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Il Bimbo d'bronzo | Giro d'Italia 2015
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| welker3257 |
Posted on 20-07-2014 16:03
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You could say things went well in Utah 
Gig 'em Aggies
Fast N' Loud Cycling Project - ICL
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 20-07-2014 17:38
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@welker3257
They did. 
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| admirschleck |
Posted on 20-07-2014 17:40
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*Usual Admirs comment here, because I have nothing else to say really*
Absolutely loving this. Great read, great graphics, great team, great rides and some great results. Definitely one of my favourite stories on the site, at the moment.
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 20-07-2014 17:48
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Stage 1 | Jerez de la Frontera TTT, 12.6km
Julian Arredondo, Nicholas Arcier, Haimar Zubeldia, Laurent Didier, Grégory Rast, Kristof Vandewalle, Stijn Devolder, Hayden Roulston, Markel Irizar
With the mercury hitting a good 36 degrees one could speak of a warm welcome at the start of this year’s Vuelta a España. Not only the weather here in the south of Andalusia, but the Moorish architecture reminded me a lot of Malta. Maybe some day we should lobby for a Grand Depart in Valletta? For now the white flag would be waved in Jerez de la Frontera a place of which I had an earlier memory namely the Jerez F1 Grand Prix in 1997 which I saw on TV as a 7 year old. It was the day that Michael Schumacher had his world championship taken from him by Jacques Villeneuve during the last race of the season. (Schumacher was in the right by the way!)
Per Spanish recipe the first stage of the Vuelta was a short team time trial. A discipline which had mostly become a favorite of the Anglo-Saxon teams like Sky, Garmin and Orica. As you can imagine the favorites for the day.
For our team it was the late addition of Kristof Vandewalle which made us perform above expectations today. The Belgian who has been out for most of the season due to a broken pelvis came to the start in Jerez with a grand total of 6 race days.
It were Kristof, Haimar and Stijn who did most of the work as they carried us towards a 10th place. The only unfortunate one in our team Irizar has he couldn't hold the 4th wheel meaning he and Arredondo lost 4 seconds extra. The winner came as no surprise as Team Sky beat out Movistar by 6 seconds, making Sergio Henao the jersey rojo wearer.
| 1 | Sky Procycling | 15’49” | | 2 | Movistar Team | + 6 | | 3 | BMC Racing Team | + 9 | | 4 | Astana Pro Team | + 11 | | 5 | Lotto - Belisol | + 16 | | 6 | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 19 | | 7 | Garmin - Sharp | + 24 | | 8 | Team Tinkoff - Saxo | + 25 | | 9 | Orica - GreenEDGE | + 25 | | 10 | Team Tissot | + 26 |
| 1 | Sergio Henao | Sky Procycling | 15’49” | | 5 | Chris Froome | Sky Procycling | + 0 | | 13 | Alejandro Valverde | Movistar Team | + 6 | | 27 | Janez Brajkovic | Astana Pro Team | + 11 | | 33 | Tejay van Garderen | BMC Racing Team | + 15 | | 44 | Bauke Mollema | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 19 | | 52 | Andrew Talansky | Garmin - Sharp | + 24 | | 61 | Alberto Contador | Team Tinkoff - Saxo | + 25 | | 68 | Nicholas Arcier | Team Tissot | + 26 | | 89 | Julian Arredondo | Team Tissot | + 30 | | 101 | Joaquin Rodriguez | Katusha Team | + 34 |
Edited by Re Leone on 20-07-2014 22:12
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 20-07-2014 17:49
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@admirschleck
Thanks admir, good to know people enjoy the story and appreciate the little graphical work I put in. 
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| dark_x2012 |
Posted on 20-07-2014 17:50
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A decent result. Haven't lost much time here.
