|
Jack Wiles |> March
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 20-08-2012 13:49
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
Volta ao Algarve - Stage 1
This was one of the hilly days. We were expecting a tough day. Robbie, Burke and Ivan would penetrate the break, while Karpets and I would stay alert towards the finish.
Burke tried to follow the first attack, but it was pulled back.
Robbie followed the second attack, and this time it went away.
Robbie was by far the strongest there.
The gap rose to 7'00 very quickly.
Europcar half organized a chase, but it never really organized. Slowly the gap came down.
Robbie sat back at both IS's and KoM's, saving energy.
With 35km to go Robbie just rode away from his breakaway companions.
Behind attacks get flying from the peloton. BMC were all over the front though and none suceeded.
Robbie was swallowed with 17km to go.
I could tell it was going to be a bunch sprint finish. I decided very early to grab Sagan's wheel as i know he has a massive kick.
Pozzato tried to surprise everyone with 5km to go, getting a few meters lead.
So with 2km to go; Pozzato was leading by 200m. Galdos was being lead out on the left, and Cappechi was following Voeckler on the right. I was coming down the center behind Dumoulin.
Galdos final burst was savage, and Cappechi had a short route to the line. It was going to be a close finish.
I delayed my sprint and finished fast.
But not fast enough as Capecchi held on. Galdos faded to third.
Meaning i was on the podium! In my very first race!
I take the White Jersey as well!
All in all, a great first outing. I doubt the rest of the race will go as well. Its a tough field. Voeckler, Evans, Sagan, Hesjedal, Van Garderen, Galdos, Pellizoti are all here.
See you tomorrow after stage 2
Edited by TheManxMissile on 20-08-2012 13:50
|
| |
|
|
| Ian Butler |
Posted on 20-08-2012 14:17
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
|
Very nice! (However, I'd love to see the race profile, if it's not too much trouble?) |
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 20-08-2012 14:23
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
Ian Butler wrote:
Very nice! (However, I'd love to see the race profile, if it's not too much trouble?)
i can get one for you
It was a hilly route, with that major climb in the 1st half. The 2-3 sharp rises in the second half. The run in was relatively flat with a couple of ramps.
The final Km had a nasty rise in it.
I'll also do a full set of results tomorrow for stages 1 and 2
Also since we finished this picture appeard. Its the whole SpiderTech team being dropped
TMM; This is my 1000 post!!!!
Edited by TheManxMissile on 20-08-2012 14:24
|
| |
|
|
| Ian Butler |
Posted on 20-08-2012 14:58
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
|
Congrats on 1000  |
| |
|
|
| sutty68 |
Posted on 20-08-2012 16:26
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
The White jersey after stage one, very nice |
| |
|
|
| fernando97 |
Posted on 21-08-2012 15:44
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2167
Joined: 01-01-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Hope you'll keep that white jersey throughout the whole race! |
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 01:38
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 21-08-2012 17:00
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
Thanks for the support. I doubt i'll keep the white jersey, my form is not that good.
TMM; This story will slow a bit over the next 2 weeks or so. Maybe 1 stage a day at best at think.
|
| |
|
|
| sutty68 |
Posted on 21-08-2012 19:17
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
One stage a day is enough for any story in my opinion |
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 21-08-2012 20:38
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
Volta ao Algarve Stage 2
This was a tougher day, but should still come to a bunch sprint.
A break went early with no-one of importance. Just small portugese and spanish riders.
I got to spend the whole day in green!
Peter made a move at halfway, and made it to the break group with 40km to go.
BMC and Liquigas took on the pace making, catching the break with 17km to go.
Sagan was so powerful and won easily, ahead of Dean and Cappechi. I came in 14th. Robbie
is really struggling for sprint form.
Today I lost my White jersey to Sagan, my podium place to Sagan, and my inherited Green jersey to Sagan. Still 4th overall, with Karpets in reach at 28"
Was a much harder day, but dealt with it ok.
Tomorrow is the last bumpy day, and much more decisive.
