As I've already announced my SpiderTech story is dead.
DB: PCM Expansion NC 2013
Difficulty: Hard
Develpment: .7
Random Potential: No
Hello, and welcome to our blog!
We are Andriy Zhitnek and Yassen Nikolishin; we are cyclists with Type 1 Diabetes. We will be riding for Team Novo Nordisk in 2013, and we hope to show that you can achieve your dreams not matter the circumstances through our blog.
Andriy Zhitnek Height 170 Weight 58 date of birth 27/11/1993
I was born in the small town of Bakhmach in Ukraine. I was diagnosed with Type 1 when I started losing weight, and was always tired when I was 6 years old. My family was poor, and we were unable to afford a car, and so I rode my rusty old bike the 10 Kms to school each day. I joined the small cycling club in the town when I was 10 years old. We were given transportation by train to monthly races in Chernihiv and Pryluky.
The railway station that I used to travel to races.
I soon established myself as the best in the club at going uphill, and I started winning races when I was around 13 against riders older than myself. When I was 15, my dad decided to move us to the capital Kiev and got a job in the cities’ metro.
A beautiful picture of Kiev, Ukraine
I joined the best cycling club in the town a week after we moved. I was quickly noticed by a scout from Amore and Vita. The team was interested in signing me to a contract, but after they found out I had diabetes they cut ties with me. I soon signed with Novo Nordisk development team and rode with them last year, getting solid results, but nothing huge. It was through the team I met Yassen, and I will now let him tell his story.
Yassen Nikolishin height 185 weight 81 date of birth 6/5/1993
My story is a complete opposite of Andriy’s. I was born to a Russian Father and a Belgian mother in the city of Volgograd, more commonly known as Stalingrad.
Volgograd, Russia
My father owns a large oil refinery and we never lacked for cash. I was diagnosed with Type 1 when I was 7. My mother was a huge cycling fan, and my family would go visit my grandparent’s in Oudenaarde often. I was a big boy, and I developed a love for riding on the cobblestones of the area. I joined one of the cycling clubs in Volgograd at age 12, and I quickly started dominating the competition in the flat races, and the somewhat hilly ones. When I was 16, my family moved to Belgium for one year after my grandfather was diagnosed with brain cancer.
I lived in Belgium for one year
While there, I was the star of the cycling club on all terrains, doing very well. After my grandfather’s death, we moved to back to Russia and I signed a contract with Itera-Katusha as a trainee. I got some results, but I chose to ride with Novo Nordisk development team last season. My biggest results were a podium in U23 Tour of Flanders and 1st in U23 Paris-Roubaix.
Rider Styles
Andriy: I would describe myself as an all-rounder. I can ride fairly well on any terrain except cobbles. My best attribute is my climbing ability, I have the body for it. I'm okay at Time Trials, but it will probably won't directly win me any races. My life goal is to win a GT.
Yassen: I'm what you would call a "strong man". I'm at my best on the cobbles, and the flat. I have a very good sprint, finish, and I would like to take the green jersey at the TDF some day, and at least 3 monuments.
Edited by welker3257 on 21-11-2013 02:25
DS: The first stage of the first race on the UCI America Tour is a 22 km Time Trial. There is very poor weather, it is cold, rainy, and very windy. I expect a top 10 from Andriy. Stage Favorites: Zirbel, Brown, Clancy, Jacques-Maynes, Zhitnik
Andriy: I'm not a huge fan of the crosswinds that will feature today, maybe they will have died down by the time I ride.
Yassen: This is only the 8th time I've been on a TT bike, I only hope to avoid crashing in the wind.
The Race
Yassen: American TT champion Tom Zirbel set the first notable time, finishing with a time of 31 21.
There's me starting my first stage as a pro. It feels great, although I wish I was on a different kind of bike.
As I cross the line I look at the clock and see 32 52, which I feel isn't too terrible. I finish the day exactly 100th place.
Andriy: Now that we nearing the end, I will take over. Besides, Yassen doesn't know how to report a Time Trial. Nathan Brown of Bontrager was the first rider to challenge Zirbel, finishing with a time of 31 27.
