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PCM.daily » PCM Stories & Story Games » PCM 15: Stories
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One in a Billion | Rise to the Summit
AbhishekLFC
October

With encouragement from Ian and the ways to tackle Betancur from Jandal and Aquarius, I headed into October quietly confident of holding my own in Lotto despite the impending changes next season.

Il Lombardia

Before I can think of next season, there's the small matter of the Autumn Monument to race. Coming off the back of the Vuelta, I don't think I've ever felt more confident on a bike.

i.imgur.com/kL0Pg2C.jpg

I was chosen as the leader of our team. I stayed in the peloton to look for opportunities later. There was a four man break which held on for a long long time. The middle of the race was uneventful. With 10 km to go, the rbeak was down to a single rider while the lead group behind had around 50 riders. The gap was 30 seconds. It took the leaders 5 more kilometres to catch the rbeak. With 3 km to go the attacks started. The first couple were shut down. The decisive attack came from Kwiatkowski with 2.5 km to go and I was the only one who followed closely. There were others who broke from the pack, but they never caught us. Just as we passed the kilometre banner, I attacked again and Kwiatkowski was done. He couldn't drive anymore and would eventually be swept up by the chase group. I had a 15 second lead with half a kilometre to go. Despite the pack closing in with every pedal-stroke, I hung on for my first ever victory in a Monument!

i.imgur.com/hBzoacE.jpg

i.imgur.com/5Zxx7MN.jpg

i.imgur.com/Zztki2g.jpg

1Abhishek SinhaLotto Soudal6h26'50
2Mathieu van der PoelTeam Giant-Alpecins.t.
3Carlos BetancurTinkoff-Saxos.t.
4Rigoberto UránTEAM Cepsas.t.
5Diego UlissiTinkoff-Saxos.t.
6Petr VakocIberdrolas.t.
7Daniel MartinTinkoff-Saxos.t.
8Geraint ThomasAstana Pro Teams.t.
9Nairo QuintanaTEAM Cepsas.t.
10Anastasio AniaTinkoff-Saxos.t.

