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Vantage Point | Entry #30
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 29-06-2017 17:13
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Grand Tour Champion
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@sutty68: Not everything is simple and easy when it comes to the management side of the sport. You can't always get what you want.
@Tamijo: Who said anything about a murder?  Just the harsh world of cycling being exposed.
@jseadog1: Everyone is entitled to their opinion. 
@Aquarius97: Clues add up. I spend a lot of time crafting each entry to advertently hide tiny hints while some are pretty obvious, and some stuff is put in just to throw every one off. It's working so far.
@Ian Butler: A little bizarre, but ok. *Repeat what I told jseadog1*
@jseadog1 (again): Sup Lance, you cheating son of a (explicit) that got me hooked on this sport. 
@sutty68 (again): Well, not poke holes in that theory, but I did already disclose Alex's nationality:  . Unless, Lance had too much fun in Amsterdam on a visit once. 
@Ripley: Going with the common sense approach. Interesting. 
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 21-11-2024 15:01
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 30-06-2017 15:06
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Basically an average cycling dude: A Doped Gay Stage frightened unwanted son of an Amterdam hooker and Lance Armstrong 
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 30-06-2017 16:49
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@Tamijo: Yeah... Something like that.
@All: I somehow haven't been hit by the photobucket hostage situation yet, but I feel it's only a matter of time. For everything I have done on PCMDaily has been on photobucket across four different accounts (so I would never go over the broadband width). I would be gutted if all my photos are taken down, as most story writers are right now.
In an attempt to stay under the radar, I will no longer be using my photobucket accounts and I have switched over to photouploads.com. Which means, I no longer have access to photobucket's photo editor. So, no more cool picture effects. Just the raw images, but I have found an easy way to add the same borders to the picture.
Also, shame on photobucket. I wouldn't mind paying a little bit for 3rd party hosting, but $400 a year is insane. I can't even image how many past stories are going to get ruin by this. Hopefully, mine don't get put on that list, but I fear they will.
In the meantime, I'm not letting photobucket win.
We will keep pushing forward!
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 30-06-2017 16:59
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8056
Joined: 22-06-2009
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Entry #14 | October 5, 2016: Snapshots with Coach Nico Van Hest
Note: A recap of Alex Vogel's second half of the 2016 season.
Some wise man named Confucius once said, "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." That should be the motto for every cyclist.
This is a cruel and demanding sport. Not everyone can be a winner. So, you have to celebrate the little moments of personal achievement to stay motivated.
I'm glad I got to watch one unfold as the Robobank era came to a close.
After becoming the punching bag for jokes among teammates, Alex rose.
It started at the U23 cobbled classic Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
Following heated discussions as to whether or not Alex was ready to race again after suffering the dislocated elbow, Alex waved off the doctor's recommendation to rehab for another week and saddled up instead.
Working exclusively for the team, Alex lasted 90kms before bowing out. And not because of the elbow, but because the legs had given up.
Training had to be increased.
Then, a month later, we went to Portugal. With still pretty low stamina levels, I thought there was no way Alex was going to last all 11 stages.
So, we pinpointed one stage to target. Stage 6. A rolling hilly stage with a downhill at the start of the day. At the drop of the flag, Alex was gone.
Despite being helped by four other breakaway companions, the group never had a chance and were caught with 20kms to go.
Alex was completely drained after the stage and everyone on the team was certain at dinner that evening they were going to have one less teammate on the start line the following day. We were wrong.
I don't how, but Alex completed the tour with a 53rd overall finish. Only to be outdone by teammate Jeroen Meijers, who had a great tour to take 12th overall.
Getting stronger and stronger, we sent Alex off to be alone against the clock at the Chrono Champenois in France. It was a very risky decision for reasons I can't disclose at this time, but we figured Alex could get a good result here.
We were pleasantly surprised with a 15th place, 2'49" off the winner.
Then came the final race of the season: U23 Giro di Lombardia.
Alex wanted in the breakaway so bad, but Arthur said no. Instead, Rabobank somehow managed to get both Merijn Korevaar and Peter Lenderink up front.
Without even realizing it, Arthur had set Alex up as the team leader and casually had the team protecting their clueless captain.
The breakaway was caught and the peloton shrunk to 26 cyclists.
Then, on the final climb, 8 cyclists had slowly edged off the front. With the help of teammate Joris Nieuwenhuis, Alex was one of them.
Everyone loves the storybook ending in which the main character wins. But, like I said before, cycling is hard. Alex sprinted to an eighth place finish.
