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[EPIC] Movistar Team
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 28-01-2015 21:35
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World Champion
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Yeah, with Quintana in your team it can't really go wrong.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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Posted on 28-01-2015 22:06
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7735
Joined: 21-12-2010
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Not complaining about it. The last season saw some ridiculous easy team goals which were not countered hard so I thought I could try it, too.
E.g. I had the same goal last season, too, without getting a hard counter goal and nearly every of Sky's goals last year was too easy, too.
It's definitly a good idea to go harder your counter goals! Actually, I dislike the TDU goal more since the Algarve win goal is already not that easy considering that it will not be easy to beat PoDing and possible other stars. (no offense, Carlo  )
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 31-01-2015 10:19
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World Champion
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Your races for part 1:
All WT
Gabon
Marseillaise
Algarve
Almeria
Strade
Roma
Criterium
Indurain
Volta
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Shonak |
Posted on 08-02-2015 07:50
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Second stage of Gabon saw a taste of what is to come of Movistar's new ultra leviathan of the peloton. With famed legend J.A. Flecha, Marco Marcato, Ventoso, and most of all russian locomotive Kusnezov, the team has brought the pain to the peloton on the 100 kilometer long circuit. They took advantage of the changing wind conditions and in the end, only 21 out of 158 arrived the finish with them.
On a roughly flat course, mind you. A feat that is usually only accomplished by Movistar's grand hilly squad.
For reasons unknown or because he liked to draw out his opponents (or because of pure idiocy), Carlo Calzone contested in the intermediate sprint 10 kilometers from the finish.
Sadly, this wasn't the finish.
The Italian has left his Movistar manager wondering about Calzone's (race) intelligence, since after all he threw away precious power, straight out of the window. With this move, he also basically threw his chance away to win. Fresher legs had the advantage over him, culminating in a superior performance of the reknown "hilly sprinter"-type, all 4 riders of this type placed ahead of him. He was clearly missing power in the final, where he merely came 5th.
Not good enough.
Edited by Shonak on 08-02-2015 07:59
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Shonak |
Posted on 12-02-2015 13:33
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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A fairly quiet day in terms of Movistar's racing has been stage 5 of Tour de Gabon, leading from Lamberne to Mouila. Carlo Calzone has been part of the bunch sprint but little else, coming in 7th, finishing 5th of the sprint though.
"The win was already settled when we hit the 1 kilometer flag", explained Calzone later. "I had no interest to sprint for podium scraps on a day my legs felt bad from the day before." Calzone has lost several minutes on stage 4, falling out of GC contention for good.
Now, with John-Lee Augustyn dropped from the peloton 10 kilometers out, Tom Jelte Slagter claiming Belkin's first win of the season and Caja Rural getting a new brand image as pace makers, the attention of Gabon's Tour rested on other teams today.
For the two remaining flat stages, Movistar might awaken their leviathan of a sprint train again, so that Calzone may achieve stage honours at the end of the season's first race. Certainly a goal for him, stating "I'd be disappointed if I left Gabon without a stage win. The next two days must be different."
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Shonak |
Posted on 12-02-2015 21:49
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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The next day saw a similiar outcome in Gabon. Again a breakaway rider was successful, this time it was on a perfect stage for sprinters.
Movistar did some solid work for Calzone but the peloton probably invested too late to reel in the riders. Some of them had exceptional reserves left on this roughly 140km long stage.
Calzone finished 3rd in the bunch sprint, 8th of the day. The sprint itself was probably his best this season yet but with only one more stage remaining, he'll have to seriously step up his game if the plan is to come true.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 03:38
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Posted on 13-02-2015 16:43
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7735
Joined: 21-12-2010
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Oh Carlo,
we are ashamed that we could not help you more in your attempts to make the first win in our colors. We thought that our support squad would have been picked carefully to give you the best assist as possible which leaves us clueless about what has happened. Did you noticed anything?
From our side there was not much visible. The only thing we noticed is that JJ Lobato lacked every freshness. We reacted quickly by replacing him in the upcoming Tour Down Under with Sbaragli who wasn't planned to race both races so quickly.
But what else was there? I thought Kuznetsov was in brilliant shape. His efforts - especially on stage 2 - looked incredible and I can't think of a handful of other riders who could have done that similarly.
The lack of pacing from other teams had make me think if there was perhaps an alliance between the other teams against us. Did you notice anything?
It would be cool to have a quick analysis from you what went wrong and how we can change that.
Michael Schröder
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 13-02-2015 21:18
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
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The last stage was the same as the one before and the stage before that. A breakaway won, just barely surviving. But they made it to the finish, that's what counts. Calzone was once more merely sprinting for scraps.
Disappointing? Yes. "I didn't even want to sprint in the end", Calzone claimed. "It's worthless and embarrasing to sprint for anything different than the victory!"
"My team did an outstanding job, but we won't do all the work for other teams."