Spoiler
11Wilco KeldermanTeam Giant-Alpecins.t.
12Julian AlaphilippeStella Artoiss.t.
13Simon YatesAstana Pro Teams.t.
14Rui CostaIAM Cyclings.t.
15Bauke MollemaOrica-GreenEDGEs.t.
16Michal KwiatkowskiTeam Cannondale - Garmins.t.
17Thibaut PinotAg2r La Mondiales.t.
18Mikel LandaTeam Katushas.t.
19Moreno MoserTeam Cannondale - Garmins.t.
20Ion IzagirreTinkoff-Saxos.t.
21Mischa Van der HeijdenTeam Giant-Alpecins.t.
22Eddie DunbarTeam Katushas.t.
23Alessandro De MarchiIberdrolas.t.
24Julian ArredondoAg2r La Mondiales.t.
25Alexis VuillermozAg2r La Mondiales.t.
26Adam YatesTeam Skys.t.
27Rafal MajkaTeam Sky+ 1'15
28Bob JungelsTeam Skys.t.
29Jonathan HivertOrica-GreenEDGE+ 1'43
30Tom DumoulinTeam Giant-Alpecins.t.
31Hugh CarthyTeam Skys.t.
32Tejay Van GarderenStella Artoiss.t.
33Daniele Dall'OsteAndroni Giocattoli - Sidermec+ 2'32
34Beñat IntxaustiTEAM Cepsas.t.
35Warren BarguilStella Artoiss.t.
36Roman KreuzigerAstana Pro Teams.t.
37Simon SpilakOrica-GreenEDGEs.t.
38Joaquím RodríguezTinkoff-Saxos.t.
39Lawson CraddockESPN+ 3'16
40Jarlinson PantanoOrica-GreenEDGE+ 3'45
41Dominik NerzTeam Giant-Alpecins.t.
42Robert KiserlovskiIAM Cyclings.t.
43Vincenzo NibaliTeam Skys.t.
44Dayer QuintanaCCC Sprandi Polkowices.t.
45Diego RosaTEAM Cepsas.t.
46Jan BartaESPNs.t.
47Tim WellensESPNs.t.
48Fabio FellineTEAM Pirelli+ 4'42
49Frederico FigueiredoIberdrolas.t.
50Miguel Angel LopezStella Artoiss.t.
51Simone PetilliTeam Cannondale - Garmins.t.
52Leopold KönigAstana Pro Teams.t.
53Antoine LavieuCCC Sprandi Polkowices.t.
54José RamellaTeam Cannondale - Garmins.t.
55Romain BardetAstana Pro Teams.t.
56Andrey AmadorTeam Skys.t.
57Jordi SimónTeam Katushas.t.
58Valerio AgnoliAstana Pro Team+ 6'13
59Tiago MachadoTEAM Pirellis.t.
60Ian BoswellTeam LottoNL - Jumbos.t.
61Alberto ContadorAstana Pro Teams.t.
62Eros CapecchiTeam Cannondale - Garmins.t.
63Bart De ClercqStella Artoiss.t.
64Philippe GilbertLotto Soudal+ 7'50
65Enrico BattaglinIAM Cyclings.t.
66Edward RavasiTeam Cannondale - Garmins.t.
67Ilnur ZakarinTinkoff-Saxos.t.
68Eduardo SepulvedaTeam Skys.t.
69Pierre RollandTeam Skys.t.
70Sebastian HenaoColombias.t.
71Tanel KangertESPNs.t.
72Kenny ElissondeTeam Europcars.t.
73Pierre-Henri LecuisinierTeam Europcars.t.
74Marcel WyssIAM Cycling+ 9'08
75Heiner ParraDrapac Professional Cyclings.t.
76Pierre-Roger LatourESPNs.t.
77Sonny ColbrelliTeam Katusha+ 9'35
78Marcos GarcíaTEAM Cepsas.t.
79Gorka IzagirreIAM Cyclings.t.
80Lilian CalmejaneTeam Europcars.t.
81Winner AnaconaTeam LottoNL - Jumbos.t.
82Richie PorteOrica-GreenEDGEs.t.
83Alexey LutsenkoTeam Katushas.t.
84Sam OomenTinkoff-Saxos.t.
85Mattia CattaneoTEAM Cepsas.t.
86John Darwin AtapumaDrapac Professional Cyclings.t.
87Cristiano SalernoTEAM Cepsas.t.
88Simon ClarkeLotto Soudals.t.
89Gaël MalacarneAg2r La Mondiale+ 11'10
90Tony MartinStella Artois+ 12'12
91Muhamad OthmanCCC Sprandi Polkowices.t.
92Carlos VeronaTeam Katushas.t.
93Peter VelitsTeam Cannondale - Garmin+ 12'37
94Alessandro TonelliTEAM Pirelli+ 14'17
95Eduard-Michael GrosuMTN-Qhubekas.t.
96Jesper AsselmanTeam LottoNL - Jumbos.t.
97Samuele ContiBardiani CSFs.t.
98Lars Petter NordhaugCCC Sprandi Polkowices.t.
99Xabier Martínez MadrigalCCC Sprandi Polkowices.t.
100Victor LafayAg2r La Mondiales.t.
101Allessio BotturaTEAM Pirellis.t.
102Mohammed Mat SenanTEAM Pirellis.t.
103Simone PonziBardiani CSFs.t.
104Alexandre GeniezESPNs.t.
105Davide BalleriniBardiani CSFs.t.
106Diego OchoaColombias.t.