From dejected to inspiring in four short months. What a turnaround.
The soon to be phenom deserved better than a one-way ticket back to square one.
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| Selwink |
Posted on 30-06-2017 17:06
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Grand Tour Champion
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At least there's some good progress for Alex now 
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 02-07-2017 13:33
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Grand Tour Champion
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Joined: 22-06-2009
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@Selwink: Closed out the year strong, but still a long, long ways to go.
Not to mention that Alex still needs a team for next season.
Any of you detectives figure out where the next stop in the journey will be? If not, it will be revealed tomorrow. Stay tuned.
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 02-07-2017 13:47
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
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Next stop: someone threatening to reveal the secret! |
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 03-07-2017 06:24
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8056
Joined: 22-06-2009
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Entry #15 | April 19, 2017: Conversation with Teammate Joris Nieuwenhuis
Note: Alex walks into the Team Sunweb HQ for the first time.
Well, well, well. Look who it is. You're quite the stalker.
Hey, a familiar face. How have you been Joris?
Too much training, not enough sleep. You know how it is Alex. But, hey, welcome back to the big leagues. You want a tour around the place?
That'd be great. Thanks.
No problem. We just got back from a training ride and most of the guys have headed home for the evening. Also, I think Arthur is out helping with the women's team at the moment if you were looking for him.
Yeah, I should probably thank him in person for getting me this gig. When do you think they will be back in?
Probably in an hour. And don't even think about getting friendly with any of the female cyclists. I don't want the same drama we had at Rabobank.
Come on. I'd be silly to do that... again. I learned my lesson.
Good. Well, here is the cafeteria.
This would be the first place you take me.
I'm exhausted, and hungry. Just give me a second, I need to eat.
Don't take too long. I'm actually here to see Nelis? Nelis Koeken? I have a training evaluation ride tomorrow and he is supposed to set up my bike, I believe.
Ah, Nelis is a cool dude. He will take good care of you. Although, with your size, it might take him a little longer to find a good setup. Probably why they made you come in today and not just sort all that out tomorrow.
Hey, I grew a couple of inches... So, where can I find him?
Out back with the mechanics. Here, follow me... You owe me a sandwich.
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 03-07-2017 08:51
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Team Sunweb nice !
(Was thinking about making a Giant–Alpecin story, better trash and repick)
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| Aquarius97 |
Posted on 03-07-2017 10:45
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I wonder what happened between Alex and one of the Rabobank ladies to have a drama
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 03-07-2017 14:14
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Aquarius97 wrote:
I wonder what happened between Alex and one of the Rabobank ladies to have a drama
I've always got the impression Alex is a strange ladies man. A casanova of some sorts. |
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 03-07-2017 21:05
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8056
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@Tamijo: It's only their U23 team, so Alex hasn't made it big just yet.
@Aquarius97: Stuff, that may or may not be disclosed at a later time.
@Ian Butler: Another interesting take. Time will tell if there is any truth to that or just speculation from assumptions.
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| Aquarius97 |
Posted on 03-07-2017 21:42
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Oh, I thought that Alex was in the WT team... although it makes more sense to join a dev-team in mid-april than a WT team
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 05-07-2017 15:59
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Entry #16 | April 20, 2017: Observation with Bike Specialist Nelis Koeken
Note: In the shop tweaking Alex's bike after a training ride.
Each rider has their own preferences. While part of my job is to accommodate them and make them feel comfortable, I'm also paid to make them go fast.
After two hours in the wind tunnel testing yesterday and a training ride today, I still haven't found a starting setup that Alex really likes. Something that is light, small frame, but packs a punch when dancing on the pedals to create attacks.
In a sense, a high quality mountain bike. But, Alex isn't a climber.
This had turned into my biggest challenge yet. We had designed similar equipment, but nothing that would pass the UCI equipment standards at this level.
While Alex was content to ride around on a semi-fitted bike, Arthur was pretty demanding that his prize possession got the perfect fit.
So, I'll keep chipping away and looking into new designs to find a solution. Right now I'm thinking we are going to have to design a brand new gearbox.
I'm sure that's exactly how our technical research and developer Tom Davids wants to be spending his time in mid-April. And I'm not sure how much of a difference it's going to make.
I got a glance at Alex's training evaluation and it's not terrible for someone who is going to be a domestique all season. Stamina and endurance aren't going to be fixed with a gearbox.
