro Team (AST)

1. Jakob Fuglsang (DEN)
2. Paolo Tiralongo (ITA)
3. Evan Huffman (USA)
4. Andrey Zeits (AST)
5. Fabio Aru (ITA)
6. Kevin Seeldraeyers (BEL)
7. Andriy Grivko (UKR)
8. Andrey Kashechkin (AST)

Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela (ITA)

11. Franco Pellizotti (ITA)
12. Carlos Ochoa (VEN)
13. Tomas Gil (VEN)
14. Jackson Rodriguez (VEN)
15. Miguel Rubiano (COL)
16. Emanuele Sella (ITA)
17. Fabio Felline (ITA)
18. Diego Rosa (ITA)

5-Hour Energy (USA)

21. Francisco Mancebo (ESP)
22. Max Jenkins (USA)
23. David Williams (USA)
24. Shawn Milne (USA)
25. Christian Parrett (USA)
26. Nathaniel English (USA)
27. Greg Brandt (USA)
28. Miguel Diaz (COL)

Seleccion de Mexico (MEX)

31. Juan Pablo Magallanes (MEX)
32. Ignacio Torres (MEX)
33. Ignacio Prado (MEX)
34. Frabrizio Von Nacher (MEX)
35. Flavio de Luna (MEX)
36. Uri Martins (MEX)
37. Leonardo Colex (MEX)
38. Sergio Escutia (MEX)

Team Saxo-Tinkoff (DEN)

41. Michael Rogers (AUS)
42. Chris Anker Sorensen (DEN)
43. Rory Sutherland (AUS)
44. Timothy Duggan (USA)
45. Rafal Majka (POL)
46. Daniele Bennati (ITA)
47. Karsten Kroon (NED)
48. Jesus Hernandez (ESP)

Garmin-Sharp (USA)

51. Peter Stetina (USA)
52. David Zabriskie (USA)
53. Robert Hunter (RSA)
54. Koldo Fernandez (ESP)
55. Johan Van Summeren (BEL)
56. Dennis Rohan (AUS)
57. Thomas Dekker (NED)
58. Alex Ramussen (DEN)

EPM-UNE (COL)

61. Oscar Sevilla (ESP)
62. Giovanny Baez (COL)
63. Edwin Carvajal (COL)
64. Jaime Casteñada (COL)
65. Freddy Piamonte (COL)
66. Robigzon Oyola (COL)
67. Eduard Beltran (COL)
68. Walter Pedraza (COL)

Jamis-Hagens Berman (USA)

71. Janier Acevedo (COL)
72. Luis Amaran (CUB)
73. Juan Jose Haedo (ARG)
74. Tyler Wren (USA)
75. Jamey Driscoll (USA)
76. Guido Palma (ARG)
77. Ben Jaques-Mayne (USA)
78. Ruben Companioni (CUB)

Sky Procycling (GBR)

81. Joseph Dombrowski (USA)
82. Ian Boswell (USA)
83. Danny Pate (USA)
84. Kanstantsin Siutsou (BLR)
85. Jonathan Tiernan-Locke (GBR)
86. Bernhard Eisel (AUT)
87. Ben Swift (GBR)
88. Vasil Kiryienka (BLR)

Belkin Pro Cycling Team (NED)

91. Wilco Kelderman (NED)
92. Theo Bos (NED)
93. Lars Peter Nordhaug (NOR)
94. Stef Clement (NED)
95. Robert Wagner (GER)
96. David Tanner (AUS)
97. Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP)
98. Steven Kruijswijk (NED)

Radioshack-Leopard (LUX)

101. Andreas Kloden (GER)
102. Nelson Oliveira (POR)
103. Hayden Rouslten (NZL)
104. Yaroslav Popovych (UKR)
105. Haimar Zubeldia (ESP)
106. Maxime Monfort (BEL)
107. Danilo Hondo (GER)
108. Fabian Cancellara (SUI)

UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team (USA)

111. Kiel Reijnen (USA)
112. Robert Forster (GER)
113. Philip Deignan (IRE)
114. Daniel Summerhill (USA)
115. Marc de Maar (AHO)
116. Davide Frattini (ITA)
117. Jake Keough (USA)
118. Jeff Louder (USA)

Colombia (COL)

121. Darwin Atapuma (COL)
122. Juan Pablo Suarez (COL)
123. Jeffry Romero (COL)
124. Edwin Avila (COL)
125. Fabio Duarte (COL)
126. Leonardo Duque (COL)
127. Carlos Quintero (COL)
128. Dalivier Ospina (COL)

IAM Cycling (SUI)

131. Thomas Lofkvist (SWE)
132. Alexandre Pliuschin (MDA)
133. Gustav Larsson (SWE)
134. Marcel Wyss (SUI)
135. Pirmin Lang (SUI)
136. Johann Tschopp (SUI)
137. Sebastien Reichenbach (SUI)
138. Heinrich Haussler (AUS)

Empacadora San Marcos (MEX)

141. Luis Alvarez (MEX)
142. Uriel Chavez (MEX)
143. Rodolfo Hernandez (MEX)
144. Edmundo Robledo (MEX)
146. Irving Aguilar (MEX)
147. Jose Manuel Arellanes (MEX)
148. Jorge Pancoatl (MEX)

