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HEW Cyclassics - CDM
Germany, August 1, 2004
2003 results Map Start List Results
Commentary by Jeff Jones
Complete live report
Live coverage starts: 14:30 CEST
Estimated finish time: 17:15 CEST
14:33 CEST 135km/115km to go
Welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of the HEW Cyclassics Cup in Hamburg,
Germany, the sixth round of the World Cup that we left off back in Liege in
April. Today's race is 250 km, consisting of a 170 kilometre figure eight followed
by an 80 km circuit that incorporates three 12.7 km laps, each lap featuring
the steep climb of the Waseberg. In total, this 15% ascent has to be tackled
five times, making this edition of HEW somewhat tougher than previous editions.
Favourites for today include World Cup leader Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner),
along with last year's winner Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step), World Champion Igor
Astarloa (Lampre), Jan Ullrich and Andreas Klöden (T-Mobile), Stuart O'Grady
(Cofidis) and Danilo Di Luca (Saeco). In the event that it comes down to a bunch
sprint (rare in recent years), the likes of Tom Boonen (Quick.Step), Erik Zabel
(T-Mobile), Thor Hushovd (CA), Tom Steels (Landbouwkrediet), Jaan Kirsipuu and
Jean Patrick Nazon (Ag2r) should be up there in contention.
The race started at 11:15am and after 20 km, four riders managed to get clear:
Steffen Radochla (Illes Balears), Roberto Lochowski (Wiesenhof), Rik Reinerink
(Chocolade Jacques) and Lars Michaelsen (Team CSC). They currently have a lead
of 9'20 after 135 km, although it was as much as 14'30 after 73 km. The chase
has begun, with T-Mobile particularly active.
14:42 CEST 140km/110km to go
It's quite warm weather today in Hamburg: the sun is shining brightly and temperatures
are around the 30 degree mark. The peloton is making some serious inroads into
this four man breakaway, and at the last time check had brought them back to
7'56.
14:46 CEST 145km/105km to go
The break's chances are reduced even further now, as Lars Michaelsen (CSC) is
sitting on and not doing any work.
14:53 CEST 150km/100km to go
The first of the five Waseberg climbs is approaching rapidly, with the leaders
having another 5 km to go before they hit the 600m/16 percent wall. Their gap
is now a mere 6'20, down from a maximum of 14'30.
14:57 CEST 152km/98km to go
The leaders are now racing alongside the river Elbe up towards the Waseberg,
being chased by a rapidly moving peloton.
15:03 CEST 156km/94km to go
The leaders make their way up the Waseberg for the first time, cheered on by
an estimated crowd. But their advantage is melting like sands through the hourglass
(how do you like your metaphors anyway?) and now stands at 5'25.
Roberto Lochowski (Wiesenhof) has a mechanical problem, and needs a bike change.
15:10 CEST 160km/90km to go
The peloton flies up the Waseberg, with Bettini and Ullrich riding near the
front, side by side. The leading group is losing momentum due to the fact that
Michaelsen is no longer working. Now it's just Lochowski, Reinerink and Radochla
sharing the pace making.
4'35 over the top for the peloton.
15:13 CEST 162km/88km to go
The four leaders are back along the Elbe, with the peloton closing all the time.
Once they hit the finish line at 80 km to go, they'll come back out to the Waseberg
for 3 x 12.7 km laps, which should be fun.
15:18 CEST 165km/85km to go
Lochowski is back in the leading group after his mechanical, and rolling through
for his turns.
15:25 CEST 170km/80km to go
The leading quartet cross the start/finish line with less than four minutes
advance on the main peloton, which is continuing to wind up as the finale of
this World Cup draws nigh.
