And there I was, on the top step of the Podium on the Champs Elysees, the first time anyone has ever heard O' Canada at the end of the Tour. I couldn't believe it, I had done it, what no other Canadian had ever been able to achieve before. I had started out with Europcar a French team, and then moved on to Team Sky and in my 3rd year here, I'd won it all, thanks to the support of the best team in the World. There were rumours I'd head to Spidertech the only ProContinental Canadian team, but those were only rumours for a short time. But how do I improve from here? All I've got left is the Worlds but that feels like ages from now.
Still I couldn't believe it. I was the Tour champion, and people way back in the day had compared me to Steve Bauer, maybe the greatest Canadian cyclist ever, but I had never thought I'd be where I am now, even 3 years ago. The amount of improvement I've had at Team Sky has been insane. Its almost unnatural how much better I've become here.
That night we slept in the fanciest hotel in Paris. The beds had maybe the softest pillows I've ever slept on, and everything about the hotel just seemed perfect. I got back to my room early in the morning after the wild night of partying I had just had with the team and some lucky fans, but I was so drained from the 3 weeks that I just needed to rest. I think as soon as my head hit the pillows I was out, thats how tired I was.
WHAT THE HECK! This wasn't the softest pillow the world my head was resting on, this was my own pillow back in my home in Cap-Rouge. But what was I doing here? I kind of didn't take notice of it too much at first. I had a shower to get my day started, but when I got out and began to get my gear for a training ride, I noticed all my gear was Europcar stuff. Where had my Team Sky kit gone? Most importantly where had my Pinarello gone!
I called my girlfriend to ask if I had just won the Tour de France in 2014, but even scarier was her answer.
"Its not 2014, what are you talking about"
Right then I knew something was up. Was this one big joke, or was this only a dream? Had I not moved on to a Pro Tour team? Had I not won the Tour?
Hours later I had it all pieced together, and indeed it was only a dream. I have been with Europcar for 2 seasons now and Im going into 3rd season with them.
In my dreams I had even continued my blogging even though those 3 seasons with Sky were only part of my dream, which makes this whole situation even weirder. It was apparently the off-season so I got my mind prepared for the new season, and I can tell you that I'm back again to blog it all! Im super excited to say this, so I hope my fans will welcome me back, and encourage me along the way.
In 2011, I raced with Europcar, and I blogged about my races and how I was doing and it was great fun, but the year after that, I took a break from my blog, and the focus on my racing really helped me out. This year, I think I can handle doing both again, as well as improving my results, so onward to 2013 please.
Note:
Spoiler
So, I've brought this back, in what I think is the best way possible. No move to Sky, but this still recognizes my previous story with David, because how can I forget that. I hope this storyline atleast makes sense and doesn't confuse things too much. I'll have more posts in my Reserves that should help clarify if you are still having trouble.
Also, if you dont think the way I've done it works, I'd prefer a humourous comment vs a comment saying the way I've done it sucks. I went over the idea with a very reputable member on the site and he thought it was alright.
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Database: Daily 2013 DB with minor changes Race Difficulty: Hard Development of Attributes: .04
As any normal kid in Canada, especially in la Belle Province, I was addicted to hockey at a young age. I also played soccer, judo, baseball and Alpine Skiing, so I was very active at a young age. I soon became very interested in Motocross, however my parents didn't give me consent to participate in that sport because they felt it was too dangerous so I turned to Mountain Biking, and thus my cycling career began!
I would ride my bike everywhere, and I was out everyday looking for new jumps and things for my bike. I had thought racing would be a good idea, but I didn't know such a thing existed until a small sports store opened just down my street, and I instantly signed up for my first race. I also joined a club there, and got my first taste of training, and racing bikes. In my first year, I did very well. Because the age categories are cut off on December 31st, I was racing with riders a year older than me, so they had a physiological advantage on me. My first race I came 4th overall, and the rest of the year, I consistently placed very high, so I knew I had the natural ability.
When I was 14, I signed up for a Cycling program in the Sport and Studies school, and my parents helped support me even though the school was 30km away from my town. I met Francis Paradis and he introduced me to all disciplines of the sport, although I had no interest for Road racing at the time. But that changed after a winter of training with Francis. I became interested in road cycling!
My first road race I went full throttle at the sound of the gun. I realised I had to ride in the pack, so I drafted for almost the entire race before making a useless attack and finishing dead last. As my first road season went on, I found less interest in Mountain Biking, and more and more in road.
