Background:

After not being able to immerse myself into a new career, I've decided to set myself a bunch of challenges. Thanks to jihardy for sparking the idea in my head :-)

Concept:

I will be setting myself a bunch of challenges based on storylines I find interesting. Some of them real some of them fiction. The goal is to ride with different riders and with different objectives.

Game Setup:

I'll always be playing with the latest patch. I've always played on normal but will be trying on hard for some of these races. The challenge details will reveal the difficulty and DB.

Updates:

As time permits. There will be times with no updates and some times with too many ;-)

CHALLENGE OVERVIEW

Challenge info

Cadel Evans - Tour Down Under - Win the GC

Background:

He's won 4 world tour stage races and the 2007 world tour. He's never won the Tour Down Under. After finishing one second behind Simon Gerrans in the real 2014 race, it's time to rewrite history.

Setup:

SANTOS TOUR DOWN UNDER

Race preview:

The race is pretty simple. It starts out with two flat stages before stage 3 ends with a hill and a descent to the finish line. A transport stage in stage 4 and the deciding stage on day 5 as it goes up Willunga Hill twice. Cadel will need to be in top condition on this stage. The race finishes with a short final stage of only 83 km. There's no time trials. Unfortunately.

Race favourites:

The race will probably be decided on the two hilly stages of the tour, however bonus seconds could be decisive as a sprinter could gain enough bonus seconds to win the race. The favourites are as follows.

Favourites

Enrico Gasparotto
Diego Ulissi
Simon Gerrans

Outsiders

Michael Matthews
Matthew Goss
Richie Porte

Long Shots

Darrel Impey
Jose Joaquim Rojas Gil
Simon Clarke

OUR TEAM

Cadel Evans
Steve Morabito
Ben Hermans
Amael Moinard
Danilo Wyss
Rick Zabel
Brent Bookwalter

I'm not considered among the top favourites to win the race but everyone knows that they cant count me out. The team has been designed to keep me out of trouble on the flat, and set a high tempo when the road rises.

STAGE 1:



139.3 km of flat. A day to preserve energy. A little bump on the final part of the route. If Evans have the legs. He'll give it a go. It's important for him not to loose any time today.



4 riders in todays breakaway. Rick Zabel from BMC is in the break. Zabel gets away with Bobridge(BEL), Watson(TFR) and Sulzberger(DRP). None of them should be any trouble in the overall standings. At the second sprint they have 4 minutes to the pack.



Lampre controls the peloton and has upped the tempo. Looks like Ulissi is having a good day. Evans feels ok.



As the peloton enters the hill there's a mixed bunch of teams at the front. Evans is trying to position himself at the front.



As soon as we enter the tough part of the climb Hermans puts on the pressure. Evans is following his wheel. The breakaway group gives up as Hermans storms by them.



Hermans and Evans are accompanied by Gerrans, Ulissi and Porte and Hermans lays down the pace on the downhill. It's important to take time on the sprinters. Hermans will be wearing the climbers jersey tomorrow.



In the end the peloton catches up but Ulissi manages to win the stage. Gerrans and Impey concludes the podium. Cadel end up 7th. He just didnt have the legs for the final push today.

STAGE RESULTS

1 Diego Ulissi Lampre-Merida 2h56'41
2 Simon Gerrans Orica-GreenEDGE s.t.
3 Daryl Impey Orica-GreenEDGE s.t.
4 Simon Clarke Orica-GreenEDGE s.t.
5 Richie Porte Team Sky s.t.
6 Enrico Gasparotto Astana Pro Team s.t.
7 Cadel Evans BMC Racing Team s.t.
8 Michael Matthews Orica-GreenEDGE s.t.
9 José Joaquin Rojas Movistar Team s.t.
10 Jürgen Roelandts Lotto Belisol s.t.

General Classement

1 Diego Ulissi Lampre-Merida 2h56'31
2 Simon Gerrans Orica-GreenEDGE + 4
3 Daryl Impey Orica-GreenEDGE + 6
4 Marcel Sieberg Lotto Belisol + 7
5 Bernard Sulzberger Drapac Professional Cycling s.t.
13 Cadel Evans BMC Racing Team + 10

STAGE 2



Another pretty flat stage with some hills at the finish. I'm hoping for Cadel to have better legs than yesterday. He needs to be at his best to compete against these guys.



Evans sits on the wheel of Ulissi. He's feeling good today.



