Fabio Melani | Road to Le Tour | End of Season
|
Cycleman123 |
Posted on 05-12-2014 01:27
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Tour de France
A nice long downhill in the end. Just the way I like it
7 riders went in the break.
The main attacks started at 40km to the finish line. They didn't last.
Eventually the group thinned down and there were 16 with 30km left to go. I was in there with Thibaut and Darwin from our team.
Thibaut made the final selection and attacked on the downhill. Nibali had 18 seconds.
There were constant attacks from those two and Nibali, with Rolland trying desperately to follow.
Our man was in a good position for the sprint, but a bit tired. Rolland had caught up.
The sprint started with 800m to go and Thibaut told me afterwards that he immediately knew that he went too late.
Nibali took the win with Thibaut 3rd.
While the sprint was going on I attacked - 4km out. I finished just ahead of my group in 20th - 4'19 late.
Fabio
|
|
|
|
sutty68 |
Posted on 05-12-2014 01:53
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Thibaut rode really well today and deserved his third place
|
|
|
|
Cycleman123 |
Posted on 06-12-2014 02:11
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
He did. He's on some great form!
|
|
|
|
Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 05:59
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
IP: None |
|
|
Cycleman123 |
Posted on 06-12-2014 02:20
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
So, the Tour may be in full swing, but that doesn't mean that Sean Kelly has stopped working on recruitment. Today I have 3 more signings to present to you.
Franz Helmut Halata
- 22 years old
- Climber/Puncher
- Huge Talent
Oscar Sanchez
- 29 years old
- Climber
- Domestique
Julian Arredondo
- 25 years old
- Climber
- Super Domestique/Leader
Fabio
|
|
|
|
sutty68 |
Posted on 06-12-2014 02:24
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
A Great signing in Arredondo
|
|
|
|
Cycleman123 |
Posted on 07-12-2014 03:23
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Great signings in all 3 imo!
|
|
|
|
Cycleman123 |
Posted on 07-12-2014 03:56
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Tour de France
Another tough stage. Not much more to say.
8 riders in the break today.
The favourites attacked with 30km to go with Kelderman leading.
Thibaut joined the attackers, while I was in the middle.
With 13.3km to go I was in Rolland's group. We were 1'51 behind Thibaut, who was the provisional yellow jersey!
Our man was empty 7.7km from the finish, but Rolland was still 1'49 behind.
Meanhwile I was struggling at the back of the Yellow Jersey Group, and as we went under the 5km to go banner I stopped all work which had a huge effect (oops). 2'28 was the gap at this point.
The win went to Kelderman.
Thibaut finished 3rd ahead of Froome. He would be out of Polka Dot and in Yellow tomorrow!
I finished 10th, one place behind Rolland.
Yeeeaaaahh.
Fabio
|
|
|
|
sutty68 |
Posted on 07-12-2014 17:24
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Another good ride from Thibaut and another battling ride from Fabio too
|
|
|
|
Cycleman123 |
Posted on 09-12-2014 04:06
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Thanks mate
|
|
|
|
Cycleman123 |
Posted on 09-12-2014 07:01
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Tour de France
What else to say? Another mountain stage. Hopefully Thibaut can keep hold of his yellow.
The three jerseys of Colombia. Rohan in the normal kit, me in white, and of course Thibaut in yellow.
7 riders went in the break.
With 60km left, me, Rohan, Thibaut and Darwin made an accidental gap.
With 55km a group of 13 got away with Chaves, Costa and Rolland chasing.
As we went onto the last climb, a peloton of 32 was the place to be.
While Thibaut was trying to slow down the pace for me to get back to the group, Kelderman used the opportunity to attack.
The native was able to catch up. He had the stamina.
They caught some of the break and Thibaut did well to come 5th.
I was trying hard to hang on to my 7th place in the GC.
I did enough and finished 20th on the day.
Fabio
|
|
|
|
sutty68 |
Posted on 09-12-2014 09:52
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Thibaut looking good for the Overall win now barring accidents and nice that Fabio keeps his 7th place on the GC too
|
|
|
|
Cycleman123 |
Posted on 09-12-2014 20:25
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Hopefully smooth sailing from here.
|
|
|
|
Cycleman123 |
Posted on 09-12-2014 21:04
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Tour de France
A flat stage and a time trial left. As long as Thibaut stays out of trouble, then the Yellow Jersey is ours.
