|
Matthias Fischer | Sleeping
|
| Ian Butler |
Posted on 27-12-2012 17:03
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
|
A very promising start here, well done  |
| |
|
|
| Stromeon |
Posted on 27-12-2012 19:13
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3507
Joined: 06-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Wow thank you for all the praise!
@Pellizotti thank you very much for your advice, I will see if i can use that from now on
Stage 2 coming up very soon...
Edited by Stromeon on 27-12-2012 19:38
|
| |
|
|
| Stromeon |
Posted on 27-12-2012 19:45
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3507
Joined: 06-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
VUELTA CICLISTA A MALLORCA
STAGE 2 SON SEVERA - CALA MINOR
So onto my second day in professional cycling and it was a flat stage again, so the team would be looking for Kristoff to get another great result in the sprint.
In amongst the palm trees... and it's pouring with rain for this second stage! In Mallorca! Here we are grouping around Alexander who has the yellow jersey on due to his magnificent win yesterday
There was the occasional stoppage of rain - you can see the sun peeking through the clouds here, but it was just a rather dull stage.
The peloton passing through the intermediate sprint in the rain
And so after 150kms of being wet, it was time to get Kristoff in behind someone's wheel, luckily he managed to find Bennati's
But it wasn't to be for our Norwegian jersey holder, as Adam Blythe (right) just snatched the win away from Oscar Freire (left) on the line (this picture is surprisingly deceptive)
Kristoff finished 6th, not too bad, and will wear the points jersey tomorrow as he is second behind Freire the new overall leader
I finished in the middle of the peloton again and once more there was a split right down the middle so some serious contenders have now lost three minutes in the GC standings which will be hard to make
| 1 |  | Adam Blythe | BMC Racing Team | 4h04'04'' | | 2 |  | Oscar Freire | Katusha Team | s.t. | | 3 |  | Daniele Bennati | Radioshack-Nissan | s.t. | | 4 |  | Robert Hunter | Garmin-Barracuda | s.t. | | 5 |  | Tomas Vaitkus | Orica-GreenEDGE | s.t. | | 6 |  | Alexander Kristoff | Team Saxo Bank | s.t. | | 7 |  | Matti Breschel | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 8 |  | Manuel Cardoso | Caja Rural | s.t. | | 9 |  | Andre Greipel | Lotto Belisol | s.t. | | 10 |  | Theo Bos | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | ... | | 56 | | Matthias Fischer | Team Saxo Bank | s.t. |
Stage 3 will present much more of a challenge when it gets really hilly... I'm looking forward to it actually
Spoiler Photobucket doesn't seem to work on my computer, it's really slow and load times are like 30 mins so you'll have to grin and bear it with the small photos I'm afraid
Edited by Stromeon on 27-12-2012 19:48
|
| |
|
|
| sutty68 |
Posted on 27-12-2012 22:59
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Another steady ride from Matthias  |
| |
|
|
| Ian Butler |
Posted on 28-12-2012 08:40
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
|
Building up form for when the road will rise |
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 13:38
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| Stromeon |
Posted on 28-12-2012 17:48
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3507
Joined: 06-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
@sutty and @Ian: Yep - hope he doesn't lose too much time in in the two hilly stages
the first of which is coming soon
|
| |
|
|
| Daggen |
Posted on 28-12-2012 17:55
|
Sprinter
Posts: 1849
Joined: 08-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Great results! |
| |
|
|
| Stromeon |
Posted on 28-12-2012 18:08
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3507
Joined: 06-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
VUELTA CICLISTA A MALLORCA
STAGE 3 DEIA - DEIA
Today would be my first real test as a rider for Saxo Bank as today would be a difficult stage. I was to protect Chris Anker Sorensen, our leader for the hills, so the team were not expecting a great placing for me. Nevertheless I wanted to do well and prove to the team my climbing potential.
Rafal Majka, someone who I have quite a bit in common with and I'm sure I will get to know very well, attacked off the front of the peloton very early on in the race
Meanwhile I was protecting Chris Anker Sorensen in the peloton.
Rafal found himself in the break of the day in the company of (L-R) Piedra, Sella, Fuglsang and Sicard.
He even managed to win an intermediate sprint!
I was left to marvel at the scenic beauty of the route whilst talking race strategy with Chris
The breakaway on the low road being reeled in by the peloton on the high road. Majka and co were soon back with the peloton with 30km to go
Riding next to overall leader Freire while all manner of attacks were taking place up the penultimate hill. By this time I was really tired, all this climbing while trying to protect Chris from a pretty strong breeze. I had virtually no energy left.