And there's me flying off the start ramp and into my pro career. Yassen reported a very windy course, but it has died down to 8 km/h by the time I start my ride.
Ed Clancy set the best time at the mid-stage time check, but went slower over the second half of the course finishing with a time of 31 28.
I was the last rider to finish, and I was unable to best today's stage winner Tom Zirbel. I get fifth on the day with a time of 31 37.
Stage Results
1
Tom Zirbel
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
31'21
2
Nathan Brown
Bontrager Cycling Team
+ 6
3
Ed Clancy
Rapha Condor - JLT
+ 7
4
Ben Jacques-Maynes
Jamis - Hagens Berman
+ 11
5
Andriy Zhitnik
Team Novo Nordisk
+ 16
6
Jason McCartney
Bissell Cycling
+ 20
7
Andres Diaz
5-Hour Energy
+ 33
8
Francisco Mancebo
5-Hour Energy
s.t.
9
Coen Vermeltfoort
Cyclingteam De Rijke - Shanks
+ 37
10
Ryan Mullen
Team IG - Sigma Sport
+ 38 ...
100
Yassen Nikolishin
Team Novo Nordisk
+ 1'31
Points
1
Tom Zirbel
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
25
25
2
Nathan Brown
Bontrager Cycling Team
20
20
3
Ed Clancy
Rapha Condor - JLT
16
16
4
Ben Jacques-Maynes
Jamis - Hagens Berman
14
14
5
Andriy Zhitnik
Team Novo Nordisk
12
12
U25
1
Nathan Brown
Bontrager Cycling Team
31'27
2
Andriy Zhitnik
Team Novo Nordisk
+ 10
3
Coen Vermeltfoort
Cyclingteam De Rijke - Shanks
+ 31
4
Ryan Mullen
Team IG - Sigma Sport
+ 32
5
Ruben Companioni
Jamis - Hagens Berman
s.t.
Andriy: I will wear the U25 jersey tomorrow, since Brown will wear the points jersey.
DS: Good ride from the boys today, Andriy exceeded my expectations, and it would be a good result for him to stay in the top 5.
Andriy: I'm extremely pleased with this result. I'm not in form at all, and I'm getting already good results.
Yassen: I hope these winds will be there tomorrow, as the stage is flat, and winds will only help me out.
baseballlover312, 06-03-14 : "Nuke Moscow...Don't worry Russia, we've got plenty of love to go around your cities"
Sarah Palin, 08-03-14 (CPAC, on Russian aggression) : "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke"
Big thanks to jdog for making this AMAZING userbar!
DS]: Today's stage is a criterium with a slight hill in the middle of the lap. Weather calls for winds of 40 Km/h. We expect a podium. Favorites: Clancy, Reijen, Vermeltfoort, Nikolishin.
Yassen: I'm probably the strongest sprinter here, and my weather suits me perfectly, I hope to take the win today.
Andriy: My only task today is to pace Yassen over the climb at the end and put him in a good position in the finale.
The Race
Andriy: Frank Niewold of Jo Piels was the lone rider to put himself in the wind today, and he is rewarded with his suffering by the race's KOM jersey.
With 20 km to go, Jeff Luyten of Ventilair tried to join Niewold, who was 1 25 up the road.
Luyten was soon hauled back, and with 10 km to go, Niewold's lead was down to 45 seconds.
Yassen: With three km to go, Niewold had been hauled back, and Andriy had me in the perfect position as we topped the hill.
At the 1 km mark, I came around Andriy, and quickly had a few bike lengths on Clancy and Reijen, could they close the gap?
How about that? Yassen Nikolishin taking the win in his first pro open road race! Clancy takes second, and Vermeltfoort of Jo Piels rounds out the podium.
Andriy: I take 11th place.
Stage Results
1
Yassen Nikolishin
Team Novo Nordisk
3h47'11
2
Ed Clancy
Rapha Condor - JLT
s.t.
3
Coen Vermeltfoort
Cyclingteam De Rijke - Shanks
s.t.
4
Kiel Reijnen
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Alexandre Blain
Team Raleigh
s.t.
6
Nikolai Trussov
Cyclingteam De Rijke - Shanks
s.t.
