37thTour Méditerranéen - Stage 1
Byelorussian, Yauheni Hutarovich repeats His Victory in the opening stage of the tour... William Bonnet and Maxim Iglinsky round out an East/West European podium...

Byelorussian, Yauheni Hutarovich of La Francaise Des Jeux won the mass sprint at the finish in Sauvian on after a fast stage that split the peloton. Hutarovich led the first group of 16 riders to with Bbox Bouygues's William Bonnet  second, Astana's Maxim Iglinskiy third.  Ag2r la Mondiale duo:Young Gun Maxime Bouet and Anthony Ravard  filled out the top 5.

Byelorussian road champion Yauheni Hutarovich repeats his first stage victory of last year. Bonnet and Iglinskiy follow. Photo © 2010 Fotoreporter Sirotti

This is the second year running that 26 year old Hutarovich won the first stage of the race, Yauheni also won the 5th stage in 2009. A winner among the sprinters is almost impossible with the final stage finish on the summit of Mount Faron.

Hutarovich celebrates! Photo © 2010 Fotoreporter Sirotti

Favorites Alejandro Valverde, Johnny Hoogerland, Rinaldo Nocentini, and Alexandre Vinokourov finished in the lead group and now follow at ten seconds due to the sprint bonus.

Other than the cat 3 Sortie Vendres that came at 6 km from the finish the stage was pan flat: Vacansoleil's aggressive Johnny Hoogerland took the sole mountain prime and the first climbers jersey, Jussi Veikkanen Jussi (Francaise Des Jeux) and Arnaud Coyot of Caisse d'Epargne took the remaining point in that order.

Tomorrow's stage from Peynier  to Trets  is the longest stage of this years edition of the Mediterranean Tour at 170 Kilometers the parcours favors a break with two Cat 3 climbs coming before the mid point in the race... though we are likely to see a raging battle by the sprinters teams on an attempt to deny the break and making the catch before the finish.

Caisse d'Epargne's Alejandro Valverde
“I am very animated and I will try to win the race”
After he took part in the two first stages of the Challenge of Mallorca, Alejandro Valverde arrived yesterday afternoon in France to take part in the Mediterranean Tour which started today from Carcassonne. Alejandro finished the stage at place 7th... .

“The first stage should be 123 kilometers long but yesterday the organizers told us that it would be shorter: 95 kilometers only. It was very windy today and considering the fact that the stage started only at 1:30 pm, we thought it was a good idea to go and see the first kilometers of the stage. We took our bikes and rode about 40 kilometers; it was really the right decision for two reasons:
"It gave us the possibility to warm up before a short stage which was supposed to be a fast one. The thermometer indicated 3 degrees at the time the stage started. To know how the first kilometers looked and to know exactly from which direction the wind came would be very useful.

"After only three kilometers the entire team forced the pace of the bunch which broke in different parts. We did exactly the same 7 kilometers further on and about twenty riders were in the break. I was there with three team-mates: Txente García Acosta, Mathieu Drujon and Arnaud Coyot and we worked to the end to increase the gap more and more. I had very good legs and I believe I was able to make the sprint but my team-mates had been working so hard and with a head wind it was rather difficult. The most important thing today is that there is now a difference of two minutes with the majority of our adversaries. I feel really motivated to try and win the race.”

37thTour Méditerranéen Cycliste Professionnel
February 10 - 14 2010
Stage 1:  Carcassonne - Sauvian 95 Km
Stage 2:   Peynier  - Trets 170 Km
Stage 3:  Greasque - Six-Fours Le Brusc 115 Km
Stage 4:  La Londe Les Maures  - Biot 160
Stage 5: La Ciotat - Toulon Mt Faron 126
Total distance: 656 km
Tour MéditerranéenWebsite

37thTour Méditerranéen Cycliste Professionnel
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A happy annual event Yauheni Hutarovich slips into the yellow jersey at the Mediterranean tour  Photo © 2010 Fotoreporter Sirotti

