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Team MILRAM: March, the real racing starts here.
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 01-05-2009 18:55
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
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PCM$: 1348.00
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yeah, but i've never had one where the winner of the sprint was in 3 seperate breaks throughout the stage and still won the bunch sprint. |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 03-05-2009 10:16
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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Tour of Qatar:
Stage 4
Confidence is high in the team after the last 2 stages. Forster is in good shape and we are confident we can win more stages this week. Today the wind isn't as much as a factor so the peleton doesn't break up all up the road. A break still goes away and is brought back and the peleton once again prepares for the sprint. Again the Milram train gets into gear and takes Forster to the front of the peleton.
When the sprint started Forster jumped onto the Quickstep train that was moving fast up the inside.
Pineau got a great jump on the bunch and opened up a nice lead.
But Forster was able to get up to his wheel. Could he get passed him in the last k?
YESSSS!!!! Win number 3 in a row for Forster. He's in great form this week. The class of rider isn't as high as in the Pro-Tour but 3 in a row is still a great achievement foe the whole team.
So forster is now practically garanteed the points jersey with 2 stages left to race. The GC is still dominated by Rabobank who won the TTT on the first day.
In this form who would bet against Forster taking a clean sweep at the Tour of Qatar? |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 04-05-2009 08:46
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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Tour of Qatar
Stage 5:
Forster was looking to make it 4 wns in a row today. The wind wasn't as much of a factor today and the break was never really allowed to get too far away. At the front of the peleton Milram, Cervelo and Rabobank worked together to bring the group back.
The group was caught however today the Milram train didn't get going. As a result Forster was a long way back as the sprint started.
However, Hushovd was steaming to the front so Forster jumped on his wheel and got taken to the front.
As they went rond the last corner Hushovd and Forster were still behind the front line of sprinters and it didn;t look like there was a way through with road running out.
However the Quickstep and Liquigas riders Velo and Oss died in the final meters allowing Hushovd and Forster through. However, Roelandts was still going stong and took Hushovd down to the line while Forster had to settle for 3rd. But who won?
In the photo finish the win was given to Roelandts.
Hushovd is running out of time to pick up a win this week. Sadly the game crashed on the newspaper page so i couldn't get the results. But the top 3 were Roelandts, Hushovd and Forster who is now garanteen the points jersey as long as he finishes tomorrows stage.
Edited by ringo182 on 04-05-2009 08:47
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 04-05-2009 08:58
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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Tour of Qatar:
Stage 6:
Last day today in a tour that Forster has dominated. He would have won overall if we hadn't lost over 2 mins on the TTT in stage 1. Anyway, today is quite a short stage at just 120k so the break isn't allowed to get too far. For the 5th time in a row the stage will be decided in a sprint.
The Milram train is back up and running and takes Forster to the front. However, Hushovd has decided to jump on Forsters wheel.
As the sprint starts it's almost a disaster for Forster and Rasmussen goes down right in front of him.
However Forster is able to keep control of his bike and doesn't loose too much momentum. It's going to be between Forster and Hushovd today. As they go under the 1k to go banner they are neck and neck.
Hushovd is too powerfull today and Forster will have to settle for second. He simply jumps on Hushovds wheel and drifts over the line behind the Norwegian.
Overall Forster has moved up to 12th which is a great achievement. However the win goes to Matthew Hayman largely because of the TTT on stage 1.
Overall a very good week for us. Forster got into the top 3 every day so we can't complain.
Up next Gerdemann will start his season at the Tour of the Med while Forster tries to make the most of his legs as he joins Fothen at the Tour of California.
Edited by ringo182 on 04-05-2009 22:52
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| G_Larsson |
Posted on 04-05-2009 15:55
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Sprinter
Posts: 1779
Joined: 25-03-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Great results with Forster and good story, keep it up 
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 05-05-2009 10:28
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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Tour Mediterraneen:
This small and mostly flat stage race will offer Gerdemann his first ride of the season. Not really expecting too much. Maybe try to get a couple of riders into the breaks. The only stage that will really make a difference is the last day with it's tough finish. Haven't taken any sprinters so the first 5 stages will be a case of keeping out of trouple for the last day.
Squad: Gerdemann, Eichler, Knees, Rohregger, Rub, Schroder
Stage 1:
Stage 1 is quite short and flat and i expect will end in a bunch sprint. The peleton at the start of the race is quite small as many teams have only sent 3,2 or even just the 1 rider.
