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Team Milram Again!!!
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 13-11-2008 20:32
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Classics Specialist
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if your referring to the title of the story then it's already been pointed out. slight typing error. to be fair the n and m buttons are right next to each other |
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 13-11-2008 20:33
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7681
Joined: 19-02-2008
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soory
why dont you change it?
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 13-11-2008 22:28
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Classics Specialist
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don't know. it's never really caused that much of a problem so i haven't bothered. how do i change it anyway? |
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 14-11-2008 00:36
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Grand Tour Specialist
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Just played the Tour of Romandie - it's a tough race.
Good Luck with it - and the final stage is really good graphically.
Really bad luck with the broken rib. |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 14-11-2008 12:06
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Classics Specialist
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trust me, it gets much worse |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 14-11-2008 12:52
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GP de Romandie
Stage 3
The only 'flat' stage of the tour sees Rigotto labelled as an outsider for the win. The team will be working for him today. After the success of yesterday break i attempt to get Astarloa into the early break. Initially it goes well and he settles into a group of 7 who start to build up a nice gap on the peleton.
However back in the peleton another group of 7 tiders attack and get across to Astarloa's group.
The peleton think this group is too big and they are chased down.
Another group goes away and Terpstra attempts to get into it. But he misses out and so drops back into the peleton to help Rigotto in the sprint. However, yet more bad luck for the team as with just under 60k to go, and the peleton really moving to chase down the break, Rigotto falls and gets a red cross.
His fall leads to a number of other riders going down and Kux is hit by a phantom injury that causes him to sit up and stop riding.
Thats effectively the end of the race for us as we have no other sprinters. In the end the Break is caught and the win is taken by Oscar Freire.
I'm beginning to think that this story is cursed. Not sure how much more bad luck i can take. So we now have to continue this tour with 5 fit riders and the injured Rigotto who i might just put out of his missery and pull him out of the race in tomorrows stage.
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 16-11-2008 21:43
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GP de Romandie
Stage 4
A 19k tt to test the legs. As expected my riders didn't make too much of an impression and it was left to Andreas Kloden to take the win and the Overall lead.
Stage 5
Its been a disasterous race for us so far with 2 injuries and Rigotto still carrying his scars from his crash. It is clear from the off that Rigotto isn't going to last the distance today and he is quickly dropped in the first few k's.
The break consists of 6 riders and they are allowed to get a large gap.
With 45k to go i decide there is nothing left to loose and so Caruso attacks making a long run for home.
However when the favourites start to attack he is quickly passed. The first rider to make a move is Ricco.
Ricco passed a number of the earlier break and looked to have a desicive break.
However behind him an elite group containing Pereiro, Sanchez, Moreau, Kloden, Gadret, Voigt, Di Luca and Vila had formed and were working well to chase him down.
Just as Ricco was about to catch the first group, he was about to be caught by his pursuers.
It all got a bit messy as the riders of the original break and the race leaders got mixed together.
However out of the other side came Pereiro and Kloden.
They worked together until about 2.5k to go when Pereiro Attacked. Kloden had no response.
There was no catching Pereiro as he rode away to a solo victory. He and Kloden took 1 and a half mins on the others as Kloden all but garantees his overall win.
Its not looking good for us at all. Rigotto, Terpstra and Lancaster all got timed out in todays tough stage so we will ride the last stage with just 3 riders. Also Credit Agricole, AG2R and Bouygues lie 9th, 10th and 11th on GC respectively so were're gonna loose ground to 2 of our main religation rivals whatever happens tomorrow.
I can't wait to get this race over with and concentrate on the Giro and Cataluna. However with my team so poor in the mountains i can see us suffering from numerous withdrawels in both races
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 19-11-2008 12:13
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Stage 6
The last day of a disasterous race for Team Milram. Only 3 of my team have made it to the last day which doesn't bode well for the Giro which starts in a few days time. My plan for today is to get Velits into the break and hope that it can stay away. Part one of my plan wirked as Velits got into a good looking break of 12 riders. Initially the peleton tried to close them down but they were using too much energy over the long climb at the start of the stage. The break was allowed to go and built up a nice lead.