----- Response to Team Manager ----
Ciao Mr. Manager,
the team has been spectacular. I've never seen something like what they did on stage 2 and 7. We have been a freigther, pushing through ice - destroying it - and building up barricades and bringing the pain to other teams. At least thanks to the team's tireless effort, J.J. Rojas came into Top 10. They forced the mistakes on other riders, dropping them like fleas. I wish we could have placed Ventoso and Marcato there too.
Movistar did some great pace working but there's only so much you can do. Gabon featured short stages. With many riders in the breakaway, some of those guys were fresh for a second wind in the final kilometers. I was impressed by the guys like Flecha, Kuznetsov and so on. Each of them did a brilliant job. But a team can only do so much. Frankly, I prefer to see a breakaway winning than seeing some other sprinter steal the victory from us. Hope I won't get to regret those words soon.
Unfortunately we can't say much about our sprint trains. Most of the time the sprints were very, very hectic due to the close proximity of the breakaway. People were crazily looking for the wheels and how far the other riders were behind, instead of focusing on doing our thing. The one time we built a sprint train, I lacked the power due to my own pointless intermediate ambitions on stage 2.
I myself don't pride myself on competing for Top 10 results in little shit races like Gabon. I sprint because it's my job and I own it to the team. But I can't give my best when I don't compete for the win. I'm sure you understand that, Movistar is a built to win races. Not to place someone in Top 10. My legs feel fine though, I look forward to competing in Australia.
Please send my wife to me. I need something to cheer me up.
See you down under,
Calzone
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Shonak |
Posted on 15-02-2015 20:04
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Straight from Gabon to Australia. Tour Down Under Stage 1 saw Weschenbach claim another win this early. Calzone meanwhile didn't manage to crack Top 10. He passed all interviewers fast, because no one seemed interested in him anyway.
The tough climb merely kilometers ahead of the finish must have been hard enough for the big sprinter boy. The Calzone has managed to hold on and didn't get drop like some other men, which in itself could be interpreted as a success. For anybody else than Calzone, who had plans for today. But eventually, the hill must have surely cost him too much energy to be in real contention for a stage win today. Top 10 would have still been nice.
Flatter stages will come soon. Hopefully.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Shonak |
Posted on 17-02-2015 19:02
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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The second stage of Tour Down Under didn't go in any way better for Movistar, and especially Calzone. The hilly finish saw Kristoff from Katusha take the win, and the overall lead. Calzone meanwhile finished far down. He didn't even contest in the sprint apparently.
Bad legs, or bad route? Calzone was in the contention in hillier stages in the past but never in a successful way. This however has been a new low point for the Italian.
"The pace was really fast, lots of accidents on the road", said Calzone later. "A lot of riders got dropped at the hill, I barely managed to stay in that group. It was a hard finish and I didn't have the legs to get anything more out of it."
Again, flatter stages will come. But Movistar team manager Schröder might be already angry with his signing, considering the immense investment he put into Calzone and his helpers. The Calzone will have to deliver sooner rather than later. And the only currency that counts is obviously to win a race.
Edited by Shonak on 17-02-2015 19:02
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Shonak |
Posted on 21-02-2015 15:07
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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After a more than disappointing start to the season and Australia specially, Carlo Calzone could at least somewhat redeem the promise he made to Movistar manager by finishing... 10th, on stage 4. Now hold on! 10th doesn't sound like much.
But the first 7 riders were from a breakaway, naturally. Like, always. Meanwhile, Greipel and Hanzen raced a stage of their own in the final kilometers, even getting a sizeable gap ahead of the bunch sprint.
So I guess in a world where Pizza is folded and all the pretty girls want a slice of that exact Calzone, did Carlo somehow win a bunch sprint against Cavendish and others? Yeah, I guess so.
Now let's only cut the 0 from the ranking, and make it him the #1 instead of #10.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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Posted on 21-02-2015 20:48
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7735
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 400.00
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Moin Carlo,
nobody is angry at you. When ever you decide to participate in a sprint you're doing well. It is just that most of the time we cannot pull in the breakaway in time to give you the mass sprint for the victory.
This may be partly our fault but personally - and this is really just my personal opinion - I am very disappointed by the chasing work of some of our rivals. Teams like Lotto or especially Sky should chase more and harder with their team to give their top sprinter stars the chance to fight for the victory.
Let's face it: On paper (& propably only there!) their sprinters are the better sprinters so they should do the big chunk of work! This is what really annoys me! Your sprinting is okay and I'm confident that it will improve further!
Michael S.
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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Posted on 22-02-2015 16:09
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7735
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 400.00
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After Gabon finished & Down Under will (hopefully) be finished soon, it is time to look ahead towards the next month in EPIC cycling.
First up is the yearly GP La Marseillaise. With the expected sprint finish we will send Juan José as our lead sprinter. He will have an excellent leadout in Francisco José and José Joaquin. Juan Antonio, Juan José, José, Juan José and Juan Manuel will complete the squad.