We pick up the action with 8 km to go. The pack catches the break and Gerrans lays down a fast pace. As mentioned Cadel is feeling great and counters his attack.



Greipel wins it in the end though. Not enough hill in the final km to get away. Cadel slips to 28th in the sprint.

Stage Results

1 André Greipel Lotto Belisol 3h23'36
2 José Joaquin Rojas Movistar Team s.t.
3 Enrico Gasparotto Astana Pro Team s.t.
4 Diego Ulissi Lampre-Merida s.t.
5 Maxime Bouet Ag2r La Mondiale s.t.
6 Simon Clarke Orica-GreenEDGE s.t.
7 Fränk Schleck Trek Factory Racing s.t.
8 Nikias Arndt Team Giant-Shimano s.t.
9 Daryl Impey Orica-GreenEDGE s.t.
10 Anthony Roux FDJ.fr s.t.
28 Cadel Evans BMC Racing Team s.t.



General Classement

1 Diego Ulissi Lampre-Merida 6h20'07
2 André Greipel Lotto Belisol s.t.
3 José Joaquin Rojas Movistar Team + 4
4 Simon Gerrans Orica-GreenEDGE s.t.
5 Julian Alaphilippe Omega Pharma-Quick-Step + 5
25 Cadel Evans BMC Racing Team + 10

STAGE 3



The first real test for the punchers, and the first real chance to throw off the sprinters. It's pretty simple. Have a bad day today and you loose the chance to win.



5 men in the morning break. Valgren(TCS), Bonnafond(ALM), Westra(AST), Bauer(GRS) & Elissonde(FDJ). We sit nicely in the front of the peloton. Lampre has the break under control.



Lampre slacks on the work and Orica tries to wheel in the escapees. But with 18 km left they have 2'44. We take the front. The messages from Cadel on the form is positive. We put on extra pressure on the hill, but Ulissi, Gerrans and Gasparotto are simply too strong.



Westra from the break takes the win. It also makes him favourite for the overall win. Cadel comes in with the peloton at 15th. Once again no bonus seconds for him. It's starting to look difficult.

Stage Results

1 Lieuwe Westra Astana Pro Team 3h13'58
2 Simon Gerrans Orica-GreenEDGE + 44
3 Enrico Gasparotto Astana Pro Team s.t.
4 Diego Ulissi Lampre-Merida s.t.
5 Michael Matthews Orica-GreenEDGE s.t.
6 Nathan Haas Garmin Sharp s.t.
7 José Joaquin Rojas Movistar Team s.t.
8 Daryl Impey Orica-GreenEDGE s.t.
9 Simon Geschke Team Giant-Shimano s.t.
10 Simon Clarke Orica-GreenEDGE s.t.
17 Cadel Evans BMC Racing Team s.t.

General Classement

1 Lieuwe Westra Astana Pro Team 9h34'04
2 Simon Gerrans Orica-GreenEDGE + 43
3 Diego Ulissi Lampre-Merida + 45
4 Enrico Gasparotto Astana Pro Team + 47
5 José Joaquin Rojas Movistar Team + 49
15 Cadel Evans BMC Racing Team + 55

STAGE 4



Completely flat and the plan will be to get through without any crashes. Ben Hermans will be allowed to go on the break to win back the climbers jersey on todays sole climb.




Halfway through the stage no riders have broken away. Hermans have tried a couple of times but the peloton won't let him go. In the end Cameron Wurf(CAN) gets away alone. He's no treath in the overall GC.



Wurf takes the mountain sprint but Hermans goes away and takes seconds. That'll mean he'll get the climbers jersey back tomorrow. Hermans also catches Wurf due to his aggresive riding on the hill. Unfortunately for Wurf this means the peloton uppens the pace.



Greipel takes the second intermediate sprint. As no one seems interested in battling it out with him, Cadel swiftly moves to the front of the peloton and picks up 2 bonus seconds.



It's going to be a bunch sprint. Cadel takes the wheel of Greipel. Surely he's not gonna sprint for a victory?! No there's a small bump on the road with 3 km to go and his hopes is to get over that and maybe if lucky collect a third place and a podium place.



As Matthew Goss blasts by on the hill Cadel switches to his wheel, but the semi sprinters are simply too strong in the end. Rojas Gil wins the stage in front of Goss and Greipel. Cadel ends up 4th. A good result but unfortunatelyjust outside the bonus seconds. Cadel moves up to 10th due to him picking up 2 bonus seconds.

