Vuelta a España 9: Gilbert scores in Barcelona

Gilbert snatched the win from race-leader Rodriguez (Photopress.be)

This article was originally published on on Cyclingnews.com.

After a year of frustration, Philippe Gilbert finally opened his account as a BMC rider when he won stage 9 of the Vuelta a España in Barcelona, outsprinting red jersey Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha). The pair slipped clear on the climb of Montjuic in the finale, belatedly illuminating a stage that had taken the best part of 200 kilometres to ignite.

Rodriguez, a native of Barcelona, was eager to impress on home roads and he shut down an attack from Alessandro Ballan (BMC) before bounding clear of the main peloton with disarming ease on the day’s main strategic difficulty, the 3rd category Montjuic, which came just four kilometres from the finish.

The response from his rivals for overall victory was a sluggish one. Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank) had attempted a speculative effort on the approach to the climb but the Spaniard – who returned from suspension in early August – didn’t have the legs to follow that effort up on Montjuic. Chris Froome (Sky) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) were similarly marked absent as Rodriguez stretched out his lead.

It was left to Gilbert and Nicolas Roche (Ag2r-La Mondiale) to try and make up the deficit, with the Belgian eventually leaving Roche behind and inching his way across to Rodriguez’s rear wheel shortly before the summit of the one-kilometre climb. After a brief discussion on the pace-making duties at the beginning of the descent, the pair collaborated smoothly thereafter to carve up the spoils between them.

“The team’s plan was for Alessandro Ballan to attack on the steep climb and I was to wait for the sprint,” Gilbert explained afterwards. “But I realised that the climb was longer than it seemed in the roadbook. Ballan went a bit early and exploded a little, so when I saw Rodriguez up there, I knew I had to follow him. On the last 50 metres of the climb I went full gas and made it across.”

The picturesque descent from the Alto de Montjuic evoked images of the destructive discord between Freddy Maertens and Eddy Merckx at the 1973 world championships, but Gilbert and Rodriguez seemed to quickly understand that they both stood to gain from working together. “I knew he was riding more for the seconds than the win and I knew I would be faster than him in the sprint,” said Gilbert succinctly.

While Rodriguez may harbour some disappointment that he did not triumph on home roads, he had the considerable consolation of buttressing his overall lead still further. A disorganised pursuit behind meant that Froome and Contador both came home 12 seconds down, while the second-placed Rodriguez also picked up an 8-second time bonus for his troubles.

As the Vuelta enters its first rest day, Rodriguez has extended his advantage over Froome to 53 seconds, while he has a minute in hand on Contador, with Valverde a further 7 seconds back in 4th. Rodriguez may be set to struggle in Wednesday’s Pontevedra time trial, but he has prepared accordingly by diligently accumulating seconds over the course of the opening week.

Valkenburg calling

Sandwiched in between the Vuelta’s foray into the Pyrenees and the lengthy rest day transfer across northern Spain, stage 9 seemed destined from the outset to be decided wholly on the streets of Barcelona.

Inside the first kilometre of racing in Andorra, a four-man group featuring Mickael Buffaz (Cofidis), Bert-Jan Lindeman (Vacansoleil-DCM), Javier Chacon (Andalucia) and Martijn Maaskant (Garmin-Sharp) was allowed to go clear, and the quartet dutifully built up a maximum lead of around five minutes without ever threatening to stay clear for the duration.

The break was duly swept up inside the final 25 kilometres thanks to the efforts of a coalition of teams, including Rabobank, Argos-Shimano and BMC, before Katusha began to flex their collective muscle in support of Joaquim Rodriguez in the finale.

As was the case in Andorra on Saturday, and indeed, for much of the 2012 season, Team Sky attempted to take over as the road began to climb on the approach to Montjuic, but their rhythm was upset by Contador’s surprise attack. Although Richie Porte snuffed that move out, the scene was set for aggression on Montjuic, and it was Rodriguez and Gilbert who emerged as the strongest.

For Gilbert, the win comes as something of a liberation after a torrid campaign. Winner of 18 races last season, there has been an inexplicably large gulf between Gilbert’s levels of performance in 2011 and 2012.

