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Euskaltel - restoring basque honor
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| Mads_0 |
Posted on 19-06-2008 18:28
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Domestique
Posts: 614
Joined: 14-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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And we're of on stage 3. And we're strutting some green stuff on Aitor Galdos! 
Let's hope he can add a little to his tally today.
As you see, Van Avermaet of course still owns the green jersey, but since he can't wear two leaders jerseys it's on Galdos.
Ruben Perez attempted another breakaway today. He managed to get into a 5 man break. However, 6 riders we're in another group further ahead, including Gutierrez(GCE)
The peleton are reeling both groups back in as we come close to the 40km mark. Gutierre turned on his engine though and powered ahead on his own! At 30km He was alone in front of the peleton with a 2 minute advantage!
But that too would come to an end. A valiant attempt by the Caisse timetrial specialist. 14km to go and it's all square.
Galdos has trouble positioning himself. With 5,7km to go he's still got 20 riders in front of him!
Galdos decides he's got to get up there on his own today and he looks down and powers forward. To his surprise the train of sprinters behind him break of when he accelerates! He doesn't hesistate..full power! 4,3km!
And they've let him slip away! They were too busy looking at Van Avermaet! The CSC rider doesn't even spot him untill he's out of reach!
And he's within range! sprinters are left in 2nd and 3rd row while the remaining riders from the front of the peleton make one last ditch attempt to bridge the gap!
But he's too strong! 10 meter gap, 500 meters to go. They are coming REALLY fast from behind now!
But they wont catch him today. Aitor Galdos rakcs up Euskaltels first stagewin of the 2008 season. Vaitkus, Bennati and Carrara take 2nd, 3rd and 4th.
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| dave92 |
Posted on 19-06-2008 18:33
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2946
Joined: 21-04-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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great to see an Euskatel story, I started my career with them when I got the game , Astarloza, Zubledia, and Sanchez could all podium or top 5 with good rides in the GT's
is Sanchez peking for the early hilly classics in addition to the TDF?i'm peaking him for the ardennes, and then Vuelta and the worlds(and Lombardia).
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-12-2024 03:02
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Bot Agent
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| matt493 |
Posted on 19-06-2008 18:38
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3549
Joined: 01-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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great pics. And good win.
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| danielito |
Posted on 19-06-2008 18:41
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Amateur
Posts: 12
Joined: 29-09-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Wow! How good looks the PCM this year? And how good is this win...  |
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| Mads_0 |
Posted on 19-06-2008 18:45
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Domestique
Posts: 614
Joined: 14-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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dave92 wrote:
great to see an Euskatel story, I started my career with them when I got the game , Astarloza, Zubledia, and Sanchez could all podium or top 5 with good rides in the GT's
is Sanchez peking for the early hilly classics in addition to the TDF?i'm peaking him for the ardennes, and then Vuelta and the worlds(and Lombardia).
I've tried to custom make Sanchez training schedule. He should peak for the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, The Volta a Catalunya and the tour. Then we'll see how much he has left in him. Bit of an experiment I've decided to more or less give the Ardennes classics a pass with regards to training. Meaning that i will have riders who are more or less in shape. But noone who will be training with them as the main goal. |
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| micke007 |
Posted on 19-06-2008 18:53
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Stagiare
Posts: 193
Joined: 01-12-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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great victory and looking forward to see euskaltel do well in the GTs
contador rulezzz
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| Ak4 |
Posted on 19-06-2008 18:53
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Stagiare
Posts: 226
Joined: 15-04-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Good victory
I'm loving those podium screens
Edited by Ak4 on 19-06-2008 18:54
[url=www.Dark-Alchemy.com]  [/url]
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| heda |
Posted on 19-06-2008 18:54
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Amateur
Posts: 12
Joined: 31-05-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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good win |
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| Deadpool |
Posted on 19-06-2008 19:22
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Team Leader
Posts: 7357
Joined: 06-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Great start |
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| Mads_0 |
Posted on 19-06-2008 19:28
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Domestique
Posts: 614
Joined: 14-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Ruben Perez is on the attack again. He gets away with 9 riders, again including Guttierez of GCE. 85km to go with a 3 minute lead. Not a lot...
And like the previous stages, noone has the strength to keep going except the GCE rider. As the peleton is approaching he goes on his own. 20km to the line
But again to no avail. He's caught with 8km left of the stage. The sprinters are moving around to position themselves. Galparsoro is taking Galdos to the front. Van Avermaet on Galdos wheel.
2,7km to go and the first riders open up. Galdos switcches to Nazon who is in the line to his right
And with 1600m to go it's neck and neck! Bennati, Galdos & Van Avermaet. Bennati looks strong!
And it wasn't a contest at all today. Bennati shot forward on the last 1000 meters and dominated the finish. Napolitano and Reynes all of a sudden show up as Van Avermaet has to let go.
