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You can also see a summary table of the data for each lap.
Preview Well, it is early Sunday and the population in this region has increased dramatically overnight as hordes of bike racing fans have come to Valkenburg for the elite men's road race. The racing to date has lacked atmosphere. Perhaps due to the weather - it has been very cold and mostly wet all week. The public "tribunes" (temporary grandstands) have been largely empty and the 17.2 kms route has been mostly deserted. Even the press has been watching the racing via TV in the press room. It is simply too cold and windy to sit in the pavillions. The parcours, in my view, has not helped either. This is now the topic of the conversation around the place. How easy is the circuit? Well we will see today. But 10 laps (which the Under-23's had to do) does not seem to provide any distance for a selection to take place. One problem is that the hardest part of the route - the 12 per cent 1.4 kms long Cauberg - is followed by a long downhill descent - past the finish line and then sharply down into Maastricht. For this week also the wind has been from the east and thus a tailwind on this very fast section. In each of the races we have seen riders and bunches of riders getting back onto moves that were made on the Cauberg. Lap 1 The race has now started and the peloton is complete heading into Bemelen for the first ascent of the Bemelerberg. They have rain capes and it is wet and 9 degrees. Very bleak in fact. The spectators are on the climb but not that many in fact. They are going up the Bemelerberg now all in one group. The peloton is moving over the Margraten Plateau on their way into Sibbe - 12.3 kms gone. Across the intersection and they are beginning the descent in Valkenburg - Daalhemmerweg. Yesterday, in the rain, there were many crashes on the bottom corner. The riders are taking the corner very slowly. First time up the 12% Cauberg. Complete. Yesterday, there was oil dropped on the hill and it was alleged it was sabotage. The Mayor of Valkenburg denied it. They called out the fire brigade to hose the road down. Trivia. Umbrella's everywhere. The crowd has come out on the Cauberg. But generally the crowds are not as large as expected due to the appalling weather conditions. There is a lot of debate going on about whether the Worlds should be held in October. It means that the races will always be in poor weather and the stars will stay away. Puncture to Erwin Thijs (Vlaanderen 2002) over the top. He is chasing to get back on. he is being impeded by cars. They are saying "this is very amaterish for the cars to be driving like this." Peloton goes through lap 1. Data for lap 1:
Time: 25.53 (avs: 38.388) Leader: Peloton complete Lap 2 Thijs is back on and they are riding very slowly down the Rasberg (the descent in to Maastricht). The weather is getting worse. Very wet. Streams of water are running down the gutters on the parcours. The have reached the bottom of the Rasberg and will soon turn left (21.8 kms gone). Chris Peers (Lotto-Mobistar) is talking to his team car and has had to sprint to get back on. 35 minutes gone. Chan McCrae (Saturn) has punctured. He is calling for team support. 4 Italians are waiting at the back of the field because Michele Bartoli has punctured. He is now back to his team riders and they are driving him back through Bemelen to the peloton. Up the Bemelerberg for the second time. The 5 Italians are just about back on the back of the peloton. Steven de Jongh (TVM) is driving the peloton at the front. The Italians are back on. The peloton is riding together and they are descending back into Valkenburg. Lap 2 down. Peloton complete with Swede Michael Andersson just in front. Data for lap 2:
Time: 52.40 (avs: 39.189)