Edited by dark_x2012 on 20-07-2014 17:50
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 20-07-2014 22:02
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Stage 2 | Algeciras - San Fernando, 174.4 km
Markel Irizar his attack right at the starting shot went unanswered as the Basque secured the first mountain jersey of this Vuelta within the first 11km. Meaning our goal set by Josu for the day had been achievement. Markel was feeling good though and continued on riding ahead of the peloton. It were Ghyselinck (Wanty) and Gaudin (Ag2r) who decided to join him for a long day at the head of the race in the blazing sun as today the temperature was 37 degrees.
As per the usual Grand Tour script the trio at the front of the race were caught with 6km left in the stage. Everyone appreciative that the peloton kicked into gear as late as possible on this hot day.
Both Julian and I were fan of the heat though and decided to throw ourselves into the technical mass sprint. Due to the many corners in the final 2km, Arredondo could sprint to an impressive 8th place as I dropped him off at the wheel of stage winner Kittel.
Julian and I would joke later that evening at the dinner table that a lot of people where probably betting their life savings on him winning the stage of tomorrow into Arcos de la Frontera. Where the final 2km would proof difficult for the sprinters to survive.
| 1 | Marcel Kittel | Giant - Shimano | 3h55'46 | | 2 | Elia Viviani | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. | | 3 | Theo Bos | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 4 | Arnaud Demare | FDJ.fr | s.t. | | 5 | Alexander Kristoff | Katusha Team | s.t. | | 6 | John Degenkolb | Giant - Shimano | s.t. | | 7 | Nacer Bouhanni | FDJ.fr | s.t. | | 8 | Julian Arredondo | Team Tissot | s.t. | | 9 | Gerald Ciolek | MTN - Qhubeka | s.t. | | 10 | Ben Swift | Sky Procycling | s.t. | | - | | 14 | Nicholas Arcier | Team Tissot | s.t. |
Edited by Re Leone on 20-07-2014 22:13
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 20-07-2014 22:03
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@dark_x2012
Thanks! The team is looking strong for this Vuelta indeed.
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 21-07-2014 11:38
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Stage 3 | Cadiz - Arcos de la Frontera, 188 km
With Josu his encouraging words from earlier in the morning in the back of my mind, I and another 197 riders went out for another day in the sun, luckily more forgiving today at a 33 degrees. The less hot weather did not seem to entice a hunger for attacks though, as our own Hayden Roulston joined by Lars Bak (Lotto) quite simply rode away from the peloton.
At the dinner table Hayden would tell us how Bak was the worst companion to have today, the reason being that he refused to relay half the time and sprinted for the bonus seconds. Roulston still managed to score 6 mountain points by the end of the day, securing the mountain jersey within our team for another day, switching from Markel Irizar his shoulders to Roulston.
It was on the Alto Camino with about 60km left that we got into trouble. Kristof Vandewalle our water-carrier got a flat. With the peloton gaining in speed Zubeldia, Arredondo, Didier and I were left without any water at the head of the peloton a serious issue with the heat.
On the following climb Puerto del Boyar it were Haimar Zubeldia and I who let ourselves drop back to Josu his car to replenish ourselves. Right around this time it were Scarponi (Astana), Kern (Ag2r) and Moreno (Katusha) who attacked, kicking the peloton into a higher gear. Which left me and Haimar isolated by the time we reached the top of the climb a good 30 seconds behind the peloton both with 4 bottles in our necks.
Thanks to Didier (who felt ill today) and a dropped back Roulston we made it back in the descent. During which there were various attacks, but none successful.
The 20 minutes I had spend with the cool bottles in my neck did proof to be beneficial though as I felt really fresh in the speeding final. With Haimar guarding Arredondo and a from the background returned Kristof taking care of Didier, I had Roulston lead me to the front of the peloton where in a duo attack we launched down the descent towards the little hill 6km from the finish.
The plan had been to accelerate on the hill and then continue on solo, but Hayden was so strong he carried me up and over the hill doing all the lead work until the final 2km leaving me at the entrance of Arcos with a 40 seconds lead!