Stage Results

1 José Joaquin Rojas Movistar Team 3h16'18
2 Matthew Goss Orica-GreenEDGE s.t.
3 André Greipel Lotto Belisol s.t.
4 Cadel Evans BMC Racing Team s.t.
5 Jens Debusschere Lotto Belisol s.t.
6 Marcel Kittel Team Giant-Shimano s.t.
7 Simon Geschke Team Giant-Shimano s.t.
8 Nikias Arndt Team Giant-Shimano s.t.
9 Michael Matthews Orica-GreenEDGE s.t.
10 Jürgen Roelandts Lotto Belisol s.t.

General Classement

1 Lieuwe Westra Astana Pro Team 12h50'22
2 José Joaquin Rojas Movistar Team + 39
3 Simon Gerrans Orica-GreenEDGE + 43
4 Diego Ulissi Lampre-Merida + 45
5 Enrico Gasparotto Astana Pro Team + 46
10 Cadel Evans BMC Racing Team + 53

STAGE 5



Good ol' Willunga Hill. It's time to shine. Cadel feels focused at breakfast. It's clear that he's on a mission. The task at hand is clear. Win the race for Cadel. BMC will be working to put on pressure on the first climb, and then let Cadel ride at the bottom of the second.



Just after the race starts the morning breakaway is formed. Sieberg(LTB), Stannard(SKY), Tankink(BEL), Belkov(KAT) and our own Moinard. All of the riders are at least 2 minutes behind Westra in the GC.



At the first intermediate sprint the break has 5 minutes on the pack. Surprisingly it's not Astana leading the pack but Ulissis Lampre. He must feel he's got a chance today.



The closer we get to Willunga the more pressure Lampre puts on. It's clear that they think Ulissi can win it all. Unfortunately for us. Cadel is not having the best of days.



As the peloton enters the hill Astana takes the front and rides at a fierce pace. Surely they know Westra won't be able to keep up. I guess Gasparotto has great legs.



Moinard has set off and is chasing the stage on his own. He's around a minute in front of the peloton who are closing in fast. Still Astana at the front.



In order to win the GC Cadel has to react soon. As soon as they hit the steep part of the climb Morabito leads him off up the climb and he quickly gains an edge. Geraint Thomas are trying to follow him.



But unfortunately it's not enough to get away. Cadel is in a 5-man front group as they prepare for the finish. He's got nothing left in the tank though. He didn't have the legs today and now he's paying the price.



Richie Porte wins the stage in front of Ulissi. Looks like the other riders were toast as well as Cadel managed to get third. Westra lost bunches of time and ends up. Cadel moves to 5th only 10 seconds behind.

Stage Results

1 Richie Porte Team Sky 3h24'11
2 Diego Ulissi Lampre-Merida s.t.
3 Cadel Evans BMC Racing Team s.t.
4 Enrico Gasparotto Astana Pro Team s.t.
5 Simon Gerrans Orica-GreenEDGE s.t.
6 Jan Bakelants Omega Pharma-Quick-Step + 36
7 Robert Gesink Belkin Pro Cycling Team + 51
8 Geraint Thomas Team Sky s.t.
9 Nicki Sørensen Tinkoff-Saxo + 1'14
10 José Joaquin Rojas Movistar Team s.t.

General Classement

1 Diego Ulissi Lampre-Merida 16h15'12
2 Simon Gerrans Orica-GreenEDGE + 4
3 Richie Porte Team Sky + 6
4 Enrico Gasparotto Astana Pro Team + 7
5 Cadel Evans BMC Racing Team + 10

STAGE 6



Last stage of the tour. Looks like Cadel will not win his home tour this time either. But Cadel never gives up. A stage win would give him the win. And as mentioned Cadel never gives up.



An 8-man break has gotten away. Including Trusov(TCS) and Agnoli(AST) are best placed in the GC. Both 3'29 behind. They have around 2 minutes throughout the break.



Three teams have joined forces in the hunt for the escapees. Goss, Greipel and Kittel are the favourites. With 20 km to go the break has 1 minute.



With 6 km to go Cadel attacks. It's now or never. He needs to give his all.



But alas. He can't get away and Greipel ends up winning the sprint. Gerrans end up 2nd and Gasparotto 3rd. Cadel comes in 22nd.

In the GC he ends up 5th. He gave it his all but didn't have the legs when it mattered.


