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Modern Times, Old Roads | The End
Ian Butler
Top  #101 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 12:20
Mresuperstar - Well, since he rode for Topsport Vlaanderen in 2013 it's his 2nd season. I say that's enough to make him an experiences veteran Grin

Shonak - Well, honest I am very surprised myself. But the route makes for a strange gameplay. However, I'm very happy he has his first win so early, relieves some of the pressure Pfft Though one victory doesn't mean the next one is just around the corner. There are plenty of guys where victory #2 never came Wink


2nd post updated now, I think I'll stick with that lay-out, seems nice. Based a bit on Wikipedia page of Tom Boonen Grin
 
Shonak
Top  #102 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 12:24
Ian Butler wrote:
2nd post updated now, I think I'll stick with that lay-out, seems nice. Based a bit on Wikipedia page of Tom Boonen Grin


Hehe, I took the Timelines in aCross the road too from Boonen's wikipedia page. #BoonenBros Banana Grin
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"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
 
MrUfo87
Top  #103 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 13:15
Matthews doesn't have a chance against Matthias. He better could've gone to the Tirreno. Pfft

Nice victory and great to see him in the leader jersey! Smile Would be great if he can take the overall victory, but with three stages to go it'll be difficult. Nothing is sure yet.


 
Ian Butler
Top  #104 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 13:25
Shonak - So there we see the difference between his English and Dutch page Grin Awesome Pfft

MrUfo87 - Haha cheers Wink Matthews is still the better sprinter, though. Matthias just on fire at the moment! Keeping the leader's jersey will be hard with 2 mountain stages..
 
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Ian Butler
Top  #105 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 13:25
i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2013/BannerVleminckx_zps06d87979.jpg


One day after the victory of my life. I came into the World Tour like a comet but as a wise man once said: "it's easier to win by surprise then to confirm." Many never make that transition. I certainly hope I can do it. Starting in the next stage.

Paris - Nice :: Stage 6
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Most probably my final day in yellow for a long, long time. So I plan to enjoy it.

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i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2037/pni02_zps5c4b0bb9.jpg
Well, not much I can do here. But then again, I never thought I could win a stage here this year, so why couldn't I keep yellow today?


I was secretly hoping to keep my jersey, but when the first attacks came, I felt it wouldn't be possible.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2037/pni03_zpsd038d38a.jpg

I got set back by the meter when it went uphill. My legs felt completely empty.

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But there's a silver lining. I lost my jersey to a team mate, yeah! Cameron Meyer pulled a stunt on the Mont Faron and took the leader's jersey from me, that's great!

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While he was celebrating a massive victory, I was struggling to reach the top. My Paris - Nice adventure ends here. It was an amazing one, but too short to my liking.

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Result - Stage 6
1Cameron MeyerOrica GreenEdge3h54'15
2Michał KwiatkowskiOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team+ 16
3Simon SpilakTeam Katusha+ 20
4Daniel MartinGarmin Sharp+ 30
5Chris HornerLampre - Merida+ 33
6Bauke MollemaBelkin Pro Cycling Team+ 40
7Richie PorteTeam Skys.t.
8Ryder HesjedalGarmin Sharp+ 46
9Rui CostaLampre - Merida+ 51
10Jérôme CoppelCofidis, Solutions Créditss.t.
(...)
84Matthias VleminckxOrica GreenEdge+ 8'06


The rest of my Paris - Nice was an experience of pain. I worked hard in the first kilometers to defend the leader's jersey but the mountains really took me for a ride.

Paris - Nice :: Stage 7
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A group of seven fought for the victory. Porte jumped away in the final 3 kilometers.
Result - Stage 7
1Richie PorteTeam Sky4h26'49
2Bauke MollemaBelkin Pro Cycling Team+ 5
3Ryder HesjedalGarmin Sharp+ 12
4Przemyslaw NiemiecLampre - Meridas.t.
5Simon SpilakTeam Katushas.t.
6Cameron MeyerOrica GreenEdges.t.
7Tony MartinOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Teams.t.
8Chris HornerLampre - Merida+ 36
9Jurgen Van den BroeckLotto Belisols.t.
10Michał KwiatkowskiOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Teams.t.


Meyer still in yellow. Just one more stage and he wins Paris - Nice!

Paris - Nice :: Stage 8
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Meyer had a hard day. There was an exciting battle for the victory, with a large group going to the finish together.
Result - Stage 8
1Mikel NieveTeam Sky3h44'58
2Chris HornerLampre - Meridas.t.
3Daniel MartinGarmin Sharps.t.
4Tejay Van GarderenBMC Racing Teams.t.
5Richie PorteTeam Skys.t.
6Rui CostaLampre - Meridas.t.
7Przemyslaw NiemiecLampre - Meridas.t.
8Peter KennaughTeam Skys.t.
9Simon SpilakTeam Katushas.t.
10Jurgen Van den BroeckLotto Belisols.t.