Even with the road going up to a good 10% my legs felt wondrous. So good really that I was even gaining time on the peloton! It were Julian, Henao, Majka and Martin who managed to come a bit closer, but they all fell short as I swayed my way to the finish line with Josu his encouraging screams in my ear.
Hola mundo de el ciclismo. Your new rey Nicholas Arcier is here!
| 1 | Nicholas Arcier | Team Tissot | 4h45'35 | | 2 | Julian Arredondo | Team Tissot | + 8 | | 3 | Sergio Henao | Sky Procycling | + 25 | | 4 | Rafal Majka | Team Tinkoff - Saxo | + 33 | | 5 | Daniel Martin | Garmin - Sharp | s.t. | | 6 | Alberto Contador | Team Tinkoff - Saxo | + 48 | | 7 | Jose Herreda | Movistar Team | + 56 | | 8 | Carlos Alberto Betancur | Ag2r - La Mondiale | s.t. | | 9 | Bauke Mollema | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 10 | Andrew Talansky | Garmin - Sharp | s.t. |
| 1 | Sergio Henao | Sky Procycling | 8h57'35 | | 2 | Nicholas Arcier | Team Tissot | + 1 | | 3 | Julian Arredondo | Team Tissot | + 13 | | 4 | Edvald Boassen Hagen | Sky Procycling | + 31 | | 5 | Chris Froome | Sky Procycling | s.t. | | 6 | Jonathan Tiernan-Locke | Sky Procycling | s.t. | | 7 | Daniel Marti | Garmin - Sharp | + 34 | | 8 | Rafal Majka | Team Tinkoff - Saxo | + 36 | | 9 | Alejandro Valverde | Movistar Team | + 37 | | - | | 15 | Alberto Contador | Team Tinkoff - Saxo | + 48 | | 16 | Bauke Mollema | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 50 | | 21 | Carlos Alberto Betancur | Ag2r - La Mondiale | + 1'07 |
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 21-07-2014 11:40
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Vuelta a Espana, Post Race Interview. Interviewer: I’m here today with the winner of stage 3 in la Vuelta a Espana, Nicholas Arcier from Team Tissot. Tell me Nicholas, this is your second season as a road cyclist. How does it feel to right away win a big stage in a grand tour like this?
Absolutely exhilarated. We discussed this exact tactic at the start of the day with our directeur sportif and thought we had to throw it in the trashcan as we encountered many problems during the stage. It was thanks to the great work of Hayden Roulston that I was able to be at the lead today and I’d like to thank him for that.
Interviewer: You guys have been in the breakaway both days so far, is this the attacking mentality you guys plan to race with?
Yes definitely. We haven’t come here with a leader who is specialized in something so we’re just trying to take our chances whenever we get them, by going on the attack and fighting for the wins and jerseys.
Interviewer: You are one second behind Sergio Henao now for the red jersey. Will you be trying to attack him for that jersey?
I don’t know that is something we will have to look at. The stage tomorrow might be something where the big names might want to attack, though maybe riders like me might stand a chance. So who knows maybe we can surprise Team Sky and make it difficult for them.
Interviewer: Thank you Nicholas. Enjoy your win.
Will do.
Edited by Re Leone on 21-07-2014 11:40
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| Forever the Best |
Posted on 21-07-2014 12:00
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Classics Specialist
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Arcier
The user formerly known as 'The Schleck Fan'
Gracias Alberto.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 21-11-2024 22:21
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 21-07-2014 12:01
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A relief. That’s what I texted Daphné out of my hotel room in Jerez when she asked me how I felt about my win today. Obviously the work of Hayden had been key in my success today and nobody responding on our attack was a lot of luck as well. Still with a massive win my first season at Tissot could officially be called a success and nobody could accuse me of not achieving anything in this Vuelta.
To take the red jersey from Sergio Henao from Team Sky would just be the cherry on top. A cherry I desperately wanted, but might proof difficult to achieve as the Colombian was my superior on every terrain.
