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LPR Brakes
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 20-04-2008 18:34
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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i didn't really want to start a new story atm with this sudden influx of stories with the new db but i think that a story will increase my motivation to play. i don't garantee i'll be updating every day, but whenever i get a spare couple of hours i'll do a little bit more.
so here it goes.
i've decided to go with LPR Brakes simply because i've always liked Di Luca. but i was pleasantly supprised when i started the game to find that i also had Salvoldelli ( shows what my cycling gen knowlegde is like :lol obviously Di Luca is clearly the best rider outside the pro-tour and i expect him to get a large chunk of my points. my sponsors obviously feel he is still one of the best as my top goal of the season is to win the giro!
as you can see some pretty tough goals for a continental team but i feel that with Di Luca and Salvoldelli i've got the riders to do it. here is my squad.
i'm hoping to add a couple of riders before the start of the season and seeing as my first race isn't till mid feb, my team has got plenty of time to get into shape.
obviously my major goal of the season is to get Di Luca back into the pro-tour where he belongs. can someone please explain to me how the continental points system works. and do i get any continental points for pro tour races?
cheers |
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Posted on 23-12-2024 03:13
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 20-04-2008 18:37
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7681
Joined: 19-02-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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why are they irish?
and as far as i know you dont get conti points for protour races so i dont bother unless for an experience boost |
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| Addy291 |
Posted on 20-04-2008 18:43
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8915
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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They've registered as an Irish team (even though everyone knows they're pretty much completely Italian) for tax purposes
YORKSHIRE BORN, YORKSHIRE BRED... |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 20-04-2008 18:44
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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thanks, just askin because if my teams gonna be off at the giro for the whole of may it might affect my chances of promotion.
don't know why they're irish. there's a couple of teams who are down as irish but clearly have nothing irish about them. maybe its just easier or cheaper to register as an irish team then an italian one. |
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 20-04-2008 18:45
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Team Manager
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Well, since the Giro isnt in the ProTour, I guess it will give you CT points
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 20-04-2008 18:47
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7681
Joined: 19-02-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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i think they are just registered as irish as i looked in hannes and that is only there official country - there country is italy |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 20-04-2008 18:49
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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is the giro not a pro tour event? i knew that the tirreno-adriatico and paris-nice had lost their pro-tour status but i thought the giro still counted. oh well, guess that explains why its my sponsors major goal. and more points for me  |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 20-04-2008 19:06
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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4 signings in the transfer window. i did want to keep the team as italian as possible but as i couldn't find anyone who i thought added anything to the squad i just signed some good youngsters.
here is a new shot of my squad with the new signings.
new riders:
Ivan Parra(32): will be a good domestique at the giro
Andrei Kiyuev(20): could devolop into a decent sprinter or excellant lead out man.
Gatis Smukilis(20): could develop into a nice classics rider
Jonathan Bellis(19): another possible classics star
all 4 will be invaluble in our quest for promotion.
Edited by ringo182 on 20-04-2008 19:07
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| Addy291 |
Posted on 20-04-2008 19:08
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8915
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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Bellis is a sprinter, not a classics rider
When he's older he will be a very decent sprinter who will do very well in the tours due to his climbing abilities
Edited by Addy291 on 20-04-2008 19:09
YORKSHIRE BORN, YORKSHIRE BRED... |
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 20-04-2008 19:10
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7681
Joined: 19-02-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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he got over those hills in the world champs |
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| Addy291 |
Posted on 20-04-2008 19:12
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8915
Joined: 29-11-2006
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He also came 2nd in the Tour of Wales in 2006 but he is still a sprinter with very good climbing abilities, rather than the other way around
EDIT: my bad, I got him mixed up with Alex Dowsett, Bellis only came 8th in 2006, and Dowsett only came 3rd, so I was wrong on all accounts of my Tour of Wales information
Edited by Addy291 on 20-04-2008 19:15
YORKSHIRE BORN, YORKSHIRE BRED... |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 20-04-2008 19:16
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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i just thought as it says on the game he's a classics rider and his stats seem to support this fact (good cobble, stamina and flat stats, as well as a strong finish) that i would put him down as a future classics rider. and i stand by my statement
looking at the stats i'm a bit worried about the classics season as i've got no-one who's any good on cobbles! |
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 20-04-2008 19:48
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7681
Joined: 19-02-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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but he got some stage wins addy
i think he lost time due to punctures |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 20-04-2008 21:39
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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GP Costa degli Etruschi
Squad: Di Luca, Savoldelli, Pietropolli, Marinangeli, Bosisio, Ferrari, Proch, Chiarini
A flat one day race will see this one end in a bunch sprint. Di Luca and Savoldelli are going along just for the early seadon ride with Pietropolli looking to get a placing at the finish.
Initially i wanted to get someone in the early break, there wasn't much point in it but i wanted someone there anyway. The man i chose was youngster Walter Proch.
