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[FINISHED] Movistar - Climbing Kings
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 03-12-2015 16:15
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VUELTA a ESPANA
Part 3: A Legend is Born (Stage 16-21)
Following is a summary of stages...
Stage 16 - Mountain with mountain top finish, including 4 major intermediate climbs
A breakaway formed in this stage which built up up a very very big lead over the peloton. In fact, Joaquim Rodriguez, who started the stage more than eigtheen minutes down on Nairo, and was a part of the breakaway, was at one point being shown as the provisional leader of the GC! It was at this point that Movistar decided enough was enough and started chasing in earnest. They put in the hard yards, and slowly but surely reeled the breakaway back in. There was however a very determined man in the peloton on this stage who wasn't a part of Movistar. Dan Martin launched a perfectly timed attack at the foot of the climb to the finish and won on a stage which was not necessarily one that suited his abilities. It was impressive showing, sure to keep everyone at Movistar on their toes for the coming stages. To top it off, Intxausti fell going downhill, realistically ending his hopes for a top five finish.
Stage winner - Dan Martin
Movistar - Nairo 2nd, 33" behind, Kreuziger 5th, 1'8" behind
Other important results - Aru 3rd, Zakarin 4th, 50" behind
Stage 18 - Flat with hill top finish, including 1 major intermediate climb
Again, the peloton allowed the breakaway to build up a substantial lead and did not bother chsing too hard. The real fight happened in the pack of the leaders as once again Dan Martin took advantage of the stage profile to take more than a minute over his Movistar rivals.
Stage winner - Davide Formolo from breakaway
Movistar - Intxausti 12th, Nairo 13th, both 4'49" behind, Kreuziger 15th, 5'19" behind
Other important results - Dan Martin 10th, 3'48" behind, Kwiatkowski 11th, 4'25" behind, Aru 14th, 4'49" behind, Zakarin 17th, 5'19" behind
Stage 19 - Mountain with 2 major intermediate climbs
Another very long breakaway formed and this time the time gap to the peloton reached twenty-eight minutes! Again it was down to the Movistar riders to pull them back in, but the tough stage profile profile hampered their efforts. The highest placed rider was forty-four minutes behind Nairo and so, soon, the team turned their attaention to protecting their leaders. The bad news before this stage came with the announcement of the slipping fitness of Nairo. Kreuziger was also not at his peak. After the long season, the riders were showing the first signs of fatigue. This meant that the domestiques had to start working doubly hard to keep Nairo and Kreuziger at the front. Tinkoff-Saxo had a surprise up their sleeve. They allowed Zakarin to attack early in the second climb before Dan Martin joined him soon after. The Movistar leaders did not have enough in their tank to follow the attacks, and preferred to plug away at reducing the gap instead. The breakaway eventually won with a gap of more than seventeen minutes to the leaders. Martin was able to take another minute off the Movistar leaders, putting him into 2nd place and only two and a half minutes behind Nairo. He had halved his deficit in the last four stages!
Stage winner - Thomas Degand from breakaway
Movistar - Kreuziger 10th, Nairo 31st, both 18'21" behind
Other important results - Dan Martin 6th, Aru 7th, Kwiatkowski 8th, all 17'5" behind
The standings after stage 19...
Stage 20 - Mountain with mountain top finish, including 2 major and 2 minor intermediate climbs
Tinkoff-Saxo gave Movistar another headache when they sneakily got Pinot into the early breakaway. Behind by 18 minutes, and given his strength in the mountains, there was a possibility of this turning ugly if left unchecked. As such, Movistar took no chances and started chasing the breakaway as soon the gap went above five minutes. The did an incredible job of pulling all the riders back with the exception of Pinot, who would later go on to win the stage, but only just. Behind him, Nairo showed the rest of the GC who's boss by rampaging up the last climb to the finish. No one could come near him. Falling fitness or none, this was the signature move of the most prolific rider of the season. Having lost the time he had over the last four stages, he got all of it back here. Kreuziger tried his best get back his second spot. Having pulled away to a lead of almost forty seconds over Dan Martin, he was caught up just before the finish. He would have to try his luck again in the final stage ITT.
Stage winner - Thibaut Pinot
Movistar - Nairo 2nd, 51" behind, Intxausti 5th, 2'26" behind, Kreuziger 9th, 4'2" behind
Other important results - Aru 7th, Zakarin 8th, 3'35" behind, Dan Martin 10th, 4'2" behind
Stage 21 - Individual Time Trial - Flat - 10.3 km
An anti-climax of a stage where most of the leaders failed to put in significant times to light up the leaderboard. Only Zakarin put in a top ten time. Kreuziger did just enough to finish ahead of Dan Martin and ensure a Movistar 1-2.
