Today we were hoping for an easier day as there are a few key stages in a couple of days time, so we decided to just sit in the bunch and then to try and get Simon up for the finish. Also I can now officially announce that I will be joining Leopard Trek for the end of the 2014 and 2015 season, as the new transfer rule changes mean that after this Tour I will no longer be riding for Cannondale, I know that my time here has been short but I have some great memories and I'm glad I've had the opportunities to perform in the way I have, however I do regret some races especially the Giro as I didn't have the form that I should of had coming into the race, so next year I plan to focus on the Tour and the Vuelta, and with my new team I think we will be very strong. This year has been a strong year for both me and Simon as I've had two stage wins at the Giro and 5th overall, whiz I'm going in the right direction for next year and for the future, and the win in Switzerland was a great result for me as it was my first World Tour victory. Simon though has had an amazing season, he won Amstel and Flèche, then at the Giro he won 5 stages, and here at the Tour he won a stage and has lead the Tour for nearly a week now so yeah Cannondale has been a good team for us, but I'll admit that I felt betrayed at the Giro and I've had disagreements with some of the other riders, so I knew it was time to move on as I don't think this is the team for me, so when Leopard came knocking I was over the moon, and I'm looking forward to racing with the guys. I'm not sure exactly what my programme for the rest of the season will be I'll have to talk to the management about that, but I think the Tour of Britain and the World Champs will be my main goals, where as Simon wants to do the Vuelta and the Worlds, so yeah the future looks good and I'm dry happy to join the team as a leader. Especially as I get to ride with some of my idols, in Fabian, Froomey and my good friends Locky and Mikel. Anyway today was just an easy stage so we didn't have to do much on the front, Simon jumped early for the sprint and managed to take it so he extended his lead on Cav, so he was happy and then we just had to make sure we got him in the right place for the final few kilometres. We tried to lead Simon out but we don't have the strong riders to ride for him, so we had to leave him on his own and he was able to come from a long way back to take 6th place so if he had been at the front then he may have won the stage. Adam
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Today we wanted to take it as easy as possible as it was a short stage and then we have the hard days in the near future, so we didn't put anyone in the break as we wanted to save our legs, and Simon told us he didn't want a lead out so we could be best prepared for tomorrow, and Ivan agreed so we just decided to take it easy and try to recover for tomorrow. Simon wasn't able to pick up any points at the intermediate sprint as he was to far back in the group, so we knew that he had to perform well in the final sprint. He managed to get in a good position, but when Degenkolb went he hesitated as he thought it was to early, and was never able to regain the ground. Adam
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Thibaut Pinot wins the stage, as Rodriguez sprints to the race lead.
Today the plan was to get a guy in a break, and before the Tour we had said that Simon should go in the break to pick up the sprints, so he did and then he sat up and at the bottom of the climb Froomey attacked as he wanted to get a lead on the other contenders, but he was brought back, and when Thibaut went he had no response, so he just tried to battle on and limit his losses, but he was dropped by the Contador group, but he didn't lose to much time as he is still second overall, so its not a terrible day for us as he still has a chance to win. Adam
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You know I was really disappointed with my race yesterday as I was expecting to gain time, but both me and Chris lost time to the main contenders, although Chris is still just 4 seconds down on Rodriguez, but still we need to race better when it comes to the higher mountains, and I think we will as we have a strong ten, that we haven't really used yet. Today will be interesting as we know that the cat 2 climb will be a difficult one as it comes close to the finish, so we decided to try and split the race on that climb and then see how it goes in the final fe kilometres. Simon is the leader as we know he needs to pick up points whenever he can to win the green jersey. So when he managed to beat everyone at the sprint it was a great result so we knew he was on a good day. We tried to split the bunch, over the climbs, but the break was to far ahead so even though we did manage to split the bunch their was no point as the break was 4 minutes up the road, so we backed off and tried to save our energy for another day. Adam
