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Modern Times, Old Roads | The End
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Ian Butler
i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2013/BannerVleminckx_zps06d87979.jpg

Gent - Wevelgem
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Quite possibly the most important date of my season. Gent - Wevelgem suits me perfectly as a rider. I can get over cobblestones but I'm a sprinter mostly. This is a true sprinter's classic. Also, De Ronde and Roubaix are too tough for me, at least this year. Finally, This race starts in my home town, Deinze! I will put in the effort of my life today.

Profile
i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2039/gw02_zps59fde885.jpg
There are cobblestone sections here, along with some steep hills, but the finish is still a far way if you want to make a solo out of it. Gent - Wevelgem is considered a sprint classic. I fancy my fances at a top 15 today.


I came to the start, not at all relaxed. I was nervous as hell, actually. A lot of the people there recognized me, since it's my home town. I really wanted to show these people I could do something today. They've seen me train around town millions of times, now it's time to show them it hasn't been for nothing.

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Svein Tuft, time trial beast, was the first to break away from the peloton.

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Today was very, very windy. As expected, there started to appear gaps. With 100km to go, the peloton was broken up in 3 big chuncks. I was still on course for a top 15!

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Coming up on the final cobbled sections, I came over the top of a small, steep hill in 10th position in the peloton. My legs were feeling better and better and I really started believing in my chances!

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And then all hell broke loose. I heard screaming in my communication earpiece but it wasn't necessary, I was at the front row to witness it: "Fabian Cancellara attacks!"

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Tom Boonen put his team on it. I was forced to undergo the race. We had neither the number nor the strength to pull back someone like Cancellara.

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His advantage stayed about the same. But we were nearing the finish. I was so nervous I thought I would explode!

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10 kilometers to go. Petacchi had broken free in the breakaway group. What did this mean? Well, it was the worst possible scenario. OPQS stopped riding immediately and with the breakaway still in front, the first 10 places were gone.

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I panicked. There was no other team to pick up the pace. I placed an attack! There were 8 kilometers left.

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The peloton hesitated. Lotto finally put a man up to the chase, but I wasn't looking behind now. It was full speed ahead. With 2 kilometers left, I found the breakaway group. I decided to stay at the tail and rest my legs for a kilometer and then make my final move.

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Petacchi was still in the front, who could bring him back now?

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The breakaway started to prepare for the sprint. I put myself at Guardini's wheel. I looked up and saw Petacchi in the distance. He was really dying, I could tell. Was it too late to bring him back? We were moving 10 kph faster than him now, easily.

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I made my final effort with a terribly painful sprint! All or nothing now!

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But it wasn't meant to be, not today. Petacchi had built up enough to take the victory. I crossed the line second. I had expected to be disappointed, but to my surprise I made a fist. Wonderful result today.

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My family was at the finish, they came up to me and hugged me. "Well done, Matthias!" But I couldn't say anything. I was our of breath. Those final 5 kilometers nearly killed me.

Result
1Alessandro PetacchiOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team5h27'52
2Matthias VleminckxOrica GreenEdges.t.
3Andrea GuardiniAstana Pro Team+ 20
4Tom VeelersTeam Giant - Shimano+ 24
5Yohann GèneTeam Europcars.t.
6Theo BosBelkin Pro Cycling Teams.t.
7Jürgen RoelandtsLotto Belisols.t.
8John DegenkolbTeam Giant - Shimanos.t.
9Alexander KristoffTeam Katusha+ 31
10Fabian CancellaraTrek Factory Racings.t.
Spoiler


After Paris - Nice, definitely another big highlight in my young career. I went at the right moment and kept up the effort until the very end. A second place in Wevelgem, wow!

Matthias Vleminckx, we still know you from the Nationale Sluitingsprijs last year, where you took the win by a 5 kilometer solo for Topsport Vlaanderen. This is something else, though. You're on the podium in Wevelgem.
Oh I know. I can't believe it myself. I made the move to Orica - GreenEdge but I didn't know my career would skyrocket like this. I already had an amazing early season with a win in Paris - Nice, but finishing 2nd here in this classic, it's undescribable.
With 8 kilometers to go, you made your move. It looked like suicide at first. Was it planned or just gut instinct?
Well, to tell you the truth, it was my nerves. With Quickstep stopping the chase and the break still a minute in front, I got scared I wouldn't be able to sprint for the podium. I had the best legs I've had all season and I wanted to use them. So I went.
In the end, only Petacchi stayed out of your reach. Do you feel this is a missed opportunity?
No, not at all. If I look at today, there isn't anything that I could've done better. If we took it to a mass sprint with guys like Degenkolb, Kristoff and Démare, I might not even come close to the podium. Today I take the race into my own hands and get rewarded with a 2nd place.
Do you hope to come back here one day and take the highest place?
Well, of course. You have to have a little ambition. I still have a growing margin, I'm only 22 years old now. To win this race is a dream and I'll never stop working until I can make it come true.
Then I'll meet you back here in exactly one year!
It's a date. Thanks.