107Simon RaffinTeam Europcars.t.
108Alessio TalianiSoutheasts.t.
109Markus FreibergerIberdrolas.t.
110Axel DomontCCC Sprandi Polkowices.t.
111Tim DeclercqLotto Soudals.t.
112Nicolas EdetCyanides.t.
113Hector SaezIberdrolas.t.
114Javier MorenoTEAM Cepsas.t.
115Serge PauwelsStella Artoiss.t.
116Giovanni ViscontiAstana Pro Teams.t.
117Mirko TortaBardiani CSFs.t.
118Silvio HerklotzTeam Giant-Alpecins.t.
119Yannick EijssenStella Artoiss.t.
120Anatoliy BudyakDrapac Professional Cyclings.t.
121Thomas De GendtLotto Soudals.t.
122François BidardAg2r La Mondiales.t.
123Jurgen Van den BroeckLotto Soudals.t.
124Domenico PozzovivoTEAM Pirelli+ 15'17
125Tim KerkhofTeam LottoNL - Jumbo+ 15'38
126Patrick FacchiniTeam Cannondale - Garmin+ 16'09
127Emanuel BuchmannTeam LottoNL - Jumbos.t.
128Marko DíazColombia+ 17'53
129Francis De GreefTeam Giant-Alpecins.t.
130Carlos QuinteroColombias.t.
131Dusan RajovicColombias.t.
132Haritz OrbeIberdrolas.t.
133Moreno GiampaoloBardiani CSFs.t.
134Riccardo ChiariniAndroni Giocattoli - Sidermecs.t.
135Mirco SaggioratoIAM Cycling+ 18'54
136Michael HepburnOrica-GreenEDGEs.t.
137Serghei TvetcovTeam LottoNL - Jumbo+ 19'35
138Brice FeilluTeam Europcars.t.
139Rafal PalikOrica-GreenEDGEs.t.
140Romain GuyotTeam Europcars.t.
141Mauro FinettoAndroni Giocattoli - Sidermecs.t.
142Juan ChamorroColombias.t.
143Finn E. RosenkildeTeam Europcars.t.
144Dylan GirdlestoneMTN-Qhubekas.t.
145Leonardo PajueloIAM Cyclings.t.
146Goredema DabengwaIberdrolas.t.
147Michal PalutaCCC Sprandi Polkowices.t.
148Rein TaaramäeTeam Katushas.t.
149Andrea VaccherSoutheasts.t.
150David MenutCCC Sprandi Polkowice+ 20'44
151Alexander FoliforovMTN-Qhubeka+ 21'17
152Thomas DegandIberdrolas.t.
153Nikias ArndtTeam Giant-Alpecin+ 22'08
154Federico RocchettiBardiani CSFs.t.
155Emilien ViennetAg2r La Mondiales.t.
156Francesco GinanniTeam Europcars.t.
157Mateo PopovicESPNs.t.
158Julien DuvalCyanides.t.
159Milan VeltmanTEAM Pirellis.t.
160Léo VincentCyanides.t.
161Arnold JeannessonCyanide+ 23'23
162Esteban ChavesIAM Cyclings.t.
163Davide LeoneBardiani CSFs.t.
164Josip RumacMTN-Qhubekas.t.
165Gianluca MengardoAndroni Giocattoli - Sidermecs.t.
166Alessandro BisoltiSoutheasts.t.
167Giorgio CecchinelSoutheasts.t.
168Wilfried GalloCyanide+ 24'46
169Matteo GozziBardiani CSFs.t.
170Rudy BarbierCyanide+ 25'24
171Yelko GomezMTN-Qhubeka+ 26'32
172Anthony VandrepotteCyanides.t.
173Rüdiger SeligMTN-Qhubekas.t.
174Matteo BusatoTEAM Pirellis.t.
175Julius van den BergTeam LottoNL - Jumbo+ 27'32
176Mirsamad PoorseyediSoutheasts.t.
177Cameron WurfAg2r La Mondiale+ 27'54
178Iltjan NikaDrapac Professional Cycling+ 28'14
179Johann Van ZylMTN-Qhubekas.t.
180Kristian AasvoldMTN-Qhubeka+ 29'45
181Albert TimmerTeam LottoNL - Jumbos.t.
182Jasper De BuystDrapac Professional Cyclings.t.
183Lukas LöerOrica-GreenEDGEs.t.
184Cristian Delle StelleSoutheast+ 30'48
185Ignatas KonovalovasAndroni Giocattoli - Sidermec+ 31'46
186Francesco BaldiSoutheasts.t.
187Grégory RastESPN+ 32'18
188Pierre-Luc PérichonCyanides.t.
189Kevin PeetersLotto Soudal+ 33'02
190Rafael InfantinoColombias.t.
191Damiano CunegoSoutheasts.t.
192Fabio TuziAndroni Giocattoli - Sidermec+ 35'02
193Ryan GribskjoldColombia+ 35'56
194Andy AtkinsonDrapac Professional Cycling+ 36'53
195Andreas HoferDrapac Professional Cycling+ 40'15
196Marco BandieraTeam Katusha+ 42'48
197Riccardo TitoAndroni Giocattoli - Sidermec+ 44'01
198Jack AndersonDrapac Professional Cyclings.t.