Galdos had gone too early and ended up fourth. This will put the pressure on him! Now he HAS to pperform for the last two stages to keep his jersey!
(Sorry about the images changing resolution all the time. I've to pay more attention to the toolbar resetting settings)
Edited by Mads_0 on 19-06-2008 19:31
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| carlos_valverde |
Posted on 19-06-2008 19:34
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Stagiare
Posts: 184
Joined: 18-05-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Spectacular the PCM new
Good luck with Euskaltel |
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| raar1991 |
Posted on 19-06-2008 19:36
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Free Agent
Posts: 132
Joined: 12-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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I like to see Vaitkus very close because he is from my country |
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| matt493 |
Posted on 19-06-2008 19:45
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3549
Joined: 01-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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great job. You are really good.
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| Mads_0 |
Posted on 19-06-2008 20:27
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Domestique
Posts: 614
Joined: 14-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Since there's a small hill on todays stage we're gonna try and keep the team together and see if we can assert some pressure when the road rises. 8 riders break away early and get a good gap.
With 60km to go the gap is still at around 5 minutes. Time to work a little for our jersey.
We work our asses om for the next 20km and the lead starts to drop as the breakaway starts splitting into smaller groups.
At 30km it's all square. The climb is just around the bend in that village ahead. Landaluze looks to have the best chances of breaking away.
As we hit the foot of the climb Landaluze jumps! But the pace is REALLY high. It's gonna be very hard to get a big enough gap.
But he does get a good gap. Followed by Muravyev from Astana. However, Silence-Lotto and Caisse have set a lightning pace in pack! Our sprinters are suffering allready!
At the top of the climb the big stars come chargin forward. Albasini catches Landaluze first. Behind him is Rodriguez(GCE) and Cancellera(CSC) amongst others.
With 1,7km to the line Landaluze is too far behind to make a difference. Flecha(RAB) has a small lead on the others as they come upon the final stretch.
Rodriguez, Cancellera, Nuyens(COF) and Flecha are going to settle this amongst the 4 of them. Whoever wins will grab the leaders jersey!
And it's Rodriguez who just barely manages to keep ahead of Nuyens. Cancellera takes 3rd.
Disaster for Galdos as Bennati manages to grab 11th and take a 7 point lead in the points competition. Winning it back will require a miracle performance by Galdos with the form Bennati has been showing in the last 2 stages.
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| Mads_0 |
Posted on 19-06-2008 21:18
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Domestique
Posts: 614
Joined: 14-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Last stage ends up on a circuit going around a small city. At the 60km mark sporadic attacks have formed a bunch of small groups ahead of the peleton.
50km in, a group of 9 lead the pack by 50 seconds. We've sent 2 riders to share the workload.
36km. The 9 riders are caught and a few new attackers burst away. And again it's Gutierrez! Does he over stop?!
He partners himself with Gilbert with 27km to go. Bäckstedt is between the pair and the pack.
Bäckstedt is giving up his attempt as the lead for the front-duo comes down to around one minute.
CSC, Team Columbia, Lampe and Liquigas set a killer pace with 12km to go. The par of Gilbert and Gutierrez have been caught.
Allmost every sprinter has been caught in the middle of the pack. The pace set by the front riders is simply too high! 57km/t as we begin the sprint. No points for Galdos today!
As Baldato pulls away from the rest of the frontrunners Langeveld tries too hard and ends up slipping of the front wheel causing him to fly backwards off his bike onto the ground.. ouch
And there's no questioning who deserves it today. Baldato pulls away by several lengths.
Baldato crosses the line first on the last stage of this years tour down under.
Reaction from the manager: Well, we came into the race with no expectations to be honest. Aitor Galdos has been magnificent and delivered good results throughout the race. So all in all we're very pleased.. however, losing the green jersey in the end was a bit of a blow. We'll back next year to try again!
Edited by Mads_0 on 19-06-2008 21:20
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| Mads_0 |
Posted on 19-06-2008 21:34
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Domestique
Posts: 614
Joined: 14-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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February
Here's our calendar for Feb. only race we will put effort into will be the Challenge Vuelta a Mallorca. The rest will be used to gain some racedays.
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| Deadpool |
Posted on 19-06-2008 21:38
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Team Leader
Posts: 7357
Joined: 06-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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looks good, tough luck with the green jersey and Galdos, but good job getting some PT points, for a team like Euskatel, every point counts |
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| Wyman |
Posted on 19-06-2008 21:44
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Domestique
Posts: 645
Joined: 28-02-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Great story keep it up, can't wait for Paris nice and the classics to kick in
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| Ak4 |
Posted on 19-06-2008 21:55
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Stagiare
Posts: 226
Joined: 15-04-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Bad luck with green jersey  |
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| lagetcher |
Posted on 19-06-2008 21:56
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Sprinter
Posts: 1513
Joined: 13-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Really good story That Langaveld accident looked bad |
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