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RACE REPORTS: CRITÉRIUM INTERNATIONAL STAGES 2 AND 3: LAW AND ORDER REIGN AS VOIGT TAKES VICTORY
Road Bike Action
March 29, 2009
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Jens Voigt takes a record equaling fifth Critérium International
(Photo: Yuzuru Sunada)
Jens Voigt powered to a fifth place finish in the final 8.3-kilometer time trial to take a record equaling fifth overall title at Critérium International. Voigt was run close by American Danny Pate (Garmin-Slipstream), who started the final stage in second place, just seven seconds behind Voigt.
Tony Martin (Columbia-Highroad) won the final stage with a time of 10’05”. Martin bested Bradley Wiggins (Garmin-Slipstream) by six seconds with Czech rider Frantisek Rabon (Columbia-Highroad) finishing third at eight seconds back.
Voigt joins Raymond Poulidor and Emile Idée as the only five-time winners of the race.” Voigt took the overall title in 1999 and 2004 before wining three straight in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Poulidor won in 1964, ’66, ’68, ’71 and ’72, while Idée won in 1940, ‘42, ‘43, ‘47 and ’49
Voigt laid the foundation for his overall victory by winning the morning’s second stage, a 98.5km run from Les Vieilles Forges to Monthermé. Pate managed to finish a close second on the stage to keep Voigt within striking distance.
Voigt won the second stage by attacking hard near the summit of the day’s final climb, the Côte de la Roche aux 7 Villages, and gapped Dani Navarro (Astana) to take the stage win. Pate mirrored Voigt's move and attacked out of the chasing pack and came within 7 seconds of catching Voigt
After the stage Voigt said, “I attacked early from the base hoping someone would come with me, which was the case,” Voigt said. “I was doubting when I saw the group coming back, but the victory was there.
How Voigt Won
The stage was aggressive with Remy Di Gregorio (Française des Jeux) attacking from the gun. Voigt, Clement Lhotellerie (Vacansoleil), Alan Perez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Navarro, bridged to Di Gregorio with Sandy Casar (Française des Jeux) making a late solo bridge to the lead group.
The leading group increased their lead to a minute by the 34-kilometer mark and had 1:20 at the top of the Col du Loup 5-kilometers later. Surprisingly that was a big as the gap would get as the peloton began to chase. The pace in the peloton proved too much for overnight leader Jimmy Casper (Besson Chaussures-Sojasun), who was dropped and retired from the race.
Voigt continued to drive the break until everyone but Navarro was left. At 10-kilometers from the finish the gap was down to 25 seconds, but it would prove to be enough for Voigt to dispose of Navarro and take the stage.
With the gap so small in the final kilometers several riders attempted solo moves. Most notable were those of Christophe Moreau (Agritubel) and Jérôme Coppel (Française des Jeux), However is it was Pate who broke free and was closing in on Voigt before running out of road.
78th Critérium International
March 28-29, 2009
Stage 2, March 29: Les Vieilles Forges (Les Mazures) - Monthermé, 98.5km
1. Jens Voigt (Ger) Team Saxo Bank 2.30.22 (39.304 km/h)
2. Danny Pate (USA) Garmin-Slipstream @ .07
3. Romain Feillu (Fra) Agritubel @ .09
4. Jérôme Coppel (Fra) Française Des Jeux s.t.
5. Matteo Carrara (Ita) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team @ .12
6. Daniel Moreno (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
7. Yury Trofimov (Rus) BBox Bouygues Telecom s.t.
8. Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
9. Cyril Lemoine (Fra) Skil-Shimano s.t.
10. Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) Team Katusha s.t.
Stage 3, March 29: Charleville-Mézières - Charleville-Mézières, ITT, 8.3km
1. Tony Martin (Ger) Team Columbia-Highroad 10.05 (49.388 km/h)
2. Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin-Slipstream @ .06
3. Frantisek Rabon (Cze) Team Columbia-Highroad @ .08
4. Maxime Monfort (Bel) Team Columbia-Highroad @ .18
5. Jens Voigt (Ger) Team Saxo Bank s.t.
6. Bert Grabsch (Ger) Team Columbia-Highroad @ .20
7. Danny Pate (USA) Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
8. Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana @ .23
9. Steve Morabito (Swi) Astana @ .24
10. Damien Monier (Fra) Cofidis @ .25
Final General Classification
1. Jens Voigt (Ger) Team Saxo Bank 7.23.00
2. Frantisek Rabon (Cze) Team Columbia-Highroad @ .02
3. Danny Pate (USA) Garmin-Slipstream @ .09
4. Maxime Monfort (Bel) Team Columbia-Highroad @ .12
5. Cyril Lemoine (Fra) Skil-Shimano @ .18
6. Jérôme Coppel (Fra) Francaise des Jeux @ .23
7. Juan José Oroz SPA Euskaltel-Euskadi @ .30
8. Jean-Eudes Demaret (Fra) Cofidis @.34
9. Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R-La Mondiale @ .35
10 Evgeni Petrov (Rus) Team Katusha @ .37
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