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The Very Hungry Caterpillar
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| Crommy |
Posted on 31-07-2010 00:32
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World Champion
Posts: 10018
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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valverde321 wrote:
It almost looks real. Fantastic that you got 2nd.
ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster wrote:
Your computer is a monster. A got a bit confused about reality when glancing at the Hoste and Windsor pictures.
I suppose that's more a complement to Cyanide than to me. My graphics ar maxxed out by the way 
Deadpool wrote:
Question for you Crommy, why do all of your alter-egos for your stories have names that make them sound like low level thugs from a Michael Caine movie?
I like those kind of names. They roll easily off the tongue and have a familiarity about them which I hope makes the reader warm to them. Or something like that.
Waghlon wrote:
This story is partly a tribute to PCM10's fantastic graphics engine, partly a showcase of Crommy's intelligence and partly an iron maiden for Crommy's Hamsterwheel.
I got the hamster a mate. He seems to be trying to impress her and has he boosted his productivity by 37%!
Edited by Crommy on 31-07-2010 00:48
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| Porte |
Posted on 31-07-2010 00:55
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Stagiare
Posts: 247
Joined: 03-06-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Loving the story so far. The graphics are amazing. |
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 31-07-2010 02:00
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World Champion
Posts: 12986
Joined: 20-05-2009
PCM$: 530.00
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Crommy wrote:
valverde321 wrote:
It almost looks real. Fantastic that you got 2nd.
ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster wrote:
Your computer is a monster. A got a bit confused about reality when glancing at the Hoste and Windsor pictures.
I suppose that's more a complement to Cyanide than to me. My graphics ar maxxed out by the way ;
Yeah but also to the hamster  |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-11-2024 00:06
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Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
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| Crommy |
Posted on 06-08-2010 18:47
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World Champion
Posts: 10018
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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Stage 3: Unley – Stirling (152.6km)
With 32 more points on offer today, my job would be to get Ben or Dean into that climber's jersey. But with the climbs quite late on, I decided to split the chances, sending Ben into the 12 nab break with Hilton Clarke as a helper.
And with no competition, and the break still ahead, Ben easily took the first set of points, but had to go full gas to hold off Maxim Iglinsky (Astana) for the second set. Still, 32 points equals a jersey with a big lead. Happy days!
Ben takes the first climb...
...and the second!
The sprint was another fast one, led out by Cancellara going into the last turn, with Karl Menzies on his wheel.
Karl gets a great position
Karl went full gas around him, went in front of him, but so did Murilo Fischer, who took back-to-back wins!
Another great sprint by the Brazilian (and Karl too)
Murilo now leads the Gc, but Karl has gone back up to 2nd overall! But the jewel of the day was Ben Day, who went up onto the podium to receive our first stage race jersey!
Stage:
| 1 | Murilo Fischer | Garmin - Transitions | 3h56'45 | | 2 | Karl Menzies | Caterpillar | s.t. | | 3 | Fabian Cancellara | Team Saxo Bank | s.t. | | 4 | Tyler Farrar | Garmin - Transitions | s.t. | | 5 | Anthony Geslin | Française des Jeux | s.t. | | 21 | David Veilleux | Caterpillar | s.t. | | 26 | Rory Sutherland | Caterpillar | s.t. | | 27 | Ben Day | Caterpillar | s.t. | | 29 | David McCann | Caterpillar | s.t. | | 75 | Hilton Clarke | Caterpillar | s.t. | | 153 | Dean Windsor | Caterpillar | +4'35 |
General Classification:
| 1 | Murilo Fischer | Garmin - Transitions | 11h54'40 | | 2 | Karl Menzies | Caterpillar | + 8 | | 3 | Alessandro Petacchi | Lampre - Farnese Vini | + 10 | | 4 | Fabian Cancellara | Team Saxo Bank | + 12 | | 5 | Lars Ytting Bak | Team HTC - Columbia | + 13 |
Points:
| 1 | Murilo Fischer | Garmin - Transitions | 8 | 16 | | 2 | Lars Ytting Bak | Team HTC - Columbia | 0 | 14 | | 3 | Karl Menzies | Caterpillar | 6 | 12 |
Climber:
| 1 | Ben Day | Caterpillar | 32 | 64 | | 2 | Leif Hoste | Omega Pharma - Lotto | 0 | 32 | | 3 | Niki Terpstra | Team Milram | 0 | 24 |
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 06-08-2010 19:03
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World Champion
Posts: 10121
Joined: 01-05-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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You are doing great
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| hillis91 |
Posted on 06-08-2010 20:58
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Team Leader
Posts: 5897
Joined: 30-11-2006
PCM$: 1500.00
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Love the great pictures
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| Crommy |
Posted on 09-08-2010 14:40
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World Champion
Posts: 10018
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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Stage 4: Norwood – Goolwa (198.4km)
A very flat day today, and with no mountain points, whoever would be going into the break with me would be going for the stage win, or some TV time.
That job fell to David Veilleux, who joined 4 others in the doomed break. Given the short leash the break gave them, I told David to focus on the two sprints, which he took easily.
