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A Tale of Two
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 18-09-2012 12:59
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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I wouldn't have done it with a real cyclist  that's why I prefer created cyclist.
Great idea about the long lost brother  Enter Steven Van Gent  |
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 18-09-2012 13:00
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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You are a genious 
Oh, and remember we all hate you now for killing Stijn, though. 
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 18-09-2012 13:00
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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I consider this the start of my second career. I have received many mails from fans and friends about how I was doing since Stijn's passing. Of course, at first I was shocked. I returned home and stayed with the family for two weeks, avoiding contact with the media. I thought about quitting, but then one day I realized that I can't quit. Cycling is in my blood, it's who I am. So I'll return even stronger and make sure Stijn would've been proud at what I'm doing.
Because I didn't cycle for two weeks, I'm not in the best of shape, however, I did train a lot in the past few days so maybe I could do something at the Dauphinée, where I conquered the KoM jersey last year. My main priority for the rest of the season is the Vuelta, where I will go for a podium (considering I will be quite "fresh" and I won't have too many race days, so a podium is possible, I believe.) and of course, the WC TT.
The team's atmosphere has drastically changed, though. I'll definitely finish my contract (which ends at the end of next season), but I'm not sure whether I'll stay. I'll have to think about it.
Life goes on: Critérium du Dauphinée - Stage 1
This Dauphinée has a prologue, a time trial and three mountain stages. It should suit me.
I was ready to get back out there and pick up life again.
I took a flying start, maybe just a bit too fast.
I finished fifth, and that's good enough for me.
In other news: Nibali won that terrible Giro, in front of Uran and Fuglsang. |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 18-09-2012 13:03
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Great ride from Eric in the prologue
Lets hope that he wins the race for Stijn, Good Luck |
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| Raggieman |
Posted on 18-09-2012 13:08
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Amateur
Posts: 8
Joined: 11-09-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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 Stjin Van Gent R.I.P.
So sad...he really was a natural talent
Hope Eric can win Vuelta for Stjin. |
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| PCM rulezz |
Posted on 18-09-2012 13:11
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1467
Joined: 21-05-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Didn't see that coming
I wish all the good luck for Eric.
Winners never quit, quitters never win.
It's difficult not to be happy when you're surrounded by Belgians. - Mark Cavendish
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 18-09-2012 13:13
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Critérium du Dauphinée - Stage 4
Stage 2 and 3 ended in a mass sprint. I didn't lose any time, which was all that I expected from those races.
An uphill finish, I like that.
The race itself was quite boring, so let's skip ahead until the final climb. I didn't feel like riding at a constant pace today, this time I wanted to try a new tactic: accelerations and attacks, tire out the competition. This brings a few more risks, but with my eye on the Vuelta, I'm willing to try this tactic.
When Jeannesson went, I followed.
I threw in a couple of short bursts of acceleration and after a while we had formed a group of 6, with 8.5km left to go.
Sorenson went and I took a gamble by not going with him, I wanted the other ones to go and tire themselves out.
Getting ready for the sprint, Brajkovic tried a late attack, which was exactly the same as a long sprint, if you ask me.
The sprint was off.
Whatever it was, Brajkovic's tactic had worked. I finish 7th.
Result
| 1 | Janez Brajkovic | Astana Pro Team | 4h46'52 | | | 2 | Chris Anker Sørensen | Team Saxo Bank | s.t. | | | 3 | Maxime Monfort | BMC Racing Team | + 21 | | | 4 | Daniel Martin | Garmin - SplitSe | + 34 | | | 5 | Arnold Jeannesson | Cofidis, Le Crédit en Ligne | s.t. | | | 6 | Branislau Samoilau | Movistar Team | s.t. | | | 7 | Eric Lombaerts | Lotto-Belisol | s.t. | IanButler | | 8 | Damiano Caruso | Liquigas-Cannondale | + 49 | | | 9 | Tony Martin | Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team | + 1'10 | | | 10 | Peter Stetina | Garmin - SplitSe | + 1'30 | |
