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Triple Threat
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 16-07-2013 12:30
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Triple Threat
Hello, I'm Ralph Denk, the Team Manager of Pro-Continental Cycling team NetApp-Endura. Today is a big day for the team, as we have just signed and resigned three exciting young prospects from around the cycling community.
As the current Business Development Manager here at NetApp Brian Smith said, “Team NetApp differentiates itself in particular by giving talented riders the opportunity to appear and develop on an international cycling stage. Finding hidden talent and diamonds in the rough is one of the most important and enjoyable tasks that we have. In doing so, we apply our many years of experience, and already we’re witnessing our pro riders’ initial successes.” We hope that the three guys will be able to emulate the above quote, and become part of the next generation of great (and clean  ) cyclists.
This is a blog I have created for these three guys to share, and write about their careers. I'll let them introduce themselves now, and then they'll tell you about their 2012 seasons, their first in professional cycling.
The Next Post is reserved, since there are 3 reporters in this story you will see this message quite a lot on this story. However, if you want to comment when the next post is reserved, please don't hesitate to comment in the thread called 'New Story Idea", also in this section of the forum. The next post unfortunately will be delayed for about 21 hours, but after that the story will run much more smoothly. Thanks for (hopefully) following |
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 17-07-2013 10:49
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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 Ryan Corrigan
Hi, I'm Ryan Corrigan. Yesterday, I signed a 1 year contract with NetApp-Endura, a cycling team in the Pro-Continental division. This isn't my first year as a pro though, last year I rode as a stagiare for Drapac Professional Cycling Team, the only team apart from Orica-GreenEDGE (a World Tour team) based in my home country of Australia. But let me start from the beginning.
I was born on 6 June, 1994, in Sydney, Australia. My dad was and still is a cycling tragic, and he taught me to ride as soon as I could stand up. I first took up cycling as a hobby on my 6th birthday, when I got a cheap knock off of Lance Armstrong's Tour de France winning bike. Of course-at the time I thought it was an exact replica made by the same company that made Armstrong's bike. I rode that bike every day after school and on the almost all day on weekends. I always wanted to be a climber, like Armstrong (obviously I know regret ever liking him at all), but there were no hills or anything near in the vacinity of my house-and at 6/7 years old I couldn't exactly cycle across the country.
My first experience of climbing was when I was 9 and we went to Mt. Kosziusko in the holidays. My dad found a great spot where I could climb safely, and when Mum wasn't taking us up Kosziusko I spent all my time there with Dad. We went back there every holidays after that. Me and Dad that is, Mum always wanted me to persue classical music. Pfffffffft, yeah right!
I started riding competitively at 12, when I joined a local team, and by 17 I was already riding on the U23 circuit. My dad always said I should get an agent, but I don't trust those guys. No offense to all those great agents out there, I acknowledge your existence  . Still though, I didn't plan on getting a bad break and getting cheated out of something that I've worked toward for 2 thirds of my life and losing a tonne of money while I was at it. I was always good at maths, and I maintain the thought that I can work as well for myself than any agent, if not better .
After some good results on the U23 tour for a couple of years, my dad got a call from Agostino Giramondo, the DS of Drapac, wanting to speak to my agent. Jokingly, Dad handed me the phone.
" Hello? Ryan Corrigan speaking."
" Oh, I beg your pardon. Maybe your dad misheard me. I was looking to speak with your agent."
"I'm my own agent."
He laughed
" I'm serious."
"Oh, well in that case, my name is Agostino Giramondo, I am the Directeur Sportif at Drapac Professional Cycling team, and I'd like to negotiate a contract with you."
"I'd be delighted to speak with you."
As soon as I passed the phone back to Dad, I couldn't contain my happiness. Apparently Agostino heard my screaming in joy, but it didn't matter, because within 3.5 weeks, I had signed a one year contract with Drapac as a stagiare... |
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 17-07-2013 10:50
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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The next post is reserved |
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| juszta |
Posted on 17-07-2013 13:58
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1175
Joined: 24-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Welcome!
My name is Robert Applebee, and I'm the personal manager of a young cyclist you will be hearing a lot about:  Igor Aleksandrov.
