|
Vacansoleil & Hilaire van der Schueren
|
| snoep_de_hond |
Posted on 07-08-2009 03:27
|
Neo-Pro
Posts: 310
Joined: 10-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
8-1-2009: Introduction
Hello, my name is Hilaire van der Schueren. I'm a 60 year old Belgium. At the moment I'm living in Geraardsbergen, which some of you might know from the Ronde van Vlaanderen. The climb up the 'Muur van Geraarsbergen' is one of the key moments in the race.
What most of you probably don't know is that this cycling season I'll be sporting director for a new Pro continental team:
I've never been a professional cyclist, but this will already be my 28th year as a sporting director. In the early eighties I started working for Jan Raas his team and recent years I've worked for Palmans - Collstrop, MrBookmaker.com and Unibet.com. So I can safely say I have a good idea what is expect from me. However starting a exciting project like this will always provide new challenges even for an old timer like me.
Last year I worked for Cycle Collstrop. After having a little conflict with manager Jacques Hanegraaf I was kicked out. Luckily I came in contact with Daan Luijkx, who is the big initiator of this project and who will fill in the position of general manager this season. Together with sponsor Collstrop and a few riders (amongst who Sergey Lagutin and Borut Bozic) I agreed to become part of this project.
As a result, together with my colleague Michel Cornelisse, I'll be driving this car...
behind these riders...
I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to it.
In this thread I'll keep you up to date about the performance of the team. Tomorrow I'll introduce our riders and our goals for this season. |
| |
|
|
| matt493 |
Posted on 07-08-2009 03:28
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3549
Joined: 01-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
yay. Your making a new story.  good luck
|
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 02-01-2025 14:51
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| Deadpool |
Posted on 07-08-2009 03:44
|
Team Leader
Posts: 7357
Joined: 06-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
I think you may need to lose a little weight before you try to keep up with your riders on a bike
Good luck though, you'll have trouble beating your Konica Minolta story. |
| |
|
|
| snoep_de_hond |
Posted on 07-08-2009 04:10
|
Neo-Pro
Posts: 310
Joined: 10-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
I'm not planning on quiting the Konica Minolta story. I have a lot of results to tell about for that one. I didn't manage to keep the story up to date, because it takes me way more time to tell it then to play it .
I have had no spare time last month (because of the Tour) and now I have a new computer, so I finally wanted to try PCM 2008. This will be my first career and the plan is to keep this one more up to date. I don't know if I can keep that up for long. We'll see.
Edited by snoep_de_hond on 07-08-2009 04:10
|
| |
|
|
| G_Larsson |
Posted on 07-08-2009 11:04
|
Sprinter
Posts: 1779
Joined: 25-03-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
Good luck, looking forward to this story!
Team Manager of Team IKEA-Bianchi
[url=(color=#0000ff] Team Info[/url]
Media Room
You'll Never Walk Alone |
| |
|
|
| snoep_de_hond |
Posted on 07-08-2009 15:03
|
Neo-Pro
Posts: 310
Joined: 10-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
Deadpool wrote:
I think you may need to lose a little weight before you try to keep up with your riders on a bike
No chance on that, because I'm to big a fan of good food and of Belgium beers. That's why I'll be keeping up with them in this car.
|
| |
|
|
| snoep_de_hond |
Posted on 07-08-2009 15:15
|
Neo-Pro
Posts: 310
Joined: 10-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
9-1-2009: Team presentation
Today I had to go to Geertruidenberg (The Netherlands), because the team planned a team presentation for the press. Here are some photos from today.
Although the room wasn't packed, there was definitely some interest in our team especially from the Dutch press.
A proud general manager, Daan Luijkx, talking about the teams ambitions.
Michel Cornelisse and me standing in the back.
There was a video conference with Baden Cooke, who is in Australia at the moment. He will compete in the Australian TT championship tomorrow.
A team photo with me and the guys. |
| |
|
|
| Caretaker |
Posted on 07-08-2009 15:38
|
Junior Rider
Posts: 29
Joined: 22-07-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
Promising start lad!  If your race-result updates are as good as this one, it's a story I will read |
| |
|
|
| snoep_de_hond |
Posted on 07-08-2009 17:01
|
Neo-Pro
Posts: 310
Joined: 10-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
After todays presentation to the press I'll now present the team and the the team plans here.
Goals
Spring classics
We have a lot of good riders for the classics in our team, that is why most of the team is peaking towards the spring classics. We're also hoping this will result in some good results early in the season. We're a new team with motivated riders and we want to show what we're made of right from the start.