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Today we told the guys to set as fast tempo as possible until the foot of the cat 1 and then I would attack with a few guys, who would set the tempo for me, and Simon would try to stay with us until the sprint. The guys did a great job to put us in the position to attack, then when we went the peloton was to tired to react so they just let us go, as they wanted to have an easy ride until the final climb. I wanted to pick up as many KoM points as possible as I think that is the only way I have a chance of being on the podium in Paris, I think, so I took all the KoM points I could. Simon then took the points at the intermediate sprint, so that means he extended his lead by 20 points so that was good for us, and then the guys left me, but it was earlier than I was hoping so I made sure that I didn't go to hard to early, but the bunch were 18 minutes down so I wasn't to worried about the gap. Froomey was comfortable in the group as he still had Locky and Koren, but my gap started to drop so I increased the pace a bit, and the gap stayed at 15 minutes. Then Purito started setting the pace, so I upped the tempo, as I wanted to make a decent lead before I blew as I knew that I would before the finish. When I started the final climb with a lead of 13 minutes, I thought I'd be able to hold on for the stage. I heard that the race behind had started to break up, so I knew that my gap would start to drop, so I tried to give it everything I had left, but when I still had 9 minutes at 5 kilometres to go, I started to feel pretty confident. The gap started to drop quicker, but I knew that I still had enough to win, so I just tried to enjoy the win, and make the most of it, but it meant that I had a decent lead in the KoM points as I had picked up points on all of the climbs. AdamEdited by JoeArmstrong13 on 21-09-2014 07:58
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Lofkvist takes the stage, as Rodriguez extends his lead!
Today the plan was for me and Simon to go up the road with a couple of guys and then to get them to build us a lead that the peloton would struggle to get back. As the sprint was after 3 difficult climbs we wanted to make sure that Simon would still be there so we didn't want to go to hard. However the bunch didn't want me in the break so I sat up and Locky went across instead and they gave them a lead, and he was able to hold it until the finish as he took the stage which he really deserved as he has ridden hard all race but hasn't go anything to show for it. Froomey lost time to Rodriguez which is a shame but the race isn't over and we will have to ride more tactically from now on. Adam
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Costa takes the stage, as Rodriguez extends his lead.
Today I knew I had to decide what I wanted to do, go for a high GC, or go for stage wins and the KoM, so I decided that I would ride with Vivi to the finish, so that I would be allowed into breaks as I would rather win stages than get say a top 10 on GC as I am here to ride for Chris, so if I am high on GC, then its not as easy to ride for Chris as I have my own ambitions of winning, it was strange really has the guys rode hard on the first climb to get rid of the sprinters for Simon, so I was dropped with Vivi and all the other sprinters, so it was a strange feeling being dropped on purpose, and just taking it easy, but the more time I lose the more time I will be allowed when I am in a break. It also meant I was able to watch the race unfold in the DS car behind us, so I was able to see the race, which was a strange feeling. Simon managed to get the sprint and as all the sprinters were in the grupetto he was able to extend his lead to nearly 100 points on Degenkolb, he then decided to just keep going and he got around 6 minutes, but when I saw we were 13 minutes down I started to wonder if we would get eliminated, but OPQS had a few guys there so I knew they would control it for us. It was sad to lose my Gc place but I want to win stages and thats what I have to do to win them. I think now is a good time to tell you about the next few races I will be doing this season, after the Tour I will take a few days off and then ride the Giro d'Aosta, which is a new continental tour race, so I very much look forward to that as I will be the team leader, and will have a few strong climbers to support me. I will then ride the Tour of Britain, which has been moved to before the Vuelta, so that there is a stronger field. I will then ride the Vuelta, however I will just go for stages and use it as preparation for the Worlds, as that is my big aim for the season, if the Vuelta goes well then I will try to win, but I don't want to go there to fight for a top 10 on GC, if I'm going to be up there I want a podium. I will then ride the Worlds, as co leader with Simon, as the course is unpredictable so we want to make sure that we are capable of responding to all situations. My last race of the season will be the Tour of Lombardy, and then the Tour of Beijing, where I will ride in service of Simon, as it is the final monument of the season. Anyway when I saw Locky go up the road in that group of 5 strong climbers, I thought that we could win the stage as nobody chased them. When Froomey went I thought that he would drop everyone, but he didn't so that surprised me, I also thought Locky would beat the others but he didn't have the legs when it came to the final few metres and he ended up 5th out of 5, it was strange not to go flat out on that last climb but Vivi was struggling and I knew I had to stay with him. Adam
Yeah I'm happy with today, I picked up the points so that was all that mattered for me today, I don't care about winning stages, I just want to win the points jersey. My programme for the rest of the season? Well after the Tour I'm having a week off or so, and then I'm going to ride the Giro d'Aosta, in the service of Adam, however there are a few flat stages so I might get a win there. From then on I'm riding the same plan as Adam, so you can ask him what the plan is, as I'm tired after a hard day out front, and I need to go to the podium presentations. Simon
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Nah today was just an easy day, we just sat in the wheels and tried to recover for the days to come, Simon picked up some points so he still has a decent lead, but we aren't interested in stage wins we want to win the GC, so from now on that will be our aim. Adam
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Yates takes his second win, as Froome moves closer to the lead.
