PCM.daily banner
02-04-2025 17:57
PCM.daily
Users Online
· Guests Online: 39

· Members Online: 0

· Total Members: 163,799
· Newest Member: Bangkok
View Thread
PCM.daily » PCM Stories & Story Games » PCM 15: Stories
 Print Thread
One in a Billion | Rise to the Summit
AbhishekLFC
Prologue - It's Time


Date: 17/12/2014
Time: 20:00
Location: Luxembourg. Leopard Development Team Headquarters.

As I'm sit here in the guest house of the Leopard Dev Headquarters, I've been staring at a piece of paper for the past 30 minutes. I needed to get away, clear my head, record this moment. So I'm writing this...

The ride here from Amsterdam went without incident. I did manage to get some sleep in the early hours, not much though. I couldn't sleep in the car either. There were too many thoughts keeping me awake. I wish I had enjoyed the lovely ride some more. But I couldn't concentrate on anything.

We reached the Leopard Development Headquarters at lunch time. We had stopped for a bite earlier and turned down their offer for the same. An hour later and I was called in for my medical! Test after test followed, some of which seemed not remotely related to proving my fitness as a cyclist. I did not ask questions though. I just wanted to get this over with.

Waiting for the preliminary results was nerve-wracking. Every minute's wait seemed like an eternity. I was called back by the doctor after what seemed like hours. He broke the news...preliminary medical passed! I was cleared to sign with a professional cycling team!

And sign with them I did about half an hour later. The team manager was present along with a few others to complete the signing formalities. My uncle, who'd driven me here was also present for the occasion. I knew calls from back home would be coming soon.


...The paper I was reading before starting writing this is my copy of my one year contract with Leopard Development Team. This is really happening to me! I don't think I've said more than a few words since the signing, except the occasional 'Hmm' and 'Yes' when talking to my family. Writing this has calmed me down a bit, I have to admit. The big reveal is 3 days from now, on 20th, with the team's pre-season press conference. A few people know it now, but the whole world will know then! WOW!!
 
Tamijo
Congratulations and celebrations - da da di da da da Pfft
 
AbhishekLFC
Tamijo wrote:
Congratulations and celebrations - da da di da da da Pfft

Thanks Grin (where's the banana when you need it!!)
 
Ad Bot
Posted on 02-04-2025 17:57
Bot Agent

Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09

IP: None  
AbhishekLFC
STARTING OUT AS PRO

The Unveiling


Date: 20th December, 2014
Occasion: Leopard Development Team Pre-Season Press Conference

"...and that brings us to our latest and final signing for the new season. We are pleased to announce a very unique signing for the world of cycling and a sign of its growing global popularity. He is the first ever cyclist from India to join a professional cycling team and we are very glad to have him on board. Please welcome Abhishek Sinha."

i.imgur.com/RsIERuC.jpg

They got my age wrong. I was still 2 months away from 19th birthday. But I hardly noticed...

The Team

i.imgur.com/cQO8vuT.jpg

 
Tamijo
Not GT materiel at this point, but young and full of hope :lol:
 
AbhishekLFC
Tamijo wrote:
Not GT materiel at this point, but young and full of hope :lol:

A long way to go to be GT ready! For now it's about getting in tune with the pros. A tough couple of years ahead.
 
AbhishekLFC
Starting out as Pro - Training Camps

After enjoying the last few days of the year 2014, and experiencing my first Christmas and New Year's away from home, and in Europe, it was time to join up with the team in the first week of January. First on the agenda were two training camps.

The first one was a condition training camp, targeted to bring the cyclists back up to speed. The first couple of days was more about long rides and stamina, rather than speed. The training soon turned towards riding at race pace over race duration. This is what I wasn't used to yet. Be it as good as one is as an amateur, there is nothing like professional race pace. Flats not being my forte wasn't helping either. It took me a couple of training sessions to learn how to hang on to the wheel of a faster rider, how to save oneself more effectively from the wind and how to pedal more efficiently so as to save energy. It was a good experience, but a steep learning curve.

The next training camp was a warm weather one in the South of Spain. Well, 'warm' is a relative term! However, the days were not as chilly as in Luxembourg, or in Netherlands for that matter. Spain offered up some hills and I was more at home here. The weather suited me better too. Finally, I could show off some of my skills rather than somehow hanging on to my team's tail for dear life. Not that this was easy, don't get me wrong. Oh no no! It was another week of race simulations, with the squad split up into three teams and each team given a different objective for each 'race'. It was fun to do these mock races but it was serious business too.

