Today is the day of the road-race world championships, and as promised, it's time for me to announce my 2012 team.
I will be racing with...
Spoiler
After several offers from GreenEDGE and Lotto - Ridley, BMC offered me a 2 year contract and said that they think I have what it takes to ride a Grand Tour in 2012, and maybe even lead one in the future. The team for next season is jam-packed with stars, and although this means I will probably be leader in not too many races, they have been great to me this season, and I feel with riders like Cadel, Wiggo, Cancellara and Pinotti, this is the best place for me to grow as a cyclist.
After receiving an offer from GreenEDGE as co-leader with Simon Gerrans, I was seriously considering signing. But then the next day I saw that this man had signed with BMC...
Spoiler
My brother, Andrew Roe!
This was basically my last incentive to sign with BMC and now, I can't wait for 2012 to start!
@FreitasPCM Thanks, their team will just be too good next season.
@valverde321 The whole signature thing was definitely a contributing factor..
@rorzcp They will dominate next season no doubt, just like irl!
The world road-race championships is the place to be for sprinters this year, and with such a flat profile, a bunch sprint is inevitable. The favourites are Thor Hushovd, Phillipe Gilbert and Mark Cavendish.
World Championships
Copenhagen : 264.6kms
The rain today was absolutely pouring, and that could make this race a little more interesting than once thought..
The first break to get away was pretty large, and contained some very strong riders such as Alejandro Valverde, Tejay Van Garderen and David Veilleux. With 190kms to go, they had 3'20"..
150kms now and it was at 5'11"..
With 100kms it got out to about 7'15", and USA and Australia decided to do something about it.
70kms and it was down to 3'12" as Australia were doing all the work up front.
Kristian Koren, who was in the BOTD, had fallen due to the slippery roads. He would struggle to rejoin the break, and probably just dissolve into the field.
At 57kms, Tom Boonen and Allesandro Ballan attacked.
They were caught though, and the breakaway lead was down to 1'45" as Russia took control of the peloton.
Koren rejoioined the break, and the lead was back at 2'11". Australia again took control.
As the lead was back down to 55", David Veilleux attacked and went off alone.
The break was caught with 35kms to ride, but the Canadian Veilleux was still ahead by about 45"..
Soon though, Baden Cooke attacked, and was followed by Fabian Cancellara, Ballan ad Marcus Burghardt, all BMC riders.
As most others faded, Cancellara attacked again and had a good lead.
23kms and the pack was back in one piece, except for Fabian Cancellara who had a 45" lead over the rest of the field.
With 10kms to ride, Cancellara's lead was basically gone, and the trains were being set up!
Heinrich Haussler had Gilbert's wheel, while Allan Davis was on Hushovd.
Despite holding on well, Cancellara was caught with 4kms to ride.
And as Fabian attacked again, Sylvain Chavanel and Leif Hoste followed. Surely they couldn't get a gap?
But they did, and soon they had 30" on the peloton! They were sprinting for the win!
Frenchman Chavanel had an early lead, and going up the last climb he was holding on, and wins!
Hushovd wins the bunch sprint ahead of Rojas and Allan Davis.
awww i was hoping fabian would win it so then he wouldnt care about losing the WC ITT and youd be racing with the world champ. also, which country do you control?
What an amazing season it has been! Some awards were handed out at the UCI WorldTour Awards night in Paris last week. Here is an overview of them all!
Velo d'Or
The Velo d'Or is awarded to the best cyclist of the season! Last year's champion was Fabian Cancellara and before that, three straight victories from Alberto Contador. A great result this year if you ask me!
3rd Place :
Alberto Contador
Contador had a great season as always, but for his standards, maybe not his best. His highlights were a victory in La Vuelta a Espana, and 2nd place in Le Tour de France behind Cadel Evans.
2nd Place :
Joaquim Rodriguez
Rodriguez had his best season yet, winning the Giro d'Italia in fine fashion. He disappointed slightly at La Vuelta but made up for it with podium finishes in La Fleche and Amstel Gold Race.
