Cancellara wins 2012 Tour de France prologue in Liège

There was something almost inevitable about it: the scene was perfect, the timing essential, and the man in form. Eight years after his first prologue win in Liege in the Tour de France, ‘Monsieur PrologueFabian Cancellara rolled back the years to claim his fifth Tour de France prologue, with a comprehensive win in the Belgian city on Saturday. 

The RadioShack-Nissan rider turned out a time of 7:13 over the 6.4km course. Not even a determined Bradley Wiggins (Sky) finishing second, 7 seconds down, or world time trial champion Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) could come close, although the German will feel aggrieved after he set the fastest time at the first time check but suffered a mechanical and was forced to change bikes.

Defending champion Cadel Evans (BMC) finished in 13th place, nine seconds down on Cancellara, with Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) and Denis Menchov (Katusha), Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) impressing with solid performances. French time trial champion Sylvain Chavanel had led for a large portion of the afternoon, nervously awaiting the time trial specialists at the line, but he was demoted, first by Wiggins, and then by Cancellara, to third.

But after all the talk of Wiggins and Evans in the build-up to the race, the day belonged to Cancellara. In the last twelve months, the Swiss rider has found himself on the receiving end of a number of high level losses, with Tony Martin usurping his long-standing crown as the best time triallist in the world, and two campaigns in the Classics without a win.

“I thought about my wife, the baby that’s coming, about team that’s given me help, and I’m proud of having done the work I should have done,” Cancellara said at the finish.

“This victory is even more special than the other ones I’ve had in the Tour de France., Yes, I’m proud, which is important, and I’m also confident about the rest of the Tour.”

There were murmurs that Cancellara was no longer the powerhouse he used to be, his legs slowing as younger riders developed, and despite uncertainty within his team surrounding missed wages and in-fighting, the experience and most importantly the power were there for all to see in Liège.

“I’m looking forward and not looking back. I’m here on the Tour de France not thinking about the past. The last time the Tour was here, in 2004, I beat Lance [Armstrong] by 1.6 seconds and took the jersey, but that was eight years ago. We have to focus on now because if we let [USADA’s decision to manager Johan Bruyneel with doping] crack us, I wouldn’t be able to perform on the road like I did today. It’s up to Lance and Johan to sort out. One year I was in Bjarne Riis’s team, and he stayed away from the Tour to leave us in peace, so I’ve experienced this before. Johan is just leaving us to get on with the job in peace.”

Liège loosens the Tour tension

The pro peloton had descended on Liège on Wednesday, settling into a pattern of reconnaissance and press conferences. By Friday, as the final pre-race press noise died down, it was clear that the peloton were ready to race. The tension was clear in Liège on Saturday morning with riders testing themselves over the prologue course. Wind variants were considered, final adjustments made to bikes and in the end it was Tom Veellers (Argos-Shimano) who set the ball rolling. The Tour had finally started.

A number of early pacesetters came and went until Brett Lancaster posted the first serious time of the day with a time of 7:24. The GreenEdge rider was edged out by Sky’s Edvald Boasson Hagen but it wasn’t long before Chavanel was on the road.

The Frenchman has improved greatly against the clock in the last twelve months – something he has put down to overcoming a longstanding back problem – and had already won the time trial in De Panne this spring. Along the Liège course he married power with precision, dancing through the few corners in the tricolore of France.

It looked like an unlikely winner could be crowned when he crossed the line in 7:20 and when Philippe Gilbert, David Millar and Andreas Klöden all failed topple the Omega Pharma-QuickStep rider, France dreamed of their first opening day win since Jacky Durand in 1994.

Chavanel took his seat at the finish, French television glued to his every facial expression as rider after rider came over the line. Peter Sagan (Liquigas) who many pundits had fancied as a potential winner stormed out of the blocks but he paid for his enthusiasm, pulling his foot out on one of two roundabouts, and losing 17 seconds by the finish.

Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) came close, two seconds down but Tony Martin, resplendent in his rainbow bands looked to be the biggest threat. A teammate of Chavanel he drew level with the Frenchman at the first time check but a bike change disrupted his rhythm and cost the German vital seconds. The cameras remained glued to Chavanel.

Now it was down to Wiggins, grimacing with intent as he left the start house. Two years ago the Sky leader paid for his caution in the opening Tour ride through Rotterdam and at the first time check it looked as though a repeat performance was in store, with tenth place at the first time check.