However his group failed to work together and was easily caught. Soon after a number of riders attacked and a group of 16 went away. I decided to let them go and sat my riders in the bunch. The break proved to be alot stronger then the bunch had thought and the last 3 riders weren't cought till the last 3k. In the sprint Pietropolli was left on his own and jumped onto the milram train behind Erik Zabel.
However the lampre train was moving fast down the outside. In the sprint the lampre riders proved to be two strong taking an impressive 1,3 with Baldato and Lorenzetto and Paolini finishing 2nd for Acqua e Sapone. Pietropolli took an impressive 4th outsprinting both Zabel and Tom Boonen in 5th.
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 21-04-2008 16:22
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7681
Joined: 19-02-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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nice |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 22-04-2008 17:04
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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Giro di Reggio Calabria
a 3 day stage race that, while being mostly flat, has a few bumps to suit the likes of Di Luca and Salvoldelli. A small field of just 77 riders starts with 11 teams of 7.
Squad: Di Luca, Salvoldelli, Pidgornyy, Ferrara, Golcer, Ermeti, Bailetti
Stage 1
The first stage is predominantly flat but there are two short sharp climbs at the end that should decide the stage. As expected a break goes away and builds up quite a lead of 11 minuits. It would take until the foot of the last climb to finally chase them down. My team had worked hard to reel in the escape and as we neared the foot of the last climb Salvoldelli led Di Luca to the front of the bunch. Once there Di Luca launched his attack about half way up.
Behind him Garzelli and Cheula launched their own attacks and tried to get across to Di Luca.
At the top of the climb Di Luca held a healthy lead but his red bar had began to rise.
I tried to slow him down to stop the bar rising so fast but it just meant that Garzelli and Cheula closed the gap. At 3k's to go Di Luca still had about a 30 second gap but his red bar was almost full. With about 2 k to go Di Luca completely bonked and his two chasers flew past him.
Garzelli outsprinted Cheula for the win and a 20 second time bonus while Di Luca hung on to take third (and an 8 second bonus) but at the same time as the peleton.
Di Luca looked strong on the climb but his lack of racing this season showed in the final few k's.
Stage 2
Another flat stage with a bit of a kick at the end. I toyed with the idea of making Salvoldelli leader for today but stuck with Di Luca. Garzelli was looking strong and in good form for the overall win. Di Luca would need to be in top form to topple him. As usual a break went and was cought thanks to Garzelli's team and the peleton headed into the final few k's in tact. Di Luca was near the front being protected by his team-mates but i'd had Salvoldelli observing Garzelli all day and he looked in good form. At the foot of the longish drag with about 15k to go Garzelli launched a supprise attack.
Di Luca countered along with Cheula, Commesso, Bertolini and D'Aniello but they counldn't bridge the gap.
Garzelli crossed the line as solo winner and now had the overall win in the bag. Di Luca once again struggled in the last few k's and finished 5th on the stage.
Stage 3
Another flat stage but this one will go down to a sprint. The podium has already been decided with Di Luca currently in 3rd (not bad so early in the season) and Garzelli winning from Cheula in 2nd. There were two mountain sprints on the stage each worth 6 points. The current leader of the comp only had 11 so i sent Pidgornyy out with the break to try to snatch the jersey on the last day. The plan worked as Pidgornyy was easily the best climber in the group of 4 and took both sprints to take the KOM comp. However the real action was unfolding in the peleton. My team were lookinmg forward to an easy day in the peleton with 3rd practically safe and no chance of moving Di Luca up the podium. That changed on a simple enough looking corner with about 100k to go. Cheula had been sitting at the back of the peleton all day being protected by his team when all of a sudden he went down.
His whole Barloworld team went back to help him back into the peleton but he was already 2 mins down.
This was my chance. I sent Salvoldelli, Ermenti and Bailetti to the front and told them to put the hammer down. I wasn't going to let Cheula back into the peleton without a fight.
The gap slowly fell to a minuit and so i sent Ferrara and Golcer to help as well leaving Di Luca on his own in the peleton. The move worked and the gap slowly began to rise back up to 2 mins. With about 35k to go the sprinter teams moved to the front and the gap opened even more. In a final move to keep his second place Cheula was forced to leave his exhausted team and try to bridge the gap alone. But it didn't work and he would finish over 3 mins behind the peleton and Di Luca would move up to 2nd In the final sprint Fabbio Sacchi won from Biondo and Grillo but that result didn't mean anything.
So Di Luca takes an excellent 2nd overall thanks to the hard wok from his team. Unfortunatly i wasn't able to tell the team what a good job they had done, instead i had to tell Di Luca you can't win them all!! I hope the new game has more interactive options between you and your team.
