PCM.daily banner
02-04-2025 18:13
PCM.daily
Users Online
· Guests Online: 36

· Members Online: 0

· Total Members: 163,801
· Newest Member: Landonedigh
View Thread
PCM.daily » PCM Stories & Story Games » PCM 15: Stories
Page 17 of 44: 1...14151617181920...44
 Print Thread
One in a Billion | Rise to the Summit
AbhishekLFC
Top  #321 Print Post
Posted on 09-06-2017 07:29
I'm getting close but not making the right moves, like you said. Need to pay better attention going ahead.
Man-Game: Philips
[Finished] PCM 14 Story: Movistar - Climbing Kings
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/helpful21.png

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/moty.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/mghq1.png
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2019/forum%20thread.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/PCMdailyAwards2018/fantasycyclingseason.png

pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2017/riderstory.png
 
AbhishekLFC
Top  #322 Print Post
Posted on 10-06-2017 04:04
April

A very busy month starts with me jetting off to the Basque country, followed by a couple of Ardennes classics before finishing off the month in Switzerland. My quest for the GC win remains at the top of my priority list.

Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco

Once again, Lotto sent both Meintjes and Betancur along with me to this race. I was used to this role by now, having the freedom to look out for my own prospects. The field was quite competitive and it would be a challenge to get a high result here.

Stage 1 didn't have very high climbs but there were five of them. I tried to get into the break twice early on, but the pack closed down those attacks. The last climb dropped the sprinters. Unfortunately for us, it dropped Meintjes too! The stage was decided by a reduced bunch sprint. Tinkoff swept the podium.

I tried to attack again on Stage 2 but the peloton wasn't having any of it. I guess I should be flattered with the attention they were giving me. However, at the time, it was just frustrating. I attacked on top of the last climb and got 20 seconds to the pack. The break had been swept up before this. I was cuaght with 5 km still to go and finished in the pack. We moved to the top of the team standings.

Stage 3

i.imgur.com/uJeDmPb.jpg


This stage was was a disaster! I felt good starting the stage but lost all power in my legs in third climb. I lost six minutes on the stage and fell out of contention for the GC. Betancur finished in 8th to move up to 10th in the GC.

Stage 4 started with a thunderstorm raging overhead. I attacked on the first climb with Gallopin, chasing the break. We caught up to them on the next climb. On the fourth climb, I was in the two man surviving break with Dombrowski, two minutes ahead of the pack. I dropped the American eventualy but three others joined up from the pack, one moving past us easily as I started to lose energy. we was caught by the peloton with just 4 km to go. I held on to the pack to finish in the reduced bunch.

Stage 5 had more climbs and I got into the break again. I was caught less than halfway into the stage. I remained in the pack till the end. It was Betancur's turn to have a bad day and this ended Lotto's chance of a high GC finish. I finished with the reduced bunch at the finish.

Stage 6 was a hilly ITT. When I crossed th eline, I was in 5th place, 55 seconds off the pace. I ended up in 15th, more than a minute down. I improved a couple of places to finish 17th in the GC, the best in our team.

General Classification

1Michał KwiatkowskiTinkoff-Saxo19h57'03
2Davide FormoloAstana Pro Team+ 48
3Rui CostaBora - Argon 18+ 1'04
4Geraint ThomasAstana Pro Team+ 1'09
5Sérgio HenaoAg2r La Mondiale+ 1'13
6Nairo QuintanaTEAM Cepsa+ 1'32
7Rafał MajkaTeam Sky+ 1'46
8Mikel LandaTEAM Cepsa+ 2'12
9Julian AlaphilippeStella Artois+ 2'18
10Jarlinson PantanoColombia+ 2'37

Spoiler


Points Classification

1Michał KwiatkowskiTinkoff-Saxo92
2Daniel MartinTinkoff-Saxo74
3Julian AlaphilippeStella Artois64
4Geraint ThomasAstana Pro Team45
5Jarlinson PantanoColombia40