But Wiggins isn’t the Tour favourite without reason, and on the return leg the former pursuit rider showed his form and quality, overhauling Chavanel – who cracked a smile at least – and moving into provisional yellow. By now Cancellara was waiting for the countdown to his depart, but perhaps more importantly Evans was moving towards the start house. It’s unknown if he knew that Wiggins was leading.

At the first time check, Cancellara was faster than Chavanel by a mere second and with Evans on the road it became a three-way battle for the race’s first yellow jersey. Yet by the line Cancellara had stomped his authority on the race’s first skirmish.

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Full Results
1Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan0:07:13
2Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling0:00:07
3Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-QuickStepRow 2 - Cell 2
4Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team0:00:10
5Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling0:00:11
6Brett Lancaster (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 5 - Cell 2
7Patrick Gretsch (Ger) Argos - Shimano0:00:12
8Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team0:00:13
9Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing TeamRow 8 - Cell 2
10Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Astana Pro Team0:00:15
11Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling0:00:16
12Peter Velits (Svk) Omega Pharma-QuickStep0:00:17
13Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing TeamRow 12 - Cell 2
14Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale0:00:18
15Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - SharpRow 14 - Cell 2
16David Millar (GBr) Garmin - SharpRow 15 - Cell 2
17Stephen Cummings (GBr) BMC Racing TeamRow 16 - Cell 2
18Jens Voigt (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan0:00:19
19Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack-NissanRow 18 - Cell 2
20Nick Nuyens (Bel) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank0:00:20
21Michael Albasini (Swi) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 20 - Cell 2
22George Hincapie (USA) BMC Racing TeamRow 21 - Cell 2
23Greg Henderson (NZl) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 22 - Cell 2
24Lieuwe Westra (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 23 - Cell 2
25Marcel Kittel (Ger) Argos - Shimano0:00:21
26Ruben Plaza Molina (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 25 - Cell 2
27Christian Knees (Ger) Sky ProcyclingRow 26 - Cell 2
28Bauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 27 - Cell 2
29Matthieu Ladagnous (Fra) FDJ-Big MatRow 28 - Cell 2
30Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - SharpRow 29 - Cell 2
31Maxime Monfort (Bel) RadioShack-Nissan0:00:22
32Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana Pro TeamRow 31 - Cell 2
33Kristijan Koren (Slo) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 32 - Cell 2
34Daryl Impey (RSA) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 33 - Cell 2
35Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - SharpRow 34 - Cell 2
36Richie Porte (Aus) Sky ProcyclingRow 35 - Cell 2
37Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRow 36 - Cell 2
38Jérémy Roy (Fra) FDJ-Big MatRow 37 - Cell 2
39Sebastian Langeveld (Ned) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 38 - Cell 2
40Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi0:00:23
41Mark Cavendish (GBr) Sky ProcyclingRow 40 - Cell 2
42Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 41 - Cell 2
43André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 42 - Cell 2
44Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 43 - Cell 2
45Tony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-QuickStepRow 44 - Cell 2
46Marco Marcato (Ita) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 45 - Cell 2
47Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Katusha Team0:00:24
48Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ-Big MatRow 47 - Cell 2
49Gustav Larsson (Swe) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 48 - Cell 2
50Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) RadioShack-NissanRow 49 - Cell 2
51Michael Morkov (Den) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff BankRow 50 - Cell 2
52Wout Poels (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 51 - Cell 2
53Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 52 - Cell 2
54Sergio Miguel Moreira Paulinho (Por) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff BankRow 53 - Cell 2
55Daniel Martin (Irl) Garmin - SharpRow 54 - Cell 2
56Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale0:00:25
57Vasili Kiryienka (Blr) Movistar TeamRow 56 - Cell 2
58Cyril Lemoine (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 57 - Cell 2
59Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por) Movistar TeamRow 58 - Cell 2
60Pieter Weening (Ned) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 59 - Cell 2
61Michael Rogers (Aus) Sky ProcyclingRow 60 - Cell 2
62Jerome Coppel (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 61 - Cell 2
63Kanstantsin Sivtsov (Blr) Sky ProcyclingRow 62 - Cell 2
64Bram Tankink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 63 - Cell 2
65Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team0:00:26
66Alexandr Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamRow 65 - Cell 2
67José Ivan Gutierrez Palacios (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 66 - Cell 2
68Alessandro Vanotti (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 67 - Cell 2
69David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - SharpRow 68 - Cell 2
70Bert Grabsch (Ger) Omega Pharma-QuickStepRow 69 - Cell 2
71Fredrik Kessiakoff (Swe) Astana Pro TeamRow 70 - Cell 2
72Koen De Kort (Ned) Argos - Shimano0:00:27
73Anthony Roux (Fra) FDJ-Big MatRow 72 - Cell 2
74Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 73 - Cell 2
75Blel Kadri (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale0:00:28
76Daniel Oss (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 75 - Cell 2
77Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 76 - Cell 2
78Danilo Hondo (Ger) Lampre - ISDRow 77 - Cell 2
79Adam Hansen (Aus) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 78 - Cell 2
80Levi Leipheimer (USA) Omega Pharma-QuickStepRow 79 - Cell 2
81Manuel Quinziato (Ita) BMC Racing TeamRow 80 - Cell 2
82Marcel Sieberg (Ger) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 81 - Cell 2
83Tony Gallopin (Fra) RadioShack-Nissan0:00:29
84Simon Gerrans (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 83 - Cell 2
85Christophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 84 - Cell 2
86Dries Devenyns (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickStepRow 85 - Cell 2
87Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 86 - Cell 2
88Sandy Casar (Fra) FDJ-Big MatRow 87 - Cell 2
89Michael Schär (Swi) BMC Racing TeamRow 88 - Cell 2
90Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 89 - Cell 2
91Johan Vansummeren (Bel) Garmin - Sharp0:00:30
92Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 91 - Cell 2
93Maarten Tjallingii (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 92 - Cell 2
94Amaël Moinard (Fra) BMC Racing TeamRow 93 - Cell 2
95Maarten Wynants (Bel) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 94 - Cell 2
96Jan Ghyselinck (Bel) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:31
97Maxime Bouet (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 96 - Cell 2
98Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Movistar TeamRow 97 - Cell 2
99Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Omega Pharma-QuickStepRow 98 - Cell 2
100Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin - SharpRow 99 - Cell 2
101Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Sky Procycling0:00:32
102Maxim Iglinskiy (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamRow 101 - Cell 2
103Rob Ruijgh (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 102 - Cell 2
104Imanol Erviti Ollo (Spa) Movistar Team0:00:33
105Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 104 - Cell 2
106Robert Hunter (RSA) Garmin - SharpRow 105 - Cell 2
107Gorka Izagirre Insausti (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 106 - Cell 2
108Nicki Sörensen (Den) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff BankRow 107 - Cell 2
109Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 108 - Cell 2
110Tom Veelers (Ned) Argos - Shimano0:00:34
111Albert Timmer (Ned) Argos - ShimanoRow 110 - Cell 2
112Juan José Haedo (Arg) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff BankRow 111 - Cell 2
113Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack-NissanRow 112 - Cell 2
114Sylvester Szmyd (Pol) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 113 - Cell 2
115Arthur Vichot (Fra) FDJ-Big MatRow 114 - Cell 2
116Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team0:00:35
117Pablo Urtasun Perez (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 116 - Cell 2
118Laurens Ten Dam (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 117 - Cell 2
119Eduard Vorganov (Rus) Katusha TeamRow 118 - Cell 2
120Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Katusha Team0:00:36
121Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) RadioShack-NissanRow 120 - Cell 2
122Christophe Kern (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 121 - Cell 2
123Jimmy Engoulvent (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 122 - Cell 2
124Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre - ISDRow 123 - Cell 2
125Dmitriy Fofonov (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamRow 124 - Cell 2
126Martin Velits (Svk) Omega Pharma-QuickStepRow 125 - Cell 2
127Lars Ytting Bak (Den) Lotto Belisol Team0:00:37
128Dominik Nerz (Ger) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 127 - Cell 2
129Michele Scarponi (Ita) Lampre - ISDRow 128 - Cell 2
130Kevin De Weert (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickStepRow 129 - Cell 2
131Yann Huguet (Fra) Argos - ShimanoRow 130 - Cell 2
132Jonathan Cantwell (Aus) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff BankRow 131 - Cell 2
133Luca Paolini (Ita) Katusha Team0:00:38
134Yukiya Arashiro (Jpn) Team EuropcarRow 133 - Cell 2
135Borut Bozic (Slo) Astana Pro TeamRow 134 - Cell 2
136Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-NissanRow 135 - Cell 2
137Sébastien Minard (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 136 - Cell 2