Afterwards, we will see how Costa will take revenge on the worst North Korean in professional cycling in Volta ao Algarve. He will be hugely motivated to beat his rival this year under home soil. Most important helpers will be Andrey Amador & Tiago Machado.
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 22-02-2015 16:51
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I love that Marsaillaise team and genuinly hope that JJ and JJ will do well for their new team, while allowing their old team mates to tag along
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 22-02-2015 17:15
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
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Best of luck to Juan Manuel
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Shonak |
Posted on 27-02-2015 14:01
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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The final stage of Tour Down Under saw Calzone getting into the Top 10 one last time. On 10th place. Fair to say that it isn't exactly the type of results that Calzone was hoping to compete for, but given the circumstance he takes it.
A high pace on the circiut split the peloton apart, with Calzone being stuck way down. Fortunately, he made it back to the front in due time, but at that point he may have wasted too much energy. "I usually should be upfront in such races, always keeping the pace. That's one of my strong sides", explains Calzone. "But maybe my legs couldn't bother to be alert throughout the race after hardly anyhting went right so far."
Though Movistar's phalanx can be interpreted as very strong and a solid lead-out for any sprinter, the new department of the team might still be lacking the natural rhythm and chemistry it needs to compete on this high World Tour level. Competition such as Cavendish, Greipel or race winner Kristoff is not easily defeated. Over the next few races, Calzone will be hoping that he and his team manager can find the best formula for a functioning, rewarding leadout. The season has - after all - just begun and there are plenty of races to be won still. Unfortunately, Tour Down Under wasn't one of them for Movistar and The Calzone.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 28-02-2015 10:19
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
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Ollfardh wrote:
Best of luck to Juan Manuel
I take that back now!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Shonak |
Posted on 15-03-2015 18:29
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Paris-Nice is up and with Calzone at the startline, next to Movistar's Alejandro Valverde, there's a strong focus on stage wins for the team. Together Valverde and Calzone pretty much cover almost all stages, for the classic breakaway stages, there are still some more quality riders in the team like Flecha.
The first stage was pancake flat and Calzone did fairly good at keeping himself positioned in the sprint. This time favoring the wheel of Cavendish, Calzone had a good position for this first sprint. Unfortunately he couldn't quite hold the wheel and a bit of a gap put him in the wind. However, the legs were fairly strong that day and he finished 4th.
"It's a long race and Movistar have multiple goals here. I did not mind to search for Cavendish's wheel. This comes natural when you are a sprinter. I know that Movistar's sprint trains will come together soon, we just need some more time", explained Calzone. "It's a decent first result. I plan to do well in the next two stages as well. I wish to win here, but that is going to be difficult with this competition."
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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Posted on 15-03-2015 21:59
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7735
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 400.00
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Hey Carlo,
it is nice to hear that you are not too angry about not trying to build a train today. From my team car I could see a very interesting happening taking place inside the peleton and I wanted to try to profit from that.
All the other teams were solely looking at Sky to make the pace and nobody wanted to help them because Cavendish looked like the obvious favourite. And with Sky also having a big favourite for the GC I wanted to use the chance to test their willingness to work hard for the stage win by sending out Marcato multiple times.
The domestiques of them were hit hard by that as we could see by their faces when they fall back to their team cards and it was even funny how long it took until the team cars released the water bottles to the riders. I wish the UCI would have taken a closer look at that.
Later on, Flecha saw himself the chance to go and asked to attack himself and I could not resist to allow it.
Which left Oroz, Flecha and Marcato out of a possible leadout while Valverde is not allowed to do it for you this early. Not many have been left as a leadout then so it was better if you catched another bike.
Thanks for your understanding,
Michael
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 16-03-2015 18:40
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Second stage of Paris-Nice was up and it was another sprinter's affair. The commentators were baffled by the early opening of Calzone, who alongside Mezgec was one of the first riders launching their kick in the wind. In the end, Calzone faded and merely came 9th. A bad result? By the looks of it, yes. But not for the feeling.
Calzone later explained, that he wanted to win today and in order to win, he had the feeling he had to risk it. "I wanted to mix up my tactics today. Following Cavendish yesterday was alright, today I wanted to risk more, wanted to risk myself." Certainly, Calzone put in a strong final here, yet still lacking some longevity in his sprint.
Calzone was spotted alone in the front, again no helpers around him. Quite surprising given the strong sprint support he enjoys despite Valverde being here. Especially Juan Jose Lobato is recommended for leadout duties. "He did very good at Almeira, it's okay that he sprints for his own gain. Once I claim victories, I can ask for his support. But when I can't win the stage with or without him, it's reasonable that he sprints for his own chances. He's very good and talented."
One more stage is left that is suited to Paris-Nice. According to Calzone, he doesn't want to stop then. "If I can make it past the hills, I see no reason why I shouldn't sprint for the win."
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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