A break of 6 riders go away as expected with another couple of riders a bit further back.
As it's a short stage the peleton never really lets the gap grow. However, with so many teams with so few riders no-one is willing to lead the chase.
As a result the break makes it to the finish. In the last few k's Portal makes a move...
...but he is overhauled by the other breakaway riders. The peleton catches the break in the last kilometer but they can't pass them and in the win is taken by Ben Swift. A great ride by the young Brit and the other breakaway riders.
Meanwhile our day was slightly easier as Gerdemann cruised over the line in the peleton.
Stage 2:
Stage 2 is a 32k TTT which i'm expecting to see some interesting times because of the small teams. Only Caisse have all 8 riders so they are favourites. They duely win but have the same time as 4 other teams I'm gonna have to learn to do TTT's because these results are just rubbish. Anyway, lots of teams loose alot of time and we finish 5th at 15 seconds which i'm quite pleased with.
Stage 3:
Quite like stage 1. Today we get Schroder into the break of just 2 riders and he takes 1st in the first KOM sprint and 2nd in the next to wear the KOM jersey tomorrow.
However the 2 weren't a match for the whole peleton and they were easily reeled back in. The stage went down to a sprint and today Matti Breschel was the strongest. Again my main men just cruised to the finish in the peleton.
Overall Frischkorn has the lead at the halhway stage. Gerdemann is lurking jus outside the top 20 at 26 seconds.
Edited by ringo182 on 05-05-2009 10:28
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 05-05-2009 14:01
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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Tour of California:
8 day long stage race wil give Marcus Fothen his first outing of the season. He will hopefully be leading the squad at the Paris-Nice so this is the start of his preperation. Still only sending 6 riders as the result isn't to important to us.
Squad: Can't remember of the top of my head. I'll let you know after the next stage.
Stage 1:
A 4k TT to start us off. Cancellara is huge favourite and we'll just be aiming to finish as close as possible. As expected Cancellara wins and Fothen only looses 8 seconds to finish 20th. Can't complain. The real race starts tomorrow.
Tour Mediterraneen:
Stage 4:
Quite lumpy today especially at the finish. Might suite a break in last few k's. Schroder started the day in the KOM jersey but had no intention of defending it. As expected a break went and was caught with about 20k to go. There was a KOM sprint just before the finish and i expected a few riders to go for it so i kept my leaders at the front. I thought i'd try to catch the peleton napping and sent Rohregger on the attack about 6k before the KOM sprint.
The peleton chased him down but he still made it over the sprint in first. Lorenzetto launched an attack for the KOM sprint and i sent Gerdemann on the counter.
Gerdemann took 3rd in the sprint but he carried on his attack. As he entered the last 3k he had a healthy lead.
1k to go. Gerdemann isn't going to be caught. Can he get a gap on the peleton?
YES! Win number 4 of the season for Milram and Gerdemann is given 17 seconds on the peleton. With the 20 second bonus he will wear the leaders jersey tomorrow.
Another great result for the team. Hopefully we'll have the same success when it comes to the Pro-Tour races.
Her's the GC with 2 stages to go.
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| Ak4 |
Posted on 05-05-2009 18:42
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Stagiare
Posts: 226
Joined: 15-04-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Well done
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-12-2024 16:02
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 06-05-2009 08:21
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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Tour of California:
Stage 2:
Squad: M. Fothen, Forster, Frohlinger, Scholz, Voss, Wrolich
The first proper road stage of the tour. The finish is flat but it's quite hilly in between so the pure sprinters might strugle. A very large group of 15 riders went away early on.
With less than 15k to go the break was still in front but was about to be pulled back in. Jens Voigt launched an attack and was followed by Pfannberger. Fothen decided to foolow the move.
Voigt struggled to maintain the pace which surprised me but Fothen and Pfannberger continued the attack. They were joined by a couple of others in the shape of Devolder, Zabriskie and danielson and they passed the break.
Devolder made a break for the line while Fothen and 9 others fought to stay on his wheel and away from the peleton.
Going into the last 2k a group of 5 had formed at the front. The sprint would be between Fothen, Devolder, Danielson, Pinotti and Gutierrez Cataluna. Going under the 1k to go banner Cataluna had the advantage but the others were closing fast.
The win goes to Devolder while Fothen has to settle for 5th. It's still a very good performance and the gap will move him right up the GC.