138Chris Anker Sörensen (Den) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff BankRow 137 - Cell 2
139David Moncoutie (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:39
140Kris Boeckmans (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 139 - Cell 2
141Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamRow 140 - Cell 2
142Baden Cooke (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 141 - Cell 2
143Johannes Fröhlinger (Ger) Argos - Shimano0:00:40
144Karsten Kroon (Ned) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff BankRow 143 - Cell 2
145Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 144 - Cell 2
146Anthony Delaplace (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 145 - Cell 2
147Jelle Vanendert (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 146 - Cell 2
148Fabrice Jeandesboz (Fra) Saur - Sojasun0:00:41
149Jorge Azanza Soto (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 148 - Cell 2
150Brice Feillu (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 149 - Cell 2
151Yury Trofimov (Rus) Katusha Team0:00:42
152Robert Kiserlovski (Cro) Astana Pro TeamRow 151 - Cell 2
153Joan Horrach Rippoll (Spa) Katusha TeamRow 152 - Cell 2
154Aliaksandr Kuchynski (Blr) Katusha TeamRow 153 - Cell 2
155Francis De Greef (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 154 - Cell 2
156Federico Canuti (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale0:00:43
157Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) FDJ-Big MatRow 156 - Cell 2
158Kenny Robert Van Hummel (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 157 - Cell 2
159Mark Renshaw (Aus) Rabobank Cycling Team0:00:44
160Hubert Dupont (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 159 - Cell 2
161Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 160 - Cell 2
162Rafael Valls Ferri (Spa) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 161 - Cell 2
163Yohann Gene (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 162 - Cell 2
164Julien Fouchard (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRow 163 - Cell 2
165Matthieu Sprick (Fra) Argos - Shimano0:00:45
166Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 165 - Cell 2
167Sébastien Hinault (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 166 - Cell 2
168Giovanni Bernaudeau (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 167 - Cell 2
169Jurgen Roelandts (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 168 - Cell 2
170Simone Stortoni (Ita) Lampre - ISDRow 169 - Cell 2
171Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:46
172Julien Simon (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 171 - Cell 2
173Davide Malacarne (Ita) Team EuropcarRow 172 - Cell 2
174Cyril Gautier (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 173 - Cell 2
175Rémy Di Gregorio (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:47
176Johnny Hoogerland (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 175 - Cell 2
177Nicolas Edet (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRow 176 - Cell 2
178Romain Zingle (Bel) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:48
179Marcus Burghardt (Ger) BMC Racing Team0:00:49
180Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) FDJ-Big MatRow 179 - Cell 2
181Cédric Pineau (Fra) FDJ-Big Mat0:00:50
182Yuriy Krivtsov (Fra) Lampre - ISDRow 181 - Cell 2
183Egoi Martinez De Esteban (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 182 - Cell 2
184Guillaume Levarlet (Fra) Saur - Sojasun0:00:51
185Grega Bole (Slo) Lampre - ISD0:00:52
186Amets Txurruka (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 185 - Cell 2
187Marco Marzano (Ita) Lampre - ISDRow 186 - Cell 2
188Giampaolo Caruso (Ita) Katusha Team0:00:55
189Vincent Jerome (Fra) Team Europcar0:00:57
190Luis Angel Mate Mardones (Spa) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRow 189 - Cell 2
191Gorka Verdugo Marcotegui (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi0:01:01
192Jean Marc Marino (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 191 - Cell 2
193Davide Vigano (Ita) Lampre - ISD0:01:02
194Ruben Perez Moreno (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 193 - Cell 2
195Anders Lund (Den) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank0:01:03
196Matthew Lloyd (Aus) Lampre - ISD0:01:05
197Mikael Cherel (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale0:01:06
198Roy Curvers (Ned) Argos - ShimanoRow 197 - Cell 2
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Points
1Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan20pts
2Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling17Row 1 - Cell 3
3Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-QuickStep15Row 2 - Cell 3
4Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team13Row 3 - Cell 3
5Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling11Row 4 - Cell 3
6Brett Lancaster (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team10Row 5 - Cell 3
7Patrick Gretsch (Ger) Argos - Shimano9Row 6 - Cell 3
8Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team8Row 7 - Cell 3
9Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing Team7Row 8 - Cell 3
10Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Astana Pro Team6Row 9 - Cell 3
11Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling5Row 10 - Cell 3