Stage winner - Micahl Kwiatkowski
Movistar - Malori 14t, losing 49", Kreuziger 26th, losing 57", Nairo 37th, losing 1'7"
Other important results - Zakarin 6th, losing 35", Aru lost 1'15", Dan Martin lost 1'31"
Overall Classification
1)Nairo Quintana (Movistar)
2)Roman Kreuziger (Movistar)
3)Dan Martin (Tinkoff-Saxo)
Mountain Classification
1)Julien Schopp (BMC)
2)Gregory Brenes (MTN Qhubeka)
3)Nairo Quintana (Movistar)
Points Classification
1)Dan Martin (Tinkoff-Saxo)
2)Nairo Quintana (Movistar)
3)Roman Kreuziger (Movistar)
Young Riders Classification
1)Adam Yates (Tinkoff-Saxo)
2)Davide Formolo (Lotto-Soudal)
3)Odd Christian Eiking (IAM)
Team Classification
1)Movistar
2)Tinkoff-Saxo
3)Canondale-Garmin
He did it!! We did it!! The Tour-Vuelta double is Nairo's!! A Movistar 1-2 in a Grand Tour race too. Wow!! All the preparation, all the planning, all the careful scheduling was meant for such an outcome. COuldn't be more perfect. A mention for Benat Intxausti for getting us another top 10 finish and for Roman Kreuziger for his second 2nd place finish in a GT this year. This season has truly been remarkable.
Edited by AbhishekLFC on 04-12-2015 01:27
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 04-12-2015 01:30
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Directeur Sportif
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With this win, Nairo notched up the following two achievements:
1)Tour-Vuelta Double
2)Winning all three Grand Tours in his career
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-11-2024 16:23
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 04-12-2015 06:13
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Total domitation. Congrats
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 04-12-2015 06:19
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1st and 3rd  and getting two exploits in one race
That was a pretty great vuelta.
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 04-12-2015 06:39
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Directeur Sportif
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@Tamijo: Thanks  . Still basking in the glory...
@trekbmc: We got a 1-2  . The last stage ITT got Kreuziger back up to 2nd!
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| Ripley |
Posted on 04-12-2015 07:48
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Joined: 25-11-2014
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The last week was more exciting than I thought it'd be. Hats off to Tinkoff-Saxo who brought a really good team to the Vuelta and made Movistar sweat more than a little. Hail to King Nairo, I foresee many more GT victories for him in the future, he's still young. |
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 04-12-2015 16:31
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Directeur Sportif
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@Ripley: That's the whole plan with Nairo - total domination! The next three years would probably be his best and the dream is to try to win three GTs in a year. Will be very tough though, judging by how fatigue caught up there at the end.
The next update is of the three WT Classic races that happened during the Vuelta. Read on for a jaw-dropping result...
GP Ouest France - Plouay
This race was held at the end of August with Movistar registering a moderately strong team. Leopold Konig and Mikel Nieve were to lead. As expected, there was an early breakaway which formed. The peloton got themselves organised soon enough. The caught the breakaway with about twenty km to go which opened up the race for further attacks. However, the high pace of the peloton prevented any such attacks till about eight kms to go. Thomas de Gendt was able to get away from the pack and stayed clear till the finish. He was followed about a km later by Mikel Nieve, and then finally by Greg van Avermaet and Tom Dumoulin with two km to go. Van Avermaet caught Nieve on the finishing straight, to finish 2nd behind de Gendt. Nieve contented himself with 3rd, Dumoulin hung on for 4th and the pack sprinted to the line after.
GP Cycliste de Quebec
Traditionally, Movistar have never been good at these races. Their team has always been set up to go well on the mountains and take advantage of the Time Trials. On this day, something incredible happened!
The race followed the same script early on with a breakaway staying out in front for almost 200 km. After they were, Movistar were able to put all but one of their riders in prime position to attack. With less than 5 km to go, and with them controlling the pace, they mounted a synchronised attack. Surprisingly, the favourites were the ones who were caught by the chasing peloton. It was to be the day of rookie! Having been on the team for only six weeks, he joined on 1st August after being scouted, this was only his third race for the team. His name was Eustaquio Sanchez, and he would never forget this day for as long as he lives. He beat the fancied Classics specialists and the punchers to bring Movistar its first win in a WT Classics race under my management. He was in dreamland after this 
(Take a look at the competition he beat!)
Eduard Korniets, also a relative newcomer, having been signed only last year from the U23s, finished 7th to cap off an incredible day for the Movistar newcomers.
GP Cycliste de Montreal
This was almost dejavu for the peloton as Movistar controlled the race pace towards the end in the same way as they did a couple of days back at Quebec. This time however, they attacked at just the wrong moment, too late to build up a gap and a little too early to sustain the sprint for the finish. The Classics specialists took their opportunity with both hands, Simon Spilak coming in 1st place to go one better of his second place finish at Quebec. Gorkha Izagirre was the highest placed finisher for Movistar in 6th place. Incredibly, Eustaquio Sanchez got himself another top 10 finish, crossing the line in 8th place. Eduard Korniets finished applaudably in 12th. What an experience it's been for them the past 3 days!
