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TEAM MILRAM - INTO THE FUTURE
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 13-07-2008 12:44
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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hello, spent the last couple of weeks getting used to some of the new features of the game and now i think/hope i'm ready to embark on a new career. if you've read one of my previous stories you'll know that i don't tell an actual story where i pretend to be the d/s, it's just a log of my progress with the team. this story will be similar in that sense.
so i've taken control of Team Milram, possibly the weekest team on the Pro-Tour, and my aim this season will be to stay in the Pro-Tour. Here is most of my squad:
As you can see my main hope's will lie with Petacchi and Zabel getting stage wins and maybe getting some wins at the flatter one day races. Milan-San Remo will be a major goal for us and possibly our only chance at getting a classic win this year.
In terms of transfers, there is no set rules about the nationality of riders. It would be nice to try to keep it as Germanic/Italian as possible but i'm not going to not sign good riders just because of where they're from. With Pettachi and Zabel nearing the end of they're careers i see this as a good oportunity to change the build of this squad from a sprint team to one capable of challenging for stage races.
here is a list of my season goals:
they are realistic and the sponsors don't expect miricles which is a good thing. Obviously Milan-San Remo will be our major early season goal before our attention will turn to the sprints jerseys at the Giro and Tour. Once the Tour is over it will be a case of scraping together as many points as possible.
That concludes my first post. if you have any questions please ask. next update will go over any new signings, sponsors and the race/training programmes of my leading riders.
cheers |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 13-07-2008 14:26
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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spent the last hour or so setting up my leaders racing and training programmes and also set up the programmes for the rest of the team.
Pettachi:
on his day he's the fastest sprinter out there. hopefully he'll be on his day at the Milan-San Remo which will be his major season goal. after that he begin preparing for the tour where he'll be lloking to challenge for the green jersey before concentrating on our sponsors end of season goals at the Deutshlund Rundfart and Hamburg Classic.
Zabel:
another sprinter but his ability on hills and cobbles could help him pick up some good results early on in the season. after the northern classic season he'll head to the Giro to fight for the points jersey and finish his season with Pettachi at the Deutschlund Rundfart and Hamberg Classic.
Grivko:
another rider who is good on the cobbles. he lacks the sprint of Zabel but he could be a good ally. he'll warm up for the classics at the Tirreno-Adriatico before helping Petachi at the Tour.
Lancaster:
time-trial specialist who will act as a super domestique at the Tirreno-Adriatico, Giro and the Deuthlund Rundfart and Hamberg Classic.
Rigotto:
Young sprinter who'll lead my team in Australia before a quite start to the year. He'll help Pettachi at the Tour, act as our sprinter at the Vuelta and then carry his Vuelta form into the end of the season.
I know these schedules seem a bit full on for the leaders but with so few options to get Pro-Tour points i need to rely heavily on a few riders. let me know what you think.
cheers |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 13-07-2008 15:38
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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as the transfer window closes i've made two aditions to my squad.
Gianpaulo Caruso:
a good climber who hopes to do well at the Paris-Nice and the Tour. Will help get my sprinters over the hills in between.
Samuele Marzoli:
a talented young sprinter who will be looking to gain experiance this season.
up next is our first action of the season with Lancaster at the Aussie champs before we head off the the Tour Down Under.
cheers |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 13-07-2008 23:30
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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before i start reporting any of the races, does anyone have a list of all the correct team and riders names so i can edit them all? it's just annoying having loads of fake riders.
Aussie Champs
Lancaster was my only rider in this lumpy circuit race around a hill in Baninyong. I knew his only chance was in a break and so i sent him off as soon as the first riders began to attack. He settled into a group of 6 but the group was eventually whittled down to 3 (Lancaster, Dowson, Clerke) with about 50k to go the peleton were still struggleing to make up the distance and with 30 to go it was clear they would stay away. The other two kept attacking but Lancaster kept on at a constant pace and didn't let them get away. As they started the lead out for the sprint Lancaster was well placed in third and i was confident he could claim the win with his superior sprinting stats. However he just couldn't get around and ended up taking a dissapointing 3rd as Dowson of "Roque Racers" took the win.