Next up Pietropolli leads a team at the Giro dell Provincia di Grosseto, while those not riding will go on a 5 day training camp in prep for the Tirreno-Adriatico next month. |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 24-04-2008 10:00
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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Giro dell Provincia di Grosseto
Another Italian 3 day stage race, this one however had nothing to help the climbers so i sent Pietropolli as leader with riders who i felt would be strong on the flat.
Squad: Pietropolli, Marinangeli, Bosisio, Montaguti, Celli, Cucinotta, Ferrari, Proch
Stage 1
At this point i was confident, following his performance at the GP costa gegli Estruschi, that Pietropolli would be able to hold his own in the sprint. Because of this i sent Celli into the beak so that my team wouldn't have to do too much chasing and could concentrate on the sprint. Celli went away but wasn't strong enough to stay with the break. He got dropped, passed by the rest of the peleton and would later finish outside the time limit and be excluded from the race.
As expected the race came down to a sprint but the team struggled to lead out Pietropolli.
In the end Pietropolli was forced to leave the LPR train and jumped onto the wheel of Marco Velo (Milram)
However a couple of other trains went past and so Pietroplolli finally settled on the Lampre train moving down the outside.
The wheel hoping didn't make any difference as Hunter proved to be too strong in the sprint and won easily.
Pietropolli finished a dissapointing 7th.
The aim for the rest of the race would be to keep Pietroplli in the top ten as he clearly doesn't have the legs to beat the top sprinters.
Stage 2
Another flat stage that would finish in a sprint. Pietropolli struggled once again and finished 15th with Hunter once again proving to be too strong.
The riders were only given two drinks for the stage and so my younger riders struggled to stay with the peleton at the end and so Pietropolli was left to fend for himself in the sprint. I forgot to take a picture of the results but Hunter extended his lead and Pietropolli fell to 13th on GC.
Stage 3
The final stage would see our last chance to get Pietropolli onto the podium. The previous two days he had a daily rating of 0 and today was the same. He was led out well by Marinangeli who took him to the front with 3k to go, but once again Hunter was too strong and took a convincing win.
Pietropolli finished 9th on the day...
...but it was enough to move him upto 10th on GC.
So we'd acchieved a top 10 place as we'd set out to do. Barloworld have already got a 400 point advantage over us in the Continental Tour rankings table but hopefully that should come down as my teams fitness improves with races. The first half of the season is pretty much all in prep for the Giro in may. After that i'll be trying to rack up as many points as possible.
On another note, i noticed that about halfway through the last stage the whole Liquigas team sat up and simply rolled to the finish together. No-one crashed or punctured, they simply sat up and finished 25 mins behind the peleton. At first i thought they were saving their legs for anothe race but then i noticed that the same thing happened in Guido's story. Anyone got any ideas? Could it be a new bug with the new database?
Edited by ringo182 on 24-04-2008 10:04
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| rjc_43 |
Posted on 24-04-2008 10:27
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Team Leader
Posts: 6716
Joined: 13-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Nah, it would be that the Liquigas rider who was in the break was their "leader" and when he got caught and dropped they tried to bring him back upto the bunch. But of course they can't make him increase his speed, so they keep sitting up then going hard. The pic above is the halfway between going hard and sitting up stage as the last man on the road is their leader.
Also some ok results there - i've had it many times where my riders get full red bars in the final km and get overtaken. Very annoying, but the riders can't be at 90 fitness for the whole season!
Also for the sprints, if someone is domination the sprints and you can't even get close, try following their wheel the whole way to the line. Only sprinting when they sit up to celebrate. I do that a lot Gets me better places with worse sprinters. B)
[url=cleavercycling.co.uk]  [/url] |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 24-04-2008 10:38
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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thanks rjc, yeah a liquigas rider did go into the break then get dropped but he finished even further behind that group of Liquigas riders. Surely the leader of the team wouldn't attack so early if he knew he was just gonna get caught ad left behind!!!
Nice tip on the sprint tactics. I've been used to dominating the sprints with Milram and Petacchi. it's alot different when half your team get dropped by the peleton in the last 20k and your trying to lead out your sprinter with 1 bloke
At the moment My strongest riders are only at about 70% fitness because the whole team is working with the Giro as the main goal of the season. I'm hoping for a good ride at the Tirreno-Adriatico in about 3 weeks time (hopefully a top 3 finish) but i'm not sure who'll lead, Di Luca or Salvoldelli. Until then i've got a few hilly one day races and i'll prob send the actual team on a training camp just before it starts. |
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| rjc_43 |
Posted on 24-04-2008 10:46
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Team Leader
Posts: 6716
Joined: 13-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Cool its funny to see how most people plan their seasons out, i just race with whoever and whenever! Yeah i don't do lead outs ever because to do that you need at least two riders and most continental squads barely have one good rider at sprinting, let alone leading out. LPR are good in hills and mountains, they aren't overally well known for sprinting, so your not doing badly. Will be good to see how Tirreno goes for you.
[url=cleavercycling.co.uk] [/url] |
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