Edited by AbhishekLFC on 04-12-2015 16:35
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 04-12-2015 16:34
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Team Leader
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Wow nice win in Quebec, looks like you have a talent on your hands.
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 04-12-2015 18:12
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Team Leader
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Some nice results !
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 05-12-2015 06:00
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Directeur Sportif
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Thanks both . These results should give the youngsters more confidence about expressing themselves in big races...
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| Ripley |
Posted on 05-12-2015 08:16
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3341
Joined: 25-11-2014
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A trainee winning a WT race! I've seen a lot in this game, but never this. Congrats!
As for Nairo winning all GTs in one season... yes, you'll have to be very careful with the training. And in my experience, the longer you wait, the better the chance will be, because many of the best stage racers are getting old. |
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 05-12-2015 15:01
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11676
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@Ripley: I wonder if its ever happened in cycling...
Next year will be too early for Nairo to try the same I think. Will target the 3 GT achievement the year after.
Those things for later. Now to updates from a few smaller races during and after the Vuelta...
GP de Fourmies
Memorial Marco Pantani
GP Industria & Commercio di Prato
Coppa Bernocchi
Primus Classic
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 05-12-2015 15:06
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A few nice results nearing the end of the season.
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 05-12-2015 16:59
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Another win for good old Luis León Sánchez Gil
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 05-12-2015 17:18
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Directeur Sportif
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Given that it's getting difficult to get a team of riders registered who's not struggling with fitness, especially if there's more than one race in a day, the results have been quite good. The curse of second place seems to be back though...
He's still going strong at 33 . Should be good for a couple more years at least...
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 06-12-2015 05:40
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Directeur Sportif
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WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Individual Time Trial
Profile - Flat
Distance - 44.3 km
The WC ITT went according to script with Chris Froome taking advantage of the long flat course to claim the win. Crowd favourite Tom Dumoulin took second place, with Tony Martin rounding out the podium. The best for Colombia, under my management, was Rigoberto Uran in 14th place.
Road Race
Profile - Hilly
Distance - 246.5 km
The road race profile suited racers who perform well in the one day classics. Again, true to form, Michal Kwiatkowski launched a well-timed attack with about 12 km to go, to ride to a solo win. Francesco Bongiorno surprised everyone with his 2nd place while Wilco Kelderman rounded off another bright year with 3rd. It was a better outing for Colombia with Sergio Henao finishing 7th , Rigoberto Uran 10th and Nairo Quintana coming home in 11th place.
Edited by AbhishekLFC on 06-12-2015 08:49
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 06-12-2015 07:20
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Colombia went well and Movistar with Quintana coming 11th isn't bad .
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 06-12-2015 08:48
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Directeur Sportif
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trekbmc wrote:
Colombia went well and Movistar with Quintana coming 11th isn't bad .
Three top 10 finishes in the ITT to add to that
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 06-12-2015 15:06
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IL LOMBARDIA
Movistar went into this race with a strong team and defending champions. From the pre-season scheduling and preparation, this has been the Monument they have been targeting all year. They came close in Liege-Bastogne-Liege, with Nieve finishing on the podium. The defending champ Alejandro Valverde started again, but this time his role would be no more than as helper for leader Leopold Konig. Valverde has been on a steady decline for some time now and expecting him to win here would be more fantasy than practical. All the big names were out in force again with Kwiatkowski leading the charge, freshly off his WC ITT win. Wilco Kelderman and Francesco Bongiorno, both on the podium on the WC RR, Rui Costa, Diego Ulissi and others would be vying for this title.
The race got under-way and it wasn't long before there was a breakaway. The peloton took it easy till the first climb of the day before they really started chasing. By this time the breakaway had built up a lead of more than 10 minutes. The chase continued past the next two climbs. On the third climb, Pierre Rolland launched the first attack going up the penultimate climb of the day. By this time, the leading group's lead was down to two and a half minutes. Rolland was reeled in soon enough. Luis Leon Sanchez was given the license to attack going downhill from that same climb. He managed to stay ahead for about 8 km before being hauled back. By this time the lead to the breakaway was down to a minute. Julian Arredondo was the next one to attack at the base of the last climb of the day with the likes of Rui Costa, Ulissi and Kelderman trying to follow. The fast pace set by Movistar and Europcar ensured they could not get away. It also saw the breakaway being caught simultaneously. Just before the summit of the final climb, Leopold Konig took his chance during a lull in the pace making and launched a superb attack to build up a lead of almost a minute. There was about 10 km to go now and most of it was downhill. The favourites started chasing in earnest, but their efforts were in vain as Konig, although completely drained, so much so that he wasn't even in a position to celebrate, crossed the line in 1st place, a few metres ahead of the hard charging Costa. His celebration did come after the finish had gone by. Movistar had won the Il Lombardia back to back. It was a fitting way to round off the big races of 2017! Rui Costa finished 2nd and Diego Ulissi took 3rd place.
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 06-12-2015 15:19
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great win for Konig there in Lombardia
that's a pretty good way to finish off the season.
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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