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In The Pursuit of Glory | Thank You!
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 10-07-2014 19:10
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@sutty: It was pointless wait for an offer that might not appear from MTN if any offer like that!
@mvh: Glad you are happy  Europcar South Africa is a genuine team created in 2014, so I thought it would be nice addition. Plus I love racing with Europcar
@fernando: thanks so much
*****
Now that I am due to start the 2014 season, I will update you on the change of db. National Champions have been changed as per the story so far, apart from World Champions, who remain the same (Costa WC RR / Martin WC TT). Martijn's stats are as per the end of the 2013 season.
Database: FCD-Spain DB 2014 v1.3
Patch: 1.0.4.0
Attribute Evolution: 0.3
Difficulty: Hard
Edited by the_hoyle on 10-07-2014 19:35
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 10-07-2014 20:31
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Saying My Goodbyes [Part 2] 
The next day, my search began of somewhere to live away from Manchester. Despite the setback with Trek, I still needed to escape the city and live somewhere where I could get the best out of my training.
Whilst I opted for Girona in Spain the first time around, I decided to chose Geneva, Switzerland this time around. Like Girona, the Swiss city is picturesque, with a relaxed way of life, and on the doorstep of the Alps. Like with Girona, it was perfection in my eyes.
It felt like deja-vu, packing up all my belongings to move to another country as I begin my life with a WorldTour team. I had just done this two earlier. The only difference this time was that my goodbye was a nice meal in Manchester with my parents, some close friends and my girlfriend of 5 months, Lizzie.
Tomorrow, I would begin my new life.
Edited by the_hoyle on 04-10-2014 11:59
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 10-07-2014 22:01
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It sounds great having the Alps on your doorstep  |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 10-07-2014 22:22
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Team Presentation and Season Planning 
After all the Press Pictures, interviews and lots of smiling for the gathered crowd, it was time to sit down with Bernaudeau and discuss my plan for my first season in the WorldTour.
Like last season, I wanted to peak for the March races, but this time for a completely different reason. March was the time of the South African National Championships and the course suited me very well. From there, I take part in a few races in April before tackling my first WorldTour events, La Fleche Wallonne and Tour de Romandie. I will ride a few races in June, before my mid-season break from mid-June til the end of August. I will then look to target the Canadian WorldTour races, the World Championships (if I am selected) and ending my season in China.
| Date | Race | Country | | 12-16 Feb | Tour Méditerranéen |  France | | 22-23 Feb | Tour du Haut Var | France | | 5 Mar | National TT Championships |  South Africa | | 9 Mar | National RR Championships | South Africa | | 28-30 Mar | Critérium International | France | | 7-11 Apr | Circuit Sarthe-Pays de la Loire | France | | 23 Apr | La Fleche Wallonne |  Belgium | | 29 Apr-4 May | Tour de Romandie |  Switzerland | | 4-8 Jun | Tour de Luxembourg |  Luxembourg | | 19-22 Aug | Tour du Limousin | France | | 25-29 Aug | Tour du Poitou Charentes | France | | 2-7 Sep | Tour of Alberta |  Canada | | 12 Sep | GP de Québec | Canada | | 14 Sep | GP de Montréal | Canada | | 24 Sep | World Championships TT |  Spain | | 28 Sep | World Championships RR | Spain | | 5 Oct | Tour de Vendée | France | | 12 Oct | Paris - Tour | France |
Looking over my provisional schedule, Jean-René and I were happy with my season plan. It suited my strengths, both as an individual basis and as a team-mate where I will work for others. Just like 12 months ago, I couldn't wait for my first race to start.
Edited by the_hoyle on 29-09-2014 18:14
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| fernando97 |
Posted on 10-07-2014 23:04
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great, realistic planning. Can't wait to see the SA championships. |
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| mvhoogdalem |
Posted on 10-07-2014 23:17
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Great races for his first season. Even though I'd like Martijn to win the NC, it might be better to go the realistic route and simulate it, instead of breakaway win, but it's your choice.