Stage 1 Carcassonne - Sauvian Results
95 Km - 1:45:05 -
1 54 Hutarovich Yauheni Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux 1:45:05
2 23 Bonnet William Btl Bbox Bouygues Telecom 00:00
3 46 Iglinskiy Maxim Ast Astana 00:00
4 13 Bouet Maxime Alm Ag2r La Mondiale 00:00
5 17 Ravard Anthony Alm Ag2r La Mondiale 00:00

Tough day in the office: Dario Andriotto face shows the effort of the day.
Photo © 2010 Fotoreporter Sirotti

6 3 Drujon Mathieu Gce Caisse D'epargne 00:00
7 1 Valverde Alejandro Gce Caisse D'epargne 00:00
8 107 Delpech Jean-Luc Bsc Bretagne Schuller 00:00
9 144 Hoogerland Johnny Vac Vacansoleil Pro 00:00
10 156 Marino Jean-Marc Sao Saur-Sojasun 00:00
11 16 Nocentini Rinaldo Alm Ag2r La Mondiale 00:00
12 158 Talabardon Yannick Sao Saur-Sojasun 00:00
13 5 Coyot Arnaud Gce Caisse D'epargne 00:00
14 41 Vinokourov Alexandre Ast Astana 00:00

Cofidis limber Julien El Fares will have to take back more than a minute on Mount Faron to join the leaders. Photo © 2010 Fotoreporter Sirotti

15 58 Veikkanen Jussi Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux 00:00
16 111 Goesinnen Floris Sks Skil Shimano 00:00
17 27 Turgot Sébastien Btl Bbox Bouygues Telecom 1:45'11 00:06
18 4 Garcia Acosta Jose Gce Caisse D'epargne 1:45'44 00:39
19 64 Flens Rick Rab Rabobank 1:46'05 1'00
20 14 Efimkin Alexander Alm Ag2r La Mondiale  1'00
21 56 Roux Anthony Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux   1'58
22 74 Kreder Michel Grm Garmin Slipstream   1'58
23 145 Lagutin Sergey Vac Vacansoleil Pro   1'58
24 138 Tronet Steven Rlm Roubaix Lille Metropole   1'58
25 22 Pichot Alexandre Btl Bbox Bouygues Telecom   1'58

Johnny Hoogerland

Climbers Competition - Cat. 3 Sortie Vendres
1 144 Ned19830513 Hoogerland Johnny (Ned) 1983 Vac Vacansoleil Pro 4
2 58 Fin19810329 Veikkanen Jussi (Fin) 1981 Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux 2
3 5 Fra19801006 Coyot Arnaud (Fra) 1980 Gce Caisse D'epargne

Vacansoleil's Sergey Lagutin in his Uzbekistan national road champions jersey before the start. Photo © 2010 Fotoreporter Sirotti

Points Competition & Classification - Finish Sauvian
1 54 Blr19831129 Hutarovich Yauheni (Blr) 1983 Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux 25
2 23 Fra19820625 Bonnet William (Fra) 1982 Btl Bbox Bouygues Telecom 20
3 46 Kaz19810418 Iglinskiy Maxim (Kaz) 1981 Ast Astana 16
4 13 Fra19861103 Bouet Maxime (Fra) J 1986 Alm Ag2r La Mondiale 14
5 17 Fra19830928 Ravard Anthony (Fra) 1983 Alm Ag2r La Mondiale 12
6 3 Fra19830201 Drujon Mathieu (Fra) 1983 Gce Caisse D'epargne 10
7 1 Esp19800425 Valverde Alejandro (Esp) 1980 Gce Caisse D'epargne 9
8 107 Fra19791027 Delpech Jean-Luc (Fra) 1979 Bsc Bretagne Schuller 8
9 144 Ned19830513 Hoogerland Johnny (Ned) 1983 Vac Vacansoleil Pro 7
10 156 Fra19830815 Marino Jean-Marc (Fra) 1983 Sao Saur-Sojasun 6
11 16 Ita19770925 Nocentini Rinaldo (Ita) 1977 Alm Ag2r La Mondiale 5
12 158 Fra19810706 Talabardon Yannick (Fra) 1981 Sao Saur-Sojasun 4
13 5 Fra19801006 Coyot Arnaud (Fra) 1980 Gce Caisse D'epargne 3
14 41 Kaz19730916 Vinokourov Alexandre (Kaz) 1973 Ast Astana 2
15 58 Fin19810329 Veikkanen Jussi (Fin) 1981 Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux 1

