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Vantage Point | Entry #30
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 12-07-2017 07:49
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You know. At least it can't get any worse  |
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 12-07-2017 16:39
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@Tamijo & Ian Butler: It's the bad times that make the triumphs even sweeter. Well, depending on if success ever comes. 
Edited by Mresuperstar on 12-07-2017 16:43
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 12-07-2017 16:42
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Entry #19 | May 28, 2017: Observation with Friend Sabrina Stultiens
Note: Some background information on Alex's past.
Alex and I went to the same primary school and we quickly became best friends.
In many ways, I'm the reason Alex got into cycling. We rode all the time growing up in Helmond. Riding up and down the canal in the middle of the town after school.
While Alex was clearly better than me, I was the one that took the risk and signed a full-time contract with the Rabobank women's team in 2012, at the age of 19.
It was the best decision I have ever made.
Meanwhile, Alex decided to go off to university to study business. It certainly offered a more stable future to support a family than cycling ever could.
So, as many adults do, we kind of drifted apart and went our separate ways.
But, the flame was rekindled when I posted this on my Twitter in July 2014.
Four days after my 21st birthday, I won the U23 European RR Championship.
The next day, Alex DMed me to congratulate me and wished me a belated birthday. We went back and forth for hours, just catching up. I eventually just gave Alex my cell number and we started texting.
This is weird to admit, but over time I could sense the jealousy in Alex's texts.
One day I had enough of the self loathing and just wrote, "It's never too late. I know a guy if you want to try out. Why not dream big?"
That's how Alex met Arthur, and the rest is history as they say.
We went from being childhood friends to acquaintances to friends once again.
The mini (U23) Hell of the North was four days before Alex's 22nd birthday.
Instead of getting a congratulations text, Alex got this instead:
I wasn't going to miss out on the wild birthday celebrations.
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 14-07-2017 09:54
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Somebody To Love:
https://www.youtu...ijpcUv-b8M
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 14-07-2017 09:57
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Wild birthday celebrations, you say? 
Don't be jealous, Alex. We have the foresight to know you'll make it and be able to finish last in the Tour of Berlin! Nothing to worry  |
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 14-07-2017 17:49
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 03-12-2024 18:46
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 14-07-2017 17:49
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Entry #20 | July 18, 2017: Snapshots with Photographer Dave Rietbergen
Note: Photo collection of races involving Alex during the 2017 season.
I work for Cor Vos Photo Agency and take photos for teams that hire out our services. Our major backers this season have been Team Sunweb, while I also do freelance work for other local teams like SEG, Monkey Town, etc.
It's been a fun, yet hard season so far. Hopefully my photos portray that.
May 24, 2017:  U23 Ronde de L'Isard | Stage 3
Alex goes over the summit of the final climb. A late attack from the Team Sunweb rider produced a 12th place on the stage, but 87th overall.
May 27, 2017: U23 Paris-Roubaix
The cyclists begin their journey to Hell and back.
June 16, 2017: U23 Tour des Pays de Savoie | Stage 3
Alex gets pulled back from the breakaway with 52kms to go on the climb of Les Gets in the Alps. A rough tortuous climbing tour, Alex never finished above 80th in a stage and placed 86th overall.
July 7, 2017:  2.2 GP Torres Vedras | Stage 2
With hopes of wearing the KoM jersey, Alex attacks in pursuit an early checkpoint. But, can't keep up with others that have the same thought. A step up in competition level, a step down in results: 129th Overall.
July 16, 2017:  U23 Giro della Valle d'Acosta Mt. Blanc | Stage 5
The peloton drops the hammer and leaves Alex in the dust. Alex comes home 30 minutes after the winner, barely making the time limit to finish the tour 97th overall. 98 cyclists finished with three abandoning.
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 14-07-2017 23:19
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Some nice photos on show here thanks to Dave Rietbergen |
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| Ripley |
Posted on 16-07-2017 10:14
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Maybe the only mystery is that Alex is the worst rider ever to grace professional cycling. |
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 16-07-2017 14:59
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@sutty68: Well worth the long search through his archives to just find photos of Alex after those performances.
@Ripley: The critics have arrived. Harsh, but probably deserved at this point. Don't give up on Alex just yet. All you need is that one big break.
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 17-07-2017 06:26
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Leaning the hard way. may come handy later.
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 17-07-2017 07:11
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Damn what a lens  |
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 17-07-2017 14:48
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@Tamijo: Time will tell. Sooner than later...
@Ian Butler: Got to get the best shots. I wonder what the price tag is for that bad boy. It's quite impressive.
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 17-07-2017 14:48
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Entry #21 | September 13, 2017: Observation with Manager Paul Tabak
Note: Uncovering a talent in your own backyard.
A couple weeks ago, I was spammed with emails from a Team Sunweb coach. After ignoring his first few messages, I decided to message him back in an attempt to make him stop sending me any more emails.