1st Place :
Cadel Evans
The Aussie achieved every cyclist's dream, winning Le Tour de France! He rode magnificently all season, winning Tour de Romandie and Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco to go along with his top-10 Ardennes finishes. Great season, from an amazing rider, and a well deserved Velo d'Or.
Most Outstanding U23 Rider
Edvald Boasson Hagen
The Norwegian had a great, steady season all year long, winning the most stages of any rider all season! His 12 victories was outstanding, and his highlight was either winning stage 13 of the Giro d'Italia, in which he finished 23rd overall, or wearing the yellow jersey for 2 days in Le Tour de France. Or maybe even, becoming Norwegian road and time-trial champion. Either way, he will be one of the world's best in years to come.
Most Outstanding +35 Rider
Alexandre Vinokourov
'Vino' had one of the better seasons of his long career, finishing 3rd in La Vuelta ahead of many younger riders, and also came in 16th at the Tour. He also won La Fleche Wallone, and came second in Liege - Bastogne - Liege.
Most Improved Rider
Amets Txurruka
After a career mainly as a domestique, Amets suprised as all as he took an amazing 2nd place in the GC at Giro d'Italia! He took the KoM jersey as well for good measure, and also rode well in the Dauphine, coming in 5th overall!
Most Outstanding Climber
Samuel Sanchez
If you were on a steep climb this year, Samuel Sanchez was probably the best chance to win the stage. The Spaniard RR and TT champ this year won 6 stages at the Vuelta and Tour as well as 2 at the Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco and Tour de Suisse. He rode amazingly, and was unlucky not to win a GT.
Most Outstanding Sprinter
Mark Cavendish
Although he earned one less win than Rojas and Farrar, he won 7 WorldTour races and the British championships, so I think the Manx Missile deserves his award.
Most Outstanding Classics Rider
Thor Hushovd
Altough Phillipe Gilbert threatened, World Champion Hushovd was the easy choice for this award after his amazing triple in the cobbled classics. He won the Paris - Roubaix, Gent - Wevelgem and Ronde van Vlaanderen. Amazing feat by the Norwegian and earned him a huge contract extension with Garmin - Cervelo.
And finally, my personal favourite...
Most Outstanding First Year Rider
Tim Roe
After an great season, including 3 stage wins and a 2nd place overall at Inst. Osterreich Rundfhart, Roe was the deserved winner of the MOFYR award. Despite injury earlier in the season, the young man proved he is the real deal and has a bright future ahead of him at BMC Racing Team.
With 5 new teams joining the ProTour this year, the transfer season was crazy! There were some big transfers, and here is a short wrap-up of all the goings on!
New Teams
GreenEDGE Cycling Team
GreenEDGE are a brand new, Australian based ProTour team, and although I was offered a contract by them, turned it down to stay with BMC!
Leopard Shack
After months of argument and debate, finally Leopard Trek announced they would be joining RadioShack to create Leopard Shack Cycling Team. The team contains a mix of Leopard and RadioShack squads, and the Schleck brothers will remain.
Team Air Canada - Fuji
When RadioShack folded and joined Leopard, a PT place was open, and former SpyderTech DS, Steve Bauer, hopped at the chance to become a ProTour onwer. He led the charge to start a Canadian - Japanese team, Air Canada - Fuji, and were granted their license after signing many great riders, including up and comer David Veilleux! They will look to impress and aim to become the best North American team by 2015!
Sponsor Changes
QuickStep -->Omega Pharma - QuickStep
Omega Pharma - Lotto -->Lotto - Ridley
Major Transfers
Mark Cavendish --> Sky Pro Cycling
The Manx Missile takes his talents to South London as the Brits look to dominate.
Allessandro Ballan --> Team Garmin - Cervelo
Former teammate of mine Ballan signed a big contract with Garmin, and will hopefully bounce back this cobble season.
Joaquim Rodriguez --> Movistar Team
After a terrific season, the Spanish climber signed with Movistar to join great riders like Peter Sagan and Carlos Sastre.
Jose Joaquin Rojas --> Sky Pro Cycling
The Spanish joins Cavendish at Sky and a possible major rivalry (cough..Greipel..cough) could be in the making! Who knows..
