Farrar repeats at Vattenfall Cyclassics
American sprinter outkicks Boasson Hagen, Greipel
Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Transitions) showed he has fully recovered from his Tour de France fractures and is set for a strong second part of the season by taking a repeat victory at the Vattenfall Cyclassics race in Hamburg.
Nobody has ever won back-to-back versions of the German ProTour race during its 15-year history but Farrar again got some special help from teammate Julian Dean and had the speed to come past Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky) and Andrei Greipel (HTC-Columbia) to win the sprint. Norway’s Alexander Kristoff (BMC) was fourth and Australia’s Allan Davis (Astana) completed the top five.
Boasson Hagen was given a great lead-out from Team Sky in the final two kilometres but perhaps went a little early. He tried to hold his speed and threw his bike at the line but Farrar was faster and put his arms up in celebration. He knew he had got it.
“It’s amazing to have won again,” Farrar said.
“It always takes a lot of luck to win a one-day race like Vattenfall. To have that luck for two years in a row it’s nice for me. I love this race. It’s kind of the perfect for me, for my characteristics."
Farrar’s painful injuries at the Tour de France are now a rapidly fading memory. And like most of the best sprinters in the world, Farrar will ride the Vuelta a España as preparation for a shot at the world road race championships in Melbourne, Australia, on October 3.
“I had a rough month with injuries at the Tour de France because I broke my wrist. To come back and win again makes me feel like things are on the right track. I’ll ride a few more one-days and then the Vuelta and the world championships. They’re the important ones for me,” he said.
Five rider breakaway
The 216.6km race began with a long loop into the Hamburg countryside before the traditional circuits that include the testing and leg burning Waseberg climb through the trees.
The peloton seemed to enjoy the ride in the cool but dry conditions and allowed the early breakaway of Nikolai Trusov (Katusha), Sebastian Lang (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Gatis Smukulis (Ag2r-La Mondiale), Anthony Geslin (Francaise des Jeux) and Robin Chaigneau (Skil-Shimano) to gain a massive lead of 16:30.
After 120km of riding the peloton finally awoke and began to chase but the five fought on and were first to the top of the Waseberg, with the gap still 7:45 with 65km to go. The peloton, and especially the sprinters’ teams, knew they would have to chase hard if they wanted to catch them but it was going to be close.
Fortunately the Waseberg slowed the break and eventually split it on the penultimate time up through the trees.
Trusov was the first to attack and he was joined by Smukulis and Geslin. They had a lead of 2:50 with 30km to go but Garmin-Transitions, Team Sky, Lampre-Farnese Vini and home team Milram all put riders on the front and the gap began to come down rapidly.
Rain on some parts of the course worried the sprinters but they raced on, fighting for position in the bunch before the last climb of the Waseberg. The climb only lasts 700 metres but has a section at 15% and it is vital to be near the front to try and save your legs for the sprint.
The likes of Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and Filippo Pozzato (Katusha) did not want a bunch sprint finish and attacked over the top of the climb. They got a gap but were joined by the very young but very talented Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Doimo). He was riding for Daniele Bennati and so refused to contribute greatly to the attack, meaning the bunch was rapidly back together. It was a clear signal the race would end in a sprint.
Up front the breakaway also faded and lost speed after the Waseberg. A couple of huge turns by Fabian Cancellara brought the trio into view and they were eventually swept up with eight kilometres to go.
Gerben Löwik (Francaise des Jeux) and then the duo of Martin Elmiger (Ag2r-La Mondiale) and Christian Knees (Milram) tried to break away but the sprinters could feel victory was in their grasp and neutralised their escapes.
Rain made the final kilometres dangerous and Quick Step’s Wouter Weylandts took a tumble but somehow everyone else stayed up and it was dry in the centre of Hamburg.
Lampre, Team Sky, Garmin-Transitions, Rabobank and Liquigas-Doimo all fought for the front in the final five kilometres but nobody wanted to take control of the sprint. With two kilometres to go, Team Sky decided to make their move riding to set up Boasson Hagen. Everyone else fought for position on Boasson Hagen’s wheel, knowing that the road was wide and fast in the final 500 metres.
Boasson Hagen hit out early and looked fast with 300 metres to go but he went a little bit early. He faded and his rivals pounced. Farrar went around the outside of the young Norwegian and was clearly faster, while Greipel tried to sneak through on the left, hoping the shorter inside line would open up for him. Farrar was the fastest though, while Greipel was stuck between the barriers and Boasson Hagen.
