I guess my decision to leave MTN wasn't taken well by the team. I was expecting to lead in the London race, as the route really suited me. Unfortunately the team decided to go for Dave Kennedy. I was forced to work most of the day, and couldn't go in the sprint.
So next for me is the Dutch Food Valley Classic and the Vuelta. Two races that will probably mean working for Ciolek. I would have prefered the Giro over the Vuelta obviously, but I think the Vuelta could be a very nice experience as well.
Guten Abend,
it's Josef Hintermüller, reporting back from ::: with my Vuelta diary. I decided to take the time now to catch up on the stages I already rode, and to update as much as I can after each stage.
We started off with a TTT in sunny Vilanova de Arousa. Riding against the clock is something I am normally quite okay at, but as a whole, we just didn't work so well together. We ended up losing 1'16" on Garmin, but that's not a big deal, since we don't have anyone going for GC anyway.
Stage 2 already saw the first uphill finish of the race, leading us to the steep hills of the Monte Groba. The first days of a GT are always hectic, even more so for a newcomer to the three week stage races, so I was content to just stay in the pack. I ended the day in an obscure 44th place, though I finished in the big front group, as Alejandro Valverde set the race on fire, distancing us by over two minutes.
On the third day, we got more hills, as the Vuelta headed for Mirador de Lobeira. The end result was much of the same, as I made the main selection, without showing myself too much. It would have been great for us to have a man in the break, especially since it succeeded, but this is all so new for everyone, and the breaks are so well contested, that it just hasn't been happening.
The next stage led us to the end of the world, and though my world might not have ended, any hopes I had of a good GC certainly did. Our whole team got left behind in a split, crossing the finish line over two mintues behind, guess who, Valverde. This also has its good sides though, as I will have it easier making breakaways from now on.
Headed for the lakes of Sanabria, we experienced our first involvement in a crash. I myself stayed safe and finished in the peleton, where Intxausti got yet another win for Movistar, but Andy Stauff fell hard and lost over ten minutes. Of course the time gap isn't a big deal, but the state he arrived to the team bus in, I was surprised he managed to finish the stage at all. His whole right side was ripped open, blood everywhere. It looks like he escaped big damage, luckily enough, though he'll be feeling those nasty cuts and bruises for the rest of the race.
On the next stage, we hoped to finally get our first stage win, through Cio. He fell just short, in third, but it's easily been the best performance from us in the rest, and everyone is immediatelly in a better mood now. We still failed to make a breakaway, but I'm sure that'll come in the second or third week.
The following day, Cio put us in the Top 5 again, though bizarelly he was outsprinted by GC riders Alejandro Valverde and Purito Rodriguez. That was hardly the big news today though as "Leopard" König's Vuelta was ruined by a hard crash and Euskaltel team pacing the pack, keeping him from returning to the peleton. The two team managers have been acting especially chummy in public after that, but believe me, that's not how the riders feel.
Guten Abend,
today we had the first real mountain stage of the race, up to the Alto Peñas Blancas, which would sort the men from the boys. Surprising as it might seem, I can probably count myself to the men, after I finished in a good 23rd place, beating the likes of Igor Anton or Nico Roche. I'm now our best placed rider in GC, in 22nd, just over 8 minutes down on Valverde. I'm fifth too in the U25 rankings, about 2 minutes behind. It'd be fantastic if I could make a Top 20 and a podium out of those two, but that could be tricky.
Of course the other news of the day was at last getting a rider in the break, and it was home man Sergio Pardilla. Though the break didn't quite succeed, he still managed to reach a stage top ten, which is surely partly down to the great support he's been getting from the Spanish crowds. They've been phenomenal so far, so I'm really looking forward to the big stages, like Angliru. I should get some dinner now though, so you'll hear from me tomorrow.
The race in Holland did not go well for the team, so I don't want to talk about it too much. In the Vuelta, things are more interesting though. We are definitely showing we're worth the wildcard. Gerald is doing good in the sprints, Josef is showing himself in the mountain and Sergio made it in the break, which was very important for our little team.