Movistar Team (ESP)

151. Andrey Amador (CRC)
152. Argiro Ospina (COL)
152. Vladimir Karpets (RUS)
153. Francisco Ventoso (ESP)
154. Angel Madrazo (ESP)
155. Beñat Intxausti (ESP)
156. Ivan Gutierrez (ESP)
157. Alex Dowsett (GBR)

Lampre-Merida (ITA)

161. Michele Scarponi (ITA)
162. Maximiliano Richeze (ARG)
162. Roberto Ferrari (ITA)
163. Andrew Anacona (COL)
164. Andriano Malori (ITA)
165. Matthew Lloyd (AUS)
166. Diego Ulissi (ITA)
167. Miguel Ubeto (VEN)

Canels Turbo (MEX)

171. Carlos Lopez (MEX)
172. Jose Alarcon (MEX)
173. Jose Ramon Aguirre (MEX)
174. Hector Hugo Rangel (MEX)
175. Juan Quintal (MEX)
176. Erik Bazan (MEX)
177. David Zamudio (MEX)
178. Luis Gutierrez (MEX)

Aguardiente Antioqueño-Loteria de Medellin (COL)

181. Mauricio Ortega (COL)
182. Rafael Infantino (COL)
183. Carlos Ospina (COL)
184. Mauricio Ardila (COL)
185. Jairo Salas (COL)
186. Rafael Montiel (COL)
187. Isaac Bolivar (COL)
188. Alex Cano (COL)

Depredadores PBG Design (MEX)

191. Victor Manuel Garcia (ESP)
192. David Muñoz (MEX)
193. Luis Pulido (MEX)
194. Florencio Ramos (MEX)
195. Alfredo Santoyo (MEX)
196. Juan Antonio Aguirre (MEX)
197. Jorge Guadalupe Flores (MEX)
198. Luis Fernando Macias (MEX)

 

[Eric8-A]

The route

September 02
Stage 1: Queretato TT (28.01 Kms)

September 03
Stage 2: Queretaro-Guanajuato (183.45 Kms)

September 04
Stage 3: Salamanca-San Juan del Rio (155.08 Kms)

September 05
Stage 4: San Juan del Rio-Hidalgo (121.11 Kms)

September: 06
Stage 5: Veracruz (107.76 Kms)

September 7
Stage 6: Veracruz-Gran Telescopo Milimetrico (119.97 Kms)

September 08
Stage 7: Oaxaca Circuit (112.32 Kms)

September 09: Rest Day

September 10
Stage 8: Puerto Vallarta-Nayarit-Puerto Vallarta (104.36 Kms)

September 11
Stage 9: Zapopan Circuit (105.05 Kms)

September 12
Stage 10: Uruapan, Michoacan (130.28 Kms)

September 13
Stage 11: Cuernavaca (100.11 Kms)

September 14
Stage 12: Cuernavaca-Volcan Nevado de Toluca (193.34 Kms)

September 15
Stage 13:Mexico City ITT (21.07 Kms)

September 16
Mexico City Circuit (109.10 Kms)

 

[Eric8-A]

With less than 24 hours before the start of the 2013 Ronda, some riders were seen earlier in the streets of Queretaro to do some recon for tomorrow's time trial. Specialists looking to take the first stage, along with the white jersey of race leader, as well as some of the riders that will be looking to reach the top step of the podium in Mexico City.

Reporters caught up with 2012 Ronda champion, Jakob Fuglsang after his training ride. His Astana team has brought a team which he hopes will allow him to repeat his overall victory from last year.

Inaugural Ronda champion, Michael Rogers is also back this year. After failing to repeat the success he had in this race the first back in 2011, Rogers said he is hoping to reclaim his title. With the success that his Saxo team has had recently in the Vuelta, he hopes that the squad that's been brought here can carry on that success here.

 

[Eric8-A]

The contenders

Both champions of the past two editions of the race, Rogers and Fuglsang are not the only ones fighting for the overall. Here are some of the other riders that they will have to ride against in order to be victorious in Mexico City.

Franco Pellizotti
3rd overall in 2012

Francisco Mancebo
2nd overall and King of the Mountains in 2012

Oscar Sevilla

Janier Acevedo

 

[Eric8-A]

The contenders

Michele Scarponi

Mauricio Ortega

Carlos Lopez

Luis Alvarez

 

[Eric8-A]

September 2-Stage 1: Queretato ITT (28.01 Kms)

Malori Wins Opening Time Trial

Lampre's Adriano Malori will be the first rider of the 2013 Ronda to slip on the white jersey of race leader after edging out stage favorite Fabian Cancellara in the opening stage of this year's race. Fabian Cancellara was enjoying the comfort of the hot seat, only to have to give up that seat to the Italian who posted a time eight seconds better than the one known as Spartacus.

Aside from Cancellara, there were other time trial powerhouses that were looked to win the stage. Riders like Alex Dowsett, Dave Zabriskie, Gustav Larsson, but it seemed like people overlooked Malori which came as a surprise when he ended winning the stage.

On to the favorites

You can't win the race in the time trial today, but you want to deliver a good result. Tommorow, the race will the Cerro de Culiacan which is a 13 kilometer ramp that awaits the riders towards the end. Perhaps we'll see the riders that lost time today, hoping to gain back time tomorrow. Riders like Janier Acevedo and last year's podium finisher Francisco Mancebo who didn't deliver ideal times.