2nd season, I quit MTN biking to devote all my time to the Road. My Dad bought me a Louis Garneau bike and I was able to join Élicycle-Sport Experts , and I even had the chance to meet Mr. Garneau himself, who helped me with some advice. In my 2nd race of that season, I took the win.
The next few seasons, high finishes became a regularity for me, and I was now on Jittery - Joes a semi-pro team. They offered me a great structured racing schedule but by the end of the season, I felt a move was needed, so I moved on to Kelly Benefits.
The atmosphere within that team was great and I won the U23 National Title for both Road and TT, so I was very happy. At KBS, I wanted to race a more North America circuit so that I could stay close to home and finish my bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering too. But in 2010 I felt I was ready to move on in my career, so I went to Europcar and I finished in a great position in Paris Roubaix the hardest day of racing on the whole cycling calendar.
My Style of riding I think is an all-rounder, kind of like Paolo Bettini. I think I can climb fairly well, and I can sprint well. I'm also good on the cobbles, and my TT is by far my strongest area, so I just hope I can keep improving really. My hope is to race in the Tour de France and win as many stages as I can along the way. Winning Monuments would also be great.
Welcome to my Blog section! In here, you will be able to see my latest Blog entry, as well as an archive of all my blogs. With the success of it last year, I will also probably be bringing back the "Ask David" segment, and be sure to ask my opinion on anything. Its all for fun!
On this site, you will be able to find my latest results, general news about me, you can get a recap of my previous seasons, and there will also be my race calendar for the season. I will release my traning schedule and keep track of my best results. Not only that but I will introduce you to my team-mates and have brief reports on some of the more important races that I dont participate in. I can't forget about any news Regarding my team, as well as a summary of the Current Pro Tour teams.
This may seem like a lot to cover for one person, but I think I will be able to manage, and I hope you guys enjoy it, as I like doing this type of thing.
The title says it all, "return of a legend". PCM.Daily needs our beloved Canadian, so glad he is back and has awaken from his dream. Great to see ya going at it again Valv.
@ Mre: Thanks so much! What a great comment. I even remember when you made me the David Veilleux sig a couple years ago. I think I've improved my graphics since then too....
@ Jak : Thank you! Im so happy you think of him that way! It makes me happy
Om y freaking Jesus. The power of Earth has just performed a miracle. Holy bejeezus. I'm literally shaking right now. Unbelievable. One of my favorite stories ever. I remember when I was a noob on the forum, reading like 70 pages of the PCM 10 story in 1 day. Every PCM career I make now, he is on my team. He has to be. He's become on of my favorite non big contender guys. And better yet, he's never been on Sky now. Thank you and good luck.
Edit: i can take the R.I.P. David Veilleux out of my signature now.
baseballlover312 wrote:
Om y freaking Jesus. The power of Earth has just performed a miracle. Holy bejeezus. I'm literally shaking right now. Unbelievable. One of my favorite stories ever. I remember when I was a noob on the forum, reading like 70 pages of the PCM 10 story in 1 day. Every PCM career I make now, he is on my team. He has to be. He's become on of my favorite non big contender guys. And better yet, he's never been on Sky now. Thank you and good luck.
Edit: i can take the R.I.P. David Veilleux out of my signature now.
Spoiler
Thank you. Your comment was make or break for me Im so glad you are happy with David never having been on Sky And like you say, he's gotta be in your team He's a big contender here though
baseballlover312 wrote:
Om y freaking Jesus. The power of Earth has just performed a miracle. Holy bejeezus. I'm literally shaking right now. Unbelievable. One of my favorite stories ever. I remember when I was a noob on the forum, reading like 70 pages of the PCM 10 story in 1 day. Every PCM career I make now, he is on my team. He has to be. He's become on of my favorite non big contender guys. And better yet, he's never been on Sky now. Thank you and good luck.
Edit: i can take the R.I.P. David Veilleux out of my signature now.
Spoiler
Thank you. Your comment was make or break for me Im so glad you are happy with David never having been on Sky And like you say, he's gotta be in your team He's a big contender here though
I meant popular GC or sprint guys.
But I got him to top 5 in Gent Wevelgem 2014 once. And win Omloop. Also a couple of TDF stages. A really all-around rider.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
A South Park fan! 