Now, whether or not Arthur had any influence in skewing the numbers a little bit, the answer is probably yes. The guy is relentless, as are most coaches.
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 06-07-2017 08:38
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Skewing the numbers with photoshopping ?
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 07-07-2017 16:04
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8056
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@Tamijo: Perhaps.
@All: Photobucket finally got to me last night. All my photos for everything I've done on the site... gone. I have replaced all the photos for this story on photouploads.com. That took about 30 minutes. But, we carry on. Like I have said before, I'm not letting photobucket win.
For those wondering, I will be "remastering" my popular The Comeback story over the next weeks/months. Fixing all the images, rereading it and fixing grammar/spelling mistakes. Other stories, probably not. Maybe The Quest for History: Andy Schleck if I can find the photos.
EDIT: Wait, it looks like the The Comeback hasn't been hit yet... Probably only a matter of time, and if it does get hit my plan is to still remaster it.
On another note, we have moved into a new thread.
Edited by Mresuperstar on 07-07-2017 16:14
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 07-07-2017 16:11
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8056
Joined: 22-06-2009
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Entry #17 | May 1, 2017: Snapshots with Coach Sebastian Deckert
Note: Riding around in the team car at U23 Rund um den Finanzplatz.
In a sense, yeah, I was a little angry. I wanted what Alex was given. A second chance. After five years of cycling in the lower circuit, I never caught such a break.
So, here I am. I like coaching, but I'd much rather be on the bike than in the car.
And did Alex even deserve to be here? Pssh, I think I have a better resume.
We brought 4 cyclists to my home country race of U23 Rund um den Finanzplatz.
I actually rode the elite race here twice in my career, finishing 19th (2014) and 105th (2012). So, I figured since it was the U23 version that our guys should at least get Top 15 finishes. I like to set the bar high.
Alex, even with the help of Leon Rohde, struggled to stay in contact on the major hill in the middle of the day. But, they made it over in the peloton.
On the downhill, however, disaster struck.
Down went Christopher Blevins from Axeon Hagens Berman. Luckily, Alex and Leon narrowly missed getting tangled up in the mess. They smartly moved their way back up through the peloton and to the front.
The cyclists crossed over the "fake" finish with 9kms to go. They had to make one more circuit with a sprint finish coming, as the breakaway riders were being quickly swept up. We had all four of our guys lurking around the front.
I told each of them to pick their own wheels and have some fun.
The finish looked like an angry cluster of bees. Just a swarm with no organization.
Axeon Hagens Berman's Logan Owen had a special moment by winning the day for his fallen American teammate Blevins, who we later found out broke a couple ribs.
We somehow managed three riders in the Top 13: Nils Eekhof (7th), Maxime Gressier (10th) and Rohde (13th). Not bad.
Oh, and Alex got boxed in and finished 25th. Failing the race objective is never a good way to make a first impression.
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 07-07-2017 17:11
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Team Leader
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Great post - result could be better
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 10-07-2017 16:36
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Grand Tour Champion
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Entry #18 | May 12, 2017: Snapshots with Teammate Leon Rohde
Note: Recaping the flat five-day U23 Tour de Berlin.
In life, or cycling, you can't always get what you want.
But, then there are other times when everything seemingly falls into place.
In front of friends and family, Max Kanter upset the favourites in a sprint to win the first stage of the U23 Tour de Berlin and he pulled on the yellow jersey.
It was quite a moment for the team. Our first victory of the season. We celebrated accordingly. Everyone was pumped, but then Stage 2 rolled around.
Everyone had to work their butts off for the yellow jersey. Only to see Kanter lose it at the end of the day because of bonus seconds.
Stage 3 we got stuck working to preserve the green jersey. Only to see Kanter lose that at the end of day.
Alex got stuck looking after Kanter on Stage 4. A sucky job, but be carefully what you wish for because it can always get so much worse.
With 55kms to go, Alex got a flat tire. We were ordered to just carry on.
I felt bad leaving someone behind, but it had to be done. I can only image the hell Alex went through. Then, it started to rain.
But, I have to give props when due. Alex finished inside the time limit. Coming in 10 minutes behind the peloton.
Stage 5 didn't offer much. Our best place rider at the end of the tour was Jarno Mobach in 7th overall after a successful breakaway on Stage 3. As much as Alex wanted to be that breakaway star, some of us don't always get what we want.
Alex finished dead last in the field: 99th overall.
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 12-07-2017 07:09
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Life sucks......sometimes
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