“It’s been one year since I last won and I’m very happy to win with BMC,” he said. “It’s a special victory because I had a hard season and I had a lot of criticism from the Belgian press. I never answered but I kept fighting from the beginning of the season to bring the shape back.”

After finding a spark of form on Montjuic, Gilbert will hope to stoke the flames still further as he builds to the world championships in Valkenburg in four weeks’ time. He may yet find Joaquim Rodriguez among his rivals there, although for now, the Catalan has more immediately pressing matters at hand.

Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing TeamJoaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha TeamPaolo Tiralongo (Ita) Astana Pro TeamTomasz Marczynski (Pol) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamDaniele Bennati (Ita) Radioshack-NissanAlejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar TeamNacer Bouhanni (Fra) FDJ-Big MatGorka Verdugo Marcotegui (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiGianni Meersman (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamIgor Anton (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La MondialePrzemyslaw Niemiec (Pol) Lampre - ISDBauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamAlberto Losada Alguacil (Spa) Katusha TeamLloyd Mondory (Fra) AG2R La MondialeDaniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Katusha TeamRob Ruijgh (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamEros Capecchi (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleAndre Fernando S. Martins Cardoso (Por) Caja RuralLars Boom (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamJose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar TeamAlberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankBart De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamKevin De Weert (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickstepBenat Intxausti Elorriaga (Spa) Movistar TeamMaxime Monfort (Bel) Radioshack-NissanMatti Breschel (Den) Rabobank Cycling TeamAndrew Talansky (USA) Garmin - SharpSteve Morabito (Swi) BMC Racing TeamRobert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamDario Cataldo (Ita) Omega Pharma-QuickstepNicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La MondialeIvan Velasco Murillo (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiJuan Jose Cobo Acebo (Spa) Movistar TeamSerge Pauwels (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickstepSergey Lagutin (Uzb) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamJan Bakelants (Bel) Radioshack-NissanLaurens Ten Dam (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamMaxime Bouet (Fra) AG2R La MondialeMarcos Garcia (Spa) Caja RuralLuis Angel Mate Mardones (Spa) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneKoen De Kort (Ned) Argos-ShimanoChristophe Le Mevel (Fra) Garmin - SharpWinner Anacona Gomez (Col) Lampre - ISDBenoît Vaugrenard (Fra) FDJ-Big MatChristopher Froome (GBr) Sky ProcyclingSergio Luis Henao Montoya (Col) Sky ProcyclingPablo Lastras Garcia (Spa) Movistar TeamJurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamMichel Kreder (Ned) Garmin - SharpAlessandro Ballan (Ita) BMC Racing TeamKevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) Astana Pro TeamMikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiAmets Txurruka (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiDavid De La Fuente Rasilla (Spa) Caja RuralJuan Jose Oroz Ugalde (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiGrégory Rast (Swi) Radioshack-NissanRémi Pauriol (Fra) FDJ-Big MatRuben Perez Moreno (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiDamiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - ISDJuan Manuel Garate (Spa) Rabobank Cycling TeamAssan Bazayev (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamEgoitz Garcia Echeguibel (Spa) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneAllan Davis (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeZdenek Stybar (Cze) Omega Pharma-QuickstepFredrik Carl Wilhelm Kessiakoff (Swe) Astana Pro TeamAndrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamPim Ligthart (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamJuan Antonio Flecha Giannoni (Spa) Sky ProcyclingAndrey Zeits (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamJavier Moreno Bazan (Spa) Movistar TeamLeonardo Fabio Duque (Col) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneTiziano Dall'antonia (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleBrent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing TeamMaciej Paterski (Pol) Liquigas-CannondaleMauro Santambrogio (Ita) BMC Racing TeamNairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Col) Movistar TeamCayetano José Sarmiento Tunarrosa (Col) Liquigas-CannondaleNico Sijmens (Bel) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneFlorent Barle (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneMarkel Irizar Aranburu (Spa) Radioshack-NissanDenys Kostyuk (Ukr) Lampre - ISDCristiano Salerno (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleBenjamin Noval Gonzalez (Spa) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankRafal Majka (Pol) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankEgor Silin (Rus) Astana Pro TeamKlaas Lodewyck (Bel) BMC Racing TeamGustavo Cesar Veloso (Spa) AndaluciaElia Viviani (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleSimon Geschke (Ger) Argos-ShimanoXabier Zandio Echaide (Spa) Sky ProcyclingGabriel Rasch (Nor) FDJ-Big MatMatteo Montaguti (Ita) AG2R La MondialeDaniel Teklehaymanot (Eri) Orica - GreenEdgeGert Steegmans (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickstepDavide Vigano (Ita) Lampre - ISDWilliam Bonnet (Fra) FDJ-Big MatJohn Degenkolb (Ger) Argos-ShimanoJohan Van Summeren (Bel) Garmin - SharpKristof Vandewalle (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickstepAlexandre Geniez (Fra) Argos-ShimanoRomain Sicard (Fra) Euskaltel - EuskadiHernani Broco (Por) Caja RuralMickaël Buffaz (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneThomas De Gendt (Bel) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamMartijn Keizer (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamArnold Jeannesson (Fra) FDJ-Big MatNiki Terpstra (Ned) Omega Pharma-QuickstepManuel Antonio Leal Cardoso (Por) Caja RuralSergio Miguel Moreira Paulinho (Por) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankMauro Da Dalto (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleMaciej Bodnar (Pol) Liquigas-CannondaleLaurent Didier (Lux) Radioshack-NissanJohannes Fröhlinger (Ger) Argos-ShimanoAngel Vicioso Arcos (Spa) Katusha TeamDenis Menchov (Rus) Katusha TeamJulian Dean (NZl) Orica - GreenEdgeAdam Hansen (Aus) Lotto Belisol TeamVicente Reynes Mimo (Spa) Lotto Belisol TeamWouter Mol (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamArnaud Courteille (Fra) FDJ-Big MatXavier Florencio Cabre (Spa) Katusha TeamBen Swift (GBr) Sky ProcyclingSimon Clarke (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeChristophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R La MondialeMitchell Docker (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeTony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-QuickstepGrischa Niermann (Ger) Rabobank Cycling TeamLinus Gerdemann (Ger) Radioshack-NissanHayden Roulston (NZl) Radioshack-NissanImanol Erviti Ollo (Spa) Movistar TeamAmaël Moinard (Fra) BMC Racing TeamRichie Porte (Aus) Sky ProcyclingPavel Brutt (Rus) Katusha TeamGatis Smukulis (Lat) Katusha TeamRafael Valls Ferri (Spa) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamRaymond Kreder (Ned) Garmin - SharpThomas Dekker (Ned) Garmin - SharpBen Gastauer (Lux) AG2R La MondialeThomas Peterson (USA) Garmin - SharpKoldo Fernandez (Spa) Garmin - SharpAlexsandr Dyachenko (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamDanny Pate (USA) Sky ProcyclingThierry Hupond (Fra) Argos-ShimanoDominique Rollin (Can) FDJ-Big MatFrantisek Rabon (Cze) Omega Pharma-QuickstepBruno Pires (Por) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankPieter Weening (Ned) Orica - GreenEdgeJens Debusschere (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamFrederik Willems (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamMatteo Tosatto (Ita) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankWesley Sulzberger (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeIan Stannard (GBr) Sky ProcyclingTiago Machado (Por) Radioshack-NissanAitor Galdos Alonso (Spa) Caja RuralAntonio Piedra Perez (Spa) Caja RuralDennis Van Winden (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamStef Clement (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamDavide Cimolai (Ita) Lampre - ISDNicki Sörensen (Den) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankMikel Landa Meana (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiBlel Kadri (Fra) AG2R La MondialeDavid Moncoutie (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneMikhail Ignatyev (Rus) Katusha TeamRigoberto Uran Uran (Col) Sky ProcyclingDaniel Navarro Garcia (Spa) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankJesus Hernandez Blazquez (Spa) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankAdrian Palomares Villaplana (Spa) AndaluciaJavier Ramirez Abeja (Spa) AndaluciaJose Vicente Toribio Alcolea (Spa) AndaluciaRudy Molard (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneYukihiro Doi (Jpn) Argos-ShimanoJohn Gadret (Fra) AG2R La MondialeSergio Carrasco Garcia (Spa) AndaluciaStephen Cummings (GBr) BMC Racing TeamCameron Meyer (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeYannick Eijssen (Bel) BMC Racing TeamMarco Marzano (Ita) Lampre - ISDJonathan Castroviejo Nicolas (Spa) Movistar TeamJoost Van Leijen (Ned) Lotto Belisol TeamJesus Rosendo Prado (Spa) AndaluciaOlivier Kaisen (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamPablo Lechuga Rodriguez (Spa) AndaluciaBertjan Lindeman (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamOleksandr Kvachuk (Ukr) Lampre - ISDMorris Possoni (Ita) Lampre - ISDDanail Andonov Petrov (Bul) Caja RuralJavier Francisco Aramendia Lorente (Spa) Caja RuralJuan Jose Lobato Del Valle (Spa) AndaluciaTravis Meyer (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeMartijn Maaskant (Ned) Garmin - SharpDaniele Ratto (Ita) Liquigas-CannondalePoints Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing TeamJoaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha TeamPaolo Tiralongo (Ita) Astana Pro TeamTomasz Marczynski (Pol) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamDaniele Bennati (Ita) Radioshack-NissanAlejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar TeamNacer Bouhanni (Fra) FDJ-Big MatGorka Verdugo Marcotegui (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiGianni Meersman (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamIgor Anton (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La MondialePrzemyslaw Niemiec (Pol) Lampre - ISDBauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamAlberto Losada Alguacil (Spa) Katusha TeamSprint 1 - Cardona, km. 96Mickaël Buffaz (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneBertjan Lindeman (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamSprint 2 - Martorell, km. 162Mickaël Buffaz (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneBertjan Lindeman (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamMountain 1 - Alto de la Collada de Clarà (Cat. 3) km. 71 Bertjan Lindeman (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamMickaël Buffaz (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneMountain 2 - Alto de Montjuic (Cat. 3) km. 193Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing TeamJoaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha TeamNicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La MondialeTeamsVacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling TeamGeneral classification after stage 9Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha TeamChristopher Froome (GBr) Sky ProcyclingAlberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankAlejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar TeamRobert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamDaniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Katusha TeamNicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La MondialeIgor Anton (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiLaurens Ten Dam (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamBauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamPrzemyslaw Niemiec (Pol) Lampre - ISDEros Capecchi (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleTomasz Marczynski (Pol) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamSergio Luis Henao Montoya (Col) Sky ProcyclingWinner Anacona Gomez (Col) Lampre - ISDAndrew Talansky (USA) Garmin - SharpRinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La MondialeSteve Morabito (Swi) BMC Racing TeamMaxime Monfort (Bel) Radioshack-NissanBart De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamKevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) Astana Pro TeamGorka Verdugo Marcotegui (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiBenat Intxausti Elorriaga (Spa) Movistar TeamMarcos Garcia (Spa) Caja RuralAndre Fernando S. Martins Cardoso (Por) Caja RuralMaxime Bouet (Fra) AG2R La MondialeJuan Jose Cobo Acebo (Spa) Movistar TeamSerge Pauwels (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickstepRob Ruijgh (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamAmets Txurruka (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiAndrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamJan Bakelants (Bel) Radioshack-NissanRémi Pauriol (Fra) FDJ-Big MatMikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiAlberto Losada Alguacil (Spa) Katusha TeamSergey Lagutin (Uzb) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamIvan Velasco Murillo (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiChristophe Le Mevel (Fra) Garmin - SharpJuan Jose Oroz Ugalde (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiAndrey Zeits (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamRigoberto Uran Uran (Col) Sky ProcyclingLuis Angel Mate Mardones (Spa) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRomain Sicard (Fra) Euskaltel - EuskadiTiago Machado (Por) Radioshack-NissanMickaël