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[EPIC] Androni Giocattoli HQ- Pre Gabon
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 28-12-2014 15:09
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
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 Dropbear
Hi!
The team has done a great job of helping me set-up a European base. Whilst some riders share houses and flats they've assisted in finding me my own place. With the season fast appraoching i would like it if we could get a WildCard to the TDU but i knew when signing that might not be possible.
Everyone is buzzing for the upcoming Draft and Transfers including me. I don't know what plan the management has but he's got a good strong team to build around. I'm just going to keep working hard and i will surely get a lot better over the season.
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| Smowz |
Posted on 29-12-2014 14:53
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Team Leader
Posts: 6479
Joined: 09-04-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Ryu Kawasaki - begins to settle in
I am going to keep a blog of my year out on the road - I say a year I do intend on giving this a go long term and I can feel already the obsession now I have joined a team of guys. On the track it was very much me and a small crew whereas here at Androni things are massive.
The obvious comparison the team have made is with Calzone, I am seen very much as the replacement. I am finding this label a bit difficult to lose, I would like to think that I will be here at Androni for maybe longer than this year.
The boss has been to see me a few times and I think he is concerned I am not quite what he hoped I would be. I guess I am having a few troubles settling in. I know a little English but not much else beyond my native Japanese so I could really do with a few English or Japanese riders to keep me company.
Still I am picking up a few words in Italian such as 'tempo', hope that once we get racing I will find my feet. A bit daunted at some of the climbing we have to do I tend to find myself ailing on my own at the back often.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 01:58
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 03-01-2015 01:58
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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Neo-Pros:
Ahmed Al Mohney
Delfi Cervero
Ryu Kawasaki
Sylvain Lipawsky
Pierre Lipawsky
Krista Marcus
Arriving:
Yukiya Arashiro (Europcar)
Enrico Barbin (Bardiani)
Eros Capecchi (Movistar)
Alessandro Petacchi (OPQS)
Hayden Roulston (Trek)
Ivan Santaromita (BMC)
Leaving:
Dayer Quintana (Movistar)
Fabio Felline (BMC)
Staying:
Everyone Else!
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 07-01-2015 16:19
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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Dropbear
Hi guys,
The transfer season has been really busy here at Androni. Lots of new riders have joined the team and it has offset some riders egos. Not that many guys here are stars but even so the high number of changes impacts the mindset, especially of the renewed riders from last season. That said the team is certainly a lot stronger and it will be interesting to see where Androni comes through at the end of the season.
My taining has been ok. Nothing spectacular, just getting the fitness levels to race condition slowly. I'm a bit scared of over-training and cooking before the season starts but luckily my role in the team means i don't have to be fully fit all the time. No idea how the first races will go, or what they will be. Having Roulston and myself and some good riders we might be able to get to the TDU, fingers crossed.
At various points in the season i'll also be taking part in the CCC Savona Challenge thing. It's a series of races of just EPIC riders that's supposed to determine who's best. Quite a number of big name riders are not attending and there's been some discussion about it's organization. Whatever, it's just a chance to go racing!
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 07-01-2015 23:30
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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With our transfer season slowly coming to an end we shall now show the changes that have been made to our Italian Pro Continental Team. Currently only a few free agents are being linked to the team and will be added to this if they join the team.
Name: Ivan Santaromita
Nat: 
Age: 29
Fee: Fabio Felline
Old Team: BMC
The 29 year old Italian has joined the team from BMC where he had a great 2013 season which included a quite high placing in a Grand Tour. He will be an important part of our climbing team and will now doubt be on the attack as often as possible throughout the season.
Name: Eros Capecchi
Nat:
Age: 27
Fee: Dayer Quintana+5000
Old Team: Movistar
The 27 year old Italian Climber wanted to move to an Italian team and so he did. He is a good climber and has a great ability to go downhill quickly. He will be an important member of our GT team this season.
Name: Hayden Roulston
Nat: 
Age: 32
Fee: 9,000
Old Team: Trek
The old Kiwi was bought into the team to play a part in our sprint train and ride and cobbled races we happen to ride. He will be riding many of our flat stage races and joins Krista as one of our ANZAC riders.