I wrote, "We will be sending a scout to the Olympia's Tour. If he is any good, then we will get back in touch with you. Thanks for the tip. - Paul, Monkey Town"
To be honest, I thought that was going to be the end of that. I was wrong. I nearly fell out of my chair when our scout reported back on his findings yesterday.
Stage 1 | 5km Flat Prologue
Stage Finish: 74th | GC: 74th | Rating: 3/10
Scout Notes: Not a great start. Improvements needed on proper time trialing stances. Just 18 seconds off the lead can be made up though.
Stage 2 | 150.8km Flat
Stage Finish: 16th | GC: 33rd | Rating: 7/10
Scout Notes: Hard to find in a bunch sprint because of his size (so no photo). Able to squeeze into tight spaces, but lacks top end speed.
Stage 3 | 202.4km Flat
Stage Finish: 14th | GC: 29th | Rating: 8/10
Scout Notes: Crosswinds broke up the peloton to just 34 cyclists. Alex was on the right side of it and even pushed the tempo to keep the gap.
Stage 4 | 165.5km Flat
Stage Finish: 3rd | GC: 25th | Rating: 10/10
Scout Notes: Breakaway caught at last minute causes chaos. Alex darts to the rail to avoid the mess and grabs a podium spot. Great instincts.
The same can't be said about Dylan Bouwmans with the early celebration.
Stage 5 | 110.7km Flat
Stage Finish: 4th | GC: 25th | Rating: 9/10
Scout Notes: Crosswinds and crashes split the field down to 22 cyclists. Clever positioning nets Alex a 4th. He isn't a pure sprinter, but knows where he has to get to. Could be a good lead-out man in the future.
Stage 6 | 12km Flat ITT
Stage Finish: 27th | GC: 21st | Rating: 7/10
Scout Notes: A vast improvement from the prologue. Probably the top end of his form, so I wouldn't expect much better than this. He came in 29 seconds off the winner and sits 1'26" off the lead in GC.
Stage 7 | 222.1km Flat
Stage Finish: 13th | GC: 20th | Rating: 7/10
Scout Notes: Alex had no problems getting to the back wheel of the yellow jersey for the bunch sprint. Couldn't keep up once the dash to line started. A Top 20 overall finish is deserved after his efforts.
Overall remarks: What he lacks in size, Alex makes up in guts and smarts. Not the fastest or best acceleration. I wasn't able to interview Alex, but Arthur said you have his number if you want to talk more.
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| Aquarius97 |
Posted on 17-07-2017 15:05
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Finally a great racing week for Alex. At least it looks that there is a team which is interested in Alex for next season
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| Ripley |
Posted on 19-07-2017 08:31
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Perfect timing, just as the scout is watching. I withdraw my earlier remark. |
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 19-07-2017 16:14
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@Aquarius97 & Ripley: Just had to find the right terrain, some good form and get lucky avoiding all the crashes. Moving in the right direction.
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 19-07-2017 16:16
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Grand Tour Champion
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Entry #22 | October 21, 2017: Meeting with Scout Erik Roijacker
Note: The realization of Alex's secret.
I don't think I had ever been this excited about seeing one of the talents I helped discovered then meeting Alex for the first time today. I had drank the Kool Aid.
What I saw at the Olympia's Tour was just what we needed. A Dutchie to help in lead-outs for Johim Ariesen and Jasper Bovenhuis, and he wasn't afraid of getting into the morning breakaways.
Normally we don't pursue cyclists without meeting with them first, but when rumors of other offers starting to come in... We had to pounce at this opportunity.
We figured it was a cheap, safe investment.
10 days after finishing the 2017 season with a 45th place at the U23 Paris-Tours, Alex and the Monkey Town management team arranged a meeting at a local coffee shop in town to finalize the paperwork.
Alex made quite the first impression, and not in a good way.
Things got awkward quite fast. After some tense conversations, it looked like manager Paul Tabak was ready to back out of the deal and pull the plug.
"We can't. We just can't," he kept saying over and over again, struggling to find any other words to express his discomfort and displeasure.
Alex remained calm through the whole process: "Why not? I have nothing more to prove at the lower levels. I don't want this journey to end. Please."
Paul then threw out the excuse Alex had heard way too many times before.
"We don't want to break any rules here."
Alex was quick to fire back, "Rules are made to be challenged and broken."
I couldn't sit and watch any longer. I had to speak up and fight for my prospect. I understood where Paul was coming from, but he wasn't seeing the full picture.
"Alex has a point," I said. "This could be something special. Paul think about it. We could be a part of history when it's all said and done. Who knows what could happen if people found out, but I think it's worth the risk."
Paul looked down at his notes. It seemed like forever before he looked up again.
Alex broke the tension, "Nino Honigh already knows. I rode with him at Rabobank. Actually, a lot of people know already and everyone has kept quiet. Please Paul."
Paul picked up the contract he nearly tore up and handed it to Alex to sign.
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 19-07-2017 17:04
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
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A step up!
Nice writing |
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 19-07-2017 17:39
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I always have to hold myself back in the comments amazing!
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