As for myself, I don't feel I have the shape to try something right now. There aren't a lot of stages that suit me like the Giro would have, but I still try to make the most of it y helping the others out. And who knows, maybe I can get in a breakaway in one of the less mountainous stages.
I believe in myself and I think and hope that I can add several stage wins to the tally and hereby doing the best I can in order to make everyone believe in their deepest desires.
Victory! Victory! With Josef doing so good in the mountain, you would almost forget we also have a sprint train. Well, it's not much of a train, as it's just Gerald and me, but it works! Yesterday I just dropped him off where he wanted. It's rather hectic, he keeps shouting left! left! avanti! avanti!. In the end he, told me to get him to the Euskaltel train. It's hard to position a sprinter, so I drop all the way back to the peloton afterwards, but it gives me the best spot to look at him winning.
Today was even better. Argos just set up a sprint train so Gerald just needed to be dropped off somewhere. He asked for that Chilean guy's wheel, so I passed half the peloton and got him there. I was still relatively fresh, so I decided to hang on and watch from the first row this time. Unlike yesterday, it wasn't really clear who won. BUt of course, Ciolek defeated them all, even if it was by a small margin.
Hard goal achieved for the team! Our manager will be happy, and so am I. I know Gerald deserves most of the credit, but I know I did my part of the work.
Here's a picture of today, as you can see Gerald wasn't really sure if he'd won yet. And if you look really close, you can see me finishing in the left corner.
The Vuelta is over. It went really great for the team, achieving our goals and getting two stage wins. For myself, I'm happy with just finishing a Grand Tour at the age of 18. Granted, it was at an anonymous 144th place in the final general classification, but I'm still proud of it. I hope to return here next year with Colombia, but we'll have to see.
It also means my season is over. The manager didn't want me to overdo it, and I can understand it. There will be no more races for me after this Vuelta. But I still have one goal, the world championships. I'll take a week off, then I'll return to training. It is my dream to represent Italia in my hometown of Firenze. I know I'm not a top rider yet, but the team needs a bottle carrier for the first 200 kilometres as well. What I lack in quality, I made up with route knowledge. I sent a mail to the Italia manager, but no reply yet. I really hope he considers me!
@Silvio Herklotz: Don't worry, the performances were quite laughable
@Ollfardh: It better be
Transfers
Before we continue with the Vuelta I'll first announce the transfer news. Unfortunately we have had some riders leaving us. Dave Kennedy, Johnny Schmidt and Luke Bryan all found pro cycling was not their thing. They will retire by the end of the season. Mario Guido decided to leave Africa and ride for the Colombian Colombia team. We have managed to resign Marouane Shaqif and Josef Hintermüller.
Furthermore, we can announce replacement signings. Nigerian sprinter Abasi Abundi will join our team, as will South African rouleur Husani Mashaba. We still have two vacant spots for next season.
Finally, we can announce a short list for optional signins next year. It will be filled, but for now it's only Christian Knees, Merhawi Kudus and Robert Hunter who are on our shortlist. If any opportunity offers for interesting riders, feel free to contact us.
Today I write a to you in great disappointment. THe national coach has not selected me for the World Championship elite road race. He did not even bother to answer my messages. Instead he writes me a down for the U23 time trial. I have never been so insulted my entire life!
I will not forget this, yes I am still young, but when is the next World Championship in my a home town going to be? Ok, I can race in the youth category, but I really wanted to ride with the elites. This year I've proven I can do this.
I'm glad the team manager understands my frustration and gave me an extra race in Hainan, so all my training for the World Championships will not be lost. I'll be sprinting in Hainan at the end of the season. Maybe I can get one last good result for MTN before we say goodbye.
In 2013 MTN rides it first Grand Tour ever. The Vuelta a Espana is the race that the African team will make its debute. Of the 9 riders brought to the Vuelta 4 were African.
Gerald Ciolek
The German will ride as our main sprinter for the race. As he can also survive some hills and the field isn't too strong, a stage win isn't impossible.
Mario Guido
The young Italian, who has unfortunately decided to leave us, would be his lead-out. As he has quite some speed he could form a good combo with Gerald.
Josef Hintermüller
The Bavarian stage racer would be our hope for the GC. As he can both climb and ride time trials he should be able to do well.