Is Martijn a puncher or a climber, kind of lost track.  |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 11-07-2014 01:55
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The season plan looks really good |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 12-07-2014 13:38
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@fernando: The SA championships will be good especially with the large db from FCD-Spain with every UCI team included
@mvh: I will see how many take part in the race, and judge it from there. I would like to race all the races, so simming the race will be the last option
@sutty: thanks
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| andrewsius |
Posted on 12-07-2014 14:27
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Just caught up on a great story! North looks promising, good luck with the coming season! Can't wait to see how he will handle Fleche Wallonne. |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 12-07-2014 14:47
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@andrew: Thanks and welcome
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 12-07-2014 15:47
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As the saying goes, 'Old Habits Die Hard', and I think is certainly the best way of summing up how I will ride this season. From the outside, particularly the Press, people think I should be scared or nervous due to the step up in class and the level of riders in the WorldTour.
Pierre Rolland would be the leader in the Tour Méditerranéen, where the Stage 4, finishing with the summit finish on Mont Faron, will most likely be the GC decider. Tommy Voeckler is also present for the team, leaving me with a bit of a free role.
Before the start of Stage 1, the team were sat on the bus, discussing the plan for the day. Duties were assigned, and Jean-René looked at me and said 'Free Role and go out for the Mountains'. I just nodded and had a smile from ear-to-ear. Let's do this!
To say I was keen to impress and show Jean-René what I could when given a task, I attacked with the first wave of riders, and formed the day's break. I rode well, feeling good and picked up all the points for the KoM jersey. Job done! The group was caught with 13km to go, and Bryan Coquard finished off a great day for the team by winning the stage.
Stage 2 was an ITT, and it was just test of how I could possible compete with the bigger riders in the race. I lost 1'58" to the winner, Tony Gallopin (Lotto), and sat in 58th place on the GC going into the hilly stages. With KoM lead to defend, I went on the attack again on Stage 3. It was a little like deju-vu for the TV cameras as well, as the day's break was the same group from Stage 1. My lead extended with little trouble, and we say Pierre moved up to 11th on GC.
The big stage to Mont Faron saw me revert to Domestique duties for the team. The day's breakaway was no threat to my KoM lead, and the focus had to be on Rolland and Tommy. Ion Izaguirre (Movistar) would take the stage win, but an amazing attack on the lower slopes of Mont Faron moved Pierre into yellow.
Protecting Yellow was now the key for the final stage, but it would be very strange day in the saddle for me. Early in the stage, a small group attacked, and again like Stage 4, caused no threat to me in the KoM lead. The team took control of the peleton, and kept the gap in check.
Suddenly panic ensued, as a small group of favourites, plus Lawson Craddock (Giant) attacks with 3km to go to a Cat.HC climb. The favourites could be pulled back, but Craddock was a threat to my KoM jersey. I had to attack to defend my lead, but not work in the group to defend Yellow. I didn't know whether I was coming or going!
Over the final climb of the day, my lead was suitable defended, and as the pace picked up, Pierre made his move to take the pressure off me in the break. He soon joined us in the lead group, before attacking again to take the stage win, and sealing the GC. Hearing the news, I started to celebrate out on the route, and some people must have thought I was mad.
One thing I can say though, for a first race for the team, I was delighted. We came away from the Tour Méditerranéen with 2 stage wins, the Overall Victory, the Points Jersey, the KoM jersey and the Team Classification. A fine way to start.