Name: Enrico Barbin
Nat:
Age: 23
Fee: 8,000
Old Team: Bardiani
The young Italian is a great prospect for the future. He is an attacking rider who is strong in the hills and will this year be one of the younger support riders for Delfi Cervero in the classics. We expect big things from him in the future.
Name: Alessandro Petacchi
Nat:
Age: 39
Fee: 5,000
Old Team: OPQS
The not so young Petacchi decided to join us because he wanted to return home to Italy to finish his career after an average season with OPQS. He will be a mentor and a guide as well as playing a big part in our sprint train for Kawasaki and Gavazzi. He is expected to end his career with the team.
Name: Yukiya Arashiro
Nat: 
Age: 29
Fee: 6,000
Old Team: Europcar
Arashiro was brought into the team specifically for Kawasaki. The 29 year old Japanese rider is an attacking sprinter. He will be part of the sprint train for Kawasaki and we know that Ryu will be very happy about that. He may also be seen in a few breakaways here and there.
Name: Rein Taaramäe
Nat: 
Age: 26
Fee: Franco Pellizotti+Emanuele Sella
Old Team: Cofidis
It was a big decision made by the management to see two of our experienced riders leave but they believe it was worth it. The 26 year old from Estonia is a good stage racer who will only get better as time goes on. He will this year be a super domestique, co-leader and leader in some races. His arrival shows the teams ambition for success in the future.
Name: Ivan Basso
Nat:
Age: 36
Fee: 15,000
Old Team: Cannondale
The very experienced Basso is a very good stage racer at the Pro Continental level and hopefully at WT level as well. He is not young anymore and was sold to us by Cannondale because they believed he wanted to stay in Italy and because he is getting a bit old for a World Tour team. Some of his performances last year were not good enough for his manager but we are happy for him to be a co-leader/leader for the team. He along with Rosa and Lipawsky will see what they can do in the Giro.
Name: Dylan van Baarle
Nat: 
Age: 21
Fee: Draft
Old Team: N/A
Dylan was our second draft pick and although he isn't Italian he is a very talented allrounder. He is best known for his TT ability at the moment but he can go over hills, sprint and ride on the cobbles. He joins a number of young riders currently on the team and should grow well alongside our riders.
Name: Dayer Quintana
Nat: 
Age: 21
Fee: Eros Capecchi
New Team: Movistar
The 21 year old had been drafted in but had not got to Italy before he was transferred to the Movistar team where he will get to ride with Nairo.
Name: Fabio Felline
Nat:
Age: 23
Fee: Ivan Santaromita
New Team: BMC
Some may question this transfer but it is because we felt that Felline would develop better at a World Tour team like BMC. He will also have more opportunities to show himself, and cause we wanted Santaromita.
Name: Franco Pellizotti
Nat:
Age: 35
Fee: Part of Rein Taaramäe deal
New Team: Cofidis
Franco was an important rider to the team and will no doubt be disappointed at moving away but he did not mind going somewhere new and riding in a new team alongside Sella. His leader opportunites here would be decreasing and so the move was made. We say good bye to him and thank him for a good season in 2013.
Name: Emanuele Sella
Nat:
Age: 32
Fee: Part of Rein Taaramäe deal
New Team: Cofidis
Sella left alongside Pellizotti. He was also an experienced rider and both parties felt like a new move would be good for him where he shall not be tempted by dirty Italians like Reda.
Final Comment: We wish the 3 departing riders who served us good luck at their new teams and may they have good success in their respective divisions. We would also like to wish those 9 riders who joined the team great luck and may they enjoy the experience of riding for the team. Hopefully they will all taste great success. The signings of Basso and Taaramäe are probably the biggest for the upcoming season as these two will lead the team alongside Rosa and Sylvain in various stage races this season. The 4 of them will all be riding the Giro d'Italia this season and hopefully they cooperate well together.
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 08-01-2015 00:03
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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Presentation of all EPIC Riders
Most of you probably would have seen the 6 signings we have made since the third break of last season. These EPIC riders make up an important part of our scheme to destroy communism, yes we're looking at you Champion Systems.
