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Rik Van Damme: The New Generation | First Race
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 30-10-2012 12:54
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Introduction
Welcome to my blog,
Allow me to introduce myself: I am Rik Van Damme. Being part of the new generation of cyclist, I work hard, keep clean and do the best I can. I'm a modern kind of guy, and that's how I decided to keep a blog about my career and, to a lesser extent, my personal life.
My Profile
Name: Rik Van Damme
Date of Birth: 21/12/1991
Place of Birth: Ghent, Belgium (Flanders)
Languages: Dutch, English, French, German.
Height: 182cm
Weight: 76kg
Type of Rider: At 20 years, it's hard to say what kind of rider you are. I know I'm not a climber, that's for sure. At the juniors and the amateur races, I usually got good results sprinting or breaking away. But personally I think my main strengths are my ability to handle a bike on the cobblestones and my stamina.
Idols: Rik Van Steenbergen, Lucien Van Impe, Sean Kelly, Frank Vandenbroucke, Peter Van Petegem, Rik Van Looy, Eddy Merckx, Jean-Pierre Monseré, Fabian Cancellara, Jens Voigt, Tom Boonen, Philippe Gilbert...
Favorite Races: Ronde van Vlaanderen, Gent - Wevelgem, Omloop het Nieuwsblad, Tour de France and Paris - Roubaix
Biggest Dream: Winning the Ronde Van Vlaanderen
Education: High School diploma (Modern Science), 1 year of University (Mathematics)
Pre-2012 in Cycling: Participated in Lotto Topcompetitie voor nieuwelingen , a league for newcomers in the sport, organized by Lotto. I joined with the amateur team Lions of Belgium. With some great result and a stroke of luck, I finished 4th overall.
Small Autobiography
I grew up in the city of Ghent, in Belgium. My dad has always been a great cycling fan, just like his dad (I'm named after Rik Van Steenbergen), so we didn't even have a car. I remember taking trips to the Ardennes and going there by bike. Ghent is an excellent city to learn how to cycle, with the Flemish Ardennes near and the Schelde passing through the city, there's plenty of roads to practice, which I did.
I'm a man of science, so after high school I decided to go study Mathematics at the University of Ghent. My grades were all right, I guess, but I lost time to go cycling. It was then that I decided to stop my studies and go cycling. My father was enthusiastic and called it a brave decision. My mother is yet to be convinced.
I entered the Lotto Topcompetitie and surprisingly finished fourth overall, winning some races even. It was on base of that result that I was scouted by a Continental Team. Which one, that I'll reveal in my next blog!
See you then,
Rik
Spoiler I will try to run this story as well as Roberto's story. If I, or anyone else, notice that it isn't working out, I will put this on hold/stop this and continue with Roberto. I'll try to make it work with periods. For example, a period in Roberto's story could be the Vuelta, so I'd ride the Vuelta with Roberto, then ride a period here, for example Tour of Britain. And so forth. Enjoy!
Edited by Ian Butler on 30-10-2012 16:14
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 30-10-2012 12:54
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Team Presentation 2012
Welcome again,
Last time I finished by saying I got scouted by a Continental Team. I was obligated to keep it to myself until the contract was signed. Now, a week later, the contract is signed, so I can present my team for 2012:
An Post - Sean Kelly
An Post - Sean Kelly started out as an Irish Continental Team, but holds a Belgian License since 2010. The main nationalities in the team are Irish, Belgian and British. The team's headquarters is in Merchtem, not too far from Ghent, that's good, I can take the bike to work!
Leaders
Nico Eeckhout
A very talented Belgian sprinter, he's had a great career so far. At age 41, he isn't thinking about stopping. I will learn a lot from him.
Gediminas Bagdonas
Another talented sprinter, from Lithuania. He's younger and still has some progression marge. It'll be great riding alongside him, he should get the team some victories.
Pieter Ghyllebert
Probably the strongest Hilly Rider of the team. Another (Belgian) rider to look up to. I will keep my eyes open and try to learn as much as possible.
Other Team Members
 Jonathan Bellis
 Sam Bennett
Mark Cassidy
Mark Christian
Sean Downey
 Stijn Ennekens
Roy Jans
 Scott Law
Connor McConvey
Ronan McLaughlin
Mark McNally
Jonathan Mould
Joren Segers
Kenneth Vanbilsen
Niels Wytinck
My Contract
Team: An Post - Sean Kelly
Role: Young Rider
Duration: 1 year (contract end: October 25th of 2012)
Minimum Wage: €2000/month
Bonuses: No
Minimum Race Days: 40
Estimated Skills
When doing the tests (medical, physical, psychological...) to get admitted into the team, I was asked to give myself points in 13 different attributes, ranging from 50-85. I thought that was a nice exercise of self-knowledge and it might be interesting to do it yearly and see how (I think) I develop.
For this year, my estimated skills are:
| Flat: | 65 | Sprinting: | 66 | Stamina | 71 | | Mountain: | 58 | Acceleration: | 67 | Recuperation: | 64 | | Hills: | 64 | Fighter: | 68 | Resistance: | 68 | | Time Trial: | 60 | Downhill: | 68 | | | | Prologue: | 62 | Cobblestones: | 67 | | |
Next Monday, I start training with the entire team, can't wait! It won't be long before we take a look at the program for 2012, so I should have an idea by then what I'll take part in. Will blog as soon as I know!