12Peter Velits (Svk) Omega Pharma-QuickStep4Row 11 - Cell 3
13Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team3Row 12 - Cell 3
14Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale2Row 13 - Cell 3
15Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Sharp1Row 14 - Cell 3
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Young riders
1Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team0:07:23
2Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling0:00:01
3Patrick Gretsch (Ger) Argos - Shimano0:00:02
4Marcel Kittel (Ger) Argos - Shimano0:00:11
5Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:12
6Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ-Big Mat0:00:14
7Wout Poels (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 6 - Cell 2
8Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 7 - Cell 2
9Anthony Roux (Fra) FDJ-Big Mat0:00:17
10Daniel Oss (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale0:00:18
11Tony Gallopin (Fra) RadioShack-Nissan0:00:19
12Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team0:00:20
13Jan Ghyselinck (Bel) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:21
14Gorka Izagirre Insausti (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi0:00:23
15Arthur Vichot (Fra) FDJ-Big Mat0:00:24
16Dominik Nerz (Ger) Liquigas-Cannondale0:00:27
17Kris Boeckmans (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team0:00:29
18Anthony Delaplace (Fra) Saur - Sojasun0:00:30
19Rafael Valls Ferri (Spa) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team0:00:34
20Davide Malacarne (Ita) Team Europcar0:00:36
21Cyril Gautier (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 20 - Cell 2
22Nicolas Edet (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:37
23Romain Zingle (Bel) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:38
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Teams
1Sky Procycling0:22:13
2RadioShack-Nissan0:00:04
3BMC Racing Team0:00:06
4Omega Pharma-Quick Step0:00:13
5Orica Greenedge Cycling Team0:00:19
6Garmin-Sharp0:00:23
7Team Argos-Shimano0:00:26
8Astana Pro Team0:00:29
9Liquigas-Cannondale0:00:30
10FDJ-Big Mat0:00:33
11Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 10 - Cell 2
12Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank0:00:34
13Movistar Team0:00:37
14Lotto-Belisol TeamRow 13 - Cell 2
15Rabobank Cycling Team0:00:38
16Katusha TeamRow 15 - Cell 2
17Ag2R La Mondiale0:00:42
18Saur-Sojasun0:00:52
19Euskaltel - Euskadi0:00:57
20Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne0:00:58
21Lampre - ISD0:01:07
22Team Europcar0:01:13
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General classification after prologue
1Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan0:07:13
2Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling0:00:07
3Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-QuickStepRow 2 - Cell 2
4Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team0:00:10
5Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling0:00:11
6Brett Lancaster (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 5 - Cell 2
7Patrick Gretsch (Ger) Argos - Shimano0:00:12
8Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team0:00:13
9Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing TeamRow 8 - Cell 2
10Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Astana Pro Team0:00:15
11Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling0:00:16
12Peter Velits (Svk) Omega Pharma-QuickStep0:00:17
13Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing TeamRow 12 - Cell 2
14Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale0:00:18
15Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - SharpRow 14 - Cell 2
16David Millar (GBr) Garmin - SharpRow 15 - Cell 2
17Stephen Cummings (GBr) BMC Racing TeamRow 16 - Cell 2
18Jens Voigt (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan0:00:19
19Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack-NissanRow 18 - Cell 2
20Nick Nuyens (Bel) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank0:00:20
21Michael Albasini (Swi) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 20 - Cell 2
22George Hincapie (USA) BMC Racing TeamRow 21 - Cell 2
23Greg Henderson (NZl) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 22 - Cell 2
24Lieuwe Westra (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 23 - Cell 2
25Marcel Kittel (Ger) Argos - Shimano0:00:21
26Ruben Plaza Molina (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 25 - Cell 2
27Christian Knees (Ger) Sky ProcyclingRow 26 - Cell 2
28Bauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 27 - Cell 2
29Matthieu Ladagnous (Fra) FDJ-Big MatRow 28 - Cell 2
30Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - SharpRow 29 - Cell 2
31Maxime Monfort (Bel) RadioShack-Nissan0:00:22
32Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana Pro TeamRow 31 - Cell 2
33Kristijan Koren (Slo) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 32 - Cell 2
34Daryl Impey (RSA) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 33 - Cell 2
35Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - SharpRow 34 - Cell 2
36Richie Porte (Aus) Sky ProcyclingRow 35 - Cell 2
37Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRow 36 - Cell 2
