Welcome to Cyclingnews live coverage of the Paris-Tours one-day classic.
The fall sprinters' classic runs from Chartres, southwest of Paris, to Tours. It covered 230 kilometres, including three small climbs (côtes) in the final 10 kilometres.
An escape group formed after 25 kilometres: Martin Elmiger, Cédric Pineau (AG2R La Mondiale), Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux), Damien Gaudin (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), Jean-Luc Delpech (Bretagne-Schuller), Jonathan Thiré (Auber 93), Mathew Hayman(Rabobank), Aart Vierhouten (Vacansoleil), Tom Veleers (Skil-Shimano) and Laszlo Bodrogi (Katusha).
The 10-man group had 7'15" over the main group with 132 kilometres to race.
100km remaining from 230km
With 100 kilometres to race, the escape has four minutes.
American team Garmin leads the chance of the escape group for Farrar.
In Italy cyclists are racing the G.P. Beghelli. Last year Alessandro Petacchi won and Damiano Cunego won in 2008. It's the second Italian race this weekend. Yesterday, Robert Gesink won the Giro dell'Emilia.
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"I'm feeling strong and confident, and I hope to have a strong team with me on Sunday," said last year's winner, Gilbert. "My condition may even be better than last year. Obviously, to do better [than last year] is impossible, but if I can do the same again it will be a great result."
"It is a really beautiful race, a one-day classic that suits a sprinter. But it is never easy to win a classic, you need great condition and a little bit of luck. It is difficult to win two classics in one year, and it would be something amazing," Farrar told Cyclingnews.
Vinokourov is attacking in the GP Beghelli. He had some words for his teammate Contador yesterday.
Alberto Contador will obey his contract and continue with Astana in 2010, according to teammate Alexander Vinokourov.
"He will stay with us, without a doubt," Vinokourov told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "We will also resolve the problems with the UCI soon, presenting the new team structure. Cycling needs sound sponsors and ours is an important three-year project."
André Greipel (Columbia-HTC) and Tom Boonen (Quick Step) are also favourites for today's win. Boonen won a stage in the Franco-Belge last week.
_______ Situation __________
- Martin Elmiger, Cédric Pineau (AG2R La Mondiale), Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux), Damien Gaudin (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), Jean-Luc Delpech (Bretagne-Schuller), Jonathan Thiré (Auber 93), Mathew Hayman(Rabobank), Aart Vierhouten (Vacansoleil), Tom Veleers (Skil-Shimano) and Laszlo Bodrogi (Katusha). - Peloton at 2'24"
Spaniard Francisco José Ventoso (CarmioOro - A-Style) won the GP Beghelli. He out-sprinted Giovanni Visconti (ISD) at the end of 195.8 kilometres.
Silence, Quick-Step and Landbouwkrediet-Colnago are helping Garmin at the front of the peloton. The gap is 1'36 with 50km to race.
47km remaining from 230km
The leaders' advantage is dropping fast. Maybe too fast. There will be counter-attacks if the peloton catches the leaders too soon.
This year is the last time the organisers will use the l'Avenue de Grammont, which is the 3km finishing straight.
44km remaining from 230km
Guennadi Mikhailov (Katusha) is involved in a crash at the back of the peloton. He is on the ground, holding his collarbone.
The leaders have 1'24". The ten men are Martin Elmiger, Cédric Pineau (AG2R La Mondiale), Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux), Damien Gaudin (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), Jean-Luc Delpech (Bretagne-Schuller), Jonathan Thiré (Auber 93), Mathew Hayman(Rabobank), Aart Vierhouten (Vacansoleil), Tom Veleers (Skil-Shimano) and Laszlo Bodrogi (Katusha).
Germany's André Greipel (Columbia-HTC) has abandoned. He was in a crash not so long ago, we are not sure if it was the same crash as Guennadi Mikhailov (Katusha).
The escape has 1'24"
The riders are racing under cloudy skies, which don't look like they'll produce rain.
40km remaining from 230km
Belgian super teams Quick Step and Silence-Lotto are leading the race.
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It is only three times that the race has finished in a bunch sprint in the last 10 years. There are three climbs in the final ten kilometres that will spoil the sprinters' chances.
34km remaining from 230km
The three closing climbs: Côte de l'Epan, Côte du Pont Volant and Côte du Petit Pas d'Ane. Ane leaves four kilometres to race.
The advantage of the 10 riders is 1'09"
Quick-Step is still hammering at the front of the peloton for Belgian Champ Tom Boonen (Quick Step). Further back are Russian Champ Serguei Ivanov (Katusha) and Italian Champ Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-NGC).
One of the front ten men is going to attack his partners soon. Our front ten riders are Martin Elmiger, Cédric Pineau (AG2R La Mondiale), Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux), Damien Gaudin (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), Jean-Luc Delpech (Bretagne-Schuller), Jonathan Thiré (Auber 93), Mathew Hayman(Rabobank), Aart Vierhouten (Vacansoleil), Tom Veleers (Skil-Shimano) and Laszlo Bodrogi (Katusha).
News from across the boarder:
The 2010 Giro d'Italia, May 8 to 30, will include a stage over the white gravel roads around Siena, according to Tuttosport. Race organiser RCS Sport uses the rolling gravel roads annually in its race Monte Paschi Eroica.
There are two Dutchmen and six Frenchmen in the front group.
28km remaining from 230km
Frenchman Jonathan Thire (Auber 93) attacks the other nine men.