I met him at a junior race in Moscow, where he showed tremendous potential. He is mainly a sprinter, but he can get over hills pretty well, and - since the roads in the Eastern part of Russia are not exactly great - he is quite good on cobblestones too.
As I offered him my help, we started looking for teams where he could ride as a stagiaire. This was in 2011, but we did not get any offers yet, so he continued to ride - and succeed - in local events.
In February of 2012, my phone rang: The management of RusVelo called me, they offered Igor a place for the season - he could try his strenght in the professional peloton.
In the following months, you will be able to follow his blog he writes about the events he will participate in. But I will warn you: He has only started learning English half a year ago, so... well... Sometimes even I don't understand what he wants to say... But following his blog and career might still be worth it, I see a lot of potential in him!
And as you know, I was right, since after his stagiaire season he got signed by a much better team: NetApp-Endura. He was kind enough to still keep me around as his personal manager, so I can also be part of his success.
Edited by juszta on 17-07-2013 13:58
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| juszta |
Posted on 17-07-2013 13:59
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1175
Joined: 24-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Blog entry #1
Welcome!
I'm happy be riding in professional peloton. RusVelo great team for me, they are all good cyclists and like vodka. That is goooood.
This is time to show people russian spirit! I give all my heart in every race, I promise you that.
Riding in professional peloton will be painful and difficult, but my grandmother always told me: "Без труда́ не вы́тащишь и ры́бку из пруда́.", it means: Without effort, you can't even pull a fish out of the pond. So... No pain, no gain.
RusVelo boss told me my first race will be in Portugal, little inferior country compared to Mother Russia. Still, Volta ao Algaraeve... Aglarve... Algarve... stupid language... is improtant for RusVelo boss, so I will try do my best.
See you then. Igor.
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| juszta |
Posted on 18-07-2013 17:28
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1175
Joined: 24-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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//As the 3rd member (Francopell) is currently away, I will post the introduction of his rider.
Hi and welcome to my blog!
I am  Roger Gochnauer and this is a record of my cycling achievements. I am currently a stagiare for Team NetApp. I am certain that I will impress them this year and be awarded with a professional contract though as I am good enough uphill as well as being a solid time trialist.
I began my cycling career at age 15 (I'm 18 now), when I began to take part in local cyclo cross and mountain biking events. My talent was undeniable and I was signed by a local amateur team when on my 17th birthday. I won quite a few races that season and impressed a Team NetApp scout enough for me to be given a year long contract.
As I am Swiss-Italian I enjoy watching the Giro. I love its difficult climbs and in my opinion it is much more gruelling than the Tour. Nevertheless I like all the grand tours and if my career goes well then I will be able to participate and maybe even win one.
Here is where I will keep all of my results with sections for the grand tours (if I ever enter one!) and other races.
Spoiler Giro Tour Vuelta
GC
Points
Young GC
Mountain
//After a rather long introduction section you are free to post now! |
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| fernando97 |
Posted on 18-07-2013 17:30
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2167
Joined: 01-01-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Good luck guys, curious to see how you'll manage it! |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 18-07-2013 18:30
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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This should be an interesting saga to follow 
Good Luck to all of you |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 18-07-2013 18:32
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Finally we can post, good luck |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-12-2024 07:06
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Bot Agent
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Joined: 23.11.09
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 18-07-2013 22:54
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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@All Thanks for the support and we hope it stays that way
Yeah, . Sorry you couldn't post for a bit. We wanted to have everyone's introduction up before anyone else commented. Juszta is leaving on Saturday so we will go one stage a day until he comes back-then it will move much quicker.
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| jseadog1 |
Posted on 18-07-2013 22:55
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 9603
Joined: 18-07-2010
PCM$: 13752.00
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Good luck with this it looks interesting
PCM.Daily Survivor Season 2 Fan Favorite Winner
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PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
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| welker3257 |
Posted on 19-07-2013 01:49
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2336
Joined: 29-05-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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This looks like it will be a good story, can't wait for the start.
Gig 'em Aggies
Fast N' Loud Cycling Project - ICL
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 19-07-2013 12:18
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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TOUR DE SAN LUIS
Pre-Race
The Riders
We come in as probably the worst team here, so we don't expect much. The main goal is a Top 25 in the GC, where we will work for Will Walker. We'll also try to make something happen for Amir Rusli in the sprints. Pretty much, we want people to see the Drapac jersey, so the plan is to be at the front and be in breakaways.