The brilliant first year in the World Tour has just got better. A win here was not something I would've predicted, even after the Vuelta performance. Another new high for me. A firm message sent to the team management I think! Oh and look who I finished ahead of Wink


Giro dell Emilia

The last race of the season for me saw my name being thrown around among the favourites. Surprisingly, I wasn't the leader for this race! I was given a free role. I didn't join the break as I felt I had a better chance of attacking late on. As it would turn out, I missed the decisive attack and finished alone behind the third group on the road. Dries van Gestel finished 7th for us behind winner Kwiatkowski.

1Michal KwiatkowskiTeam Cannondale - Garmin4h47'27
2Alexis VuillermozAg2r La Mondiales.t.
3Simon YatesAstana Pro Teams.t.
4Rui CostaIAM Cyclings.t.
5Bauke MollemaOrica-GreenEDGE+ 28
6Domenico PozzovivoTEAM Pirelli+ 1'03
7Dries Van GestelLotto Soudal+ 1'16
8Roman KreuzigerAstana Pro Teams.t.
9Mikel LandaTeam Katushas.t.
10Miguel Angel LopezStella Artoiss.t.

Spoiler
11Julian ArredondoAg2r La Mondiales.t.
12Mathias FrankTrek Factory Racing+ 2'25
13Pierre-Roger LatourESPNs.t.
14Francesco BongiornoTeam Katushas.t.
15Thibaut PinotAg2r La Mondiales.t.
16Fabio FellineTEAM Pirellis.t.
17Abhishek SinhaLotto Soudal+ 2'46
18Edoardo ZardiniTeam Cannondale - Garmin+ 3'12
19Edward RavasiTeam Cannondale - Garmin+ 3'24
20Simon SpilakOrica-GreenEDGE+ 3'40
21Jarlinson PantanoOrica-GreenEDGE+ 4'03
22Eros CapecchiTeam Cannondale - Garmins.t.
23Sonny ColbrelliTeam Katusha+ 4'34
24Jeppe Lykke Hartvig NielsenIAM Cyclings.t.
25Lorenzo RotaAstana Pro Teams.t.
26Alfredo BalloniTeam Cannondale - Garmins.t.
27Stefano PirazziESPNs.t.
28Jan PolancLotto Soudals.t.
29Daniele Dall'OsteAndroni Giocattoli - Sidermecs.t.
30Eddie DunbarTeam Katushas.t.
31Esteban ChavesIAM Cyclings.t.
32Alberto ContadorAstana Pro Teams.t.
33Jordi van DingenenStella Artoiss.t.
34Patrick FacchiniTeam Cannondale - Garmins.t.
35Manuele BoaroTeam Katushas.t.
36Gorka IzagirreIAM Cyclings.t.
37Marko DíazColombia+ 6'47
38Davide LeoneBardiani CSFs.t.
39Robert KiserlovskiIAM Cyclings.t.
40Giovanni ViscontiAstana Pro Team+ 7'45
41Loïc VliegenLotto Soudal+ 7'54
42François BidardAg2r La Mondiales.t.
43Davide GabburoNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
44Ilya KoshevoyAstana Pro Teams.t.
45Valerio AgnoliAstana Pro Teams.t.
46Sidio MezziniNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
47Antonino ParrinelloTEAM Pirellis.t.
48Tanel KangertESPNs.t.
49Gianni MosconTeam Cannondale - Garmin+ 9'03
50Fabrice JeandesbozAg2r La Mondiales.t.
51Davide PacchiardoAndroni Giocattoli - Sidermecs.t.
52Oleg ZemlyakovAstana Pro Teams.t.
53Jordi SimónTeam Katushas.t.
54Gabriele PizzaballaBardiani CSFs.t.
55Alessio TalianiSoutheasts.t.
56Serge PauwelsStella Artoiss.t.
57Alexis DulinAg2r La Mondiales.t.
58Davide MartinelliESPNs.t.
59Jack BobridgeOrica-GreenEDGEs.t.
60Miguel BryonESPNs.t.
61Filadelfio SorianoAndroni Giocattoli - Sidermec+ 10'48
62Fabio DuarteColombias.t.
63Yannick EijssenStella Artoiss.t.
64Moreno GiampaoloBardiani CSFs.t.
65Enrico BattaglinIAM Cyclings.t.
66Carter JonesTrek Factory Racings.t.
67Jan BartaESPNs.t.
68Jeffrey PerrinTrek Factory Racings.t.
69Graham TrainoOrica-GreenEDGEs.t.
70Donato De IesoMG.Kvis - Vegas.t.
71Stefano NardelliMG.Kvis - Vegas.t.
72Massimo MogniTEAM Pirellis.t.
