Team Sky - How far can Wiggins go ?
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soulcrusher |
Posted on 09-08-2011 13:48
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Hi all,
after reading a lot of stories here for more than a year and with havong time to kill, I'd like to come up with my own. I'll be playing with Team Sky and will mainly focus on the important stage races because i really don't like the classics that much (but of course i will publish the results of these races!)
As this is my first story I'm always open for advice or tips. I hope that i can Update frequently.
I will start today with a short team preview and perhaps the first stage of Paris-Nice.
Greets Soulcrusher |
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pcm2009fan |
Posted on 09-08-2011 14:09
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Sounds good, looking forward to the presentation |
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Batista15 |
Posted on 09-08-2011 14:16
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pcm2009fan wrote:
Sounds good, looking forward to the presentation
I agree Team Sky is one of my favourites! |
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soulcrusher |
Posted on 09-08-2011 14:52
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The Team ...
Captains
Bradley Wiggins
He will be our Captain for both the Giro and the Tour de France as he is by far our best GC competitor. He hopes that this year he can challenge the likes of Contador, the Schlecks and Evans. Perhaps this might be the year of his breakthrough ?
Rigoberto Uran
Our Young Star is Rigoberto Uran from Columbia. He will Focus on the Tour de France and the Vuelta. He will try to go for the white jersey in both of these raceses. Perhaps he could also try to win the Mountain Jersey in the TDF ? Who knows ....
Edvald Boasson Hagen
The allrounder of the Team. There is nothing that he can't do! So i think he will be going for some early classics and than perhaps the green jersey in the TdF. We have high expactations in this young kid as he is always good for a stage win on any given Day !
Juan Antonio Flecha
Another Captain for the Classics. With his Experience i think he can do some damage in the early season.
Super-Domestiques
Michael Rogers, Thomas Löfkvist and Gerriant Thomas will all try to support our Leaders in the main stage races the best they can. They'll also try to go for stage wins. Perhaps in the smaller stage races they will even take the roll of the leader.
Also it is always great to have riders like Rogers on your team, that bring
that much of expirience to the table. Rogers e.g. isn't a top tier rider for the GC of a GT anymore but he can certainly go for a Top 25 place on any given time.
Our Longterm Prospects
Peter Kennaugh
He will be our GC hope in perhaps 2-3 years. We will give him the oppurtunity this year to compete in various GT's. We hope that he can support our leaders and gain experience during these rides.
Ben Swift
Even today Ben Swift is one of the strongest Sprinter in the Peloton. But we will look to develope him into THE Top Sprinter from 2014 on ...
As you all know the composition of team Sky i won't be posting all the riders here as no changes have been made to the PCMDaily Database V1.
Our goals for this year will be:
Top 3 in the Giro
Top 5 in the Tour de France
White Jersey in the Vuelta
Top 5 in the Dauphine
Stage Wins in Paris - Nice, The Tirreno - Adriatico
Further i have to say that i will give updates for each month in the game and for the important Races that will be simulated.
I hope that you enjoy this Blog .... |
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soulcrusher |
Posted on 09-08-2011 15:53
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First Update
Month January
With the new season coming closer we sent the whole team to a nice little preseason camp. The spirit within the team was great and everyone got along realy good. Everyone agreed that 2011 should become a special and great year for Team Sky.
With that mindset our 4 Austrailian riders entered their national championships. And they didn't disappoint!
On the street race Simon Gerrans came in third and clinched the first podium for sky in the first race ! Not too bad eh ?
In the time trail our rideres convinced with a great team effort. All our 4 riders finished top 20 with Michael Rogers achieving a great fith place.
But January even got better !!!
At the Tour Down Under we showed up with a strong squad around our leader Hagen.
On the third day Hagen won the leaders jearsey and the stage with a great solo ride on the last 10 Km
Our Team around e.g. Kurt-Arsle-Arvesen and Simon Gerrans did really well and defended the leaders jersey till the end.
So congratulations to the Team for this great effort and start by the management! Keep it going guys!!!
Edited by soulcrusher on 09-08-2011 15:54
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soulcrusher |
Posted on 09-08-2011 17:03
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2nd Update
February
Hi guys, at first i want you to know that the february also brought some nice results. Also i want to inform you that team Sky hired two new scouts to evaluate the different regions around the alps, looking for new upencoming cyclists. In the future we really want to find the right mix between new talents and experienced riders. I think that this is a good developement for the Team.