Jacques Janse van Rensburg
If you thought we wouldn't bring Africans you're wrong. Jacques should be valuable for the climbs in this race and maybe help on the flat as well.
Louis Meintjes
The young puncher will ride in a free role. As he's young and still has a lot to learn we don't expect too much from him.
Sergio Pardilla
The Spanish should be very valuable here. He is one of the very few riders in our team with experience of grand tours, which should be very helpful.
Marouane Shaqif
Our only African in the race that isn't South African. The Tunisian time trialist should be able to support in the team time trial, get a good result in the individual and help out on the flat.
Andreas Stauff
This German sprinter has already got some experience at Quick Step. He'll help out his good friend Gerald in the sprints.
Dennis van Niekerk
And finally, Dennis will try to help out in the more difficult terrains. He should be a valuable help here.
Stages
Stage 1
The team time trial. Not our best discipline. We finish 18th, 1'16 behind the winner. No worries though.
1
Garmin - Sharp
34'53
2
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 8
3
Movistar Team
+ 29
18
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 1'16
Stage 2
The first road stage. We'll try to show ourselves. Or at least, that would make sense. Invisibly 44th is the result...
1
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
4h00'39
2
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'11
3
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
s.t.
44
Josef Hintermuller
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 2'19
Stage 3
This hilly stage should provide an opportunity for a break. Well, they made it, but we're invisible again. At least the result improves.
1
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
3h58'37"
2
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
3
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
s.t.
13
Gerald Ciolek
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 47
Stage 4
This is just appalling. Really, really, really, really awful.
1
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
4h28'32
2
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
s.t.
3
JoaquÃm RodrÃguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
63
Gerald Ciolek
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 2'08
Stage 5
We tried to show ourselves, but didn't join the unsuccesful break. We again showed ourselves, as Andreas crashed.
1
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
4h08'59
2
JoaquÃm RodrÃguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
3
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
s.t.
31
Gerald Ciolek
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
Stage 6
Finally it's flat, and a mass sprint. Gerald immediately shows his class and comes third.
1
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
4h16'39
2
John Degenkolb
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
3
Gerald Ciolek
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
Stage 7
Again flat, again a sprint. 5th is the result this time.
We had to get going a little, but when we finally got used to GTs we immediately did well. Our goals of 2 stage wins and at least 4 long breakaways are far from being achieved though.
Stage 8
Mountain stage. Sergio was part of the break today.
He ends up 8th, 2nd best of the original break.
1
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
4h36'05
2
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
s.t.
3
JoaquÃm RodrÃguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
8
Sergio Pardilla
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 41
Stage 9
Hilly stage, breakaway. We were, quite, ehm, invisible.
1
Mitchell Birt
Team NetApp - Endura
4h16'24
2
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ.fr
+ 33
3
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
36
Josef Hintermuller
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 3'24
Stage 10
Another mountain stage already. Josef does well and comes 10th, without needing a break!
1
Mitchell Birt
Team NetApp - Endura
4h46'29
2
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 44
3
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
+ 1'06
10
Josef Hintermuller
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 4'00
Stage 11
A time trial, not our favourite discipline. 18th place for Josef. Marouane disappointed.
1
Oreste Ghita
Team Argos - Shimano
54'44
2
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
+ 9
3
Nicolas Roche
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 25
18
Josef Hintermuller
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 1'36
Stage 12
A flat stage. Could Ciolek make us happy? Dennis at least joined the break.
With 1km to go Gerald caught Dennis and powered on.
He passed the final escapee
and won! HE WON, HE WON!
1
Gerald Ciolek
MTN - Qhubeka
3h26'02
2
Allan Davis
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
3
Jorge Cristobal Riquelme
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
Stage 13
Another flat stage. Another chance for Gerald. He tries at least and sets up a good sprint.
Riquelme seems too strong though.
But isn't! 2 stage wins in a row is just incredible. A very hard goal for the team achieved!
1
Gerald Ciolek
MTN - Qhubeka
4h02'11
2
Jorge Cristobal Riquelme
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Alessandro Petacchi
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
s.t.