Defending champion Jakob Fuglsang finished one minute off Malori's time. Not the start he was hoping for. Above him, Luis Leon Sanchez, Michael Rogers, and Andreas Kloden finished better than the Dane. Michael Rogers who won the first edition of the race is in the top five, and high up on the GC after today's stage, something reminiscent of his prologue ride in 2011 where he was the best general classification rider. He would eventually go on to win the race. The Australian said he wants to better his result from last year, but it's still far too early to say whether he'll be a factor in the coming days. Perhaps tomorrow's stage will be an indicator as to how his form is coming here.

Fuglsang shrugged off his time trial result, choosing not to stress out about if, and not to put that much pressure on himself too early. It's one stage down, with thirteen more to go. There will be more opportunities to gain time.

Will Malori Keep the Lead After Tomorrow

With what has seemed like a tradition in the three years of the race, the first leader of the race will lose the white jersey after stage two. Malori knows he will not be a factor in the finish tomorrow, but will be riding on the flats to set up his team captain, Michele Scarponi for a good result tomorrow.

Stage Results & GC

1. Adriano Malori Lampre-Merida
2. Fabian Cancellara Radioshack-Leopard :08
3. Dennis Rohan Garmin-Sharp :12
4. Andreas Kloden Radioshack-Leopard :19
5. Michael Rogers Team Saxo-Tinkoff :20
6. Alex Dowsett Movistar :22
7. David Zabriskie Garmin-Sharp :27
8. Stef Clement Belkin Pro Cycling Team :31
9. Thomas Lofkvist IAM Cycling :32
10. Luis Leon Sanchez Belkin Pro Cycling Team :35

Jerseys

Race Leader (White): Adriano Malori

Best Young Rider (Blue): Dennis Rohan

Team Classification: Belkin Pro Cycling Team

Best Mexican: Ignacio Sarabia

 

[Eric8-A]

September 3-Stage 2: Queretaro-Guanajuato (183.45 Kms)

The GC Battle Starts Now?

With yesterday's time trial, and today's finish atop the Cerro de Culiacan, we're starting to see some minor gaps in the general classification.

Janier Acevedo from the Jamis team won today, after ditching his companion, three kilometers from the finish. That other man was the Italian Davide Frattini who attacked the main group at the foot of the climb. His early attack was most likely the reason as to why he couldn't keep up with Acevedo's pace towards the finish, and most likely caused him the chance at a stage victory.

As expected, Adriano Malori was nowhere to be seen once the road went up. However, he was there on the flats, setting the pace for Michele Scarponi. A few minor attacks came from several riders, but they didn't manage to get very far.

At about the time Janier made his attack to make contact with Frattini was when the majority of domestiques were finished doing their work, and leaving their captains to finish it off. Janier's teammate Tyler Wren was also further up the road, waiting on his Colombian teammate. The pair worked together until Wren burned the last of his matches and swung off, seeing the rest of the riders pass him by.

Happy with the win, Janier does not slip into the lead after today. He was 2:14 down on Malori's time yesterday, and also wasn't able to put in too much time into the other GC men. But his move was a message sent to the others that he is here to race.

Stage Results

1. Janier Acevedo Jamis-Hagens Berman
2. Davide Frattini UnitedHealthCare Pro Cycling Team :04
3. Michele Scarponi Lampre-Merida :09
4. Argiro Opsina Aguardiente Antioqueño-Lotería de Medellín
5. Luis Leon Sanchez Belkin Pro Cycling Team
6. Rafael Montiel Aguardiente Antioqueño-Lotería de Medellín
7. Mauricio Ortega Aguardiente Antioqueño-Lotería de Medellín
8. Franco Pellizotti Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
9. Victor Manuel Garcia Depredadores PBG Design
10. Andrew Anacona Lampre-Merida

GC After Stage 2

1. Andreas Kloden Radioshack-Leopard
2. Thomas Lofkvist IAM Cycling :13
3. Luis Leon Sanchez Belkin Pro Cycling Team :16
4. Michael Rogers Team Saxo-Tinkoff :20
5. Mauricio Ortega Aguardiente Antioqueño-Lotería de Medellín :22
6. Wilco Kelderman Belkin Pro Cycling Team :23
7. Joseph Dombrowski Sky Procycling :32
8. Oscar Sevilla EPM-UNE :36
9. Jakob Fuglsang Astana Pro Team :41
10. Kevin Seeldraeyers Astana Pro Team :42

Classifications

Leader's Jersey (White): Andreas Kloden

Best Young Rider Jersey (Blue): Wilco Kelderman

Telcel Points Jersey (Green): Janier Acevedo

Corona King of the Mountains: Janier Acevedo

Most Aggressive Rider: Davide Frattini

Best Mexican: Carlos Lopez

Team Classification: Astana

 

[superqualicast]

The route

September 02
Stage 1: Queretato TT (28.01 Kms)

September 03
Stage 2: Queretaro-Guanajuato (183.45 Kms)

September 04
Stage 3: Salamanca-San Juan del Rio (155.08 Kms)