Best Young Rider Classification (All)
1  Bouet Maxime (Fra) J 1986 Alm Ag2r La Mondiale 1:45'05
2    Roux Anthony (Fra) J 1987 Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux 1:47'03 1'58
3   Kreder Michel (Ned) J 1987 Grm Garmin Slipstream 1:47'03 1'58
4  Tronet Steven (Fra) J 1986 Rlm Roubaix Lille Metropole 1:47'03 1'58
5  Cherel Mikael (Fra) J 1986 Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux 1:47'03 1'58
6  Geniez Alexandre (Fra) J 1988 Sks Skil Shimano 1:47'03 1'58
7  Pineau Cédric (Fra) J 1985 Rlm Roubaix Lille Metropole 1:47'03 1'58
8  Thire Jonathan (Fra) J 1986 Aub Bit Mat - Auber 93 1:47'03 1'58
9  Cesaro Roberto (Ita) J 1986 Mie Miche 1:47'03 1'58
10  Van Winden Dennis (Ned) J 1987 Rab Rabobank 1:47'03 1'58
11  Simon Julien (Fra) J 1985 Sao Saur-Sojasun 1:47'03 1'58
12  El Fares Julien (Fra) J 1985 Cof Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne 1:47'03 1'58
13  Cornu Dominique (Bel) J 1985 Sks Skil Shimano 1:47'03 1'58
14  Boulo Matthieu (Fra) J 1989 Rlm Roubaix Lille Metropole 1:47'03 1'58
15  Malacarne Gael (Fra) J 1986 Bsc Bretagne Schuller 1:47'03 1'58
16 1 ichon Laurent (Fra) J 1986 Bsc Bretagne Schuller 1:47'03 1'58
17  Di Gregorio Rémy (Fra) J 1985 Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux 1:47'03 1'58
18   Sulzberger Wesley (Aus) J 1986 Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux 1:47'03 1'58
19  Geschke Simon (Ger) J 1986 Sks Skil Shimano 1:47'03 1'58
20  Selvaggi Mirko (Ita) J 1985 Ast Astana 1:47'03 1'58
21  Peterson Thomas (Usa) J 1986 Grm Garmin Slipstream 1:47'03 1'58
22  Lemarchand Romain (Fra) J 1987 Aub Bit Mat - Auber 93 1:47'03 1'58
23  Lhotellerie Clément (Fra) J 1986 Rlm Roubaix Lille Metropole 1:47'03 1'58
24 Gesink Robert (Ned) J 1986 Rab Rabobank 1:47'03 1'58
25  Van Emden Jos (Ned) J 1985 Rab Rabobank 1:48'39 3'34
26  Masciarelli Francesco (Ita) J 1986 Asa Acqua & Sapone 1:51'22 6'17
27    Partridge Robert (Gbr) J 1985 Edr Endura Racing 1:51'22 6'17
28  Bacquet Fabien (Fra) J 1986 Aub Bit Mat - Auber 93 1:51'22 6'17
29   Larpe Mickael (Fra) J 1985 Rlm Roubaix Lille Metropole 1:51'22 6'17
30   Hivert Jonathan (Fra) J 1985 Sao Saur-Sojasun 1:51'22 6'17
31  Feillu Brice (Fra) J 1985 Vac Vacansoleil Pro 1:51'22 6'17
32  Stetina Peter (Usa) J 1987 Grm Garmin Slipstream 1:51'22 6'17
33 Gaudin Damien (Fra) J 1986 Btl Bbox Bouygues Telecom 1:51'22 6'17
34  Martin Daniel (Irl) J 1986 Grm Garmin Slipstream 1:55'01 9'56
35 Feng Han (Chn) J 1985 Sks Skil Shimano 1:55'01 9'56
36  Campagnaro Simone (Ita) J 1986 Mie Miche 1:55'01 9'56
37  Poels Wouter (Ned) J 1987 Vac Vacansoleil Pro 1:55'01 9'56
38  Gitto Luigi (Ita) J 1986 Mie Miche 1:55'01 9'56
39   Meier Christian (Can) J 1985 Grm Garmin Slipstream 1:55'01 9'56
40  Rossetto Stephane (Fra) J 1987 Vac Vacansoleil Pro  1:58'18 13'13
41  Creber Ross (Gbr) J 1988 Edr Endura Racing 1:58'18 13'13
42  Bessy Cyril (Fra) J 1986 Sao Saur-Sojasun 1:58'18 13'13
43  Moss James (Gbr) J 1985 Edr Endura Racing 1:58'18 13'13
44  Le Boulch Dimitri (Fra) J 1989 Aub Bit Mat - Auber 93 1:58'18 13'13