The main goal wasn’t to take the red jersey from Sergio Henao though. It was to keep Chris Froome from leaving Spain at the end of September with the red jersey over his shoulders. And a meeting in the hotel lobby downstairs between the heads of Tissot, Tinkoff and AG2R was the reason of that.
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 21-07-2014 14:05
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Tour de France Champion
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The Team have had a Great start to the Vuelta
But nothing beats the win from Nicholas on stage 3 |
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| dark_x2012 |
Posted on 21-07-2014 16:44
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Stop Froome.
Oh, and btw, great ride from Nicholas. |
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| admirschleck |
Posted on 21-07-2014 16:45
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What a great win for Nicholas!
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 21-07-2014 17:04
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@The Schleck Fan, @dark_x2012, @admirschleck
Thanks!
@sutty68
Will be interesting to see if we can continue our form from the Tour and Giro with top 6 finishes and 5 stage wins in each.
Edited by Re Leone on 21-07-2014 17:04
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 21-07-2014 17:15
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Stage 4 | Mairena del Alcor - Cordoba, 172.6 km
For the first time this Vuelta we had a hectic opening hour with various attacks. It was the 4-man group of Fedrigo, Wurf, Slijmens and Declerq who managed to get away. Making the peloton finally calm down, ready to enjoy another day in the 33 degree sun.
On the first climb in the final the Alto de San Jerónimo it were Sky and Katusha who started to chase the group. By the time we reached the second and final climb of the day the Alto del Catorce por ciento it became clear why. As Rodriguez and Henao launched an attack, Valverde and D.Martin the only ones willing to follow. The quartet opening the chase on the breakaway whom had a 1’30”lead remaining. With Henao gone I could say my red jersey aspirations farewell.
Arredondo didn’t give me much of a warning when suddenly he placed himself at the head of the peloton while increasing the pace massively. Making me hit a wall right away as did 90% of the rest of the peloton. Biting myself in the backhweel of Gilbert as we hammered our way to the top I noticed we had broken off the peloton with a group of about 20 riders.
This wasn’t enough for Julian though as just ahead of the top he launched himself away from the group in a hunt for the leaders. Gilbert desperately trying to follow. As we passed the top the situation had become.
<Rodriguez, Wurf, Fedrigo> 20” <D.Martin, Valverde, Henao, Arredondo, DeCleq> 15” <Mollema, Ulissi, Betancur, Gilbert> 11” <Group Froome, Contador, Arcier, Other Favorites>
Thanks to the help of Contador his domestique Majka all groups would melt together the Pole aided by Garmin proving strong enough to even get us to be noted down in the same time as the leaders Rodriguez, Henao, Arredondo and Valverde. As we caught on to them in the final 1km.
In an neck by neck sprint it was Rodriguez who took the flowers ahead of once again second placed Arredondo and Valverde. If it wasn't for the weird point system in this Vuelta, Julian would probably be wearing the points jersey. Unfortunately for now it was still Kittel who held the lead.
| 1 | Joaquin Rodriguez | Katusha Team | 3h59'23 | | 2 | Julian Arredondo | Team Tissot | s.t. | | 3 | Alejandro Valverde | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 4 | Sergio Henao | Sky Procycling | s.t. | | 5 | Cameron Wurf | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. | | 6 | José Joaquin Rojas Gil | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 7 | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | s.t. | | 8 | Tom-Jelte Slagter | Garmin - Sharp | s.t. | | 9 | Nicholas Arcier | Team Tissot | s.t. | | 10 | Tejay Van Garderen | BMC Racing Team | s.t. |
Edited by Re Leone on 22-07-2014 10:15
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 22-07-2014 10:22
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Stage 5 | Priego de Córdoba - Ronda, 182 km
Another day in the Vuelta another Tissot rider in the early breakaway. Kristof Vandewalle was the only one willing to take up the questionable honor of riding ahead of the peloton today.