Final Classification
1Simon SpilakTeam Katusha21h41'31
2Richie PorteTeam Sky+ 4
3Chris HornerLampre - Merida+ 33
4Cameron MeyerOrica GreenEdge+ 37
5Przemyslaw NiemiecLampre - Merida+ 39
6Bauke MollemaBelkin Pro Cycling Team+ 40
7Rui CostaLampre - Merida+ 1'10
8Tejay Van GarderenBMC Racing Team+ 1'12
9Andrew TalanskyGarmin Sharp+ 1'13
10Michał KwiatkowskiOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team+ 1'26
(...)
90Matthias VleminckxOrica GreenEdge+ 29'06
Spoiler
11Daniel MartinGarmin Sharp+ 1'31
12Ryder HesjedalGarmin Sharp+ 1'42
13Bradley WigginsTeam Sky+ 1'56
14Peter KennaughTeam Sky+ 3'17
15Nicolas RocheTinkoff - Saxo+ 3'21
16Samuel SánchezBMC Racing Team+ 3'44
17Jurgen Van den BroeckLotto Belisol+ 3'47
18Peter VelitsBMC Racing Team+ 3'51
19Daniel MorenoTeam Katusha+ 3'58
20Pieter WeeningOrica GreenEdge+ 4'29
21Fränk SchleckTrek Factory Racing+ 4'45
22Michael RogersTinkoff - Saxo+ 5'04
23Thomas De GendtOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team+ 5'25
24Warren BarguilTeam Giant - Shimano+ 6'03
25Tony MartinOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team+ 6'24
26Jean-Christophe PeraudAG2R La Mondiale+ 6'53
27Andrey AmadorMovistar Team+ 7'39
28Mikel NieveTeam Sky+ 7'41
29Gianluca BrambillaOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team+ 7'55
30Jonathan CastroviejoMovistar Team+ 8'44
31Rohan DennisGarmin Sharp+ 9'16
32John Darwin AtapumaBMC Racing Team+ 10'00
33Eduard VorganovTeam Katusha+ 10'26
34Chris Anker SørensenTinkoff - Saxo+ 10'48
35Valerio AgnoliAstana Pro Team+ 11'02
36Winner AnaconaLampre - Merida+ 11'05
37John GadretMovistar Team+ 11'29
38Jérôme CoppelCofidis, Solutions Crédits+ 12'04
39Petr IgnatenkoTeam Katusha+ 12'05
40Maxim IglinskiyAstana Pro Team+ 12'23
41Paolo TiralongoAstana Pro Team+ 12'42
42Steven KruijswijkBelkin Pro Cycling Team+ 13'04
43Francisco José VentosoMovistar Team+ 13'50
44Mikel LandaAstana Pro Team+ 15'38
45Samuel DumoulinAG2R La Mondiale+ 16'38
46Jonathan FumeauxIAM Cycling+ 17'11
47Tiago MachadoTeam NetApp - Endura+ 17'14
48Marcel WyssIAM Cycling+ 18'09
49Danny PateTeam Sky+ 18'13
50Egor SilinTeam Katusha+ 18'14
51Rein TaaramäeCofidis, Solutions Créditss.t.
52Adam YatesOrica GreenEdge+ 18'22
53Arthur VichotFDJ.fr+ 18'23
54Thomas LöfkvistIAM Cyclings.t.
55Jonathan HivertBelkin Pro Cycling Team+ 18'29
56David De la CruzTeam NetApp - Endura+ 18'40
57George BennettCannondales.t.
58Kenny ElissondeFDJ.fr+ 19'02
59Cristiano SalernoCannondale+ 19'11
60Francesco GavazziAstana Pro Team+ 19'20
61Geoffrey SoupeFDJ.fr+ 19'22
62Fabian CancellaraTrek Factory Racing+ 20'34
63Cyril LemoineCofidis, Solutions Crédits+ 20'48
64Gianni MeersmanOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team+ 20'51
65Amaël MoinardBMC Racing Team+ 20'53
66Tobias LudvigssonTeam Giant - Shimanos.t.
67Jesús HerradaMovistar Team+ 21'22
68Ivan RovnyTinkoff - Saxo+ 21'32
69Ramunas NavardauskasGarmin Sharps.t.
70Iker CamañoTeam NetApp - Endura+ 21'45
71Bartosz HuzarskiTeam NetApp - Endura+ 21'49
72Michal GolasOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team+ 22'19
73Antonio PiedraCaja Rural - Seguros RGA+ 22'23
74Fabricio FerrariCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
75Marcos GarcíaCaja Rural - Seguros RGA+ 22'35
76José MendesTeam NetApp - Endura+ 22'45
77Tom DumoulinTeam Giant - Shimano+ 22'50
78Lloyd MondoryAG2R La Mondiale+ 24'12
79Matthew BuscheTrek Factory Racing+ 24'27
80Thomas DamuseauTeam Giant - Shimano+ 24'56
81Florian GuillouBretagne - Séché Environnement+ 25'26
82Guillaume BonnafondAG2R La Mondiale+ 26'28
83Rafael VallsLampre - Merida+ 27'14
84Marc GoosBelkin Pro Cycling Teams.t.
85Moreno MoserCannondale+ 27'29
86Fabio FellineTrek Factory Racing+ 28'15
87Cayetano SarmientoCannondale+ 28'28
88José Joaquín RojasMovistar Team+ 28'29
89Ángel MadrazoCaja Rural - Seguros RGA+ 28'42
90Matthias VleminckxOrica GreenEdge+ 29'06
91Alexey LutsenkoAstana Pro Team+ 29'16