I've gotten to be fast friends with a couple of my teammates - Luc and Tom. They are from more deep-rooted cycling backgrounds and it was interesting to get to know about their journey to Leopard. Slowly but surely I am starting to feel like a part of the setup. The first race isn't very far away and the nervous energy is building up already. Wish me luck...
 
Tamijo
Good luck Wink
 
Kiserlovski01
Great read so far, can't way for the actual racing Wink
i.imgur.com/whwk8g9.png


pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2016/teamstory.png
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2017/teamstory.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/PCMdailyAwards2018/teamstory.pngpcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/teamstory1.pngpcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/teamstory21.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2022/teamstory.png

pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2017/writer.pngpcmdaily.com/images/mg/PCMdailyAwards2018/storywriter.png
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2019/writer.pngpcmdaily.com/files/Awards2023/storywriter-kiserlovski.png


pcmdaily.com/files/exppack/Banner/dbteambanner2022-2.png
 
AbhishekLFC
@Tamijo: Thanks Smile
@Kiserlovski: Thanks a lot Smile. First race coming up very soon!
 
AbhishekLFC
Starting out as Pro - First Race

Valley of the Sun Stage Race

The first professional race of my life and I am jetting off to America! Another first for me. I seem to be racking them up thick and fast in the past few weeks.

This race consists of 3 stages, a time-trial, a road race and a criterium. A nice rounded way to start my Professional career I must say Wink

Leopard Development Team Start List
Brent Luyckx
Luc Turchi
Kristian Haugaard
Alexander Krieger
Pit Schlechter
Laurent Vanden Bak
Victor Manakov
Abhishek Sinha


Objective: I've been designated a free role in this race.
About the Race: The first stage will play a big role in deciding the winner, favouring a TT specialist. A top sprinter with decent TT skills might challenge for the GC if they can pick up enough bonus seconds.

Spoiler

 
Tamijo
Good luck
 
AbhishekLFC
Thanks Smile
 
AbhishekLFC
Valley of the Sun Stage Race

Stage 1

The first stage of my life is an Individual Time Trial just a shade under 20 km in length. There was no expectations to be honest. I was just aiming to get to the finish and enjoy the occasion in the process.

I felt good as I stood at the start gate. I was going out in about 40th place but that wasn't very important. As I got out of the gate, I stuck to a pace which was comfortable to me. As I crossed the only intermediate time-check, I checked-in inside the top 10! I kept going at the same pace till about 2 km to go. I picked up the pace a bit, even getting out of the saddle to speed up on the flat.

As I crossed the line, I checked the clock. 2ND PLACE is what the display showed!! I looked again just to make sure. I knew more than half the field still had to cross the line. But I wanted to cherish that moment.

As the last rider crossed the line, my name was still at the bottom of the top 10. What a way to make my debut! This was beyond my wildest dreams.

Stage Classification and GC

RankNameTeamTime
1Mads ChristensenRiwal Platform Cycling Team30'56
2Evan HuffmanTeam Smartstop+ 11
3Taylor EisenhartBMC Development Team+ 12
4Joseph CooperAvanti Racing Team+ 15
5Scott ZwizanskiOptum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies+ 19
6Adrian HegyvariUnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team+ 24
7Janez BrajkovicUnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team+ 25
8Ben Jacques-MaynesJamis - Hagens Berman+ 27
9Lachlan MortonJelly Belly p/b Maxxis+ 31
10Abhishek SinhaLeopard Development Team+ 35
Spoiler


Also, I was the fastest rider in our team. A good feeling that Smile
 
DiCyc
Great day for Abhishek Grin
 
Tamijo
Perfect start
 
AbhishekLFC
@DiCyc: Yes it was Grin
@Tamijo: Thanks Smile
 
AbhishekLFC
Valley of the Sun Stage Race

Stage 2

Stage 2 was a sprinter's delight, almost flat throughout. I was promoted to team leader status because of my good performance in the TT. Although I do believe it also had something to do with it being my birthday (Woohoo)!!

