The biggest difficulty of this race. We're hoping for a sprintfinish here. Galdos could make it over this mountain if we protect him and secure us another stagewin, not many sprinters will make it. Sanchez is placed well enough in the GC to challenge for the podium with tomorrows timetrial. Martinez will have to stay back today, and might lose the polkadots if one rider manages all the KOMs.
Galdos is asleep on the job from the beginning today. Duque and Vaitkus grab some points at a sprint close to the startline - poor concentration on our part.
A break away goes out consisting of: David García Dapena(Xacobeo - Galicia) Johann Tschopp(Bbox Bouygues Télécom) & Sébastien Minard (Cofidis, le crédit en ligne) - we let them ride, but not too far. We don't want to lose any time.
With 52 to go we have to up our efforts a little. The gap is sitting at 3 minutes and Pujol of Cervelo has decided he wants to go too.
The front-trio in action. They will definately take all the KOM points today. If Garcia Dapena takes the last two he will tie Martinez at 32 points.
Martinez is thrown into the fray on the climb - Galdos looks solid, but we need more speed or we wont catch the escapees. Pujol is stuck in limbo between the break and the pack.
Tschopp and Garcia Dapena have dropped Minard. Garcia Dapena looks strong! Our team is starting to suffer now as Martinez hauls the pack up at speed.
The peleton has split in several groups. Galdos can feel a bit priveliged today as Sanchez offers his wheel and makes sure he comes over the top in a decent manner. Martinez continues piling on pressure.
Garcia Dapena took the KOM points and has tied Martinez - who in turn has been a true champion for Galdos today. He's hurled the pack up the mountain and only 24 riders have been able to sit with the group. As we start the downhill Sanchez takes over and hurls the bunch down the mountainside. We've got Visual contact with the breakaway now.
14km to go and we're coming onto the flat. Sanchez still has lots in his tank and continues to work for Galdos and his own GC aspirations.
10km to go and it's still Sanchez, he's tearing it up! The slight continous descent is helping him set a gruelling pace! The breakway is really slowing down now. But they've still got a minute!
But there was just no way. Sammy turned on the turbos and the attack is nullified with 5k to the line. Only Vicioso, Duque and Candido Barbosa of Palmeiras Resort remain with the group of the fast men.
3km, Martinez puts in his last and takes the lead for his captains.
2km, still Martinez but he has no more. He drops off and as Sanchez takes over, Contador and Leipheimer open the sprint. Sanchez reacts with Galdos on his wheel!
But Sanchez has been leading too long, Galdos goes! Contador and Leipheimer are quickly dispatched, but the usual suspects are hot on his wheel!
But Galdos is faster! They can only watch!
Galdos makes it 3 for 3! Fantastic racing so far by Galdos. You can just make out Martinez in the back, again, happy about Galdos performance. Granted, we're not up against the superstars of the sprinters here, but it's building confidence in our team!
Stage 1 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi 4h02'39
2 Cândido Barbosa Palmeiras Resort - Prio s.t.
3 Ángel Vicioso Andalucía - Cajasur s.t.
4 Alberto Contador Astana s.t.
5 Levi Leipheimer Team RadioShack s.t.
6 David García Dapena Xacobeo - Galicia s.t. 7 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
8 Sérgio Paulinho Team RadioShack s.t.
9 Paolo Tiralongo Astana s.t.
10 Benjamín Noval Astana s.t.
GC 1 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi 12h13'44
2 Ángel Vicioso Andalucía - Cajasur + 44
3 Leonardo Duque Cofidis, le crédit en ligne + 46
4 Cândido Barbosa Palmeiras Resort - Prio + 48 5 Egoi Martínez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 54
6 Sérgio Sousa Madeinox - Boavista + 1'00
7 Kai Reus Rabobank s.t. 8 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
9 Sébastien Minard Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
10 Sérgio Paulinho Team RadioShack s.t.
Points 1 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi 75
2 Tomas Vaitkus Team RadioShack 42
3 Leonardo Duque Cofidis, le crédit en ligne 35
KOM 1 Egoi Martínez Euskaltel - Euskadi 38
2 David García Dapena Xacobeo - Galicia 38
3 Johann Tschopp Bbox Bouygues Télécom 28
Pellizotti2 wrote:
Winning a mountain stage with a sprinter. That is impressive. I also like your screenshots.