With 100 World Cup points for the winner of today's race, we could see a change
in the World Cup leadership, but only if Davide Rebellin has a bad day. The
Italian who won both Amstel Gold and Liege-Bastogne-Liege sits on top of the
standings with 200 points, 54 ahead of Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) and 69 ahead
of Steffen Wesemann (T-Mobile). The top 10 in the World Cup are as follows:
1 Davide Rebellin (Ita) Gerolsteiner 200 pts 2 Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank 146 3 Steffen Wesemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 131 4 Oscar Freire (Spa) Rabobank 127 5 Erik Dekker (Ned) Rabobank 115 6 Magnus Bäckstedt (Swe) Alessio - Bianchi 100 7 Paolo Bettini (Ita) Quick Step - Davitamon 98 8 Peter Van Petegem (Bel) Lotto - Domo 95 9 Leif Hoste (Bel) Lotto - Domo 84 10 Erik Zabel (Ger) T-Mobile Team 80
15:31 CEST 175km/75km to go
T-Mobile, Gerolsteiner, Rabobank and Quick.Step are the main movers and shakers
in the peloton, as none of them have riders in the break. The bunch is still
quite large, as it hasn't been a particularly selective race so far.
Van Petegem is looking focused, sitting towards the back of the bunch next to
Klöden.
Rik Reinerink (Jacques) is now on his own, the only survivor of the break.
15:35 CEST 178km/72km to go
Rik Reinerink, who attacked Steffen Radochla a few km previously, is now solo
as he navigates the back part of the course. The peloton comes through the feed
zone a couple of minutes behind him, with many riders grabbing feedbags while
the pace is not too high.
Astarloa looks happy with his lunch.
Lochowski is now back in the peloton, leaving just Reinerink and Radochla out
front.
15:37 CEST 180km/70km to go
Reinerink has got a nice tempo going as he rides 2'05 in front of the Quick.Step/T-Mobile/Rabobasnk/Gerolsteiner
led peloton, which has now caught Radochla.
Servais Knaven is doing a turn on the front.
15:39 CEST 182km/68km to go
Schaffrath (T-Mobile), Posthuma (Rabobank), Serpellini (Gerolsteiner), Cretskens
and Knaven (Quick.Step) are doing the work in the peloton to bring back the
lone Rik Reinerink. The gap is stable at 2'10 now.
Rebellin is surrounded by plenty of teammates, but he's easy to pick out in
his World Cup leader's jersey and World Cup styled bike.
15:42 CEST 185km/65km to go
The peloton is getting more and more nervous, with Alessio-Bianchi bringing
up Bäckstedt, Saeco putting Di Luca in front and Lotto-Domo working to position
Van Petegem.
Reinerink gets a Coke from his team director Johan Capiot.
15:43 CEST
Reinerink is suffering a lot as he rides alone ahead of the peloton. He's been
out there for over 150 km, first of all with three others and now alone. His
gap has fallen to 1'25.
15:45 CEST 186km/64km to go
Bäckstedt does a turn on the front of the peloton with Italian champ Moreni
on his wheel. Moreni hasn't had much of a chance to show off his red, white
and green jersey, but he looks good in it.
15:47 CEST 187km/63km to go
Steels and Bortolami show themselves at the front too. Then Serpellini takes
over with Rebellin on his wheel. Position is everything before the Waseberg.
Ullrich and Hiemstra are chatting, some way back in the field.
Reinerink has just 1'00 of his lead left.
15:49 CEST 188km/62km to go
Reinerink knows that he's not going to last long, and has taken a couple of
extra bidons on board to give them to his teammates when he's caught.
It's over now as the Dutchman sits up. He's quickly swallowed by the peloton.
A De Nardi rider punctures his front wheel. It's not the best of changes, but
he's now rolling again.
15:50 CEST
Lotto-Domo has taken over the work in front of the peloton now, keeping the
tempo high and Van Petegem in a good position.
15:51 CEST 190km/60km to go
Van Bon, Vansevenant and Vierhouten are sitting on the front, riding at 45 km/h.
They are challenged by a couple of Fassa Bortolo riders - looks like Tosatto
and Pozzato.