The big names all finished over a minuit back as there wasn't a team with enough riders to control the race so the break was allowed to get too far up the road.
Up next is the Tour Down Under where i've decided to send Pettachi as he is looking strong after our pre-season training camp and i'll be looking to pick up some early season Pro-Tour points.
cheers |
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| trueatfirstlight |
Posted on 14-07-2008 01:01
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Free Agent
Posts: 121
Joined: 20-07-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Wow, a Milram story! I'm stoked! Aces to you, and best of luck in your season.
I noticed you're starting with Petacchi and Astarloa..interesting choice. Will you drop them in May or are you going to keep them? |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 14-07-2008 09:53
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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thanks for the support.
i was thinking about doing a poll in may to ask everyone to decide their fate, but i probably won't bother. i don't want to start messing with the db abd if i just release them they'll just sign for Pro-Tour teams in July so it'll be unrealistic anyway.
plus it's going to be a struggle to get points as it is. if i get rid of my best rider i'll have practically no chance of staying up, esp as i'm playing on hard. no chance of winning will decrease my motivation to play and the story will slowly die out. |
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| rontgen |
Posted on 14-07-2008 11:27
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Domestique
Posts: 403
Joined: 13-05-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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I sense some problems. Signing new riders during the first pre season have been reported to lead to budget bugs later on. Alledgely you will not be able to offer the same salary to riders with expiring contracts.
Hopefully this will not affect you. Great to see a story about a real underdog team. I'll follow it and keeps fingers, elbows and what ever's needed that you can stay up. |
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| helGn |
Posted on 14-07-2008 12:04
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Domestique
Posts: 426
Joined: 03-06-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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grivko isnt really good at cobbels as you stated above  but sorry for being picky. good your making a milram story! and astarlosa isnt really TOP DOG anyway and petacchi is kinda old so he will only be ace the first season. imo you should keep them ;D |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 14-07-2008 12:35
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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Tour Down Under
Squad: Pettachi, Astarloa, Knees, Lancaster, Ongarato, Rigotto, Terpstra, Velo
After looking strong at our pre-season training camp i've decided to send Pettachi down under to try to get us some early season Pro-Tour points. It's a good job i did too because all the major sprnters will be present. Boonen, Hushovd, Freire, Benatti, McEwen and Cavendish are all in the peleton.
Stage 1
The tour starts as it means to go on with a flat stage. I have no intentions of sending anyone in the break as i have very little faith in it working and will concentrate on getting Pettachi to the finish in a good condition to win the sprint.
As expected a small break goes away...
...but they are never allowed to build a big lead and are easily pulled back in when the sprint teams move to the front.
The sprint turns into a bit of a nightmare for us. Because of the high speed and strong wind the peleton breaks in half with about 50 riders getting ahead. Pettachi, Velo, Rigotto, Knees and Terpstra make it into the lead group and as we move into the last 15k i tell Pettachi to get onto Velo's wheel so he can be led out. Only problem is Velo has used up alot of energy in helping with the chase and staying near the front in the last few k's and drops out of the group, with Pettachi still trying to follow his wheel.
Pettachi has lost his chance and could loose some time but i notice that Terpstra has kept up to the front and as the sprint starts he has time trialed his way into a strong position. Surely he can't win the sprint???
NO, he can't. But the result is just as improbable with the Cofidis trio of Chavanel, Valentin and Auge taking a suprise 1-2-3.
Obviously all the sprinters were on an off day. Pettachi managed to sprint back into the peleton and didn't loose any time but if he had been at the front he would have won that sprint.
Stage 2
Another flat and windy stage and the peleton is thrown into turmoil after 15k when an intermediate sprint leads to a group of 16 riders breaking away.
The peleton decides that group is too big and they are chased down before a more acceptable group of 9 riders goes away.
Despite the size of the break, they fail to work together and so are easily caught when the peleton starts upping the pace. As the teams lined up for the sprint Pettachi was again led out by Velo.
It seemed to work perfectly as Petacchi jumped out from behind his wheel and into a strong lead. With 1k to go he had a couple of bike lengths on the peleton.