Thank you. Galdos is a little more durable than most sprinter, but hasn't quite got the top-speed of the other sprinters. But it's all working out. Probably because of the weak peleton and his good form =)
No updates today(wed) - RL business(sucks)
Edited by Mads_0 on 15-09-2010 14:38
March is an interesting month for us. We'll be focusing on:
Vuelta a Murcia - Sanchez, warmup for Tirreno & Catalunya(current race) Tirreno Adriatico - Sanchez, Galdos Milano Sanremo - First classic of the season, Sanchez, Galdos & Fernandez Volta Ciclista a Catalunya - Sponsorgoal, Sanchez is our man. Anton will ride to warm up for Pais Vasco at the beginning of April.
We wont be sending any serious contenders to the Paris-Nice. The reason being that we don't wan't to use up too many racedays on our captains this early. Koldo Fernandez will go with a team to support him, and hopefully bring home a little something.
Edited by Mads_0 on 16-09-2010 15:21
22km ITT. Sanchez should be in with a shout today. There are some decent timetrialists in the pack, some are way back and pose no threat, but a couple are 1'00 back, as Sanchez is.
The big russian sets out - he should be a candidate today.
And he certainly is - Menchov sets the fastest time so far. Our own Castroviejo has done well too, losing only 1'05 minute to D. Menchon today.
But Menchovs teammate Joost Posthuma turns out to be in shape as he beats Menchovs time by 14 seconds. Impressive by the dutchman!
Alberto Contador has been pretty invisble so far - but you cannot ignore this man. He is 1'00 down in the GC, same as Sammy.
And he means business! At the 1st itermediate he's taken 8 seconds off Posthumas time!
As than happens another contender sets out, Levi Leipheimer, also 1'00 back in the GC.
And Contador comes to the finish, a whopping 13 seconds better than Posthuma. Sanchez has his work cut out for him!
As Leipheimer hasn't been as fast as Posthuma, Contador is the man to beat. Sammy Sanchez sets out.
At the intermediate we're 8 seconds back! This is not good! Sammy has been pushing his limit!
But he claws a little back in the end - losing just 3(i know it says 2, export and GC says 3) seconds to Alberto Contador. Counting bonusseconds, he'll be trailing by 11 seconds in the GC.
Galdos comes up on the last KM, he'll be saying goodbye to his jersey today. He put in a valiant effort and came in at 35, 2 minutes after Alberto Contador.