Part 2 of my plan also worked as with about 50k to go the gap to the peleton was still about 7 mins, the break was going to make it. However, as has been the case all season, my tactics worked but i just don't have the riders to carry them out. Despite doing nothing all week and sitting at the back of the break all day, and with a fitness rating of 93, Velits started to struggle with about 20k to go.
Before being dropped completely.
So it was left to the other 11 riders to fight out the win. With about 5k to go Moerenhout and Pedraza made the decisive break and built up a winning lead.
Moerenhout just pipped Pedraza on the line to take the win while Velits was passed by the leaders and finished 16th.
Kloden extended his lead to take the overall win and is looking a good bet for the Giro, if he rides. I'm just glad this race is over as it has been one disaster after another.
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 20-11-2008 08:54
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Hey guys, it's getting to that time of year when i've got deadlines at uni and i'm starting to crank up my own training in preperation for next season which means i will most likely have less time to play the game. The story will be continueing deffinately (though i think we all know how its going to end ) but it might be updated slightly less frequently. I've done the first stage of the Giro, though i forgot to take an ss of the results, but i'll put up the preview to the race when i get home form uni tonight. if i'm not to tired that is.
hope you're all enjoying it so far. |
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 20-11-2008 11:23
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Definitely keep it up if you can, ringo.
I've really enjoyed reading about Team Milram. And I think the results will come in the second half of the season. |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-12-2024 17:47
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| brann |
Posted on 20-11-2008 13:21
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I really love your story |
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| rjc_43 |
Posted on 20-11-2008 13:26
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I like the fact it's a struggle. Nice to see a fight on your hands. Having to go for results via the break and in sprints is a lot harder than other ways. Keep up the good writing
[url=cleavercycling.co.uk]  [/url] |
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| Wiggo |
Posted on 20-11-2008 15:54
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ringo182 wrote:
don't know. it's never really caused that much of a problem so i haven't bothered. how do i change it anyway?
Edit it in the original post. |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 20-11-2008 16:14
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Maggot wrote:
ringo182 wrote:
don't know. it's never really caused that much of a problem so i haven't bothered. how do i change it anyway?
Edit it in the original post.
done
cheers guys, as i said the story will definately be continuing (this is almost the longest i've kept going) just not sure when i will get to update with everything else thats been going on. thanks for the comments. |
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 20-11-2008 16:29
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this is still a good story - it'll be interesting to see you strengthen the team for next year
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 20-11-2008 22:53
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Giro d'Italia
Here it is, the first Grand Tour of the season and the makings of the longest 3 weeks of my DS career. The Giro also sees our first seasons goals. Our sponsors are looking for stage wins and for us to win the sprinters jersey so hopefully if we concentrate fully on trying to win that jersey then the wins will come. I'll also be taking a few riders who will be trying to get into the breaks a bit later on. Here are the squads (Hope this works)
Obviously my team will be built around Zabel and his quest for the Sprinters Jersey.
Stage 1
A 30kTTT to start the Giro. Unfortunately i forgot to take a screenshot of the results but Rabobank won with Dekker taking the Pink Jersey. Milram finished a creditable 6th. Now the real Giro can begin.
Stage 2
A challenging opening stage to the Giro sees a nasty climb at the end. Zabel might be able to take advantage of the finish as out of all the sprinters at the Giro he is the best on the hills.
The TV break goes away but it is disorganised. Albasini has decided to go alone and strings out the others behind him.
The biggest supprise of the day is the fact that Tom Boonen has got into the break. Surely he can't be going after the sprint points?
There are a number of crashes on the numerous descents with the most significant being Hushovd. He gets up but won't see the peleton again all day.
Boonen takes 4th place in the intermediate sprint and takes 3 points.
With 20k to go Albasini is reeled in and the peleton turns its attention to the final climb.
The pace was high but with 10k to go Pellizotti made a break for the line. He was quickly reeled back in.
With 5k to go Zabel had been shepparded to the front by Astarloa so he could jump on the wheel if anyone decided to go.
Once again it was Pellizotti who made the attack and and Zabel jumped on his wheel along with Dekker.
As has happened in the past Zabel slowed on the hill and as Pellizotti and Dekker sprinted for the line, Zabel was caught by everyone else.
It was Pellizotti who took the win...