38Jérémy Roy (Fra) FDJ-Big MatRow 37 - Cell 2
39Sebastian Langeveld (Ned) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 38 - Cell 2
40Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi0:00:23
41Mark Cavendish (GBr) Sky ProcyclingRow 40 - Cell 2
42Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 41 - Cell 2
43André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 42 - Cell 2
44Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 43 - Cell 2
45Tony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-QuickStepRow 44 - Cell 2
46Marco Marcato (Ita) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 45 - Cell 2
47Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Katusha Team0:00:24
48Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ-Big MatRow 47 - Cell 2
49Gustav Larsson (Swe) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 48 - Cell 2
50Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) RadioShack-NissanRow 49 - Cell 2
51Michael Morkov (Den) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff BankRow 50 - Cell 2
52Wout Poels (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 51 - Cell 2
53Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 52 - Cell 2
54Sergio Miguel Moreira Paulinho (Por) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff BankRow 53 - Cell 2
55Daniel Martin (Irl) Garmin - SharpRow 54 - Cell 2
56Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale0:00:25
57Vasili Kiryienka (Blr) Movistar TeamRow 56 - Cell 2
58Cyril Lemoine (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 57 - Cell 2
59Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por) Movistar TeamRow 58 - Cell 2
60Pieter Weening (Ned) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 59 - Cell 2
61Michael Rogers (Aus) Sky ProcyclingRow 60 - Cell 2
62Jerome Coppel (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 61 - Cell 2
63Kanstantsin Sivtsov (Blr) Sky ProcyclingRow 62 - Cell 2
64Bram Tankink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 63 - Cell 2
65Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team0:00:26
66Alexandr Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamRow 65 - Cell 2
67José Ivan Gutierrez Palacios (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 66 - Cell 2
68Alessandro Vanotti (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 67 - Cell 2
69David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - SharpRow 68 - Cell 2
70Bert Grabsch (Ger) Omega Pharma-QuickStepRow 69 - Cell 2
71Fredrik Kessiakoff (Swe) Astana Pro TeamRow 70 - Cell 2
72Koen De Kort (Ned) Argos - Shimano0:00:27
73Anthony Roux (Fra) FDJ-Big MatRow 72 - Cell 2
74Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 73 - Cell 2
75Blel Kadri (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale0:00:28
76Daniel Oss (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 75 - Cell 2
77Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 76 - Cell 2
78Danilo Hondo (Ger) Lampre - ISDRow 77 - Cell 2
79Adam Hansen (Aus) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 78 - Cell 2
80Levi Leipheimer (USA) Omega Pharma-QuickStepRow 79 - Cell 2
81Manuel Quinziato (Ita) BMC Racing TeamRow 80 - Cell 2
82Marcel Sieberg (Ger) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 81 - Cell 2
83Tony Gallopin (Fra) RadioShack-Nissan0:00:29
84Simon Gerrans (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 83 - Cell 2
85Christophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 84 - Cell 2
86Dries Devenyns (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickStepRow 85 - Cell 2
87Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 86 - Cell 2
88Sandy Casar (Fra) FDJ-Big MatRow 87 - Cell 2
89Michael Schär (Swi) BMC Racing TeamRow 88 - Cell 2
90Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 89 - Cell 2
91Johan Vansummeren (Bel) Garmin - Sharp0:00:30
92Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 91 - Cell 2
93Maarten Tjallingii (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 92 - Cell 2
94Amaël Moinard (Fra) BMC Racing TeamRow 93 - Cell 2
95Maarten Wynants (Bel) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 94 - Cell 2
96Jan Ghyselinck (Bel) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:31
97Maxime Bouet (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 96 - Cell 2
98Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Movistar TeamRow 97 - Cell 2
99Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Omega Pharma-QuickStepRow 98 - Cell 2
100Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin - SharpRow 99 - Cell 2
101Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Sky Procycling0:00:32
102Maxim Iglinskiy (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamRow 101 - Cell 2
103Rob Ruijgh (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 102 - Cell 2
104Imanol Erviti Ollo (Spa) Movistar Team0:00:33
105Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 104 - Cell 2
106Robert Hunter (RSA) Garmin - SharpRow 105 - Cell 2
107Gorka Izagirre Insausti (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 106 - Cell 2
108Nicki Sörensen (Den) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff BankRow 107 - Cell 2
109Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 108 - Cell 2
110Tom Veelers (Ned) Argos - Shimano0:00:34