See you then,
Rik |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 30-10-2012 12:54
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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2012 Program
Hi again!
I'm home from a tough training weekend in the Ardennes. I have some good news, I have a temporary schedule. The biggest races I'll compete in are:
- Tour of Oman
- De Panne Tour
- Tour de la Belgique
- World Port Classics
- Tour of Britain
- Tour Franco-Belge
Those are big races, and I'm so glad they put that much trust in me. I've set about four goals for myself this season:
- Be part of a team victory
- Finish every race
- 5 top 10 spots
- Breakaway in Tour de la Belgique
Well, that's all for now. I will start in the opening race in Italy, I'll see you there! |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 30-10-2012 12:55
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Yet another Brilliant pre story preview, very nice indeed  |
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| FroomeDog99 |
Posted on 30-10-2012 12:56
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4573
Joined: 07-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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My career is with An post ATM!
Good luck  |
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| fernando97 |
Posted on 30-10-2012 12:57
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2167
Joined: 01-01-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Good luck Ian! It looks interesting that's for sure. |
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| ste_18 |
Posted on 30-10-2012 13:20
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1430
Joined: 06-08-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Good luck |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 01:30
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| Jesleyh |
Posted on 30-10-2012 13:53
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15274
Joined: 21-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Good luck, your stories are always great, so I hope this isn't an exception
btw I like the estimated skills thing...
Feyenoord(football) and Kelderman fanboy
PCMdaily Awards: 12x nomination, 9x runner-up, 0x win.
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 30-10-2012 13:56
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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good luck with this one!! Are the Roberto and Vino stories on hold?
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 30-10-2012 14:14
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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another one.... hmmm... not sure...
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 30-10-2012 14:24
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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sutty68: Thanks a lot, man! Hope you'll enjoy it!
FroomeDog99: A nice team, isn't it? Thanks
fernando97: Thanks 
ste_18: Thanks!
Jesleyh: Hope so, too. Glad you like that
the_hoyle: It's partly explained in top spoiler. I'll try to combine this with Roberto. If it wouldn't work, Roberto is highest priority. Vino is a very slow story with one race every once in a while, so no worries there
TheManxMissile: Not sure what you mean? |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 30-10-2012 14:27
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Ian Butler wrote:
the_hoyle: It's partly explained in top spoiler. I'll try to combine this with Roberto. If it wouldn't work, Roberto is highest priority. Vino is a very slow story with one race every once in a while, so no worries there
Sorry missed the spolier explaining that! 
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 30-10-2012 14:28
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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No problem |
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 30-10-2012 14:29
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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its just you start a lot of stories
yeah they get a few seasons in but none of them end... they just stop (except erik+stijn)
you're good, but seeing a story through could be good. I know i do the same, but the Vino one could have been great. The Europcar one could have been special. Now they are all just average and incomplete
just my opinion
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 30-10-2012 15:20
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Roberto isn't finished yet, just raced San Sébastian. So that didn't end. Vino didn't end either, I said in advance that the Vino one was just a side-thing. A race once in a while, nothing more.
And it's too bad you think they're only average, but like you said, everyone their opinion.
Edited by Ian Butler on 30-10-2012 15:24
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 30-10-2012 15:25
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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Fair enough, still miss the Europcar guys
So your running 3 at once.... best of luck 
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 30-10-2012 15:27
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Well, I gave preference to Roberto over the Europcar guys, that was just a choice I made and for me it was the right one. Though the Europcar guys are not over and out yet, still got the career save so you never know. Well, 2 at once, the Vino one isn't really a story, just a race with Vino once in a while |
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 30-10-2012 15:28
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Good luck!
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 30-10-2012 16:13
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Thanks mate |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 30-10-2012 16:13
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Coppa Costa Degli Etruschi
My first race in the professional milieu. Today I expect to finish, that's all. Eeckhout will put up a nice fight in the sprint, but I won't be the one launching him (today).
Cycling can be a dangerous sport and today showed this already. It's early in the season but some teams are anxious for a win. The peloton gets nervous for the sprint and mistakes happen. I was just in time to avoid falling myself, my heart rate went up to 170, let me tell you that!
I didn't see the sprint myself but I found a picture of the winner, Paolini. Eeckhout is seen on the right, sprinting to a nice 10th place. A great start of the season for him!
I finished safely within the same time as the winner. I'm happy, we did good today.
Result
| 1 | Luca Paolini | Katusha Team | 4h51'55 | | | 2 | Giacomo Nizzolo | Radioshack Nissan Trek | s.t. | | | 3 | Daniel Oss | Liquigas-Cannondale | s.t. | | | 4 | Theo Bos | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | | 5 | Simone Ponzi | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | | | 6 | Jürgen Roelandts | Lotto Belisol | s.t. | | | 7 | Borut Bozic | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | | | 8 | Kenny Van Hummel | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | | 9 | Jeremy Hunt | Sky Pro Cycling | s.t. | | | 10 | Nico Eeckhout | An Post - Sean Kelly | s.t. | IanButler | | (...) | | 132 | Rik Van Damme | An Post - Sean Kelly | s.t. | IanButler |
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![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
