The 2010 Tour de Romandie (64th Edition) cycling road race started on 27 April and finished on 2 May in Switzerland. It was the 6th event in the 2010 UCI ProTour, and the 13th event in the World Calendar. The race winner had been declared as Alejandro Valverde, who won the final stage to take the race by 11 seconds.[1] However, some four weeks after the end of the race the UCI placed Valverde under a two-year suspension for his involvement in the 2006 Operación Puerto doping case, which was backdated to, and involved removal of all his results since, 1 January 2010. Simon Špilak was thus promoted to winner of the event.

2010 UCI World Ranking, race 13 of 26
Race details
Dates27 April–2 May 2010
Stages5 + Prologue
Distance654.8 km (406.9 mi)
Results
Winner  Simon Špilak (SLO) (Lampre–Farnese Vini)
  Second  Denis Menchov (RUS) (Rabobank)
  Third  Michael Rogers (AUS) (Team HTC–Columbia)

Points  Chad Beyer (USA) (BMC Racing Team)
Mountains  Thibaut Pinot (FRA) (Française des Jeux)
Youth  Simon Špilak (SLO) (Lampre–Farnese Vini)
  Team Team RadioShack
← 2009
2011 →

Pre-Race Favourites

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Roman Kreuziger – the defending champion – was considered a heavy favourite.

2010 pre-race favourites included 2009 champion, Roman Kreuziger of Liquigas–Doimo as well as teammate Ivan Basso. Denis Menchov of Russia is also a favourite.

While not a favourite to win overall, local Alexandre Moos has a lot going for him as this will be his 12th and final Tour de Romandie.

Teams

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There are 20 teams for the 2010 Tour de Romandie. They are:[2]

Stages

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Prologue

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27 April 2010 – Lausanne to Lausanne, 4.3 km (2.7 mi) (ITT)

This short course took in the beautiful, historic village of Porrentruy. Classics fans were pleased to hear there is a 400 metres cobbled section.[3]

Prologue results
Cyclist Team Time
1   Marco Pinotti (ITA) Team HTC–Columbia 5' 18"
2   Peter Sagan (SVK) Liquigas–Doimo +1"
3   Jérémy Roy (FRA) Groupama–FDJ +3"
4   Michael Rogers (AUS) Team HTC–Columbia +3"
5   Rick Flens (NED) Visma–Lease a Bike +3"
General Classification after Prologue
Cyclist Team Time
1   Marco Pinotti (ITA)   Team HTC–Columbia 5' 18"
2   Peter Sagan (SVK)   Liquigas–Doimo +1"
3   Jérémy Roy (FRA) Groupama–FDJ +3"
4   Michael Rogers (AUS) Team HTC–Columbia +3"
5   Rick Flens (NED) Visma–Lease a Bike +3"

Stage 1

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28 April 2010 – Porrentruy to Fleurier, 175.6 km (109.1 mi)

A hilly stage in the Jura mountains north of Lake Neuchatel. Two category 1 climbs and a category 2 – and a few other bumps along the way. Although the last 10 km are downhill, the course may be well suited to a break-away.[3]

Peter Sagan – the up-and-coming young cyclist claimed the victory in the sprint. It was his third victory of the season. The win put him in first place overall as he was just 0.92 seconds behind the previous leader, Marco Pinotti. Sagan was pleased with the win, but pledged his loyalty to Liquigas–Doimo team leader Roman Kreuziger. According to Cycling News, Sagan said,

Our team leader is Roman Kreuziger and I don't know what I can do. I'm not a good climber like he is. We'll see. There are three hard stages and a time trial to come

Sprinter Mark Cavendish could not hang in the mountains and was dropped from the peloton with 45 km to go. Had he not, a victory would have helped teammate Marco Pinotti remain in the leaders jersey.[4]

Stage 1 results
Cyclist Team Time
1   Peter Sagan (SVK)  Liquigas–Doimo 4h 50' 21"
2   Francesco Gavazzi (ITA) Lampre–Farnese Vini st.
3   Nicolas Roche (IRL) Ag2r–La Mondiale st.
4   Maxim Iglinskiy (KAZ) Astana st.
5   Fabio Felline (ITA) Footon–Servetto–Fuji st.
General Classification after Stage 1
Cyclist Team Time
1   Peter Sagan (SVK)     Liquigas–Doimo 4h 55' 29"
2   Marco Pinotti (ITA) Team HTC–Columbia + 9"
3   Jérémy Roy (FRA) Française des Jeux + 12"
4   Michael Rogers (AUS) Team HTC–Columbia + 12"
5   Christophe Moreau (FRA) Caisse d'Epargne + 14"

Stage 2

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29 April 2010 – Fribourg to Fleurier, 171.8 km (106.8 mi)

This stage looks to be for the sprinters. The course will pass through Fribourg twice before a flat finish. Although two category one climbs are listed they are tiny. The course will climb twice the locally famous and steep cobbled climb "Lorette." Anyone hoping to foil the sprinters will need to attack here.[3]

