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World Championships - CM
Verona, Italy, September 27-October 3, 2004
Preview Map Course description Start List
Race 8 - Saturday October 2: Road Race - Junior Men, 132.75km
Commentary by Jeff Jones, with additional reporting from Tim Maloney and Shane Stokes
Complete live report
Live coverage starts: 9:00 CEST
Estimated finish time: 12:30 CEST
09:11 CEST 7km/125.7km to go
Welcome to our live coverage of the Junior Men's race, which will be conducted
over nine laps of the Verona circuit for a total of 132.75 km. It's a cool morning
here in Verona, but once again it's dry.
After 2 km of racing, there was a crash involving a Ukrainian, Danish and American
rider. All three got up and are chasing.
At the base of the Torricelle for the first time, Viktor Renäng (Sweden) attacks
and takes three riders with time: A Polish, Russian and Czech rider, names to
be confirmed.
09:25 CEST 16km/116.7km to go
Nick Clesen (Luxembourg) leads the now compact peloton through for the end of
lap 1, with the riders completing it in a time of 23'05 (a little over 38 km/h).
Prominent at the front of the peloton are the Dutch, Ukrainian and Italian teams.
Due to an early crash, there's already a group of 16 riders chasing at 45 seconds,
led by a tall New Zealand rider, Avery Clinton.
09:37 CEST 22km/110.7km to go
It's gruppo compatto in the juniors race for the second time up Torricelle.
At the front is Roman Kireyev (Kazakhstan).
09:49 CEST 30km/102.7km to go
At the end of lap two, it's still gruppo compatto with the large field coming
across the start/finish line in Verona. That lap was ridden in a relatively
slow 23'44, with Marcel Barth (Germany) riding on the front. There is a chase
group of eight at 50 seconds, victims of an early crash.
10:00 CEST 38km/94.7km to go
As they go up the Torricelle for the third of nine times, there is an attack
by Kevin Seeldrayers (Belgium). He is joined by a Ukrainian, Russian and Spanish
rider, and they have a 5 second gap over the peloton, which is still riding
tempo.
10:15 CEST 45km/87.7km to go
At the end of lap three, we have a breakaway of six riders: Kevin Seeldrayers
(Belgium), Pierre Rolland (France), Vitaliy Buts (Ukraine) and Ivan Rovnyi (Russia)
all attacked on the climb, and were joined by Marco Corti (Italy) and Egoitz
Garcia Echeguibel (Spain) on the descent. They came through the finish with
a 30 second lead over the peloton, having ridden the lap in 22'40, the fastest
to date.
Note: Marco Corti is the son of Claudio Corti, 1977 World Champion and current
manager of Saeco.
Adam Switters (USA) crashed during lap three and has abandoned. There was also
a crash through the team box area, which is very tight.
10:21 CEST 52km/80.7km to go
They're now on the Torricelle for the fourth time, with the Belgians controlling
the rather modestly sized peloton of 50 riders at the moment. The break has
been caught, and it's Alexandr Pliuschin (Moldova) driving the front of the
peloton.
10:22 CEST
Kevin Seeldrayers (Belgium), who was in the break on the last lap, has attacked
again. But it's not a real one and there is a hard counter by a Czech rider.
But they're at the top of the climb now.
10:24 CEST 54km/78.7km to go
The Czech rider was Roman Kreuziger, one of the favourites for today. But he
wasn't allowed to get clear. There are plenty of Belgian jerseys at the front
of the bunch, as well as Simon Clarke (Aus).
10:29 CEST 55km/77.7km to go
The peloton hits the flat at the foot of the descent and Maes (Bel) attacks
with Thijs Van Amerongen (Netherlands), Simone Ponzi (Italy), Matthew Goss (Australia)
and Geraint Thomas (Great Britain). They are joined by a few more riders, and
it's a group of 10 going past the team boxes with a 10 second gap on the peloton.
10:31 CEST 59km/73.7km to go
Alexander Slivkin (Russia) is also there, and he does a turn up the finishing
straight. This is a well composed group of 11, but now the peloton is getting
organised.
10:33 CEST
That fourth lap was ridden in 22'58. The group has a 25 second lead on a Czech
rider - Petr Novotny - who has attacked the peloton.