Stage
1 Alberto Contador Astana 29'36 2 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 3
3 Joost Posthuma Rabobank + 14
4 Sérgio Paulinho Team RadioShack + 15
5 Gustavo César Veloso Xacobeo - Galicia s.t.
6 Levi Leipheimer Team RadioShack s.t.
7 David Blanco Palmeiras Resort - Prio + 30
8 José Antonio De Segovia Xacobeo - Galicia + 36
9 Denis Menchov Rabobank s.t.
10 Andriy Grivko Astana + 38
11 Oleg Chuzhda Caja Rural + 48
12 Grischa Niermann Rabobank s.t.
13 Markel Irizar Team RadioShack + 52
14 Steven Kruijswijk Rabobank + 53
15 Alexander Kvachuk ISD - Neri + 54
GC
1 Alberto Contador Astana 12h44'00 2 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 11
3 Sérgio Paulinho Team RadioShack + 35
4 Gustavo César Veloso Xacobeo - Galicia s.t.
5 Levi Leipheimer Team RadioShack s.t.
6 David Blanco Palmeiras Resort - Prio + 50
7 José Antonio De Segovia Xacobeo - Galicia + 56
8 Ángel Vicioso Andalucía - Cajasur + 1'00
9 Cândido Barbosa Palmeiras Resort - Prio + 1'05
10 Oleg Chuzhda Caja Rural + 1'08
11 Grischa Niermann Rabobank s.t.
Points 1 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi 75
2 Tomas Vaitkus Team RadioShack 42
3 Alberto Contador Astana 39
Mountain 1 Egoi Martínez Euskaltel - Euskadi 38
2 David García Dapena Xacobeo - Galicia 38
3 Johann Tschopp Bbox Bouygues Télécom 28
Young
1 Oleg Chuzhda Caja Rural + 30'24 12h45'08 (1)
Edited by Mads_0 on 16-09-2010 17:32
The last stage of the race. And nothing beyond Galdos' green jersey is certain. Sanchez is trailing Contador by 11 seconds, and Martinez has the mountainjersey, but is tied with Garcia Dapena at 38 points. What we're hoping to do, is send out Martinez from the start. It's a short stage, and he can secure his jersey. There are 2 sprints on the menu, each with bonusseconds. If Martinez gets reeled in, we'll work the whole stage and attempt to take the seconds with Sanchez, 2 x 6 points would put him in the lead by 1 second.
Martinez goes from from the start. It seems he'll be allowed to ride by Astana.
But he's quickly joined by 7 other riders, apart from the first sprint, there was no fuss and everyone seemed to agree on doing their part.
Martinez secures his jersey by setting a high pace up the climb. Going over the top he slows back down to wait for his companions.
The pace has been high, and Astana and Skil - Shimano are keeping a tight leash on the breakaway. It looks as though we're going to be reeled in before the 2nd sprint. The sprint is so close to the line that we have to try something with Sanchez!
All square with 7km to the sprint and 22 to the line. Sanchez is sent forward.
And as the sprinters go for it Sanchez takes the wheel of Dugue, small gap, i tell Sanchez to go full
But Sanchez has no chance. Astana were awake and did not give us an inch. Sanchez is caught with 6.5km to the line and Astana sit back. Radioshack take over.
2.6km to go, we're coming up to the sprint here. Sanchez will try, but it's very unlikely that he will be able to get the seconds he needs.
And it's Vaitkus of Radioshack who opens on the right, Galdos has no problem staying on his wheel. Sanchez is trying, but he cannot match the topspeed of the sprinters. Contador will keep his yellow jersey.
Galdos will take his 4th victory! It's not even a contest as the other sprinters watch him distance himself.
Stage 1 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi 2h48'33
2 Leonardo Duque Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
3 Tomas Vaitkus Team RadioShack s.t.
4 Alejandro Marque Palmeiras Resort - Prio s.t.
5 Francisco José Pacheco Xacobeo - Galicia s.t.
6 Óscar Vicente Grau Burgos 2016 - Castilla y Leon s.t.
