Talossan Cycling Association Tour Season 3 Leg 1: Venaria Reale -> Roma

[Glüc]

Stage 10 Pompei -> Bocca della Selva



Today we started in Pompei for an explosive stage of only 142 km with an uphill finish. A good day for a breakaway. Clarke (VFL) and some others tried on the flat part but never quite succeeded in getting away. It was only when the first hills started that a group managed to get away including a lot of climbers with a shot of staying ahead of the gc favourites. This included Romain Bardet (MCB/DED/SOS/VFL/CFA), the brothers Aurelien (CHX/GHS/BDC) and Valentin (BDC) Paret-Peintre, Andrea Bagioli (DED/SOS/VFL), Filippo Zana (CHX), Juan Pedro Lopez (GHS), Damiano Caruso (MCB/PTM/DED/SOS/VFL/CFA), Marco Frigo (CHX/GHS), Will Barta (PTM), and Julian Alaphilippe (SOS/CFA)

Of course not all of them managed to stay ahead of the peloton on the final climb. In the end there were five riders including V. Paret-Peintre, Bardet, Bagioli and Frigo contesting the stage win. Paret-Peintre turned out to be the strongest, catching up to and then overtaking the rider in front in the final 3 kilometers to take the stagewin, followed by Bardet and Bagioli.

His brother Aurélien won the sprint in the chasing group that remained of the main breakaway, which also included Zana, who as a result enters the GC top 10. Bardet also did very well GC wise, jumping to 7th place in the standings. In the group of GC favourites it only Arensman (GHS/BDC) and Uijtdebroeks (PTM/DED) could not keep up with the others and lost a small amount of time.

In the TCAT standings this mostly meant another good day for BDC, who further expand their lead, while Port Maxhestic did not have anyone in front at the end which causes them to lose second place to GHST.

Standings after stage 10:

Pos	±	Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	Banqeu da Cézembre Tavulairs (BDC)	4388	+558
2nd	(+1)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	3248	+345
3rd	(-1)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	3212	+141
4th	(=)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	3121	+352
5th	(=)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	2630	+306
6th	(=)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	2462	+347
7th	(=)	Dead Last (DED)	2072	+437
8th	(=)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	1835	+466
9th	(=)	Els Cantzelerïă Aþletici (SOS)	1773	+412

The final half of tomorrow's stage is mostly flat, so expect another day for the sprinters.

[Sir Lüc]

And of course Olav Kooij contracted a case of rest day fever and pulled out of Giro before today's stage, which is a huge blow to Gordon Hiatus Support Team and Velociposse. Breneir's wish may have become true sooner than he expected :/

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

And of course Olav Kooij contracted a case of rest day fever and pulled out of Giro before today's stage, which is a huge blow to Gordon Hiatus Support Team and Velociposse. Breneir's wish may have become true sooner than he expected :/

Yessss!

[Sir Lüc]

Stage 11 Foiano di Val Fortore -> Francavilla al Mare

Not much to say, a second Jonathan Milan (BDC/CHX) sprint victory, and accordingly Banqeu da Cézembre and Cyclohexane are a close first and second. Tim Merlier (MCB/PTM) initially took second, but was relegated for deviating during the final sprint. Dead Last is third today thanks to Fernando Gaviria (7th) and to Edoardo Affini's solid breakaway effort; fourth and fifth just one point apart, Fieschă (Phil Bauhaus, 8th) and the Cabana Boys (Stanisław Aniołkowski, 9th).

Overall, Kooij's retirement for GHST and Merlier's relegation for PTM mean Cyclohexane moves up to second. Sadly for Port Maxhestic, the bad news don't stop there -- there's also a double retirement for Louis Barré and, much more importantly, for until-then best young rider Cian Uijtdebroeks (also of DED).

Standings after stage 11:                      

Pos	±	Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	Banqeu da Cézembre Tavulairs (BDC)	4747	+359
2nd	(+2)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	3442	+321
3rd	(-1)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	3364	+116
4th	(-1)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	3305	+93
5th	(=)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	2785	+155
6th	(=)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	2616	+154
7th	(=)	Dead Last (DED)	2275	+203
8th	(=)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	1893	+58
9th	(=)	Els Cantzelerïă Aþletici (SOS)	1873	+100

Very interesting stage to come today as it *looks* reasonably flat, but it actually includes multiple gradients of upwards of 10%, including a max 20% gradient just 10km from the finish. Hopefully a good day for an exciting breakaway!