The plan was to get me and Locky in the break with Simon, Stefano and Jensie, so Simon could get the sprint points and then they can work for me to get the stage. Today we go over Mont Ventoux, which I am looking forward to as I like the climb, as it is hard and long so only the strongest can stay in the front group, as at 20 kilometres at an average of 11%, its a real brute of a climb, and I think we can do some damage on here, Froomey is getting stronger so thats a good sign for the rest of the race, as a lot of guys are suffering as this Tour has been a hard one, so we need to make sure that we use that to our advantage. At the sprint we made sure that we got all of our guys ahead of Degenkolb and the rest as Simon needs as many points as possible over them, and we managed to do that so now Simon has over 100 points on Cavendish in second. At the top of the Ventoux I accelerated as Chris was coming up from the bunch, so I knew that I had to get a gap on the rest of them if I wanted the stage, so I left them and they all dropped back to help Froomey, and they made the other guys work to get back on, so they were to tired to follow Chris on the final climb, so it was a great day for us as we rode hard to get the stage and we closed the gap on the GC to. Losing time yesterday was worth it as I enjoy to win ,and it means I'm further ahead in the KoM rankings, so that was great for me and it seemed that yesterday helped me a lot. Adam
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The plan was to keep the pace high until the final few climbs, where I was to try and split it for Froomey and then he could attack over the top or on the final climb, as we knew that he had to gain time on Rodriguez if he wanted to win the GC.
Have You started looking beyond the Tour?
Well I've thought about it but not really, I'm looking forward to the new team and the rule change as it will change the way cycling works, I think it's a good thing as it means anything can happen and it will change the way the season plays out.[/i]
Why did I choose Leopard
Well firstly I liked the kit as I think it looks good, and that matters to me. Another reason is to be a GC leader, although you may look at the roster and think, well The Schleck Brothers, The Johnson brothers, Froomey and Mikel could all win a Grand Tour, but for starters the Johnson Brothers are still young and don't have the experience to win it, next year at least. As for Andy and Frank, they can win a grand tour, but I think that I am better in the TT's, so I am a more all round rider, but sure if they are on the right form, they could in one, but its not my choice who leads the Grand Tours its the management, but they have promised me the lead in either the Giro or the Vuelta, as well as a ride in the Tour depending on fatigue and form.
Are you excited about joining a new team?
Of course I am, as you probably now I fell out with the management at the Giro, as they chose to ride for Richie instead of me, which wasn't in the plan, but I'm still good friends with Richie and wish him all the best at MTN, as they have built a strong team with Eddy and G. Personally I'm looking forward to riding with Fabian as he is an idol of mine, and he is a very experienced rider, so to have him work for me is a great thing. Although I would of liked to have G on the team as we have been close ever since our time at Netapp, so its a shame he couldn't join the team.
Who are you afraid of?