September 05
Stage 4: San Juan del Rio-Hidalgo (121.11 Kms)

September: 06
Stage 5: Veracruz (107.76 Kms)

September 7
Stage 6: Veracruz-Gran Telescopo Milimetrico (119.97 Kms)

September 08
Stage 7: Oaxaca Circuit (112.32 Kms)

September 09: Rest Day

September 10
Stage 8: Puerto Vallarta-Nayarit-Puerto Vallarta (104.36 Kms)

September 11
Stage 9: Zapopan Circuit (105.05 Kms)

September 12
Stage 10: Uruapan, Michoacan (130.28 Kms)

September 13
Stage 11: Cuernavaca (100.11 Kms)

September 14
Stage 12: Cuernavaca-Volcan Nevado de Toluca (193.34 Kms)

September 15
Stage 13:Mexico City ITT (21.07 Kms)

September 16
Mexico City Circuit (109.10 Kms)

Good information about rout shared over here.

 

[Eric8-A]

September 4-Stage 3: Salamanca-San Juan del Rio (155.08 Kms)

Jamis Gets Back to Back Wins

With Janier Acevedo's win yesterday, and Juan Jose Haedo winning the first sprinting stage, it's been a pretty successful race for the Jamis team.

JJ Haedo continues his impressive return to the American continental squad, adding another win to his already long list of wins racked up this year.

Andreas Kloden's Radioshack squad was seen at the front, keeping the break in check, Klodi looking fairly comfortable in the leader's jersey which he took yesterday.

For now, the battle for the points jersey can start as the sprinters had their first round with each other. However, it is Janier who still retains that jersey, but not by much. With another sprint stage coming up tomorrow, he will most likely hand it over to someone else. Perhaps his teammate.

Stage Results

1. Juan Jose Haedo Jamis-Hagens Berman
2. Theo Bos Belkin Pro Cycling Team
3. Hector Hugo Rangel Canels Turbo
4. Edwin Avila Colombia
5. Robert Forster UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
6. Koldo Fernandez Garmin-Sharp
7. Fabrizio Von Nacher Seleccion de Mexico
8. Maximiliano Richeze Lampre-Merida
9. Danilo Hondo Radioshack-Leopard
10. Francisco Ventoso Movistar

GC After Stage 3

1. Andreas Kloden Radioshack-Leopard
2. Thomas Lofkvist IAM Cycling :13
3. Luis Leon Sanchez Belkin Pro Cycling Team :16
4. Michael Rogers Team Saxo-Tinkoff :20
5. Mauricio Ortega Aguardiente Antioqueño-Lotería de Medellín :22
6. Wilco Kelderman Belkin Pro Cycling Team :23
7. Joseph Dombrowski Sky Procycling :32
8. Oscar Sevilla EPM-UNE :36
9. Jakob Fuglsang Astana Pro Team :41
10. Kevin Seeldraeyers Astana Pro Team :42

Classifications


Leader's Jersey (White): Andreas Kloden

Best Young Rider Jersey (Blue): Wilco Kelderman

Telcel Points Jersey (Green): Janier Acevedo

Corona King of the Mountains: Janier Acevedo

Most Aggressive Rider: Jairo Salas

Best Mexican: Hector Hugo Rangel

Team Classification: Astana

 

[Eric8-A]

September 5-Stage 4: San Juan del Rio-Hidalgo (121.11 Kms)

Jamis Nails the Hat Trick, JJ Haedo Makes It Two in a Row

The Jamis-Hagens Berman team are on a roll, taking the previous three stages. It started with the Colombian Janier Acevedo winning stage two, and then the Argentinian Juan Jose Haedo winning stages three and four.

While today's stage was not entirely hilly, it still provided the breakaway with enough to put the scare into the main group which contained the teams that were hoping to make it a sprint finish again.

A breakaway group of eight men built up a lead of 11 minutes on the day, that was cut down bit by bit as the the road was ending. The Jamis team was attentive at the front, setting up most of the pace making, seeing the two Cubans Luis Amaran and Ruben Companioni taking pulls to make sure the finish was ideal for their sprinter JJ Haedo.

With seven kilometers left in the stage, there was chaos once again as rider after rider swung off the pack, disrupting the main peloton. While it may have put the scare into some teams, they were never able to put in more than ten seconds, and were quickly swallowed up.

Towards the finish, JJ Haedo was positioned and lead out well by his compatriot Guido Palma which resulted in his second victory in a row.

Today's win sees the green jersey of the points classification switch shoulders as JJ Haedo is now the wearer of it.