It was the last hill and everyone started to attack, namely Moreno and Anton who can be seen here. Chris is at the back of this shot but I am receding backwards, unable to keep up.
Over the top of the hill, the lead group of 60 or so split, and Sorensen just managed to make it into the first half while I was stuck with Rafal who was still hanging around in the second half.
After that it was a downhill sprint and the victory went to Luis Leon Sanchez of Rabobank ahead of Julien Simon and Christophe Le Mevel.
Me coming across the line on my own, 1 and a half minutes back in 44th position.
So although I didn't achieve a great result on paper, finishing 44th; I had done my job and Chris finished 26th, only 50 seconds down on Sanchez, which is pretty good. The stage today (although it looks innocuous on the profile) is pretty hard and hopefully I can do well again tomorrow, you never know - me and Rafal could challenge for the white jersey!
| 1 | | Luis Leon Sanchez | Rabobank Cycling Team | 4h14'02'' | | 2 |  | Julien Simon | Saur-Sojasun | s.t. | | 3 | | Christophe Le Mevel | Garmin-Barracuda | s.t. | | 4 | | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | s.t. | | 5 | | Carlos Barredo | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 6 | | Oscar Freire | Katusha Team | s.t. | | 7 | | Mikel Nieve | Euskaltel Euskadi | s.t. | | 8 | | Juan Manuel Garate | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 9 |  | Daniel Martin | Garmin-Barracuda | s.t. | | 10 | | Andreas Kloden | Radioshack-Nissan | s.t. | | ... | | 44 | | Matthias Fischer | Team Saxo Bank | +1'32'' |
The stage today (although it looks innocuous on the profile) is pretty hard and hopefully I can do well again tomorrow, you never know - me and Rafal could challenge for the white jersey! See you there
Edited by Stromeon on 28-12-2012 18:08
|
| |
|
|
| chris01 |
Posted on 28-12-2012 19:00
|
Neo-Pro
Posts: 358
Joined: 12-09-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
It will be interesting to see how he does on the next hilly stage, great reporting so far!
Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to cycle and he will realize fishing is stupid and boring.
|
| |
|
|
| sutty68 |
Posted on 28-12-2012 22:57
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Matthias seems to be riding a very steady race so far |
| |
|
|
| pilipinoopao |
Posted on 29-12-2012 04:23
|
Junior Rider
Posts: 48
Joined: 23-09-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Good story! But I'd recommend you to scale up the pictures |
| |
|
|
| jseadog1 |
Posted on 29-12-2012 05:37
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 9595
Joined: 18-07-2010
PCM$: 13552.00
|
Really? I think the pictures are fine, keep up the good work!
PCM.Daily Survivor Season 2 Fan Favorite Winner
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012
PCM.Daily NHL Prediction Game Champion: 2013
PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
|
| |
|
|
| Ian Butler |
Posted on 29-12-2012 09:24
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
|
Really enjoyable read, he did his work more than properly |
| |
|
|
| Stromeon |
Posted on 29-12-2012 13:04
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3507
Joined: 06-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
VUELTA CICLISTA A MALLORCA
STAGE 4 INCA - INCA
Today was another hilly stage with quite a long steep climb towards the end. I was given more of a free role today, as opposed to just protecting Chris Anker, who was now 17th in the GC after yesterday’s stage.
A strong Saxo Bank presence near the front of the peloton - I'm in the middle next to Nieve of Euskaltel
The first half of the stage was worryingly quiet so I took the opportunity to look out over the hills and see the road snaking along towards the left
The break of the day looks like it is getting reeled in on the penultimate hill - Tiralongo and Atapuma (centre) attack off the peloton as the going gets tough - gradients above 10 percent!
And then attacks came thick and fast - here ace stage racer Jurgen van den Broeck successfully attacks, trying to build up a lead over the pack.
Then the predicted split came as we topped the hill, leaving the whole of our team in the first half of 80 or so riders; but the increased break was still there of about 10 riders.
We felt it was time to up the pace a bit. I'm second from the right next to Christopher Juul Jensen
We were gradually closing in on them up the mountain...
Me and my friend Rafal Majka near the front of an even more reduced peloton!
Now this looked like a decisive attack - Monfort, Sanchez, and Nieve are three very strong climbers - so we are trying to react
They soon joined a very strong lead group which contained names like Van den Broeck, Pozzovivo and Sanchez amongst others.
And so Sorensen decided to attack! We had them in our sights!
But a daring late attack from Nieve meant he took the stage! But a good sprint from Luis Leon Sanchez ensured he took second place along with the bonus seconds that entails, to claim the overall victory.