10:37 CEST 63km/69.7km to go
The lead group contains: Nicolas Maes (Belgium), Thijs Van Amerongen (Netherlands),
Simone Ponzi (Italy), Matthew Goss (Australia), Pawel Cieslik (Poland), Alexandre
Binet (France), Márcio Barbosa (Portugal), Geraint Thomas (Great Britain), Alexander
Slivkin (Russia), Sebastian Hans (Germany) and Hector Gonzalez Baeza (Spain).
They lead Novotny by 35 seconds at the foot of the Torricelle, but there are
now more reactions coming from out of the peloton.
10:40 CEST 65km/67.7km to go
Maes does a short turn on the climb, then Van Amerongen does an even shorter
one. The peloton is riding as a solid block, with no-one chasing yet.
Jorge Pereira (Portugal) has crashed, and is not getting up in a hurry.
10:41 CEST
Michael Schär (Switzerland) has joined the leading group after chasing on the
climb.
10:43 CEST 66km/66.7km to go
Marcel Barth (Germany) and Blel Kadri (France) are chasing the lead group of
12, which has reached the top of the Torricelle for the fifth time. They're
at about 15 seconds. The peloton is another 15 seconds back.
10:46 CEST 68km/64.7km to go
Over the top of the climb, the peloton is in bits again, but has made contact
with the break. All together, more or less.
10:48 CEST 70km/62.7km to go
Roman Kreuziger (Cze) gives it the gas on the descent, trying to establish a
break. The peloton is strung out behind him.
10:51 CEST
At the base of the descent, Kreuziger urges one of the Italian riders on, trying
to get him to work a bit more. Alexander Slivkin (Russia attacks), but Maes
brings the bunch back to him.
10:52 CEST 72km/60.7km to go
There are two pelotons now, separated by about 15 seconds. In front there are
perhaps 35-40 riders, with another slightly smaller group behind. Blel Kadri
(France) attacks, just before the team boxes.
10:54 CEST 73km/59.7km to go
Edwin Crossling (NZl) has pulled out.
In front, Kadri is joined by Kevin Seeldrayers (Belgium). They have about 10
seconds. An Aussie and a Russian are trying to get up to them.
10:57 CEST 75km/57.7km to go
Chasing Seeldrayers and Kadri are Jempy Drucker (Luxembourg), Pavel Kochetkov
(Russia) and Matt Goss (Australia). The peloton is another 10 seconds back as
they head across the river Adige again. The chase group has made contact.
10:58 CEST 77km/55.7km to go
Clarke (Aus) is on the front of the peloton, slowing it down and allowing the
five leaders to get 34 seconds.
In front: Kevin Seeldrayers (Belgium), Blel Kadri (France), Jempy Drucker (Luxembourg),
Pavel Kochetkov (Russia), Matt Goss (Australia).
11:01 CEST
Goss does a hard turn as they hit the lower part of the Torricelle. The five
are working well - much better than the big break on the last lap. Seeldrayers
is strong today.
11:03 CEST 80km/52.7km to go
It's 56 seconds to the bunch, which is now led by a couple of Swedish riders.
Seeldrayers is now off the front - Goss can't hold his wheel. Kadri is also
in trouble, but he's hanging on. Seeldrayers keeps looking back - he should
wait for another lap because he needs the help on the flat.
11:04 CEST
The peloton is now being led by the Belgian team, which is not riding particularly
hard obviously. Now one of the Italians attacks.
11:06 CEST 82km/50.7km to go
The Italian is Simone Ponzi, but he is caught by Oleg Opryshko (Ukraine) and
then the rest of the peloton.
Seeldrayers now has about 15 seconds on Kadri, Drucker, Kochetkov and Goss as
he reaches the top of the Torricelle.
11:09 CEST
Drucker is leading the chase group behind Seeldrayers, while Kreuziger is towing
the peloton, nearly taking himself out by looking back at the same time as overlapping
the wheel in front. Favourites do that sometimes.
At the top of the climb, Seeldrayers is still away, while the front part of
the peloton has made contact with the four chasers.
11:10 CEST 83km/49.7km to go
Chris Stockburger (USA) is just off the back of the peloton over the top of
the climb.
Seeldrayers is now on the descent, taking time to eat.