Mountain Classification

1Joseph DombrowskiTrek Factory Racing72
2Tony GallopinStella Artois28
3Pierre-Luc PérichonDecathlon27
4Alexey LutsenkoTrek Factory Racing14
5Abhishek SinhaLotto Soudal12


Young Riders Classification

1Abhishek SinhaLotto Soudal20h04'01
2Sam OomenTeam Giant-Alpecin+ 2'49
3Miguel Angel LopezStella Artois+ 3'07
4Matej MohoricOrica-GreenEDGE+ 5'44
5Anastasio AniaTinkoff-Saxo+ 6'01

i.imgur.com/ICnm92Q.jpg


Team Classification

1Astana Pro Team59h56'12
2Tinkoff-Saxo+ 1'39
3Team Sky+ 10'51
4Stella Artois+ 11'41
5TEAM Cepsa+ 13'45


A very disappointing race for us as all three GC candidates were not in top form. I wondered whether I had put too many race days in my schedule in the early season. This was a wake up call to better look after myself going ahead. The first dark spot in an other wise good season so far. The U25s classification victory was a small bright spot.
Man-Game: Philips
[Finished] PCM 14 Story: Movistar - Climbing Kings
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/helpful21.png

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/moty.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/mghq1.png
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2019/forum%20thread.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/PCMdailyAwards2018/fantasycyclingseason.png

pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2017/riderstory.png
 
Tamijo
Top  #323 Print Post
Posted on 10-06-2017 17:29
Not the best I guess, better luck in the Ardennes
My Stage Creations:
https://www.pcmdaily.com/forum/viewth...d_id=66162
 
AbhishekLFC
Top  #324 Print Post
Posted on 11-06-2017 04:51
April

The Ardennes have never been my friend. The profiles don't seem to suit me, and I keep missing the decisive moves. Would this year be any different? Let's find out.

La Fleche Wallone

Betancur led the team as I was given the freedom the do as I pleased. What else is new, right? I started too far back in the peloton to join the break that got away and the pack wasn't in amood to let anyone else get away. I waited for my chance later on. The middle section proved uneventful. We caught the break with 12 km to go. At the 10 km marker, the pack was down to 40 riders. The attacks started soon after and inexplicably, once again, I didn't have it in me to stay in touch. Another year, the same disappointment. Turned out to be a bad race for our full team.

1Michał KwiatkowskiTinkoff-Saxo4h27'02
2Nairo QuintanaTEAM Cepsa+ 30
3Sérgio HenaoAg2r La Mondiales.t.
4Julian AlaphilippeStella Artoiss.t.
5Tim WellensESPN+ 1'17
6Odd Christian EikingIAM Cycling+ 1'39
7Valerio ContiAstana Pro Teams.t.
8Fabio AruAstana Pro Teams.t.
9Daniel MartinTinkoff-Saxos.t.
10Petr VakočIberdrolas.t.

Spoiler


Liege - Bastogne - Liege

Meintjes led the team this time around. My situation was similar to what it was in Fleche Wallone. Here, however, the attacks from favourites started from a long way out. A t 30 km to go, and with the break long caught, there were 2 riders out in front with a 17 man group chasing. I was in the latter group but Meintjes was in the bigger peloton behind us. With 15 km to go, the situation had changed to me being in the 40 man peloton, behind three nearly two minutes behind the lead riders. There were two more groups between us and the lead group of three. It would be those three riders who contested the finish for the win. Alaphilippe beat the Tinkoff duo of Martin and Kwiatkowski to win LBL. I managed 25th.

1Julian AlaphilippeStella Artois6h16'19
2Daniel MartinTinkoff-Saxos.t.
3Michał KwiatkowskiTinkoff-Saxos.t.
4Sam OomenTeam Giant-Alpecin+ 57
5Fabio AruAstana Pro Teams.t.
6Moreno MoserIAM Cycling+ 2'38
7Samir JabrayilovMTN-Qhubekas.t.
8Alexis VuillermozAg2r La Mondiales.t.
9Odd Christian EikingIAM Cycling+ 2'57
10Alexandre GeniezESPN+ 3'08

Spoiler

The same story repeats at Ardennes for me. After a good start to the season, April has been a disappointment so far. Time to turn things around in Romandie I believe. And what's up with Meintjes I wonder...