Name: Delfi Cervero
Nationality: 
Age: 24
Rider Type: Hilly Classics
Delfi Cervero was our first signing and arguably the biggest that we made. The Costa Rican did not enjoy his season at the FDJ team which ending up relegating as they finished well below us. He joined the team for a new start at a team where we expect less but will push him to do well. He will lead the team in many races this season, most of which are one day hilly classics in both the World Tour and the Continental Tour. He has settled down well and is working well with the team.
Name: Krista Marcus
Nationality:
Age: 18
Rider Type: Time trialing All Rounder
The first female rider to enter the World of Men's Professional Cycling. Some thought it was a publicity stunt to get more people watching cycling but the young Australian chick is ready to prove them wrong. She has been training well and wants to ride the Tour Down Under which we will try and get a wildcard for. You can expect to see her at the front of races controlling the men.
Name: Ahmed Al Mohney
Nationailty: 
Age: 22
Rider Type: Climber/Stage Racer
The Qatari rider will be a domestique for the team this season. He knows how to ride in very hot weather which will be useful in quite a few of our races this season. He is an attacking Climber who can Time trial decently well. We expect big things from him in the future but this year he will be a helper most of the time.
Name: Sylvain Lipawsky
Nationality: 
Age: 23
Rider Type: Climber
Big things are expected from this young Swiss talent who at his current age is already a very strong climber. He will play a big role in our Climbing and Stage Racing departments this season. His TT ability lefts a lot to be desired but he will hopefully gain lots of time in the Mountains. He will lead in quite a few races but in particularly the Giro and the Tour de Romandie alongside our other top riders.
Name: Pierre Lipawsky
Nationality:
Age: 21
Rider Type: Time trialist
Pierre is the younger brother of Sylvain. He is the best TT rider on the team and will lead our GC hopes in any flat stage race we participate in that has a TT stage. He will also be riding in the Giro to help our climbers stay in touch on the flats. He has been training a lot lately and looks forward to meeting Cancellara which he will do some time this season.
Name: Ryu Kawasaki
Nationality:
Age: 23
Rider Type: Sprinter
Ryu Kawasaki will be our leader in the sprints in every race he participates in which has a sprint. He is a big, strong rider with the potential to become one of the worlds greatest sprinters. He will receive very strong help from Gavazzi, Petacchi, Frapporti and Arashiro. We know he will ride well with Arashiro and our three Italian sprinters and hopefully he can do better than Calzone last year!
Message to all EPIC Riders on the team
We would like you to say what your main goals and targets are for the 2014 season as well as which races you would like to ride keeping in mind your 62 RD limit. We shall try and work what you want into what we think is best for you.
We look forward to hearing from ALL of you in the near future.
Regards
Travi Rujano
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| Silvio Herklotz |
Posted on 08-01-2015 00:10
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1246
Joined: 26-02-2014
PCM$: 200.00
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Have we done anything to upset you? 
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 08-01-2015 00:25
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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Silvio Herklotz wrote:
Have we done anything to upset you?
Firstly, you took 3 Italian riders which makes little sense to me. Secondly, your leaders are communists which we don't like and we plot to remove all of them.
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| Silvio Herklotz |
Posted on 08-01-2015 00:51
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1246
Joined: 26-02-2014
PCM$: 200.00
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Luis Leon Sanchez wrote:
Firstly, you took 3 Italian riders which makes little sense to me. Secondly, your leaders are communists which we don't like and we plot to remove all of them.
That point's on your side. I should not steel anybody from Italy who belongs to an Italian team of course 
Luis Leon Sanchez wrote:
Firstly, you took 3 Italian riders which makes little sense to me. Secondly, your leaders are communists which we don't like and we plot to remove all of them.
Really? Look at our HQ, please. It's there - twice! 
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| The Hobbit |
Posted on 11-01-2015 20:00
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2730
Joined: 18-08-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Season Preview
After the surprising success of his previous predictions, Delfi Cervero has decided to once again partake in the ancient ritual of slightly manipulating the spelling of his first name, to become... The Oracle of Delfi
The transfer season is already drawing to a close, but even now teams make their last, hopeless throws. They look ahead and not behind, not afraid of losing their mind. And yet all the while there is another threat around the corner, season planning and inter-team disorder. While foolish managers bid through the roof, old teammates are trampled under-hoof.