7 Guillaume Blot Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
8 Benjamín Noval Astana s.t.
9 Robert Wagner Skil - Shimano s.t.
10 Dennis Van Winden Rabobank s.t.
11 Javier Moreno Andalucía - Cajasur s.t.
12 David García Dapena Xacobeo - Galicia s.t.
13 Carlo Scognamiglio ISD - Neri s.t.
14 Markel Irizar Team RadioShack s.t.
GC
1 Alberto Contador Astana 15h32'33 2 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 11
3 Levi Leipheimer Team RadioShack + 35
4 Sérgio Paulinho Team RadioShack s.t.
5 Gustavo César Veloso Xacobeo - Galicia s.t.
6 David Blanco Palmeiras Resort - Prio + 50
7 José Antonio De Segovia Xacobeo - Galicia + 56
8 Ángel Vicioso Andalucía - Cajasur + 1'00
9 Cândido Barbosa Palmeiras Resort - Prio + 1'05
10 Oleg Chuzhda Caja Rural + 1'08 22 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi + 1'41
25 Egoi Martínez Euskaltel - Euskadi + 1'49
55 Jonathan Castroviejo Euskaltel - Euskadi + 6'46
81 Aitor Hernández Euskaltel - Euskadi + 7'58
88 Iván Velasco Euskaltel - Euskadi + 10'19
110 Mikel Nieve Euskaltel - Euskadi +16'15
122 Pablo Urtasun Euskaltel - Euskadi + 26'34
Points
1 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi 100
2 Tomas Vaitkus Team RadioShack 62
3 Leonardo Duque Cofidis, le crédit en ligne 61
KOM 1 Egoi Martínez Euskaltel - Euskadi 48
2 David García Dapena Xacobeo - Galicia 38
3 Johann Tschopp Bbox Bouygues Télécom 28
Young
´12 Oleg Chuzhda Caja Rural 15h33'41 (1)
Managers thoughts
We've taken something with us from this. 4 wins, 2 jerseys and a podium in the GC. This wasn't any sort of seasongoal but it was an important race warming up to the Catalunya. We're well satisfied.
Aitor Galdos
Samuel Sánchez
Igor Antón
Egoi Martínez
Alan Pérez
Iván Velasco
Francisco Javier Aramendia
Jorge Azanza
It's time for Tirreno and the Paris - Nice. We'll be focusing on the Tirreno, as it's the perfect preparation for a few important goals. Sanchez, Anton and Galdos are racing - and should be able to produce something for us. However, this a PT race, and the competition will be much tougher than our last outing.
Quickstep and Lotto set the pace to start it out. Lots of scattered attackers are paying no attention to the relatively high speed as groups start forming up ahead.
When the dust settles, 13 riders have made it out there - and it's a good one. The escapees are: Maaskant, Walker, Stannard, Pavarin, D'Hollander, Peruffo, Bandiera, Høj, Elmiger, Roulston, Gerdemann, Bertolini and Zagorondy.
Coming up on the first KOM sprint, Bertolini makes his intentions clear as he bursts away from the rest of the group. 63km to go, 4'30 advantage.
No action for the next many kilometers. The gap comes up to 5'00 but then Liquigas step up the pace. Bertolini secures the 2nd and 3rd KOM points too as the gap comes down to around a minute with 17km to go.
7km to go and they're not giving up! Still '43 between the peleton and the break, Liquigas and QuickStep are still working hard up front. Captain Sanchez has Galdos on his wheel as he settles in behind Ivan Basso.
CRASH! As the last of the break are caught, they try to slip through the pack on the left, but a Liquigas rider does not see Hayden Roulston it sparks a chain reaction!
It's chaos! And it happened with 50km/h. Who's down - who's up?!
Back at the front - Galdos has found the wheel of Petacchi, Freire and Boonen. Sanchez is searching out Pozzato.
But something goes wrong, the narrow roads and consecutive bends cause the sprinters to lose their positions - perhaps the hill was a bit too much for the heavy sprinters?! Galdos reacts to the situation and goes to Sanchez wheel. Sanchez powers forward, front of the pack, inner lane to the bend!
And it's perfect! Not a sprinter in sight as Sanchez is able to deliver Galdos at the front with 1200m to go! Pozzato and Bole are right behind him.
No contest! Only Freire has anything in the tank after the hill, but he was caught too far back! HE's much faster than Galdos but it's simply too late!
Pozatto holds on for third, almost losing out to Vaitkus who comes shooting forward from the back.
The aftermath of the crash. Some of the more prominent names in this group are: Scarponi, Bruseghin, Masciarelli & Andre Greipel - they'll all take a 2'16 loss.
Another group limps in at +3'23, JJ Haedo & Greg Henderson are here.
Stage 1 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi 3h17'10
2 Óscar Freire Rabobank s.t.
