Critérium du Dauphiné

Stage 7: Allevard-les-Bains to Sallanches, 148km/92mi

By Cathy Mehl

Five yellow jerseys and five stuffed lions add up to the biggest career win ever for Team RadioShack’s Jani Brajkovic as he took the victory in the 62nd Critérium du Dauphiné on Sunday in a true coming of age career moment for the young Slovenian rider. Seizing the race lead on the stage 3 individual time trial last Wednesday, 26-year old Brajkovic and his teammates defended the race lead for five days, taking the win ahead of Alberto Contador (Astana) by 1:41 and American Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Columbia) by 2:41.  It was a fine display of teamwork, savvy racing, persistence and mature patience as Brajkovic achieved his early-season goal of winning the Critérium du Dauphiné. Brajkovic was escorted to the line by American Chris Horner who took 9th on the overall in a week of solid racing to defend the jersey.

The final stage was won by Sky’s Edvald Boasson Hagen in a successful breakaway finish that put him first across the line by 27-seconds to Arkaitz Suran of Footen-Servetto.  Third place went to Katusha’s Egor Silin five seconds back.

On his way to the airport, Jani remarked, "The boys were great.  Chris Horner was always with me.  I haven't touched the wind today.  Thanks to everybody for support. It's been a great week for Team RadioShack." 

Team Director Alain Gallopin assessed the final stage: “We controlled the race today. It went fine. The other contenders realized too that it would be hard to beat this strong Jani Brajkovic. Our Team did what it had to do and the atmosphere was great with our riders. When you take a look at the palmares of the Dauphiné, you will see that only big riders win this race. I think Jani made a big step today.”

“I agree,” said  Team Manager Johan Bruyneel from Switzerland. “This victory will change a lot of things for Jani. First of all he was really the strongest rider in this race. He was 3rd in the prologue, he won the time trial and was the best uphill. He deserves this victory, but he deserves this too for all the previous work he did for this. I’ve worked almost six years with him. I know him as a rider who does everything to succeed in becoming a super professional rider. The only thing he sometimes missed was confidence in himself. This victory will change that. He showed his teammates he is worth working for. I see a nice future for Jani.”

An early breakaway of 8 riders started the action on the final stage, but the Sky-led peloton was not letting the gap grow too large, holding steady at two minutes most of the day. Eventually the group grew to 17 riders, none threats to the overall classification.  After tackling a category 2 climb on the ride into Sallanches, the diminished peloton crossed the finish line to begin the first of five local laps of 11km each and included the category 3 climb of the Côte de Domancy.  With the first crossing the gap was two mintues.  Attacks were fast and furious near the end, with rider after rider trying his luck.  From the leading group Boasson Hagen broke away and held his lead all the way to the line.

Beyond the Finish Line:  Jani Brajkovic likes a good cup of coffee.  At any team training camp you will find Jani settling in at a local coffee shop with a steaming cup of coffee and his latest electronic devise in hand.  To honor his win I pulled out my limited supply of 2009 “Blue’s Kona Coffee,” organically grown in Honaunau, Hawaii and raised an early morning cup to our newest champion.  Congratulations, Jani!

Top Ten Results

1              Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Professional Cycling Team         3:39:43                   

2              Arkaitz Duran Daroca (Spa) Footon-Servetto       0:00:27  

3              Egor Silin (Rus) Team Katusha     0:00:32  

4              Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Française Des Jeux    0:00:34  

5              Tejay Van Garderen (USA) Team HTC - Columbia              0:00:40  

6              Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana                                  

7              Christophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale                            

8              Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto                           

9              Jérôme Coppel (Fra) Saur - Sojasun                          

10            Jani Brajkovic (Slo) Team Radioshack

Team RadioShack Results

11           Christopher Horner (USA) 0:00:50           

83           Geoffroy Lequatre (Fra)   0:08:33 

DNF        Ben Hermans (Bel)                           

DNF        Markel Irizar Aranburu (Spa)                        

DNF        Sergio Miguel Moreira Paulinho (Por)

Final General Classification

1              Jani Brajkovic (Slo) Team Radioshack       28:06:28                

2              Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana                 0:01:41  

3              Tejay Van Garderen (USA) Team HTC - Columbia              0:02:41  

4              Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto          0:03:46  

5              Jérôme Coppel (Fra) Saur - Sojasun         0:04:17  

6              Nicolas Vogondy (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom                 0:04:23  

7              Christophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale                            

8              Pierre Rolland (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom      0:06:16  

9              Christopher Horner (USA) Team Radioshack        0:06:20  

10            Sylvester Szmyd (Pol) Liquigas-Doimo    0:06:57

Team RadioShack on Final General Classification

92           Geoffroy Lequatre (Fra)  1:13:42

Photo courtesy of Graham Watson