@Tamijo: So such luck, unfortunately Sad
Man-Game: Philips
[Finished] PCM 14 Story: Movistar - Climbing Kings
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/helpful21.png

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/moty.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/mghq1.png
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2019/forum%20thread.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/PCMdailyAwards2018/fantasycyclingseason.png

pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2017/riderstory.png
 
Ripley
Top  #325 Print Post
Posted on 11-06-2017 07:44
I dunno cycling well enough to know Odd Christian Eiking, but I'm a fan already, I love the name. Smile Apart from that, these Ardennes races are very tough, Sinha would have to work more on his classics skills. And be prepared to dig deep when the attacks start, the others aren't holding back, there's no tomorrow to worry about like in a Grand Tour.
 
AbhishekLFC
Top  #326 Print Post
Posted on 11-06-2017 14:20
@Ripley: Right you are about the Ardennes. Not strong enough to stay with the best punchers when they put hammer down. Time to step up the training I think.

Here's all you need to know about Eiking Smile

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odd_Chr...ian_Eiking

https://www.procyclingstats.com/rider/...ian_Eiking
Man-Game: Philips
[Finished] PCM 14 Story: Movistar - Climbing Kings
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/helpful21.png

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/moty.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/mghq1.png
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2019/forum%20thread.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/PCMdailyAwards2018/fantasycyclingseason.png

pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2017/riderstory.png
 
Tamijo
Top  #327 Print Post
Posted on 11-06-2017 20:14
Guess Ripley is right, Classic are very diffrent from the long constant climbs, that Sinha do so well, either have to put focus on it, or just accept he is better suites for the stage race. Smile

Louis Meintjes flopping big time (again), odd how bad he has been lately.
My Stage Creations:
https://www.pcmdaily.com/forum/viewth...d_id=66162
 
AbhishekLFC
Top  #328 Print Post
Posted on 12-06-2017 10:05
Stage races are where my heart is. Maybe it's time to start specializing.

There's something going on with Meintjes, which probably has more to do than just his early season injury setting him back. I'm trying to figure that out too. He's not very keen to talk about it though.
Man-Game: Philips
[Finished] PCM 14 Story: Movistar - Climbing Kings
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/helpful21.png

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/moty.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/mghq1.png
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2019/forum%20thread.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/PCMdailyAwards2018/fantasycyclingseason.png

pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2017/riderstory.png
 
AbhishekLFC
Top  #329 Print Post
Posted on 13-06-2017 02:18
April

The next race and the last chance to redeem a poor month was in Romandie.

Tour de Romandie

Despite Betancur's presence, I was the designated leader for Lotto! I couldn't help but smile to myself when I read the team-sheet. The profile was one that did suit me and I was quite keen to do better than the previous couple of races.

The prologue on Stage 1 was decent for me. I finished 34th, just 16 seconds off the pace.

Stage 2 was flat with a slightly uphill finish. Betancur finished in 10th.

Stage 3

i.imgur.com/5ZcHXHx.jpg


I stayed in the pack. Dylan Teuns did much of the pace making throughout the stage. After the fifth climb, with 30 km to go, the lead group was down to 30 riders. The first major attack happened just at the base of the last climb with eight riders, including me and Betancur leaving the rest behind. Another attack followed from Barguil, Pinot and Van Garderen, who were never caught. The rest of us were swept up by the peloton on the downhill. Despite this, me and Betancur finished 7th and 6th respectively out of the bunch.