Well, I think that Nibali going to Cannondale will make him a strong rider, as they know how to win the biggest races in the world, as they have shown this year with the Giro and Simon's wins in Amstel and Flèche, so I think that with a strong team around him he could be a threat. Contador is always going to be dangerous as he is a fighter and Bjarne Riis is a great DS, and we almost signed for him this year, but we couldn't refuse the offer we got from Leopard, I think Saxo as a team isn't as strong as it has been in the past, but I'm sure in the winter Bjarne will make some strong transfers as Contador needs a strong team around him, to win. To be honest I think we are lucky that Purito has said he is going to focus more on the monuments, as he is a stronger rider than in the past few years, as he has shown at the Tour and the Giro this year, although he is beatable, as Richie showed, but I think he will be dominant in the Ardennes Classics, so Simon will have to watch out for him. Sky also have a strong team as Betancur is getting stronger, and that can only mean he will do better and better. I think that Sagan will do better next year as he has moved to Orica, which will give him more opportunities, Cameron Meyer is another strong rider for them, although he is rumoured to want to move team, but I don't wish to comment on that. Uran has made a smart move to go to Argos as they don't have a GT leader, so that will mean he is stronger as a rider. So yeah I can talk about this season, but I can't talk about next year, as the teams may change completely as with two transfer seasons, that means the season is almost split in two parts so we have to focus on this part and forget about next year.
So what happened today?
Well we put a few guys on the front to control the pace and to keep it high enough to drop the pure sprinters but not so that Simon would be dropped, we made sure that Simon was comfortable and then upped the pace a little on the climb to make some riders suffer, however we knew that the main contenders wouldn't be hurting so we just wanted to get rid of the wheel suckers, who were just lucky to be there. Simon managed to win the sprint, and then when we hit the climb Locky light it up and blew the group to pieces, and then I went and the group shrunk to just 4 of us, so it was a great move for us and we were hurting a lot of guys, so we upped it a bit more to see if we could break everyone. Then Contador blew, so we knew that we could kill them all so I kicked as hard as I could, and then Froomey attacked and Rodriguez had no response so Froomey had a minute by the summit and then Rodriguez sat up so he gained another minute, and I was able to stay with Rodriguez, so it was a great performance by us. I mean they all sat up, so Froomey gained nearly 4 minutes on everyone in the race, and I thin k that just shows we are the strongest, and now we just have to defend it of as long as possible. Although I won't be in the top 10 anymore, as I blew up after I had done my turn and lost nearly 25 minutes but I guess that means I have a chance of getting a stage win, in the next few days, but yeah we are very confident that Froomey can win it now. Adam
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Froome takes another win and strengthens his grip on the Jersey.
The plan was to get a guy in the break, and then for Simon to bridge across when he could, so I went up the road but nobody responded so I ended up riding on my own, but Stefano attacked with Simon so he was ok, and they managed to get across to the third group, quite easily, and they then tried to get across to Chris Horner who was in between me and them. However they weren't able to catch him before the sprint, so Simon took 3rd, although it meant he had over 400 points, so he still extended his lead. Simon then sat up and was caught by the bunch, who also eased off and my lead grew quickly to 14 minutes, and I was pretty confident that I'd be able to hold onto my lead to the finish, although I knew that Froomey would close the gap quickly on the final climb, I van came up to me in the car and told me that they were going to get the guys to ride on the front as Froomey wanted to gain some time, and they wanted to drop a few riders, but that was fine with me as I knew that I wasn't the teams priority, so if I didn't win then it didn't matter as I had already won two stages. On the final climb I just blew, and I knew that Froomey was closing the gap but I was surprised that he closed the gap so quickly, but he was on a rampage, and he was desperate to get as much time as possible, just in case anything was to happen. I mean at 10 kilometres to go the gap was 10 minutes at 5 kilometres to go it was 1 minute, he really was flying. He had pulled out so much that I was able to hold on for 4th on the stage, so I'm happy with that as I picked up a lot of KoM points today, so I should have that sewn up now. Adam
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Yates takes another stage, and wins the KoM Jersey.
