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Tondo and Gustov show strong form in stage 4 at Paris-Nice

March 11, 2010 - Filed under: TestTeam

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Alberto Contador (Esp-Astana) launched a vicious attack halfway up the La Croix Neuve - Montée Laurent Jalabert for an imposing win at the fourth stage of Paris-Nice, in Mende. Compatriots Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) and Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) managed to keep up and were rewarded with second and third for their efforts. Best result for Cervélo TestTeam was Volodymir Gustov (Ukr) in sixteenth position.

"The stage today started with Albert Timmer (Ned-Skil-Shimano) making a move after 10 kilometres, then Marco Mercato (Ita-Vacansoleil) joined him and eventually the break grew to include: Jérôme Pineau (Fra-Quick Step), Jean-Marc Marino (Fra-Saur Sojasun), Julien Loubet (Fra-AG2R-La Mondiale) and Amaël Moinard (Fra-Cofidis), and Mikel Nieve (Fra-Euskaltel-Euskadi)," said Philippe Maudit, sports director.

"They had a 4-minute advantage and were pulled back 40 kilometres later after a category 2 climb. "Our goal today was to protect Tondo (Esp), Gustov (Ukr) and Florencio (Esp) and to put them in a good position at the bottom of the last hill. To do this job we had Ted King (USA) and Dom Rollins (Can) who worked well because our rider was in the top 10, just 10 kilometres from the finish. Tondo eased up a bit at the beginning of the last climb. He was doing so much and was very excited. So again we had all three potential riders in good position but Contador was strong. Overall it was a very good finish today for Tondo, Gustov and Florencio. It could have been more today, but as a team it was a good ride. Maybe we will have an opportunity to go to the finish line with a breakaway tomorrow. We will have to face one Category 2 climb, 40 kilometres into the stage, which at 157 kilometres is also considerably shorter than today's.

As for Heinrich Haussler, he left the race today after about 25 kilometres. Heinrich was already having problems with his knee after he crashed in the Volta ao Algarve. Though it improved he then crashed again in the first stage of Paris-Nice, and with the cold weather he felt too much pain in the knee to continue. Heinrich is getting the best treatment possible from our medical team to help him prepare for the upcoming races."

"I am not really satisfied about today, I wanted to be more in the front but was not able today, my legs blocked me," commented Xavier Tondo after today's stage. "Contador attacked in the final, I tried to follow him but was not able, I probably need some more race days under my belt. But the team was very good and protected me very well. I hoped to give them something back but not today. I will stay focused and give my best the in coming days."

Stage 2: Montecatini Terme - Montecatini Terme (165 km)
1. Alberto Contador (Esp) Astana 4:26:47
2. Alejandro Valverde (Esp) Caisse d'Epargne 0:00:10
3. Samuel Sanchez (Esp) Euskaltel - Euskadi
16. Volodymir Gustov (Ukr) Cervélo TestTeam 0:00:44
19. Xavier Tondo (Esp) Cervélo TestTeam 0:00:56

General classification after stage 4
1. Alberto Contador (Esp) Astana 17:07:23
2. Alejandro Valverde (Esp) Caisse d'Epargne 0:00:24
3. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas - Doimo 0:00:25
12. Xavier Tondo (Esp) Cervélo TestTeam 0:01:14

5 responses for this Entry

sattnu says:

July 21, 2010

it was very interesting to read.

I want to quote your post in my blog. It can?

And you et an account on Twitter?

pili says:

March 12, 2010

Si señor, cada dia vibrando con la carrera, Xavi animos, eres el mejor.

Payaso ENRICO says:

March 12, 2010

Sigo la carrera diariamente, y te felicito por tu brillante actuación que deseo que a ser posible puedas mejorar.

Saluda de mi parte a Xavi FLORENCIO..

Desde Tarragona .... "Enrico"

NAN says:

March 12, 2010

Ànim Xavi. Cada tarde pendents d'internet i pedalant amb tu.

Cada dia ja és un petit triomf. Quin ferd oi?

bosco martin says:

March 11, 2010

Ánimo Tondo

Seguro que mañana o el sábado tienes oportunidad de atacar e intentar subir hasta el top-3.

Intentarlo no cuesta nada.

Saludos

boscomartin.com