Ronda al Pais Mexicano (Fantasy Tour)

[Eric8-A]

September 15: Stage 13 ITT Leon, Guanajuato 53.10 kms


Millar Triumphs As Rogers Secures His Overall Win

David Millar of Garmin-Cervelo won the 53 kilometer time trial of La Ronda after having two top 5 finishes in both the prologue and the stage 7 time trial. Millar admitted that for the past week, he's been taking it easy as he was targeting this specific time trial to win, making it two stage wins for the Garmin team with Thor's win on stage 2. With a 4th place on the day, Michael Rogers once again extended his lead in the general classification just as he'd done in the prologue and in stage 7.

Jose Rujano, the winner of yesterday's stage surrendered his potential podium spot to the best young rider of the day Peter Stetina while the Colombian Juan Pablo Suarez kept his second overall spot safe and will take that into Mexico City come tomorrow.

Results

1. David Millar
2. Andry Grivko +8"
3. Svein Tuft +26"
4. Michael Rogers +33"
5. Tom Zirbel +49"
6. Marco Pinotti +52"
7. Scott Zwizanski +1:09"
8. Vasil Kiryenka +1:12"
9. Gustav Larsson +1:25"
10. Frantisek Rabon +1:30"

General Classification

1. Michael Rogers
2. Juan Pablo Suarez +1:09"
3. Peter Stetina +1:14"
4. Yaroslav Popovych +1:30"
5. Rory Sutherland +1:49"
6. Jose Rujano +2:01"
7. Matthias Frank +2:41"
8. Jose Serpa +2:47"
9. Paolo Tiralongo +3:33"
10. Carlos Sastre +3:35

Jerseys

Leaders Jersey (White): Michael Rogers

Telcel Points Leader (Green): Thor Hushovd

Best Young Rider (Blue): Peter Stetina

Corona King of the Mountains: Paolo Tiralongo

Team Classification: Androni Giocattoli

 

[greenedge]

Was Larsson's win before a flash in the pan?

 

[Eric8-A]

Was Larsson's win before a flash in the pan?

Sure looks like it

 

[Eric8-A]

September 16: Stage 14 Mexico City 99.65 kms

JJ Haedo Wins In La Capital! Rogers Wins La Ronda!

Argentinian won the final stage of La Ronda al Pais Mexicano in Mexico City as Michael Rogers made himself the first winner of the Mexican race. With Mexico's independence day being today, massive crowds lined the streets to catch a glimpse of some of the best cyclists in the world. Stage 14 was not relatively flat, only two minor bumps along the road but nothing too big to decide the final outcome of the stage.

The stage would make a pass through the Estadio Azul, pass the Olympic Mexican Stadium, make a left and then finish next to the Estadio Azul they passed before.

Over in the Angel de la Independencia, the organizers followed by the Mexican president were waiting to for the fianl podium ceremony which would see Michael Rogers being crowned overall winner of the La Ronda. Team Sky has played the race perfectly as Rogers was never out of contention since day one. And although some riders did put the scare into the Aussie, he always managed to limit his losses and put in the hurt on his rivals in the time trials just like he did yesterday. Venezuelen Jose Rujano dropped 3 spots in the general classification because of the time trial yesterday and said that the course was suited to Rogers. He also said that if this race was to come back next year, he'd like to see more climbing kilometers to allow him a better chance of winning the overall.

The one thing missing from this race was a Mexican stage win and a Mexican rider in the top 10. There were a few top 5's from the native cyclists, but they failed to get a win. Julio Alberto Perez finished the race 16th overall, 6:27 behind Michael Rogers.

Results

1. Juan Jose Haedo
2. Greg Henderson
3. Robbie McEwen
4. Francisco Ventoso
5. Zachary Bell
6. Michel Kreder
7. Pablo Urtasun
8. Theo Bos
9. Ken Hanson
10. Anibal Borrajo

Final General Classification

1. Michael Rogers
2. Juan Pablo Suarez +1:09"
3. Peter Stetina +1:14"
4. Yaroslav Popovych +1:30"
5. Rory Sutherland +1:49"
6. Jose Rujano +2:01"
7. Matthias Frank +2:41"
8. Jose Serpa +2:47"
9. Paolo Tiralongo +3:33"
10. Carlos Sastre +3:35


Overall Jersey Winners

Leaders Jersey (White): Michael Rogers

Telcel Points Winner (Green): Thor Hushovd

Overall Best Young Rider: Peter Stetina

King of the Mountains Winner: Paolo Tiralongo

Team Classification Winners: Androni Giocattoli

Overall Most Aggressive Rider: Paolo Tiralongo