Tour of Britain - 2.1

Great Britain, August 29-September 3, 2006

Photography

Stage 6 - September 3: Greenwich to The Mall , 82km

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Images by Gerry McManus/www.gerrymcmanus.co.uk

Over Tower Bridge for the early break.
Martin Pedersen (CSC) sprays the Champagne.
Tom Boonen (Quick step-Innergetic)
Tom Boonen (Quick step-Innergetic) win the stage.
T Mobile drive the bunch at high speed.
Fast action for the bunch
Getting jittery at the corner near Horseguards Parade.
Chocolade-Jacques takes up the lead
The three-man break.
Martin Pedersen (CSC).
T-Mobile on the front for Mark Cavendish.
Michael Rogers (T-Mobile).
The GB team drives for the finish.
The podium Tom Boonen, Andy Schleck, Martin Pedersen, Mark Cavendish and Johan Van Summeren.
Martin Pedersen (CSC)
Martin Pedersen (CSC)
Pedersen gets the final yellow jersey from Johnathan Edwards - record breaking triple jumper
Martin Pedersen (CSC) gets a kiss from the podium girls.
Mark Cavendish (T-Mobile) receives his points trophy.
Martin Pedersen (CSC).
Martin Pedersen (CSC).
Andy Shleck with Martin Pedersen (both CSC).
Tom Boonen (Quick step-Innergetic)

Images by Peter Bentley

Ben Greenwood (recycling.co.uk) tries to escape on Highgate HillDSC_1274a.jpg - Team CSC lead the chase up Highgate Hill
T-Mobile worked hard to bring things back together on The Mall
Team CSC kept yellow jersey holder Martin Pedersen out of trouble
Tom Boonen (QuickStep-Innergetic) won the sprint from Roger Hammond (Team GB) and Mark Cavendish (T-Mobile)
Tom Boonen (QuickStep-Innergetic) , happy with the result
Russell Downing (DFL-Cycling News-Litespeed) was the best placed British rider
Johan Van Summeren (Davitamon Lotto) wins the sprints classification and checks the champagne vintage
Martin Pedersen (Team CSC) wins the Tour of Britain in his first year as a professional

Images by Ben Atkins/Cylingnews.com

Not too many bike races get this sort of thing as a prelude - Yes, those bearskins do meet UCI regulations!
Are We "amused"? Queen Victoria casts a wary eye over the proceedings.
Sadly she's not at home (that's not the Royal Standard flying), so the peloton can't expect a Royal wave from the Palace balcony.
Forget the Champs Elysees , The Mall is THE most prestigious boulevard in the world!
London really pulled out all the stops this year with "Bikefest", getting everyone into cycling for all.
One of the podium girls can't wait to get her hands on the World Champion!
Andy Schleck's bike shows evidence of his crash in the closing few laps.
Martin Pedersen (CSC) enjoys his new celebrity status.
And not a hair out of place...
Why do women always look at me like that..? Everybody loves Tom.
Tom, you're not supposed to kiss her until you get on to the podium!
It's been a good year for Cav - Commonwealth Gold, and now the ToB points jersey to go with his new two year deal with T-Mobile.
South Australians - a very long way from home!
A topless Roger Hammond - on temporary "National Service" is always in demand to sign things.
Bikefest included all sorts of cycling, including a trials display from the Onza boys.
It's coming.... and don't you forget it!
A typical London scene. Two Policemen of average height come to the aid of a couple of average cyclists...
Tour of Britain Tech. This is what they'll all be riding at the Tour de France next year.
Job well done. The wearer of the most prestigious jersey wins th most prestigious stage.

Images by Richard O'Brien

Four members from the Denmark team that made it to the last stage; Casper Jorgensen, Michael Morkov, Alex Rasmussen and Andre Steensen (left to right).
Tom Boonen (Quickstep) finds time for a quick interview with Cycling Weekly
Former Tour de France champion Bjarne Riis talks to the Denmark team prior to the start of the stage.
Nico Mattan (Davitamon Lotto) entertains the crowd and the riders prior to the stage start.
The peloton leaves Greenwich , lead by Dean Downing (DFL).
The main break of the day consisted of three riders; Casper Jorgensen (Denmark), Robin Sharman (Recycling) and James Meadley (South Australia.com). It didn't last the day though.
Russell Downing (DFL) was the best placed Brit in the overall classification.
Tom Boonen (Quickstep) gets mobbed by the press after winning the stage.