Through the mountains, over hills, and across cobbles, this will be a season of triumphs and wobbles. Climbers will soar up the Pyrenees and the Alps, slowly accumulating victories and scalps. From Down Under to Beijing, the old guard defend their wins, but a tide is coming that will sweep them away, and it can no longer be kept at bay.
This year will be one of highs and lows, with the losers left out for the crows. It'll be rough for some, and tough for all, and at the end the mighty will fall. Out of the ashes a dream will rise, followed only by those who look to the skies
Spoiler Now that the least informative season preview ever is over, I would like to apologise for anyone who actually bothered to read that 
Edited by The Hobbit on 11-01-2015 20:02
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| mvhoogdalem |
Posted on 11-01-2015 20:48
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2244
Joined: 30-06-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Beijing and wins doesn't rhyme. |
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| The Hobbit |
Posted on 11-01-2015 20:53
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2730
Joined: 18-08-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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mvhoogdalem wrote:
Beijing and wins doesn't rhyme.
Meh. Close enough. He was in a trance ok |
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| The Hobbit |
Posted on 17-01-2015 11:40
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2730
Joined: 18-08-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Welcome Gregory!
Hello again. Since it seems my poetic skills are frankly terrible, I have decided not to transform into an omniscient being for this update. Instead I am celebrating the transfer of Gregory Brenes. I am delighted to have a fellow Costa Rican on the team, and Gregory is an old friend of mine so it is an incredible feeling to have him on the team.
I hope that I get to ride with him a lot, as it will be good to have him by my side in lots of the big races. I am delighted with the team, not just for this transfer but for all of this season. The management have signed many good punchers to help me, from a variety of backgrounds. I understand that Andrey Amador was unavailable, but to even have two Costa Ricans on the same team is incredible.
Androni has provided everything I asked them for and more. I feel like I was right when I signed on, saying this is the beginning of a brilliant new partnership. I am sure this is the team for me, and I can see myself staying here for the next few years at least. In the short term the big goal is promotion, and I hope I can contribute to that.
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 17-01-2015 22:28
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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We now present our final two signings ahead of the 2014 season. These two both came from the Free Agency and the team is very happy about signing both of them.
Name: Andrea Zordan
Nationality:
Age: 21
Rider Type: Hilly Sprinter
The young Italian was acquired after a short battle with the Bardiani team who were also chasing his signature. He is a very talented sprinter who can go over the hills. He will be an important part of our team in the seasons to come but he will be seen racing this season in many places as well.
Name: Gregory Brenes
Nationality:
Age: 25
Rider Type: Climber/Hills/DWH
The Costa Rican was signed mainly for Delfi Cervero but also because he is a good climber and stage racer and will be useful all around the world this season. We are told he is very happy to be riding alongside his friend and fellow countryman and he will hopefully do well for us.
And this completes our transfer season.
All there is to come is the Calendar, Wildcards and Race Planning. After which the season will begin and we are very excited!
Travi Rujano
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| Smowz |
Posted on 17-01-2015 22:44
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Team Leader
Posts: 6479
Joined: 09-04-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Ryu Kawasaki - my hopes and dreams
Well since I last wrote things have really kicked on here at Androni. The boss has been absolutely brilliant and best of all Yukiya Arashiro has joined the team. We hit it off immediately and his road racing experience is already helping me. Yuki didn't really do much on the boards when he was younger but he did enough to be able to help me transfer the skills. He is really helping me with the climbing and learning how to deal with the different road conditions.
I have to say the manager has huge confidence in me to deliver at sprints - there is even talk of me doing so major World Tour races. I cannot get out of my head though the thought of racing for wins at the Tour of Hainan and Tour of Quinghai Lake is a big one for me. I guess it would be great to get the chance at the Tour of Beijing too, as well as the Tour of California where there is a big Japanese population. Yuki has talked to me about the early season and I am hoping to test my legs in a few of these. I am really prepared to go where the boss wants me to be honest. Point me at that line boss and I will sprint for it.