But let's get to buisiness
We had a great start with 4 riders in the Top 5 of the Prologue of the Vuelta an Andalucia. With our Chris Froomes winning the stage. Gratz Buddy !
Spoiler Rank Name Team Time
1 Chris Froome Sky ProCycling 12'05
2 Christophe Riblon AG2R La Mondiale + 8
3 Christopher Sutton Sky ProCycling s.t.
4 Dario Cioni Sky ProCycling + 9
5 Kurt-Asle Arvesen Sky ProCycling + 13
6 Adriano Malori Lampre - ISD + 14
7 Tyler Farrar Team Garmin - Cervélo s.t.
8 Jack Bobridge Team Garmin - Cervélo + 15
9 Michele Scarponi Lampre - ISD s.t.
10 Romain Zingle Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
11 Leonardo Bertagnolli Lampre - ISD + 16
12 Hugo Salazar Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia + 17
13 Arnoud Van Groen Veranda's Willems - Accent s.t.
14 Tony Gallopin Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
15 David Le Lay AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
16 Steve Houanard AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
17 Stefano Garzelli Acqua & Sapone s.t.
18 Tom Danielson Team Garmin - Cervélo s.t.
19 Kristof Goddaert AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
20 Greg Henderson Sky ProCycling + 18
21 Jacobus Venter Veranda's Willems - Accent s.t.
22 Filippo Savini Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
23 Travis Meyer Team Garmin - Cervélo + 19
24 Vladimir Miholjevic Acqua & Sapone s.t.
25 Julien El Fares Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
26 Darwin Atapuma Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia s.t.
27 Dimitri Champion AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
28 Christophe Le Mével Team Garmin - Cervélo + 20
29 Alexander Kvachuk Lampre - ISD s.t.
30 Jarlinson Pantano Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia + 21
31 Daniele Pietropolli Lampre - ISD s.t.
32 Thomas Degand Veranda's Willems - Accent s.t.
33 Federico Canuti Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
34 Mariusz Witecki CCC Polsat Polkowice s.t.
35 Álex Cano Ardila Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia s.t.
36 Tomas Swift Metcalfe Tavira - Prio s.t.
37 Samuel Dumoulin Cofidis, le crédit en ligne + 22
38 Juan Forero Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia s.t.
39 Hernâni Brôco LA - Antarte s.t.
40 Ramunas Navardauskas Team Garmin - Cervélo + 23
41 Russell Downing Sky ProCycling s.t.
42 Filipe Cardoso Barbot - Efapel s.t.
43 Robinson Chalapud Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia s.t.
44 Carlos Betancourt Acqua & Sapone s.t.
45 Massimo Codol Acqua & Sapone s.t.
46 Camilo Suárez Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia s.t.
47 Fabio Taborre Acqua & Sapone s.t.
48 Sacha Modolo Colnago - CSF Inox + 24
49 Jens Keukeleire Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
50 Omar Lombardi Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
51 James Vanlandschoot Veranda's Willems - Accent s.t.
52 John Martinez Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia + 25
53 Julien Fouchard Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
54 João Pereira Tavira - Prio s.t.
55 Marco Frapporti Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
56 Jean-Eudes Demaret Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
57 Carlos Baltazar Barbot - Efapel s.t.
58 Leonardo Duque Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
59 Danilo Hondo Lampre - ISD s.t.
60 Simone Stortoni Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
61 Kevin Van Melsen Veranda's Willems - Accent + 26
62 Mathieu Perget AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
63 Hugo Sancho LA - Antarte s.t.
64 Daniel Schorn Team NetApp s.t.
65 Steven Caethoven Veranda's Willems - Accent s.t.
66 Daniele Righi Lampre - ISD + 27
67 Stefan Van Dijk Veranda's Willems - Accent s.t.
68 Sébastien Hinault AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
69 Manuel Belletti Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
70 Amaro Antunes LA - Antarte s.t.
71 Luis Silva Tavira - Prio s.t.
72 Antonio Amorim Barbot - Efapel s.t.
73 Anthony Ravard AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
74 Daniel Lloyd Team Garmin - Cervélo + 28
75 Murilo Fischer Team Garmin - Cervélo s.t.
76 Wim De Vocht Veranda's Willems - Accent s.t.
77 Balint Szeghalmi Lampre - ISD + 29
78 Paolo Locatelli Colnago - CSF Inox s.t.
79 Cayetano Sarmiento Acqua & Sapone s.t.
80 Alessandro Donati Acqua & Sapone + 30
81 Claudio Corioni Acqua & Sapone s.t.
82 Diogo Nunes Tavira - Prio s.t.
83 Serge Pauwels Sky ProCycling + 42
84 Jeremy Hunt Sky ProCycling + 45
Unfortunately we couldn't defend the leaders jersey during this small tour but nevermind ...