I finished next to Rafal in the front peloton in 46th place, the two of us having been absorbed back into a larger group.
So today somehow feels like a missed opportunity. I now realise that if we had pushed and attacked a bit earlier, we probably would have caught up with the lead group; but we just left it too late.
| 1 | | Mikel Nieve | Euskaltel Euskadi | 4h51'25'' | | 2 | | Luis Leon Sanchez | Rabobank Cycling Team | +28'' | | 3 | | Julien Simon | Saur-Sojasun | s.t. | | 4 |  | Sergey Firsanov | RusVelo | s.t. | | 5 | | Christophe Le Mevel | Garmin-Barracuda | s.t. | | 6 | | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | s.t. | | 7 |  | Darwin Atapuma | Colombia Coldeportes | s.t. | | 8 | | Sergio Pardilla | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 9 | | Paolo Tiralongo | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | | 10 | | Daniel Martin | Garmin-Barracuda | s.t. | | ... | | 46 | | Matthias Fischer | Team Saxo Bank | +1'48'' |
General Classification
| 1 | | Luis Leon Sanchez | Rabobank Cycling Team | 15h41'37'' | | 2 | | Julien Simon | Saur-Sojasun | +12'' | | 3 | | Christophe Le Mevel | Garmin Barracuda | +24'' | | 4 | | Sergey Firsanov | RusVelo | +32'' | | 5 |  | Maxime Monfort | Radioshack-Nissan | s.t. | | 6 | | Daniel Martin | Garmin-Barracuda | s.t. | | 7 | | Ruben Plaza | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 8 | | Mikel Nieve | Euskaltel Euskadi | +1'05'' | | 9 | | Oscar Freire | Katusha Team | +1'28'' | | 10 | | Paolo Tiralongo | Astana Pro Team | +1'47'' | | ... | | 31 | | Matthias Fischer | Team Saxo Bank | +3'24'' |
Young Rider Classification
| 1 | | Gianluca Brambilla | Colnago-CSF Inox | 15h43'29'' | | 2 | | Darwin Atapuma | Colombia Coldeportes | +1'' | | 3 |  | Rafal Majka | Team Saxo Bank | +1'26'' | | 4 | | Matthias Fischer | Team Saxo Bank | +1'32'' | | 5 | | Steven Kruijswijk | Rabobank Cycling Team | +2'52'' |
But this cheers me up - I'm fourth in the Young Rider classification, and Rafal is only ahead of me because he won that intermediate sprint which gained him six seconds!
I will have a bit of a break now so I will keep you updated with events around the team and then it's on to Paris-Nice! The team have confirmed that Kreuziger will be leading the team for that race so I'll have my work cut out keeping up with him!
|
| |
|
|
| Ian Butler |
Posted on 29-12-2012 13:13
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
|
Pretty good racing, even though it didn't result in a win
Matthias showing what's what, and that's what matters  |
| |
|
|
| sutty68 |
Posted on 29-12-2012 13:41
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Matthias is getting some very consistent finishes so now lets step it up a gear |
| |
|
|
| Stromeon |
Posted on 29-12-2012 15:26
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3507
Joined: 06-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
@Ian he tried his best so I think he's quite happy
@sutty Hopefully - but Paris-Nice will be a big step up, looks like there are lots of big names there this year.
|
| |
|
|
| Stromeon |
Posted on 29-12-2012 15:30
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3507
Joined: 06-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
In the  Tour of Oman, A series of shocking leadouts by his brother meant that  JJ Haedo failed in the sprints apart from one fifth place; and leader Nicki Sorensen lost time on the mountain stage, meaning he finished 35th. Oh, and Mark Cavendish took the mountain jersey, and  Matthew Goss the GC. Serious!
The Vuelta ciclista a Andalucia: Despite the presence of new GT leader  Kreuziger; the team failed to do well in Andalucia, the only beacon of light was Daniel Navarro Garcia’s consistent 15th place finishing in the GC. Luis Leon Sanchez won another ProConti Tour here.
Omloop het Nieuwsblad: The first outing for our cobbles team and Kasper Klostergaard was the surprise package, finishing 10th. The race was won by Juan Antonio Flecha.
Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne: Was predictably won by  Cancellara; with no Saxo Bank performances of note.
|
| |
|
|
| juszta |
Posted on 29-12-2012 15:42
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1175
Joined: 24-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Cav, the mountain goat! |
| |
|
|
| ste_18 |
Posted on 29-12-2012 16:14
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1430
Joined: 06-08-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
A very nice story, keep it up! |
| |
|