Stage 4

i.imgur.com/hCgZ0Pm.jpg


de Troyer joined up with the break. They didn't survive. I made my move 2 km from the top of the third climb. one by one the counters followed and I got left behind by four riders. I finished in a group of 11 riders at the finish picking up 7th place with Betancur 9th. Simon Spilak was the strongest on the day. I moved up to 10th in the GC.

Stage 5

i.imgur.com/Kd3tTYJ.jpg


I felt really good on the this stage. All but one rider from the break was reeled in after the first climb. Betancur attacked at the base of the second climb. I too attacked out of the pack and joined up with Betancur. After the second climb, it was Betancur, Pinot and myself chasing down the stubborn break, still thirty ahead on the road. The break was caught and dropped on the climb to the finish. I couldn't hang to the others and started being caught by the next group on the road. Meanwhile, Betancur's next attack was enough to distance and win the stage. I hung on for 3rd place, just as the trio of Froome, Bardet and Barguil caught up to me. Betancur was up to 4th in the GC, while I moved up to 6th.

Stage Result

1Carlos BetancurLotto Soudal4h44'42
2Thibaut PinotStella Artois+ 9
3Abhishek SinhaLotto Soudal+ 1'18
4Chris FroomeTinkoff-Saxos.t.
5Romain BardetTeam Skys.t.
6Warren BarguilIAM Cyclings.t.


Stage 6

i.imgur.com/0MrONfn.jpg


It remained to be seen how much my efforts up the mountain would affect my ITT. It did affect me to some extent. I was already down a minute at the second intermediate to then leader and eventual stage winner Nathan Brown. I lost 94 seconds by the time the last rider crossed the line. I lost a place in the GC to finish 7th, while Betancur slipped two spots to finish 6th.

General Classification

1Warren BarguilIAM Cycling18h01'26
2Romain BardetTeam Sky+ 8
3Thibaut PinotStella Artois+ 37
4Tejay Van GarderenAstana Pro Team+ 2'42
5Chris FroomeTinkoff-Saxo+ 2'58
6Carlos BetancurLotto Soudal+ 3'18
7Abhishek SinhaLotto Soudal+ 3'33
8Simon SpilakESPN+ 4'35
9Gregorio IbañezTinkoff-Saxo+ 5'37
10Eddie DunbarTeam LottoNL - Jumbo+ 6'17

Spoiler


Points Classification

1Warren BarguilIAM Cycling48
2Romain BardetTeam Sky46
3Thibaut PinotStella Artois45
4Chris FroomeTinkoff-Saxo42
5Carlos BetancurLotto Soudal38


Mountain Classification

1François BidardAg2r La Mondiale068
2Thibaut PinotStella Artois030
3Cayetano SarmientoIberdrola028
4Carlos BetancurLotto Soudal020
5Pello BilbaoTEAM Cepsa019


Young Rdiers Classification

1Abhishek SinhaLotto Soudal18h04'59
2Gregorio IbañezTinkoff-Saxo+ 2'04
3Eddie DunbarTeam LottoNL - Jumbo+ 2'44
4Lennard KämnaMTN-Qhubeka+ 8'15
5Moritz BackofenBora - Argon 18+ 14'42


Team Classification

1Team Sky54h20'22
2Tinkoff-Saxo+ 32
3ESPN+ 10'05
4MTN-Qhubeka+ 19'10
5Lotto Soudal+ 20'32


A much better outing than the rest of the month. I felt I could still have done better, expecially in both the ITTs. The mountain stages saw me get into the top 10 consistently, the podium on the Queen Stage the highlight of the race. The win in the U25s has become a habit and has lost some of its charm in these races. A good race from Betancur too as he found himself high on all the classifications. A rare top 5 finish from the team.