15:53 CEST 192km/58km to go
The nervousness in the bunch is like it's the final 5 km, but there's still
58 km to go. Importantly, the next ascent of the Waseberg is approaching in
4 km. It's still Lotto and Fassa on the front. No-one has bothered counter-attacking
yet, as the tempo is too high.
15:55 CEST 194km/56km to go
The roads narrow through the trees but the speed doesn't let up, as Fassa continues
to hammer on the front of the bunch.
15:56 CEST
The crowds are thick on the Waseberg, waiting in anticipation for the riders.
Vierhouten is on the front now, followed by Dierckxsens.
15:57 CEST 196km/54km to go
Gerolsteiner assumes the position just before the descent through the trees
down to the Elbe.
15:58 CEST
The peloton is quite stretched, and Boonen and Steels are well placed in the
top 10. Fabian Wegmann is ready to take over the pace making in front for Rebellin,
but not yet. Löwik (Jacques) is third wheel.
16:00 CEST 198km/52km to go
The bunch hits the Waseberg for the second time with two Gerolsteiners in front.
One immediately pulls off and Wegmann gives it some gas, with Löwik sticking
to his wheel. But then Wegmann punctures. He will be annoyed.
Löwik is swallowed as the whole bunch crosses the top together. Zanini and Guidi
first over. Celestino, Bettini and Astarloa looked good.
16:00 CEST
Zabel is a long way back - nearly last wheel over the top. He's moving fast
though, so it might have been a flat.
16:02 CEST 199km/51km to go
Michele Bartoli attacks over the top, looking back at Zanini to come through.
But Zanini doesn't look too enthused. Brochard, Flecha come past and close the
gap. Zanini is still there, but playing a blocking role for Bettini.
16:03 CEST
Brochard does a strong turn but with Zanini on his wheel, he can't continue
with it. The rest of the peloton comes back to them.
A CSC rider counters - Frank Høj's.
16:05 CEST 200km/50km to go
Høj's gets a bit of a gap but Bortolami brings a few others up to him. It looks
like a 10 man group or so and immediately it falls apart as Merckx counters.
Merckx does his turn but no-one wants to continue. 50 km to go.
16:08 CEST 201km/49km to go
Høj's does another turn in front but sits up and the rest of the peloton comes
up to him. Fassa's Marzio Bruseghin is next, just riding hard tempo. The peloton
is stretched, but not strung out in one line yet.
16:10 CEST 202km/48km to go
Bruseghin continues to drive the tempo up as a Brioches rider attacks - Rony
Martias. He gets three others for company and they get a small gap. But Bruseghin
doesn't want to let them go.
16:11 CEST 204km/46km to go
Martias continues but he can't break clear. Bruseghin is there again, leading
the peloton up past the Brioches rider. Pozzato is right on his wheel. And Steels.
Matt Wilson (FDJeux.com) has generously donated his back wheel to Carlos Da
Cruz after a mechanical. That will probably be the end of Wilson's race.
16:13 CEST
Zanini, riding strongly, takes over from Bruseghin with Ullrich on his wheel.
Bruseghin now sits in third wheel. The speed is increasing as the next climb
of the Waseberg approaches. Rebellin is up in about 10th.
16:14 CEST 208km/42km to go
Baldato gets to the front on the descent to the Elbe, while his teammate Bäckstedt
is sitting last wheel in the peloton.
16:15 CEST 209km/41km to go
The peloton strings itself out along the Elbe en route to the Waseberg for the
third time. Ullrich is still right up there - we'll see what he can do, although
he might wait for another lap.
16:17 CEST 210km/40km to go
Baldato pulls off at the base of the climb and Bruseghin takes over. Zanini
is right up there with Paolini on his wheel. They hit the climb again and it's
a big spring. Bettini, Di Luca, Cancellara and Moreni in front, with Rebellin
chasing just off the back.