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 18-01-2015 00:39
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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Dropbear
I miss the weather back home. It's hot and sunny and just amazing. Europe is cold and damp and grey and really quite depressing. Okay Italy isn't the worst place but it doesn't compare to Doonside and especially my mums cooking. Hopefully once racing kicks off i'll feel less homesick as i'll be busier but for now it's hard to shake the feeling.
I've still heard nothing from the team regarding my race schedule. I assume they are waiting on the UCI to release the wild card responses but i was hoping to hear something by now. Still my ideal would be the TDU but i don't even know if we applied. My initial enthusiasm of joining the team has waned somewhat. I know i'm only going to be a domestique but i'd still like to know who i'm helping, when and where.
Thomas has his schedule, mostly. Two Grand Tours is impressive but then he's an impressive guy, if you know what i mean. Androni is now complete with those final transfers comfirmed. It's a strong team so i expect several WT races for the squad, if not me, and a promotion charge. I hope so. Not that it matters too much. I'm here to learn this year before leaving. Guess it's back to the grind of pre-season and more waiting. No-one told me cycling could be this dull!
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 21-01-2015 23:54
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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Easy: Top 10, Strade Bianche
Medium: Top 10 GC, Tirreno-Adriatico
Hard: Win GC, Criterium International
Edited by Luis Leon Sanchez on 21-01-2015 23:55
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 22-01-2015 00:16
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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EPIC Rider Schedules for Part 1
Hello to all of our EPIC riders, the following is your planned schedule for the first part of this season. If you have any suggestions or changes you would like to make please let me know as soon as possible (immediately). Some may look a bit empty for this season part but I would like you to know that we are planning for the whole season and we will try and fulfill everyone's RD limit.
Ahmed Al Mohney
Tour Down Under
Tour of Qatar
Volta ao Algarve
Delfi Cervero
 Tour de Gabon
 Volta ao Algarve
Strade Bianche
Roma Maxima
Milano-Sanremo
 GP Indurain
Ryu Kawasaki
Tour Down Under
Tour of Qatar
Sylvain Lipawsky
 Criterium International
Pierre Lipawsky
Tour of Qatar
Volta ao Algarve
Krista Marcus
Tour Down Under
Tour de Gabon
Volta ao Algarve
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| Smowz |
Posted on 22-01-2015 13:09
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Team Leader
Posts: 6479
Joined: 09-04-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Ryu Kawasaki - my hopes and dreams
Early season goals: Top 10 on a stage at Tour Down Under and Win a stage at the Tour of Qatar
Well I am back in Japan now, for a short break before I make my debut in Androni colours in Australia. I am delighted to be making my debut early doors, this will likely be a steep learning curve for me however. The Tour Down Under will certainly be a bit of a free shot for me, my main aim will be to complete the tour and have a real go at a couple of sprints.
I have also been scheduled to go to the dusty roads in Qatar, which again should be interesting as this will test my road skills in windy terrian. We experienced all sorts of weather conditions in training camps in Italy and I am not sure how well suited I am to such things. It is flat though so I really will be looking to test myself and attempt to get my first win there. Who knows though it could be quite a strong field as I think the Protour teams like to use it as a warm up event.
I've been given the rest of the early season off, I could be depressed about this but I choose to be optamistic. I will learn loads from my early performances and I think I have a chance to work on any defencies that come up. I also know that as the season gets going better oppurtunities will present themselves later on in the year.
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 22-01-2015 20:44
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Team Leader
Posts: 7366
Joined: 11-07-2014
PCM$: 700.00
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Salut,
I'm pretty excited about the start of the season, although I won't be racing until March, but I think this means I won't be as tired for other races, such as the Giro.
I've got to meet a few members of the team, unfortunately most riders don't speak French, but Pierre is teaching me Italian, so I can have some limited conversation, which will hopefully improve.
I've been doing a lot of training recently, I really want to get into form for Criterium International, where I assume I will be the team leader. It makes me very happy that the team manager told the press that one of the team goals this season is the race I'm leading.
Anyway, Pierre and I are riding back to Genève from our Italian base now.
À bientôt, Sylvain
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