| 1 | Pierre Rolland | Team Europcar | 15h58'24 | | 2 | Thibaut Pinot | FDJ.fr | + 2'42 | | 3 |  Rui Costa | Lampre - Merida | + 4'03 | | 4 | Daniel Navarro Garcia | Cofidis Solutions Crédits | + 5'29 | | 5 | Tony Gallopin | Lotto - Belisol | + 6'18 | | ... | | 33 | Martijn North | Team Europcar | + 12'10 |
| 1 | Pierre Rolland | Team Europcar | 57 | | 2 | Tony Gallopin | Lotto - Belisol | 57 | | 3 |  Riccardo Zoidl | Trek Factory Racing | 46 | | 4 |  Edvald Boasson Hagen | Sky ProCycling | 44 | | 5 | Thibaut Pinot | FDJ.fr | 42 | | ... | | 18 | Martijn North | Team Europcar | 16 |
| 1 | Martijn North | Team Europcar | 66 | | 2 | Quentin Jauregui | Roubaix Lille Métropole | 40 | | 3 | Ion Izagirre | Movistar Team | 28 | | 4 | Thibaut Pinot | FDJ.fr | 24 | | 5 | Lawson Craddock | Giant-Shimano | 24 |
| 1 | Thibaut Pinot | FDJ.fr | 16h01'06 | | 2 |  Wilco Kelderman | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 3'49 | | 3 | Bob Jungels | Trek Factory Racing | + 4'36 | | 4 | Ion Izagirre | Movistar Team | + 5'07 | | 5 | Tim Wellens | Lotto - Belisol | + 6'35 | | ... | | 9 | Martijn North | Team Europcar | + 9'28 |
| 1 | Team Europcar | 48h08'51 | | 2 | Cofidis Solutions Crédits | + 6'28 | | 3 | Movistar Team | + 6'49 | | 4 | Lotto - Belisol | + 7'11 | | 5 | FDJ.fr | + 7'28 |
Edited by the_hoyle on 12-07-2014 17:29
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 12-07-2014 17:17
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I was riding on a high after the success the team had in Tour Méditerranéen. The small training rides between the races were rode with my big smile on my face, and some people even recognised me in the cafes around Geneva. I signed my first autograph for a young Swiss boy today.
Official team duties recommence at the Tour du Haut Var, where I will ride as a full domestique to Thomas Voeckler. A Top 3 place on GC is required by the Sponsors, and in Tommy, we think that is very achievable.
Whatever Tommy wanted he got during the first stage of the Tour du Haut Var. Stage 1 was classed as flat, but a rise with 1km to go, should rule out any pure sprinter.
Yoann Offredo (FDJ.fr) took the victory, as Voeckler allowed me to finish 5th in the uphill sprint. My best finish so far with the team, and I was so happy at his repayment after my work during the stage.
Stage 2 would be where Voeckler could really show his colours, and that would be the team priority. The plan was to keep the pressure on until the final Cat.1 climb on the stage, that was 11km from the finish. My work was used up with 40km to go, and Malacarne took over duties. Like I had said, It was all for Tommy.
Everything went to plan, as Voeckler attack as the group crested the top of the climb, taking Simon Spilak (Katusha) with him. In the sprint for the finish, the Russian Champion showed more strength in the end and took the win. More disappointing was that our leader missed out on the GC podium by 3". I really felt for him on the team bus.
| 1 |  Simon Spilak | Katusha Team | 9h06'18 | | 2 | Yoann Offredo | FDJ.fr | s.t. | | 3 | Jérôme Coppel | Cofidis Solutions Crédits | + 1 | | 4 | Thomas Voeckler | Team Europcar | + 4 | | 5 |  Eros Capecchi | Movistar Team | + 6 | | ... | | 60 | Martijn North | Team Europcar | + 6'04 |
| 1 | Yoann Offredo | FDJ.fr | 37 | | 2 | Jérôme Coppel | Cofidis Solutions Crédits | 31 | | 3 | Thomas Voeckler | Team Europcar | 29 | | 4 | Simon Spilak | Katusha Team | 25 | | 5 | Pierrick Fédrigo | FDJ.fr | 16 | | ... | | 10 | Martijn North | Team Europcar | 12 |
| 1 | Romain Sicard | Team Europcar | 72 | | 2 |  Lawson Craddock | Giant-Shimano | 42 | | 3 | Amaël Moinard | BMC Racing Team | 26 | | 4 | Flavien Dassonville | BigMat - Auber 93 | 24 | | 5 | Julien Antomarchi | Team La Pomme Marseille 13 | 20 |
| 1 | Moreno Hofland | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | 9h06'28 | | 2 | Fabio Felline | Trek Factory Racing | s.t. | | 3 | Romain Bardet | Ag2r - La Mondiale | s.t. | | 4 | Warren Barguil | Giant-Shimano | s.t. | | 5 | Ian Boswell | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | ... | | 16 | Martijn North | Team Europcar | + 5'54 |
| 1 | Katusha Team | 27h19'24 | | 2 | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 3 | Trek Factory Racing | s.t. | | 4 | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | | 5 |  Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | ... | | 11 | Team Europcar | + 11'48 |
Edited by the_hoyle on 13-07-2014 10:25
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| mvhoogdalem |
Posted on 12-07-2014 17:27
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Not sure if you forgot, but had to take a look at his race program to see which race the first report was about, because it wasn't in the intro.