7
John Murphy
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Tom Zirbel
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
s.t.
9
Bjorn Selander
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
s.t.
10
Ben Jacques-Maynes
Jamis - Hagens Berman
s.t.
11
Andriy Zhitnik
Team Novo Nordisk
s.t.
GC Standings
1
Ed Clancy
Rapha Condor - JLT
4h18'27
2
Tom Zirbel
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
+ 5
3
Nathan Brown
Bontrager Cycling Team
+ 11
4
Ben Jacques-Maynes
Jamis - Hagens Berman
+ 16
5
Andriy Zhitnik
Team Novo Nordisk
+ 21
6
Jason McCartney
Bissell Cycling
+ 25
7
Coen Vermeltfoort
Cyclingteam De Rijke - Shanks
+ 34
8
Francisco Mancebo
5-Hour Energy
+ 38
9
Andres Diaz
5-Hour Energy
s.t.
10
Ruben Companioni
Jamis - Hagens Berman
+ 43
Points
1
Ed Clancy
Rapha Condor - JLT
20
36
2
Tom Zirbel
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
8
33
3
Yassen Nikolishin
Team Novo Nordisk
25
25
4
Coen Vermeltfoort
Cyclingteam De Rijke - Shanks
16
23
5
Nathan Brown
Bontrager Cycling Team
0
20
KOM
1
Frank Niewold
Cyclingteam Jo Piels
18
18
2
Robert Partridge
Team UK Youth
8
8
3
Serghei Tvetcov
Jelly Belly p/b Kenda
4
4
4
Dan Craven
Synergy Baku Cycling Project
2
2
5
Karl Menzies
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
2
2
U25
1
Nathan Brown
Bontrager Cycling Team
4h18'38 (1)
2
Andriy Zhitnik
Team Novo Nordisk
+ 10 (2)
3
Coen Vermeltfoort
Cyclingteam De Rijke - Shanks
+ 23 (3)
DS: Once again, you two exceed my expectations. Champagne for those old enough (not you two) at the hotel tonight.
Yassen: I hate American rules of you must be 21 to drink. Anyways, I'm very happy to take my first career win, and that's 1 down 9 to go
Andriy: I agree with both of Yassen's statements. Anyways, tomorrow is a 70 km circuit race in Phoenix, lets make it 2 for 2.
Edited by welker3257 on 18-11-2013 03:14
In the pre- and post-race comments, I would just put all the names in bold instead of Andriy in italic, Yassen in bold and DS italic underlined. It will look better all in bold, or at least that's my opinion
DS: The final stage of the Valley of the Sun is a 70 km crit in downtown Phoenix. Favorites: Clancy, Blain, Trussov, Yassen Nikolishin. Weather calls for high winds again.
Yassen: After yesterday's success, I expect to take another win today.
Andriy: I will once again be Yassen's final lead-out man.
The Race
Andriy: The stage was highlighted by lots of little attacks, and there was never a real breakaway. With 15 km to go, McCarty of Bissell, Griffiths of IG Sigma Sport and another rider from some team I've never heard of are at the front. They a 6 man group behind by 20 seconds, and it is another 30 seconds to the bunch.
With 10 km to go, McCarty and Griffiths are the only riders still at the fore, and their gap is down to 40 seconds.
With 4 km to go, the duo are finally caught, and the final stage of the race will end in a sprint.
Yassen: With 1 km to go, I came around Andriy after another perfect lead-out from him. It would be up to me again? Could I deliver another win?
It didn't take long to go from win number win to win number two! I make it two in a row in Arizona, as I take a great win over Trussov and Blain! Andriy: I take 13th on the stage.
Stage Results
1
Yassen Nikolishin
Team Novo Nordisk
1h30'37
2
Nikolai Trussov
Cyclingteam De Rijke - Shanks
s.t.
3
Alexandre Blain
Team Raleigh
s.t.
4
Jasper Stuyven
Bontrager Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Ed Clancy
Rapha Condor - JLT
s.t.
6
Alex Candelario
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
s.t.
7
Wouter Wippert
Team 3M
s.t.
8
Ian Wilkinson
Team UK Youth
s.t.
9
Michael Northey
Node 4 - Giordana Racing
s.t.