Leader: Michael Andersson Lap 3 Michael Anderson (Swe) is now down the bottom of the Rasberg and has a small gap on the peloton. The TVM rider seems intent on building a solo breakaway. Jesus Zarate Estrada (Mexico) has punctured and is holding up his wheel and is not getting support. Now he has support. He will have a long chase. Anderson is riding into Bemelen. The peloton is not reacting. Maarten Den Bakker has had troubles at the back and is just getting back on. Anderson is going up the Bemelerberg fast. His lead on the peloton, which is now going up the hill quickly, is 0.45. The pace has noticably quickened. Anderson is passing the Gasthuis - 44.2 kms gone. They have the Bemelem Molen (Windmill) working today and the large arms are turning as Anderson passes. Up the Cauberg, Anderson leads and a group of 11 are chasing. It contains Stefano Zanini (Ita), Gianni Bugno (Ita), Ludo Dierckxsens (Bel), Rolf Jaermann (Swi), Niki Aebersold (Swi), Danilo Hondo (Ger), Jann Kirsipuu (Est) among others. The peloton is at 1.00 to Anderson, the 12 are at 0.33 at the top. Peloton is 1.17 down at end of lap 3, chasing group is 0.17. Data for lap 3:
Time: 1.16.27 (avs: 40.73)
Leader: Anderson
Lap 4 At the bottom of the hill, Anderson has been absorbed by the 12 chasers. The 11 are: Stefano Zanini (Ita), Gianni Bugno (Ita), Ludo Dierckxsens (Bel), Rolf Jaermann (Swi), Niki Aebersold (Swi), Danilo Hondo (Ger), Jann Kirsipuu (Est), Frédéric Guesdon (Fra), Bart Voskamp (Ned), Steven De Jongh (Ned) and Pascal Lino (Fra). They have a lead of 1.55 on the main peloton as they head up to Bemelen. 57.3 kms gone. Bugno is driving the bunch up the Bemelerberg. 13 leaders. At the top they have a gap of 1.53 on the main peloton. Bartoli is holding the team car well behind the peloton and things do not look good. Anderson leads the other 12 riders into the Cauberg. He has a gap of about 12 metres going up the hill. The peloton is at 1.39 over the top of the Cauberg. Zanini and Guesdon were detached but have regained contact with the top group. Data for lap 4:
Time: 1.41.03 (avs: 40.857)
Leader: Group of 13 (Anderson, Voskamp, De Jongh, Bugno, Zanini,
Aebersold, Hondo, Dierckxsens, Lino, Guesdon, Jaermann, Aebersold,
and Kirsipuu.
Lap 5 13 in top group: Michael Anderson (Swe), Stefano Zanini (Ita), Gianni Bugno (Ita), Ludo Dierckxsens (Bel), Rolf Jaermann (Swi), Niki Aebersold (Swi), Danilo Hondo (Ger), Jann Kirsipuu (Est), Frédéric Guesdon (Fra), Bart Voskamp (Ned), Steven De Jongh (Ned) and Pascal Lino (Fra). Going up the Bemelerberg the 13 leaders are being pushed by Aebersold. The gap on the main peloton is now 1.02. Tom Steels has punctured on the climb and is chasing hard to get back on. The gap is now 0.45 and closing. The gap on the top of the Cauberg is now 0.33. Leaders go through in 2.05.22 at an average speed of 41.159. The peloton is at 0.31. 86 kms gone. 10 laps to go. Data for lap 5:
Time: 2.05.22 (avs: 41.159)
Leader: Group of 13 (Anderson, Voskamp, De Jongh, Bugno, Zanini,
Aebersold, Hondo, Dierckxsens, Lino, Guesdon, Jaermann, Aebersold,
and Kirsipuu.
Lap 6 13 in top group: Michael Anderson (Swe), Stefano Zanini (Ita), Gianni Bugno (Ita), Ludo Dierckxsens (Bel), Rolf Jaermann (Swi), Niki Aebersold (Swi), Danilo Hondo (Ger), Jann Kirsipuu (Est), Frédéric Guesdon (Fra), Bart Voskamp (Ned), Steven De Jongh (Ned) and Pascal Lino (Fra). The breakaway bunch are in Maastricht and heading back to Bemelen. The gap is now 0.25. They are climbing the Bemelerberg and the chasing bunch has nearly bridged the gap - it is now 0.09. The Spanish riders who were not represented in the top group have done a lot of chasing to close the gap. Hennie Kuiper has just been interviewed by Belgian TV and he doesn't think "will all respect" that Ludo Dierckxsens can be a World Champion. "fantastic season but not a world champion". The peloton is now complete again. Anderson is still driving on the front. He just looked behind and realised that the flight was over and he pulled over to the side. Descent into Valkenburg. It is still wet and cold. The riders are climbing the Cauberg. Franck Vandenbroucke is telling Belgian TV that Tchmil might be threat on the last 3 laps. And he thinks that Ludo Dierckxsens could do anything. An attack comes as the riders go under the 1 kms banner. 7 riders have a small gap as they go under the finish line with 103.7 kms gone and 9 laps to go. The lead is 0.07. Data for lap 6:
Time: 2.28.48 (avs: 41.612) Leader: Small group with Cedric Vasseur, Pascal Richard Peloton: at 0.07