92Pello BilbaoCaja Rural - Seguros RGA+ 29'31
93Yohan OffredoFDJ.fr+ 29'42
94Yaroslav PopovychTrek Factory Racing+ 29'51
95Elia FavilliLampre - Merida+ 30'12
96Jérôme PineauIAM Cycling+ 30'20
97Hugo HouleAG2R La Mondiale+ 30'23
98Luke DurbridgeOrica GreenEdge+ 30'26
99Davide FormoloCannondale+ 31'16
100Patrick SchellingIAM Cycling+ 31'18
101Ruslan TleubayevAstana Pro Team+ 31'51
102Pierre-Luc PérichonBretagne - Séché Environnement+ 32'02
103Yukiya ArashiroTeam Europcar+ 33'06
104Ian BoswellTeam Sky+ 33'37
105Fabrice JeandesbozTeam Europcar+ 34'02
106Lars BoomBelkin Pro Cycling Team+ 34'44
107Matteo BonoLampre - Merida+ 34'49
108Jesper HansenTinkoff - Saxo+ 34'59
109Michael ValgrenTinkoff - Saxo+ 35'07
110Daniel OssBMC Racing Team+ 35'13
111Francesco LascaCaja Rural - Seguros RGA+ 35'14
112Taylor PhinneyBMC Racing Team+ 35'58
113Koldo FernándezGarmin Sharp+ 36'08
114Aleksandr KuschynskiTeam Katusha+ 36'11
115Karsten KroonTinkoff - Saxo+ 36'21
116Joshua EdmondsonTeam Sky+ 36'22
117André GreipelLotto Belisol+ 38'21
118Reinardt Janse Van RensburgTeam Giant - Shimano+ 38'28
119Mark RenshawOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team+ 39'09
120Bernhard EiselTeam Sky+ 39'18
121Jean-Marc MarinoCannondale+ 39'36
122Jürgen RoelandtsLotto Belisol+ 41'26
123Mickaël DelageFDJ.fr+ 42'42
124Greg HendersonLotto Belisol+ 42'55
125Moreno HoflandBelkin Pro Cycling Team+ 43'21
126Kris BoeckmansLotto Belisol+ 44'08
127Julien FouchardCofidis, Solutions Crédits+ 44'17
128Julian AlaphilippeOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team+ 44'19
129Arnaud DemareFDJ.fr+ 44'27
130Sébastien HinaultIAM Cycling+ 44'29
131Albert TimmerTeam Giant - Shimano+ 44'31
132Javier Francisco AramendiaCaja Rural - Seguros RGA+ 44'36
133Adrien PetitCofidis, Solutions Crédits+ 44'47
134Roy CurversTeam Giant - Shimanos.t.
135Giacomo NizzoloTrek Factory Racing+ 45'56
136Florian VachonBretagne - Séché Environnement+ 46'21
137Steve ChainelAG2R La Mondiale+ 46'32
138Michael MatthewsOrica GreenEdge+ 47'13
139Vyacheslav KuznetsovTeam Katusha+ 47'33
140Jens DebusschereLotto Belisol+ 47'41
141Brett LancasterOrica GreenEdge+ 47'57
142Anthony GeslinFDJ.fr+ 47'58
143Raymond KrederGarmin Sharp+ 48'11
144Manuele BoaroTinkoff - Saxo+ 48'15
145Jérôme CousinTeam Europcar+ 48'23
146Florian SenechalCofidis, Solutions Crédits+ 48'24
147Tosh Van der SandeLotto Belisol+ 48'37
148Klaas LodewyckBMC Racing Team+ 48'39
149Tom LeezerBelkin Pro Cycling Team+ 48'40
150Stéphane PoulhièsCofidis, Solutions Crédits+ 48'42
151Romain FeilluBretagne - Séché Environnement+ 48'44
152Vincent JérômeTeam Europcar+ 48'59
153Arnaud GérardBretagne - Séché Environnement+ 49'06
154Matteo PelucchiIAM Cycling+ 49'15
155Tony HurelTeam Europcar+ 49'54
156Tyler FarrarGarmin Sharp+ 50'05
157Fabio SilvestreTrek Factory Racings.t.
158Gediminas BagdonasAG2R La Mondiale+ 50'13
159Alexis GougeardAG2R La Mondiale+ 50'21
160Enrique SanzMovistar Team+ 51'07
161Valentin IglinskiyAstana Pro Team+ 51'27
162Gang XuLampre - Merida+ 51'47
163Davide ViganòCaja Rural - Seguros RGA+ 51'54
164Sean De BieLotto Belisol+ 53'22
165Sam BennettTeam NetApp - Endura+ 53'53
166Hayden RoulstonTrek Factory Racing+ 54'07
167Louis VerhelstCofidis, Solutions Crédits+ 54'19
168Jonathon McEvoyTeam NetApp - Endura+ 54'41
169Sébastien ChavanelFDJ.fr+ 54'47
170Graeme BrownBelkin Pro Cycling Team+ 54'51
171Guillaume BoivinCannondale+ 56'10
172Alberto BettiolCannondale+ 57'17
173Anton VorobyevTeam Katusha+ 58'58
174Antoine DuchesneTeam Europcar+ 59'07
175Romain GuillemoisTeam Europcar+ 59'26
176Morgan LamoissonTeam Europcar+ 59'36
177Matthew HaymanOrica GreenEdge+ 59'42
178Pirmin LangIAM Cycling+ 1h08'04
179Benjamin Le MontagnerBretagne - Séché Environnement+ 1h09'02
180Benoit JarrierBretagne - Séché Environnement+ 1h09'59
181Cheng JiTeam Giant - Shimano+ 1h13'39
182Michael SchwarzmannTeam NetApp - Endura+ 1h13'43
183Armindo FonsecaBretagne - Séché Environnement+ 1h25'13