I'll be off racing for a month as I go for altitude training. See you at the Dauphine in about 5 weeks' time...
Man-Game: Philips
[Finished] PCM 14 Story: Movistar - Climbing Kings
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/helpful21.png

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/moty.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/mghq1.png
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2019/forum%20thread.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/PCMdailyAwards2018/fantasycyclingseason.png

pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2017/riderstory.png
 
Tamijo
Top  #330 Print Post
Posted on 13-06-2017 16:38
Great comeback with a good Romandie, especially the hard stage 5.
My Stage Creations:
https://www.pcmdaily.com/forum/viewth...d_id=66162
 
Ad Bot
Posted on 02-04-2025 18:13
Bot Agent

Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
IP: None  
AbhishekLFC
Top  #331 Print Post
Posted on 14-06-2017 02:41
Timely boost of confidence indeed. Now to start concentrating on Tour preparations.
Man-Game: Philips
[Finished] PCM 14 Story: Movistar - Climbing Kings
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/helpful21.png

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/moty.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/mghq1.png
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2019/forum%20thread.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/PCMdailyAwards2018/fantasycyclingseason.png

pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2017/riderstory.png
 
Ripley
Top  #332 Print Post
Posted on 14-06-2017 10:20
Revenge from Betancur, this time you were the leader and he left you behind to win stage 5. Smile
 
AbhishekLFC
Top  #333 Print Post
Posted on 14-06-2017 11:13
What goes around comes around I guess Pfft
Man-Game: Philips
[Finished] PCM 14 Story: Movistar - Climbing Kings
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/helpful21.png

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/moty.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/mghq1.png
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2019/forum%20thread.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/PCMdailyAwards2018/fantasycyclingseason.png

pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2017/riderstory.png
 
AbhishekLFC
Top  #334 Print Post
Posted on 14-06-2017 12:12
Something More to Think About

Date: 7th June, 2019

I haven't been racing over the past month. But that's not accurate for the state my mind is in right now. Let me take you back to how the month has panned out for me, and more importantly for the team.

Two weeks after Romandie ended, I was off to the Alps for altitude training for the Tour. We had some reconnaissance rides over Tour stages and put in hundreds of kilometers in the week that we were there. We even managed to squeeze some sightseeing into our busy schedule.

All the while, we kept ourselves updated with the progress of the Giro d'Italia. The first week was uneventful for us. After we returned from the Alps and took up training in the flats, the Giro reached it's climax. As the stages progressed, Meintjes kept rising up the GC standings. On the last mountain stage, he picked up the stage win after attacking on the climb to the finish. He moved up from 7th to 4th in the GC after putting serious time into his rivals. He stayed out of trouble on the ceremonial ride into Milan. This was Lotto's highest GC finish in a Grand Tour ever. Understandably, the management and most of the team were chuffed to bits.

The last stage of the Giro was on Sunday, 2nd June. Just two days later, we woke up to discover the following article in the newspaper:

South African Cycling Superstar Signs with MTN Qhubeka

"...we cannot hide our delight at having captured the signature of Louis Meintjes for the coming season. MTN Qhubeka have always strived to promote and popularise cycling in Africa and we cannot think of a better rider to lead our Grand Tour ambitions than Louis. For now, he has signed a one year contract with the team but we hope, and sincerely believe, that the partnership will be extended..."

Judging by the shocked messages I received from some teammates and the responses I got from those I had messaged myself, no one had any clue about Louis planning a move away from Lotto. Needless to say, the team management were seething.

I later realized that this perhaps better explained Louis's early season results! I don't know what to make of all this right now. I'm caught between hoping for finally getting the leader role in Grand Tours next season and trying to better understand the reasons for Louis's sudden departure. Was there something going on behind the scenes that I wasn't aware of?

The Criterium Dauphine starts in two days' time and I don't know how well I'm prepared for it. It hasn't been easy concentrating on cycling over the past week...
Edited by AbhishekLFC on 14-06-2017 12:19
Man-Game: Philips
[Finished] PCM 14 Story: Movistar - Climbing Kings
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/helpful21.png

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/moty.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/mghq1.png
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2019/forum%20thread.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/PCMdailyAwards2018/fantasycyclingseason.png

pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2017/riderstory.png
 
Tamijo
Top  #335 Print Post
Posted on 15-06-2017 07:16
Shock Interesting !
A leader role or will Lotto hire a new leader ?
My Stage Creations:
https://www.pcmdaily.com/forum/viewth...d_id=66162
 
AbhishekLFC
Top  #336 Print Post
Posted on 15-06-2017 09:02
Tamijo wrote:
Shock Interesting !
A leader role or will Lotto hire a new leader ?