It's also my first ever professional race, and I'm extremely nervous to see how I can compete with the big guns.
The Next Post is reserved, coming very soon
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 19-07-2013 12:47
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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TOUR DE SAN LUIS-STAGE 1
The first stage is pretty much just one big downhill, I doubt that we'll see anything other than a bunch sprint today.
Wow! My first ever pro race! I couldn't believe it.
I think I was a bit too nice with letting some riders whom I really looked up to step in front of me at the start line. Even riders whom I didn't know, but just admired for being there. Still though, I wasn't too bothered. I mean I've never seen someone win from starting in the front or finish badly because of starting at the back of the peloton. (Unless obviously you count riders who start at the front making a successful breakway.)
As we said, the plan was to be seen, and no matter how keen I was to get in the breakaway, Adam Phelan got the nod. He went away with 3 other guys to form the BoTD.
They seemed to work really well together, getting a gap of 6.5 minutes within 16 km of being away.
I was talking to Adam over TeamCom and he said he was feeling good, but after finishing last in the breakaway and failing to get points on the first intermediate sprint, he dropped back and waited for the peloton.
AG2R and Orica-GreenEDGE were working really hard for their sprinters, and it was tough to stay up front. A.Pasqualon (BAR) from the breakaway was still ahead into the last 5km and the pace was furious.
He was brought back just outside 2km to go and with the trains already taking shape.
I was finally given my first real job for the team when I took over from Floris Goesinnen at the head of our sprint train. I was giving it my all to put Phelan and Rusli in the best position for the sprint but I couldn't keep the pace inside 2.5km.
Just after Pasqualon was caught, the sprint started. Rusli struggled to stay with Phelan and I was just empty. 
It emerged that it would be the sprinters of the 2 teams that did all the pacework that would compete for the win.  Manuel Beletti (ALM) and  Daryl Impey (OGE). They were neck and neck heading into the last 10m, with Impey holding a slight lead. Could he hold on?
It came down to a photo, from this angle it looks like Beletti's won, but the officials need to be 100% sure. 
Yes! After looking from both sides of the finsihing line, the race organisers gave the win and first yellow jersey of the Tour de San Luis to Manuel Beletti! 
Rusli was our best rider, finishing somewhere around the front quarter of the peloton.
Despite trying to sprint, I finished somewhere in the bottom half but not quite the bottom third of the peloton, just edged out by P.Weening (OGE).
O.Bertazzo (AND) was the best young rider, and I was surprised to see my name there in the Top 10. But could it last in the mountains?
We were also very well placed in the team standings (6th) after the first stage.
Race Recap
Wow! What a thrill to be in professional racing! I can't believe I made the Top 10 young riders on the stage and consequently in the GC. I also helped the team to 6th! This feels great! But I need to keep my concentration.
Edited by Cycleman123 on 19-07-2013 12:52
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 20-07-2013 00:27
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Is anyone following this?
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| baia |
Posted on 20-07-2013 07:51
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5398
Joined: 04-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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No.
Spoiler Just kidding...  i´m sure there will be someone in this world who´s following..
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| Teddy The Creator |
Posted on 20-07-2013 09:05
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2253
Joined: 19-10-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Nice concept and a nicely written review, it's only been one post and one day so don't expect numerous comments immediately. With patience, they will come.
One thing I recommend is cropping the images of your team and the profile so they look more like this. (They're from PCM11)
Just looks a lot neater.. |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 20-07-2013 09:27
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Following this. Report's a bit long, though. Since it's not the biggest race, I wonder what big reports will look like  |
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 20-07-2013 12:34
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Ian Butler wrote:
Following this. Report's a bit long, though. Since it's not the biggest race, I wonder what big reports will look like Yeah, we'll it was my first ever report, so I just wanted to write and write The next reports will be shorter
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 20-07-2013 12:38
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Ian Butler wrote:
Following this. Report's a bit long, though. Since it's not the biggest race, I wonder what big reports will look like Yeah, we'll it was my first ever report, so I just wanted to write and write The next reports will be shorter
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