11:11 CEST 84km/48.7km to go
Seeldrayers has got his biggest gear wound up very fast as he tackles the descent,
with a bunch of some 30 riders forming behind him, at 15 seconds. The peloton
is growing, as more riders chase on.
11:13 CEST
One of the Aussies - is that Goss again? - has attacked on the descent in pursuit
of the Belgian.
11:15 CEST 85km/47.7km to go
Goss closes the gap at the bottom of the descent, and rides past Seeldrayers,
doing a big turn. The peloton is only a few seconds back, with Kreuziger on
the front. Perhaps 60 riders in the bunch again now.
11:16 CEST 87km/45.7km to go
Goss sits up and sees Michael Schär (Swi) bringing up three riders. The peloton
is not far behind as it races through the team boxes. All together, in a long
line.
11:19 CEST 88km/44.7km to go
Three laps to go, as the Moldavian rider Alexandr Pliuschin hammers across the
start/finish with a five second gap. Schär is in pursuit, with the 60 rider
peloton close behind. They're on the cobbles, and Schär closes the gap.
11:22 CEST 90km/42.7km to go
It's the tall Michael Schär (Switzerland) and the much shorter Alexandr Pliuschin
(Moldova) in the lead on lap 7 as they approach the Torricelle. A German rider
attacks the bunch in pursuit. The Germans haven't been prominent in the breaks
today.
11:23 CEST 92km/40.7km to go
Kreuziger has caught the chasers, which also included Maes, leaving just two
riders in front. The Czech must be feeling good today, as he's spent a lot of
energy chasing down breaks rather than making them.
Pliuschin and Schär are now on the climb.
11:25 CEST 93km/39.7km to go
Another chase group has formed with Marco Corti (Italy), Pierre Rolland (France),
Simon Clarke (Australia) and one other.
Schär is too strong for Pliuschin, even though he wants to wait for him. He
decides that he's better off riding his own tempo.
11:26 CEST
Phillip Seubert (Germany) is the fourth rider in the chase group.
11:28 CEST 95km/37.7km to go
Rob Ruigh (Netherlands) has joined the chase group, which also has Marco Corti
(Italy), Pierre Rolland (France), Simon Clarke (Australia) and Phillip Seubert
(Germany).
They are closing in on Alexandr Pliuschin (Moldova), but Michael Schär is still
away.
11:28 CEST
Samuel Dias Coelho (Portugal) has abandoned.
11:32 CEST 97km/35.7km to go
Schär has about 15 seconds on Pliuschin, 27 seconds on the five chasers and
46 seconds on the peloton. The Swiss rider looks very good, built the same as
yesterday's winner Siutsou.
The reactions have started in the peloton, and Jacobs (Bel) and Spilak (Slo)
have closed the gap to the chase group of five.
Schär is at the top of the climb. Kreuziger hammers with Jacobs on his wheel
and about 10 others. The Moldavian is caught. Peloton in tatters, yet again.
11:34 CEST 98km/34.7km to go
Schär takes time to eat on the descent, as a group of 12-13 comes back to him
on the descent. There are two Belgians there, including Jacobs. Another bigger
group is at 20 seconds. They should come back.
11:36 CEST 99km/33.7km to go
We now have Michael Schär (Switzerland), Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic), Simon
Spilak (Slovenia), Simon Clarke (Australia) in the lead, with another group
of 12 or so trying to close the gap. Kreuziger is flying, trying to keep the
pace up.
At the bottom of the descent, there are 16 riders together. Then bits and pieces
of the peloton chasing.
11:39 CEST
The group of 16 sits up a bit by the team boxes, grabbing food and drink. The
peloton is about 15 seconds back.
11:42 CEST 102km/30.7km to go
The group has Michael Schär (Switzerland), Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic),
Simon Spilak (Slovenia), Simon Clarke (Australia), Ben Hermans and Pieter Jacobs
(Belgium), Robert Gesink and Rob Ruigh (Netherlands), Eros Capecchi and Marco
Corti (Italy), Geraint Thomas (Great Britain), Pierre Rolland (France), Alexandr
Pliuschin (Moldova) in it, but there is a counter attack just before the end
of the seventh lap.
Five leaders: Geraint Thomas (Great Britain), Simon Clarke (Australia), Rob
Ruigh (Netherlands), Pierre Rolland (France) and Rob Ruigh (Netherlands). Maybe
10 seconds on the strung out peloton with two laps to go.
