2010 Tour de Romandie

Pre-Race Favourites

2010 pre-race favourites included 2009 champion, Roman Kreuziger of 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

There are 20 teams for the 2010 Tour de Romandie. They are: |access-date=20 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415195130/http://www.tourderomandie.ch/main/course/equipes/equipes-uci-2010/index.lbl |archive-date=15 April 2010 |url-status=dead

Stages

Prologue

;27 April 2010 – Lausanne to Lausanne, 4.3 km (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.{{cite web |access-date=26 April 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100503010027/http://www.podiumcafe.com/2010/4/25/1439357/tour-de-romandie-preview| archive-date= 3 May 2010| url-status= live}}

|| |General Classification after Prologue

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Stage 1

;28 April 2010 – Porrentruy to Fleurier, 175.6 km

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.

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 team leader Roman Kreuziger. According to Cycling News, Sagan said,

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.{{cite web |access-date=28 April 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100501225318/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-tour-de-romandie-upt/stage-1/results| archive-date= 1 May 2010| url-status= live}}

|General Classification after Stage 1

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Stage 2

;29 April 2010 – Fribourg to Fleurier, 171.8 km

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.

|General Classification after Stage 2

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Stage 3

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

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

|General Classification after Stage 3

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Stage 4

;1 May 2010 – Vevey to Châtel-Saint-Denis, 157.9 km

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.

Before this stage Mark Cavendish winner of stage 2, was withdrawn by his team for his two fingered celebration after victory.

|General Classification after Stage 4

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Stage 5

;2 May 2010 – Sion to Sion, 121.8 km

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

|General Classification after Stage 5

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Final standings

General classification

Sprints classification

Mountain classification

Youth classification

Jersey progress

References

References

1. (2 May 2010). "Alejandro Valverde takes Tour de Romandie title with final stage win". [[Guardian Media Group]].