At the line it was close as all three threw their bikes, but Farrar was the first to celebrate, knowing he had won again and taken a special repeat victory.
Next stop is the Vuelta for sprints against Mark Cavendish and then the big end of season showdown at the world championships.
1 | Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Transitions | 5:02:36 |
2 | Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Professional Cycling Team | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
3 | André Greipel (Ger) Team HTC - Columbia | Row 2 - Cell 2 |
4 | Alexander Kristoff (Nor) BMC Racing Team | Row 3 - Cell 2 |
5 | Allan Davis (Aus) Astana | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
6 | Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo | Row 5 - Cell 2 |
7 | Thomas Leezer (Ned) Rabobank | Row 6 - Cell 2 |
8 | Enrique Mata (Spa) Footon-Servetto | Row 7 - Cell 2 |
9 | Sébastien Hinault (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale | Row 8 - Cell 2 |
10 | Marco Marcato (Ita) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team | Row 9 - Cell 2 |
11 | Yoann Offredo (Fra) Française Des Jeux | Row 10 - Cell 2 |
12 | Jurgen Roelandts (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto | Row 11 - Cell 2 |
13 | Frédéric Guesdon (Fra) Française Des Jeux | Row 12 - Cell 2 |
14 | Peter Wrolich (Aut) Team Milram | Row 13 - Cell 2 |
15 | Kevin Hulsmans (Bel) Quick Step | Row 14 - Cell 2 |
16 | Juan José Haedo (Arg) Team Saxo Bank | Row 15 - Cell 2 |
17 | Christopher Sutton (Aus) Sky Professional Cycling Team | Row 16 - Cell 2 |
18 | Mathew Hayman (Aus) Sky Professional Cycling Team | Row 17 - Cell 2 |
19 | Matthieu Ladagnous (Fra) Française Des Jeux | Row 18 - Cell 2 |
20 | Roy Curvers (Ned) Skil - Shimano | Row 19 - Cell 2 |
21 | Daryl Impey (RSA) Team Radioshack | Row 20 - Cell 2 |
22 | Sergey Lagutin (Uzb) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team | Row 21 - Cell 2 |
23 | Serguei Ivanov (Rus) Team Katusha | Row 22 - Cell 2 |
24 | Bram Tankink (Ned) Rabobank | Row 23 - Cell 2 |
25 | Pablo Lastras Garcia (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne | Row 24 - Cell 2 |
26 | Manuel Antonio Leal Cardoso (Por) Footon-Servetto | Row 25 - Cell 2 |
27 | Mirko Selvaggi (Ita) Astana | Row 26 - Cell 2 |
28 | Grégory Rast (Swi) Team Radioshack | Row 27 - Cell 2 |
29 | Alberto Ongarato (Ita) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team | Row 28 - Cell 2 |
30 | Gerben Mijnheer Löwik (Ned) Omega Pharma-Lotto | Row 29 - Cell 2 |
31 | Danilo Hondo (Ger) Lampre-Farnese Vini | Row 30 - Cell 2 |
32 | Alessandro Ballan (Ita) BMC Racing Team | Row 31 - Cell 2 |
33 | Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto | Row 32 - Cell 2 |
34 | Lloyd Mondory (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale | Row 33 - Cell 2 |
35 | Fabian Wegmann (Ger) Team Milram | Row 34 - Cell 2 |
36 | Lucas Sebastian Haedo (Arg) Team Saxo Bank | Row 35 - Cell 2 |
37 | Andrey Amador Bakkazakova (CRc) Caisse d'Epargne | Row 36 - Cell 2 |
38 | Paul Voss (Ger) Team Milram | Row 37 - Cell 2 |
39 | Gert Steegmans (Bel) Team Radioshack | Row 38 - Cell 2 |
40 | Marcel Sieberg (Ger) Team HTC - Columbia | Row 39 - Cell 2 |
41 | Inaki Isasi Flores (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi | Row 40 - Cell 2 |
42 | Lars Boom (Ned) Rabobank | 0:00:07 |
43 | Alberto Losada Alguacil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne | 0:00:08 |
44 | Kristijan Koren (Slo) Liquigas-Doimo | Row 43 - Cell 2 |
45 | Svein Tuft (Can) Garmin - Transitions | Row 44 - Cell 2 |
46 | Gianni Meersman (Bel) Française Des Jeux | Row 45 - Cell 2 |
47 | Maarten Tjallingii (Ned) Rabobank | Row 46 - Cell 2 |
48 | Matthew Busche (USA) Team Radioshack | 0:00:12 |
49 | Jens Voigt (Ger) Team Saxo Bank | Row 48 - Cell 2 |
50 | Mitchell Docker (Aus) Skil - Shimano | Row 49 - Cell 2 |