8 riders went in the break of the day.
We made ourselves a nice train, but Alec couldn't join up.
Virgilijus was stuck behind during the sprint, but he wasn't the only one. A big split in the peloton meant that Thibaut was behind.
Cavendish took a good win.
Virgilijus took 10th, but there was big trouble behind. Thibaut couldn't get around to catch back up to the lead, and he lost 2'19. Thankfully, because he had such a good lead, he still has Yellow, but with a 52km time-trial tomorrow, it's not looking good for us.
Fabio
|
|
|
|
the_hoyle |
Posted on 09-12-2014 21:45
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
There are so many things to celebrate recently!!
New signings -YES!
Cav win - YES
Fabio Top 10 on GC - YES!
Pinot in Yellow - HELL YES!!
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
|
|
|
|
sutty68 |
Posted on 09-12-2014 23:03
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Nooooooooooo, disaster for Thibaut
|
|
|
|
Cycleman123 |
Posted on 12-12-2014 00:39
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Hoyle: The drama is only just beginning though.
Sutty: It's going to be hard to recover.
|
|
|
|
Cycleman123 |
Posted on 12-12-2014 00:49
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
After yesterday's... events, shall we say, Thibaut has been inconsolable. A few riders have gone already in the time-trial, and the local has already been in the hotseat for about 3 hours. He got here early and is shunning all social interaction. We've all gone up to him at least once and tried to get him not to waste his energy, but the guy's not having any of it. I can imagine what he's going through though: it's been his dream for years, he was the French hope to return Tour glory to the nation. He may never get a better chance to win it. I can tell you though, he'll never deliver a better time trial than he will in about an hour.
In terms of action so far though, a few of our riders have gone already. A bit of friendly rivalry as Virgilijus passed Alec on the road.
He also passed Boswell as he finished first at all checkpoints and the finish. Up until now, he's only been beaten by Tony Marrtin. Rohan Dennis is walking up to the ramp now; he'll be our big hope for today.
Fabio
|
|
|
|
sutty68 |
Posted on 12-12-2014 01:51
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Hopefully Rohan and Thibaut will ride the best time trials of there lives
|
|
|
|
Cycleman123 |
Posted on 12-12-2014 05:18
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Let's see
|
|
|
|
Cycleman123 |
Posted on 12-12-2014 05:43
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Tour de France
The last GC stage of the 2015 Tour. Pinot vs Kelderman on a 52km time trial course. Normally the Dutchman would be an outright favourite, but after hours in the hotseat can the local in the yellow jersey spring an upset?
Before that, a bit under 200 riders must have their turn. After the aforementioned, Rohan Dennis went under way. The Aussie was just 15" behind World Champion Tony Martin at the 2nd time check.
Meanwhile I was off the ramp. It's been a great Tour for me, sitting in 7th place overall before the time trial. Could I hold my position?
I won't lie, the nerves were still there, but I powered my way to 11th at the first check by 40".
Meanwhile back up to the Yellow Jersey battle. Unfortunately Thibaut was 25" behind Kelderman at just the first check, and already out of yellow. Had the time in the hot seat been beneficial, ineffective, or detrimental?
Meanwhile at the 2nd time check I'd fallen to provisional 20th at 1'47.
But by contrast, Thibaut was gaining. He was only 5" down to Kelderman and back in provisional Yellow.
Back up the course and for me it was looking more like a road race. Froome had caught up to me but I had in turn almost caught Dan Martin.
All three in a line as we passed the final time check. I'd fallen a little bit further into 23rd, 2'50 behind.
Don't call Jesleyh! An absolutely stunning performance by Pinot as he rocketed into 6th position at the final checkpoint! He was 31 seconds ahead of Kelderman!
I put in a good final dash to finish clear of Chris Froome. I managed to gain some more time to cross in 14th at 2'33.
But this was the main event! Thibaut could see his Dutch rival, and that would surely be enough!
And as he crossed the line it would be enough! What a phenomenal performance from the home country boy! France would have their next Tour de France winner as Thibaut crossed the line in 3rd, beating Kelderman by a full minute and one second!
Fabio
|
|
|