The cobblestone races like Kuurne - Bruxelles were just dominated by Thor Husovd. He won all of them.
But still ... for two months now Edvald Boasson Hagen is leading the UCI World Tour rankings! Good Job Edvald
So as we approach march ... the story should be getting more interesting with Paris-Nice on the way. I'll be back with a short update on our squad and the startlist! |
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soulcrusher |
Posted on 09-08-2011 18:04
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So it is time for our Paris - Nice 2011
The Route
Our Team
Our leaders will be Thomas Löfkvist and Edvald Boasson Hagen. They will both go for Stage wins (mainly Boasson Hagen) and try to get the best place possible in the GC.
Paris - Nice as usual has an elite field. Because of that i would suggest a top 10 for Löfkvist and two stage wins for Boasson Hagen the optimum... but you'll never know!
The Favourites
+++
A. Schleck, F. Schleck, L. Leipheimer, C. Horner
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J, Brajkovik, R. Hesjedal, r. Kreuziger
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P. Velits, P. Gilbert, S. Casar, T. Löfkvist
The Sprinters
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E. Boasson Hagen
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G. Henderson, S. Hinault, P.Sagan
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R. Hunter, J.J. Haedo, J. Casper
We from Sky's management think it will be a hell of a race and we look forward to our guys performing well ! |
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soulcrusher |
Posted on 09-08-2011 18:36
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Okay let's go! First Stage!
Team meeting:
We got just one minor climb in the beginning so it should be an option for us to get our hands on the mountain jersey at least for one day. Further we would like a mass sprint because Edvald clearly is the strongest sprinter in the field right now.
The cyclists at the start ...
At the first few kilometers claude of Europcar attacks... Our Barry conters to take a shot at the mountain jersey
A Group of nine enters the first and final climb of the day. Fighting for the mountain jersey Barry for Sky. But he loses the sprint and comes in thrid at the top ... also the break is caught by the pack.
With 90 KM to go a Group of 7 is leading the race ( no big names included ) The maximum gain on the peloton is 7 minutes!
8.5 km to go ... the moment the break is caught riders try to jump away, although the tempo is very high in the peloton right now. J. Bobridge, Baden Cooke and Gregory Rast try to avoid the mass sprint .... will they succed ?
2,5 Km to go and still 20 seconds for the trio ... Sky now Launching the sprint for Boasson Hagen
1,5 To go ... as the last Domestique Henderson starts the sprint ... he looks very strong today. Boasson Hagen right at his wheel...
WIN for Sky ... in a powerful sprint the duo of Henderson and Boasson Hagen overtakes the members of the breakaway and get the double victory... what a great effort!
Also our second leader Thomas Löfkvist came in 5th ... a huge result for him. He also did good work launching Hagens win !