Roman Kreuziger --> Sky Pro Cycling
Another top-flight rider to Sky, and a WorldTour win isn't beyond them!
Robert Gesink --> Pro Team Astana
The Dutchman joins Astana and will probably be Vino's succesor in Kazakhstan.
Edvald Boasson Hagen --> Katusha Team
After all those great signings, it was inevitable Sky would lose a star or two, and Boasson Hagen is probably the most painful to lose as he brings his one-man show to Katusha in Russia.
Edited by kitface on 13-09-2011 09:29
The new team on the block have a strong-ish squad, but may struggle in the might of the Pro Tour. Vande Velde, Brajkovic and Van Garderen are the strongest overall threats, and with Geraint Thomas leading out Arashiro, they may get a few cheap wins here or there.
Tim's Prediction:15th
Pro Team Astana
Preview:
Astana had a strong transfer season, losing Kreuziger, but gaining a stronger rider in my opinion, Robert Gesink. At only 25, he still ahs a lot of developing to do, and will be a very string GT rider in the future, and now. Old hands Vinokourov and Ruben Plaza bring some strong climbing skills to the table, and Theo Bos is becoming a really great sprinter, so a solid season is ahead for Astana.
Tim's Prediction:8th
Cofidis, le credit en ligne
Preview:
After the chaos that was Liquigas - Cannondale 2011, Ivan Basso executed the relegation clause in his contract, and signed with newly promoted Cofidis. He will be overall leader, and joins Taaramae and Moncoutie to create a strong GT team. Bernie Eisel, Sam Dumoilin and Tony Gallopin should make a decent sprint trio, and Cofidis may well stay in the PT.
Tim's Prediction: 16th
Euskatel - Euskadi
Preview:
The men in orange made have created a very strong squad for 2012, adding Alejandro Valverde to the already formidable Igor Anton and Samuel Sanchez to create a scary looking Vuelta team. There are climbers all over the place, including Giro podium finisher Amets Txurruka, who will play the role as super-luxury domestique. Koldo Fernandez brings some flat skills to a very uphill oriented team, and they should prosper this season.
Tim's Prediction:4th
Team Garmin - Cervelo
Preview:
Adding Steven Kruisjwiks, Richie Porte and Allessandro Ballan to Hushovd and Farrar makes a nice looking team in 2012. Hushovd may have struggled to repeat his great achievements in 2012 with no help, but with Ballan and Haussler there, he may well do so. Farrar is still the 2nd (or maybe 3rd) fastest man in the world, and with Hesjedal and Danielsonm at the GT helm, they are gong to ride well in 2012.
Tim's Prediction:3rd
GreenEDGE Cycling Team
Preview:
The Aussies are in full form here at GreenEDGE. Matt Goss left HTC to join, and in the meantime, developed into one of the world's best sprinters. World ITT Champ Tony Martin and Peter Velits were also scalped from HTC and will be integral parts in the team. Seb Langeveld is a highly-skilled cobbles rider, and should get some good results. GreenEDGE have sprinters coming out of their ears, so they should have no problems racking up the wins. I sense a good season.
Prediction:6th.
Katusha Team
Preview:
Losing 'Purito' was no problem for Katusha, as they gained Edvald Boasson Hagen and Daniel Martin. Martin and EBH will join Fillipo Pozzato to make a strong leading trio. The Italian may be past his best form, but still competes with the big boys in the classics, and may suprise this year. Egor Silin is developing fast into a top-notch cylist, and Denis Galimzyanov will continue his great sprinting form into this season.
Tim's Prediction:12th
Lampre - ISD
Preview:
The only Italians left in the ProTour are going to be explosive this season you would hope. Nibali left Liquigas and joined Cunego and Scarponi to create the 'super-squadra italiana'! Nibali was a bitter dissapointment last season, but should improve this year in the purple. Pettachi is still helur fast and should never be counted out. If they don't win the maglia rosa at the Giro, I will be shocked!