Lap 7 On the descent into Maastricht the peloton is complete. And Italian is driving hard off the front but the pace downhill is to fast to allow anything to get away. Andre Korff (Ger) walks into the team tent at the start line and has abandoned. Artur Krzeszowiec (Poland) is attacking on the way back into Bemelen. He is driving up the small incline just out of Bemelen (110 kms gone). The peloton is cruising. They are just 0.07 over the top. The American team is becoming depleted. 6 riders have attacked over the top of the Bemelerberg and were joined by 2 others. They are Rolf Jaermann (Swi), Cedric Vasseur (Fra), Max Van Heeswijk (Ned), Glen Mitchell (NZ), Wilfried Peeters (Bel), Nico Mattan (Bel), Bert Dietz (Ger) and Massimo Donati. Danny Nelissen punctures. The rain is getting worse. They are descending into Valkenburg. Up the Cauberg, and Glen Mitchell is out the back of the top group. The peloton is at 0.10. Top group of 7 are working together and have built a larger gap. They go under the start-finish banner with a gap of 0.41. Data for lap 7:
Time: 2.52.05 (avs: 41.979)
Leader: Group of 7 - Rolf Jaermann (Swi), Cedric Vasseur (Fra), Max
Van Heeswijk (Ned), Wilfried Peeters (Bel), Nico Mattan (Bel), Bert
Dietz (Ger) and Massimo Donati (Ita)
Lap 8 120.4 kms gone. Rolf Sorensen (Den) punctures on the descent. His teammates are waiting for him. David Clinger (USA) is struggling at the back of the peloton. Lead group of 7: Rolf Jaermann (Swi), Cedric Vasseur (Fra), Max Van Heeswijk (Ned), Wilfried Peeters (Bel), Nico Mattan (Bel), Bert Dietz (Ger) and Massimo Donati (Ita). They are heading up the incline into Bemelen. Donati has had a great end of season in Italy. What is role is in helping Bartoli is unknown. The main peloton is now at 1.30. Sorensen is now back on the back of the peloton. The 7 have gone over the Bemelererg (for the 8th time) and the main peloton is at 1.27. Two Swiss riders have stopped. A wheel is being given by one to another. Aebersold got the wheel. Roger Hammond the only rider from Great Britain has abandoned. David Plaza Romero (Spain) has also abandoned. The gap is now 1.37. They are descending into the Valkenburg at 85 km/h. Up the Cauberg. The gap over the top is 2.19. All the top riders are still in the peloton waiting their time. Coming to end of 8th lap - 137.6 kms gone at 41.986 km/h. The leading group of 7 is being chased by a group of 6 - Romans Vainsteins (Lat), Mirko Celestino (Ita), Pascal Lino (Fra), Udo Bolts (Ger), Koos Moerenhout (Ned), and another. They are at 1.53 over the line with the main peloton at 2.15. Data for lap 8:
Time: 3.16.38 (avs: 41.986)
Leader: Group of 7 - Rolf Jaermann (Swi), Cedric Vasseur (Fra), Max
Van Heeswijk (Ned), Wilfried Peeters (Bel), Nico Mattan (Bel), Bert
Dietz (Ger) and Massimo Donati (Ita) Lap 9 Down into Maastricht, the gap on the main peloton which really drove the downhill is at 1.32. The top group of 7 are now in Bemelen (145.4 kms). Donati is on the back and doesn't appear to be working. The Bartoli factor! Over the top the gap on the peloton being driven by the Danish team who are working for Sorensen is 0.41. The whole Danish team are on the front of the peloton. Michael Boogerd is also helping them on the front. The leading group is: Rolf Jaermann (Swi), Cedric Vasseur (Fra), Max Van Heeswijk (Ned), Wilfried Peeters (Bel), Nico Mattan (Bel), Bert Dietz (Ger) and Massimo Donati (Ita). They are working well together although Donati is still sitting. The gap is now 0.20. The Danes are driving the peloton. But they are getting assistance from the Dutch team. The Boogerd factor! 0.10 now. 150 kms done as they start the descent into Valkenburg. Up the Cauberg for the 9th time. The top group is absorbed and another attack comes. 8 riders get away - Tristan Hoffman (Ned), Leon Van Bon (Ned), Udo Bolts (Ger), Jan Schaffrath (Ger), Torsten Schmidt (Ger), Oskar Camenzind (Swi), Mario Aerts (Bel), Nico Mattan (Bel), Paolo Bettini (Ita). 33-year old Ludo Dierckxsens closes the gap as they come back to the finish line. Davide Rebellin is also there. There are now 10 riders in the top group. The main peloton is also split as they go through the line - 12 seconds to the smaller chase peloton, and 33 to the larger group. Data for lap 9:
Time: 3.41.31 (avs: 41.932)
Leaders: Tristan Hoffman (Ned), Leon Van Bon (Ned), Udo
Bolts (Ger), Jan Schaffrath (Ger), Torsten Schmidt (Ger), Oskar
Camenzind (Swi), Mario Aerts (Bel), Nico Mattan (Bel), Paolo
Bettini (Ita), Ludo Dierckxsens (Ita), and Davide Rebellin (Ita).