And that's the end of Paris - Nice. I return home a very, very happy man. I can't believe what's happened here, it's still hard to grasp. But now my focus lays completely with my 4 upcoming races, the most beautiful ones of all: E3 - Harelbeke, Gent - Wevelgem, De Ronde Van Vlaanderen and Paris - Roubaix.

I'll see you there,
Matt
 
The Hobbit
Top  #106 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 13:33
Unlucky for both Meyer and Matthias, but both put in some amazing results.
 
Ian Butler
Top  #107 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 14:11
The Hobbit - I agree. It would've been great to win the overall classificaiton, but the final mountain stage was one stage too much...


I apologize for the fast pace at the moment. I'm just enjoying it very much so I'm anxious to move ahead!
Hope you're enjoying it!
 
Ian Butler
Top  #108 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 14:11
i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2013/BannerVleminckx_zps06d87979.jpg


Tomorrow we enter the town of my birth.
I want to be ready.


Just one more night's sleep and it's time for one of my biggest goals of the season. The cobbled season kicks off with E3 - Harelbeke, a race which is sometimes called a 'mini Tour of Flanders'.

E3 - Harelbeke is soon followed by Gent - Wevelgem, De Ronde Van Vlaanderen and Paris - Roubaix. I have been selected for all four races. A little preview, but first some major news for the team!

Milan - Sanremo
Simon Gerrans won the 2014 edition of Milan - Sanremo after successfully attacking on the Poggio. Greg Van Avermaet and Roman Kreuziger completed the podium but were 12 seconds short of sprinting for the victory. Further down the top 10 are Boonen, Stybar, Cancellara, Thomas, Chavanel, Caruso and Montaguti. For the Australian Gerrans it's the 2nd victory at Milan - Sanremo.


And then there was this:

Tirreno - Adriatico :: Final Classification
1Vincenzo NibaliAstana Pro Team24h20'26
2Roman KreuzigerTinkoff - Saxo+ 1'16
3Chris FroomeTeam Sky+ 1'51
4Thomas VoecklerTeam Europcars.t.
5Carlos BetancurAG2R La Mondiale+ 2'31
6Ivan SantaromitaOrica GreenEdge+ 4'24
7Kanstantsin SiutsouTeam Sky+ 5'00
8Peter SaganCannondale+ 5'01
9Alberto ContadorTinkoff - Saxo+ 5'07
10Alejandro ValverdeMovistar Team+ 6'35


All in all we can say the team is on a roll. We're currently ranked 3rd with most victories, let's hope we can keep it up. But now, let's bring our focus back to the cobbled season.

Preview of the Cobbled Classics

Main Players
In Sanremo, we saw an extremely hungry and strong Tom Boonen. He certainly has the team to bring him to victory. This year he can break quite some records, too. But his status as top favorite can be a curse, too. Then it might be up to Stybar or Terpstra to finish the job. They have plenty of choice at Omega Pharma - Quickstep.