11:46 CEST 106km/26.7km to go
Clarke does a big turn as the break heads over the Adige and up towards the
climb. The break is looking back too much, not really working hard.
In the bunch, one of the Belgians pushes his teammate to do a turn, from second
wheel. Then Michael Schär (Switzerland) counters, taking a Russian with him
and Thomas Vedel Kvist (Denmark).
Maurice O'Brien (Ireland) has abandoned, looking reasonably happy. Fabio Donesna
(Italy) is another one out.
11:48 CEST 108km/24.7km to go
A crash brings down Hector Gonzalez Baeza (Spain) and two Swiss riders.
In front we have eight riders now, but the Belgians are driving the peloton
back up to them. It looks like Seeldrayers doing the damage. Spilak is on his
wheel, and does a wheelie! What the?? First time I've seen that in the front
group in any race.
11:51 CEST
We've now got a group of 15 riders in front, with Spilak, Kreuziger, Schär and
more. Spilak and Kreuziger keep attacking. This is causing much pain.
11:53 CEST 110km/22.7km to go
Spilak attacks for the third time on the Torricelle, and now has a gap. He's
feeling it too. That was a hard attack. He comes back.
Eros Capecchi (Italy), Roman Kreuziger, Spilak, Jacobs, Hermans, Gesink are
all there. This is looking interesting. Kreuziger rides a little way off the
front, but he can't get clear.
11:55 CEST 111km/21.7km to go
Over the of the climb, which was ridden in 7'17 - the fastest yet - we have
Simon Spilak (Slovenia), Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic), Robert Gesink (Netherlands),
Ben Hermans and Pieter Jacobs (Belgium), Eros Capecchi (Italy).
At 17 seconds is a group of three containing Geraint Thomas (GBr). This should
be the winning move in front.
11:57 CEST 112km/20.7km to go
Kreuziger leads the man group on the descent. Schär and Thomas are chasing at
14 seconds, and also a Portuguese rider: Vitor Rodrigues. They catch the leaders.
11:58 CEST 113km/19.7km to go
We now have nine riders leading on the descent: Simon Spilak (Slovenia), Roman
Kreuziger (Czech Republic), Robert Gesink (Netherlands), Ben Hermans and Pieter
Jacobs (Belgium), Eros Capecchi (Italy, Geraint Thomas (Great Britain), Michael
Schär (Switzerland), Vitor Rodrigues (Portugal). There are more riders chasing
back on, and they could well make contact.
11:59 CEST 114km/18.7km to go
The cooperation is terrible in the front group, particularly between Kreuziger,
Spilak and Capecchi. More riders catch on.
Hermans decides to attack - good thinking.
12:00 CEST
Kreuziger and Ruigh join Hermans, followed by the rest of the bunch. Michiel
Van Aelbroeck (Belgium) is also there, as is Clarke (Aus).
12:01 CEST
Two riders - Cyril Gautier (France) and Rafaâ Chtioui (Tunisia)- attack through
the team boxes, with the Chtioui completely missing his bidon. Ooops. Only one
more lap anyway.
12:02 CEST 116km/16.7km to go
Chtioui is too strong for the Frenchman but has to sit up and wait for the rest
of the group. It reforms for the final lap, with perhaps 20 riders in contention.
12:04 CEST 118km/14.7km to go
Belgium has four riders in the front group and is the best represented nation:
Van Aelbroeck, Jacobs, Seeldrayers and Hermans. One more lap it's surely the
winner will come from this group. That last lap was ridden in 22'27.
12:04 CEST
The next group comes across the line at 55 seconds. It's not coming back.
12:05 CEST 119km/13.7km to go
Michiel Van Aelbroeck drives hard on the cobbles with Kreuziger on his wheel.
The plan is to make it as hard as possible for the final climb.
12:07 CEST 120km/12.7km to go
Van Aelbroeck is putting in an enormous effort, and will keep it going for as
long as possible. Kreuziger is stuck to his wheel, followed by Cyril Gautier
(France).
12:08 CEST 121km/11.7km to go
Van Aelbroeck drives and drives to the foot of the Torricelle. Kreuziger is
happy. Now Jacobs moves up. Van Aelbroeck pulls off.