General Classification After Stage 1
1 54 Hutarovich Yauheni Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux 1:44'55
2 23 Bonnet William Btl Bbox Bouygues Telecom 1:44'59 4
3 46 Iglinskiy Maxim Ast Astana 1:45'01 6
4 17 Ravard Anthony Alm Ag2r La Mondiale 00:0010
5 3 Drujon Mathieu Gce Caisse D'epargne 00:0010
6 1 Valverde Alejandro Gce Caisse D'epargne 00:0010
7 158 Talabardon Yannick Sao Saur-Sojasun 00:0010
8 156 Marino Jean-Marc Sao Saur-Sojasun 00:0010
9 16 Nocentini Rinaldo Alm Ag2r La Mondiale 00:0010
10 58 Veikkanen Jussi Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux 00:0010
11 5 Coyot Arnaud Gce Caisse D'epargne 00:0010
12 144 Hoogerland Johnny Vac Vacansoleil Pro 00:0010
13 13 Bouet Maxime Alm Ag2r La Mondiale 00:0010
14 41 Vinokourov Alexandre Ast Astana 00:0010
15 111 Goesinnen Floris Sks Skil Shimano 00:0010
16 107 Delpech Jean-Luc Bsc Bretagne Schuller 00:0010
17 27 Turgot Sébastien Btl Bbox Bouygues Telecom 1:45'11 16
18 4 Garcia Acosta Jose Gce Caisse D'epargne 1:45'44 49
19 14 Efimkin Alexander Alm Ag2r La Mondiale 1:46'05 1'10
20 64 Flens Rick Rab Rabobank 1:46'05 1'10
21 163 Haddou Nadir Aub Bit Mat - Auber 93 1:47'03 2'08
22 168 Thire Jonathan Aub Bit Mat - Auber 93 1:47'03 2'08
23 68 Van Winden Dennis Rab Rabobank 1:47'03 2'08
24 153 Galland Jérémie Sao Saur-Sojasun 1:47'03 2'08
25 113 De Kort Koen Sks Skil Shimano 1:47'03 2'08
26 138 Tronet Steven Rlm Roubaix Lille Metropole 1:47'03 2'08
27 56 Roux Anthony Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux 1:47'03 2'08
28 157 Simon Julien Sao Saur-Sojasun 1:47'03 2'08
29 167 Mombaerts Johan Aub Bit Mat - Auber 93 1:47'03 2'08
30 104 Bonsergent Stéphane Bsc Bretagne Schuller 1:47'03 2'08
31 33 El Fares Julien Cof Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne 1:47'03 2'08
32 51 Cherel Mikael Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux 1:47'03 2'08
33 8 Perget Mathieu Gce Caisse D'epargne 1:47'03 2'08
34 122 Niemiec Przemyslaw Mie Miche 1:47'03 2'08
35 166 Lemarchand Romain Aub Bit Mat - Auber 93 1:47'03 2'08
36 165 Mazet Julien Aub Bit Mat - Auber 93 1:47'03 2'08
37 24 Chainel Steve Btl Bbox Bouygues Telecom 1:47'03 2'08
38 115 Cornu Dominique Sks Skil Shimano 1:47'03 2'08
39 6 Lopez Garcia David Gce Caisse D'epargne 1:47'03 2'08
40 87 Donati Alessandro Asa Acqua & Sapone 1:47'03 2'08
41 114 Geniez Alexandre Sks Skil Shimano 1:47'03 2'08
42 45 Fofonov Dmitriy Ast Astana 1:47'03 2'08
43 57 Sulzberger Wesley Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux 1:47'03 2'08
44 141 Carrara Matteo Vac Vacansoleil Pro 1:47'03 2'08
45 37 Monier Damien Cof Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne 1:47'03 2'08