It's been a mad day. I almost celebrated like I'd won. But in the end, you stay a professional sporter, and you can't be totally satisfied until you win. I look forward to the Ronde and Roubaix and I'm genuinly curious what I can achieve there. One thing's for sure, though. My season is already close to perfect.

Honestly? I rate today's race higher than my win or my yellow jersey at Paris - Nice.
I hope you agree with me!
See you at Vlaanderen' mooiste next week,
Matthias
Edited by Ian Butler on 14-04-2014 16:59
 
cunego59
You call that "quite a nice result"? Pfft Well done!
 
The Hobbit
Smile Smile Smile

Another great result, and, more importantly, a very gutsy ride. I'm starting to like this, a lot Pfft

I hope you continue in the same vein.
 
tpinot
You already have a strong list of achievements and I'm sure this will not stop Grin

Funny that your story and mine are at the same moment of the season but with two years of difference Wink
 
sutty68
So close to what would have been an awesome victory Wink
 
Ian Butler
cunego59 - It might've been a small understatement Pfft thanks!

The Hobbit - I'll do my best Wink Glad to hear you're starting to like it!

tpinot - I was thinking the exact same thing Grin Luckily they're both in a different universe or they'd have to fight against each other soon!

sutty68 - Yes indeed. But we're happy to take a 2nd place there. There will still be chances!


Thanks for all the support!
 
baia
This is a great result, Matthias is a prodigy..
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Shonak
Fantastic result for Matt. Next big flemish hope, no doubt. Newspapers going crazy, internet meltdown on cyclingnews... well, you know the drill. Grin I can't believe what's more surprising and incredible: Matt's second place or Petacchi winning Gent-Wevelgem with a breakaway attempt. Shock
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2016/team.png
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2017/manager.png
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
 
Ian Butler
baia - It seems he's starting to be one indeed Wink

Shonak - I think Flanders would indeed like this new face. However, with Boonen around, nobody would go crazy just yet about a new guy. (It's bothered me before in real life. If Sep Vanmarcke would win the Ronde and Boonen would fall and break his leg, I'm sure Boonen would take pages 1 - 3 and Sep's win would be on page 4.)
Petacchi winning in the breakaway is an odd thing indeed Pfft


Hold on to your seats, I've got an extremely nice Ronde Van Vlaanderen coming up later this evening (last post of the day, I promise Pfft)

Will take a break first, though. Expect it within 2 - 3 hours.
 
Ian Butler
i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2013/BannerVleminckx_zps06d87979.jpg

De Ronde Van Vlaanderen
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Welcome to the biggest day of the year. Anyone who grew up in Belgium will tell you there is only one day that matters in the year. Our national holiday is dying a silent death. Nobody cares about the king or whatever. Elections are just a sham. No, there is only one day Belgium is on fire: De Ronde Van Vlaanderen!

Today we all breathe cobblestones.

Profile
i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2040/RvV02_zpsf71f8295.jpg
A new profile, again. The finale features the Koppenberg, two climbs of the Oude Kwaremont and two times over the Paterberg. What can I achieve here today? I honestly have no idea. I could finish 20th as easily as 70th.

Tom Boonen finished 24th on his first attempt.
Van Looy finished 11th on his first attempt.
Merckx finished 3rd on his first attempt.
Johan Museeuw finished 62th on his first attempt.

Fiorenzo Magni rode only 3 Rondes.
He won on all three attemps.

So who am I?


The start in Bruges is unlike anything you've ever seen. The crowd is enormous. Tension is in the air. You see people for miles and miles around. For just an hour, you're the center of the world. Those people, it's amazing.

At the official start, several riders tried to break away. Who wouldn't want to be in the breakaway in De Ronde?

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Only after 34 minutes, we had our escapees. The pace in the peloton dropped immediately. Their names?

Vachon
Broeckx
Hermans
Baugnies
Kessiakoff
Gautier
Clement
Boucher
Mouris


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I was tucked away in the pack for the first 2 hours of the race. There was quite some wind, it would be tricky today, that was certain.

