Seasons

2013 - Learning the Ropes

2014 - Climbing The Food Chain

2015 - The Knockout Blow?

2016 - On the Quest Of Greatness!

2017 - Cementing Their Place at The Top.

Tamijo wrote:
Good luck with your story, i will try to folow.

Today we were going for the win, that was what we wanted and we didn't get it. We wanted to make a big impact on the race from the start so we went full gas from the start to try and shock the other teams, however we went a little to hard and we lost G with 200 metres to go, meaning we crossed the line with 4 riders, or else we would of won, but we know what we did wrong and we'll improve it for next time. I mean were only 6 seconds down, so I can get that back with bonus seconds in the next few days, so we'll have to wait and see.
Simon.

Today was a brutal race, cross winds split the race from the start with 3 BMC riders getting away early, we knew we had t go so we went to the front and drove the gap down, however we then split the group in to many pieces, and we found that we had strong numbers so we decided to keep going. Then with 60 kilometres to go myself and Adam found ourselves alone with Dillier of BMC, so we decided that I would just sit on and save myself as Dillier was just ahead of me on GC. However we decided that we needed to get our guys back in, so we sat up and the peloton reformed with 30 kilometres to go. Immediately there was an attack, and everyone was tired so nobody immediately reacted, and the gap went out to a minute very quickly. Although Giant reeled it in, for those last 30 ks I was just clinging on and trying to get some energy back in my legs. Adam led me out in the finale, but I couldn't hold off Mezgec. Although overall I was happy as I managed to close the gap to the leader to 4 seconds.





Today was an important day for us as we knew that we had to get some bonus seconds to have any chance of getting the overall win. Today we just followed to make sure we had the guys to help out later in the race, and it worked as in the finale we had 7 riders, so we were able to drive hard up the final short climb, which forced the sprinters to use their helpers early so we were able to get the leadout late, meaning I could get a good run to the finish, giving me my forst stage win of the race. However Dillier managed to get second, meaning he kept the overall race lead as he took 6 seconds. Although I'm now on the same time as him, so hopefully tomorrow I can take it on the final day. This year I'm feeling quite strong in the sprints, so hopefully I can keep this up and have a strong year.





Today I wanted to go for the final intermediate sprint, as I knew that there'd be less people going for it, therefore I wouldn't be able to go for the finish, so we had to make sure that Ben was set up as well as possible as that would mean that Dillier would find it harder to get the GC win. The guys made sure that the break was brought back before the final intermediate sprint, and I was able to take it and Dillier was to far back to get involved so that put me 3 seconds ahead. Then in the finale Adam brought me and Ben to the front with 1 kilometre to go and then I went for it with Ben glued to my back wheel, then Mzgec started to pass me on my left so I moved toward him and the barriers, and Ben went right flying away to take the win ahead of Navardauskas and Mezgec. So I'd done it I'd won the overall as well as the points jersey.

Today was a very tough stage, and there was a lot of guys suffering today. I wanted to try and get a couple of bonus seconds as any advantage would help me tomorrow in the Team time trial. I managed to get 3rd at the first intermediate sprint, behind Bellis and Swift, so I was happy with that. Then in the finale we were working for Swifty, but we got swamped with 5 kilometres to go, so we were on the back foot from then on, and although we almost got back, Swifty couldn't manage to get the win, as he came home in 5th.



Today was a big day for us, we knew that this was our chance to get the win, and we wanted to make sure we took it. Early on in the race we tried to stay together as a team and learn from Dubai. At the first time check we were 2 seconds down on HTC, but we were confident that we still had a lot left. In the final 2 kilometres we turned up the speed, and went full gas! With 1 kilometre to go we were 0.23 seconds behind Movistar who had set the best time, so we gave it everything and by the finish we'd managed to take the win by 1 second from Movistar, so we were very happy as it meant I took the jersey. Now we've just got to defend it for the rest of the week.





Today was a stage, where I needed to make sure that I kept myself at the front of the race, as any splits could be dangerous. Also the gaps aren't huge, so I needed to make sure that I got some intermediate sprints to get the bonus seconds as I can't match Cavendish and Bellis in the sprint for the line, so I need to ride smarter. Today the break went early and Pete K was in it, so he took a bonus sprint and that out him in the overall lead, so that is kind of a good thing as it means that I don't have the pressure, so I can focus on going for the bonus seconds. In the finale I managed to get 4th, which was annoying as I was so close to getting the bonus seconds, and maybe if I'd had a slightly better lead out I could have got the win.



Another tough day in the desert! We had to fight for the win today, we needed to try and keep the break close, so that we could go for the bonus seconds at the sprint. I managed to get the first sprint, but we couldn't keep the break close enough for the second sprint. Then in the finish Swifty tried to lead me out, but I lost the wheel, and then had to force my way through the group, and I just couldn't get back on terms with Cavendish. That meant he moved to within 4 seconds of me, as I took back the race lead, after Pete punctured with 8 kilometres to go and he couldn't get back into the bunch. Hofland took the sprint ahead of Cavendish, which is lucky for me or Cav would be in the lead, so tomorrow I've really got to get the sprint right.