73Jack BauerTrek Factory Racings.t.
74Giorgio CecchinelSoutheasts.t.
75Joaquín CachoAndroni Giocattoli - Sidermecs.t.
76Marco FilisettiTeam Idea 2010 ASDs.t.
77Luca SterbiniTEAM Pirellis.t.
78Simone PetilliTeam Cannondale - Garmins.t.
79Stéphane RossettoAg2r La Mondiales.t.
80Edmeo MenghiniMG.Kvis - Vegas.t.
81Mirko TortaBardiani CSFs.t.
82Sean De BieStella Artoiss.t.
83Steff CrasESPNs.t.
84Antonio DuboisColombias.t.
85Luigi MilettaAndroni Giocattoli - Sidermecs.t.
86Mauro FinettoAndroni Giocattoli - Sidermecs.t.
87Mikaël ChérelAg2r La Mondiales.t.
88Adam PhelanOrica-GreenEDGEs.t.
89Daniel JaramilloColombias.t.
90Alessandro BisoltiSoutheasts.t.
91Patrick SchellingIAM Cyclings.t.
92Thomas MosesOrica-GreenEDGE+ 13'49
93Simone StortoniTEAM Pirellis.t.
94Silvan DietrichIAM Cyclings.t.
95Lennard KämnaOrica-GreenEDGEs.t.
96Matteo OcchialiniBardiani CSFs.t.
97Laurent BeuretTeam Idea 2010 ASDs.t.
98Jurgen Van den BroeckLotto Soudals.t.
99Davide ViganòD’Amico - Bottecchias.t.
100Jef Van MeirhaegheStella Artoiss.t.
101Egor SilinTeam Katusha+ 14'46
102Riccardo TitoAndroni Giocattoli - Sidermec+ 15'33
103Diego OchoaColombias.t.
104Gavin MannionTrek Factory Racings.t.
105Mirsamad PoorseyediSoutheasts.t.
106Michael BrescianiTeam Idea 2010 ASDs.t.
107Mattia PozzoD’Amico - Bottecchias.t.
108Marco TecchioTeam Unieuro Wilier Trevigianis.t.
109Francesco ChesiNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
110Tim DeclercqLotto Soudals.t.
111Ryan MullenStella Artois+ 16'43
112Alvaro CuadrosTeam Katushas.t.
113Andrea LomonacoNIPPO - Vini Fantini+ 16'57
114Simone NespoliNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
115Ryan GribskjoldColombias.t.
116Raffaele RadiceSoutheasts.t.
117Matteo FediTeam Unieuro Wilier Trevigianis.t.
118Riccardo ChiariniAndroni Giocattoli - Sidermecs.t.
119Andrea FediESPNs.t.
120Jesse KerrisonLotto Soudals.t.
121Fabio TaborreTEAM Pirelli+ 17'41
122Omar BertazzoBardiani CSFs.t.
123Damiano CunegoSoutheast+ 18'05
124Chris Anker SørensenTrek Factory Racings.t.
125Adriano BrogiTeam Unieuro Wilier Trevigianis.t.
126Steve MorabitoTrek Factory Racings.t.
127Tobias LudvigssonStella Artoiss.t.
128Maksim ShkvyrinBardiani CSFs.t.
129Francesco BonistalliTeam Unieuro Wilier Trevigianis.t.
130Ludovico PerlottoMG.Kvis - Vegas.t.
131Nicola Dal SantoTeam Unieuro Wilier Trevigianis.t.
132Reinis AndrijanovsD’Amico - Bottecchias.t.
133Josué MoyanoTeam Unieuro Wilier Trevigianis.t.
134Ramon CarreteroTeam Idea 2010 ASDs.t.
135Kenny DehaesLotto Soudals.t.
136Matteo GozziBardiani CSFs.t.
137Rémy MertzTrek Factory Racings.t.
138Nicolo MartinelloSoutheasts.t.
139Casper FolsachTeam Unieuro Wilier Trevigianis.t.
140Giacomo TomioNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
141Nicola TestiTeam Unieuro Wilier Trevigianis.t.
142Marco TizzaColombia+ 19'04
143Alessandro BazzanaNIPPO - Vini Fantini+ 23'29
144Oleg ChuzhdaD’Amico - Bottecchias.t.
145Francesco SedaboniTeam Idea 2010 ASDs.t.
146Stefano AgostiniTEAM Pirelli+ 24'27
147Cesare BenedettiNIPPO - Vini Fantini+ 26'08
148Mario SantoroTeam Idea 2010 ASD+ 29'03
149Mattia GavazziColombia+ 30'23
150Pedro Vassallo FerrariTeam Idea 2010 ASDs.t.
151Francesco BaldiSoutheasts.t.
152Enio BracciMG.Kvis - Vegas.t.
153Erich RöttgerD’Amico - Bottecchias.t.
154Mehdi SadiaD’Amico - Bottecchia+ 32'12
155Pietro SpositoTeam Idea 2010 ASDs.t.
156Ali AhmedMG.Kvis - Vega+ 35'04