51 | Tomas Vaitkus (Ltu) Team Radioshack | Row 50 - Cell 2 |
52 | Xabier Zandio Echaide (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne | Row 51 - Cell 2 |
53 | Mickael Delage (Fra) Omega Pharma-Lotto | Row 52 - Cell 2 |
54 | Pavel Brutt (Rus) Team Katusha | Row 53 - Cell 2 |
55 | Grischa Niermann (Ger) Rabobank | Row 54 - Cell 2 |
56 | Enrico Gasparotto (Ita) Astana | Row 55 - Cell 2 |
57 | Martin Kohler (Swi) BMC Racing Team | Row 56 - Cell 2 |
58 | Ben Swift (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team | Row 57 - Cell 2 |
59 | Murilo Antonio Fischer (Bra) Garmin - Transitions | Row 58 - Cell 2 |
60 | Marcus Burghardt (Ger) BMC Racing Team | Row 59 - Cell 2 |
61 | Florian Stalder (Swi) BMC Racing Team | Row 60 - Cell 2 |
62 | Nick Nuyens (Bel) Rabobank | Row 61 - Cell 2 |
63 | Dominic Klemme (Ger) Team Saxo Bank | Row 62 - Cell 2 |
64 | Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Team Katusha | Row 63 - Cell 2 |
65 | Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini | Row 64 - Cell 2 |
66 | Matteo Tosatto (Ita) Quick Step | Row 65 - Cell 2 |
67 | Greg Henderson (NZl) Sky Professional Cycling Team | Row 66 - Cell 2 |
68 | Maarten Wynants (Bel) Quick Step | Row 67 - Cell 2 |
69 | Vasili Kiryienka (Blr) Caisse d'Epargne | Row 68 - Cell 2 |
70 | Sam Bewley (NZl) Team Radioshack | Row 69 - Cell 2 |
71 | Christian Knees (Ger) Team Milram | Row 70 - Cell 2 |
72 | Wesley Sulzberger (Aus) Française Des Jeux | Row 71 - Cell 2 |
73 | Joost Posthuma (Ned) Rabobank | Row 72 - Cell 2 |
74 | Angel Madrazo Ruiz (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne | Row 73 - Cell 2 |
75 | Igor Anton Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi | Row 74 - Cell 2 |
76 | Michal Golas (Pol) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team | Row 75 - Cell 2 |
77 | Martin Pedersen (Den) Footon-Servetto | Row 76 - Cell 2 |
78 | Elia Viviani (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo | 0:00:23 |
79 | Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Doimo | 0:00:27 |
80 | Jacopo Guarnieri (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo | Row 79 - Cell 2 |
81 | Mikel Nieve Ituralde (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi | Row 80 - Cell 2 |
82 | Björn Leukemans (Bel) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team | Row 81 - Cell 2 |
83 | Frederik Veuchelen (Bel) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team | Row 82 - Cell 2 |
84 | Lars Ytting Bak (Den) Team HTC - Columbia | Row 83 - Cell 2 |
85 | Gatis Smukulis (Lat) AG2R La Mondiale | Row 84 - Cell 2 |
86 | Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale | Row 85 - Cell 2 |
87 | Matthew Lloyd (Aus) Omega Pharma-Lotto | Row 86 - Cell 2 |
88 | Nikolay Trusov (Rus) Team Katusha | 0:01:21 |
89 | Mikael Cherel (Fra) Française Des Jeux | 0:01:27 |
90 | Koen De Kort (Ned) Skil - Shimano | Row 89 - Cell 2 |
91 | Simon Zahner (Swi) BMC Racing Team | 0:02:18 |
92 | Michel Kreder (Ned) Garmin - Transitions | Row 91 - Cell 2 |
93 | Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi | 0:02:25 |
94 | Juan Anto Flecha Giannoni (Spa) Sky Professional Cycling Team | 0:02:33 |
95 | Francis De Greef (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto | Row 94 - Cell 2 |
96 | Mario Aerts (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto | Row 95 - Cell 2 |
97 | Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank | Row 96 - Cell 2 |
98 | Anthony Geslin (Fra) Française Des Jeux | Row 97 - Cell 2 |
99 | Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) BMC Racing Team | 0:03:37 |
100 | Ian Stannard (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team | 0:03:54 |
101 | Michael Albasini (Swi) Team HTC - Columbia | 0:04:50 |
102 | Ruben Perez Moreno (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi | 0:05:20 |
103 | Koldo Fernandez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi | Row 102 - Cell 2 |
