It's every cyclist's big dream: The Tour de France. The most iconic climbs, the most enthusiastic crowds, the most desired yellow jersey; setting the scene for the riders' greatest triumphs - and most devastating defeats.
For most fans, the Tour is three exciting weeks of summer. But for the riders, it's so much more. And it doesn't start in early July. It starts months, sometimes even years before. World class riders at the peak of their potential, aspiring talents, lifelong domestiques - everyone who's ever been in touch with this race has a story to tell. And every story is worth telling.
These are just a few of them.
Please note:
Though this story features real people, the events as well as the actions and character traits of all protagonists are of course purely fictional and not intended to defame or offend anyone.
Joaquim Rodriguéz was nervous. Wringing his hands, he stared at the black screen up on the stage that would soon reveal the route of the 2016 Tour de France. Viatcheslav Ekimov took a quick side-glance at him. He wasn't used to seeing his captain that anxious. But he knew what was at stake for the Spaniard.
Finally, they heard the cries of seagulls over waves crashing onto the shore. The sun rose over the Atlantic Ocean as the screen began to zoom in on the first stage. The silhouette of Mont Saint Michel unfolded in a Game-of-Thrones-style animation. Joaquin loved athmospherically charged locations like that. He also loved Game of Thrones. But he wasn't able to enjoy the sight. Not yet.
As the presentation took its course, he slowly became calmer. It looked like a good first week for him. Some flat stages to build rhythm, a first trip to the mountains on day six with a finish that suited him. "How about a yellow jersey?", Viatcheslav said with a wink, but Joaquim barely heard him.
The Pyrenees began to appear on the screen. Stages ten, eleven, twelve ... still no time trial. Joaquin caught himself feeling almost a little optimistic. Then it was suddenly up there. A few kilometers upwards on a plateau, a small downhill and another tiny ascent towards the finish. 37 kilometers in total. That seemed to be doable. But that couldn't be it, could it?
Well, almost. Having just another 17 kilometers of mountain time trialing was a great perspective. The nervousness has vanished entirely, replaced by almost overwhelming euphoria coupled with fierce determination. The decision had been made: He was going to give this one last shot!
Jean-René Bernaudeau was spending his winter holidays at the Côte d'Azur, as always. But this year, and not for the first time, you couldn't really call it holidays. The past couple of months had been an endless array of problems and the hard work for their solutions. He was close to losing his head.
Sitting on the porch of his ocean front holiday home, he was hoping for some much-need soothing of his nerves, but his thoughts kept revolving around cycling. Once again, he had managed to keep his team alive, finding a new sponsor in Direct Energie. But for how long? And what would they be able to achieve?
In all the mess, he had one big loss to bemoan: Pierre Rolland. Having been with the team for seven years, the man was responsible for some of the most important results and appearances of the team, and their main man when the road ascended. But Jean-René hadn't been able to offer him any security whatsoever.
As a replacement, he was able to sign Sylvain Chavanel. A PR coup, no doubt about it. But if he was honest with himself, that wasn't the way he wanted the team to develop. Young, aspiring talents, able to conquer the Alps and Pyrenees, those were the riders he was looking for, planning the team's way back into the World Tour. However, he knew as well as anybody that he needed stability for that. A high appeal to wealthy sponsors. And there was only one reliable way to achieve that: A great Tour de France.
Since this is my first story in a while and I'm experimenting with that format, I'd appreciate any feedback you guys have.
Also, some info on my plan with this: I have most of the story mapped out, some of it already written. I intend to have one or two posts each day to end up at the first stage of the Tour on July 2, when it starts IRL. I'll have multiple posts for each stage, so I'm not sure yet if I keep up with the race or if I spread it out a little more.
Something else I forgot to mention: This story is heavily inspired by this story by arkon in a German PCM forum. Even though it hasn't been finished, I recommend anyone who can read enough German to check it out!
Dude I knew I remembered the story format. i read that thing ages ago
Lovely chapter with Bernaudeau. Rolland leaving was a blow to his team, the kid practically grew up under him. Luckly he has Thomas Voeckler to rescue him.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
cunego59 wrote:
Since this is my first story in a while and I'm experimenting with that format, I'd appreciate any feedback you guys have.
Simple, but effective. I like it. Will be interesting to see how you handle the race reports then if you're breaking them up with multiple posts per stage.
Great to see you back in the story writing section.
Shonak wrote:
Dude I knew I remembered the story format. i read that thing ages ago
Lovely chapter with Bernaudeau. Rolland leaving was a blow to his team, the kid practically grew up under him. Luckly he has Thomas Voeckler to rescue him.
You called?
Good luck, cunego. Very happy to see you back here
Shonak wrote:
Dude I knew I remembered the story format. i read that thing ages ago
Yeah, me too, and I wanted to do something similar ever since. This one's been in the making for quite a while, at least in my head
Mresuperstar wrote:
Simple, but effective. I like it. Will be interesting to see how you handle the race reports then if you're breaking them up with multiple posts per stage.