Great start of the season for Martijn, and Team Europcar in general. Too bad Martijn will not ride a GT. |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 12-07-2014 17:30
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@mvh: Yeah I forgot to add it into the intro... thanks for noticing I think Martijn is too young for GT this season, but who knows next season
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 12-07-2014 23:11
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Martijn certainly seems to be enjoying his time with Europcar and get a new pen for when all those autograph hunters come knocking |
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| andrewsius |
Posted on 12-07-2014 23:28
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Great start to the season! Martijn will surely move up the ranks in Europcar if this trend continues! |
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| baia |
Posted on 13-07-2014 09:49
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Nice new story, great Med race, North will be able to show is true valor this season..
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 13-07-2014 18:17
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@sutty: Martijn and Europcar seems to be a great match
@andrew: depending on his growth, we could be looking at a new Voeckler
@baia: Europcar suits Martijn well, and I think it will be good seeing him develop this season
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 13-07-2014 20:52
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Feeling Some National Pride
After a good start to the season with Europcar, I arrive at my first target for 2014 - The South African National Championships.
First up is the ITT, and where I hope to perform well. My ITT performances so far over the last 15 months as a Professional have been hit and miss. My results range from 11th in the GP of Sochi when in form, to finishing 141st and 78th in Tour of Alberta and Tour Méditerranéen when out of form.
I suppose we will just have to wait and see.
In the starting gate, I was the 11th rider to hit the course. At the same time though, I was also the penultimate rider. It was a very small Start List for the National Championships. In front of me I had 2013 Champion, Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (Giant) and behind was Daryl Impey (Orica), the defending champion. The three of us were the favourites for the victory, so no pressure!
First checkpoint, and I was feeling good. I had settled into a nice rhythm, and was very comfortable on the bike. My time was also good, as the DS shouted encouragement in my ear.
CheckPoint 1
| 1. D. Impey | 2. M. North | 3. R. Jense Van Rensburg | | 25'01 | + 8 | + 14 |
Approaching the second CheckPoint, I was beginning to hurt. The climb, plus to slightly incline, to the Sprint really took it out of my legs, but still the DS cheered me on. The TV screens were showing Impey in all sorts of pain, and Jense Van Rensberg was also beginning to struggle.
CheckPoint 2
| 1. M. North | 2. D. Impey | 3. R. Jense Van Rensburg | | 52'42 | + 59 | + 1'28 |
The downhill to the finish was where I knew I could really make the most of my advantage. I love to descend, but I needed to save enough back for the final 3km to the line. I knew my parents and Lizzie were in the crowd at the finish, and it pushed me on further. Crossing the line, I looked at the time, and I was the Provisional Leader, with a time of 1h13'49. I just had to wait for Impey and watch the second tick by... He crossed the line 8" slower. I was the National Champion!
| 1 | Martijn North | Team Europcar | 1h13'49 | | 2 | Daryl Impey | Orica - GreenEDGE | + 8 | | 3 | Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg | Giant-Shimano | + 40 | | 4 | Jay Robert Thomson | MTN - Qhubeka | + 1'00 | | 5 | Jaco Venter | MTN - Qhubeka | + 1'01 | | 6 | Jacques Janse Van Rensburg | MTN - Qhubeka | + 1'14 | | 7 | Martin Wesemann | MTN - Qhubeka | + 1'19 | | 8 | Willie Smit | Vini Fantini - Nippo | + 1'48 | | 9 | Dennis Van Niekerk | MTN - Qhubeka | + 2'01 | | 10 | Johann Van Zyl | MTN - Qhubeka | + 2'02 | | 11 | Devan Dunn | Jelly Belly p/b Kenda | + 2'21 | | 12 | Bradley Potgieter | MTN - Qhubeka | + 2'27 |
Edited by the_hoyle on 14-07-2014 21:01
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| mvhoogdalem |
Posted on 13-07-2014 21:22
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Great victory for Martijn, even though South Africa isn't known for its Time Trialists.
Did not notice you changed the DB, so maybe there are more SA riders now. |
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