Fabian Cancellara looks ready for his main goal of the season. No doubt he'll be looking to score his third Ronde - Roubaix double. But the Swiss rider will be starting with a big disadvantage as strong lieutenant Devolder is out with a fractured kneecap. Rast is also at home with a broken hand. He'll have to do it alone.

Sep Vanmarcke looks like he'll make his final step towards the absolute top any day now. Without a doubt he'll be hungry for a major victory, preferably in Roubaix.

Other then those three, we have plenty of second row candidates, with Peter Sagan, John Degenkolb, Arnaud Démare, Greg Van Avermaet, Jürgen Roelandts and many more...

Orica - GreenEdge
The team DS has made our tactics clear a few days ago, so we all know what we're supposed to do. Against expectations, Orica - GreenEdge won't name a single leader for either race. Matthew Hayman has a protected status, since he has the experience. Jens Keukeleire and myself are right below in the hierarchy for the next four races.

I was somewhat surprised by that. But my efforts in Paris - Nice aroused the DS' curiousity. Jens and myself are supposed to try and do our best, learn as much as we can so we can come back one day to win. That's it for us. And, if the situation should present itself, help Hayman in the finale. If I can ride a finale, that would be great. I'm very excited.

I'll see you tomorrow, after the E3 prijs!
Matt
 
cunego59
Top  #109 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 14:15
Starting stats are lower than usually


You sure? Pfft

Otherwise, it's a nice story, as usual from you Smile
 
Ian Butler
Top  #110 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 14:26
cunego59 wrote:
Starting stats are lower than usually


You sure? Pfft

Otherwise, it's a nice story, as usual from you Smile


I swear to God they are Pfft Maybe I really am getting to good for Hard, though. I've been switching between Hard and Extreme for some months now.
Glad you enjoy the story Smile

Though I did something different with his stats. His sprint stat is quite high to start with (he was a top sprinter at the juniors), but he hasn't got a lot of progression left in sprinting. He trains on northern classics, so his sprinting will stay somewhat the same. His COB is lower than I usually start with, since that's the thing he'll hopefully improve on. Hope you know what I mean Pfft
And, anyway, with the current real life cycling generation, these results aren't unrealistic at all, I think. Look at Démare, Sagan and many others who are so young and have already achieved so much Wink
 
Shonak
Top  #111 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 15:01
At least Matt enjoyed his stay in yellow and leaving Nice with a staeg win and some yellow jerseys as memories sure is more than he hoped for at that point. However, more importantly, his form seems to be great for the classics. Eagerly awaiting them. Wink
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"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
 
Ollfardh
Top  #112 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 15:03
Surprised Matt didn't ride San Remo with those results..

Anyway, I really like the "sprinter turning into a classic rider", as it's what happened to Kristoff, Degenkolb etc as well. It definitely adds realism!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
 
Ian Butler
Top  #113 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 15:34
Shonak - Paris - Nice was definitely a big success, no matter how you look at it Smile A step up for Matt, also in the team hierarchy. Classics will be interesting to say the least!

Ollfardh - Sanremo was a tough call but with the pompeiana in the profile and it being 300km, there were better riders to pick up the work for the race.
Glad you like my plan with Matthias Wink
 
Ian Butler
Top  #114 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 15:34
i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2013/BannerVleminckx_zps06d87979.jpg


The cobbled season is upon us! I hope I don't insult any of you, but it's hard to understand just how big this all is unless you grew up in Flanders. These races are holy and the whole nation's eyes are turned on nothing but cycling for those sacred few weeks. I'm proud to be part of that story this year.

I had a nice talk with Hayman right before the start (he speaks Dutch fluently after his years with Rabobank). He's really given me the confidence to make the most of it. #IHaveTheBestTeamEver! (am I using this right? Damn 21th century)

E3 - Harelbeke
i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2038/E301_zps6d83717c.jpg

E3 - Harelbeke, the 'mini-Ronde'. The favorites won't be able to hide any longer, all masks go off today. Everyone is hoping to see an exciting battle. I'm just hoping to get out of this alive. Tensions can rise high during these races and the rainy conditions will make for a dangerous race. Let's go for it!

Profile
i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2038/E302_zpsdf4dd6ec.jpg
There are some very tough cobbled sections and some tricky hills. We have the Oude Kwaremont as final cobbled hill, some 30 kilometers from the finish. I have a free role today. I hope to either get in the break of the day or ride the finale. A top 25 would satisfy me.


As soon as the flag was down, Hayman tried to make the most of it. With his talent, he should have at least one major classic on his palmarès. Maybe it'll work from a breakaway?