_______ Situation __________ - Jonathan Thiré (Auber 93) - Martin Elmiger, Cédric Pineau (AG2R La Mondiale), Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux), Damien Gaudin (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), Jean-Luc Delpech (Bretagne-Schuller), Mathew Hayman(Rabobank), Aart Vierhouten (Vacansoleil), Tom Veleers (Skil-Shimano) and Laszlo Bodrogi (Katusha). - Peloton at 30"
Cédric Pineau (AG2R La Mondiale) tries to chase the solo Frenchman.
Swede Marcus Ljungqvist, 34, will retire after the race. He refused contract offers with Lance Armstrong's and Bjarne Riis' teams, according to Dalarnas Tidningar.
Retirement "had been in the air for a long time," he said. "I feel it is time for something else. It has not been an easy decision because I still feel I have more to give."
The riders are working their way around traffic deviders.
Cédric Pineau (AG2R La Mondiale) is not happy with Delpech Jean-luc (Bretagne - Schuller), he encourages him to work harder.
23km remaining from 230km
The lead holds at 27"
21km remaining from 230km
The sprint teams are putting on the brakes, they don't want to catch the escapees so early. Catching them early will only encourage counter-attacks.
The front group is down to six riders, four are gone. We will work on getting the names of the remaining six.
A reminder, André Greipel (Columbia-HTC) is out of the race.
Laszlo Bodrogi (Katusha) and Jonathan Thire (Auber 93) are no longer with the front group.
A Cofidis rider and Sam Sanchez attack from the main group.
18km remaining from 230km
_______ Situation __________ - Cédric Pineau (AG2R La Mondiale), Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux), Damien Gaudin (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), Jean-Luc Delpech (Bretagne-Schuller), Mathew Hayman(Rabobank), Aart Vierhouten (Vacansoleil), Tom Veleers (Skil-Shimano). - Peloton at 26"
Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank) marks an attack by a Landbouwkrediet rider.
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16km remaining from 230km
Bert De Waele (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago) crashed earlier in the race, he is on his way to the hospital
Six men lead the race with 20".
There are many round-abouts here in the finale. Some riders are making mistakes and taking the wrong way around, losing time.
Silence and Quick Step are back at the front.
Damien Gaudin (Bbox Bouygues Telecom) is no longer in the front group.
_______ Situation __________ - Cédric Pineau (AG2R La Mondiale), Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux), Jean-Luc Delpech (Bretagne-Schuller), Mathew Hayman(Rabobank), Aart Vierhouten (Vacansoleil), Tom Veleers (Skil-Shimano). - Peloton at 16"
12km remaining from 230km
Tom Veelers (Skil-Shimano) tries to go solo, the escape is nearly over for the rest of the riders.
10km remaining from 230km
Dutchman Tom Veelers (Skil-Shimano) holds a small advantage. He won't last long. He has 17".
The other five continue to chase. The speed slows in the main group because they know they can close Tom Veelers (Skil-Shimano) at any moment.
8km remaining from 230km
The five are finished. Caught.
Greg Van Avermaet (Silence-Lotto) attacks on the first côte. Boonen chases.
7km remaining from 230km
Greg Van Avermaet (Silence-Lotto) and Tom Boonen (Quick Step) lead. The others are trying to bridge.
The three closing climbs: Côte de l'Epan, Côte du Pont Volant and Côte du Petit Pas d'Ane. Ane leaves four kilometres to race.
Philippe Gilbert (Silence-Lotto) joins his teammate... It is now Philippe Gilbert (Silence-Lotto), Greg Van Avermaet (Silence-Lotto), Borut Bozic (Vacansoleil) and Tom Boonen (Quick Step) lead.
Tom Veelers (Skil-Shimano) no longer leads. He was caught 2km ago.
Crash in the main group.
It happened on a small, narrow, walled road. Mathew Hayman (Rabobank) was involved and a Katusha rider.
Greg Van Avermaet (Silence-Lotto) drops out of the front group.
This trio is a strong one.
_______ Situation __________ - Tom Boonen (Quick Step), Philippe Gilbert (Silence-Lotto) and Borut Bozic (Vacansoleil) - Peloton at ??
Italian Champion Filippo Pozzato (Katusha) is chasing, but is it too late?
Belgian Champ Boonen leads the trio.
Philippe Gilbert (Silence-Lotto) won the Coppa Sabatini last week in Italy, Boonen a stage in Franco-Belge and Borut Bozic (Vacansoleil) a stage at the Vuelta a España recently.
The sun shines down.
Remember, Gilbert is the defending champion.
Gilbert leads Bozic and Boonen. They have 14"
Pozzato is solo. He can't bridge.
The group catches 'Pippo' Pozzato
1km remaining from 230km
The front three are working well. They start the final km.
Bozic leads Boonen and Gilbert.
They hold a slim lead, but will win the race.
Gilbert starts early.
Boonen chases, but he can't come around Gilbert.
Bozic takes third.
Pozzato narrowly holds fourth, only seconds back.
The top ten
Philippe Gilbert (Silence-Lotto) Tom Boonen (Quick Step) Borut Bozic (Vacansoleil) Filippo Pozzato (Katusha) Oscar Freire (Rabobank) Francesco Gavazzi (Lampre-NGC) Gerben Löwik (Vacansoleil) Pablo Lastras (Caisse d'Epargne) Martin Reimer (Cervélo TestTeam) Yauheni Hutarovich (Française des Jeux)
Thanks for following our coverage today. Au revoir!
_______ Situation __________ - Tom Boonen (Quick Step), Philippe Gilbert (Silence-Lotto) and Borut Bozic (Vacansoleil) - Peloton at ??
Courtney Sherwell hold off chase to take second place in elite women's race while Lance Haidet and Matthew Wilson clinch second and third in men's race
