Cittareale, 15th of March – 2014
Today, the Tirreno-Adriatico peloton was challenged with a marathon stage over 244 kilometers with a physically demanding finale with an uphill finish to Cittareale. Tinkoff-Saxo put their faith in Alberto Contador and supported him well all the way to a very exciting finale.
However, three riders Lloyd Mondory (Ag2R), Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) and Mathias Brändle (IAM) did their outmost to interfere with the GC riders´ plan to battle for the stage win. But Movistar did a huge effort in the front of the pack to drag them back in and the peloton was torn apart. Tinkoff-Saxo’s Alberto Contador was surrounded by teammates in the first chase group. A puncture set him back in the high-paced chase but with a swift reaction from mechanic and teammates, he was back in the chase group soon after.
Thundering towards the foot of the final climb, the front group split up and with 12 kilometers to go, the remaining escapees were swept up by the group of favorites. The first attack was launched by Stefano Pirazzi, which animated Tinkoff-Saxo’s Roman Kreuziger to follow and he quickly bridged the gap and maintained the pressure in the front duo.
With 5 kilometers to go, Pirazzi still hung on to the back wheel of the strong Tinkoff-Saxo rider but with 3.5 kilometers to go, Roman was alone in the front going solo towards the finish line.
On the final kilometer however, he was caught and left things to captain, Alberto Contador and the powerful Spaniard showed no mercy as he took the stage win ahead of Nairo Quintana (Movistar). Alberto is now second overall, 16 seconds behind Michael Kwiatkowski (Omega-Pharma Quick Step).
DS, Philippe Mauduit comments:
“I think the boys did a fantastic effort today. Everything went according to plan, which the guys executed to perfection. With Roman attacking on the final climb, we had Alberto in the chase group sitting and waiting for his moment and when the group caught up with Roman, Alberto left no doubt that he’s in excellent form by outsprinting the other favorites on the final hundred meters of the stage. Now, he’s second overall and even though Kwiarkowski was left behind today doesn’t mean that we can do the same thing again. But of course, we’ll chase the overall win with all we have,” Mauduit concluded.
Stage result:
1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo 6:39:56
2 Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Col) Movistar Team 0:00:01
3 Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Team Katusha 0:00:05
4 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Tinkoff-Saxo
5 Richie Porte (Aus) Team Sky
6 Michele Scarponi (Ita) Astana Pro Team 0:00:08
7 Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team 0:00:10
8 Robert Kiserlovski (Cro) Trek Factory Racing 0:00:11
9 Chris Horner (USA) Lampre-Merida
10 Giampaolo Caruso (Ita) Team Katusha 0:00:17
