Thanks guys, for following the story with that much intensity, it really makes me happy, I hope you enjoy it too... Daggen, really liked to read your input, your reward is now on the scoreboard. Csabi, you too.
I really love reading these writings, keep this up guys!
Santos Tour Down Under Stage 3
Stage Profile
An ideal stage for the fast-mens, the little bumps shouldn't be problems for them. Our man for the stage is Hansen, we hope that he can get a decent result.
The Race
The start of the stage was pretty slow, the first BotD succeeded right away, including guys like Stannard or Kangert. They weren't pushing too strong, the gap didn't grow too much, it was still around 5 minutes with 80kms to go.
Their plan of keeping some energy backfired, as Liquigas upped the pace a lot, in order to keep Viviani's leaders jersey, and the italian also has some chances in the sprint, being one of the fastest here in Australia.
The pack caught the break quite easily, and just as the pace dropped, someone attacked out of the peloton along with Tosatto.
It was the british powerhouse, Mike Pye! The two created a gap of 30 seconds, and the peloton had to pick up the pace again, under the control of Lotto and Greenedge. Our riders were a bit behind, except for Tim De Vries, who was still lurking at the front, trying to get some good wheels.
As the riders reached the 3km mark, it was Pye all alone, but the Lotto train with Roelandts closed in quickly. What a heartbreaking moment, but he got caught and Iglinskiy jumped into the lead.
In the last kilometer, the two Astana riders lost ground quickly to Roelandts, Bouhanni and Ravard. The middle one took the lead, but both Ravard and Roelandts were coming fast, who is going to win it?!
It's Roelandts! The belgian with a great sprint! Ravard for the 2nd, Bouhanni takes the 3rd, while the best spider is De Vries at 7th, and Miller at the 18th. Good job guys!
Thanks for both, well tovhol, he didn't feel to good, decided to let Mike and Tim go, Vegard came 59th. Csabi, you're right about positioning, maybe next time.
What a shame. We watched the stage again together, but just not on the same location. Mike Pye was really amazing today. He's such a powerhorse! It was less than 3km... Still Tim did a great job, must say that I didn't expect such a finish from him. Can't wait to cycle with both of the guys.
Oh, and what about us? We were at a hotel were we relaxed and it was just for the teambuilding. There was a nice swimming pool. As a Dutchmen, I like swimming...
Also, some nice activities were planned, like a dropping. Luckily, I got a good orientation. It's just that it's not really something for me to take the lead, and my group ended up far away from the Hotel, since some guys said that they were sure where they had to go. It turns out that they didn't. We had loads of fun anyway...
The 'relaxing' camp wasn't obligated, not everyone showed up(I won't name them). Still, most of the guys showed up... The others missed loads of fun...
Wesley HoogenboomEdited by Jesleyh on 07-01-2013 19:14
What a shame. We watched the stage again together, but just not on the same trainingscamp. Mike Pye was really amazing today. He's such a powerhorse! It was less than 3km... Still Tim did a great job, must say that I didn't expect such a finish from him. Can't wait to cycle with both of the guys.
Oh, and what about us? We were at a hotel were we relaxed and it was just for the teambuilding. There was a nice swimming pool. As a Dutchmen, I like swimming...
Also, some nice activities were planned, like a dropping. Luckily, I got a good orientation. It's just that it's not really something for me to take the lead, and my group ended up far away from the Hotel, since some guys said that they were sure where they had to go. It turns out that they didn't. We had loads of fun anyway...
The 'relaxing' camp wasn't obligated, not everyone showed up(I won't name them). Still, most of the guys showed up... The others missed loads of fun...
Heya guys, I've just finished with post-race interviews etc, and i thought I'd give you all an update Australia is a great place to come to early in the season, you can find your legs and score some early points, exactly what i was trying today!
My name may not be as well known as some guys like Jens Voigt just yet, but don't get me wrong, I love the thrill of a chase, no matter which side i'm on. I was feeling pretty good today, and after the break were all but back I just thought why not! I've not been in the WT ranks long, and I want to make sure people are treating me with respect by the time we get as far as Flanders, so what better way to do it than see what happens when i jump off the front. I hope if nothing else it gave my team mates a bit of a rest, and you just wait, I'll be back at it again soon enough!