David gets the sprints - and more importantly, some cash
The 5 were caught, and down to a sprint it went, with Hilton Clarke given the leader role. I would have had him working for Karl, but Rupert was adamant that Hilton was our best chance for the stage.
The sprint opened – actually, it didn't – big crash, all of our guys safe though.
Big pile up!
Anyway, the sprint opened up, and it went terribly for us. Hilton went backwards (and that's saying it kindly) and didn't even get into the top 20! Eisel held off Brown and Spartacus for an impressive win
HTC take a good win
Stage:
| 1 | Bernhard Eisel | Team HTC - Columbia | 4h31'15 | | 2 | Graeme Brown | Rabobank | s.t. | | 3 | Fabian Cancellara | Team Saxo Bank | s.t. | | 4 | Alessandro Petacchi | Lampre - Farnese Vini | s.t. | | 5 | Martin Pedersen | Footon - Servetto | s.t. | | 24 | Hilton Clarke | Caterpillar | s.t. |
General Classification:
| 1 | Murilo Fischer | Garmin - Transitions | 16h25'55 | | 2 | Fabian Cancellara | Team Saxo Bank | + 8 | | 3 | Karl Menzies | Caterpillar | s.t. | | 4 | Alessandro Petacchi | Lampre - Farnese Vini | + 10 | | 5 | Bernhard Eisel | Team HTC - Columbia | s.t. |
Points:
| 1 | Murilo Fischer | Garmin - Transitions | 0 | 16 | | 2 | Lars Ytting Bak | Team HTC - Columbia | 0 | 14 | | 3 | Karl Menzies | Caterpillar | 0 | 12 |
KOM:
| 1 | Ben Day | Caterpillar | 0 | 64 | | 2 | Leif Hoste | Omega Pharma - Lotto | 0 | 32 | | 3 | Niki Terpstra | Team Milram | 0 | 24 |
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 11-08-2010 11:34
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World Champion
Posts: 10121
Joined: 01-05-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Hope you will win the KoM classification |
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 21-08-2010 17:45
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World Champion
Posts: 12986
Joined: 20-05-2009
PCM$: 530.00
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Something that always surprises me is that you can have the best computer, highest gfx's running and great frame rate, yet when a rider goes over the finish line his wheel looks flat. |
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| Crommy |
Posted on 21-08-2010 17:52
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World Champion
Posts: 10018
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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valverde321 wrote:
Something that always surprises me is that you can have the best computer, highest gfx's running and great frame rate, yet when a rider goes over the finish line his wheel looks flat.
I believe that's because custom wheels don't work well with finish lines, which may be slightly raised from the road. I may be completely wrong though 
Sorry about the delay, new update coming shortly
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 21-08-2010 18:13
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World Champion
Posts: 12986
Joined: 20-05-2009
PCM$: 530.00
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Crommy wrote:
valverde321 wrote:
Something that always surprises me is that you can have the best computer, highest gfx's running and great frame rate, yet when a rider goes over the finish line his wheel looks flat.
I believe that's because custom wheels don't work well with finish lines, which may be slightly raised from the road. I may be completely wrong though
Sorry about the delay, new update coming shortly
I was just thinking about that in the shower. Of course if thats all you get for using custom wheels its well worth it. |
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| Crommy |
Posted on 30-08-2010 00:34
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World Champion
Posts: 10018
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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Stage 5: Snapper Point – Willunga (242.1km)
Is it just me, or has Australia suddenly become really, really Italian...
The queen stage, with climbs of the Willunga hill, which almost seemed completely different from it's usual self. My job would be with the break again, trying to secure Ben Day's jersey and perhaps go for the stage win.
Early on, Dean Windsor went out the back – no point in trying to ride 180km solo, so he pulled out.
The first climb came, and there was nobody ahead, but the hammer was being put down by Garmin, resulting in Ben Day going out the back. I sent David Veilleux to cover the attacks at the top of the climb, and grab those maximum mountain points to keep Ben's jersey safe.
David Veilleux - Ben Day's hero for the day
David descended reasonably quickly, and found himself all alone, with the pack easing off, so he took the next sprint (Karl sprinted to 2nd ahead of Petacchi). Race radio then crackled into life: “Current points rankings: first, David Veilleux, 18 points...” Now that was a huge surprise! We were holding two jerseys!
Ben Day rejoined the peloton, and immediately attacked, joining up with David in a two man tt.
Caterpillar bosses will be happy, our two guys are the sole attention of the cameras!
Later on, they were joined by Carlos Barredo of Quick Step and Allan Davis of Astana, to form a 4 man break. Needless to say, these two ProTour riders dropped our two guys on the next climb, but Ben gobbled up the 3rd place on the final mountain points before being caught by the bunch.
Ben Day - tireless attacking
The finale was a mixture of attacks and not much happening. Carlos Barredo stayed away to take the stage but not the overall, despite a 2 minute win, while riders like Van Avermaet, Kroon, Geslin and Fischer all picked up time on the bunch. Our guys finished safely in the bunch, but fall way down the rankings, with Karl best placed in 18th.