Stage
1 Edvald Boasson Hagen Sky ProCycling 3h38'32
2 Greg Henderson Sky ProCycling s.t.
3 Sébastien Hinault AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
4 Peter Sagan Liquigas - Cannondale s.t.
5 Thomas Löfkvist Sky ProCycling s.t.
6 Steve Chainel FDJ s.t.
7 Marco Marcato Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team s.t.
8 Lieuwe Westra Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team s.t.
9 Marcel Sieberg Omega Pharma - Lotto s.t.
10 Björn Leukemans Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team s.t.
Overall
1 Edvald Boasson Hagen Sky ProCycling 3h38'26
2 Jack Bobridge Team Garmin - Cervélo s.t.
3 Greg Henderson Sky ProCycling + 2
4 Stijn Vandenbergh Katusha Team + 3
5 Sébastien Hinault AG2R La Mondiale + 4
6 Kevin Van Impe Quick·Step Cycling Team s.t.
7 Mathieu Claude Team Europcar + 5
8 Peter Sagan Liquigas - Cannondale + 6
9 Thomas Löfkvist Sky ProCycling s.t.
10 Steve Chainel FDJ s.t.
Points
1 Edvald Boasson Hagen Sky ProCycling 25 25
2 Greg Henderson Sky ProCycling 22 22
3 Sébastien Hinault AG2R La Mondiale 20 20
4 Peter Sagan Liquigas - Cannondale 18 18
5 Thomas Löfkvist Sky ProCycling 16 16
KOM
1 Patrick Gretsch HTC - Highroad 4 4
2 Grégory Rast Team RadioShack 2 2
3 Michael Barry Sky ProCycling 1 1
U25
1 Edvald Boasson Hagen Sky ProCycling 3h38'32 3h38'26 (1)
2 Peter Sagan Liquigas - Cannondale s.t. + 6 (3)
3 Jack Bobridge Team Garmin - Cervélo s.t. + 0 (2)
4 Gert Dockx Omega Pharma - Lotto s.t. + 6 (4)
5 Alex Dowsett Sky ProCycling s.t. + 6 (5)
6 Eros Capecchi Liquigas - Cannondale s.t. + 6 (6)
7 Thomas De Gendt Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team s.t. + 6 (7)
8 Sep Vanmarcke Team Garmin - Cervélo s.t. + 6 (8)
9 Kevin Seeldraeyers Quick·Step Cycling Team s.t. + 6 (9)
10 Michael Schär BMC Racing Team s.t. + 6 (10)
So a great start for us at Team Sky perhaps 2011 will really become our year ? |
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Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 09-08-2011 18:41
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World Champion
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What difficulty do you play on? Nice start btw.
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soulcrusher |
Posted on 09-08-2011 21:26
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I play on normal ... is that to low ?
Update will follow tomorrow in the afternoon ... |
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Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 10-08-2011 08:15
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World Champion
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soulcrusher wrote:
I play on normal ... is that to low ?
Update will follow tomorrow in the afternoon ...
Maybe it is, since you are so dominating, try hard difficulty and then decide what is best for you, for me it is more fun and higher challenge when it is actually hard to win. Then you really love the winning moment, when it comes
Anyway very nice presentation, good luck!
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dandannieldanok |
Posted on 10-08-2011 14:00
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Normal is too low; not because you won the stage (as you say Boassen Hagen is the best in that field), more to do with your leadout man getting second, and Lofkvist getting 5th. I changed it when that exact same thing happened with my leadout. Hard difficulty is tough and it is much more difficult to organise a successful leadout, but it is possible and the results and sprint finishes are more realistic. |
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soulcrusher |
Posted on 10-08-2011 14:37
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Okay nice thanks. I'll switch the difficulty. Stage 2 update will be done by the end of today i guess
Edited by soulcrusher on 10-08-2011 14:38
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soulcrusher |
Posted on 10-08-2011 15:22
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Paris - Nice Stage 2
Team meeting:
Today should be another opportunity for our elite Sprinter Boasson Hagen. So we will try to force a mass sprint in the end. Don't allow too big gaps.
After no big action during the first couple of KMs M.Ladagnous of FDJ went for a solo ride. He was followed by a group of 11 that ultimately joined M. Ladagnous.
The twelve riders from the breakaway got caught and quickly another small group formed. This was a very strong group with Baden Cooke and Andreas Klier in the lead.
The three became four when Ballan joined the Trio. Their maximum margin was around 5 minutes.
Our Team did a great job chacing the breakaway so with 9 KM to go we needed to get our Captain in the right place for another mass sprint. Stage win NO. 2 for Sky ?
And their goes the Sky Train again. Great job by Löfkvist and Henderson to launch Boasson Hagens sprint...
0,5 Km to go and Boasson Hagen is fighting ... no easy win today.
Sagan, Dumoulin and Casper, right at Boasson Hagens wheel, still in great position.
And with a great great finish the strong Norseman takes another stage. What a great team effort ... though it was a lot closer than yesterday ... let's see what can be done tomorrow