I didn't mind the result in dell Emilia. It was a decent end to what has been an incredible season.

The newspapers back home finally gave me the recognition that was lacking so far. They did a half page article of my cycling journey highlighting the results in the Vuelta and Lombardia. I hope this can prove a catalyst to more youngsters taking up the sport in my country.
 
jandal7
ShockShockShockShockShockShock
BananaBananaBanana
What a win for you in Lombardia, fantastic performance and timing! Surely a sign to the management for you to be #1 mountains leader!
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."

[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] i.imgur.com/c85NSl6.png Xero Racing

i.imgur.com/PdCbs9I.png
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5x i.imgur.com/wM6Wok5.png x5
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2x pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/funniest21.png x2
2x i.imgur.com/TUidkLG.png x2
 
Ian Butler
Awesome win! Brilliant!
 
Ripley
Just wow! Il Lombardia! Showing Betancur who's the boss!
 
Tamijo
A late reply, but what a brilliant result at stage 20 in the Vuelta a Espana, would say that was the major breaktrough as a top climber for Sinha.

And then Il Lombardia Banana
 
Raziz
What a performance in Lombardia!
 
AbhishekLFC
Thank you everyone for the kind words Smile. Lombardia win is a dream come true!!
 
AbhishekLFC
2018 Season Recap

What do I say about the year 2018? Where do I start and where do I end?

I started my first race in a World Tour team!
I won a stage in my first race in a World Tour Team!
I started my first (and second) Grand Tour!
I won my first stage in a World Tour race!
I finished 8th in only my second Grand Tour!!
I won the U25 classification in the above mentioned Grand Tour!!
I WON IL LOMBARDIA!!!!

I could never have imagined it! My first season with Lotto Soudal has been a roaring success. The only question is whether I can do better in my second...

Statistics

World Tour Rankings CQ Rankings
Me 25th - 186 points 21st - 1310 points
Lotto Soudal 10th - 503 points 13th - 4089 points

 
AbhishekLFC
2019

Lotto Soudal Team Presentation

i.imgur.com/p2SD1ZL.jpg


Excerpts from the Press conference:
"... Last but no the least, we would like to present Carlos Betancur, who will share team leadership in Grand Tours and the Ardennes Classics..."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This was the first time that I had missed the start of season press conference since signing for Leopard. Funny that they chose this time to make a statement promoting Betancur. I'm not sure about the kinds of mixed signals that the team are sending out to me. I'm already 23, not that young. I've been a part of the peloton for four years now. After the discussion last August, I really thought that I would be the one sharing team leadership in Grand Tours with Meintjes. Looks like there will be some intra-team rivalry this year at Lotto.

Rider Presentation

i.imgur.com/nfDzzAR.jpg

It has been another year of fine progress. I should be competing for higher placings in World Tour stage races.
 
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AbhishekLFC
Before starting off with season 2019, I'd like to thank everyone who've been following and commenting on this story. We're up to nearly 300 posts and 15000 views. It is your support that motivates me to keep writing Smile
 
Ripley
International reputation, nice. I'm sure you'll do fine even in a free role, just attack Betancur if he's your captain. Smile Meintjes has become to an excellent climber I'm happy to see, I'm always a fan of riders from "exotic" countries (in terms of professional cycling).
 