I'm sorry, but I don't have much time today, but yeah we are happy with today, although this will be my last win of the race as tomorrow we need to work from Froomey so we will do that and hopefully we will win the Tour, tomorrow, anything could happen so we need to get as much rest as possible and then try to kill it tomorrow. Thank you thats all today folks. Adam
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I'm feeling good, the legs seem to have recovered after yesterday, so thats a good sign, I think I may be able to get a top 10 on GC, actually as my legs are the best they've been for a few days, so I think that I'll be able to help Chris, and tomorrow suits me as I'm a better time traillist than the riders just above me. So eau I'm happy and confident.
How are the rest of the guys?
They're all feeling great, but we are riding in the clouds as we are so strong, and it seems that we will be the first team to win the green and yellow in the same Tour since 1997, so thats good for the morale, and I mean for me and Simon to have that secured before the end of the race is a great feeling as we can work completely for Chris today and then just focus on finishing tomorrow.
Whats the race plan?
Well we are going to try and control the race until the final few climbs, where we will use myself, Locky and Stefano to rip the race up for Chris, to get rid of any stragglers and then hopefully we will be able to help him on the final climb if need be, although we feel he's in pretty good shape.
After the race.
How did today go?
Well I think everyone was surprised to see Simon attack on his own, but he wanted to show off the jersey at the sprint, so he went away, but we told him that when the time was right we would chase him down, and he agreed with that, so we sent a few guys to the front and then Simon sat up and waited for the bunch, we wanted to have at least three guys at the bottom of the Alpe d'Huez for the first ascent, and then hopefully we would have me and Locky for the final time, but we knew that some guys may try to attack the first time up, so we wanted to make sure that the group was together on the descent, as then Froomey could manage on his own. When we saw that Van den Broeck was dropped, we upped the pace as he was 9th overall so this was our chance to get two guys in the top 10, so we started to press on, although we knew that it may be to early, we just had to risk it. When we saw we had 4 guys still after the third climb, we knew that the plan was going to go well as Stefano hadn't hit the front, yet the group was shrinking quickly, so we knew that we had to keep the pressure on no matter what. To be homiest I was really comfortable on the first few climbs, so I started to feel confident about the rest of the stage, and then when we hit the Alpe d'Huez I knew that I was going well as I was barely trying but there was a few guys starting to suffer. Then when Locky hit the front, and it went down to 6 guys, we knew we were going well, so when he sat up I just kept the tempo, but on the descent we backed off and Locky came back to us with Pinot and Quintana, but we knew that we could get rid of them on the final climb, so we were in a strong place as Valverde was suffering anyway, so that just left Contador and Rodriguez for Froomey to watch. Then when we hit the climb, I decided to kick on and then slow it down, so when Contador blew it was a good feeling as I knew that Rodriguez was the only one left and we could loose him as there were still 8 kilometres to go. Then when Rodriguez started seining I tried to up the pace, but we couldn't get a decent gap on him. However we were pulling away with 1 kilometre to go, and then Froomey came up beside me and he said I should win the stage as it was my work that had won him the race, so I was very happy that he did that as it has been a hard race, and I'm glad that he won as he is the greatest cyclist of all time in my book, and I can't wait to ride with him into Paris.
Is the race over now? (For the GC)
Hell no! Its not over until you cross the line tomorrow, you know there may be a crash or a mechanical, and lets not forget tomorrow is a long time trial, where anything could happen, but I think that Chris is in a strong position and We hope to consolidate that tomorrow. Adam
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Today was a great day for us as we rode into Paris in three of the four jerseys, to crown what has been a great Tour for us, we have won a great haul of stages and for Chris to take his second Tour victory is a great success for us. Adam
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The Giro d'Aosta is a new Continental Tour Race and will be our first race as a WorldTour team. It features 6 days in the Aosta Valley, with 4 days in the high mountains and two flat and potential sprint stages for our prolific sprint star and Tour De France green jersey winner, Simon Yates.
The Aim.
Adam Yates will be the leader for our team as we aim to get our time as a WorldTour team off to a good start, and the hilly course should suit his style of racing, and we aim to provide him with as strong a team as possible, as he aims to achieve the victory.
Simon Yates will be the team sprinter as there are two flat stages, so he will be our leader for this stages.