Bettini, Di Luca and Rebellin are the top three over the top. Astarloa and Ullrich
are up there in the top 10, as is Moreni.
16:17 CEST
Steels has lost about 50 positions on the climb and is not in a good position.
Da Cruz is on the back next to Bäckstedt. Also not a good position. There are
splits.
16:18 CEST 211km/39km to go
over the top there's about 15 riders with a small gap to the peloton, but they
don't seem committed yet. Kashechkin is there, and drives the pace up.
16:20 CEST 211km/39km to go
O'Grady takes over in front with the rest of the break not far behind. Rebellin
is definitely there, as are Ullrich and Bettini.
16:21 CEST 212km/38km to go
Danilo Hondo has made the sprint and is working hard too. Flecha, Ullrich, a
couple of Saecos come up to help. Ullrich is closing a lot of gaps. Good idea,
as Astarloa and Rebellin are ahead.
16:23 CEST 213km/37km to go
O'Grady attacks again, and Bettini and Rebellin personally chase him down. Two
more climbs of the Waseberg to come, and we have about 20 men in the lead, but
the group is growing all the time.
16:25 CEST 216km/34km to go
The cooperation in the lead group is hopeless, but somehow it's managing to
keep the peloton at bay. In front we have: Ullrich, Rebellin, O'Grady, Astarloa,
Di Luca, Hondo, Balducci, Bettini, Kirchen, Flecha, Bortolami, Camenzind, among
others. The peloton is at 10 seconds.
Hondo drives the tempo now, with Flecha on his wheel.
16:26 CEST
Hondo signals for Flecha and the rest to roll over. The peloton is now 20 seconds
back and not looking particularly interested. Astarloa has two other Lampres
in the front group, which now numbers at least 25.
16:28 CEST
The peloton is fairly modest in size, with T-Mobile jerseys to the fore including
Klöden. The gap is 12 seconds, but it doesn't look like T-Mobile is chasing
considering Ullrich is in front.
16:29 CEST 218km/32km to go
More names in the lead group: Ullrich, Rebellin, Hondo, O'Grady, Astarloa, ,
Bortolami, Ballan, Di Luca, Balducci, Moreni, Bettini, Kirchen, Flecha, Camenzind,
Kashechkin, Gilbert, Dekker, Pozzato, Bartoli, Merckx.
Hondo, Ullrich and Bettini are in front.
16:30 CEST
It looks like Hondo has the task of working, but the peloton will probably just
catch them before the next time up the Waseberg. It's more or less back together
on the descent now.
16:32 CEST 219km/31km to go
The peloton is together, but very stretched out along the Elbe thanks to Hondo's
work. Rebellin is in fourth wheel.
16:32 CEST
Hondo takes the left hander onto the climb, driving it to the foot. O'Grady,
Astarloa and Moreni are right on his wheel. Van Petegem has managed to get himself
up there too.
16:34 CEST 220km/30km to go
The sprint up the climb is led by Di Luca, who has Astarloa, Rebellin, Celestino
on his wheel.
Di Luca is first over ahead of Rebellin, Celestino and Bettini. Then a little
gap to Astarloa and Ullrich. Freire and O'Grady are well placed. The rest of
the peloton is in tatters again, and it only gets worse from now on.
16:35 CEST 221km/29km to go
An update on the Posties: Yes they are in the race, but they haven't been spotted
near the front yet.
Bettini and Astarloa get to the front, but always Rebellin is there to mark
them. And Ullrich, who looks good still.
Merckx attacks.
16:36 CEST 222km/28km to go
Merckx gets O'Grady for company on the descent, then Guidi, Bettini and Freire.
Bettini counters hard! Merckx chases.
16:38 CEST 223km/27km to go
Bettini and Merckx are now together, and it looks like Freire is trying to close
the gap. But he can't, and the rest of the front group comes up. Bettini has
his head down and is powering with Merckx glued to his wheel.
Rebellin counters now with Di Luca stuck to him. Four leaders.