3 Filippo Pozzato Team Katusha s.t.
4 Tomas Vaitkus Team RadioShack s.t.
5 Tom Boonen Quick·Step s.t.
6 José Luis Rubiera Team RadioShack s.t.
7 Jan Bakelandts Omega Pharma - Lotto s.t.
8 Martijn Maaskant Garmin - Transitions s.t.
9 Allan Davis Astana s.t.
10 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
A good sized climb in the middle of the stage, and the 4 times round a circuit with a steep hill on it. Again, if we're lucky, we'll lose a couple of the supersprinters.
Scattered attacks shape the race untill the climb. We've sent Martinez out, he manages to grab the KOM points and then a group of 6 settles. Martinez, Wegmann, Masciarelli, Pinizzotto, Kiryev, O'Grady and Contoli. Advantage at this point is around 4 minutes.
Winding roads on the downhill, ahead lies the circuit.
But it didn't last, The sprinterteams work together to reel it in, and with a little resistance from half of the escapees - the breakaway is nullified.
13km to the line, Lampre, Rabobank and Quickstep are keeping the pressure on. Galdos is doing fine at this point - time to look around and see who's there and who's not.
6km to go and more or less everyone is present. We see Columbia with 4 riders, we've taken the wheel of Allan Davis here - Petacchi, Boonen and Freire coming up on our left.
But Davis is falling back, the small gradient coming into the home stretch was too much for him. Goss comes flying by, Galdos snags his wheel and is carried to the front.
And here we go! But Goss isn't cutting it! Lorenzetto and Van Avermaet fly past us on our left, Petacchi is coming fast too - we set our sights on Van Avermaet!
Slightly uphill, Petacchi has powered ahead - he looks inhuman! Van Avermaet is passed, Galdos passes in between Jan Bakelandts and Lorenzetto - 1100m!!
300m, Petacchi has this one in the bag - but Galdos and Van Avermaet are fighting for 2nd - Van Avermaet is strong!
But in the very last moment Galdos takes him by a wheels length, 2nd! Petacchi was untouchable
Stage
1 Alessandro Petacchi Lampre - Farnese Vini 4h20'22 2 Aitor Galdos Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
3 Greg Van Avermaet Omega Pharma - Lotto s.t.
4 Mirco Lorenzetto Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
5 Jan Bakelandts Omega Pharma - Lotto s.t.
6 Allan Davis Astana s.t.
7 Tom Boonen Quick·Step s.t.
8 Stijn Devolder Quick·Step s.t.
9 Filippo Pozzato Team Katusha s.t.
10 René Mandri AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
I really like this story, and good graphics on the screenshots. I like that you're riding as attacking as Euskaltel does IRL
The pictures would have been even better without the HUD I think, at least you could've removed the panel to the left.
Euskaltel, Saur.. all my favourite teams are covered by stories! Only Colnago missing now Edited by Squire on 16-09-2010 22:18
Squire wrote:
I really like this story, and good graphics on the screenshots. I like that you're riding as attacking as Euskaltel does IRL
The pictures would have been even better without the HUD I think, at least you could've removed the panel to the left.
Euskaltel, Saur.. all my favourite teams are covered by stories! Only Colnago missing now
I like having the panels on, so people can see what i'm doing with my riders
But i can remove them if people want it...if i could remember the damned shortcut to hide the UI
Today is flatter than the previous stages. A few easy bumps on the road, but too far from the finish to make any kind of difference.
Break of 11 makes it away from the pack today. At the first climb they're coming up on 4 minutes advantage. Notable riders are Terpstra, Roulston and Rosseler.
70km to go and we're getting help from a lot of other teams. The break still only has about 5 minutes on the pack - but the sprinterteams seem determined to keep a leash on them.
With 36km to go we're onto the two small hills - Lampre and Quickstep have completely taken charge, and we can sit back.
And it's very effective. With 16,4 to the line, the break is caught as the pack charges down the descent. Time to start looking for a wheel.