AbhishekLFC
Ripley wrote:
International reputation, nice. I'm sure you'll do fine even in a free role, just attack Betancur if he's your captain. Smile Meintjes has become to an excellent climber I'm happy to see, I'm always a fan of riders from "exotic" countries (in terms of professional cycling).

Meintjes has been doing well races where we haven't started together Pfft

As for me, I can't let that reputation get to my head. I have won just one big race so far!
 
Croatia14
you're looking more and more fantastic Abhishek!
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2019/moty.png
 
Kiserlovski01
Ripley wrote:
International reputation, nice. I'm sure you'll do fine even in a free role, just attack Betancur if he's your captain. Smile Meintjes has become to an excellent climber I'm happy to see, I'm always a fan of riders from "exotic" countries (in terms of professional cycling).


Couldn't agree more, nice to you shine Abhishek Smile
i.imgur.com/whwk8g9.png


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Tamijo
Good luck with the coming season, I’m sure you will do great and negotiate a captain role for 2020.
 
AbhishekLFC
@Croatia and Kiser: Thank you for the kind words. Only way is up Grin

@Tamijo: Thanks. Yes, this season might just decide how I'm looked at by the peloton, a GT challenger or just a second leader. The contract with Lotto ends this year as well. Another significant event to prepare and ride for!
 
AbhishekLFC
Schedule for 2019

I had a good sit-down with the team to decide my schedule at the start of the year. There were a couple of races I would be riding for the first time including the big one. Here is what was finalised:

Month Race Category
January Tour de San Luis 2.1
February Vuelta a Andalucia 2.HC
March Paris - Nice WT
March Milan - San Remo Monument
April Vuelta al Pais Vasco WT
April La Fleche Wallone Classic
April Liege - Bastogne - Liege Monument
April Tour de Romandie WT
June Criterium Dauphine WT
July Tour de France Grand Tour
August Vuelta a Burgos 2.HC
August Vuelta a Espana Grand Tour
October Il Lombardia Monument
October Paris - Bourges 1.1

The big news is that I'll be starting the Tour de France for the very first time in my career. I will also be going to the Vuelta to try to improve on last year's eighth place finish. I will start in three Monuments - MSR, LBL and Il Lombardia - the last as defending champion!

I start the year differently this time. Mallorca and Murcia are not on my list as I chose to go to San Luis instead. Andalucia, another personal favourite remains on the calendar. Paris - Nice too remains on my schedule but Criterium International drops out to make way for MSR and a packed April - Pais Vasco, Fleche Wallone, LBL and Romandie. No races in June as I go off for altitude training for the Tour de France. I go to the Criterium Dauphine for the first time as a prep race for the Tour.

Following the Tour, I go to Burgos after a gap last year. I'm hoping this race will be the perfect build-up for the Vuelta a Espana. I end the season, following Il Lombardia in Paris - Bourges.

Targets

Race(s) Target Importance
Tour de France Top 15 and Young Riders Jersey 3 star
Vuelta a Espana Top 5 4 star
Stage Races Finish 1st in GC 4 star
Monuments Two Top 10s, 1 Top 5 4 star
World Tour Stage Races Podium in 3 races 5 star
Season 5 stage wins 5 star


Some might say that I've set high targets for myself this season but the time has come to really start challenging at the top of the GC in World Tour races. The target for the TDF is modest, given that it is the first time but I'll have to be very good at the Vuelta to satisfy myself. My win in Lombardia has given me confidence about being competitive in other Monuments as well. Five stage wins is a hard target, especially given the way I ride, focussing more on late attacks out of the pack than long distance efforts. I'll have to be very attentive and chose my moments well to achieve the same. I've also set a target of winning my first ever GC. Given that this is my fifth year as a pro, it is about time I achieved that!
Edited by AbhishekLFC on 30-05-2017 12:58
 
Tamijo
Good luck with you targets, they seem to be tough for sure.
 
Croatia14
Interesting goals - seems like there is a need to become a world beater in the contract year: A clean leadership in sight for you? Cool
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Kiserlovski01
Looking forward to the Tour - Vuelta combo, I hope it won't be too much on your still young shoulders (and legs) Wink
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