16:38 CEST 225km/25km to go
Astarloa is up there too! Nice group. Then Ullrich brings a couple up. About
10-12 riders in front.
16:39 CEST 226km/24km to go
Erik Dekker and Juan Antonio Flecha take advantage of a lull in the tempo to
attack. Paolini comes up to join them.
16:41 CEST 227km/23km to go
Hondo is on the front of the chasing group, setting tempo for Rebellin.
It's Tosatto in front, not Flecha. But they are now caught anyway.
16:43 CEST 230km/20km to go
Rebellin has ordered his two Gerolsteiner henchmen to ride as hard as possible
before the final climb of the Waseberg. Meanwhile the front group is sorting
itself out. Matt White is up there, helping out O'Grady. That's a good sign
for the Sydneysider, who did not get to ride the Tour due to an unfortunate
crash before the prologue.
Bettini and Paolini are in deep discussion.
16:44 CEST
The lead group, which can't be more than 30 strong, has a 30 second lead over
the peloton. Impressively, Zabel has got himself up there. He's sitting on Kirchen,
who is sitting behind Rebellin.
A Domina Vacanze rider attacks. It's 20 year old Francesco Failli.
16:45 CEST 231km/19km to go
Failli has a nice little gap but the Gerolsteiners don't want to let him go.
It's about 5 seconds at the moment.
16:46 CEST
Failli fails as Rebellin's men get him. It looks like Sebastian Lang and Danilo
Hondo on the front.
16:48 CEST 232km/18km to go
There's a group with Aldag and Kroon trying to get up to the leading bunch,
but it's not going to happen. Hondo leads on the descent down to the Elbe for
the last time.
16:48 CEST 233km/17km to go
Hondo and Lang are towing Rebellin, Bettini and Astarloa to the foot of the
climb. It's a set move, and it'll probably work.
16:49 CEST
Hondo hammers to the foot then pulls off. Lang hammers a bit more, then it's
up to Rebellin.
16:49 CEST
Ullrich moves up and attacks from the bottom!
16:50 CEST 234km/16km to go
Astarloa counters and looks good. Rebellin, Bettini, Ullrich and Gilbert are
all there. As is Di Luca.
16:50 CEST
Bettini, Astarloa and Rebellin first over the top. Then a gap to Di Luca, Flecha
and Ullrich. Then there is much pain.
16:51 CEST 235km/15km to go
It's the usual suspects: Paolo Bettini, Igor Astarloa and Davide Rebellin forming
a lead group over the top of the climb. Ullrich is leading a group of seven
behind them.
16:52 CEST 236km/14km to go
Merckx, Di Luca, Gonchar, Ullrich, Gilbert, Freire are in the group of seven
chasing the three leaders, who are now about 10 seconds clear.
16:53 CEST
The three leaders are cooperating well, while the group behind is not. Bossoni
is there for Lampre, and he won't be working with Astarloa in front.
Ullrich and Di Luca accelerate.
16:54 CEST 237km/13km to go
Di Luca and Ullrich close the gap, but the others are there too. 10 leaders.
16:55 CEST 238km/12km to go
Gilbert puts his head down and hammers with Bossoni on his wheel. There is doubt.
The group is watching each other as the pair get a gap.
16:56 CEST 239km/11km to go
Gilbert and Bossoni know that they have a great chance, as the other riders
will be waiting for the rest to chase. There is a chase happening, with Gonchar
and Ullrich in front.
16:56 CEST 240km/10km to go
It's still Gilbert and Bossoni, who are now at the foot of the descent with
10 km to go. The chase is not really committed. Freire comes through, past Merckx.
16:57 CEST 241km/9km to go
Bossoni takes over and gives it full gas, with Gilbert right on his wheel. There
is a reaction from behind as Bettini attacks with Ullrich and Rebellin on his
wheel.
