Irish riders Nicolas Roche and Daniel Martin both missed the key breakaway on today’s opening stage of the Tour of the Mediterranean in France. The 95 kilometre stage from Carcassone to Souvain saw the riders average a staggering 54 kilometres per hour, due partly to a strong tailwind, and was won by Yauheni Hutarovich (Française Des Jeux).
The Belorussian was quickest out of a 17 man break, out-sprinting William Bonnet (BBox Bouygues Telecom) plus the other riders in the move.
Also present were proven stage race specialists such as Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne, 7th), Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil, 9th), Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2r La Mondiale, 11th) and Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana, 14th).
Ag2r La Mondiale rider Roche finished in a group sprinting for 21st place, one minute and 58 seconds behind Hutarovich. The Irishman rolled in 78th. He has been sick in recent days but will hope to ride well on the Biot and Mont Faron stages of the Tour of the Mediterranean, which take place on Saturday and Sunday.
Today represented the first day of competition in four months for Martin (Garmin Transitions) and, as might be expected, the furious pace was a shock to the system. He was caught out when the bunch split in crosswinds and finished nine minutes and 56 seconds behind Hutarovich in 113th place.
Martin’s chances of matching his third place overall of 2009 has evaporated but, like Roche, he will aim to ride well on the uphill finishes this weekend.
His main goal in the race is to sharpen his form prior to targets later this spring.
Tomorrow’s stage covers 170 kilometres from Peynier to Trets.
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Tour Méditerranéen Cycliste Professionnel, France (2.1, February 10-14):
February 10, Stage 1: Carcassone – Souvain:
1 Yauheni Hutarovich (Française Des Jeux) 95 kilometres in 1 hours 45 mins 5 secs
2, William Bonnet (BBox Bouygues Telecom)
3, Maxim Iglinskiy (Astana)
4, Maxime Bouet (AG2R La Mondiale)
5, Anthony Ravard (AG2R La Mondiale)
6, Mathieu Drujon (Caisse d'Epargne) all same time
Irish :
78, Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) at 1 min 58 secs
113, Daniel Martin (Garmin - Transitions) at 9 mins 56 secs
Points:
1, Yauheni Hutarovich (Française Des Jeux) 25 pts
2, William Bonnet (BBox Bouygues Telecom) 20
3, Maxim Iglinskiy (Astana) 16
4, Maxime Bouet (AG2R La Mondiale) 14
5, Anthony Ravard (AG2R La Mondiale) 12
6, Mathieu Drujon (Caisse d'Epargne) 10
Mountain 1 - Cat. 3:
1, Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team)
2, Jussi Veikkanen (Française Des Jeux)
3, Arnaud Coyot (Caisse d'Epargne)
Best young rider:
1, Maxime Bouet (AG2R La Mondiale) at 1 hours 45 mins 5 secs
2, Anthony Roux (Française Des Jeux) at 1 min 58 secs
3, Michel Kreder (Garmin - Transitions)
Teams:
1, AG2R La Mondiale) at 5 hours 15 mins 15 secs
2, Caisse d'Epargne)
3, Française Des Jeux) at 1 min 58 secs
Other :
15, Garmin – Transitions, at 5 mins 54 secs
General classification after stage 1:
1, Yauheni Hutarovich (Française Des Jeux) at 1 hours 44 mins 55 secs
2, William Bonnet (BBox Bouygues Telecom) at 4 secs
3, Maxim Iglinskiy (Astana) at 6 secs
4, Maxime Bouet (AG2R La Mondiale) at 10 secs
5, Anthony Ravard (AG2R La Mondiale)
6, Mathieu Drujon (Caisse d'Epargne) both same time
Irish:
78, Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) at 2 mins 8 secs
113, Daniel Martin (Garmin - Transitions) at 10 mins 6 secs
Points classification:
1, Yauheni Hutarovich (Française Des Jeux) 25 pts
2, William Bonnet (BBox Bouygues Telecom) 20
3, Maxim Iglinskiy (Astana) 16
4, Maxime Bouet (AG2R La Mondiale) 14
5, Anthony Ravard (AG2R La Mondiale) 12
6, Mathieu Drujon (Caisse d'Epargne) 10
Mountains classification:
1, Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team) 4 pts
2, Jussi Veikkanen (Française Des Jeux) 2
3, Arnaud Coyot (Caisse d'Epargne) 1
Best young rider classification:
1, Maxime Bouet (AG2R La Mondiale) at 1 hours 45 mins 5 secs
2, Anthony Roux (Française Des Jeux) at 1 min 58 secs
3, Michel Kreder (Garmin - Transitions)
Team classification:
1, AG2R La Mondiale, 5 hours 15 mins 15 secs
2, Caisse d'Epargne, same time
3, Française Des Jeux, at 1 min 58 secs