...While Zabel has to settle for 11th place.
So Zabel has taken 6 points in todays stage while most of his main rivals were dropped. The next 4 or 5 stages are all flat so thats where the real battle will begin.
Hopefully the riders currently above Zabel won't be in the running for big points in the next few stages. Maybe todays stage could be crucial. But with Boonen looking intent on winning the jersey it will be a battle to achieve our goals.
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 21-11-2008 10:05
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Giro di Italia
Stage 3
It's completely flat today so Zabel won't have any advantage over his fellow sprinters. Zabel was listed as an outsider for todays stage so he shoild be in with a shout.
Once again the break is disorganised. This time it is Mengin od Francais des Jeux who has decided to go it alone.
The wind is very strong today and the peleton is strung out. There are quite a few breaks in the peleton throughout the day so i move Zabel to the front early on to avoid getting caught out.
There was only 1 incident in the peleton today which resulted in Valverde hitting the deck. His whole team dropped back to bring him back up to the peleton.
With the break caught, the peleton turnrd it's attention to the sprint. Oscar Freire found himself out in front without even attacking as a result of the strong wind.
Zabel looked around for a wheel before settling on Tom Boonen. Freire was still out in front.
It turned out to be the right choice as Boonen and Haselbacher pulled Zabel clear of the rest of the pack. They were closing in on the Spaniard.
As they all hit top gear both Boonen and Zabel passed Haselbacher as they caught Freire.
And Boonen takes the stage with Zabel second. A great ride from the veteran German as he shows he can still match the big guns on the flat.
Slightly dissapointed as a win would have achieved us a sponsor goal but it's still 4 more pro-tour points to add to our tally. As a result Zabel has moved up to 3rd in the Sprinters standings behind Dekker and Boonen. Freire is the closest realistic rival to Zabel and Boonen. However it's still early and everything can and will change.
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 21-11-2008 12:08
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Giro di Italia
Stage 4
Another flat but slightly hilly stage. Hopefully some of the other sprinters will be tired by the time they reach the finish. Only a small break today. Two riders up at the front a nd a couple more singled out further back.
Another big name crashes today. This time its Monfort who looses 7 mins.
As expected the break is caught and the peleton once again prepares for a sprint. Zabel picks a good looking wheel and is pulled to the front.
However just as they hit the 4k to go banner his wheel suddenly slows, trapping Zabel and allowing everyone to go around him.
Zabel is out of contention fr a sprint that he could have won. Most of the sprinters were tired and the Sprint was suprisingly taken by Dekker in his Pink Jersey. If Zabel had picked the right wheel he would have won. But he still recovers for a decent 10th place.
In the sprinters comp Zabel has done enough to move into second behind Dekker. He isn't 1st but he'll be wearing the Purple Jersey tomorrow.
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 21-11-2008 12:20
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Classics Specialist
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Giro di Italia
Stage 5
Another hilly flat stage with an uphill sprint finish at the end. Zabel has been named as a favourite for the stage. Another top 3 placing is definately on the cards. Zabel has hit a bit of a purple patch at the start of this Giro and as a result wears the Purple Jersey.
There are a few break away riders today but again, instead of working together they are scatterd up the road.
Because of this they are easily captured and the peleton starts to prepare the sprint. It is quite a dangerous finish with a fast descent before the final climb and a number of riders including Piepoli fall. It's not been a good week for some of the big names.
At the front Zabel has jumped onto an elite train made up of Boonen, Hushovd and Freire.
They move to the front but with 3k to go he still has 3 of the best sprinters in the world to pass.
I decide to make my move early and Zabel accelerates to the front with 1k to go.
However, Freire, Hushovd and Boonen have all found their top gear and are closing fast.
But it's too late. Zabel crosses the line first for an excellent win and 8 pro-tour points. We've more then doubled our total in 3 days. What a ride form Zabel who is quickly becoming our most valuable rider.
Zabel moves even further clear of his main rivals and has closed the gap to Dekker down to 10 points. Tomorrows stage is similar to todays so the week could get even better.
Edited by ringo182 on 21-11-2008 12:21
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| YtimK |
Posted on 21-11-2008 12:41
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yeeaahh ! great win 
keep up the good work |
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