16:58 CEST
Rebellin, Ullrich and Bettini have just about closed the gap, with the rest
of the break on their wheels. It's back together with 9 km to go.
16:58 CEST 242km/8km to go
Merckx is next to attack. Good move from the Belgian.
16:59 CEST 243km/7km to go
Merckx is leaning on the tops, as Bettini starts to chase behind. Ullrich is
in last wheel. He has to get away in the final kilometres to have a chance,
with riders like Freire, Rebellin, Astarloa and Bettini here.
17:00 CEST
Merckx has a handy lead as Paolo Bossoni drives up the tempo for Astarloa. Rebellin,
Gonchar and Freire come through for their turns. Then Astarloa.
17:01 CEST 243km/7km to go
Merckx is looking back as he sees he has 10 seconds. Ullrich does a turn, then
drops back again.
17:01 CEST
Astarloa does another turn, then Bossoni. Merckx is coming back slowly.
17:02 CEST 244km/6km to go
Bettini is next to take over and Merckx gives up the ghost. Back together with
6 km to go.
17:03 CEST 245km/5km to go
It's disorganised but the group is still together. Another group catches them
from behind! Gilbert decides to attack. There's some 25 men now. Ooops.
17:04 CEST 246km/4km to go
Merckx attacks again and immediately feels the pain. But Rebellin has a teammate
to help, and he sets the chasing tempo. Merckx is caught by three riders with
4 km to go.
17:04 CEST
There's five leaders with Merckx but they can't stay clear. All together again.
17:05 CEST 247km/3km to go
It looks like Zabel is in the leading group too, so he might ask Ullrich to
lead him out. Guidi is there for CSC.
17:05 CEST
It's Hondo and Lang working for Rebellin with 3 km to go. Astarloa on Rebellin's
wheel.
17:06 CEST 247.5km/2.5km to go
O'Grady is back in this group too - he's a good chance, depending on how much
energy he used getting back on.
17:06 CEST 248km/2km to go
It's a combined Lampre/Gerolsteiner leadout with 2 km to go. O'Grady has placed
himself next to Rebellin and Astarloa.
17:07 CEST 248.5km/1.5km to go
Ullrich attacks, but everyone realises the danger and he is caught by Merckx
and Kirchen. The leading group of 30 has about 1.5 km to go.
17:07 CEST 249km/1km to go
Gonchar goes early, before the 1 km banner. It doesn't go anywhere. Gerolsteiner
pulls it back together.
17:08 CEST
The leadout is in full flight now with Hondo taking over at 800m to go with
Paolini and Rebellin on his wheel. Then Astarloa.
17:09 CEST 250km/0km to go
Paolini starts the sprint, then Astarloa goes early, but it's Bettini then O'Grady
who comes around on Bettini's right hand side. O'Grady wins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O'Grady has won his first ever World Cup, and gets a big hug from teammate Matt
White. Bettini took second, and was pretty annoyed with himself. Astarloa third,
then Freire and Löwik.
17:13 CEST
Rebellin was 6th and will keep his World Cup jersey. Zabel was 7th and Guidi
took 8th.
Thanks for following our live coverage of the HEW Cyclassics today. We'll be back on live8.cyclingnews.com with the New York City Cycling Championship in about an hour from now, and also with a full report and results of HEW to be posted shortly.
Results
Provisional 1 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Cofidis 5.51.39 2 Paolo Bettini (Ita) Quick.Step 3 Igor Astarloa (Spa) Lampre 4 Oscar Freire (Spa) Rabobank 5 Gerben Lowik (Ned) Chocolade Jacques 6 Davide Rebellin (Ita) Gerolsteiner 7 Erik Zabel (Ger) T-Mobile 8 Fabrizio Guidi (Ita) CSC World Cup standings after round 6 1 Davide Rebellin (Ita) Gerolsteiner 232 pts 2 Paolo Bettini (Ita) Quick Step 168 3 Oscar Freire (Spa) Rabobank 167