Stage Results

1 André Greipel Lotto Belisol 1h43'54
2 Simon Gerrans Orica-GreenEDGE s.t.
3 Enrico Gasparotto Astana Pro Team s.t.
4 José Joaquin Rojas Movistar Team s.t.
5 Michael Matthews Orica-GreenEDGE s.t.
6 Marcel Kittel Team Giant-Shimano s.t.
7 Diego Ulissi Lampre-Merida s.t.
8 Yukiya Arashiro Team Europcar s.t.
9 Jens Debusschere Lotto Belisol s.t.
10 Richie Porte Team Sky s.t.
22 Cadel Evans BMC Racing Team s.t.

General Classement

1 Simon Gerrans Orica-GreenEDGE 17h59'04
2 Diego Ulissi Lampre-Merida + 2
3 Enrico Gasparotto Astana Pro Team + 5
4 Richie Porte Team Sky + 8
5 Cadel Evans BMC Racing Team + 12

Tour Down Under
Cadel Evans
Win the GC

FAILED - 5th

After some strong performances on the first couple of days he didn't have the legs on the days that really mattered. He never gave up but in the end he came up short. Gerrans won it just like in real life. I would however have liked to beat Richie Porte who ended up 4th.

Challenge info

Paris – Nice
Bretagne
Stage Win

Background:

In real life Bretagne never really showed anything in the Paris – Nice. Two top-10 places and none in the top-5. This has once again raised the question wether the race organisers just like in the Tour favours the franch teams too much when handing out Wild Cards. It's time to show they've chosen correctly this time.

Setup:

PARIS - NICE

Race preview:

A good mix of flat and hilly stages. The Time Trial has been removed and the highest mountains removed to give a more aggresive and entertaining race.

Race favourites:

The race will be decided among the most explosive of the rider in the peloton.

Favourites

Carlos Betancur
Vincenzo Nibali
Rui Costa

Outsiders

Simon Gerrans
Thomas Voeckler
Enrico Gasparotto

Long Shots

Wilco Kelderman
Jakob Fuglsang
Lars Petter Nordhaug

BRETAGNE

Romain Feillu
Eduardo Sepulveda
Brice Feillu
Florian Vachon
Armindo Fonseca
Anthony Delaplace
Florian Guillou
Christophe Laborie

Not a team filled with talent, but a team that on the right day can challenge for stage victories. Romain Feillu will be battling it out in the sprints and hope for a good day. Brice Feillu and Eduardo Sepulveda will try later on the hilly stages. The other riders will be participating in attacks in the hopes of an breakaway holding to the finish line.

STAGE 1



A flat stage to start of the tour. We'll be trying to get one of our good fighters in todays break.



Todays morning breakaway has formed. Engoulvent(EUR), Koch(CAN) and our Laborie. There's a strong sidewind on todays stage. With 75 km to go the break has 5 minutes. Unfortunately the peloton has it under control.



Katusha (Kristoff) and Gian Shimano (Degenkolb) are working together in the peloton. They're determined to wheel in the break. With 50 km to go the break has 3'18.



The peloton is getting close and Laborie gives it one last effort with around 20 km to go.



Laborie is catched with 10 km to go. It's time for a bunch sprint. Feillu (On the left)is desperately trying to position himself better for the sprint



But he can't keep up. He never gets positioned and gives up after not latching onto the trains booming by him. Degenkolb wins safely in front of Kristoff and Boonen.

Stage Results:

1 John Degenkolb Team Giant-Shimano 3h26'17
2 Alexander Kristoff Team Katusha s.t.
3 Tom Boonen Omega Pharma-Quick-Step s.t.
4 Thor Hushovd BMC Racing Team s.t.
5 Ramon Sinkeldam Team Giant-Shimano s.t.
6 Gianni Meersman Omega Pharma-Quick-Step s.t.
7 Moreno Hofland Belkin Pro Cycling Team s.t.
8 Carlos Alberto Betancur Ag2r La Mondiale s.t.
9 Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg Team Giant-Shimano s.t.
10 Nikolas Maes Omega Pharma-Quick-Step s.t.
17 Romain Feillu Bretagne - Séché Environnement s.t.
General Classement:

1 John Degenkolb Team Giant-Shimano 3h26'11
2 Michel Koch Cannondale s.t.
3 Alexander Kristoff Team Katusha + 2
4 Jimmy Engoulvent Team Europcar s.t.
5 Tom Boonen Omega Pharma-Quick-Step + 4
19 Romain Feillu Bretagne - Séché Environnement s.t.