We want to be at our best during all Spring classics, starting from Omloop het Nieuwsblad (28 February) until at least the Amstel Gold Race (19 April), however we marked a few races in particular:
- An overall top 3 finish in the Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen (6-8 March)
- Win Nokere - Koerse (18 March)
- and we want to perform well in the Schelderpijs (15 April)
Poster 97th Schedeprijs
Dutch races
Vacansoleil is a Dutch team, so we want to perform well in some Dutch races.
- Of course we're hoping for a wildcard for the Amstel Gold Race (19 April) and the Eneco Tour (18-25 August) and if we succeed we want results or at least show ourself.
- We're hoping to win stages in the Ster Elektrotoer (17-20 June).
- We also marked the Dutch Food Valley Classic (16 May) as a goal.
- and of course the Dutch Championship (29 June).
Poster Dutch Championships 2009 in Heerlen-Landgraaf
Pro Tour
We're aiming to get hold of wildcards for a couple of Pro Tour races:
- I already mentioned the Amstel Gold Race (19 April) and the Eneco Tour (18-25 August).
- We want the win the climber jersey by riding an attacking race in Paris - Nice (8-15 March).
- I would be great to start in big classic races like the Ronde van Vlaanderen (5 April) and Paris - Roubaix (12 April).
- If all goes well we even hope to send a team to one of the grand tours. Our goal is to get a wildcard for the Vuelta a Espana (29 August-20 September).
Logo Vuelta 2009
Overview
As you'll have noticed these are a lot of race were we want to be at our best. This might seem too ambitions, but you'll understand when I've introduce our riders. |
| |
|
|
| snoep_de_hond |
Posted on 07-08-2009 22:55
|
Neo-Pro
Posts: 310
Joined: 10-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
Team leaders
Björn Leukemans
He has been a professional cyclist since the year 2000 and has competed in various events such as the Giro d'Italia and the Tour of Spain. His official break came in 2004 with a victory in the queen stage of the Tour of Belgium. In 2007 he proved he could follow the favorites in the classics and championships. For example, he finished in 4th place at Paris-Roubaix 2007 and 13th place at the world championship in Stuttgart.
However at the end of the season of 2007 Björn got some bad news. He tested positive for the use of testosteron in an out-of-competition control at September 26. He appealed his two-year suspension, because of procedure errors. In August 2008, his suspension was brought back to 6 months, and he was able to race again.
When asked about setbacks in his career the man from Bevel says: "My career is a sequence of trial and error and many broken bones and operations I finally felt in 2007, that I was able to make the connection with the top riders. I thought the problems I had experienced were in the past but the worst was yet to come. However, this is now behind me and my career will progress with the Vacansoleil team. " Björn adds; "Cycling is sport for people with heart and self-discipline. It is very challanging and not for those who give up easily.”
With Björn Leukemans Vacansoleil has a rider that is very motivated to prove himself again this year.
Main skills:
Hill: 76
Cobbles: 76
Stamina: 76
Fighter: 77
Palmares:
2001
9th, Scheldeprijs
2002
5th, Veenendaal-Veenendaal
2004
1 stage Ronde van België
6th, Rund um den Henninger-Turm
2005
7th, Amstel Gold Race
6th, Belgium Championship
2006
5th, Rund um den Henninger-Turm
2007
1 stage Ronde van Oostenrijk
7th, Brabantse Pijl
4th, Parijs Roubaix
13th, World Championship in Stuttgart
Personal goals 2009
Björn's first peak will be during the spring classics. He is hoping we get invited to the Ronde van Vlaanderen (5 April) and we are counting on him for the Schelderpijs (15 April) and the Amstel Gold Race (19 April). His second peak is the Belgium Championship (29 June). His last peak will be towards the Worlds.
Edited by snoep_de_hond on 09-08-2009 03:47
|
| |
|
|
| snoep_de_hond |
Posted on 07-08-2009 22:56
|
Neo-Pro
Posts: 310
Joined: 10-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
Matteo Carrara
As a first year professional Matteo completed the Giro d’Italia and finished 111th in the overall rankings. In 2002 the cyclist from the province of Bergamo finished 81st . He obtained impressive results the following year and won stages in the Österreich-Rundfahrt and the Tour of Qinghai Lake. In 2006 the Italian finished 6th in the Giro di Lombardia.