[Glüc]

Stage 12 Martinsicuro -> Fano



Yesterday's terrain was very promising for a succesful break. As a result many riders were on the attack with various groups being formed in front of the peloton involving several TCAT riders including Simon Clarke (VFL), Nairo Quintana (MCB/SOS/VFL), Aurélien Paret-Peintre (CHX/GHS/BDC), Filippo Ganna (PTM), and Juan Pedro López (GHS). However, man of the day was Julian Alaphilippe (SOS/CFA), who spend most of the day attacking, eventually winning the stage after an 11 km solo.

A good result for Cézembre Fieschā, who scored the most points due to Alaphilippe's win and Els Cantzelerïă Aþletici who are no longer in last place.

Standings after stage 12:

Pos	±	Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	Banqeu da Cézembre Tavulairs (BDC)	4966	+219
2nd	(=)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	3621	+179
3rd	(=)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	3519	+155
4th	(=)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	3453	+148
5th	(=)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	3177	+392
6th	(=)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	2749	+133
7th	(=)	Dead Last (DED)	2379	+104
8th	(+1)	Els Cantzelerïă Aþletici (SOS)	2233	+360
9th	(-1)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	2091	+198

Today's stage is very flat. It would be a surprise if we don't see a bunch sprint

[Glüc]

Stage 13 Riccione -> Cento

There was indeed a sprint. Milan (CHX/BDC) won. Aniołkowski (MCB) and Bauhaus (CFA) completed the podium, with Gaviria (DED) also doing well and Lund Andresen (BDC) and Merlier (MCB/PTM) further behind. BdC further extend their lead.

Standings after stage 13:

Pos	±	Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	Banqeu da Cézembre Tavulairs (BDC)	5378	+412
2nd	(=)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	3947	+326
3rd	(=)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	3635	+116
4th	(=)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	3558	+105
5th	(=)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	3414	+237
6th	(=)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	3040	+291
7th	(=)	Dead Last (DED)	2550	+171
8th	(=)	Els Cantzelerïă Aþletici (SOS)	2286	+53
9th	(=)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	2151	+60

Tomorrow another time trial, but shorter and flatter than the previous one. Will PTM's Filippo Ganna win the stage this time or will Pogacar (CHX/GHS/CFA/BDC) add another one to his list? Based on the previous ITT we should also consider Arensman (GHS/BDC) as a contender.

[Sir Lüc]

Stage 14 Castiglione delle Stiviere -> Desenzano del Garda (ITT)

Quick update on yesterday's time trial: home favourite Filippo Ganna (PTM) easily took the win by 30" ahead of Tadej Pogacar (CHX/GHS/CFA/BDC), with the rest of the non aliens a further 30" back, Arensman and Thomas headlining. Both are the actual winners of today GC wise, clawing back time and positions. Good ITT for Tiberi and O'Connor as well. Biggest losers among the front GC folks, Rubio and Martinez.

Port Maxhestic gets a second daily win after Stage 1 thanks to Ganna, Thomas and Bjerg (9th), by just four points over GHST. No position changes in the TCAT standings.

Standings after stage 14:

Pos	±	Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	Banqeu da Cézembre Tavulairs (BDC)	5862	+484
2nd	(=)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	4324	+377
3rd	(=)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	4149	+514
4th	(=)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	4076	+518
5th	(=)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	3661	+247
6th	(=)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	3229	+189
7th	(=)	Dead Last (DED)	2792	+242
8th	(=)	Els Cantzelerïă Aþletici (SOS)	2527	+241
9th	(=)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	2278	+127

Report on today's "queen stage" coming later.

[Glüc]

Sorry for no updates past couple of days. Weve both been busy.

However, it is worth noting Lüc is actually present at the finish of todays stage, so I'm expecting some pictures maybe.

[Sir Lüc]

Again many apologies for no updates. Quick one liners for the stages we missed, then standings update for Stage 18 (yesterday).

Stage 15 Manerba del Garda -> Livigno (Mottolino): The queen stage. Another Pogacar win, regathering a breakaway headed by Nairo Quintana.

Stage 16 Laas -> Santa Cristina Valgardena (Monte Pana): The mighty Stelvio Pass was initially swapped out for Umbrail due to snow, but freezing temperatures forced an outright shortening of the stage, with the start moved to Laas at the end of the descent. Another breakaway foiled by Pogacar, who won ahead of Giro's youngest rider Giulio Pellizzari.

Stage 17 Selva di Val Gardena -> Passo Brocon: Finally an early breakaway win, but it's non-TCAT Georg Steinhauser. Pogacar, 2nd, easily dropped all GC contenders as usual, whose sprint was won by Tiberi.