Today I knew I had to beat Cavendish or at least make sure that he didn't get any bonus seconds, so we decided that we would ride for Swifty as he could keep Cav out of the bonus seconds. With 5 kilometres to go we turned into a crosswind, and we decided to floor it, so Cancellara went to the front and blew the race to bits. Coming into the final kilometre I found myself on the front, so I just tried to hold it for as long as possible and then when Swifty went I tried to jus hopld my pace to the line as I needed to try and get as high up as possible. Swifty managed to hold off Cav, with a bit of help from me by boxing him in on the barrier, but Hofland took the win meaning he moved to within a second of me. However I was two seconds behind the new race leader, Joseph Armstrong, the world champion had got himself into the break for us and then won both of the intermediate sprints, so we were happy as he's a talent and a nice guy. Tomorrow is all about the sprint though, and we'll be out to fight for the win.



Today we knew we had to try and do everything we could to get the win as Hofland is sprinting well, and we're needing to get some good bonus seconds. We decided that we needed to go for the intermediates and keep Swifty for the finish and hope that Hofland wouldn't get the win. I managed to get both sprints after some great riding by Fab, G and Adam to keep us with the break. Then in the finale Swifty couldn't keep with Hofland and he took the win, meaning he won by 3 seconds, which was annoying as we'd worked hard and then he gotthe win on the last day, but all credit to him as he has been super strong this week.

Today was the first stage of the race and we wanted to start well, we have a strong lead out train so we wanted to make sure that we made good use of it, We controlled the race early on and we made sure the break wouldn't stay away. We managed to pick up a couple of seconds at the intermediate sprints, and then in the finale we led Swifty out and he managed to hold off a fast closing Peter Sagan. So we're very happy as we got the GC lead and the team lead, so it was a great day for McLaren.





Tony Gallopin was on fire today! From the start he was saying that he was amazed how fresh he was feeling. So we knew we would be in a good place come the finish, and so it proved as he was able to get away over the final difficult climb of the day as nobody was able to react to his attack, so from there we were able to sit in and follow the wheels, and then in the final kilometre we went for it and managed to get some decent placings. Tomorrow is another tough windy stage, so we'll have to try and recover but Tony is obviously going well, as is Adam, so tomorrow will be an interesting stage come the finish line, so yeah we'll have to be careful as some of the strongest riders are here to win.

Today we knew that it would be a hard stage to control, due to the fact that their was a steep climb just before the finish, so we knew that there would be attacks in the finale, and so it proved. We kept the break in toe, and then wit 14 kilometres to go we caught them. Then with 8 kilometres to go we started to climb a little and Adam attacked, but Giant were straight on him and he didn't get away. However Haller then countered and nobody chased him, so he won the stage, we managed to get Richie Allen home in 3rd place, just behind Sagan. Tomorrow is the important stage though and we hope to make the most of our strong team.

Today was my day and I knew I had to make it count, so I wanted to try and make a move at the bottom of the climb. The break went early and was a big group of riders, so we knew we couldn't give it to big gap, so Swifty and Thwaites rode all day to keep the gap down, then just as we reached 10 kilometres to go the bunch started to ease the pace, so Simon attacked which forced others to chase meaning that my main rival Gesink had less team mates fro when I made my move. Then after Simon was brought back Pete, G and Tony G went to the front and really pressed the gas, meaning the group broke instantly. Then with 6 kilometres to go, I made my move and went full gas for a kilometre, I then settled down to my tempo. I had no time checks on my rivals, but I knew they wouldn't be far behind. Then with 3 kilometres to go I was caught by Gesink, but I could tell he was on the limit, so I decided to act like I was to. I sat on his wheel panting and dropping every time he looked back. Then with 1 kilometre to go I attacked again and Gesink couldn't follow I sprinted out the saddle until just before the line, where I was able to celebrate the win.
Adam





Today was another tough stage with three big climbs towards the end of the stage, so we wanted to make sure we were in control. We sat back in the bunch for the first 30 kilometres and then we went to the front with Thwaites, Swifty and Richie to keep the gap to the break at a small margin as we wanted a chance at the stage win. We controlled the pace and made sure that any breaks were nullified, and we entered the final time up te climb with 34 riders still in the bunch, however going over the top Sagan attacked, and I just couldn't follow him. Over the top we tried to regroup to chase him, but he descended so quickly that he had a minutes gap by the bottom of the climb, and from then on he time trialled along the flat to the finish. Luckily Sagan wasn't a threat to Adam's overall lead, so it didn't matter that he gained over a minute on us, and we finished with Gesink and Chevrier, so the time gaps at the top didn't change, which we were satisfied with.
Simon





Today was the final stage of the race, so we wanted to make sure we didn't lose the race on it as Gesink is just 30 seconds down, and the finishing circuit had a hill that could cause splits in the bunch. We wanted to make sure we kept Adam safe, and then the stage win was only secondary. When we entered the finishing circuit we controlled the pace, and the break was up the road, so we weren't to fussed about chasing it down. However Sagan attacked so we had to chase the gap down, and we just managed to get back on terms with 1 kilometre to go, but by then Albasini had made his move and there was nothing we could do. So Adam won the overall, the KoM and the young rider classifications, which we're over the moon with, so we're happy with this race.
Simon