Stage Results

1. Juan Jose Haedo Jamis-Hagens Berman
2. Hayden Roulsten Radioshack-Leopard
3. Robert Forster UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
4. Ben Swift Sky Procycling
5. Theo Bos Belkin Pro Cycling Team
6. Heinrich Haussler IAM Cycling
7. Daniele Bennati Team Saxo-Tinkoff
8. Francisco Ventoso Movistar
9. Luis Fernando Macias Depredadores PBG Design
10. Maximiliano Richeze Lampre-Merida

GC After Stage 4

1. Andreas Kloden Radioshack-Leopard
2. Thomas Lofkvist IAM Cycling :13
3. Luis Leon Sanchez Belkin Pro Cycling Team :16
4. Michael Rogers Team Saxo-Tinkoff :20
5. Mauricio Ortega Aguardiente Antioqueño-Lotería de Medellín :22
6. Wilco Kelderman Belkin Pro Cycling Team :23
7. Joseph Dombrowski Sky Procycling :32
8. Oscar Sevilla EPM-UNE :36
9. Jakob Fuglsang Astana Pro Team :41
10. Kevin Seeldraeyers Astana Pro Team :42

Classifications

Leader's Jersey (White): Andreas Kloden

Best Young Rider (Blue): Wilco Kelderman

Telcel Points Leader (Green): Juan Jose Haedo

Corona King of the Mountains: Janier Acevedo

Most Aggressive Rider Marcel Wyss

Best Mexican: Luis Fernando Macias

Team Classification: Astana

 

[Eric8-A]

September 6-Stage 5: Veracruz (107.76 Kms)

Sanchez Wins on the First Big Day

The GC battle is taking shape now after Luis Leon Sanchez of the Belkin team rode away from his other rivals to not only win the stage, but also slipping into the race lead.

Unlike stage two, today's stage was the first actual mountainous stage where those who were vying to achieve an overall good result in the general classification had to be attentive.


Defending champion Jakob Fuglsang's Astana team was present at the front with his trusted domestiques who each took turns driving at the front. Jakob never looked to be under much pressure while there were attacks coming from the others riding behind him. Astana rode smartly, just riding their own pace, remaining calm as the attacks came. Eventually, they would reel in the riders, regrouping the peloton.

The winning move came from Luis Leon Sanchez, who made good use of the descents leading into the finish line. Finding allies in other riders who caught up to him, Sanchez worked with the other riders to increase their advantage over the chasers. Sanchez would eventually ditch his companions, digging in even further to ride away to what result in him winning the stage.

Janier Acevedo who won stage two, and whose teammate won the previous two sprint stages fell short today. He was nowhere to be seen at the front, nor was he threat for the win today. After the stage, he said it was just a bad day that's normal. With tomorrow being another tougher, mountainous day, he hopes to put today behind him, and be back to full strength tomorrow.

Stage Results

1. Luis Leon Sanchez Belkin Pro Cycling Team
2. Beñat Intxausti Movistar :08
3. Kanstantsin Sioutsou Sky Procycling :09
4. Jakob Fuglsang Astana :17
5. Michele Scarponi Lampre-Merida
6. Fabio Duarte Colombia :22
7. Oscar Sevilla EPM-UNE :24
8. Franco Pellizotti Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
9. Francisco Mancebo 5-Hour Energy
10. Steven Kruijswijk Belkin Pro Cycling Team

GC After Stage 5

1. Luis Leon Sanchez Belkin Pro Cycling Team
2. Jakob Fuglsang Astana :42
3. Oscar Sevilla EPM-UNE
4. Mauricio Ortega Aguardiente Antioqueño-Lotería de Medellín 1:00
5. Francisco Mancebo 5-Hour Energy 1:31
6. Franco Pellizotti Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela 1:39
7. Andreas Kloden Radioshack-Leopard 1:48
8. Michele Scarponi Lampre-Merida 2:05
9. Thomas Lofkvist IAM Cycling 2:06
19. Michael Rogers Team Saxo-Tinkoff 2:07

Classifications

Leader's Jersey (White): Luis Leon Sanchez

Best Young Rider Jersey (Blue): Wilco Kelderman

Telcel Points Leader's Jersey (Green): Juan Jose Haedo

Corona King of the Mountains: Michele Scarponi

Best Mexican: Luis Alvarez

Team Classification: Astana

 

[Eric8-A]

September 7- Stage 6: Veracruz-Gran Telescopo Milimetrico (119.97 Kms)

Mancebo Closes In On Sanchez

Stage six was seen by the riders as the toughest stage of this year's race, and one that was sure to create more separation amongst the favorites of the race. A tougher day than yesterday where Luis Leon Sanchez won and rode into the race lead, another Spaniard put in a gutsy ride to claim the queen stage of the Ronda this year. That Spaniard was none other than Francisco Mancebo.

But unlike Luis Leon Sanchez, Mancebo was not able to put in enough time to steal the lead from the Belkin rider, but did manage to move up considerably in the general classification. For the moment, Mancebo lies in second position in the overall classification, and can be a real threat to his compatriot.

Mauricio Ortega's Aguardiente team were aggressive on today's stage, tearing the peloton apart with their riders putting the others in difficulty to what looked like the perfect setup for an attack by Ortega. Eventually, the attack did come, but had it been done later in the stage, the Colombian could have managed to walk away today with the stage win, and possibly some precious time stolen. While his attack cost him a chance at a stage win, he was still amongst the best of the day. He now lies in third position overall.

A stage that was chaotic saw changes in the general classification. Most noticeably was defending champion Jakob Fuglsang who was second overall coming into today's stage, was put into major difficulty that saw him slip from second, to sixth. Michael Rogers was seen putting in a little dig in the group that he was riding with. And although his attack was nothing to threaten the top of the GC, he seems to be finding his rhythm now in the race.