That is the question!!
Man-Game: Philips
[Finished] PCM 14 Story: Movistar - Climbing Kings
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/helpful21.png

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/moty.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/mghq1.png
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2019/forum%20thread.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/PCMdailyAwards2018/fantasycyclingseason.png

pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2017/riderstory.png
 
Croatia14
Top  #337 Print Post
Posted on 15-06-2017 09:50
stunning episode, tension arises!
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2019/moty.png
 
Raziz
Top  #338 Print Post
Posted on 15-06-2017 11:11
AbhishekLFC wrote:
Tamijo wrote:
Shock Interesting !
A leader role or will Lotto hire a new leader ?

That is the question!!


Don't go all Hamlet!
 
AbhishekLFC
Top  #339 Print Post
Posted on 16-06-2017 05:18
@Croatia: Thanks. I had been writing this particular episode over and over in my head for the past couple of days. I'm glad you liked it Smile

@Raziz: I'm afraid I've already gone there!!
Man-Game: Philips
[Finished] PCM 14 Story: Movistar - Climbing Kings
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/helpful21.png

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/moty.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/mghq1.png
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2019/forum%20thread.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/PCMdailyAwards2018/fantasycyclingseason.png

pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2017/riderstory.png
 
AbhishekLFC
Top  #340 Print Post
Posted on 16-06-2017 14:56
June

After the crazy week that had just passed, it was actually time to go racing again. June would see me ride my preparation race for the Tour de France - the Criterium Dauphine.

Criterium Dauphine

A strong field turned out for this race. I would have to be at my best to get a high GC finish.

Stage 1 was a Prologue ITT but it was in no way flat. The results reflected the terrain as Nairo Quintana took the win and announced his claim for the race win. I finished 20 seconds off the pace. A good start no doubt.

Stage 2

i.imgur.com/dV6iMWP.jpg


I stayed with the pack as we swept up the berakaway and reached the last climb. I attacked 1.5 km from the top of the last climb. Two more pairs of attackers followed, with first Quintana and Kreuziger and then Sergio Henao and Eiking countering and catching me. Quintana and Kreuziger proved too strong, got a small gap to the rest of us and contested the finish. The trio of me, Henao and Eiking finished and few seconds later, but we were given the same time. The peloton rolled in more than a minute later. I moved up to 4th in the GC.

Stage 3 had a similar profile to the previous one. Beukens did an excellent job protecting me till the last climb of the day before dropping back. A very select bunch of just 19 riders, with me in it, reached the finish line together. None of the GC leaders lost time.

Stage 4

i.imgur.com/cJMbf32.jpg


I was looking forward to the long ITT. I felt good from the start and it showed on the timing screens too. I was in pole position through the first two intermediate time checks. I got tired at the end and lost a minute to stage winner Taylor Phinney by the end. However, I gained enough time on the riders ahead of me in the GC - Quintana lost 2'34" - and took over the lead in the GC! This was the first time ever that I was the GC leader in any race in professional cycling!!

I lived a dream on Stage 5, that of wearing a leader's jersey in a professional cycling race. Could I keep it till the finish? Only time would tell...

i.imgur.com/of2i72R.jpg

(Me in the leader's jersey, with Declerq in tow)

The team took turns, first chasing down the break and then chasing down an attack from Quintana. They did a fantastic job of the latter as there was a point Quintana had become the virtual leader on the road. I lost about a minute to the Colombian but held on to my jersey by a mere 11 seconds.