Galdos and Petacchi have the same idea here. They're struggling for Bakelandts' wheel. Galdos gets it in the end but end up sitting in front with PEtacchi and Freire on his wheel, no good!
We had to drop off and let Sanchez take us in. There were no free wheels to take, and Petacchi has Lorenzetto to take him in now. Freire is right behind him.
1900m, Sanchez puts the hammer down. Last turn before the homestretch and we're coming to the front. Lorenzetto os going very fast on our right.
Here comes Freire with Boonen, Petacchi stands up, Galdos has to go! 1400m
But he can't follow, they were coming way too fast!
Up front, it's Freire, Boonen, Davis and Petacchi - Freire looks like he has this!
The spanish ace takes this stage. Davis manages to edge out Boonen for 2nd, Petacchi 4th. Young Grega Bole og Lampre bags himself an impressive 5th while Fotoon Servetto's Cardoso takes 6th.
Interesting terrain today. I believe Galdos can make it in if a bunch comes to the finish. If he's to have any chance, we'll have to work for it. But, there are points out there for the KOM jersey today. So we send out Martinez again.
Coming on to the first climb, the pace is quite high. It seems that the likes of Elmiger - AG2r, Fischer - Garmin and Jure Kocjan - CarmioOro NGC are also interested in the points.
Elmiger takes the first set - Martinez has to be on his gaurd on the next one.
55km and coming up to the 2nd KOM. Liquigas and Lampre have upped the pace in the peleton, 4'26 between us. Martinez ups the pace to secure his points.
But again, Elmiger is determined to challenge for these. He barely manages to hold on for top points.
As the peleton comes over the top of the KOM hill, the first of the favorites spring into action, Frank Schleck(SAX) tries to slip away on the top, but Lampre are awake and keep him in check for now.
The 3 frontrunners can look down, and see the peleton coming up fast from behind. Martinez sits back - job done for today.
As the break is caught, the map says 3 small hills, a short flat, and a hilly sprint - Cunego jumps! Vinokourov follows - Sanchez watches for a second - follows!
4 riders and a 35 second gap - Hejsedal has made contact with the front group - more riders are attempting to bridge the gap.
Last hill before the flat, Basso follows Rodriguez in an effort to join the frontrunners. Hesjedal is having a tough time hanging on up front.
Down on the flat - Sanchez has worked a lot to keep the gap from closing. Hesjedal is still hanging on, and Basso, Rodriguez and Simoni look like they'll make connect before the final hill.
And they just manage to connect as the climb starts, Sanchez and Cunego go from the bottom of the climb - Vinokourov hesitates - but then follows.
1600m, final stretch - Sanchez sits down and his two rivals manage to grab onto his wheel. They've managed to get a gap again!
The sprint is on, Sanchez is in a sandwich between the two very fast men. Behind them is Hesjedal, Basso & Rodriguez, Simoni
Cunego takes it! Vino 2nd, Sanchez 3rd. This will do!
Hesjedal, Basso & Rodriguez, Simoni - managed to stay ahead of the pack. In the bunch Freire powers ahead to cash in 7 points and grab the points-jersey.
Stage
1 Damiano Cunego Lampre - Farnese Vini 6h12'55
2 Alexandre Vinokourov Astana s.t. 3 Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel - Euskadi s.t.
4 Ryder Hesjedal Garmin - Transitions + 33
5 Ivan Basso Liquigas - Doimo + 43
6 Joaquím Rodríguez Team Katusha s.t.
7 Gilberto Simoni Lampre - Farnese Vini + 57
8 Óscar Freire Rabobank + 1'21
9 Mirco Lorenzetto Lampre - Farnese Vini s.t.
10 Emanuele Sella CarmioOro NGC s.t.
11 Tom Boonen Quick·Step s.t.
12 Simon Gerrans Sky Professional Cycling Team s.t.
13 Thomas Löfkvist Sky Professional Cycling Team s.t.
14 Vladimir Efimkin AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
15 Leonardo Bertagnolli Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni s.t.