I stayed in the pack, close to a couple of teammates all through the stage. Our team was looking at Krieger to challenge for the win on the stage. The lead-out was decent but Krieger just missed out on the podium, finishing 4th on the stage.

Stage 2 Classification

1Jure KocjanTeam Smartstop3h27'01
2Andrea PeronTeam Novo Nordisks.t.
3Mattia GavazziAmore & Vita - Selle SMPs.t.
4Alexander KriegerLeopard Development Teams.t.
5Guillaume BoivinOptum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategiess.t.
6Justin JulesVeranclassic - Ekois.t.
7Eric YoungOptum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategiess.t.
8Mads ChristensenRiwal Platform Cycling Teams.t.
9Kiel ReijnenUnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Teams.t.
10Eric MarcotteTeam Smartstops.t.


Stage 3

Stage 3 was a six lap criterium with a slightly uphill finish. Again, I was protected by a couple of my teammates, and rode at the front of the pack. The breakaway was caught with 13 km to go but the high pace ensured no further attacks were successful. The finish did not suit most of the pure sprinters. I mixed it up at the front, sprinting for fun and finished in a respectable 13th place.

Stage 3 Classification

1Guillaume BoivinOptum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies1h27'08
2Charles PlanetTeam Novo Nordisks.t.
3Andrea PeronTeam Novo Nordisks.t.
4Eric YoungOptum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategiess.t.
5Sergiy GretchynTorku Seker Spors.t.
6Justin JulesVeranclassic - Ekois.t.
7Mattia GavazziAmore & Vita - Selle SMPs.t.
8Jure KocjanTeam Smartstops.t.
9Adrian HegyvariUnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Teams.t.
10Mads ChristensenRiwal Platform Cycling Teams.t.
............
13Abhishek SinhaLeopard Development Teams.t.


General Classification

1Mads ChristensenRiwal Platform Cycling Team5h25'05
2Evan HuffmanTeam Smartstop+ 11
3Taylor EisenhartBMC Development Team+ 12
4Joseph CooperAvanti Racing Team+ 15
5Scott ZwizanskiOptum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies+ 19
6Adrian HegyvariUnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team+ 24
7Janez BrajkovicUnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team+ 25
8Ben Jacques-MaynesJamis - Hagens Berman+ 27
9Lachlan MortonJelly Belly p/b Maxxis+ 31
10Abhishek SinhaLeopard Development Team+ 35

Spoiler


Points Classification

1Mads ChristensenRiwal Platform Cycling Team39
2Guillaume BoivinOptum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies37
3Andrea PeronTeam Novo Nordisk36
4Jure KocjanTeam Smartstop33
5Mattia GavazziAmore & Vita - Selle SMP25


Mountain Classification

1Daniel EatonAxeon Cycling Team10
2Bjorn SelanderOptum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies8
3Jason ChristieAvanti Racing Team6
4Eric SchildgeJamis - Hagens Berman4
5Carson MillerJamis - Hagens Berman4


Young Rider Classification

1 Evan HuffmanTeam Smartstops.t.5h25'16
2 Taylor EisenhartBMC Development Teams.t.+ 1
3 Lachlan MortonJelly Belly p/b Maxxiss.t.+ 20
4 Abhishek SinhaLeopard Development Teams.t.+ 24
5 Taylor GunmanAvanti Racing Teams.t.+ 27


Team Classification

1 UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Teams.t.16h16'51 (1)
2 Avanti Racing Teams.t.+ 17 (2)
3 Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategiess.t.+ 27 (3)
4 Jamis - Hagens Bermans.t.+ 39 (4)
5 Team Smartstops.t.+ 54 (5)


i.imgur.com/kDmDblX.jpg

A top 10 in my first race and above is the picture to prove it! Also, a good 4th place in the U25s. I'm absolutely thrilled with how my first ever professional race has turned out.
 
AbhishekLFC
Starting Out as Pro - Focussed Training and A Couple More Races

Another first for me as a professional cyclist was the introduction to focused training. The training methods of Leopard were a world apart from what I was used to back home. The trainers put me into Barouder speciality training, which basically meant I would be concentrating on building up my stamina for now. This training and race days went on alternatively and it was another good learning experience.

March brought a total of three races. The first was a 3 day stage race and the next was a 1 day classic.

Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen

This was my first race featuring World Tour teams. This race was a lot less successful for me.