With only one man ahead of the peloton another game opened up. That of the bonus seconds at the intermediate sprints. The first one laid in Cabra right after a downhill section, made prey by Gregory Rast and I as we put in a grueling 7km time trial to stay ahead of the chasing Sky train. Giving me 6 bonus seconds and the virtual lead in the general classification!
A virtual lead which would become official as Henao was unable to compete in the following sprints which were taken by the sprinters. I wonder what the Maltese newspapers will be looking like tomorrow!?
Kristof got caught with 17km left in the race, the Belgian accepting his fate as a matter of fact.
Gilbert crossing the finish-line ahead of D.Martin also felt matter of fact as the duo outsprinted Valverde and Arredondo for the stage win.
| 1 | Philippe Gilbert | BMC Racing Team | 3h48'39 | | 2 | Daniel Martin | Garmin - Sharp | s.t. | | 3 | Alejandro Valverde | Movistar Team | + 8 | | 4 | Julian Arredondo | Team Tissot | s.t. | | 5 | Tom-Jelte Slagter | Garmin - Sharp | s.t. | | 6 | Elia Viviani | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. | | 7 | Carlos Alberto Betancur | Ag2r - La Mondiale | s.t. | | 8 | Michael Matthews | Orica - GreenEDGE | s.t. | | 9 | Nicholas Arcier | Team Tissot | s.t. | | 10 | Chris Froome | Sky Procycling | s.t. |
| 1 | Nicholas Arcier | Team Tissot | 16h45'40 | | 2 | Sergio Henao | Sky Procycling | + 5 | | 3 | Julian Arredondo | Team Tissot | + 18 | | 4 | Daniel Martin | Garmin - Sharp | + 31 | | 5 | Edvald Boasson Hagen | Sky Procycling | + 36 | | 6 | Chris Froome | Sky Procycling | s.t. | | 7 | Rafal Majka | Team Tinkoff - Saxo | + 41 | | 8 | Alejandro Valverde | Movistar Team | + 42 | | 9 | Igor Anton | Movistar Team | + 43 | | 10 | Giovanni Visconti | Movistar Team | + 46 | | - | | 12 | Alberto Contador | Team Tinkoff - Saxo | + 53 | | 13 | Bauke Mollema | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 55 | | 14 | Andrew Talansky | Garmin - Sharp | + 1'00 | | 15 | Joaquin Rodriguez | Katusha Team | + 1'03 | | 16 | Laurent Didier | Team Tissot | + 1'09 | | 17 | Carlos Alberto Betancur | Ag2r - La Mondiale | + 1'12 | | - | | 19 | Janez Brajkovic | Astana Pro Team | + 1'29 | | - | | 21 | Tejay Van Garderen | BMC Racing Team | + 1'33 |
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 22-07-2014 10:23
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As the hands of Luis Zapata our soigneur slowly erased any signs of tension from my legs I laid watching the post race interviews. A bald guy with an English accent and thick rimmed glasses one of the heads at Team Sky was unbelievable in his comments.
“We didn’t mind losing the red jersey today. Especially to a rider who probably had the once in a lifetime opportunity to wear such a jersey. I think we made the day of Nicholas Arcier and that of the Maltese people, they can be thankful. Hopefully they’ll return the favor when needed.” He said finishing off with a wink.
Once in a lifetime opportunity? Grateful? Zapata was feeling the tension build up within me and quickly told me to calm down and forget about the race.
“You big champion Nicholas. Your legs are like steel. Will win many races and many jerseys with them!” He said with his thick Spanish accent in his best English.
I simply buried my head in my pillow as I mummed out a “Thank you.” Followed by a grunt as Luis untied another knot in my legs. The red jersey spread out in the corner of the room a reminder of why the pain was worth it.
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 22-07-2014 10:25
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Sorry if I'm posting this Vuelta too fast. I really just want this first season to get over with. In the hope of improving the quality of these reports in the second season. 
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