Buffaz (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRafal Majka (Pol) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankLaurent Didier (Lux) Radioshack-NissanDaniel Navarro Garcia (Spa) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankFredrik Carl Wilhelm Kessiakoff (Swe) Astana Pro TeamDamiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - ISDCayetano José Sarmiento Tunarrosa (Col) Liquigas-CannondaleHernani Broco (Por) Caja RuralJohn Gadret (Fra) AG2R La MondialeMauro Santambrogio (Ita) BMC Racing TeamAlessandro Ballan (Ita) BMC Racing TeamPaolo Tiralongo (Ita) Astana Pro TeamBrent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing TeamJuan Manuel Garate (Spa) Rabobank Cycling TeamKevin De Weert (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickstepJurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamMarco Marzano (Ita) Lampre - ISDZdenek Stybar (Cze) Omega Pharma-QuickstepJohannes Fröhlinger (Ger) Argos-ShimanoDenis Menchov (Rus) Katusha TeamKoen De Kort (Ned) Argos-ShimanoCristiano Salerno (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleNairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Col) Movistar TeamDario Cataldo (Ita) Omega Pharma-QuickstepMorris Possoni (Ita) Lampre - ISDThomas De Gendt (Bel) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamPhilippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing TeamLinus Gerdemann (Ger) Radioshack-NissanDenys Kostyuk (Ukr) Lampre - ISDGianni Meersman (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamVicente Reynes Mimo (Spa) Lotto Belisol TeamMichel Kreder (Ned) Garmin - SharpJohan Van Summeren (Bel) Garmin - SharpDavid De La Fuente Rasilla (Spa) Caja RuralKristof Vandewalle (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickstepJavier Moreno Bazan (Spa) Movistar TeamAmaël Moinard (Fra) BMC Racing TeamMatteo Montaguti (Ita) AG2R La MondialeJesus Hernandez Blazquez (Spa) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankAlexsandr Dyachenko (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamSimon Clarke (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeRichie Porte (Aus) Sky ProcyclingMikel Landa Meana (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiSergio Miguel Moreira Paulinho (Por) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankPablo Lastras Garcia (Spa) Movistar TeamAlexandre Geniez (Fra) Argos-ShimanoRuben Perez Moreno (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiTony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-QuickstepGrischa Niermann (Ger) Rabobank Cycling TeamJose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar TeamEgor Silin (Rus) Astana Pro TeamThierry Hupond (Fra) Argos-ShimanoAdrian Palomares Villaplana (Spa) AndaluciaBruno Pires (Por) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankGrégory Rast (Swi) Radioshack-NissanMaciej Paterski (Pol) Liquigas-CannondaleArnaud Courteille (Fra) FDJ-Big MatBen Gastauer (Lux) AG2R La MondialeMarkel Irizar Aranburu (Spa) Radioshack-NissanJose Vicente Toribio Alcolea (Spa) AndaluciaRafael Valls Ferri (Spa) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamCameron Meyer (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeJavier Ramirez Abeja (Spa) AndaluciaArnold Jeannesson (Fra) FDJ-Big MatMauro Da Dalto (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleJuan Antonio Flecha Giannoni (Spa) Sky ProcyclingBenjamin Noval Gonzalez (Spa) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankSimon Geschke (Ger) Argos-ShimanoAntonio Piedra Perez (Spa) Caja RuralXabier Zandio Echaide (Spa) Sky ProcyclingGabriel Rasch (Nor) FDJ-Big MatDaniel Teklehaymanot (Eri) Orica - GreenEdgeLeonardo Fabio Duque (Col) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneNico Sijmens (Bel) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRudy Molard (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneSergio Carrasco Garcia (Spa) AndaluciaJesus Rosendo Prado (Spa) AndaluciaNiki Terpstra (Ned) Omega Pharma-QuickstepPim Ligthart (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamFlorent Barle (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneLars Boom (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamKlaas Lodewyck (Bel) BMC Racing TeamPieter Weening (Ned) Orica - GreenEdgeAssan Bazayev (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamGert Steegmans (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickstepMatteo Tosatto (Ita) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankYukihiro Doi (Jpn) Argos-ShimanoGustavo Cesar Veloso (Spa) AndaluciaAngel Vicioso Arcos (Spa) Katusha TeamPavel Brutt (Rus) Katusha TeamChristophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R La MondialeYannick Eijssen (Bel) BMC Racing TeamMartijn Keizer (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamXavier Florencio Cabre (Spa) Katusha TeamJohn Degenkolb (Ger) Argos-ShimanoThomas Dekker (Ned) Garmin - SharpGatis Smukulis (Lat) Katusha TeamDavid Moncoutie (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneBenoît Vaugrenard (Fra) FDJ-Big MatKoldo Fernandez (Spa) Garmin - SharpDominique Rollin (Can) FDJ-Big MatPablo Lechuga Rodriguez (Spa) AndaluciaLloyd Mondory (Fra) AG2R La MondialeAdam Hansen (Aus) Lotto Belisol TeamDaniele Bennati (Ita) Radioshack-NissanElia Viviani (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleDavide Vigano (Ita) Lampre - ISDEgoitz Garcia Echeguibel (Spa) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneWouter Mol (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamWilliam Bonnet (Fra) FDJ-Big MatAllan Davis (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeOleksandr Kvachuk (Ukr) Lampre - ISDDanny Pate (USA) Sky ProcyclingStef Clement (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamMaciej Bodnar (Pol) Liquigas-CannondaleFrederik Willems (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamThomas Peterson (USA) Garmin - SharpFrantisek Rabon (Cze) Omega Pharma-QuickstepHayden Roulston (NZl) Radioshack-NissanBlel Kadri (Fra) AG2R La MondialeIan Stannard (GBr) Sky ProcyclingJonathan Castroviejo Nicolas (Spa) Movistar TeamImanol Erviti Ollo (Spa) Movistar TeamTravis Meyer (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeMatti Breschel (Den) Rabobank Cycling TeamOlivier Kaisen (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamDennis Van Winden (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamTiziano Dall'antonia (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleMitchell Docker (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeStephen Cummings (GBr) BMC Racing TeamBertjan Lindeman (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamNacer Bouhanni (Fra) FDJ-Big MatRaymond Kreder (Ned) Garmin - SharpBen Swift (GBr) Sky ProcyclingJulian Dean (NZl) Orica - GreenEdgeNicki Sörensen (Den) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankDaniele Ratto (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleManuel Antonio Leal Cardoso (Por) Caja RuralDanail Andonov Petrov (Bul) Caja RuralMartijn Maaskant (Ned) Garmin - SharpDavide Cimolai (Ita) Lampre - ISDWesley Sulzberger (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeJens Debusschere (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamJavier Francisco Aramendia Lorente (Spa) Caja RuralAitor Galdos Alonso (Spa) Caja RuralMikhail Ignatyev (Rus) Katusha TeamJuan Jose Lobato Del Valle (Spa) AndaluciaJoost Van Leijen (Ned) Lotto Belisol TeamPoints classificationJoaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha TeamJohn Degenkolb (Ger) Argos-ShimanoAlejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar TeamChristopher Froome (GBr) Sky ProcyclingDaniele Bennati (Ita) Radioshack-NissanElia Viviani (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleAlberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankAllan Davis (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeGianni Meersman (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamNacer Bouhanni (Fra) FDJ-Big MatPhilippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing TeamSimon Clarke (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeNicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La MondialeDaniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Katusha TeamBen Swift (GBr) Sky ProcyclingEros Capecchi (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleBauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamTony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-QuickstepRobert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamIgor Anton (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiTomasz Marczynski (Pol) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamBenat Intxausti Elorriaga (Spa) Movistar TeamAssan Bazayev (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamPrzemyslaw Niemiec (Pol) Lampre - ISDRinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La MondialeMickaël Buffaz (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LignePaolo Tiralongo (Ita) Astana Pro TeamLloyd Mondory (Fra) AG2R La MondialeAndrew Talansky (USA) Garmin - SharpDennis Van Winden (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamMarcos Garcia (Spa) Caja RuralKlaas Lodewyck (Bel) BMC Racing TeamRigoberto Uran Uran (Col) Sky ProcyclingManuel Antonio Leal Cardoso (Por) Caja RuralLaurens Ten Dam (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamWinner Anacona Gomez (Col) Lampre - ISDAndrey Zeits (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamLinus Gerdemann (Ger) Radioshack-NissanVicente Reynes Mimo (Spa) Lotto Belisol TeamRaymond Kreder (Ned) Garmin - SharpDavide