46 26 Gene Yohann Btl Bbox Bouygues Telecom 1:47'03 2'08
47 145 Lagutin Sergey Vac Vacansoleil Pro 1:47'03 2'08
48 28 Sprick Matthieu Btl Bbox Bouygues Telecom 1:47'03 2'08
49 55 Le Mevel Christophe Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux 1:47'03 2'08
50 74 Kreder Michel Grm Garmin Slipstream 1:47'03 2'08
51 18 Turpin Ludovic Alm Ag2r La Mondiale 1:47'03 2'08
52 2 Cobo Acebo Juan-Jose Gce Caisse D'epargne 1:47'03 2'08
53 152 Joly Sébastien Sao Saur-Sojasun 1:47'03 2'08
54 105 Malacarne Gael Bsc Bretagne Schuller 1:47'03 2'08
55 125 Cesaro Roberto Mie Miche 1:47'03 2'08
56 133 Boulo Matthieu Rlm Roubaix Lille Metropole 1:47'03 2'08
57 71 Danielson Thomas Grm Garmin Slipstream 1:47'03 2'08
58 106 Pichon Laurent Bsc Bretagne Schuller 1:47'03 2'08
59 7 Perez Sanchez Francisco Gce Caisse D'epargne 1:47'03 2'08
60 118 Geschke Simon Sks Skil Shimano 1:47'03 2'08
61 132 Pineau Cédric Rlm Roubaix Lille Metropole 1:47'03 2'08
62 83 Failli Francesco Asa Acqua & Sapone 1:47'03 2'08
63 143 Golas Michal Vac Vacansoleil Pro 1:47'03 2'08
64 11 Dessel Cyril Alm Ag2r La Mondiale 1:47'03 2'08
65 15 Roche Nicolas Alm Ag2r La Mondiale 1:47'03 2'08
66 81 Andriotto Dario Asa Acqua & Sapone 1:47'03 2'08
67 82 Codol Massimo Asa Acqua & Sapone 1:47'03 2'08
68 66 Weening Pieter Rab Rabobank 1:47'03 2'08
69 22 Pichot Alexandre Btl Bbox Bouygues Telecom 1:47'03 2'08
70 38 Pauriol Rémi Cof Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne 1:47'03 2'08
71 121 Muto Pasquale Mie Miche 1:47'03 2'08
72 108 Guillou Florian Bsc Bretagne Schuller 1:47'03 2'08
73 53 Di Gregorio Rémy Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux 1:47'03 2'08
74 48 Selvaggi Mirko Ast Astana 1:47'03 2'08
75 44 Gasparotto Enrico Ast Astana 1:47'03 2'08
76 47 Stangelj Gorazd Ast Astana 1:47'03 2'08
77 77 Peterson Thomas Grm Garmin Slipstream 1:47'03 2'08
78 135 Dion Renaud Rlm Roubaix Lille Metropole 1:47'03 2'08
79 43 Bazayev Assan Ast Astana 1:47'03 2'08
80 98 Blain Alexandre Edr Endura Racing 1:47'03 2'08
81 131 Lhotellerie Clément Rlm Roubaix Lille Metropole 1:47'03 2'08
82 86 Garzelli Stefano Asa Acqua & Sapone 1:47'03 2'08
83 61 Gesink Robert Rab Rabobank 1:47'03 2'08
84 52 Bonnaire Olivier Fdj La Francaise Des Jeux 1:47'03 2'08
85 63 Van Emden Jos Rab Rabobank 1:48'39 3'44
86 95 Wilkinson Ian Edr Endura Racing 1:48'39 3'44
87 123 Carvajal Jaramillo Edwin Mie Miche 1:48'39 3'44
88 102 Jegou Lilian Bsc Bretagne Schuller 1:49'31 4'36
89 162 Bacquet Fabien Aub Bit Mat - Auber 93 1:51'22 6'27
90 84 Miholjevic Vladimir Asa Acqua & Sapone 1:51'22 6'27
91 65 Kozontchuk Dmitry Rab Rabobank 1:51'22 6'27
92 112 Doi Yukihiro Sks Skil Shimano 1:51'22 6'27