That'll be the biggest challenge, and I have a few things in mind. But it will only be once I actually play the stage to report it, then I'll know for sure how it's going to go.
Vali wrote:
Looks very exciting and nicely written so far, I'm interested to see who else is going to feature in this.
Contrary to his former DS, Pierre Rolland was quite happy. A change of scene, he felt, could give him a long-needed boost coming into what he hoped would be his prime years. He was 29 now. Maybe his last chance for that one last step forward.
After falling victim to the French habit of hyping young climbers following his win of the polkadots at the 2008 Critérium du Dauphiné, he had always felt like there was this small top percentage of his potential that he just wasn't able to unleash.
He wasn't bitter about it. He was very careful not to give into that. He was pleased with what he had achieved so far, creating some memorable moments and constantly scoring very solid results. But still.
Over the past few years, he had witnessed the likes of Romain Bardet and Thibaut Pinot surpass him and take over the burden of French GC hopes. With his transfer to Cannondale, an American team, he had now taken a final step away from his motherland. Without that pressure, and with some new training incentives, he was hoping for that boost that would finally vault him from solid to great results. And more than "just" another Top 10 at the Tour.
Fabio Aru slammed the door behind him. He wasn't even trying to hide his anger. His teammates, waiting outside for their turn, stared awkwardly at the ground. They knew what was going on.
To Fabio, this was an affront. What a season he has had! Runner-up at the Giro, winning the Vuelta ... and now, they wanted to make him Vincenzo's domestique at the Tour?! Really?!
He had felt so ready to finally take on the Tour. His development over the last two years had been insane. And he felt even stronger now, distancing everyone, including Vincenzo, over the last weeks of training in Italy. He had expressed his wishes very firmly.
And still. They wanted him to go for the Giro instead, which made things even worse. Even if Nibali wouldn't match expectations, with the Giro in his legs Fabio wouldn't be able to step up. Or would he? He started to wonder ... maybe, with a weak field at the Giro ... It could be the ultimate test. Still foaming, he made a decision: He wouldn‘t write the Tour off just yet!
On this January afternoon, Dayer Quintana wasn't just on top of the podium, he was on top of the world. It was an incredible week riding alongside his brother, who who had guided him towards victory and was now standing next to him - a family 1 and 3. His first professional stage race victory, and it could not have been better.
If it was up to Dayer, this would just be the start of a phenomenal year. He had it all mapped out. He was confident that he could lead the team in a few smaller races throughout the spring to raise his profile and get a spot for the World Tour races. And then ... the Tour. Paying back his big brother by helping him to finally win that yellow jersey.
Later that night, he sat down with Nairo at the hotel bar. They were both euphoric. "In Paris, it'll be you at the top", Dayer said. "And I'll be there with you!" Nairo cracked a smile, his eyes glowing. "That's how it's going to be, little brother", then he added: "But it's not going to be easy. It's a long way. A hard way. We'll need to be working, harder than ever." Dayer knew that, but he wasn't worried. "Oh, I will", he said, still shining with pride and joy. "I will!"
Thanks guys, I'm glad you like it. The cast stands as it is now, so no more new introductions. I hope the pace of the posts isn't too fast, but there's a lot more I want to have covered before the Tour starts.
With one objective, and one objective only in mind this year, Joaquim Rodriguez had changed up his preparation. Instead of going to the middle east like he had the past few years, he had stayed in Spain. Lots of training, a little less racing, and way less travelling. And the decision payed off.
He opened his season with a second place at the Vuelta a Murcia and was going good in Andalucia now, too, his first stage race of the year. Sitting comfortably in the Top 10, he was ready for the first mountain top finish of the year. His rivals stood their ground against him so far, but today, Joaquim felt great and he wanted to go all out. If everything would go as planned, they shouldn't stand a chance.
The first few hundred meters of the climb, he started to build a solid rhythm. A few riders launched minor attacks, but none of them succeeded. 6 kilometers from the top, Joaquim decided it was time. Without hesitation, he accelerated.
After a few seconds, he looked back. Valverde had been on his wheel for a little bit, but even he couldn’t handle Joaquims speed. The rest of the bunch was already a few serpentines behind. Finding a steady pace again, he rode towards the finish. On the final few hundred meters, he accelerated again, just to see where his limits were at this point in time. Almost falling from his bike after the finish line, it took a while for him to catch his breath, but he was very pleased when Valverde crossed the finish line almost a minute and a half later.
The final two stages were formalities. He was the strongest on the next hilltop finish again, but he was content with how the race had gone so far and gave the stage win to a hard-fighting Diego Rosa. The final flat stage was a mere joyride. Things were going really well for Purito.