[Sir Lüc]

Stage 18 Fiera di Primiero -> Padova

The only stage for sprinters in week 3 except for the Rome finale ended at GHST HQ. Not much to say except that I was at the finish and Tim Merlier (MCB/PTM) won ahead of Jonathan Milan (CHX/BDC). The Cabana Boys also placed Stanislaw Aniolkowski in fifth place and thus take the daily win. The only other TCAT riders with stage points are Dead Last's Fernando Gaviria, sixth, and BDC's Tobias Lund Andresen, 16th.

Standings after stage 18:

Pos	±	Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	Banqeu da Cézembre Tavulairs (BDC)	8346	+337
2nd	(+1)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	6187	+288
3rd	(-1)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	6071	+122
4th	(+1)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	5448	+296
5th	(-1)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	5418	+87
6th	(=)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	5122	+423
7th	(=)	Els Cantzelerïă Aþletici (SOS)	3838	+72
8th	(=)	Dead Last (DED)	3769	+160
9th	(=)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	3458	+68

Coming up, the final two stages: two mountain stages and the sprint finale in Rome.

[Sir Lüc]

Small token of my attendance at the finish: this picture of Julian Alaphilippe (SOS/CFA)

[Glüc]

Stage 19 Mortegliano -> Sappada

Yesterday's stage had a perfect profile for attacking with three cat 2/cat 3 summits. Indeed we did get a big break. However the only TCAT rider involved was Julian Alaphilippe (SOS/CFA). The result was a fairly low scoring stage with no implications for the GC. Fieschā scored the most points due to Alaphilippe's performance. They also gain a spot as a result which does mean the four teams that picked Pogacar are now the top 4.

Standings after stage 19:

Pos	±	Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	Banqeu da Cézembre Tavulairs (BDC)	8503	+157
2nd	(=)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	6307	+120
3rd	(=)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	6203	+132
4th	(+1)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	5622	+204
5th	(-1)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	5528	+80
6th	(=)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	5215	+93
7th	(=)	Els Cantzelerïă Aþletici (SOS)	4017	+179
8th	(=)	Dead Last (DED)	3819	+50
9th	(=)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	3538	+80

Today we got another GC stage with two climbs of Monte Grappa (not too far from Lüc) but no uphill finish. Don't want to spoil the update yet, but let's just say it would be a major surprise if Pogacar didn't win again.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

Stage 19 Mortegliano -> Sappada

Yesterday's stage had a perfect profile for attacking with three cat 2/cat 3 summits. Indeed we did get a big break. However the only TCAT rider involved was Julian Alaphilippe (SOS/CFA). The result was a fairly low scoring stage with no implications for the GC. Fieschā scored the most points due to Alaphilippe's performance. They also gain a spot as a result which does mean the four teams that picked Pogacar are now the top 4.

Standings after stage 19:

Pos	±	Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	Banqeu da Cézembre Tavulairs (BDC)	8503	+157
2nd	(=)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	6307	+120
3rd	(=)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	6203	+132
4th	(+1)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	5622	+204
5th	(-1)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	5528	+80
6th	(=)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	5215	+93
7th	(=)	Els Cantzelerïă Aþletici (SOS)	4017	+179
8th	(=)	Dead Last (DED)	3819	+50
9th	(=)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	3538	+80

Today we got another GC stage with two climbs of Monte Grappa (not too far from Lüc) but no uphill finish. Don't want to spoil the update yet, but let's just say it would be a major surprise if Pogacar didn't win again.

Stage 19 Mortegliano -> Sappada

Yesterday's stage had a perfect profile for attacking with three cat 2/cat 3 summits. Indeed we did get a big break. However the only TCAT rider involved was Julian Alaphilippe (SOS/CFA). The result was a fairly low scoring stage with no implications for the GC. Fieschā scored the most points due to Alaphilippe's performance. They also gain a spot as a result which does mean the four teams that picked Pogacar are now the top 4.

Standings after stage 19:

Pos	±	Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	Banqeu da Cézembre Tavulairs (BDC)	8503	+157
2nd	(=)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	6307	+120
3rd	(=)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	6203	+132
4th	(+1)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	5622	+204
5th	(-1)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	5528	+80
6th	(=)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	5215	+93
7th	(=)	Els Cantzelerïă Aþletici (SOS)	4017	+179
8th	(=)	Dead Last (DED)	3819	+50
9th	(=)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	3538	+80

Today we got another GC stage with two climbs of Monte Grappa (not too far from Lüc) but no uphill finish. Don't want to spoil the update yet, but let's just say it would be a major surprise if Pogacar didn't win again.

Delighted to see Velociposse is still on track to win the Pyrite Goose.