Stage 5 - September 2: Rochester to Canterbury , 152.6km

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Images by Gerry McManus/www.gerrymcmanus.co.uk

The riders reach the village of Brenchley in Kent
CSC on the front in the rain
Current world champion Tom Boonen (QuickStep-Innergetic) leaves Rochester castle with Bert Roesems (Davitamon-Lotto)
The race leaves from Rochester Castle
QuickStep and CSC talk in the go slow race
Kristian House (Recycling.co.uk) unhappy about racing tactics by the big teams
Mark Cavendish (T-Mobile) now in the lead in the points competition
Martin Pedersen (CSC) still in yellow
Ian Stannard (GB) hits the front and lines 'em out!
Francesco Chicchi (QuickStep) receives his trophies for winning stage 5
Mark Cavendish (T Mobile) on the presentation podium to recieve the green jersey
Mark Cavendish (T Mobile) gets the green jersey
Mark Cavendish (T Mobile) gets the green jersey
Fans waited up to two hours to see their heroes
Pedersen still in yellow
Schleck wins the KOM prime

Images by Larry Hickmott / British Cycling

Working up a hill
Staying up front as CSC continues to control the pace
Tom Boonen (QuickStep) takes a rest while the race gets re-organised
CSC still on the front on the climbs
The bunch in one of kents villages
Chicchi wins the stage

Images by Richard O'Brien

The podium consisted of Andy Schleck (CSC), Martin Pedersen (CSC), Mark Cavendish (T-Mobile) and Johan van Sommeran (Davitamon Lotto)
Paul Manning (Landbouwkrediet) and Russell Downing (DFL) found time to catch up during the delay.
Ben Greenwood (Recycling) talks to his team manager John Herety to see what the team tactics are.
Brian Holm (T-Mobile) and John Herety (Recycling) talk team tactics during the stage.

Stage 4 - September 1: Wolverhampton to Birmingham , 130.3km

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Images by Gerry McManus/www.gerrymcmanus.co.uk

Frederick Willems (Chocloade Jaques - Topsport) wins the stage with Mark Cavendish (T Mobile) in second
The eight-man winning break in action
The winning break is started early in the race
Pederson sprays the crowd
Jennings consults with DS Eric Vandaerarden
The yellow jersey tucks in behind his CSC teammates
CSC drive the bunch
Skil Shimano and Barloworld get to the front to try to pull the break back
Schleck leads the KOM competition

Images by Richard O'Brien

Frederik Willems (Chocolade Jacques) seemed very relaxed at the start of the race, did he know that he would win the stage at the end?
Michael Markov (Denmark) talks to the team car to discuss tactics and get supplies for his team mates.
The yellow jersey of Martin Pedersen (CSC) chases back to peloton after visiting team car.
Alex Rasmussen (Denmark) comes back to the team car to get more water.
The peloton rides through the hills around Stafford to try and bring the lead group back.
Dane Martin Pederson (CSC) celebrates another day in yellow.
Dane Martin Pederson (CSC) sprays champagne on the podium.

Stage 3 - August 31: Bradford to Sheffield, 180km

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Images by Gerry McManus/www.gerrymcmanus.co.uk