12:08 CEST
Clarke attacks first.
12:09 CEST 122km/10.7km to go
Clarke has a Russian rider in pursuit as he gives it full gas on the climb.
The rest of the front group is watching each other, especially Kreuziger, Jacobs
and Spilak.
12:10 CEST 123km/9.7km to go
Ivan Rovnyi (Russia) is pursuing Clarke, but he's not making any ground. Clarke
has about 15 seconds on the peloton, and is hurting.
12:11 CEST 124km/8.7km to go
The chase group hasn't reacted, with Kreuziger marshalling the front, watching.
Clarke leads, then Rovnyi at 10 seconds, and the bunch at 15 seconds. Clarke
looks back.
12:11 CEST
Clarke is giving it everything as he hits the false flat. Look out - here comes
Kreuziger!
12:12 CEST 125km/7.7km to go
Kreuziger has smashed the group and has caught Clarke with Rovnyi hanging on.
A few others are up there too - most of the group in fact.
12:13 CEST
Clarke explodes a little, but keeps trying. Kreuziger is working hard to establish
the gap. He can't. The group comes back together.
12:15 CEST 126km/6.7km to go
Kreuziger attacks again, but he hasn't got the strength to get away any more.
Jacobs takes over, then Capecchi. Spilak, Gesink , Hermans - all there. Kreuziger
slows...
Clarke is about 20 m off the back with Thomas.
One of the South Africans is lapped.
Spilak counters!
12:16 CEST
Spilak can't get clear either and Capecchi, Kreuziger, Jacobs, Hermans all close
the gap. Ruigh is there too. Kreuziger and Jacobs go hard over the top. Ouch.
12:16 CEST
That was the fastest climb - in 7'13.
12:17 CEST
Kreuziger, Jacobs, Capecchi, Hermans, Gesink , Spilak and is that Rafaâ Chtioui
(Tunisia)?? Yes it is!
12:18 CEST 127km/5.7km to go
Rafaâ Chtioui (Tunisia) keeps going! Kreuziger chases him, followed by Simon
Spilak (Slovenia), Rob Gesink (Netherlands), Ben Hermans, and Pieter Jacobs
(Belgium), and Eros Capecchi (Italy).
12:19 CEST
Chtioui and Kreuziger are together on the descent, chased by a group of five
riders. The Tunisian is definitely not holding back. He nearly loses it on the
left hander, but holds it up.
12:21 CEST 129km/3.7km to go
Kreuziger and Chtioui lead Spilak, Jacobs, Hermans, Gesink and Capecchi by 10
seconds at the foot of the descent. Kreuziger can't believe it - he tried so
much to get away on the climb but couldn't.
12:22 CEST 130km/2.7km to go
The two Belgians power the chase group behind the two leaders, who have 3 km
to go. The Tunisian Chtioui is giving it everything.
Spilak counters in pursuit. No-one reacts.
12:23 CEST 131km/1.7km to go
Rafaâ Chtioui (Tunisia) and Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic) are now at the
team boxes. Kreuziger does a massive turn. Spilak is at 10 seconds, but is caught
by Hermans, Jacobs, Gesink and Capecchi.
12:24 CEST
Kreuziger leads under the archway into Verona. The two leaders aren't home yet
- they'll have to work. Chtioui flicks his elbow to ask Kreuziger to come through.
12:24 CEST 132km/0.7km to go
The leaders have 8 seconds with 1 km to go. They're still working hard. The
group behind is back together, with the Belgians working. 9 seconds.
12:26 CEST 132.7km/0km to go
Kreuziger leads, then looks back. It slows in front but it slows behind.
Chtioui is in front with 500m to go. Kreuziger has the best spot and starts
sprinting and wins the gold medal by a bike length! Chtioui second, then Spilak,
Capecchi, Jacobs, Gesink and Hermans.
Results
Provisional 1 Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic) 3.25.39 2 Rafaâ Chtioui (Tunisia) 3 Simon Spilak (Slovenia) 0.06 4 Eros Capecchi (Italy) 5 Pieter Jacobs (Belgium) 6 Rob Gesink (Netherlands) 7 Ben Hermans (Belgium) 8 Alexandre Binet (France) 0.32