Stage 2 results
Cyclist Team Time
1   Mark Cavendish (GBR) Team HTC–Columbia 4h 28' 59"
2   Danilo Hondo (GER) Lampre–Farnese Vini + 0"
3   Robert Hunter (RSA) Garmin–Transitions + 0"
4   Lucas Sebastian Haedo (ARG) Team Saxo Bank + 0"
5   Peter Sagan (SVK)     Liquigas–Doimo + 0"
General Classification after Stage 2
Cyclist Team Time
1   Peter Sagan (SVK)     Liquigas–Doimo 9h 24' 28"
2   Marco Pinotti (ITA) Team HTC–Columbia + 9"
3   Jérémy Roy (FRA) Française des Jeux + 9"
4   Danilo Hondo (GER) Lampre–Farnese Vini + 11"
5   Michael Rogers (AUS) Team HTC–Columbia + 12"

Stage 3

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30 April 2010 – Moudon to Moudon, 23.4 km (14.5 mi)(ITT)

It's a short time trial but the first 7 kilometres are uphill at around 4%.[3]

Stage 3 results
Cyclist Team Time
1   Richie Porte (AUS) Team Saxo Bank 30' 54"
2   Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne +26"
3   Vladimir Karpets (RUS) Team Katusha +27"
4   Michael Rogers (AUS) Team HTC–Columbia +28"
5   Denis Menchov (RUS) Rabobank 31"
General Classification after Stage 3
Cyclist Team Time
1   Michael Rogers (AUS)   Team HTC–Columbia 9h 56' 03"
2   Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne + 2"
3   Vladimir Karpets (RUS) Team Katusha + 5"
4   Artem Ovechkin (RUS)   Team Katusha + 7"
5   Denis Menchov (RUS) Rabobank + 9"

Stage 4

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1 May 2010 – Vevey to Châtel-Saint-Denis, 157.9 km (98.1 mi)

For the first time in more than 40 years, Romandie will have a stage finish in France. Starting in Vevey (Switzerland), the route will pass UCI headquarters in Aigle before turning up into the French Alps climbing the Categorie 1 "Pas de Morgins."

The top of the climb is the Swiss / French border. The final climb – the Categorie 1 Col du Corbier – is 6 km at roughly 8% – not easy. And while the summit is 20+ km from the finish, the last 17 kilometres are a gradual uphill.[3]

Before this stage Mark Cavendish winner of stage 2, was withdrawn by his team for his two fingered celebration after victory.

Stage 4 results
Cyclist Team Time
1   Simon Špilak (SLO) Lampre–Farnese Vini 4h 03' 25"
2   Peter Sagan (SVK) Liquigas–Doimo +13"
3   Philippe Gilbert (BEL) Omega Pharma–Lotto s.t.
4   Hubert Dupont (FRA) Ag2r–La Mondiale +15"
5   Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne +22"
General Classification after Stage 4
Cyclist Team Time
1   Michael Rogers (AUS)   Team HTC–Columbia 14h 01' 48"
2   Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne + 1"
3   Simon Špilak (SLO)   Lampre–Farnese Vini + 5"
4   Vladimir Karpets (RUS) Team Katusha + 7"
5   Denis Menchov (RUS) Rabobank + 11"

Stage 5

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2 May 2010 – Sion to Sion, 121.8 km (75.7 mi)

The "Queen" stage. It's very short, but has three very difficult climbs.[3]

Stage 5 results
Cyclist Team Time
1   Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne 3h 36' 19"
1   Igor Antón (ESP) Euskaltel–Euskadi 3h 36' 19"
3   Simon Špilak (SLO)   Lampre–Farnese Vini + 0"
4   Denis Menchov (RUS) Rabobank + 0"
5   Tiago Machado (POR) Team RadioShack + 23"
General Classification after Stage 5
Cyclist Team Time
1   Alejandro Valverde (ESP)   Caisse d'Epargne 17h 37' 55"
2   Simon Špilak (SLO)   Lampre–Farnese Vini + 11"
3   Denis Menchov (RUS) Rabobank + 21"
4   Michael Rogers (AUS) Team HTC–Columbia + 35"
5   Vladimir Karpets (RUS) Team Katusha + 42

Final standings

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Jersey progress

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Stage Winner General Classification
 
Mountain Grand Prix
 
Sprints Classification
 
Youth Classification
 
Team Classification
P Marco Pinotti Marco Pinotti Not Awarded Not Awarded Peter Sagan Team HTC–Columbia
1 Peter Sagan Peter Sagan Thibaut Pinot Chad Beyer
2 Mark Cavendish
3 Richie Porte Michael Rogers Artem Ovechkin Team Katusha
4 Simon Špilak Simon Špilak Caisse d'Epargne
5 Alejandro Valverde
Igor Antón
Alejandro Valverde
Simon Špilak
Team RadioShack
0Final
Alejandro Valverde
Simon Špilak
Thibaut Pinot Chad Beyer Simon Špilak Team RadioShack

References

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  1. ^ "Alejandro Valverde takes Tour de Romandie title with final stage win". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. 2 May 2010. Archived from the original on 6 May 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  2. ^ Tour de Romandie (n.d.). "Équipes TDR 2010". Tour de Romandie. Tour de Romandie. Archived from the original on 15 April 2010. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Podiumcafe (26 April 2010). "Gilbert to target Romandie after Ardennes Classics and push for World's number one slot". Podium Cafe. Archived from the original on 3 May 2010. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  4. ^ Cycling News (8 April 2010). "Sagan superior in Fleurier". Cycling News. Cycling News. Archived from the original on 1 May 2010. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
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