111Albert Timmer (Ned) Argos - ShimanoRow 110 - Cell 2
112Juan José Haedo (Arg) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff BankRow 111 - Cell 2
113Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack-NissanRow 112 - Cell 2
114Sylvester Szmyd (Pol) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 113 - Cell 2
115Arthur Vichot (Fra) FDJ-Big MatRow 114 - Cell 2
116Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team0:00:35
117Pablo Urtasun Perez (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 116 - Cell 2
118Laurens Ten Dam (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 117 - Cell 2
119Eduard Vorganov (Rus) Katusha TeamRow 118 - Cell 2
120Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Katusha Team0:00:36
121Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) RadioShack-NissanRow 120 - Cell 2
122Christophe Kern (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 121 - Cell 2
123Jimmy Engoulvent (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 122 - Cell 2
124Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre - ISDRow 123 - Cell 2
125Dmitriy Fofonov (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamRow 124 - Cell 2
126Martin Velits (Svk) Omega Pharma-QuickStepRow 125 - Cell 2
127Lars Ytting Bak (Den) Lotto Belisol Team0:00:37
128Dominik Nerz (Ger) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 127 - Cell 2
129Michele Scarponi (Ita) Lampre - ISDRow 128 - Cell 2
130Kevin De Weert (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickStepRow 129 - Cell 2
131Yann Huguet (Fra) Argos - ShimanoRow 130 - Cell 2
132Jonathan Cantwell (Aus) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff BankRow 131 - Cell 2
133Luca Paolini (Ita) Katusha Team0:00:38
134Yukiya Arashiro (Jpn) Team EuropcarRow 133 - Cell 2
135Borut Bozic (Slo) Astana Pro TeamRow 134 - Cell 2
136Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-NissanRow 135 - Cell 2
137Sébastien Minard (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 136 - Cell 2
138Chris Anker Sörensen (Den) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff BankRow 137 - Cell 2
139David Moncoutie (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:39
140Kris Boeckmans (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 139 - Cell 2
141Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamRow 140 - Cell 2
142Baden Cooke (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling TeamRow 141 - Cell 2
143Johannes Fröhlinger (Ger) Argos - Shimano0:00:40
144Karsten Kroon (Ned) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff BankRow 143 - Cell 2
145Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 144 - Cell 2
146Anthony Delaplace (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 145 - Cell 2
147Jelle Vanendert (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 146 - Cell 2
148Fabrice Jeandesboz (Fra) Saur - Sojasun0:00:41
149Jorge Azanza Soto (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 148 - Cell 2
150Brice Feillu (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 149 - Cell 2
151Yury Trofimov (Rus) Katusha Team0:00:42
152Robert Kiserlovski (Cro) Astana Pro TeamRow 151 - Cell 2
153Joan Horrach Rippoll (Spa) Katusha TeamRow 152 - Cell 2
154Aliaksandr Kuchynski (Blr) Katusha TeamRow 153 - Cell 2
155Francis De Greef (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 154 - Cell 2
156Federico Canuti (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale0:00:43
157Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) FDJ-Big MatRow 156 - Cell 2
158Kenny Robert Van Hummel (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 157 - Cell 2
159Mark Renshaw (Aus) Rabobank Cycling Team0:00:44
160Hubert Dupont (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 159 - Cell 2
161Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 160 - Cell 2
162Rafael Valls Ferri (Spa) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 161 - Cell 2
163Yohann Gene (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 162 - Cell 2
164Julien Fouchard (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRow 163 - Cell 2
165Matthieu Sprick (Fra) Argos - Shimano0:00:45
166Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 165 - Cell 2
167Sébastien Hinault (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 166 - Cell 2
168Giovanni Bernaudeau (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 167 - Cell 2
169Jurgen Roelandts (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 168 - Cell 2
170Simone Stortoni (Ita) Lampre - ISDRow 169 - Cell 2
171Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:46
172Julien Simon (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 171 - Cell 2
173Davide Malacarne (Ita) Team EuropcarRow 172 - Cell 2
174Cyril Gautier (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 173 - Cell 2
175Rémy Di Gregorio (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:47
176Johnny Hoogerland (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 175 - Cell 2
177Nicolas Edet (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRow 176 - Cell 2
178Romain Zingle (Bel) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:48
179Marcus Burghardt (Ger) BMC Racing Team0:00:49
180Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) FDJ-Big MatRow 179 - Cell 2
181Cédric Pineau (Fra) FDJ-Big Mat0:00:50