Stage Results

1. Francisco Mancebo 5-Hour Energy
2. Michele Scarponi Lampre-Merida :49
3. Mauricio Ortega Aguardiente Antioqueño-Lotería de Medellín 1:13
4. Carlos Lopez Canels Turbo
5. Luis Leon Sanchez Belkin Pro Cycling Team
6. Franco Pellizotti Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela 1:27
7. Darwin Atapuma Colombia 1:33
8. Michael Rogers Team Saxo-Tinkoff 1:35
9. Oscar Sevilla EPM-UNE 1:41
10. Rafa Majka Team Sax-Tinkoff 2:03

GC After Stage 6

1. Luis Leon Sanchez Belkin Pro Cycling Team
2. Francisco Mancebo 5-Hour Energy :18
3. Mauricio Ortega Aguardiente Antioqueño-Lotería de Medellín 1:00
4. Oscar Sevilla EPM-UNE 1:10
5. Michele Scarponi Lampre-Merida 1:41
6. Jakob Fuglsang Astana Pro Team 1:48
7. Franco Pellizotti Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela 1:53
8. Michael Rogers Team Saxo-Tinkoff 2:29
9. Kevin Seeldraeyers Astana Pro Team 3:38
10. Wilco Kelderman Belkin Pro Cycling Team 3:39

Classifications

Leader's Jersey (White): Luis Leon Sanchez

Best Young Rider Jersey (Blue): Wilco Kelderman

Telcel Points Jersey (Green): Michele Scarponi

Corona King of the Mountains: Michele Scarponi

Most Aggressive Rider: Mauricio Ortega

Best Mexican: Carlos Lopez

Team Classification: Astana

 

[Eric8-A]

September 8-Stage 7: Oaxaca Circuit (112.32 Kms)

Sevilla Makes it A Spanish Hat Trick

Another day with climbing on the menu was claimed by yet another Spanish rider. Though not as difficult as the previous two days, that doesn't mean that there was no aggressive riding on the day. If it was controlled all the way to the finish, chances are that Sevilla would not have one today.

As the stage reached the bottom of the descent, and onto to the section of flat road that would lead the riders into the finish, some riders managed to catch back on with the difficulty of the climbs that they left behind. On the flat sections, riders who were no threat to the GC sprung out of the main pack, trying their luck at a stage win that also attracted some of the GC favorites which caused some disruption in the peloton. As if that wasn't bad enough, the riders picked up a small crosswind that caused separations within the riders, putting some of the GC riders into difficulty. It was the ideal moment for more attacks for those who managed to stay at the front of the group to pedal onwards and distance themselves from the chasers.

One of those caught behind was race leader Luis Leon Sanchez. Fortunately, he was able to count on Wilco Kelderman and Steven Kruijswijk who were there to haul him, making sure he still kept the lead at the end of the day. While the pace they set did manage to limit their leader's deficit, it wasn't enough to regroup with the winning group that included Oscar Sevilla who put in yet another surge to ride away from his fellow riders to win the stage.

Sanchez crossed the line a few seconds later and walked to the podium to slip on the white jersey of race leader which he will wear for another day.

Tomorrow, the riders will have a race day. Stage nine will take them to Puerto Vallarta as the race heads back to sprinter territory.

Stage Results

1. Oscar Sevilla EPM-UNE
2. Michael Rogers Team Saxo-Tinkoff :02
3. Vasil Kiryienka Sky Procycling :10
4. Thomas Dekker Garmin-Sharp
5. Francisco Mancebo 5-Hour Energy
6. Franco Pellizotti Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela
7. Luis Leon Sanchez Belkin Pro Cycling Team
8. Michele Scarponi Lampre-Merida :11
9. Beñat Intxausti Movistar
10. Juan Pablo Suarez Colombia

GC After Stage 7

1. Luis Leon Sanchez Belkin Pro Cycling Team
2. Francisco Mancebo 5-Hour Energy :18
3. Oscar Sevilla EPM-UNE 1:00
4. Mauricio Ortega Aguardiente Antioqueño-Lotería de Medellín 1:01
5. Michele Scarponi Lampre-Merida 1:42
6. Jakob Fuglsang Astana Pro Team 1:49
7. Franco Pellizotti Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela 1:53
8. Michael Rogers Team Saxo-Tinkoff 2:21
9. Kevin Seeldraeyers Astana Pro Team 3:39
10. Wilco Kelderman Belkin Pro Cycling Team 3:40


Classifications

Leader's Jersey (White): Luis Leon Sanchez

Best Young Rider Jersey (Blue): Wilco Kelderman

Telcel Points Jersey (Green): Michele Scarponi

Corona King of the Mountains: Michele Scarponi

Most Aggressive Rider: Oscar Sevilla

Best Mexican: Carlos Lopez

Team Classification: Astana Pro Team

 

[Ruudz0r]

Nice topic Eric, I enjoy reading it. Slight mistake in stage 2 though. It says Argiro Ospina - Aguardiente Antioqueño-Lotería de Medellín

So either the team is not correct or its the wrong Ospina.

 

[Eric8-A]

Nice topic Eric, I enjoy reading it. Slight mistake in stage 2 though. It says Argiro Ospina - Aguardiente Antioqueño-Lotería de Medellín

So either the team is not correct or its the wrong Ospina.

I noticed that when I put the results down. It is the wrong Ospina. I meant it to be Carlos.

And thanks for the feedback.