Will let you know how it goes
|
| |
|
|
| Ian Butler |
Posted on 21-08-2012 21:01
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
|
Well, Sagan can't be stopped, we know that  |
| |
|
|
| sutty68 |
Posted on 21-08-2012 23:59
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
So unfortunate to lose the white jersey  |
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 22-08-2012 12:19
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
Volta ao Algarve - Stage 3
This is the final hilly stage, and the toughest with 3 climbs and then a summit finish.
A break of 5 went off, most notable were Davis, Cardoso and Veelers.
I spent the whole day riding in the peloton.
While i was ok, Evans was dropped on the first climb, and lost over 5'00.
So the break was caught with 25km to go.
Loads of attacks flew on the final climb.
Karpets and I tried to hang on. We did so, but used all our energy and couldn't contest the sprint.
Sagan sprinted clear in the end, and steals the win by a 9" margin.
Gatto and Moreno rounded of the podium
On the plus side, i'm still in 4th, and Karpets still in reach.
Tomorrow is a flat stage, and the final is an itt.
I'll update you on both
This would be longer, but it was a hard day and i need to recover
Update after the itt.
|
| |
|
|
| Ian Butler |
Posted on 22-08-2012 12:49
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
|
Well, things will have to be decided in TT, good luck! |
| |
|
|
| sutty68 |
Posted on 22-08-2012 13:59
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
You will have to ride the best time trial ever |
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 22-08-2012 14:02
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
sutty68 wrote:
You will have to ride the best time trial ever
im only 30" or so from 1st so it possible
except its peter and frankly hes better than merckx for some reason
|
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 22-08-2012 14:31
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
Volta ao Algarve - Stages 4+5
Stage 4 was a flat stage.
Sagan took the sprint ahead of Dean and Gatto.
Stage 5 was the decisive time trial.
Karpets set7th best time of the day, a good ride.
I set out to defend my 4th. Errmmm, yeah, that didnt go well....
I guess a lack of form, and basic ability, meant i lost 2'32....
On the plus side Karpets was 4th overall.
I came in 19th.
Sagan won, Pinotti was 2nd and C.Meyer 3rd.
Sagan won the KoM, Points and Young as well ... greedy bastard
Orica-Greenedge won the team
|
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 22-08-2012 14:58
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
March Brings Updates
Firstly race updates
Qatar and Oman were dreadful. Yuheni and Daryl were our hopes for sprints, and never penetrated the top15. Jakob took 7th GC in Oman which was a good result, best of the non-WT team.
Murcia was better. Jakob was 7th on the opening stage, and moved up to 3rd in the time trial, best of the non-WT teams.
In fact if there were no WT teams at these last 4 races we would have at least 4 stage wins, 2 gc wins and a whole variety of other jerseys.
Instead we are struggling for points, and lie 6th as a team.
Onto other news;
Vasil, Daryl, Jan, Simona and Burke have all resigned for at least next year.
I've been back to training, but have taken a week in the Italian Alps. I've been out with Jan and Egor scouting what Giro stages we can. Its been good riding. Even better i kept dropping them!
While nice out on the road, back at the shared flat they took great pleasure in tormenting me.
Things are going well for now. My next race is supposed to be the Criterium International at the end of the month.
I'll fill the remaining weeks with some more base level training, before making an appearance at a Smirnoff Experience in Paris on the 16th.
Thats all for now, should right again just before the Crit Int
|
| |
|
|
| Ian Butler |
Posted on 22-08-2012 15:16
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
|
TheManxMissile wrote:
sutty68 wrote:
You will have to ride the best time trial ever
im only 30" or so from 1st so it possible
except its peter and frankly hes better than merckx for some reason
I hope you mean Axel, because Eddy is still number 1 |
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 22-08-2012 15:19
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
Ian Butler wrote:
TheManxMissile wrote:
sutty68 wrote:
You will have to ride the best time trial ever
im only 30" or so from 1st so it possible
except its peter and frankly hes better than merckx for some reason
I hope you mean Axel, because Eddy is still number 1
i wish i meant Axel
Peter is so strong on all terrains i fear in a year he may be better....
|
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 22-08-2012 15:27
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
Gloria Italia
We got a wildcard to the GIRO!
Thats all
|
| |
|
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