10
Sam Bennett
An Post - Chainreaction
s.t.
11
Shawn Milne
5-Hour Energy
s.t.
12
Anuar Manan
Synergy Baku Cycling Project
s.t.
13
Andriy Zhitnik
Team Novo Nordisk
s.t.
Final GC
1
Ed Clancy
Rapha Condor - JLT
5h49'04
2
Tom Zirbel
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
+ 5
3
Nathan Brown
Bontrager Cycling Team
+ 11
4
Ben Jacques-Maynes
Jamis - Hagens Berman
+ 16
5
Andriy Zhitnik
Team Novo Nordisk
+ 21
6
Coen Vermeltfoort
Cyclingteam De Rijke - Shanks
+ 34
7
Francisco Mancebo
5-Hour Energy
+ 38
8
Andres Diaz
5-Hour Energy
s.t.
9
Aaron Buggle
Rapha Condor - JLT
+ 43
10
Ruben Companioni
Jamis - Hagens Berman
s.t.
Yassen: After receiving my prize for winning the stage, I was shocked when I was told I had won the points jersey. Clancy had finished in 5th, giving me the edge in the competition by 2 points.
DS: I certainly did not expect a two stage wins, a jersey, and 5th in GC when I came to this race. Maybe you two are too talented to be racing on the CT level, maybe a we will take another look at your end of the year schedules
Yassen: This race certainly didn't have the greatest startlist. I'm still very happy to take two wins in my first pro race, but I don't intend to boast, but I was the best sprinter here.
Andriy: My first pro race didn't really suit my abilities, but it was still great to see my good friend taking stage wins. Our next race is the Beverbeek Classic in Belgium. The sponsor expects a podium, and the team hopes to deliver.
DS The Beverbeek Classic is a 163 km flat race, that should end in a sprint. Forecast calls for light rain and winds of 10 kmh. I expect a podium. Favorites: Napolitano, Van Staeyen, Nikolishin
Yassen: I think the DS has a reachable goal for me, I hope to do well in my first race in Europe.
Andriy: I have same role as Valley of the Sun. I think Yassen can take the win if I place him well.
The Race
Andriy Joonas Henttala represented us in the break today. He was joined by: Poutsma of Jo Piels, Grivell-Mellor of Rahpa, Haga of Optum, and Dakerit of Differange.
With 20 km to go, the break was been swept up, and Eeckout is trying to go for the solo win.
The Belgian was ahead for 14 km before he was brought back with 5 km to go. The stage would end in a sprint.
Yassen; Vantomme leads under the flamme rouge after going from far out. Who would take the win?
Van Staeyen takes the win for Top Sport, as I have to settle for second place, ahead of Rodriguez. Vantomme fades to fourth, and Stallaert takes fifth. Andriy: I finish in 18th place.
Stage Results
1
Michael Van Staeyen
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
3h31'03
2
Yassen Nikolishin
Team Novo Nordisk
s.t.
3
Fred Rodriguez
Jelly Belly p/b Kenda
s.t.
4
Maxime Vantomme
Crelan - Euphony
s.t.
5
Joeri Stallaert
Crelan - Euphony
s.t.
6
Danilo Napolitano
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
7
Filippo Baggio
Ceramica Flaminia - Fondriest
s.t.
8
Yoeri Havik
Cyclingteam De Rijke - Shanks
s.t.
9
Wouter Wippert
Team 3M
s.t.
10
Kenneth Vanbilsen
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
DS: The team wanted a top 3, and Yassen delivered, taking second place. Another great result for him. He is riding very well.
Yassen: I felt I had great legs at the start of the stage, so I'm a little disappointed to take second place. I guess I can't win them all.
Andriy: Although I enjoy leading out Yassen, I can' wait to Classic de Sud, which will be the first race of the season that features uphill racing.
Edited by welker3257 on 21-11-2013 02:56
Valley of the Sun Stage Race
Beverbeek Classic
Classic Sud Ardeche
GP Camaiore
GP Sochi
Rutland-Melton Classic
Ronde van Midden-Nederland
. Anyways, I'm very happy to take my first career win, and that's 1 down 9 to go