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But the peloton sees the potential danger involved and chases him down.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2038/E304_zps5a33eb5e.jpg

Meanwhile, I was hanging back in the peloton, not too worried yet. Two men escaped and the peloton took it easy. I had a wonderful chat with Tom Van Asbroeck.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2038/E305_zps14773a2a.jpg

But with 110 kilometers left, another 11 riders tried to brake away. A group of 13 was too dangerous to let go now, so the peloton kept them at 30 seconds for a long time. The pace was incredibly high now!

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We passed Geraardsbergen but left De Muur at our right side, thank God!

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I tried to move up the peloton but the pace was too high to do so without wasting a lot of energy. On the Eikenberg, I was in about 30th position when my derailleur jammed. I had to stop and put it back in order before jumping back on the bike. Worst possible moment!

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2038/E308_zps689d89c9.jpg

Meanwhile, the race had broken loose. For me, the race was over. But I admit I probably wouldn't have been with these guys anyway. This is the top of the world at these races.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2038/E309_zpsc1f208e2.jpg

Cancellara wanted to take no risks and tried to go solo!

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2038/E310_zps740b38c2.jpg

Meanwhile I took the rest of the race as a good training. Nobody in my group was real eager to work so I took quite some turns.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2038/E311_zpsef31f1c6.jpg

Nobody could follow this man today. Fabian Cancellara wins E3 - Harelbeke 2014!

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2038/E312_zpscd2891a2.jpg

I finish about 9 minutes later, 47th. Not the most glamorous start of my cobbled career, but I'll take it.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2038/E313_zps1c1b9bf0.jpg

On the other hand, Jens Keukeleire impressed with a 12th place, way to go, Jens!