104 | Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne | Row 103 - Cell 2 |
105 | Tom Veelers (Ned) Skil - Shimano | Row 104 - Cell 2 |
106 | Vidal Celis Zabala (Spa) Footon-Servetto | Row 105 - Cell 2 |
107 | Markus Eibegger (Aut) Footon-Servetto | Row 106 - Cell 2 |
108 | Danilo Wyss (Swi) BMC Racing Team | Row 107 - Cell 2 |
109 | Mauro Da Dalto (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini | Row 108 - Cell 2 |
110 | Danilo Napolitano (Ita) Team Katusha | Row 109 - Cell 2 |
111 | David Deroo (Fra) Skil - Shimano | Row 110 - Cell 2 |
112 | Scott Davis (Aus) Astana | 0:05:28 |
113 | Andreas Stauff (Ger) Quick Step | 0:05:40 |
114 | Kevin Van Impe (Bel) Quick Step | 0:05:58 |
115 | Wouter Weylandt (Bel) Quick Step | 0:06:06 |
116 | Alan Perez Lezaun (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi | 0:06:15 |
117 | Vitaliy Buts (Ukr) Lampre-Farnese Vini | Row 116 - Cell 2 |
118 | Mirco Lorenzetto (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini | 0:09:33 |
119 | Robbie McEwen (Aus) Team Katusha | Row 118 - Cell 2 |
120 | Matteo Bono (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini | Row 119 - Cell 2 |
121 | Fabio Felline (Ita) Footon-Servetto | 0:09:39 |
122 | Sergey Renev (Kaz) Astana | 0:11:24 |
123 | Peter Velits (Svk) Team HTC - Columbia | Row 122 - Cell 2 |
124 | Simon Geschke (Ger) Skil - Shimano | Row 123 - Cell 2 |
125 | Sebastian Lang (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto | 0:11:32 |
126 | Daniel Oss (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo | Row 125 - Cell 2 |
127 | Martijn Maaskant (Ned) Garmin - Transitions | Row 126 - Cell 2 |
128 | Francesco Chicchi (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo | Row 127 - Cell 2 |
129 | Michele Merlo (Ita) Footon-Servetto | Row 128 - Cell 2 |
130 | Martin Velits (Svk) Team HTC - Columbia | Row 129 - Cell 2 |
131 | Maxim Gourov (Kaz) Astana | 0:13:00 |
132 | Yuriy Krivtsov (Ukr) AG2R La Mondiale | Row 131 - Cell 2 |
133 | Robin Chaigneau (Ned) Skil - Shimano | 0:16:17 |
DNF | Jack Bobridge (Aus) Garmin - Transitions | Row 133 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Julian Dean (NZl) Garmin - Transitions | Row 134 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Matthew Wilson (Aus) Garmin - Transitions | Row 135 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Matti Breschel (Den) Team Saxo Bank | Row 136 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Frank Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank | Row 137 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank | Row 138 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Gerald Ciolek (Ger) Team Milram | Row 139 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Markus Fothen (Ger) Team Milram | Row 140 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Linus Gerdemann (Ger) Team Milram | Row 141 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Luke Roberts (Aus) Team Milram | Row 142 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Valeriy Dmitriyev (Kaz) Astana | Row 143 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Valentin Iglinskiy (Kaz) Astana | Row 144 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Denis Galimzyanov (Rus) Team Katusha | Row 145 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Stijn Vandenbergh (Bel) Team Katusha | Row 146 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Frederik Willems (Bel) Liquigas-Doimo | Row 147 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Graeme Brown (Aus) Rabobank | Row 148 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Gert Dockx (Bel) Team HTC - Columbia | Row 149 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Team HTC - Columbia | Row 150 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Jason McCartney (USA) Team Radioshack | Row 151 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Bjorn Selander (USA) Team Radioshack | Row 152 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Juan Mau Soler Hernandez (Col) Caisse d'Epargne | Row 153 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Angelo Furlan (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini | Row 154 - Cell 2 |