Cimolai (Ita) Lampre - ISDLuis Angel Mate Mardones (Spa) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneThomas De Gendt (Bel) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamMikhail Ignatyev (Rus) Katusha TeamBertjan Lindeman (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamGorka Verdugo Marcotegui (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiMauro Santambrogio (Ita) BMC Racing TeamJose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar TeamLeonardo Fabio Duque (Col) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneGert Steegmans (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickstepKoldo Fernandez (Spa) Garmin - SharpDavide Vigano (Ita) Lampre - ISDJan Bakelants (Bel) Radioshack-NissanPim Ligthart (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamJavier Francisco Aramendia Lorente (Spa) Caja RuralSergio Luis Henao Montoya (Col) Sky ProcyclingRuben Perez Moreno (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiDominique Rollin (Can) FDJ-Big MatPablo Lechuga Rodriguez (Spa) AndaluciaJuan Jose Cobo Acebo (Spa) Movistar TeamFrantisek Rabon (Cze) Omega Pharma-QuickstepSteve Morabito (Swi) BMC Racing TeamAndre Fernando S. Martins Cardoso (Por) Caja RuralAlberto Losada Alguacil (Spa) Katusha TeamKristof Vandewalle (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickstepPablo Lastras Garcia (Spa) Movistar TeamMarkel Irizar Aranburu (Spa) Radioshack-NissanCameron Meyer (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeJesus Rosendo Prado (Spa) AndaluciaMartijn Keizer (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamGatis Smukulis (Lat) Katusha TeamMaxime Monfort (Bel) Radioshack-NissanJavier Ramirez Abeja (Spa) AndaluciaJuan Antonio Flecha Giannoni (Spa) Sky ProcyclingPieter Weening (Ned) Orica - GreenEdgeJuan Jose Lobato Del Valle (Spa) AndaluciaMountains classificationAlejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar TeamJoaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha TeamSimon Clarke (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgePim Ligthart (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamLuis Angel Mate Mardones (Spa) Cofidis, Le Credit En LignePhilippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing TeamAlberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankTony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-QuickstepChristopher Froome (GBr) Sky ProcyclingJavier Ramirez Abeja (Spa) AndaluciaAssan Bazayev (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamJesus Rosendo Prado (Spa) AndaluciaThomas De Gendt (Bel) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamBertjan Lindeman (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamNicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La MondialeCameron Meyer (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeMarcos Garcia (Spa) Caja RuralAndrey Zeits (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamMickaël Buffaz (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRafal Majka (Pol) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankNico Sijmens (Bel) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneJavier Francisco Aramendia Lorente (Spa) Caja RuralDaniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Katusha TeamAmaël Moinard (Fra) BMC Racing TeamSergio Miguel Moreira Paulinho (Por) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankMikhail Ignatyev (Rus) Katusha TeamCombination classificationJoaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha TeamAlejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar TeamChristopher Froome (GBr) Sky ProcyclingAlberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff BankNicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La MondialeDaniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Katusha TeamMarcos Garcia (Spa) Caja RuralPhilippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing TeamLuis Angel Mate Mardones (Spa) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneMickaël Buffaz (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneAndrey Zeits (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamSimon Clarke (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeTony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-QuickstepThomas De Gendt (Bel) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamAssan Bazayev (Kaz) Astana Pro TeamPim Ligthart (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamJavier Ramirez Abeja (Spa) AndaluciaCameron Meyer (Aus) Orica - GreenEdgeJesus Rosendo Prado (Spa) AndaluciaBertjan Lindeman (Ned) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling TeamMikhail Ignatyev (Rus) Katusha TeamJavier Francisco Aramendia Lorente (Spa) Caja RuralTeams classificationVacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team