Stage result
1 Edvald Boasson Hagen Sky ProCycling 4h29'25
2 Samuel Dumoulin Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
3 Jimmy Casper Saur - Sojasun s.t.
4 Luca Paolini Katusha Team s.t.
5 Theo Bos Rabobank Cycling Team s.t.
6 Borut Božic Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team s.t.
7 Grega Bole Lampre - ISD s.t.
8 Peter Sagan Liquigas - Cannondale s.t.
9 Juan José Haedo Saxo Bank SunGard s.t.
10 Manuel Cardoso Team RadioShack s.t.
Overall
1 Edvald Boasson Hagen Sky ProCycling 8h07'45
2 Jack Bobridge Team Garmin - Cervélo + 6
3 Andreas Klier Team Garmin - Cervélo + 7
4 Baden Cooke Saxo Bank SunGard s.t.
5 Samuel Dumoulin Cofidis, le crédit en ligne + 8
6 Greg Henderson Sky ProCycling s.t.
7 Stijn Vandenbergh Katusha Team + 9
8 Sébastien Hinault AG2R La Mondiale + 10
9 Jimmy Casper Saur - Sojasun s.t.
10 Kevin Van Impe Quick·Step Cycling Team s.t.
Points
1 Edvald Boasson Hagen Sky ProCycling 25 50
2 Samuel Dumoulin Cofidis, le crédit en ligne 22 32
3 Peter Sagan Liquigas - Cannondale 13 31
4 Greg Henderson Sky ProCycling 8 30
5 Sébastien Hinault AG2R La Mondiale 10 30
6 Jimmy Casper Saur - Sojasun 20 20
7 Grega Bole Lampre - ISD 14 18
8 Luca Paolini Katusha Team 18 18
9 Thomas Löfkvist Sky ProCycling 0 16
10 Theo Bos Rabobank Cycling Team 16 16
KOM
unchanged !
So what a great start for our team. As a manager i have to say I'm very pleased with the results! |
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soulcrusher |
Posted on 10-08-2011 18:09
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So Stage three is on the way and it includes the first hill the is worth to be called a mountain. Maybe a good chance for Gilbert or even the Schlecks ?
Team meeting
As Boasson Hagen seems to be too strong for anyone these days, we hope for another mass sprint and will try everything to get him his 3rd win. Further this might be the first stage where gaps can be created. We will look to position our second leader T.Löfkvist well during the whole race.
It is a very nervous start today. A lot of attacks cause a high pace. we try to put one of our riders in the Breakaway.
With 126 KM to go an escape group has formed with Leukemans and Wurf in it. There is also one lonly rider between them and the field.
Team Sky takes care of buisiness in the front!
Johnny Hoogerland crashed and is now minutes behind the peloton! ... At this pace he will not make it back ...
The Breakaway enters the desicive climb with 27 KM to go.
I spoke with Boasson Hagen and he felt VERY strong today ... He said he wanted to decide the race at the last Hill rather than wait for a mass sprint.
He felt he had a great opportunity because he's such a good downhill rider.
Cioni and Löfkvist launch the attack for Boasson Hagen. Many favourites are caught by suprise. Quickly a gap opens up. Can even Löfkvist gain some time today ?
On the downhill rider Boasson Hagen pulls away from Löfkvist. He is just the better rider mountain down. Löfkvist and most riders of the former breakaway are caught by the pack. It is raining cats and dogs ...
CRASH !!! Many riders fall on the decent. Includiing many favourites: Leipheimer, Kreuziger, Brajkovik, Fuglsang, Fränk Schleck, Chris horner and Pierre Rolland. Will they make it back in time ?
With five KM to go Boasson Hagen overtakes the last remaining rider of the breakawa. He is now one minute in front.
Boasson Hagen takes another stage !!! What a race! ...
Though many favourites crashed most of them still finished the same time with our T. Löfkvist.
Oh my what a stage guys ... As i sat in the Team Car and watched all this develope and take place I can tell you i was nervous as hell ... but relieved when Edvald won the stage and Thomas was able to avoid a crash because of our agressive tactic ... Well done today! |
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Nookie_85 |
Posted on 10-08-2011 18:24
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way too easy...change to "difficult" |
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soulcrusher |
Posted on 10-08-2011 20:48
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Amateur
Posts: 20
Joined: 11-01-2011
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I allready changed to hard ... do i have to change it to extreme ? |
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Woisa |
Posted on 10-08-2011 21:29
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Amateur
Posts: 15
Joined: 10-06-2007
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I think it's morerealistic than before. It might just be because he's in better shape that he win that easy. You could try another difficulty, but I don't think it will make it easy for you at all. :-) |
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dandannieldanok |
Posted on 10-08-2011 23:03
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Posts: 55
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I wouldn't go up to extreme yet, after all Boassen Hagen should be winning these stages on paper. Stage 2 was far more realistic. |
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Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 11-08-2011 07:58
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World Champion
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dandannieldanok wrote:
I wouldn't go up to extreme yet, after all Boassen Hagen should be winning these stages on paper. Stage 2 was far more realistic.
+1
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