 

[Eric8-A]

September 10-Stage 8: Puerto Vallarta-Nayarit-Puerto Vallarta (104.36 Kms)

Rangel Gives Mexico It's First Win in This Year's Ronda

Hector Hugo Rangel, the Mexican sprinter on the Canels Turbo team charged to the line today, giving Mexico their first win of this year's race. Last year, Mexico's luck started out early with Jose Ramon Aguirre winning stage two after breaking from the peloton in the final kilometers of stage two to not only win the stage, but also wear the leader's jersey. Although he did not end the day in the white jersey, Rangel will surely give the Mexican people something to cheer about, knowing that one of their own won against the race's top sprinters.

In the run in to the finish, Canels Turbo kept a close eye on Jamis Hagens-Berman to deliver JJ Haedo to his third win, and to take back the green jersey. As soon as he was left alone, Rangel was stayed on Haedo's wheel, drafting off of him and then swinging out to beat him to the line. Rangel said that in order to be sure of winning today, Haedo's wheel would be the one that had to be followed. The Argentinian has showed to be the quickest sprinter in the race so far, snatching all but one of the sprint stages so far.

Haedo, who is looking to take the green jersey away from Scarponi will have at least three more chances to accomplish that. Something that seems more than doable. He has also said he has his eye on winning the final stage into Mexico City.

Stage Results

1. Hector Hugo Rangel Canels Turbo
2. Luis Fernando Macias Depredadores PBG Design
3. Juan Jose Haedo Jamis-Hagens Berman
4. Heinrich Haussler IAM Cycling
5. Robbie Hunter Garmin-Sharp
6. Robert Forster UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
7. Roberto Ferrari Lampre-Merida
8. Edwin Avila Colombia
9. Theo Bos Belkin Pro Cycling Team
10. Danilo Hondo Radioshack-Leopard

GC After Stage 8

1. Luis Leon Sanchez Belkin Pro Cycling Team
2. Francisco Mancebo 5-Hour Energy :18
3. Oscar Sevilla EPM-UNE 1:00
4. Mauricio Ortega Aguardiente Antioqueño-Lotería de Medellín 1:01
5. Michele Scarponi Lampre-Merida 1:42
6. Jakob Fuglsang Astana Pro Team 1:49
7. Franco Pellizotti Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela 1:53
8. Michael Rogers Team Saxo-Tinkoff 2:21
9. Kevin Seeldraeyers Astana Pro Team 3:39
10. Wilco Kelderman Belkin Pro Cycling Team 3:40

Classifications

Leader's Jersey (White): Luis Leon Sanchez

Best Young Rider (Blue): Wilco Kelderman

Telcel Points Jersey (Green): Michele Scarponi

Corona King of the Mountains: Michele Scarponi

Best Mexican: Hector Hugo Rangel

Team Classification: Astana Pro Team

 

[Eric8-A]

September 11-Stage 9: Zapopan Circuit (105.05 Kms)

Magallanes Keeps the Momentum Going for Mexico

A stage win for Hector Hugo Rangel yesterday, and a stage win for Juan Pablo Magallanes today. Two riders from different teams, but from the same nation. The Mexican riders have seen to come out and show their stuff in the second half of the race this year.

Magallanes benefited from a strong breakaway group that worked perfectly well together up until the final lap where it was every man for himself. Those who still had gas left in the tank hung with those who tried their chance for the win, while those who were spent fell back to get swallowed by the charging peloton behind.

While the sprinters teams did try and reel the break back to set it up for another sprint, the work being done by the riders up front seemed too much, and their advantage too big for the chasing group to bring it back together.

Dropping Johann Tschopp, Vasil Kiryienka, Alex Dowsett, and finally Nelson Oliveira, Magallanes pedaled forward to give Mexico its second straight win.

Stage Results

1. Juan Pablo Magalllanes Seleccion de Mexico
2. Nelson Oliveira Radioshack-Leopard :05
3. Vasil Kiryienka Sky Procycling :18
4. Jairo Salas Aguardiente Antioqueño-Lotería de Medellín :23
5. Johann Tschopp IAM Cycling
6. Kiel Reijnen UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team :39
7. Johan Van Summeren Garmin-Sharp
8. Andrey Kashechkin Astana Pro Team
9. Luis Fernando Macias Depredadores PBG Design :51
10. Ben Swift Sky Procycling

GC After Stage 9

1. Luis Leon Sanchez Belkin Pro Cycling Team
2. Francisco Mancebo 5-Hour Energy :18
3. Oscar Sevilla EPM-UNE 1:00
4. Mauricio Ortega Aguardiente Antioqueño-Lotería de Medellín 1:01
5. Michele Scarponi Lampre-Merida 1:42
6. Jakob Fuglsang Astana Pro Team 1:49
7. Franco Pellizotti Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela 1:53
8. Michael Rogers Team Saxo-Tinkoff 2:21
9. Kevin Seeldraeyers Astana Pro Team 3:39
10. Wilco Kelderman Belkin Pro Cycling Team 3:40

Classifications

Leader's Jersey (White): Luis Leon Sanchez

Best Young Rider (Blue): Wilco Kelderman

Telcel Points Jersey (Green): Hector Hugo Rangel

Corona King of the Mountains: Michele Scarponi

Best Mexican: Juan Pablo Magallanes

Team Classification: Astana Pro Team

 

[Eric8-A]

September 12- Stage 10: Uruapan, Michoacan (130.28 Kms)

Duque Gets it Over The Pure Sprinters

The sprinters got denied a chance for a win today. Well, not exactly. What you would call a pure sprinter was nabbed at the line by the Colombian Leonardo Duque.