A good win for Barredo, but he's so tired he can't even celebrate!
More importantly though, we now hold both the points and the climber's jersey! Champagne all round that night!
Stage:
1. Carlos Barredo QUICK STEP 6h27'44
2. Greg Van Avermaet OMEGA PHARMA – LOTTO +2'12
3. Fabian Cancellara SAXO BANK +2'23
GC:
1. Greg Van Avermaet OMEGA PHARMA – LOTTO 22h55'59
2. Fabian Cancellara SAXO BANK +7”
3. Karsten Kroon BMC +56”
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| hillis91 |
Posted on 30-08-2010 02:25
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Team Leader
Posts: 5897
Joined: 30-11-2006
PCM$: 1500.00
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Loveing the story, great work
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 30-08-2010 03:04
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8058
Joined: 22-06-2009
PCM$: 650.00
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Man I would love to have your computer, the graphics are amazing in every pic. Oh, and great job on the results as well.
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| aluvium |
Posted on 31-08-2010 09:34
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Amateur
Posts: 6
Joined: 26-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Nice story. Love the pics, I am jealous lol |
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| Crommy |
Posted on 13-09-2010 23:38
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World Champion
Posts: 10018
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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Stage 6: Adelaide – Adelaide (157.7km)
Screenshots deleted. Oops
The final stage, a final shot at glory. Given Ben Day's mountain jersey lead was completely unassailable, you could forgive him for not going in the break today. He did anyway, along with David Veilleux. Petacchi won the stage, Karl bagged another top 10 (4th), but more importantly, we won both the sprints jersey (David Veilleux) and the climber's jersey (Ben Day). Hot stuff!
Final GC:
1. Greg Van Avermaet OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO
2. Fabian Cancellara SAXO BANK + 7”
3. Karsten Kroon BMC + 56”
19. Karl Menzies CATERPILLAR + 2'36
So what a start to the Caterpillar team. We've come to a ProTour event, and been one of the most active teams, and one of the most successful by picking up those 2 jerseys. Lots of approval from the sponsors, lots of positive press - it really has been fantastic. Now bring on more.
February Preview
We're looking at 2 races for this month, and first up is another prestigious event, the ultra-flat, ultra-windy Tour of Qatar. Rupert has decided to make Hilton Clarke leader for that race, a good choice, given he's coming into good form training wise, and with Karl Menzies giving him a lead-out, maybe he can crack into those PT sprinters. We follow this up with the Tour du Haut Var, where we'll be looking to beat the French stars on their home turf, led by Glen Chadwick and Rory Sutherland. My job will again be in the supporting DS role, looking for those breaks.
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| Crommy |
Posted on 14-09-2010 23:16
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World Champion
Posts: 10018
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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yes, stage 2 was on easy
Tour of Qatar
6 pancake flat stages, baking sunshine, lots of wind. 5 days of sprinting against the likes of Ciolek and Breschel, but a TTT beforehand against the likes of Saxo Bank with Cancellara. Scary stuff.
Stage 1: Doha (8.1km, TTT)
The team is dragged along by Irish TT champion David McCann to take a highly respectable 10th place, 30 seconds down on surprise winners Rabobank. Sparticus could only drag around his team mates to 5th!!!
Stage 2: Al Zubarah – Doha Golf Club (139.5km)
What an unbelievable day! It's as though the competition just didn't show up. David McCann went with 2 others in the break (my job), but they were pulled back by Sparticus. The speed of Cancellara though had forced splits in the pack due to the 70km/h winds! Only 40 riders contended the sprint, we set up our train, and suddenly...we had a 6 man break, with 5 of our guys!!! David McCann motored up front, we were just caught on the line, but too late! Hilton Clarke took the stage, Ed Clancy was 2nd, with Karl Menzies 3rd! Crazy! Graeme Brown held the lead, Hilton moved up to 7th, and he holds the points jersey, while Ed Clancy is in the U25 jersey!
Absolutely crazy result
Stage 3: Camel Race Track – Qatar Foundation (135.2km)
David McCann went in the break again, with 13 others, but they were caught. 50km/h winds split the field down to 40, and then...it rained! This wasn't the weather expected, but it made the lightning pace very dangerous. The pace slowed, the bunch reformed for the sprint, and it was Robbie Hunter who just pipped Ciolek for the win. Hilton was way back in 4th, and stays 7th overall, but keeps the points jersey. Ed loses the U25 jersey.
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 14-09-2010 23:18
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Team Manager
Posts: 33046
Joined: 08-03-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Great result there, and rain in Qatar? It seems the weather was as shocked as you were after Stage 2
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| Crommy |
Posted on 14-09-2010 23:24
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World Champion
Posts: 10018
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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SportingNonsense wrote:
Great result there, and rain in Qatar? It seems the weather was as shocked as you were after Stage 2
I know, really, really weird. And it rains again on stage 6
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| Mads_0 |
Posted on 14-09-2010 23:59
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Domestique
Posts: 614
Joined: 14-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Great start to your season mate. There has to be a few protour bosses scratching their heads going "Now where the **** did these guys come from?!" |
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