Now there's a familiar face - Malcolm Elliot (R) kick-started his career again a few years back after a successful stint in Europe.
These officials look the biz.
Points leader Russell Downing (DFL-Cycling News-Litespeed) with Malcolm Elliot.
Tom Boonen (Quick.Step-Innergetic) rides alongside race leader Matt Goss (South Australia.com-AIS).
Tom Boonen (Quick.Step-Innergetic) looks like he means business.
Andy Schleck (CSC) testing his legs on the climbs.
Andy Schleck (CSC) took the lead in the mountains classification after his exploits today.
Great Britain's Ben Swift in the hurt bag.
Riders pass some nice rolling countryside.
The break get hungry.
Feeding time for the riders.
Filippo Pozzato (Quick.Step-Innergetic) wins the third stage into Sheffield.
Rene Weissinger (Skil-Shimano) ends the day half an hour down.
New leader Martin Pedersen (CSC) gets the bubbly flowing.
Martin Pedersen (CSC) salutes the crowd.
Filippo Pozzato (Quick.Step-Innergetic) on the podium.
Women of all ages flock towards Tom Boonen (Quick.Step-Innergetic).
Russell Downing (DFL-Cycling News-Litespeed) holds his lead in the points classification.
Stage winner Filippo Pozzato (Quick.Step-Innergetic) looking delighted with himself.

Images by Peter Bentley

The lead group containing eventual stage winner Filippo Pozzato (Quickstep-Innergetic) approach the top of Broomhead.
Stage 2 winner Roger Hammond (Team GB) looked strong on the hills.
World Champion Tom Boonen (Quickstep-Innergetic) crashed badly during the stage.
Mark Cavendish (T-Mobile) laughs off the rainy weather.
Andrew Tennant (Team GB) leads Floris Goesinnen (Skil-Shimano) up Broomhead.

Images by Richard O'Brien

Russell Downing (DFL) , Dean Downing (DFL) and Tom Barras (DFL) find time for a quick pose.
The breakaway rides through the rolling roads near East Hardwick.
The peloton was chasing hard throughout the stage which thinned the race out.
Yorkshire’s own Russell Downing was happy to be in green on the podium.
The podium consisted of Tom Boonen (Quickstep), Martin Pedersen (CSC), Andy Schleck (CSC), Johan van Summeren (Davitamon Lotto) and Russell Downing (DFL).

Stage 2 - August 30: Blackpool to Liverpool , 163km

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Images by Gerry McManus/www.gerrymcmanus.co.uk

Hammond wins
The chase begins - South Australia, Mapei and CSC join forces in the chase to the leaders
The early leaders - Bert Roesems leads Johan Van Summeren
A delighted Roger Hammond (GB Team) wins the stage into Liverpool
Roger Hammond (GB Team) wins the stage into Liverpool
Roger Hammond (Team GB) wins the stage into Liverpool in the bunch sprint for the Great Britain team
The CSC team lead the bunch towards Southport in pursuit of the two early Davitamon-Lotto breakaway duo
Australian Mathew Goss (South Australia.com-AIS) sprays the crowd with champagne after he took the yellow jersey as race leader on stage two. Flanked by (left) Stage one winner and sprints leader Martin Pederson (CSC) , Right - Points leader - Britain's Russell Downing (DFL-Cyclingnews.com-Litespeed) and mountains leader Bert Roesems (Davitamon-Lotto)
The race heads our from Blackpool on Tuesday morning
Britain's Ben Greenwood (Recycling.co.uk) from nearby Lancaster blasts away from the main field in pursuit of the leaders on the dreaded climb at the Trough of Bowland
The CSC team lead their team-mate and yellow jersey holder Martin Pederson in pusuit of Britain's Ben Greenwood and two early leaders at Sikes on the Trough of Bowland
Britain's Roger Hammond (Team GB) on the podium after he won the second stage into Liverpool
Britain's Ben Greenwood (Recycling.co.uk) reaches the top on Trough of Bowland as the Lancaster born cyclist uses his local knowledge to good use
Recycling's Ben Greenwood at the seafront in Blackpool before the stage on the training grounds for the lad from Lancaster
Paul Manning (Landbouwkredit-Colnago) brushes up on the stage route before the stage
Paul Manning (Landbouwkredit-Colnago) at Blackpool Pleasure beach before the start
On the sea front at Blackpool before the stage start
Race leader Martin Pederson (CSC) tucks in behind the CSC train chasing the early leaders
Russell Downing (DFL-cyclingnews.com- Litespeed) receives the green jersey as points leader in the race.