GC
| 1 | Janez Brajkovic | Astana Pro Team | 13h42'01 | | | 2 | Chris Anker Sørensen | Team Saxo Bank | + 23 | | | 3 | Maxime Monfort | BMC Racing Team | + 33 | | | 4 | Eric Lombaerts | Lotto-Belisol | + 36 | IanButler | | 5 | Branislau Samoilau | Movistar Team | + 53 | | | 6 | Arnold Jeannesson | Cofidis, Le Crédit en Ligne | + 57 | | | 7 | Daniel Martin | Garmin - SplitSe | + 1'02 | | | 8 | Tony Martin | Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team | + 1'06 | | | 9 | Damiano Caruso | Liquigas-Cannondale | + 1'29 | | | 10 | Peter Stetina | Garmin - SplitSe | + 1'58 | |
Points
| 1 | Peter Sagan | Liquigas-Cannondale | 45 | | | 2 | Janez Brajkovic | Astana Pro Team | 35 | | | 3 | Damien Gaudin | Team Europcar | 32 | | | 4 | Jimmy Casper | Euskaltel Euskadi | 30 | | | 5 | Tony Martin | Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team | 27 | | | 6 | Gerald Ciolek | Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team | 26 | | | 7 | Christopher Sutton | Sky Pro Cycling | 22 | | | 8 | Davide Appollonio | FDJ-BigMat | 22 | | | 9 | Maxime Monfort | BMC Racing Team | 21 | | | 10 | Eric Lombaerts | Lotto-Belisol | 20 | IanButler |
KoM
| 1 | Janez Brajkovic | Astana Pro Team | 20 | | 2 | Chris Anker Sørensen | Team Saxo Bank | 18 | | 3 | Maxime Monfort | BMC Racing Team | 16 | | 4 | Daniel Martin | Garmin - SplitSe | 14 | | 5 | Fabian Wegmann | Rabobank Cycling Team | 14 |
I'm doing good, considering. I might make the podium here, with a time trial tomorrow and another two mountain stages later. |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 18-09-2012 13:16
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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@fcancellara: Ian Butler - The man you love to hate?
@sutty68: Thanks with this field, he may be able to do something.
@Raggieman: I hope so, too.
@PCM rulezz: Thanks! |
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| SweatyViking |
Posted on 18-09-2012 13:39
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1040
Joined: 19-06-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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You know, EPO is harmful to the heart |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 18-09-2012 14:02
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Critérium du Dauphinée - Stage 5
A time trial much to my liking. With Tony Martin around, I don't have much chance at winning. However, this will give me a clue about my training for the WC TT, which I will intensively do during my absence until the Vuelta.
I took a good start, not too fast like last time.
I kept a good pace and even passed Samoilau.
Then it was waiting for the verdict.
Result
| 1 | Tony Martin | Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team | 44'34 | | | 2 | Eric Lombaerts | Lotto-Belisol | + 1'06 | IanButler | | 3 | Luis León Sánchez | Katusha Team | + 1'07 | | | 4 | Janez Brajkovic | Astana Pro Team | + 1'34 | | | 5 | Maxime Monfort | BMC Racing Team | + 1'44 | | | 6 | Ignatas Konovalovas | Movistar Team | + 1'46 | | | 7 | Stef Clement | Rabobank Cycling Team | + 2'01 | | | 8 | Jesus Herrada | Movistar Team | + 2'09 | | | 9 | Jos Van Emden | Rabobank Cycling Team | + 2'14 | | | 10 | Rein Taaramae | Cofidis, Le Crédit en Ligne | + 2'24 | |
GC
| 1 | Tony Martin | Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team | 14h27'41 | | | 2 | Janez Brajkovic | Astana Pro Team | + 28 | | | 3 | Eric Lombaerts | Lotto-Belisol | + 36 | IanButler | | 4 | Maxime Monfort | BMC Racing Team | + 1'11 | | | 5 | Chris Anker Sørensen | Team Saxo Bank | + 2'19 | | | 6 | Arnold Jeannesson | Cofidis, Le Crédit en Ligne | + 3'10 | | | 7 | Branislau Samoilau | Movistar Team | + 3'28 | | | 8 | Daniel Martin | Garmin - SplitSe | + 3'40 | | | 9 | Mathias Frank | BMC Racing Team | + 4'34 | | | 10 | Luis León Sánchez | Katusha Team | + 4'36 | |
Well, this is hopeful to me. I'm not in the greatest shape and only a minute away from Martin. But I'll have to train hard to beat him at the World Championship.
I'm in an excellent position for this Dauphinée. Martin will be no match for me in the final two mountain stages, so I just have to shake Brajkovic. Maybe I can win this thing, if I play it right. |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 08:06
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 18-09-2012 14:05
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Critérium du Dauphinée - Stage 6
A sprint. Strong Sagan takes his second.