He established himself as a climber in 2007, coming 4th place in the general classification of the Tour de Suisse and 4th place in the GC of the Vuelta Ciclista al País Vasco. Last season he made his first appearance in the Tour de France for the Quickstep team. In 2009 Matteo wants to show off his abilities in hill and mountain races.
His experience from riding in the grand tours and other Pro Tour races earns him the status of team leader.
Main skills:
Hill: 75
Sprint: 74
Mountain: 74
Palmares:
2003
2 stages & Points Classification Tour of Qinghai Lake
1 stage & Points Classification Österreich Rundfahrt
2006
10th, Milan-San Remo
11th, E3 Prijs Vlaanderen
9th, Brabantse Pijl
11th overall, KBC Driedaagse van De Panne-Koksijde
6th, Giro di Lombardia
2007
4th overall, Vuelta Ciclista al País Vasco
4th overall, Tour de Suisse
11th, Classica San Sebastian
2008
10th overall, Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré
Personal goals 2009
Matteo first peak will be the Amstel Gold Race (19 April). His second peak will be for the Italian Championship (29 June). His last peak will be for the Vuelta a Espana (29 August-20 September).
Edited by snoep_de_hond on 07-08-2009 22:59
|
| |
|
|
| snoep_de_hond |
Posted on 07-08-2009 22:58
|
Neo-Pro
Posts: 310
Joined: 10-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
Sergey Lagutin
Untill last year Sergey competed with U23 riders and won the two most important one day races for cyclists at this level. He won the Road Race at the World Championship 2003 in Canada and the Veldrome in Roubaix. In 2006 and 2007 Sergey represented an American team. During that time Sergey, who is recognisable by his jersey as Uzbekian champion, won a stage some smaller races and his best results in 2008 was winning the general classification of the Tour de Korea.
Sergey talks about the start of his cycling career: “My father is a coach and encouraged me to pursue cycling. After several years I realised I could one day make it as a professional and make it my career.”
The Uzbekian is at his best when its going uphill.
Main skills:
Hill: 74
Mountain: 71
Palmares:
2003
1st, Paris - Roubaix Espoirs
1st, World Championship (U-23) in Hamilton
2004
1st, Uzbekistan National Championship
2005
1st, Uzbekistan National TT Championship
1st, Uzbekistan National Championship
2006
1st, Uzbekistan National TT Championship
1st, Uzbekistan National Championship
2nd, Reading Classic
3rd, Lancaster Classic
2008
1st, Uzbekistan National Championship
1st overall, Tour de Korea
Personal goals 2009
Sergey's first peak will be Paris - Nice (8-15 March), then the hilly classics. finally we want him to peak towards the Vuelta a Espana (29 August-20 September).
Edited by snoep_de_hond on 09-08-2009 03:51
|
| |
|
|
| SeoulYank |
Posted on 08-08-2009 03:57
|
Domestique
Posts: 531
Joined: 04-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
Nice presentation. |
| |
|
|
| beagle |
Posted on 08-08-2009 13:44
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4200
Joined: 06-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
looks very nice! good luck! |
| |
|
|
| snoep_de_hond |
Posted on 08-08-2009 23:43
|
Neo-Pro
Posts: 310
Joined: 10-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
Protected riders
Baden Cooke
Baden won his first race at the age of eleven on a bike borrowed from his uncle and has been addicted to cycling ever since. As a sprinter, Baden won a stage and the green jersey in the 2003 Tour de France. As a classic rider he won Dwars door Vlaanderen, GP Fourmies and the GP d’Ouverture. In addition, the Australian also won stages in the Tour de Suisse, Etoile des Bessèges and the Herald Sun Tour. Baden, who divides his time between Monaco and St Kilda (the vibrant suburb of Melbourne), has taken part in the Tour de France five times.
The experienced rider says “I am a very motivated and want to be fit enough for the Australian championship and European spring classics.
Main skills:
Sprint: 76
Cobbles: 73
Hill: 70
TT: 70
Personal goals 2009
Australian Championship (13 Januari)
The cobbled spring classics (28 February - 15 April)
Eneco Tour (18-25 August)
Edited by snoep_de_hond on 09-08-2009 03:53
|
| |
|
|
| snoep_de_hond |
Posted on 09-08-2009 00:05
|
Neo-Pro
Posts: 310
Joined: 10-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
Protected riders
Bobbie Traksel
After Bobbie won the U23 edition of the Ronde van Vlaanderen at the age of 19 he turned professional. However, since then he has had a string of bad luck but in the spring of 2008 he was given the chance to demonstrate how talented a rider he is. In March he won a stage and the general classification in the Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen. In addition he won a stage in Olympia’s Tour and the Vuelta a Extremadura. Meanwhile he was the leading the continental rankings.