Stage 14
A tough mountain stage. Let's just pretend it didn't happen.
1
Maxime Bouet
AG2R La Mondiale
4h23'49
2
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ.fr
+ 52
3
Egor Silin
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'10
41
Josef Hintermuller
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 12'33
Week 2 Round-Up
One of the two goals achieved already, and after the 2 wins we were doing quite fine. Now to join two more breaks and another goal is achieved.
Stage 16
Tough mountain stage. Let's try to achieve the other goal as well. Let's start tomorrow.
1
Paolo Tiralongo
Astana Pro Team
3h44'37
2
Peter Stetina
Garmin - Sharp
+ 11
3
Marcos GarcÃa
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
26
Josef Hintermuller
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 6'47
Stage 17
Flat stage. One breaksway to go, as Louis joined the break.
The break made it. Unfortunately Louis isn't experienced enough yet to finish off things like these. Nevertheless he gets a top-10.
Stage 18
I don't feel like commenting, but there still needs to be something between the profile and the results anyway.
1
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Sharp
4h42'30
2
JoaquÃm RodrÃguez
Katusha Team
+ 27
3
Chris Horner
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 38
40
Luis León Sánchez
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 5'42
Stage 19
A tough hilly finish. Josef decided to attack mid-stage in order to try and win a stage. Not today unfortunately.
1
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
4h48'30
2
Tony Martin
Omega Pharma - Quick•Step Cycling Team
+ 46
3
George Bennett
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
18
Josef Hintermuller
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 3'17
Stage 20
Angliru. Invisible.
1 Egor Silin Astana Pro Team 4h03'18
2 Rory Sutherland Team Saxo - Tinkoff + 49
3 Marcos GarcÃa Caja Rural - Seguros RGA + 1'17
20 Josef Hintermuller MTN - Qhubeka + 10'43
Stage 21
A flat stage again. Louis is our saviour, as he joins the early break, ensuring we achieve our goal!
Again the break made it. Louis got his second top-10, coming 6th.
@Ollfardh: It doesn't for me. Maybe you should have your eyes checked!
There, I'm all up to date again.
Tour of Britain
Our squad
Bryan, Luke
Debesay, Freqalsi
Grmay, Tsgabu
Jim, Songezo
Kennedy, Dave
Reimer, Martin
Sbaragli, Kristian
Schmidt, Johnny
Stage 1
Flat stage. Martin joined the break.
Sprint not worth mentioning
Stage 2
Stage 2 doesn't exist. I don't even know 2. What is it?
Stage 3
6th place for Johnny. Not bad in an ITT.
1
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
20'46
2
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
+ 4
3
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 10
6
Johnny Schmidt
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 29
Stage 4
Songezo joined the break.
But that's about it.
Stage 5
Tsgabu in the break.
He eventually came 5th.
Stage 6
Martin joined the break.
But again, that's about it.
Stage 7
Martin in the break again.
I feel like I'm getting repetitive, but again, that's about it.
Stage 8
Freqalsi in the break.
*Calls for the audience**Audience yells 'But that's about it!*
Brussels Cycling Classic
Squad:
Bryan, Luke
Kennedy, Dave
Potgieter, Bradley
Reguigui, Youcef
Reimer, Martin
Russom, Meron
Sbaragli, Kristian
Schmidt, Johnny
We were only spotted when dropped. I'm not going to bother putting any effort in this race.
Chrono des Nations
Bryan, Luke
Hintermüller, Josef
Jim, Songezo
Konovalovas, Ignas
Niyonshuti, Adrien
Russom, Meron
Shaqif, Marouane
Van Niekerk, Dennis
'At least you can't get dropped here.' Marouane came 8th.
Remaining races for us:
GP de Fourmies
Paris-Tours
Tour of Hainan
I think it's safe to say I'm up to date now.
in stage 10 of the Vuelta, Pardilla iirc followed Birt's attack from the peloton so I counted that as a breakaway so it was stage 17 the easy goal secured and not stage 21
Gerald Ciolek
Mario Guido
Jacques Janse van Rensburg
Sergio Pardilla
Marouane Shaqif