182Yuriy Krivtsov (Fra) Lampre - ISDRow 181 - Cell 2
183Egoi Martinez De Esteban (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 182 - Cell 2
184Guillaume Levarlet (Fra) Saur - Sojasun0:00:51
185Grega Bole (Slo) Lampre - ISD0:00:52
186Amets Txurruka (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 185 - Cell 2
187Marco Marzano (Ita) Lampre - ISDRow 186 - Cell 2
188Giampaolo Caruso (Ita) Katusha Team0:00:55
189Vincent Jerome (Fra) Team Europcar0:00:57
190Luis Angel Mate Mardones (Spa) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRow 189 - Cell 2
191Gorka Verdugo Marcotegui (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi0:01:01
192Jean Marc Marino (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 191 - Cell 2
193Davide Vigano (Ita) Lampre - ISD0:01:02
194Ruben Perez Moreno (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 193 - Cell 2
195Anders Lund (Den) Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank0:01:03
196Matthew Lloyd (Aus) Lampre - ISD0:01:05
197Mikael Cherel (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale0:01:06
198Roy Curvers (Ned) Argos - ShimanoRow 197 - Cell 2
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Points classification
1Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan20pts
2Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling17Row 1 - Cell 3
3Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-QuickStep15Row 2 - Cell 3
4Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team13Row 3 - Cell 3
5Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling11Row 4 - Cell 3
6Brett Lancaster (Aus) Orica GreenEdge Cycling Team10Row 5 - Cell 3
7Patrick Gretsch (Ger) Argos - Shimano9Row 6 - Cell 3
8Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team8Row 7 - Cell 3
9Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing Team7Row 8 - Cell 3
10Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Astana Pro Team6Row 9 - Cell 3
11Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling5Row 10 - Cell 3
12Peter Velits (Svk) Omega Pharma-QuickStep4Row 11 - Cell 3
13Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team3Row 12 - Cell 3
14Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale2Row 13 - Cell 3
15Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Sharp1Row 14 - Cell 3
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Young riders classification
1Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team0:07:23
2Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling0:00:01
3Patrick Gretsch (Ger) Argos - Shimano0:00:02
4Marcel Kittel (Ger) Argos - Shimano0:00:11
5Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:12
6Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ-Big Mat0:00:14
7Wout Poels (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 6 - Cell 2
8Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 7 - Cell 2
9Anthony Roux (Fra) FDJ-Big Mat0:00:17
10Daniel Oss (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale0:00:18
11Tony Gallopin (Fra) RadioShack-Nissan0:00:19
12Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team0:00:20
13Jan Ghyselinck (Bel) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:21
14Gorka Izagirre Insausti (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi0:00:23
15Arthur Vichot (Fra) FDJ-Big Mat0:00:24
16Dominik Nerz (Ger) Liquigas-Cannondale0:00:27
17Kris Boeckmans (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team0:00:29
18Anthony Delaplace (Fra) Saur - Sojasun0:00:30
19Rafael Valls Ferri (Spa) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team0:00:34
20Davide Malacarne (Ita) Team Europcar0:00:36
21Cyril Gautier (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 20 - Cell 2
22Nicolas Edet (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:37
23Romain Zingle (Bel) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne0:00:38
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Teams classification
1Sky Procycling0:22:13
2RadioShack-Nissan0:00:04
3BMC Racing Team0:00:06
4Omega Pharma-Quick Step0:00:13
5Orica Greenedge Cycling Team0:00:19
6Garmin-Sharp0:00:23
7Team Argos-Shimano0:00:26
8Astana Pro Team0:00:29
9Liquigas-Cannondale0:00:30
10FDJ-Big Mat0:00:33
11Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 10 - Cell 2
12Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank0:00:34
13Movistar Team0:00:37
14Lotto-Belisol TeamRow 13 - Cell 2
15Rabobank Cycling Team0:00:38
16Katusha TeamRow 15 - Cell 2
17Ag2R La Mondiale0:00:42
18Saur-Sojasun0:00:52
19Euskaltel - Euskadi0:00:57
20Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne0:00:58
21Lampre - ISD0:01:07
22Team Europcar0:01:13

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Daniel Benson

Daniel Benson was the Editor in Chief at Cyclingnews.com between 2008 and 2022. Based in the UK, he joined the Cyclingnews team in 2008 as the site's first UK-based Managing Editor. In that time, he reported on over a dozen editions of the Tour de France, several World Championships, the Tour Down Under, Spring Classics, and the London 2012 Olympic Games. With the help of the excellent editorial team, he ran the coverage on Cyclingnews and has interviewed leading figures in the sport including UCI Presidents and Tour de France winners.

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