DNF | David Loosli (Swi) Lampre-Farnese Vini | Row 155 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Aitor Hernandez Gutierrez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi | Row 156 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Davide Malacarne (Ita) Quick Step | Row 157 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Marco Velo (Ita) Quick Step | Row 158 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Kurt-Asle Arvesen (Nor) Sky Professional Cycling Team | Row 159 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Kristof Goddaert (Bel) AG2R La Mondiale | Row 160 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Rene Mandri (Est) AG2R La Mondiale | Row 161 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Alexander Efimkin (Rus) AG2R La Mondiale | Row 162 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Jérémy Roy (Fra) Française Des Jeux | Row 163 - Cell 2 |
DNF | David Vitoria (Swi) Footon-Servetto | Row 164 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Borut Bozic (Slo) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team | Row 165 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Jens Mouris (Ned) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team | Row 166 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Floris Goesinnen (Ned) Skil - Shimano | Row 167 - Cell 2 |
1 | Gatis Smukulis (Lat) AG2R La Mondiale | 3 | pts |
2 | Sebastian Lang (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto | 2 | Row 1 - Cell 3 |
3 | Anthony Geslin (Fra) Française Des Jeux | 1 | Row 2 - Cell 3 |
1 | Sebastian Lang (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto | 3 | pts |
2 | Anthony Geslin (Fra) Française Des Jeux | 2 | Row 1 - Cell 3 |
3 | Robin Chaigneau (Ned) Skil - Shimano | 1 | Row 2 - Cell 3 |
1 | Sebastian Lang (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto | 3 | pts |
2 | Anthony Geslin (Fra) Française Des Jeux | 2 | Row 1 - Cell 3 |
3 | Robin Chaigneau (Ned) Skil - Shimano | 1 | Row 2 - Cell 3 |
1 | Gatis Smukulis (Lat) AG2R La Mondiale | 3 | pts |
2 | Nikolay Trusov (Rus) Team Katusha | 2 | Row 1 - Cell 3 |
3 | Sebastian Lang (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto | 1 | Row 2 - Cell 3 |
1 | Sebastian Lang (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto | 9 | pts |
2 | Gatis Smukulis (Lat) AG2R La Mondiale | 6 | Row 1 - Cell 3 |
3 | Anthony Geslin (Fra) Française Des Jeux | 5 | Row 2 - Cell 3 |
4 | Nikolay Trusov (Rus) Team Katusha | 2 | Row 3 - Cell 3 |
5 | Robin Chaigneau (Ned) Skil - Shimano | 2 | Row 4 - Cell 3 |
1 | Robin Chaigneau (Ned) Skil - Shimano | 3 | pts |
2 | Anthony Geslin (Fra) Française Des Jeux | 2 | Row 1 - Cell 3 |
3 | Sebastian Lang (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto | 1 | Row 2 - Cell 3 |
1 | Nikolay Trusov (Rus) Team Katusha | 3 | pts |
2 | Anthony Geslin (Fra) Française Des Jeux | 2 | Row 1 - Cell 3 |
3 | Gatis Smukulis (Lat) AG2R La Mondiale | 1 | Row 2 - Cell 3 |
1 | Nikolay Trusov (Rus) Team Katusha | 3 | pts |
2 | Anthony Geslin (Fra) Française Des Jeux | 2 | Row 1 - Cell 3 |
3 | Gatis Smukulis (Lat) AG2R La Mondiale | 1 | Row 2 - Cell 3 |
1 | Nikolay Trusov (Rus) Team Katusha | 6 | pts |
2 | Anthony Geslin (Fra) Française Des Jeux | 6 | Row 1 - Cell 3 |
3 | Robin Chaigneau (Ned) Skil - Shimano | 3 | Row 2 - Cell 3 |
4 | Gatis Smukulis (Lat) AG2R La Mondiale | 2 | Row 3 - Cell 3 |
5 | Sebastian Lang (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto | 1 | Row 4 - Cell 3 |
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