[Glüc]

Stage 20 Alpago -> Bassano del Grappa

Pellizzari (GHS) coloured the final GC stage of this leg by bravely attacking on the first climb of Monte Grappa. He managed to stay ahead of the favourites for most of the second climb. Unfortunately for him when Pogacar decided it was time to attack the gap was closed relatively quickly. Pellizzari still managed to get an impressive 6th place. Pogacar won the stage and wins the General Classification overall with a massive lead. Behind him V. Paret-Peintre (BDC) also had a strong performance. Most of the rest of the top 10 was filled with GC contenders.

As a result we know the final GC now:
1. Pogacar (CHX/GHS/CFA/BDC)
2. Martinez (MCB/PTM/BDC)
3. Thomas (PTM/DED/SOS)
4. O'Connor (MCB/GHS/VFL)
5. Tiberi (CHX)
6. Arensman (GHS/BDC)
7. Rubio (CFA/BDC)
9. Bardet (MCB/DED/SOS/VFL/CFA)
11. Zana (CHX)

Of course this will have a big impact on the final tcat points awarded.

Today did not result in any changes in the TCAT standing. The race for second place is still close between GHST and Cyclohexane. GHST is likely to get a few more final points, although if Milan sprints today that will likely be enough for Cyclohexane to secure second place.

Standings after stage 20:

Pos	±	Team	Pts Ove	Pts Today
1st	(=)	Banqeu da Cézembre Tavulairs (BDC)	9419	+916
2nd	(=)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	6883	+576
3rd	(=)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	6853	+650
4th	(=)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	6156	+534
5th	(=)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	5934	+406
6th	(=)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	5645	+430
7th	(=)	Els Cantzelerïă Aþletici (SOS)	4257	+240
8th	(=)	Dead Last (DED)	4037	+218
9th	(=)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	3845	+307

Before we get to final points however, we still need to get to Rome. Today's stage is the traditional arrival in Rome and will be the last chance for the sprinters to win a stage.

[Sir Lüc]

No doubt Glüc will want to make a fuller results post (or series of posts) at some point, but in the meantime, here's the final standings after Sunday's Rome -> Rome final sprint showdown!

(Final) standings after stage 21 (also showing End of Tour Points):

Pos	±	Team	Pts Ove	Pts S21	EoT Pts
1st	(=)	Banqeu da Cézembre Tavulairs (BDC)	11925	+321	+2185
2nd	(=)	Cyclohexane (CHX)	8746	+288	+1575
3rd	(=)	Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)	8671	+123	+1695
4th	(=)	Cézembre Fieschā (CFA)	7648	+92	+1400
5th	(+1)	Maricopa Cabana Boys (MCB)	7478	+413	+1420
6th	(-1)	Port Maxhestic AC (PTM)	7463	+299	+1230
7th	(=)	Els Cantzelerïă Aþletici (SOS)	5281	+74	+950
8th	(=)	Dead Last (DED)	4992	+190	+765
9th	(=)	Velociposse Florencia (VFL)	4865	+80	+940

[Sir Lüc]

Congrats to @Glüc da Dhi S.H. for a third consecutive TCAT leg win!

I've never had time to mention the side classifications, but here they are in all their glory. Congrats in particular to @Sir Txec dal Nordselvă, UrB 's Cantzelerïă Aþletici for an impressive lead in the combativity classification! Out of their riders, only Geraint Thomas didn't bring home any breakaway points at all, with Julian Alaphilippe taking an impressive 120 on his own.

SPRINTERS'S CLASSIFICATION
Banqeu da Cézembre Tavulairs 507
Cyclohexane 492
Cézembre Fieschā 386
Els Cantzelerïă Aþletici 333
Maricopa Cabana Boys 272
Port Maxhestic AC 272
Gordon Hiatus Support Team 159
Velociposse Florencia 106
Dead Last 95


CLIMBERS'S CLASSIFICATION
Gordon Hiatus Support Team 688
Banqeu da Cézembre Tavulairs 653
Cézembre Fieschā 565
Cyclohexane 464
Maricopa Cabana Boys 330
Els Cantzelerïă Aþletici 296
Velociposse Florencia 192
Port Maxhestic AC 176
Dead Last 69


COMBATIVITY CLASSIFICATION
Els Cantzelerïă Aþletici 280
Cézembre Fieschā 180
Velociposse Florencia 160
Maricopa Cabana Boys 140
Gordon Hiatus Support Team 120
Banqeu da Cézembre Tavulairs 80
Dead Last 80
Cyclohexane 60
Port Maxhestic AC 60

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

Congratulations, @Glüc da Dhi S.H.!

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

I am delighted that Velociposse has achieved its goal. We will be changing our team name in future contests to Dead2Last in celebration of burrowing to the bottom of the standings.

[þerxh Sant-Enogat]

Congrats @Glüc da Dhi S.H. And thanks for the organisation. I'm back to my usual fourth place, the most frustrating position..