Images by Robin Fanner

Mathhew Goss (South Australia.com-AIS) gets in a little texting time from within the peloton

Images by Peter Bentley

Bert Roesems and Johan Van Summeren (Davitamon Lotto) broke away early and had a five minute lead over Waddington Fell
Team CSC lead the chase

Images by Richard O'Brien

The riders roll out of Blackpool under the Blackpool Tower.
Allan Peiper (Davitamon Lotto) drops back to watch the peloton pass after visiting his two break-away riders.
Tom Boonen (Quickstep) rode comfortably in the main field.
Davitamon Lotto had two riders puncture within 1 minute, here Nico Gates gets pushed back into the race by Allan Peiper.
Daniel Kreutzfeldt (Denmark) chases through the cars after visiting the team car.
Bert Roesems (Davitamon Lotto) rode hard at the front of the race with his team mate for most of the race.
Martin Pedersen (CSC) rode near the front of the race throughout the stage.
The two breakaway riders Bert Roesems (Davitamon Lotto) and Johan van Summeren (Davitamon Lotto) shared the workload throughout the stage.

Stage 1 - August 29: Glasgow to Castle Douglas , 162km

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Images by Gerry McManus/www.gerrymcmanus.co.uk

The main field rolls out from Glasgow at the start of the race
Martin Pedersen (CSC) wins the stage frtom Luis Pasamontes (Unibet) and Mathew Goss (South
Andreas Kloden (T Mobile) wears number 11 on his back that he changed to for supertitious reasons but the frame still has the original 13 that he was allocated.
The peloton heads though Muirkirk on their way to the finish at Castle Douglas
World champion Tom Boonen (Quick Step - Innergetic) sporting the champions rainbow jersey takes to the front of the idling bunch
Stage winner Martin Pederson (CSC) leads Luis Pasaontes (Unibet.com) and Mathew Goss (South Australia.com-AIS) in the race winning break
Luis Pasamontes (Unibet.com), Mathew Goss (South Australia.com-AIS) and Martin Pederson (CSC) in the race winning break
Luis Pasaontes (Unibet.com), Mathew Goss (South Australia.com-AIS) and Martin Pederson (CSC) in the race winning break
Martin Pederson (CSC) climbs to the top of ascent at Kyle Forest with a 10 minute lead on the peloton
Stage winner Martin Pederson with the winners trophy
Stage winner Martin Pederson (CSC) sprays the champagne after his victory also gave him the yellow jersey
Luis Passamontes (Unibet.com) with the points jersey after stage one
World Champion Tom Boonen (Quick Step - Innergetic) heads out from Glasgow with the main field
Britain's Mark Cavendish on a trial with the T Mobile team on the Tour of Britain
All smiles for the T Mobile team at the start of the event
Milan San Remo winner Filippo Pozzato (Quick Step - Innergetic) enjoys Glasgow sunshine at the start
Former British champion and stage winner into Blackpool, Roger Hammond heads back to the peleton through the race convoy
No time to see the view for the main field on stage one on Scotland
New kid on the block - New DFL-Cyclingnews Director Sportif Eric Vanderaerden on the Tour

Images by Richard O'Brien

Andreas Kloden (T-Mobile) didn’t look like he was enjoying the race, he retires a few kilometres later.
Michael Morkov (Denmark) visits the team car for some much needed water.
Koen Barbe (Chocolade Jacques) didn’t look like he was enjoying the middle of the race as the rain started to come down.
Alex Rasmussen (Denmark) rejoins the race after visiting the team car.
Andy Tennant (Great Britain) had a good day finishing with the rest of the peloton.
Filippo Pozzato (Quickstep) leads Olaf Pollack (T-Mobile) through team cars after visting their respective team cars.
Stage winner and yellow jersey wearer , Martin Pedersen (CSC), enjoys the attention on the podium.
Stage 1 podium consisting of Luis Pasamontes (Unibet), Martin Pedersen (CSC), Matt Goss (South Australia.com) and Karsten Kroon (CSC)