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In The Pursuit of Glory | Thank You!
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 24-06-2014 19:28
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I lost count the number of times I pressed the refresh button on my emails. My Dad was convinced that I had broken the laptop, but it felt like an age between the call ending and email from Trek appearing in my inbox. My mind was still torn with their offer to match BMC, but intrigued to see what they could add on to it.
Reading the email, I was left speechless. I read it over 10 times before I really believed it was true.
| Contract Specifics: | | Monthly Wage: | 3,250€/m | | Contract Duration: | 2 years | | Team Role: | Young Rider | | Mentor: | Fabian Cancellara |
Without saying a word to my Dad, I picked up the phone and began to dial. Seeing the offer from Trek instantly made up my mind between the two teams, and I need to let my new employers about my decision to finally accept.
I walked out the room as the phone rang, but I could still see my Dad awkwardly trying to listen in. After a 5 minute chat about the next steps, I hung up and went to break the news to the family...
Spoiler 
I was a rider for Trek Factory Racing.
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| admirschleck |
Posted on 24-06-2014 19:29
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Yaaay! 
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| PeterRyder |
Posted on 24-06-2014 19:30
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Domestique
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Nice choise! I can´t wait from the lessons that Spartacus will give you
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| Roextro |
Posted on 24-06-2014 19:37
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Loving the story, Trek was a good choice |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 22:12
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| mvhoogdalem |
Posted on 24-06-2014 20:13
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What a surprise. Seems I was wrong.  |
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| fernando97 |
Posted on 24-06-2014 20:38
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Wohoo! Wise choice, can't wait to see Martijn pick up things from Cancellara!
also, is isn't it sutty68 instead of sutty86? |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 24-06-2014 20:50
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Grand Tour Champion
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@admir: I knew you would be happy
@peter: Thanks  It will be interesting to see how Martijn progresses under Fabian's wing
@jihardy: Glad you like the story and thanks
@mvh: You seemed to be the only one who went for BMC
@fernando: oops, didn't see that. it has been updated now
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 25-06-2014 14:46
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Tour de France Champion
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Stick to 86 it makes me feel younger 
And lets hope it works out at Trek for you too
Edited by sutty68 on 25-06-2014 14:46
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 25-06-2014 21:11
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@sutty: thanks
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 25-06-2014 21:33
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My first race after the extended break is in Canada at the Tour of Alberta. With a high number of WorldTour teams present, I will looking to really see how I can fair against some bigger named riders. It will be a nice test of fitness ahead of my final race and big target - the Tour of Britain.
After the opening 7km prologue, most of the stages favour the Sprinters. However, the hilly Stage 5, with its short steep climb to the end, will be the one where I want to shine and show what I can do.
I arrived in Canada in not the best of conditions. I had been feeling unwell during the flight over and the morning of the Prologue, I woke feeling very feverish.
Nonetheless, I took to the startlist, and I was determined to shake it off. I ended Stage 1 in 141st place, 43" down on the winner Taylor Phinney (BMC). Compared with my Time Trial in Sochi, it was clear I was not well.
Stage 2 was a day in the peleton, just turning the pedals, and trying to take on fluids. I had slept well, so I felt much better, and I could see that the form would come the more I raced. Before the race, I wanted to target Stage 5. After my start, I just wanted to keep going and keep improving health-wise. I finished in a small group 1'33" down on the main peleton, where Simon Yates sprinted to 11th.
The problem with Cycling is that it when you feel like you are on the up, it has a way to bringing you back down to Earth. In Canada, I was brought back down with a bang - in the form of a crash. Looking back, I was badly positioned at the time, hanging around mid-peleton. From what I remember, Miguel Rubiano (Androni) touched a wheel, taking down J.J Haedo (Jamis) and myself in the process. I landed on the same shoulder I injured back in June, and I knew it was bad.
I couldn't move for a good 2 minutes, and GB Coaches came to help me up off the tarmac. Haedo was also looking in a bad way, holding his collarbone. Both of our races were over right at that point.
Worst still... so was my season!
Edited by the_hoyle on 25-06-2014 21:44
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 25-06-2014 21:42
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Pity to see Martijn out again. Though at least now Phinney won't have to suffer the embarrassment of being dropped by the mighty North in the mountains.  |
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| mvhoogdalem |
Posted on 25-06-2014 21:50
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Hopefully this will not ruin his contract at Trek. Next season he will come back stronger than before. |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 25-06-2014 22:42
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I was flown home the next day after the crash, and despite being told to rest, I needed to call Trek. With many different TV stations covering the Tour of Alberta, they must have seen the crash, and I wanted to get some sort of assurance about my place on the team next season.
As I thought, Guercilena had seen my crash, and contacted my GB Coaches immediately to find out my condition. They had told him the full extent - I had fractured my shoulder again. It was an identical injury to the one suffered in June.
Guercilena kept the call short, as he knew I needed to rest up and recover fully this time around. My position on the team was secure, and when I joined up with the team in November, they would assess my condition and plan my pre-season from there.
I hung up the phone a very happy and relieved man...
Edited by the_hoyle on 25-06-2014 22:48
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 25-06-2014 23:07
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Twelve months ago, I was an amateur cyclist, competing with 30 others for an elusive spot on the Great Britain Development team. My season has seen its fair share of highs and lows, with my results on the road and the injuries suffered away from it.
I end 2013 with a move the WorldTour team Trek Factory Racing and if you told me that 12 months ago, I would have laughed at you in the face and walked away.
So what comes next... Well I writing my story in the Pursuit of Glory
| 1st |  |  Grand Prix of Sochi - Overall GC | | 1st |  | Grand Prix of Sochi - U25 Classification | | 1st | |  Lincoln GP | | 1st | | Tour Series - Durham | | . | | 2nd | | Grand Prix of Sochi - Stage 4 | | 2nd | | Tour of the Reservoir | | 2nd | | Tour Series - Stoke | | . | | 3rd | | Grand Prix of Sochi - Stage 3 | | 3rd | | Grand Prix of Sochi - Stage 5 | | 3rd | | National RR Championships |
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| mvhoogdalem |
Posted on 25-06-2014 23:10
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Great season, too bad it was cut short due to his shoulder injuries. |
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| PeterRyder |
Posted on 25-06-2014 23:32
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Domestique
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You´re had bad luck but you are going to ride on WT next season under the eye of Spatacus so win motivation and good luck 
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| fernando97 |
Posted on 25-06-2014 23:36
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A really great season it was, with many victories and achievements, it's a shame about the injuries though. I really hope he doesn't develop a reputation as an injury-prone rider and won't let these letdowns affect his confidence. It's good to see Trek having faith in him, hope the next season will be even better, than this one was! |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 25-06-2014 23:50
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Apart from the distruption caused by the crashes you had a pretty good season |
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| VoetsT |
Posted on 26-06-2014 10:07
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Good luck at trek
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 26-06-2014 18:07
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@all: Thanks so much for comments as the season ends for Martijn. Injury cut the season short, but he is off to bigger and better things for Trek
*****
With the season at a close, the story is just on hold for a short period before I crack on and start with Trek.
Two reasons for it:
1. I need to sort out and transfer over some information from one db to another. All will be explained when it is done
2. I have unfinished business with my Bianchi story. It is mid-race, at the start of the season, and it doesn't seem quite right.
So please do not worry, Martijn will continue soon
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France
Canada