However Freire and Rojas Gil were even stronger and took it down to the line. It would be a photo finish.
The win went to Freire while Pettachi had to settle for third. A dissapointing result after his early lead but our first Pro-Tour point of the season. Pettachi moves to 4th overall with Freire taking the yellow jersey.
Stage 3
Another flat stage that would end in a sprint. A break went away but they failed to work together and fragmented which made it easier for the peleton to chase them down.
With 50k to go and with the peleton working well to bring back the break, another group tryed they're luck and threw a spanner in the works. While they helped prolong the break and the effort the peleton had to put in, they were cought well before the finish.
Pettachi decided to try to get onto Freire's wheel today as he was obviously in good form. He positioned himself perfectly.
However as the sprint started Freire proved to be too strong and Petachi just couldn't hold his wheel. Pettachi dug in but just missed out on the top 3 finishing 4th.
Pettachi dropped to 7th on overall and will be looking to get a couple more podiums in the next 3 days.
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 14-07-2008 12:48
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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helGn: oh yeah, i must have misread his stats. i think i meant to say Ardennes Classics rather the Cobbled Classics but he'll still help Zabel because no-one in my teams any good on cobbles.... or hills.... or mountains.... or tt's
My teams just rubbish |
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| Smoothie |
Posted on 14-07-2008 12:53
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Team Leader
Posts: 6622
Joined: 04-02-2007
PCM$: 300.00
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What the hell happened on stage 1, cofidis 
Keep riding, looking forward to reading more, Nice screens.
A tip # gets rid of the circles round the base of the rider  |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 14-07-2008 14:11
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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Stage 4
As in the previous stages a break went away and once again they failed to work together and split into smallr groups.
They were reeled in and the teams began to set themselves up for the sprint. I had a nice train going with Petacchi being led out by Velo, Astarloa and Terpstra.
However as the pace increased they fell behind and Petacchi's chances of victory disapeared.
The sprint was won comfortably by Haussler of Gerolsteiner with Freire 2nd and Engels 3rd. None of the big sprinters apart from Freire have performed at this tour yet, but it is still early season.
Petacchi finished 11th and dropped another place to 8th on the GC. Tomorrow sees the only real climb of the tour and i'll be hoping Petacchi can get over in one piece and be able to contest the sprint. |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 15-07-2008 11:10
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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Stage 5
Stage 5 sees the only major climb of the tour and could be decisive in the final GC. As i've got no specialist climbers with me my plan is to get on the front as we go over the hill and set a fast pace to try to deter any major attacks and keep petacchi in contention for the final sprint.
A number of breaks attempted to get away but Rabobank were determined to keep the race together and with a bit of help from me the peleton was all together a few k's before the big climb. As planned i sent my team to the front and they set a frantic pace that stopped any major breaks going away. The only rider to get a gap was Sanchez of Caisse d'Epargne.
However, at the top of the hill the peleton fragmented. Having used up alot of energy keeping the peleton together going up the hill, alot of my riders dropped back and missed the split, including Petacchi. The only rider who made it was Astarloa.
I sent Velo and Knees to the front of the peleton and told them to bring the large break back in. They worked tirelessly and while they could'nt catch the group in time to allow Petacchi to contest the sprint, they made it so he dodn't loose any time. Duque of Cofidis won the sprint in what is turning out to be a very good tour for the Cofidis team.
Stage 6
A short, flat stage that Petacchi has been made favourite for. If we can get him to the front in a descent position hopefully he can get us another podium.
Once again Rabobank is keen to control the race and the gap to the break is closely monitored. As the break is cought with about 30 to go the race speeds up and the jossling for positions starts. Petacchi decides to follow the wheel of Freire's lead out man Flecha.
Petacchi has his first + daily rating of the tour with +4 and is looking good. Surely he can do something today. However disaster strikes and with just 3.5k's to go a touch of wheels bring down the Italian and sparks a mass pile up. Not only have we lost our chance to win this race but we've lost our top 10 place on GC!
Petacchi is back on his bike in an instant and with the help of Velo races through the straglers. The back of the peleton is within reach if he sprints for it.
The race is won By Bennati from Tom Boonen.