The rest of the team consist of:
Diego Johnson
Frank Schleck
Peter Kennaugh
Joseph Armstrong
Jamel Johnson
Mark Renshaw
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I have no idea what happened today, but it was a strange stage to be a part of, we put Jamel up the road to start with as we thought he would be allowed to go away, but the pack chased him down, so we hit it hard up the second climb and the front group was smashed to pieces, and we saw the guys sit up behind so we did the same, and then Frank attacked up the road and nobody responded and he gained 5 minutes in just 10 kilometres, so we knew they weren't going to chase it, so Ivan told us all to just race for ourselves, and do what we want, so I saw Diego attack and then Joe went and then I spoke to Pete and we went together, but I was sure that the group would chase but they didn't so we all just went for it, and tried to catch Frank, and then Ivan came up behind us and told us the bunch was over 15 minutes behind so we knew that we were away and that the GC would be decided between us, so from now on we will race each other, but no there is not a team leader as we want to race and this is the only way we can do this, its a shame but if thats whats it got to be then so be it, as we want to entertain the crowds not bore them like the other guys seemed to want to do. Then Diego distanced us all on the climb and then Joe went after him, so we just let them go as we thought we'd catch them all, but we didn't so hats off to Diego he timed it perfectly to get around Frank in the final few metres, it was a great stage for us, and hopefully a great stage to watch as it was brutal but to come out with the top 7 placings is great, bring on the rest of the race. Adam
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We used the guys perfectly today, we made sure that Tony and Simon split the group on the first climb, and then JJ and Joe shredded the group on the second climb, so there was only 11 riders left, and then when Joe kicked hard just before he blew, the group shrunk to just 9 riders, and then JJ and Joe managed to keep together on the descent, so we had them on the final climb, so after they had blown Pete kicked and the group blew to just the four of us, so we all worked together to build up a decent lead, and then on the descent we agreed to race against each other, and then just before we hit the final climb, Diego attacked and none of us responded and we didn't react hick enough, so he had a 1 minute 30 lead when we hit the climb, and I managed to copse it, but it wasn't quite enough, I'm happy for him as he is a great rider and he's a young guy so it shows the talent that we saw in him. Adam
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I don't think many people realise but at the minute I am in better form than the Tour, so thats a good sign for the rest of the season, as I seem to be getting stronger everyday, and I think with the worlds being where they are then it will suit us as a team as we are very strong, you know we have only got stronger over the past few years, but from a personal point of view its good as I think I have the form to win the Vuelta and the Worlds really, but Simon is strong as well, and I think that if we can get a strong team then both goals are achievable, we just have to make sure that we get the tactics right, as we kind of messed up last year, but I'm sure it will be different this year. Anyway today was quite easy to start with as Tony went up the road, and nobody was fussed about chasing so he managed to gain about 3 minutes, but he was the best climber in the group so he had a chance of a stage win if he could ride with his head, but Tony is a great tactician so we had confidence in him, if the break stayed away. Then on the first big climb, Tony dropped everyone else and went for it on his own. Where as behind Joe put in a dig, but Colombia limited the gap he got, so we were all together when we hit the penultimate climb, but then Diego put in a big attack, and he took House and Leiphemer with him, and they caught Tony and at the top they had about a 1 minute gap on our group which had shrunk to 13 guys, so we were in a good place for the stage win. Then when we hit the final climb, Diego went again and nobody responded, so when we hit the climb I went for it to try and close the gap to him, and then the ether guys tried to follow but they weren't able to stay with me, and Frank was the last guy to stay with me, so I was going strong and I started to close the gap to Diego, who had about a minute on us. I could hear Ivan (Basso, DS) on the radio telling Frank and Pete they couldn't work with House and the rest of the group, so I knew the gap was just going to go out, but it also suited me as it meant they had to attack alone to get across and I didn't think that was very likely as they prefer to just set a tempo and kill the legs off the other riders. Then I started to see Diego ahead of me but I just couldn't close the gap, but in the final kilometre I started to close the gap, as he was starting to suffer, but it was to late as I couldn't get around him before the finish, but I thinks its a good sign that I was able to close a one minute gap to him in just 10 kilometres so I'm happy, this is just training now and I think I'll test Diego in the days to come, but I don't think I will win the race now Adam Adam
