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Allan Smile: Project Raleigh
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 20-02-2010 19:09
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7681
Joined: 19-02-2008
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if this is half as good as his original story then it won't dissapoint. great team and zum gluck
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| Deadpool |
Posted on 20-02-2010 23:40
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Team Leader
Posts: 7357
Joined: 06-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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This should be fun... |
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| Maximka |
Posted on 21-02-2010 06:51
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Sprinter
Posts: 1902
Joined: 22-10-2007
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Yeah, I really liked your previous story. I hope this will be as good as it was
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| Crommy |
Posted on 21-02-2010 13:06
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World Champion
Posts: 10018
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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Well, I'm back.
It's a miracle I've made it back into the sport, and I it's all down to Dave again. He was actually offered the job to run the team, but somehow managed to persuade Alan Finden-Crofts to back me. Must of taken a lot of persuading.
Alan has some very ambitious plans, and he's good to work with, given me lots of support in terms of encouragement and funds, which make me think that these grandiose ambition of his actually have a chance of succeeding.
But I know a lot relies on me, and the faith being put into me has piled a lot of pressure on me – nobody else in their right mind would hire someone like me.
The time at Cycling24 TV is now just going to be a memory now. Team Raleigh is my future, and I'll be sticking with them and concentrating my efforts solely on them, not letting my previous team get in the way of delivering a dream.
Our plans for this season are to grow in experience, gain some good results and develop as a team. We'll of course be focusing on home rides, with the Tour of Britain obviously being the most important race of our season. But we've got to be honest and realise we simply don't have the talent to challenge for race wins, and we'll be doing well if we pick up a couple of podium finishes this season.
Next season however is what really excites me, as both me and Dave agree that if we play our cards right in the transfer window, we could make an assault on the Continental league. We both agree that ProTour status is more likely in 3 seasons.
But I'm back. And hopefully for good.
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| olabj |
Posted on 21-02-2010 13:31
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1105
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Looking forward to the rest, keep it coming |
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| depappie |
Posted on 21-02-2010 22:14
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 259
Joined: 20-03-2007
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nice team??? it looks awful!! but good luck, the fisrt seaosn will be full of pain imo  |
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| Ildabaoth |
Posted on 22-02-2010 00:51
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Domestique
Posts: 695
Joined: 22-03-2008
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That was, sir, a really wonderful start. I'm getting excited about this story. Good luck.
Disclaimer: The above post reflects just the personal opinion of the author and not a fact. But if you read it, you must accept it as the ultimate truth.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-12-2024 19:15
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| G_Larsson |
Posted on 22-02-2010 10:29
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Sprinter
Posts: 1779
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Crommy, you're back ! 
Your Cycling 24 story was the first story I read at this site, and it was the reason to why I stayed
Team Manager of Team IKEA-Bianchi
[url=(color=#0000ff] Team Info[/url]
Media Room
You'll Never Walk Alone |
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| Crommy |
Posted on 22-02-2010 19:33
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World Champion
Posts: 10018
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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Merci Beaucoup for all your kind comments
Grand Prix la Marseillaise
It's good to be back. No job in the world is like directing your team, and I found quite a few friendly faces to welcome me back into the fold, both managers and riders alike.
The team we brought today was led by Dan Fleeman, but with some strong French riders such as Joly looking to target the hills, we were looking for a top 20 at best.
Tom Barras was our man for the break of the day, and he managed to settle into the 9 man break.
Tom enjoys our first action of the season
But with 60km to go, 7 more riders bridged across to the leading group, creating a formidable bunch which took a lot of effort for the peloton to chase.
On the final hill, the Col de la Ginesse, a long, shallow 9km drag, 15km from the finish, a flurry of attacks went, including pre-race favourite Sebastian Joly. Dan had him marked though, and was on his wheel straight away, but he just didn't have the fitness to stay with him.
Over the top of the hill, and amazingly, everyone realised the favourites had left it too late. Tom had put himself deep into the red to stay with that front group, and was close to blowing, but the downhill to the finish allowed him to recover a bit. Tom tried hard, but didn't have the legs or the positioning to challenge for the win, but took a very credible seventh, behind winner Ferrara of CarmiOro.
Barras just couldn't find that extra to beat Ferrara (CarmiOro)
Still, seventh is a solid start to the season, and more importantly we're leaving France happy and in good spirits.
1. Raffaele Ferrara CarmiOro 3h32'58
2. Simon Geschke Skil – Shimano s.t.
3. David Deroo Skil – Shimano s.t.
4. Steve Morabito BMC Racing Team s.t.
5. Stijn Minne An Post – Sean Kelly s.t.
7. Tom Barras s.t.
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 22-02-2010 19:35
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7681
Joined: 19-02-2008
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7th is awesome with that team. beckons well for the smaller races
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| baia |
Posted on 22-02-2010 19:51
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5398
Joined: 04-10-2007
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That´s a great start,very good result there.
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| Tombola |
Posted on 22-02-2010 20:11
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Domestique
Posts: 473
Joined: 25-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Raleigh team on De Rosa bikes!? 