Stage 6
i.imgur.com/6GHkf7C.jpg


This stage saw an early attack from Pierre Rolland who was seven minutes down in the GC. We took no chances as we kept the berak on a leash throughout. However, on the second climb, both me and Quintana lost teammates and the break got a second wind. They held on for the win but the damage wasn't major. I got past the climb and the descent in a 12 man group behind the break and won the bunch sprint to take 5th place, with Quintana right on my tail.

Stage 7

i.imgur.com/1vpYrIB.jpg


The early break did not seem to pose much of a threat. Ion Izagirre was the highest placed among them, nine minutes down in the GC. This time however, our team couldn't handle the climbs and got decimated in the second climb itself. I was with the group of GC leaders till a quarter way up the HC climb. Beyond that, I cracked. It was a hard ride up that climb, as I kept dropping down the groups. My hopes of winning, or even salvaging a podium were done.

I rode across the line eleven minutes down on Quintana, who took over the GC lead. I had even lost my place to Izagirre!

I tried to get into the break on Stage 8. But every time I tried, I was reeled in. I gave that up and settled in to try again later. I did attack and was successful on the final categorised climb. I was in a group of eight riders behind the four man break at the base of the last (un-categorised) climb. Eight became two at the top of the climb and I rode alonside Craddock till the finish, him beating me in the sprint at the line for 5th place. I climb up two spots in the GC to finish 8th.

General Classification

1Nairo QuintanaTEAM Cepsa28h00'05
2Simon YatesAstana Pro Team+ 4'59
3Davide FormoloAstana Pro Team+ 7'48
4Warren BarguilIAM Cycling+ 7'53
5Thibaut PinotStella Artois+ 8'08
6Chris FroomeTinkoff-Saxo+ 8'34
7Ilnur ZakarinTeam Sky+ 8'44
8Abhishek SinhaLotto Soudal+ 8'57
9Arnaud DuteilTeam Europcar+ 10'40
10Pierre RollandTeam Sky+ 11'03

Spoiler


Points Classification

1Nairo QuintanaTEAM Cepsa97
2Warren BarguilIAM Cycling74
3Simon YatesAstana Pro Team56
4Abhishek SinhaLotto Soudal56
5Arnaud DuteilTeam Europcar49


Mountain Classification

1Nairo QuintanaTEAM Cepsa63
2Ion IzagirreTinkoff-Saxo52
3Dario CataldoTeam Sky47
4Warren BarguilIAM Cycling40
5Nelson OliveiraMTN-Qhubeka38


Young Riders Classification

1Abhishek SinhaLotto Soudal28h09'02
2Tiesj BenootLotto Soudal+ 30'47
3Odd Christian EikingIAM Cycling+ 33'04
4Geoffrey DuteilStella Artois+ 36'13
5Bernard ThielBora - Argon 18+ 43'04


Team Classification

1Astana Pro Team84h17'51
2Team Sky+ 2'30
3Stella Artois+ 26'14
4Tinkoff-Saxo+ 27'41
5Ag2r La Mondiale+ 58'21


Ecstacy, followed by Agony, followed by a measure of Redemption. That is probably how I would describe this race. I cannot explain the exhilarating feeling that came with stepping stepping on to the podium as the race leader. I got the chance to do it for three stages. A lot of high finishes also in this race. One bad stage put paid to a brilliant result. The huge loss in the high mountain stage is a big worry going into the Tour. I wish I did better on that stage...
Man-Game: Philips
[Finished] PCM 14 Story: Movistar - Climbing Kings
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/helpful21.png

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/moty.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2020/mghq1.png
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2019/forum%20thread.png
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/PCMdailyAwards2018/fantasycyclingseason.png

pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2017/riderstory.png
 
Page 17 of 44: 1...14151617181920...44
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
Nibali in pink
Nibali in pink
PCM12: 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: 0.54 seconds
Copyright © 2006-2023


Powered by PHP-Fusion Copyright © 2025 PHP-Fusion Inc
Released as free software without warranties under GNU Affero GPL v3