Will there were some up and down sections along the way for the riders, today's stage was not hard enough to single out the sprinters, but with those two little drags in the final 20 kilometers of the stage did send some sprinters from the front to the back. Seeing the opportunity, some teams drove the front at a harder pace, but some sprinters along with their teams managed to hang on.

Duque proved to have the better legs today, edging out the competition today to claim stage 10.

Stage Results

1. Leonardo Duque Colombia
2. Hector Hugo Rangel Canels Turbo
3. Francisco Ventoso Movistar
4. Luis Amaran Jamis-Hagens Berman
5. Bernhard Eisel Sky Procycling
6. Heinrich Haussler IAM Cycling
7. Ignacio Sarabia Seleccion de Mexico
8. Robbie Hunter Gamrin-Sharp
9. Miguel Diaz 5-Hour Energy
10. Tim Duggan Team Saxo-Tinkoff

GC After Stage 10

1. Luis Leon Sanchez Belkin Pro Cycling Team
2. Francisco Mancebo 5-Hour Energy :18
3. Oscar Sevilla EPM-UNE 1:00
4. Mauricio Ortega Aguardiente Antioqueño-Lotería de Medellín 1:01
5. Michele Scarponi Lampre-Merida 1:42
6. Jakob Fuglsang Astana Pro Team 1:49
7. Franco Pellizotti Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela 1:53
8. Michael Rogers Team Saxo-Tinkoff 2:21
9. Kevin Seeldraeyers Astana Pro Team 3:39
10. Wilco Kelderman Belkin Pro Cycling Team 3:40

Classifications

Leader's Jersey (White): Luis Leon Sanchez

Best Young Rider Jersey (Blue): Wilco Kelderman

Telcel Points Jersey: Hector Hugo Rangel

Corona King of the Mountains: Michele Scarponi

Best Mexican: Hector Hugo Rangel

Most Aggressive Rider: Florencio Ramos

Team Classification: Astana Pro Team

 

[Eric8-A]

September 13-Stage 11: Cuernavaca (100.11 Kms)

Kiryienka Too Strong

Two spots on the podium this week, Kiryienka has been trying to get a win here. He's been fairly aggressive, digging in, but always getting beat to the line by someone else, and having to settle for the bottom step of the podium. But today was a different story. This time, his attack would last all the way to the finish, his effort well worth the pain in his legs to reach the top step of the podium.

Two years ago, Vasil Kiryienka won stage ten of La Ronda by launching a solo attack that saw him cruise to the finish line, dedicating his win to his then fallen teammate Xavier Tondo. And while the parcours for that day were more mountainous compared to today which allowed to give him a grand advantage, today he had to play it smarter. An attack launched far from the finish would have surely resulted in him getting caught, and possibly slipping out of contention for a top ten result. Instead, he waited for what he felt was the perfect opportunity to pounce on the peloton who allowed him the liberty of riding off alone, thinking he would get caught sooner or later.

Kiryienka caught and then dropped the remnants of the final break, and rode into no mans land. Being part of a winning break twice this week, and failing to nab a win, and having to relive that moment again would not have been acceptable for Vasil. And that was possibly the motivation for the stellar ride he put into today that resulted in him getting his win.

Kiryienka would make two trips to the podium. One for being the winner of the day, and the other for being the most aggressive rider.

Stage Results

1. Vasil Kiryienka Sky Procycling
2. Kiel Reijnen UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team :39
3. Alexandre Pliushin IAM Cycling
4. Ivan Gutierrez Movistar :43
5. Stef Clement Belkin Pro Cycling Team
6. Ruben Companioni Jamis-Hagens Berman
7. Fabian Cancellara Radioshack-Leopard
8. Robert Forster UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
9. Uri Martins Seleccion de Mexico
10. Bernhard Eisel Sky Procycling

GC After Stage 11

1. Luis Leon Sanchez Belkin Pro Cycling Team
2. Francisco Mancebo 5-Hour Energy :18
3. Oscar Sevilla EPM-UNE 1:00
4. Mauricio Ortega Aguardiente Antioqueño-Lotería de Medellín 1:01
5. Michele Scarponi Lampre-Merida 1:42
6. Jakob Fuglsang Astana Pro Team 1:49
7. Franco Pellizotti Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela 1:53
8. Michael Rogers Team Saxo-Tinkoff 2:21
9. Kevin Seeldraeyers Astana Pro Team 3:39
10. Wilco Kelderman Belkin Pro Cycling Team 3:40

Classifications

Leader's Jersey (White): Luis Leon Sanchez

Best Young Rider Jersey (Blue): Wilco Kelderman

Telcel Points Jersey (Green): Hector Hugo Rangel

Corona King of the Mountains: Michele Scarponi

Best Mexican: Uri Martins

Most Aggressive Rider: Vasil Kiryienka

Team Classification: Astana Pro Team