Stage 1 - An ITT where I managed a top 40.

Stage 2 - Pit Schlechter was given leadership duties. I was again in a free role. This stage would be my first taste of bad weather on the Tour. I struggled in the later part of the stage, losing contact with the peloton with 10 km to go. Lost over 4 minutes as a result.

Stage 3 - Not much action on this stage. The breakaway was caught and the stage was decided in a sprint. I finished safely in the pack. I ended up 59th in the GC.

General Classification

1Ryan MullenAn Post - Chainreaction7h07'32
2Moreno HoflandTeam LottoNL - Jumbo+ 2
3Riccardo ZoidlTrek Factory Racing+ 5
4Lars Ytting BakLotto Soudal+ 6
5Julien VermoteEtixx - Quick-step+ 14
6Jesper AsselmanTeam Roompot-Oranje Peloton+ 16
7Coen VermeltfoortCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijke+ 17
8Jan GhyselinckWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
9Sam OomenRabobank Development Teams.t.
10Markel IrizarTrek Factory Racing+ 19

Spoiler


Points Classification

1Moreno HoflandTeam LottoNL - Jumbo28
2Ryan MullenAn Post - Chainreaction26
3Tom VeelersTeam Giant-Alpecin15
4Matteo TrentinEtixx - Quick-step15
5Jasper StuyvenTrek Factory Racing12


Young Rider Classification

1 Ryan MullenAn Post - Chainreactions.t.7h07'32
2 Moreno HoflandTeam LottoNL - Jumbo3h33'31+ 2
3 Jesper AsselmanTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.+ 16
4 Sam OomenRabobank Development Teams.t.+ 17
5 Łukasz WiśniowskiEtixx - Quick-steps.t.+ 24


Team Classification

1 Lotto Soudals.t.21h23'17
2 Trek Factory Racings.t.+ 3
3 Etixx - Quick-steps.t.+ 19
4 Team LottoNL - Jumbo10h40'33+ 37
5 Team Giant-Alpecins.t.+ 1'04


Once again, I finished as the best rider on the team but the race itself was nothing to wrote home about.



Nokere Koerse - Danilith Classic

This race was horrible. The weather was the worst I'd experienced yet. To add to it, this was also my first experience on the cobbles. By the end of it, I was glad to have reached the finish line. I had lost contact with the pack just 40 km in. It was quite a lonely race playing catch-up! Our best finish was Haugaard in 26th. I finished outside the top 100!

1Frederique RobertWanty - Groupe Gobert4h29'39
2Matteo TrentinEtixx - Quick-steps.t.
3Jasper StuyvenTrek Factory Racings.t.
4Jarl SalomeinTopsport Vlaanderen - Baloises.t.
5Moreno HoflandTeam LottoNL - Jumbos.t.
6Dylan GroenewegenTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
7Zico WaeytensTeam Giant-Alpecins.t.
8Iljo KeisseEtixx - Quick-steps.t.
9Greg HendersonLotto Soudals.t.
10Nikolas MaesEtixx - Quick-steps.t.

Spoiler


Now that it's been established that my Beginner's Luck has run out, time to move on...
 
Tamijo
Great result at Valley of the Sun.
A young promising climber does struggle with bad weather and cobbles in northern classic’s style races, so not a bad start at all.
 
Jump to Forum:
Login
Username

Password



Not a member yet?
Click here to register.

Forgotten your password?
Request a new one here.
Latest content
Screenshots
Evans better than Schlecks once again
Evans better than Schlecks once again
PCM11: General Screenshots
Fantasy Betting
Current bets:
No bets available.
Best gamblers:
bullet fighti... 20,276 PCM$
bullet df_Trek 18,974 PCM$
bullet Marcovdw 17,345 PCM$
bullet jseadog1 15,052 PCM$
bullet baseba... 11,039 PCM$

bullet Main Fantasy Betting page
bullet Rankings: Top 100
ManGame Betting
Current bets:
No bets available.
Best gamblers:
bullet Ollfardh 23,190 PCM$
bullet df_Trek 17,120 PCM$
bullet Marcovdw 16,800 PCM$
bullet jseadog1 15,000 PCM$
bullet baseball... 7,932 PCM$

bullet Main MG Betting page
bullet Get weekly MG PCM$
bullet Rankings: Top 100
Render time: 0.53 seconds