Result
1Fabian CancellaraTrek Factory Racing4h29'42
2Peter SaganCannondale+ 1'34
3Sep VanmarckeBelkin Pro Cycling Teams.t.
4Alexander KristoffTeam Katushas.t.
5Sylvain ChavanelIAM Cyclings.t.
6Tom BoonenOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Teams.t.
7Filippo PozzatoLampre - Merida+ 2'45
8Greg Van AvermaetBMC Racing Team+ 3'08
9Luca PaoliniTeam Katusha+ 3'43
10Andrey AmadorMovistar Teams.t.
11Heinrich HausslerIAM Cyclings.t.
12Jens KeukeleireOrica GreenEdges.t.
13Oscar GattoCannondales.t.
14Yohan OffredoFDJ.frs.t.
15Maarten WynantsBelkin Pro Cycling Teams.t.
(...)
47Matthias VleminckxOrica GreenEdge+ 8'29
Spoiler
16Geraint ThomasTeam Skys.t.
17Lars BoomBelkin Pro Cycling Teams.t.
18Niki TerpstraOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Teams.t.
19Björn LeukemansWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
20Danilo HondoTrek Factory Racings.t.
21Borut BožicAstana Pro Teams.t.
22Matthew HaymanOrica GreenEdges.t.
23Sebastian LangeveldGarmin Sharps.t.
24Steve ChainelAG2R La Mondiales.t.
25Hayden RoulstonTrek Factory Racings.t.
26Damien GaudinAG2R La Mondiales.t.
27Johnny HoogerlandAndroni Giocattoli+ 4'40
28Jürgen RoelandtsLotto Belisol+ 8'29
29Zdenek StybarOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Teams.t.
30Nick NuyensGarmin Sharps.t.
31Tom Van AsbroeckTopsport Vlaanderen - Baloises.t.
32Matthieu LadagnousFDJ.frs.t.
33Edvald Boasson HagenTeam Skys.t.
34Mickaël DelageFDJ.frs.t.
35Maxim IglinskiyAstana Pro Teams.t.
36Jacopo GuarnieriAstana Pro Teams.t.
37Taylor PhinneyBMC Racing Teams.t.
38Jasper StuyvenTrek Factory Racings.t.
39Sébastien TurgotAG2R La Mondiales.t.
40Bernhard EiselTeam Skys.t.
41Gert SteegmansOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Teams.t.
42Iljo KeisseOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Teams.t.
43Bob JungelsTrek Factory Racings.t.
44Gianni MeersmanOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Teams.t.
45Martin ElmigerIAM Cyclings.t.
46Salvatore PuccioTeam Skys.t.
47Matthias VleminckxOrica GreenEdges.t.
48Manuel QuinziatoBMC Racing Teams.t.
49Stijn VandenberghOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Teams.t.
50Simon GeschkeTeam Giant - Shimanos.t.
51Wesley KrederWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
52Sébastien MinardAG2R La Mondiales.t.
53Yauheni HutarovichAG2R La Mondiales.t.
54Geoffrey SoupeFDJ.frs.t.
55Markel IrizarTrek Factory Racings.t.
56Kristjan KorenCannondales.t.
57Vladimir GusevTeam Katushas.t.
58Boy Van PoppelTrek Factory Racings.t.
59Klaas LodewyckBMC Racing Teams.t.
60Zico WaeytensTopsport Vlaanderen - Baloises.t.
61Adriano MaloriMovistar Teams.t.
62Morgan LamoissonTeam Europcars.t.
63Bart De ClercqLotto Belisols.t.
64Dylan van BaarleGarmin Sharps.t.
65Michael MørkøvTinkoff - Saxo+ 10'04
66Elia FavilliLampre - Meridas.t.
67Francisco José VentosoMovistar Teams.t.
68Daniele BennatiTinkoff - Saxos.t.
69Alexandre PichotTeam Europcars.t.
70Kenny DehaesLotto Belisols.t.
71Dimitriy MuravyevAstana Pro Teams.t.
72Bryan CoquardTeam Europcars.t.
73Roy CurversTeam Giant - Shimanos.t.
74Jens DebusschereLotto Belisols.t.
75Sébastien ChavanelFDJ.frs.t.
76Christian KneesTeam Skys.t.
77Jan GhyselinckWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
78Paul VossTeam NetApp - Enduras.t.
79Jimmy EngoulventTeam Europcars.t.
80Robert WagnerBelkin Pro Cycling Teams.t.
81Marko KumpTinkoff - Saxos.t.
82Aleksandr KuschynskiTeam Katushas.t.
83Dennis Van WindenBelkin Pro Cycling Teams.t.
84Diego UlissiLampre - Meridas.t.
85Tim DeclercqTopsport Vlaanderen - Baloises.t.
86Alexey TsatevitchTeam Katushas.t.
87Matthew GossOrica GreenEdges.t.
88Moreno HoflandBelkin Pro Cycling Teams.t.
89Kevyn IstaIAM Cyclings.t.
90Alexis VuillermozAG2R La Mondiales.t.
91Pieter SerryOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Teams.t.
92Jack BauerGarmin Sharps.t.
93Juan José LobatoMovistar Team+ 12'20
94Nathan HaasGarmin Sharps.t.
95Yves LampaertTopsport Vlaanderen - Baloises.t.
96Jonas VangenechtenLotto Belisols.t.
97Marco HallerTeam Katushas.t.
98Jarl SalomeinTopsport Vlaanderen - Baloises.t.
99Murilo FischerFDJ.frs.t.
100Giovanni ViscontiMovistar Teams.t.
101Preben Van HeckeTopsport Vlaanderen - Baloises.t.
102Dries DevenynsTeam Giant - Shimanos.t.
103Edward KingCannondales.t.
104Jos Van EmdenBelkin Pro Cycling Teams.t.
105Leigh HowardOrica GreenEdges.t.
106Yohann GèneTeam Europcar+ 13'19
107Andrea GuardiniAstana Pro Teams.t.
108Ben SwiftTeam Skys.t.
109Laurens De VreeseWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
110Gorka IzagirreMovistar Teams.t.
111David BoucherFDJ.frs.t.
112Thomas LöfkvistIAM Cyclings.t.
113Christophe KernTeam Europcars.t.
114Ariel Maximiliano RichezeLampre - Merida+ 14'44
115Nikolai TrussovTinkoff - Saxos.t.
116Gatis SmukulisTeam Katushas.t.
117Francis De GreefWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
118Francesco ChicchiYellowFluos.t.
119Davide VillellaCannondales.t.
120Frederik VeuchelenWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
121Arthur VichotFDJ.frs.t.
122Alexey LutsenkoAstana Pro Teams.t.
123Tosh Van der SandeLotto Belisols.t.
124Dario CataldoTeam Skys.t.
125Frantisek PadourTeam NetApp - Enduras.t.
126Julien BérardAG2R La Mondiales.t.
127Luca DodiLampre - Merida+ 16'29
128Dennis VanendertLotto Belisols.t.
129Danilo WyssBMC Racing Teams.t.
130Sérgio PaulinhoTinkoff - Saxos.t.
131David De la CruzTeam NetApp - Enduras.t.
132Michael ValgrenTinkoff - Saxos.t.
133Dominic KlemmeIAM Cycling+ 17'13
134Kevin Van MelsenWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
135Roberto De PatreYellowFluos.t.
136Nathan EarleTeam Skys.t.
137Fabian WegmannGarmin Sharps.t.
138Daan OlivierTeam Giant - Shimanos.t.
139John GadretMovistar Teams.t.
140Ruslan TleubayevAstana Pro Teams.t.
141Nikias ArndtTeam Giant - Shimanos.t.
142Jan BartaTeam NetApp - Enduras.t.
143Sander ArmeeLotto Belisols.t.
144Matteo BonoLampre - Meridas.t.
145Jan PolancLampre - Meridas.t.
146Laurent DidierTrek Factory Racings.t.
147Michel KochCannondales.t.
148Jens MourisOrica GreenEdges.t.
149Svein TuftOrica GreenEdges.t.
150Mitchell DockerOrica GreenEdges.t.
151Lasse Norman HansenGarmin Sharp+ 18'32
152Evgeni PetrovTinkoff - Saxos.t.
153Arthur Van OverbergheTopsport Vlaanderen - Baloises.t.
154Jonathan MonsalveYellowFluos.t.
155Bartosz HuzarskiTeam NetApp - Enduras.t.
156Edward TheunsTopsport Vlaanderen - Baloises.t.
157Matteo RabottiniYellowFluos.t.
158George PreidlerTeam Giant - Shimanos.t.
159Mikaël ChérelAG2R La Mondiales.t.
160Peter StetinaBMC Racing Teams.t.
161Andrea FediYellowFluos.t.
162Diego RosaAndroni Giocattolis.t.
163Sebastian LanderBMC Racing Teams.t.
164Emanuele SellaAndroni Giocattolis.t.
165Petr IgnatenkoTeam Katushas.t.
166George BennettCannondales.t.
167Nelson OliveiraLampre - Meridas.t.
168Valerio AgnoliAstana Pro Team+ 20'08
169Amaël MoinardBMC Racing Team+ 20'34
170Rick FlensBelkin Pro Cycling Teams.t.
171Bryan NauleauTeam Europcars.t.
172Giorgio CecchinelYellowFluos.t.
173Caleb FairlyGarmin Sharps.t.
174Perrig QuemeneurTeam Europcars.t.
175Marcel AreggerIAM Cyclings.t.
176Sylwester SzmydMovistar Teams.t.
177Daniele ColliYellowFluos.t.
178Marco FrapportiAndroni Giocattoli+ 21'33
179José MendesTeam NetApp - Enduras.t.
180Reto HollensteinIAM Cyclings.t.
181Alessio TalianiAndroni Giocattolis.t.
182Iker CamañoTeam NetApp - Enduras.t.
183Matteo Di SerafinoAndroni Giocattolis.t.
184Guillaume BoivinCannondales.t.
185Jackson RodríguezAndroni Giocattolis.t.
186Sea Keong LohTeam Giant - Shimano+ 23'22
187Mirko TedeschiYellowFluo+ 23'58
188Frederik BackaertWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
189Erick RowsellTeam NetApp - Endura+ 24'48
190Yonder GodoyAndroni Giocattolis.t.
191Bruno PiresTinkoff - Saxos.t.
192Thierry HupondTeam Giant - Shimanos.t.