Result
| 1 | Peter Sagan | Liquigas-Cannondale | 3h52'05 | | 2 | Davide Appollonio | FDJ-BigMat | s.t. | | 3 | Arnaud Démare | FDJ-BigMat | s.t. | | 4 | Gerald Ciolek | Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team | s.t. | | 5 | Jimmy Casper | Euskaltel Euskadi | s.t. | | 6 | Christopher Sutton | Sky Pro Cycling | s.t. | | 7 | Michael Matthews | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 8 | Juan José Haedo | Orica-GreenEDGE | s.t. | | 9 | Greg Van Avermaet | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | | 10 | Stéphane Poulhies | Saur - Sojasun | s.t. |
Points
| 1 | Peter Sagan | Liquigas-Cannondale | 65 | | 2 | Janez Brajkovic | Astana Pro Team | 48 | | 3 | Tony Martin | Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team | 47 | | 4 | Jimmy Casper | Euskaltel Euskadi | 41 | | 5 | Gerald Ciolek | Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team | 39 |
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| JuanMotr |
Posted on 18-09-2012 14:05
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Domestique
Posts: 701
Joined: 29-07-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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are you kidding me!? i come back from school and eric is riding dauphine and stin is dead?? i personally more liked stijn but shit happens... i wish a good luck for eric and get well |
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| Abelbaba |
Posted on 18-09-2012 14:07
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Domestique
Posts: 537
Joined: 13-12-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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looking good in the ITT, hope you can beat martrin at the worlds |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 18-09-2012 14:07
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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@JuanMotr: Thanks, hopefully you'll still enjoy the story without Stijn
And otherwise: maybe the next story is one from beyond the grave
@Abelbaba: I hope so, too, thanks
Edited by Ian Butler on 18-09-2012 14:08
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 18-09-2012 14:11
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Great time trial from Eric and now he finds himself in the podium places, very nice |
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| FreitasPCM |
Posted on 18-09-2012 14:12
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8389
Joined: 08-09-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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A bit shocking measure, to be honest, but hopefully the story can keep its greatness without Stijn. |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 18-09-2012 14:46
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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@sutty68: Thanks, he's riding a good Dauphinée
@FreitasPCM: Well, I like to shock the audience once in a while I hope so, too! |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 18-09-2012 14:53
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Schedule Update
De Gendt is injured, so I will take my chances at the NC TT. My form may not be perfect for the race, but without De Gendt I have a big shot at the title!
Critérium du Dauphinée - Stage 7
This is one hell of a stage. I have two goals, and both of them are above me in the General Classification.
I decide to go early and attack as soon as the final climb starts.
It was going good, as the peloton didn't seem to get organized.
But I had overestimated my form and it was getting very tough.
The last part of the climb was monstrous, with percentages up to 18% and more!
Martin flew past me, what a mental blow.
He took the win right from under me. What a bummer!
I somehow managed to keep off Brajkovic and come in second. Too bad, my wins this season: 0.
Result
| 1 | Daniel Martin | Garmin - SplitSe | 4h56'00 | | | 2 | Eric Lombaerts | Lotto-Belisol | + 1'05 | IanButler | | 3 | Janez Brajkovic | Astana Pro Team | + 1'24 | | | 4 | Arnold Jeannesson | Cofidis, Le Crédit en Ligne | + 1'34 | | | 5 | Damiano Caruso | Liquigas-Cannondale | + 1'51 | | | 6 | Chris Anker Sørensen | Team Saxo Bank | + 2'02 | | | 7 | Maxime Monfort | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | | | 8 | Tony Martin | Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team | + 2'41 | | | 9 | Peter Stetina | Garmin - SplitSe | + 3'35 | | | 10 | Branislau Samoilau | Movistar Team | + 3'46 | |
GC
| 1 | Eric Lombaerts | Lotto-Belisol | 23h17'27 | IanButler | | 2 | Janez Brajkovic | Astana Pro Team | + 11 | | | 3 | Tony Martin | Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team | + 1'00 | | | 4 | Maxime Monfort | BMC Racing Team | + 1'32 | | | 5 | Daniel Martin | Garmin - SplitSe | + 1'59 | | | 6 | Chris Anker Sørensen | Team Saxo Bank | + 2'40 | | | 7 | Arnold Jeannesson | Cofidis, Le Crédit en Ligne | + 3'03 | | | 8 | Damiano Caruso | Liquigas-Cannondale | + 4'52 | | | 9 | Branislau Samoilau | Movistar Team | + 5'33 | | | 10 | Peter Stetina | Garmin - SplitSe | + 6'36 | |
This is good, this is very good! With one more stage left, I'm leading. Let's hope for an off-day for Brajkovic tomorrow! |
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| roturn |
Posted on 18-09-2012 14:55
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Team Manager
Posts: 22246
Joined: 24-11-2007
PCM$: 3900.00
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Now you lead the Dauphinee.
Great attack. A pity that you couldn`t win as well. |
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| banyai2000 |
Posted on 18-09-2012 14:59
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Free Agent
Posts: 143
Joined: 26-09-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Dani Martin Wins |
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