Lap 10 Michele Bartoli has fallen. His teammates are bringing him back. There are three pelotons now. Going up the drag into Bemelen, Ludo Dierckxsens attacks. He has a small lead. Ludo Dierckxsens is roaring up the Bemelerberg and he has a gap over Andrea Tafi (Ita) of 18 seconds. The peloton is at 0.24. Two riders are between Tafi and the peloton - they have caught Tafi - Jens Voigt (Ger) and Cedric Vasseur are now forming a group to chase the Belgian. At the back of the race there are 5 riders: 4 Italian trying to bring Bartoli back and Danny Nelissen (Ned). They are in trouble at 0.55. Tafi seems to not know what is going on. He is attacking when Bartoli is in trouble. There are now 4 riders at the front. Tafi, Vasseur, Voigt and Dierckxsens. Bartoli is now back in the peloton. The leaders are descending into Valkenburg. Tafi just ripped his overshoe off. Back up the Cauberg for the 10th time and Tafi is attacking. The others are working hard behind him. The peloton is being driven by the Dutch team. All of them are on the front - an orange facade for the peloton. The gap is 0.20 at the top. 96 kms to go. Bartoli has an overshirt, arm warmers, red warm gloves - he is covered in mud and is working his way up the peloton. A chase group has formed. They have closed the gap. There are 10 now in the top group - Ludo Dierckxsens (Bel), Cedric Vasseur (Fra), Maarten Den Bakker (Ned), Leon Van Bon (Ned), Emmanuel Magnien (Fra), Lance Armstrong (USA), Tristan Hoffman (Ned), Jens Voigt (Ger), Andrea Tafi (Ita), and another. They complete 154.8 kms at an average speed of 42.194. The main peloton is at 0.18 with 5 laps to go. Data for lap 10:
Time: 4.40.35 (avs: 42.194) Lap 11 There are 10 now in the top group - Ludo Dierckxsens (Bel), Cedric Vasseur (Fra), Maarten Den Bakker (Ned), Leon Van Bon (Ned), Emmanuel Magnien (Fra), Lance Armstrong (USA), Tristan Hoffman (Ned), Jens Voigt (Ger), Andrea Tafi (Ita), and another. Going into Bemelen a new group has been formed at the front after the previous group was absorbed. The Dutch team seemed to be the force which brought then all back. Melchior Mauri is driving the break now. Stefano Zanini has abandoned. Peloton is complete and roaring up the Bemelerberg. Bugno is on the front. Lance is there. Gianni Faresin is prominent. Over the top, Koos Moerenhout attacks in vain. The peloton is strung out. The Dutch seem to have a plan and are being aggressive. I can confirm that Henk Vogels is still in the main peloton. Can't see the other Aussie shirts though. Koos Moerenhout has a back tyre puncture. The Dutch support is excellent. Maarten Den Bakker (Ned) and Mario Aerts (Bel) have attacked and have a lead of 120 metres as they go down the descent into Valkenburg. The attack was motivated by Aerts and Den Bakker tacked on. Down the bottom now and up the Cauberg. The spectators are very vocal given Den Bakker's presence. There are 8 riders chasing and then a small gap to the main peloton. Bartoli is in the 8. The main peloton is very down to around 100 riders. Den Bakker and Aerts have a narrow gap over the top. Aerts is doing all the work. The peloton is working hard. Armstrong has a problem - his arm is up. The two cross at an average speed of 42.397. Jacky Durand (Fra) and Pascal Richard (Swi) and Andrea Tafi (Ita) join up with the leaders. The peloton comes across at 0.09. 189.2 kms gone 4 laps to go. Data for lap 11:
Time: 4.27.47 (avs: 42.397) Lap 12 The lead group is Maarten Den Bakker (Ned), Mario Aerts (Bel), Jacky Durand (Fra), Pascal Richard (Swi) and Andrea Tafi (Ita). Up the Bemelerberg the peloton is now complete The Dutch are prominent on the front. There is an artist who is painting the action each time they come past. He would probably prefer a stable break otherwise he has to change his colors everytime. Over the top, there are three riders attacking but the peloton is quick to react. Andrei Tchmil (Bel) and Max Van Heeswijk (Ned) are off the front - just. All the favourites are still in the main (depleted) peloton. The weather is terrible still. Up the slight rise past the windmill. The race is together. Two riders have gone away - Andrea Tafi (Ita) and Marc Wauters (Bel). Tafi seems to be in every move that is made. He is good at this sort of attacking riding. The peloton just has to give him some room and they won't get him. The gap is 100 metres down the descent into Valkenburg. Up the Cauberg 5 riders are leading - Tafi (Ita), Wauters (Bel), Lance Armstrong (USA), Roland Meier (Swi) and another. Lance is away with Marcus Zberg (Swi) over the top. Both have had good form lately. The Dutch team react immediately. Danny Nelissen abandons. The two leaders have about 200 metres already and are working well together. Lance is hammering. Intent. A small group catches them. There are 13 leaders with Bartoli present. They pass the line at an average speed of 42.515. 3 laps to go. Data for lap 12:
Time: 4.51.17 (avs: 42.515)
Leaders: Marcus Zberg (Swi), Lance Armstrong (USA),
Michele Bartoli (Ita), Micheal Boogerd (Ned),
Paolo Bettini (Ita), Marc Wauters (Bel), Romans Vainsteins (Lat),
Emmanual Magnien (Fra), Jose Garcia (Spa), Niki Aebersold (Swi),
Oscar Camenzind (Swi), Andrea Tafi (Ita), Raimundos Rumsas (Lit)
Andre Mizourov (Kaz) Lap 13
Leaders: Marcus Zberg (Swi), Lance Armstrong (USA),
Michele Bartoli (Ita), Micheal Boogerd (Ned), Paolo Bettini (Ita),
Marc Wauters (Bel), Romans Vainsteins (Lat),
Emmanual Magnien (Fra), Jose Garcia (Spa), Niki Aebersold (Swi),
Oskar Camenzind (Swi), Andrea Tafi (Ita), Raimundos Rumsas (Lit)
Andre Mizourov (Kaz), Udo Bolts (Ger) The gap is now 1 minute. Up the Bemelerberg - there are 14 leaders. The gap is now over 2.17. This seems to be the winning break. The Italians are on the front of the peloton up the Bemelerberg slowing it down. Bartoli and Tafi are in the selection ahead. Leon Van Bon has just told Dutch radio that he doesn't feel strong enough and so the Dutch team has stopped working. Boogerd is in the front group. Oskar Camenzind (Swi) is attacking off the front down the hill into Valkenburg. The others are just taking it carefully. The Swiss is really driving the descent. The peloton are coming past the Windmill around 2 kms behind now. Camenzind gets to the bottom, Armstrong is there still, Aebersold, Wauters and Boogerd. The rest are coming up the hill behind them. Lance knows that Bartoli is behind now. Wauters is out the back. The others are not looking as good. Lance, Boogerd, and Aebersold have just about go Camenzind. The Italians and all are about 100 metres down now. Lance is dancing on is pedals and looking strong. Camenzind, then 30 metres to Boogerd, Lance and Aebersold. There is a fall back in the chasing group - Marcus Zberg hits a barrier and skid right across the road. 4 riders are at the front - Camenzind, Boogerd, Armstrong and Aebersold. Two Swiss, an American and the local favourite. At the line with 2 laps to go they have a gap of 0.19 seconds on the Bartoli/Tafi group and the peloton is gone. 34.4 kms to go. Data for lap 13:
Time: 5.14.17 (avs: 42.728) Lap 14 Oskar Camenzind (Swi), Michael Boogerd (Ned), Lance Armstrong (USA) and Niki Aebersold (Swi) now at 0.19 seconds to chasing group. On the descent Michele Bartoli gets across with Peter Van Petegem. There are now 6 leaders and they have a 15 second lead over the chasers. Up the Bemelerberg, the 6 are together. Bartoli is on the front then Camenzind takes over the pace. They are over complete. The chasing group includes Udo Bolts, Romans Vainsteins (Lat), Emmanual Magnien (Fra), Jose Garcia (Spa), Andrea Tafi (Ita), Raimundos Rumsas (Lit) and they are at 1.14. The American team car is coming up to Lance. They are passing the windmill with 22.2 kms to go. The Italian car is talking to 28-year old Michele Bartoli. All the leader's cars have come across the gap. Marc Saergent, the Belgian coach is talking to Van Petegem. The peloton is just coming up the Bemelerberg. The 6 leaders are coming down into Valkenburg for the second last climb of the Cauberg. The Swiss Camenzind leads, Boogerd, Van Petegem, Armstrong, Bartoli and Aebersold. The chasing group is now coming up the Cauberg and they are 2.03 down now. They are probably gone to. The 6 cross the line. One lap to go. Data for lap 14:
Time: 5.38.22 (avs 42.701) Final Lap - 15 The 6 leaders will fight it out now. They are Oskar Camenzind (Swi), Michael Boogerd (Ned), Lance Armstrong (USA) and Niki Aebersold (Swi). There are attacks coming now as they ride up into Bemelen. Camenzind has attacked. Bartoli tried his hand. Boogert responded. Armstrong has gone to the left. Boogerd has punctured just as Lance went. The others have caught onto Lance. Boogerd gets more help than you could imagine. What drama they said! There are now only 4 coming into Bemelen chasing Camenzind . Armstrong, Aebersold, Bartoli and Van Petegem. Boogerd is chasing hard up the Bemelerberg. The 4 are 0.10 behind the Swiss. Over the top Boogerd is closing. He has a nation behind him. Camenzind is flying and is now being chased by Bartoli and Van Petegem. Armstrong and Aebersold have gone it seems. At the Gasthuis 6.4 kms to go Camenzind is looking smooth. He has a good gap on Bartoli and Van Petegem. Armstrong and Aebersold are further back and Boogerd is back behind them. He is coming back very fast though. Boogerd catches Armstrong and Aebersold. Camenzind is now driving over the Margraten plateau and he is looking back. The gap is not closing. The 27-year old has 12 seconds on Van Petegem and Bartoli. The other 3 are working together but not making any ground. Camenzind is now climbing the Cauberg with a 10 second leader on Van Petegem and Bartoli. They are charging up the hill behind him. The other three have just turned the corner about 150 metres behind Bartoli. Bartoli looks shot as Van Petegem leads the chase. Camenzind is looking strong. Boogerd is working the other 3. Camenzind is over the top and on his saddle again and driving for the finish 1.7 kms away. He has enough now to win. The other two are 12 seconds down. Van Petegem is looking behind. Maybe he is wanting a podium place now rather than thinking of winning. Boogerd is still pushing hard with Lance on his wheel. Camenzind is under the banner. He will win. Last 100 metres now and he know he has it. The sprint for the minor places goes to Peter Van Petegem from Michele Bartoli, both at 0.23. The next sprint goes to Lance Armstrong from Aebersold then Boogerd.
1. Oskar Camenzind (Switzerland) 6.01.28 (42.823) 2. Peter Van Petegem (Belgium) 0.23 3. Michele Bartoli (Italy) 0.23 4. Lance Armstrong (USA) 1.10 5. Niki Aebersold (Switzerland) 1.10 6. Micheal Boogerd (Netherlands) 1.10 7. Marc Wauters (Belgium) 8. Andrea Tafi (Italy) |