Tim's Prediction:5th
Landbouwkrediet
Preview:
No you read it right. Landbowurekd- what ever it's called are in the ProTour. How they made it I don't know, but they will have to ride very well to compete. The signing of Siutosu and Kirchen were good, but I dn't think anything can save these guys from relegation.
@rorzcp, @LilParka, @GreenEDGEFan Thanks for your comments and support! I should be able to start the season in a few days, I'm just finalising some variants.
ProTour Teams Presentation Part 2
Leopard Shack Racing Team
Preview:
The Leopard Trek team of 2011 struggled slightly, not achieving any top results. But the merger with RadioShack turned it into a super team. WIth Kolden and Horner to help out frandy , they will look to dominate and finally achieve Andy Schleck's Le Tour victory. Bennati brings back his fast legs, and will look for far better results than in 2011.
Tim's Prediction: 9th
Ridley - Lotto Cycling Team
Preview:
Keeping Greipel, Gilbert and Van Den Broeck was huge, and the team still looks very strong. Fuglsang is a super-domestique, aloing with Vanendert, and Van Den Broeck will have no trouble with support in the mountains. A very good looking team.
Tim's Prediction:7th
Movistar Team
Preview:
The Spanish team had a great off-season, signing Joaquim Rodriguez, Peter Sagan and Carlos Sastre. They join a stron squad containing Intxausti, Ventoso, Kiriyenka and Rui Costa to name a few, and will have a good season, but won't be near the top of the table.
Tim's Prediction:11th
Omega Pharma - Quickstep Cycling Team
Preview:
Another new team, another bunch of new riders. Boonen will no doubt lead the team, and with a very solid supporting cast, with no real gaps or missing spots, they should prosper. Chavanel and Leipheimer were big signings, and with Ciolek, Cataldo and Terpstra as the super-domestiques, the team can't lose!
Tim's Prediction:10th
Rabobank Cycling Team
Preview:
Now these guys I really worry about. Matti Breschel needs to have a great season, and Tomas Dekker needs to show he doesn't need dope to win races, if Rabo have any chance of doing well. Their sprint attack is poor with onloy Freire and Graeme Brown to lead the pack. Mollema and Boom are young up and comers, but they need to get results now. Could be a long season.
Tim's Prediction:17th
Saxo Bank SunGard
Preview:
Vuelta champ Contador will again aim for Le Tour, but with Pellizotti returning to help him out, he could do a little better than last seasons 2nd. The Italian Pellizotti is still a very strong climber, and may lead the team in the Giro. Nuyens still has a great classics pedigree, but losing Richie Porte was a bit of a knock. If Contador struggles, they will struggle.
Tim's Prediction:13th
Sky Pro Cycling
Preview:
Now this is a team. Kreuziger arrives in place of Wiggins, but the main rider now, has to be Mark Cavendish. Him and Rojas will wither crash and burn, or excel and improve with each other. Flecha finished 2nd in all three cobbled classics last season, and has to be a major threat once again this season. The entire team is very deep, and will be a top contender for no. 1 UCI ranking.
Tim's Prediction:2nd
Vaconsoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
Preview:
These guys are hard to read. The team looks good for a Conti Team, but in the ProTour I don't know. Mosquera and Wout Poels are great climbers, and can win GT stages, but other than those two and Bjarn Leukemans, the team is quite shallow. Roman Feillu and Borut Bozic are fast, and can take big wins, and De Gendt, Hoogerlnad and Carrara are great domestiques. The team could be great, or awful. Hard to tell. I'm going with awful.
Hi guys,
This season, my whole blog is going to be arranged into different segments.
There will be Race Day, which is when I report on all my races, and others that I feel should be reported.
Then there is Tim's Blog, which is my little area where I can write about everything I've been doing, how I'm feeling, and any announcements I personally want to give you.
And finally, Cycling News. This segment will contain all the latest news from transfers to results. I will link you to some articles, and let you know the latest transfers for BMC in this section also.
I hope you like the way I've set this up, and constructive critisicm is always welcome!
. But maybe you can have a shot as a second main rider in either the Giro or the Vuelta nex year.