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But I was wrong. It wasn't tricky at all.
It was pure war! More than 100 kilometers to go and the pace went up dramatically!

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Attacks left and right! Kristoff and Gatto were only a few of the ones to try.

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Meanwhile I was hanging on. I was a bit too far behind to my liking, though. But try moving up when there's a war going on.

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OPQS wanted to make the race even tougher and started pulling hard. Everyone was on edge. I was biting down hard from the pain.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2040/RvV09_zpsd5939ec5.jpg

There was a crash, and then it completely ripped apart. Groups everywhere, it was pure chaos!

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2040/RvV10_zpscee3ee63.jpg

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2040/RvV11_zps1e85d067.jpg

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2040/RvV12_zps4eaa9b76.jpg

It took a while before I knew what was the situation.

"You and Jens are caught behind. There are about 30 riders in front of you. Try to make the most of it."


Jens didn't have super legs, he came up to me and said he'd empty himself for me. I started the chase of my life. To where? I don't know, as far as possible. There were 30 riders in front of me, but I was sure some were hurting even more than I was.

It was a chase to nowhere, but I kept going and going, passing one after the other.

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Meanwhile at the front, two men were heading to the finish. It was a finale you could only dream of. Will Cancellara make it three or will Sep Vanmarcke finally take the big win?

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2040/RvV16_zps2348e674.jpg

In one of the most tactical sprints I've ever seen (well, on youtube after the race), Sep Vanmarcke took the big one! I'm happy for him!

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2040/RvV17_zpse727e8bd.jpg

3 minutes later, I approach the final kilometer. In my mad quest for glory I was in the position to sprint for place 9, nonetheless!

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i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2040/RvV19_zpsb841341c.jpg

9th.
On the most holiest of days.
On my first attempt.

That's worse than Eddy Merckx.
That's better than Van Looy.

I'm a happy man.

Result
1Sep VanmarckeBelkin Pro Cycling Team6h25'56
2Fabian CancellaraTrek Factory Racing+ 3
3Peter SaganCannondale+ 23
4Tom BoonenOmega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team+ 30
5Oscar GattoCannondale+ 2'21
6Alexander KristoffTeam Katusha+ 2'27
7Geraint ThomasTeam Sky+ 2'36
8Greg Van AvermaetBMC Racing Team+ 2'43
9Matthias VleminckxOrica GreenEdge+ 4'25
10Maarten WynantsBelkin Pro Cycling Team+ 4'32
Spoiler
 
welker3257
3 days and already at 7 pages and in de Ronde, wish I had that much time Pfft

Good to see you so motivated IanWink
Gig 'em Aggies

Fast N' Loud Cycling Project - ICL
 
Ian Butler
Yeah, I am quite motivated at the moment.
I'm not sure if there's anyone who's entirely up to date with my story at the moment, but that's all right. Just skip ahead if you're behind, I'll be updated the 2nd post with his achievements after Roubaix so you can catch up easily Wink

Too bad I promised De Ronde would be my final race for today since I'm itching to race Roubaix.
Oh well, tomorrow morning is good, too, I guess Pfft
 
Shonak
BananaBananaBananaBanana

The past, the present & the future: Boonen, Vanmarcke & Vleminckx Wink
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2016/team.png
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2017/manager.png
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
 
sutty68
Matthias is certainly putting in some Great rides of late Smile
 
The Hobbit
I'm up to date, but I've got too much time at the moment anyway :lol:

Also, that's a good result, and Vanmarke Smile
 
TimoCycling
Damn, a lot of updates lately! Pfft

Great results for Matt! The best result was RVV though, such a chase and still 9th, great promising rider he is turning out to be. Possibly Paris-Roubaix will be even better!
 
Ian Butler
Shonak - All in one race Smile Let's hope that future turns into present soon Grin

sutty68 - Definitely. Orica will be happy with his results.

The Hobbit - Nice to have someone completely up to date Grin Vanmarcke with the sprint he should've won irl Pfft

TimoCycling - There have been some updates... :lol: RvV was pretty good yeah. Possbly even bette than 2nd at Wevelgem, I'm not sure Smile


Thanks guys. Is it redundant to say I'll try to get in a few updates today? Pfft
 
Ollfardh
2nd in Wevelgem is how it all started for Vanmarcke Wink
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
 
FonsDeSpons
WOW 2 great performances by Matthias, what a season he has so far!
 
Schleck96
Amazing performances by Matthias, what a start!!
 
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