Heya guys, I've just finished with post-race interviews etc, and i thought I'd give you all an update Australia is a great place to come to early in the season, you can find your legs and score some early points, exactly what i was trying today!
My name may not be as well known as some guys like Jens Voigt just yet, but don't get me wrong, I love the thrill of a chase, no matter which side i'm on. I was feeling pretty good today, and after the break were all but back I just thought why not! I've not been in the WT ranks long, and I want to make sure people are treating me with respect by the time we get as far as Flanders, so what better way to do it than see what happens when i jump off the front. I hope if nothing else it gave my team mates a bit of a rest, and you just wait, I'll be back at it again soon enough!
You were really, really great today Mike.
My compliments... Wesley Hoogenboom
I love this pool. We had a small swimming tournament and I'm happy to say that I finished a close second after Johnny Clemson. Hoogenboom came third after an amazing sprint during the last length.
We saw the race in my and Wesley's room. When Pye attacked we cheered a bit but then the Lotto train caught him.
We got a small element of joy with the top ten by Tim De Vries.
Right now we're joking around down in a nightclub in downtown Palma.
See you soon Daggen JensenEdited by Daggen on 07-01-2013 19:48
Jesleyh wrote
The 'relaxing' camp wasn't obligated, not everyone showed up(I won't name them). Still, most of the guys showed up... The others missed loads of fun...
Jesleyh wrote
The 'relaxing' camp wasn't obligated, not everyone showed up(I won't name them). Still, most of the guys showed up... The others missed loads of fun...
I'm sorry but I missed my plane TT.TT
Hey, he's in the nightclub, so he might be a bit confused
Heya guys, I've just finished with post-race interviews etc, and i thought I'd give you all an update Australia is a great place to come to early in the season, you can find your legs and score some early points, exactly what i was trying today!
My name may not be as well known as some guys like Jens Voigt just yet, but don't get me wrong, I love the thrill of a chase, no matter which side i'm on. I was feeling pretty good today, and after the break were all but back I just thought why not! I've not been in the WT ranks long, and I want to make sure people are treating me with respect by the time we get as far as Flanders, so what better way to do it than see what happens when i jump off the front. I hope if nothing else it gave my team mates a bit of a rest, and you just wait, I'll be back at it again soon enough!
You were really, really great today Mike.
My compliments... Wesley Hoogenboom
Jesleyh wrote
The 'relaxing' camp wasn't obligated, not everyone showed up(I won't name them). Still, most of the guys showed up... The others missed loads of fun...
I'm sorry but I missed my plane TT.TT
Hey, he's in the nightclub, so he might be a bit confused
What has this turned into!? I can barely read the story without being caught up in some kind of advanced role playing game.
Edited by baseballlover312 on 07-01-2013 20:59
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
Hi,
It's me again, sorry if i'm annoying you with bthis pieces but i love writing this Today a relaxing day here. Wesley has described it and it was very funny, though in the morning i've took part to an hilly/climber training again because i want to be ready for Ardennes Classic! Now talk about the race. We was seeing during our relaxing time, and it was exciting again! This thanks to the amazing Mike Pye's attack! We hoped he could arrived first but Lotto's leadout train was very fast. This we get a Top 10 with Tim but after the race we discoverd Vegard wasn't in a good shape. Hope you could feel better soon and see you winning a TDU stage. Best of luck guys and keep this amazing work!
Andrea Rossi
@fernando
Very happy you like my pieces, probably they aren't the best but i'm enjoying writing it
Daggen, really liked to read your input, your reward is now on the scoreboard. 
Csabi, you too. 
Today a relaxing day here. Wesley has described it and it was very funny, though in the morning i've took part to an hilly/climber training again because i want to be ready for Ardennes Classic! Now talk about the race. We was seeing during our relaxing time, and it was exciting again! This thanks to the amazing Mike Pye's attack! We hoped he could arrived first but Lotto's leadout train was very fast. This we get a Top 10 with Tim but after the race we discoverd Vegard wasn't in a good shape. Hope you could feel better soon and see you winning a TDU stage. Best of luck guys and keep this amazing work!