Bobbie, who won the time trial GP des Nations and Veenendaal-Veenendaal in the past, signed a two year contract with the team. Bobbie finds cycling the most beautiful sport in the world and is full of ambition for the 2009 season.
Main skills:
Sprint: 76
Cobbles: 74
Hill: 72
Personal goals 2009
The cobbled spring classics (28 February - 15 April)
Nokere Koerse (18 March)
Halle - Ingooigem (24 June)
Dutch Championships (29 June)
Vuelta a Espana (29 August-20 September)
Edited by snoep_de_hond on 09-08-2009 03:56
|
| |
|
|
| snoep_de_hond |
Posted on 09-08-2009 00:14
|
Neo-Pro
Posts: 310
Joined: 10-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
Borut Božic
Bozic was very successful in the 2006 Olympia’s Tour. He won three stages, beating the complete Dutch amateur peloton. In 2006 he won stages in the Tour de L’Avenir, Ireland and the Tour of Slovenia. A year later Borut won the general classification in the Tour of Wallonie. His official break came in 2008 as a sprinter. He won stages in the Ruta Del Sol, the Ster des Besseges and the Delta Tour Zeeland. He currently is the national champion of Slovenia.
Borut says cycling is a way of life for him. He will be the main sprinter for the team in 2009.
Main skills:
Sprint: 77
Cobbles: 70
Personal goals 2009
Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen (6-8 March)
Dutch Food Valley Classic (16 May)
Vuelta a Espana (29 August-20 September) |
| |
|
|
| snoep_de_hond |
Posted on 09-08-2009 00:19
|
Neo-Pro
Posts: 310
Joined: 10-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
Aart Vierhouten
Aart has been part of the professional peloton since 1996. In his previous career he would often act as a facilitator, not only in the classics but also in the mass sprints during for instance the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia. Aart is also a well known cycling radio commentator and knows how to motivate a team. He is still a strong cyclist, which was demonstrated when he won the Ronde van Zuid-Friesland 2008.
According to the veteran of the Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team, cycling is the best profession in the world due its outdoor lifestyle, freedom, the needed self-discipline, the traveling and constant challenges. With Aart's knowledge and experience, new cyclists will feel confident in making their debut with professionals. Aart's main aim for 2009 is to create a close and solid team, then the results will follow.
Main skills:
Sprint: 74
Cobbles: 72
Personal goals 2009
The cobbled spring classics (28 February - 15 April)
Edited by snoep_de_hond on 09-08-2009 04:06
|
| |
|
|
| snoep_de_hond |
Posted on 09-08-2009 00:24
|
Neo-Pro
Posts: 310
Joined: 10-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
Frederik Veuchelen
Frederik began his career as a cyclist at the age of 22, after he completed a degree in physical education at the Catholic University of Leuven. In 2003 Frederik won five hill races in Belgium. After three years of amateur races he became a professional in 2004. The main highlight of his career was a triumph in the 2006 spring classic Dwars door Vlaanderen.
For 2009, the Belgian is hoping to be victorious and a good team player. He wants to win for the team and compete at the best of his ability.
Main skills:
Cobbles: 72
Personal goals 2009
The cobbled spring classics (28 February - 15 April) |
| |
|
|
| snoep_de_hond |
Posted on 09-08-2009 00:49
|
Neo-Pro
Posts: 310
Joined: 10-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
Luxury teammates
Gerben Löwik
In 2003 Gerben made his debut as a profesional. In the same year this stylish rider from Vriezenveen in the Netherlands won the general classification in the Ster Elektro Tour and the Circuit Franco-Belge. Gerben is specialised in riding spring classics. He knows when to take position and is an experienced rider on all the Flemish roads. In 2004 he finished third in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne and third in the GC of the KBC Driedaagse van De Panne-Koksijde. His debut in the 2005 Tour de France was disappointing due to posterior injury and over the last few years Gerben has had a lot of bad luck with injuries and crashes. However he completed the 2008 Giro d’Italia.
Gerben is now in great shape and a dedicated and motivated team member who hopes to achieve great results in 2009.
Main skills:
Hill: 73
TT: 72
Sprint 71
Personal goals 2009
Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen (6-8 March)
Nokere Koerse (18 March)
Amstel Gold Race (19 April)
Dutch Championships (29 June)
Vuelta a Espana (29 August-20 September) |
| |
|