Very nice story though! I will be a follower...
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| Crommy |
Posted on 23-02-2010 16:06
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World Champion
Posts: 10018
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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Team Raleigh January Update
Posted online at teamraleigh.co.uk, direct from the laptop of DS Allan Smile!
This is my first update as Manager of Team Raleigh, and it's great to see the team finally up and running, ready for a full season of racing ahead. I'm really excited with the way training is going, our Mallorca training camp went great, the team is really gelling.
Not much racing, but it was amazing to see Oscar Freire somehow manage to cling onto Fabian Cancellara up old Willunga hill in the Tour Down Under and take overall victory in the first ProTour race of the season.
We've had just one race in January, but a great result by Tom Barras showed some great early season form.
Racing begins proper next month, look out for us at the front of the pack, and keep following us!
Results:
--Australian National Championships: (RR) Peter Smith 39th (TT) Peter Smith 40th
--Grand Prix la Marseillaise: Tom Barras 7th
Rankings:
Continental Individual Rankings: (Update coming in February)
Continental Team Rankings: (February!)
Physio's Report: Dr. Mike Jensen reports an injury free month, with the team ready to come into some great form in the next couple of months
Rider of the Month: Tom Barras
Tom had a superb race in France, it really was a result he deserved purely for his grit and determination. He was really hurting on the run in to the finish, AND was boxed in for the 16 man sprint, but still dug deep and battled through the pain to take a solid seventh. Chapeau, Tom!
Next Month:
Another month which will focus on building up fitness for the season, we'll be back to France for the 2 day stage race, the Tour du Haut Var. That means there will be 2 race days for the team.
Until next month!
Allan Smile
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| olabj |
Posted on 23-02-2010 18:04
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1105
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Wow, just amazing. Keep it up |
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| Maximka |
Posted on 23-02-2010 18:06
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Sprinter
Posts: 1902
Joined: 22-10-2007
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Yes, it's cool! But, really, ride Raleigh bikes, not de Rosa
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| brownwm |
Posted on 23-02-2010 18:32
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 873
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Great start, lovely result with Barras.
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| Crommy |
Posted on 23-02-2010 23:17
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World Champion
Posts: 10018
Joined: 29-11-2006
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Maximka wrote:
Yes, it's cool! But, really, ride Raleigh bikes, not de Rosa
Raleigh bikes aren't in the DB, and i can't be bothered to add them
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| Tombola |
Posted on 24-02-2010 07:00
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Domestique
Posts: 473
Joined: 25-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Crommy wrote:
Maximka wrote:
Yes, it's cool! But, really, ride Raleigh bikes, not de Rosa
Raleigh bikes aren't in the DB, and i can't be bothered to add them
Maybe there's somebody who can take care of that for you!?!?
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| Crommy |
Posted on 24-02-2010 17:44
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World Champion
Posts: 10018
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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Tour du Haut Var
We bring Dan Fleeman in as leader for this 2 day stage race, but we've also got Liam Holohan to go for the sprint in the flat(ish) first stage.
Stage 1
Dale Appleby slipped himself into the BOTD with 4 others, but was dropped halfway through as the riders in the break fought for the mountain points at the KOM sprint halfway through the stage. Both he and the rest of the break were swallowed up, and it was down to Liam in the sprint. He decided to go early, but hadn't encountered on a 4% uphill kick to the finish line, but showed great guts to take 6th, a fantastic result for the youngster. Visconti, wearing the Continental's leader's jersey took the stage.
Dale joins the inevitably futile break
Stage 2
Kroon, Noe, Joly, Visconti. These are the peak of the puncheurs in the Continental division. With riders of this calibre here, a top 20 would be a real challenge for Dan Fleeman. Boy did he prove us wrong. Julian Rammler made was our customary rider to join the break with 6 others, and was looking at trying to go for the climber's points along the way, but Lilian Jegou (Bretagne) had other ideas and would be wearing polka dot by the end of the day.
With 30km to go, Kroon led a few riders on the attack, but Dan was hurting due to the high tempo set by BMC. But with 20km to go, he launched a blistering attack, somehow dragging himself up to the front group of 12.
A couple of kind words from Dan as he passes our escapee, Julian
From then on in, it was just a question of hanging tough for Dan, as Kroon, Joly, Visconti tried to distance themselves. With 7km to go 3 riders went clear, and it was Joly who won the day and the overall crown. But Dan punched way above his weight, coming in with the next group of 4 riders, and out-sprinting them for 4th place! He came in with Karsten Kroon, and even had him on the ropes!
Final GC
1. Sébastien Joly Saur – Sojasun 9h27'10
2. Giovanni Visconti ISD – Neri + 50
3. Pieter Vanspeybroeck Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator + 58
4. Enrico Rossi Ceramica Flaminia + 1'23
5. Jonathan Hivert + 1'27
7. Daniel Fleeman s.t.
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| brownwm |
Posted on 24-02-2010 17:48
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 873
Joined: 16-01-2010
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what a result for fleeman, keep it up.
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