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Today was quite an easy day on paper, but we thought a break may stay away, as their aren't any big name sprinters here, Simon being the most prolific, so we wanted to put Tony in the break just i case it stayed away, so he went on the attack from quite early on, but we knew if it came to a sprint we could still give simon a decent lead out.However the pack wouldn't let Tony get away, so Simon went for it and he got away in a group of 5, but they didn't build up a lead very quickly, although we knew that Tony would still be able to get the sprint as he has a very strong kick, and the finish was slightly uphill, so that suited us a lot. Then Simon told us that nobody would work with him in the break, so we told him to just set a steady tempo and then go for it if the gap started to come down. So when the gap hit 2 minutes Simon had a go and split the group so there was just 3 riders left, but they still wouldn't work and he blew up in the final few kilometres, but we tried to lead out Tony, and it was a good train, although when I kicked with 1 kilometre to go, I opened a gap on everyone, so I just kept going as long as I could, and I could feel a rider on my shoulder, so I kicked again, and when I crossed the line I was amazed that I had won, and I think it shows I am in good form, so I'm happy with the win. Adam
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Today I knew I had to have a go to try and close the gap to Diego, so I decided to attack on the first big climb of the day, but i only told this to Tony and Simon, as I needed them to keep the race together until then, but Jamel attacked on the first climb, so we had to stop as we couldn't chase down our own team, that was the only rule we have at the minute as we are so far ahead, Ivan told us we can race against each other. Luckily Radioshack limited the gap to a minute, so he wasn't to far up the road, but they ended up bringing him back so I sent Tony and Simon to the front, as we knew that we needed to have a guy in the break. Then Joe attacked just before the climb, which was great as it meant I had someone to work for me, so when I bridged across he started to work, and we built up a decent lead of about 2 minutes and Joe was flying I was struggling to stay with him at times, so we just kept a steady tempo as we knew that it was our chance to move up on GC. Then Joe dropped back and I kept going on, but I heard that Pete was only a minute down, and a minute ahead of the bunch, so I decided to wait as he was behind me on GC, and I knew he would help me. So when he caught me we started to hit it pretty hard and the gap grew to 5 minutes, but we had Rogers with us so we had to be careful. But then the group behind sat up, so our gap started to increase and then Rogers blew so it was just me an Pete, so he set the pace, and then the group behind started to get bigger and then Colombia went to the front to set the pace, but our gap was still going out, so we just kept our tempo and rode within ourselves. On the descent Diego started to ride, but the gap didn't come down at all, so we knew he wasn't feeling to good, so we just eased off slightly. Then once we hit the final climb, Pete wanted to up the pace, but we were already a good way ahead, so I said he could if he wanted to but I wasn't going to help him, so he did and then when he blew up I rode away from him, and the gap was still at 8 minutes, and then Diego started to ride and he was closing the gap to me, so I upped the pace a bit and the gap started to go out again, so I knew I had the win and the jersey, so I just rode comfortably to the line, and Pete followed behind me, with Diego 4th not far behind Rogers in 3rd. Adam
Stage 6 - Mountain Time Trial
Today I knew I just had to get to the finish and I would win as I have a 5 minute gap, and the TT wasn't long enough to lose that much time, so I was confident going into it. Although I wanted to show I was the strongest so of course I was going to try and win it, as a lot of people have been amazed at how Diego is riding, and o be honest we all have, he's had a great race, and I think he's a star of the future, but no I wasn't going to take it easy as you can't afford to as if you have to change bikes that could be a minute lost and then people would say, Oh he only won because Diego wasn't allowed to chase, but thats not the case I rode yesterday with guts and bravery and it paid off. I think it was right that I won the TT as I have been the strongest all week, its just I made a mistake on the first day, and since then I have been fighting to catch up, so to win is very good, and I look forward to the Tour of Britain. Adam
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ICL - Project Cumbria Powered by Thomas Graham Steel & Industrial Supplies