Petacchi does a great job in limiting his losses but will it be enough to save his place in the GC?
Yes, he's kept his 10 place will will earn us another couple of Pro-Tour points. The tour is won by Freire who was just too strong this week. Cofidis have managed to get 3 riders in the top 10 and will gain quite an advantage over us at this early point of the season. I see the 3 French teams as my major rivals in this seasons quest to avoid relegation but at least Bouygues and Francois des Jeux haven't got off the mark yet.
Thanks for reading. Febuary see's us at a few continental races before we head to the Tirreno-Adriatico, Paris-Nice and Milan-San Remo in March. Petacchi and Zabel won't be doing to much and it will be an opportunity for some of the younger riders to get some racing hours under they're belts. |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 17-07-2008 09:50
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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hey guys, been trying to update for a couple of days but the sires going that slowly on my comp i get fed up and do something else.
Anyway, here is my racing programme for Febuary and who will be riding.
Vuelta Ciclista a Mallorca (10-14): Astarloa, Caruso, Ghisalberti
Giro del Grosseto (15-17) Rigotto, Ongarato
Califorian Road (17-24) Grivko, P. Velits, Lancaster, Terpstra
Volta a Regiao do Algarve (20-24) Astarloa, Caruso, Ghisalberti
Tour du Var (24) Petacchi, Zabel, Rigotto, Ongarato, Velo
No Pro-Tour races in feb so it's a case of getting my team fit for the Paris-Nice, Tirreno-Adriatico and Milan-San Remo in March. The Tour du Var is a good dress rehersal for the M-SR and the likes of Grivko, Caruso and Ghisalberti will be getting in some practice in the hills before going for top 10 GC at the P-N and T-A.
As these aren't Pro-Tour events i won't be doing full reports on them but i'll keep you informed on how i get on and any interesting developments.
cheers |
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| MrContador |
Posted on 18-07-2008 10:23
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Domestique
Posts: 540
Joined: 26-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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How do you toggle the camera angle like that? |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 19-07-2008 11:19
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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alt + your mouse to move it around. |
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| obkris |
Posted on 19-07-2008 13:15
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Under 23
Posts: 63
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Great story ringo! Nice work! |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 19-07-2008 20:32
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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cheers obkris.
hopefully i'll get a few stages done tomorrow when i get back from my training ride. been a bit hectic this weekend with work and what-not. won't be any detailed reports till i get to the Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico but i'll keep you posted on how i get on in the races leading up to then. |
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| trueatfirstlight |
Posted on 22-07-2008 08:08
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Free Agent
Posts: 121
Joined: 20-07-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Tough break in Australia, but keep up the hard work! Hopefully the train will start working more efficiently. I'll be keeping tabs and hoping for a good outing in March at T-A and, of course, Milano-San Remo.  |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 23-07-2008 12:23
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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hey guys, finally got round to playing a bit more of my career.
Vuelta Ciclista a Mallorca
Originally going to be led by our only Spaniad Astarloa, however he clearly wasn't strong enough so the honour went to Caruso. I signed him at the start of the season to make us more competetive in the lesser stage races and here was his chance to show us what he can do. The defining stage of the race was stage three that saw a large hill in the middle and a sharp uphill finish. After been protected through the first two stages Caruso was in good shape and hung onto the favourites as they broke away and charged up the last hill. He finished last out of the breakaway group of 9 but it was enough to put him 4th on GC. From there on it was simply a case of staying with the leaders. He wasn't strong enough at this early stage of the season to break away but hung onto the favourites through the last 2 stages. Whenever the peleton split over the hills he was always in the first group being protected excellently by Astarloa who may have found his place in the squad.
In the end Caruso finished an excellent 5th ahead of the likes of Astarloza, Marchante and Colom. A very satisfactory week in Spain for my team.
Up next Rigotto will lead the team at the Giro del Grosseto
p.s i don't want to report these smaller races in any great detail but would you like a couple of pictures in future just to illustrate what i am saying? e.g for this last report i could have showed a picture of Caruso crossing the line on stage 3 and maybe Astarloa leading Caruso over one of the hills?
let me know what you think.
cheers |
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