I took it relatively easy in the final 10 kilometer, hoping to save my legs a bit so I can put in a strong performance in Gent - Wevelgem. I didn't make the top 25 I was hoping for here, so I'll have to be twice as strong in Wevelgem to be happy!

See you there,
Matt
 
The Hobbit
Top  #115 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 15:39
That's an ok race, but it's mostly the experience you'll take away, hopefully for a challenge next year.
 
FonsDeSpons
Top  #116 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 16:04
Orica Greenedge is just on fire! Mathias is doing really really well!
Hopefully he can show his talent also in the Ronde and Roubaix
 
cunego59
Top  #117 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 16:12
Spoiler
Ian Butler wrote:
cunego59 wrote:
Starting stats are lower than usually


You sure? Pfft

Otherwise, it's a nice story, as usual from you Smile


I swear to God they are Pfft Maybe I really am getting to good for Hard, though. I've been switching between Hard and Extreme for some months now.
Glad you enjoy the story Smile

Though I did something different with his stats. His sprint stat is quite high to start with (he was a top sprinter at the juniors), but he hasn't got a lot of progression left in sprinting. He trains on northern classics, so his sprinting will stay somewhat the same. His COB is lower than I usually start with, since that's the thing he'll hopefully improve on. Hope you know what I mean Pfft
And, anyway, with the current real life cycling generation, these results aren't unrealistic at all, I think. Look at Démare, Sagan and many others who are so young and have already achieved so much Wink


Never said they weren't realistic, Sagan won even two stages of P-N in his first year with Liquigas if I'm not mistaken. And I'm sure we're looking at an equally talented rider here Wink

Good luck at Gent-Wevelgem, should suit Matt more, I guess!
 
sutty68
Top  #118 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 16:50
Such a shame that Cam Meyer lost the race on the final day in Paris-Nice Sad
 
Ian Butler
Top  #119 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 16:57
The Hobbit - The experience is the main thing now indeed.

FonsDeSpons - Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how he deals with the monuments. Hope he can take it Wink

cunego59 - You're quite right! I just checked it. Sagan was only 20 years old at that time. Crazy guy. Anyway, Wevelgem should suit Matt the best of all 4 at the moment.

sutty68 - Yeah, it was a bummer. But the mountains proved to be too much for him. At least he got a stage win Smile
 
Ian Butler
Top  #120 Print Post
Posted on 14-04-2014 16:57
Gent - Wevelgem report coming up now. It was a highly interesting race, you'll see Wink
 
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