93 25 Gaudin Damien Btl Bbox Bouygues Telecom 1:51'22 6'27
94 142 Feillu Brice Vac Vacansoleil Pro 1:51'22 6'27
95 93 Partridge Robert Edr Endura Racing 1:51'22 6'27
96 88 Ciavatta Paolo Asa Acqua & Sapone 1:51'22 6'27
97 78 Stetina Peter Grm Garmin Slipstream 1:51'22 6'27
98 12 Champion Dimitri Alm Ag2r La Mondiale 1:51'22 6'27
99 32 Duque Leonardo-Fabio Cof Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne 1:51'22 6'27
100 136 Larpe Mickael Rlm Roubaix Lille Metropole 1:51'22 6'27
101 116 Hupond Thierry Sks Skil Shimano 1:51'22 6'27
102 31 Auge Stéphane Cof Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne 1:51'22 6'27
103 36 Moinard Amael Cof Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne 1:51'22 6'27
104 75 Lowe Trent Grm Garmin Slipstream 1:51'22 6'27
105 42 Davis Allan Ast Astana 1:51'22 6'27
106 85 Masciarelli Francesco Asa Acqua & Sapone 1:51'22 6'27
107 154 Hivert Jonathan Sao Saur-Sojasun 1:51'22 6'27
108 35 Buffaz Mickael Cof Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne 1:51'22 6'27
109 124 Baliani Fortunato Mie Miche 1:51'22 6'27
110 126 Rasmussen Michael Mie Miche 1:51'22 6'27
111 127 Campagnaro Simone Mie Miche 1:55'01 10'06
112 146 Poels Wouter Vac Vacansoleil Pro 1:55'01 10'06
113 101 Gonzalo Eduardo Bsc Bretagne Schuller 1:55'01 10'06
114 96 Maccallum James Edr Endura Racing 1:55'01 10'06
115 73 Martin Daniel Grm Garmin Slipstream 1:55'01 10'06
116 67 Martens Paul Rab Rabobank 1:55'01 10'06
117 148 Mortensen Martin Vac Vacansoleil Pro 1:55'01 10'06
118 72 Duggan Timothy Grm Garmin Slipstream 1:55'01 10'06
119 117 Feng Han Sks Skil Shimano 1:55'01 10'06
120  Charteau Anthony Btl Bbox Bouygues Telecom 1:55'01 10'06
121 94 Oliphant Evan Edr Endura Racing 1:55'01 10'06
122 76 Meier Christian Grm Garmin Slipstream 1:55'01 10'06
123 62 Clement Stef Rab Rabobank 1:55'01 10'06
124 103 Lelarge Noan Bsc Bretagne Schuller 1:55'01 10'06
125 128 Gitto Luigi Mie Miche 1:55'01 10'06
126 161 Brouzes Niels Aub Bit Mat - Auber 93 1:58'18 13'23
127 151 Bessy Cyril Sao Saur-Sojasun 1:58'18 13'23
128 164 Le Boulch Dimitri Aub Bit Mat - Auber 93 1:58'18 13'23
129 147 Rossetto Stephane Vac Vacansoleil Pro 1:58'18 13'23
130 91 Creber Ross Edr Endura Racing 1:58'18 13'23
131 92 Moss James Edr Endura Racing 1:58'18 13'23
132 155 Jeandesboz Fabrice Sao Saur-Sojasun 1:58'18 13'23
133 134 Daeninck Benoit Rlm Roubaix Lille Metropole 1:58'18 13'23
134 97 Hand Gary Edr Endura Racing 1:58'18 13'23
135 34 Kern Christophe Cof Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne 1:58'18 13'23
Na 137 Molmy Arnaud Rlm Roubaix Lille Metropole

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