But wait, once again PCM stupid time keeping system has cheated us out of a time gap. Look at how far we are ahead of the peleton. They've only just gone under the 1k to go banner in the last picture! They really need to make the last 3k of stages real time to avoid things like this happening.
Edited by ringo182 on 06-05-2009 08:22
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| JDC |
Posted on 06-05-2009 09:21
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 349
Joined: 09-01-2009
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You didn't get the time gap because there were still some riders between the first 5 riders and the pack. Blame Voigt, Rodriguez and Zabriskie. |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 06-05-2009 09:32
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
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i know. but it's still annoying as he wasted all that energy for nothing. he could have just sat in the bunch and got the same time.
if it was real life or real time there would be at least a 30-40 second gap back to the peleton. |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 06-05-2009 09:56
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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Tour Mediterraneen:
Stage 5
Very similar to yesterday stage with a KOM sprint just before the finish. Can i use the same tactics as yesterday? Well Gergenmann started the stage in the leaders yellow jersey, a sight i hope we see much more of this season.
The break consisted of onlt 2 riders today and there was never any real danger of them making it the whole distance. The real action started on the last climb of the day. Once again the peleton was all together going up the last climb. A couple of k's from the KOM sprint Brandt and Weening launched an attack to take the points. Gerdemann jumped onto their wheels and got sucked up the hill to take 2nd in the sprint.
Once again Gerdemann continued his attack and pulled out a lead on the peleton. Behind him 6 other riders escaped from the peleton but they were still way behind Gerdemann.
1k to go and Gerdemanns celebrations can start...
2 wins in 2 days for the young German to take Milrams win count for the year up to 5. Thats as many i managed in a whole season with last years Milram team.
Gerdemann got a nice 25 second gap on the 2nd group and over a minute on the peleton. A great ride. To make things better Knees won the bunch sprint to take 8th.
In the GC Gerdemann has opened up his lead to almost 1 minute. All he has to do tomorrow is stick with the leading group and the win is his. However he wants his 3rd victory of the season.
I also wanted to report the 3rd stage of the California RR this morning but the stage crashed half-way through. Got uni work and training to do in the next couple of days so not sure when i'll get to play again. At least i get to leave it on a high note |
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| scandal |
Posted on 06-05-2009 12:38
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Under 23
Posts: 82
Joined: 25-06-2007
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Nice story, with some fine wins...
keep up the good work. |
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| Bosskardo |
Posted on 06-05-2009 14:06
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Sprinter
Posts: 1559
Joined: 07-04-2008
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ringo182 wrote:
i know. but it's still annoying as he wasted all that energy for nothing. he could have just sat in the bunch and got the same time.
if it was real life or real time there would be at least a 30-40 second gap back to the peleton.
Dont forget cya logic, had he stayed in the bunch the front guys would have got a gap to the group.
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| pedala |
Posted on 06-05-2009 14:22
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Junior Rider
Posts: 41
Joined: 13-05-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Great story,
You won more than the actual team did until the giro. |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 06-05-2009 14:30
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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well i have used my stronger guys at some pretty weak races. The field at the Tour of the Med is only 73 riders so i can't get too carried away. But I am hoping for some big results this year.
To be honest I think my squad is one of the most complete ones out their. How many other squads have got a good top 10 rider at every discipline.
Gerdemann - Stage races
Wegmann - Hilly Classics
Terpstra - Cobbles
Ciolek - Sprints
All i'm lacking is a world class tester. |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 06-05-2009 16:45
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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Tour of California:
Stage 3:
Had some problems with my computer for this stage. The first time i played it it crashed. The second time my computer started to run really slow at the end and I couldn't take any screen-shots.
The stage was pretty tough on my team and only Fothen could stay with the peleton. It finished in a bunch sprint of the last 45 riders and Fothen managed to take 8th after trying to sprint off the front in the last couple of k's. The win was taken by O'Grady.
Overall Fothen has moved up to 15th on GC. A few flat stages now will hopefully suite Forster. |
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| Kiein |
Posted on 06-05-2009 19:13
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Free Agent
Posts: 110
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Very nice story
Do you play on hard ?
Edited by Kiein on 06-05-2009 19:13
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 06-05-2009 22:28
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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Yep. I always play on hard. I've had a few good results but they've all been in weak races. Don't expect the same in the Pro-Tour races. |
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| Kiein |
Posted on 07-05-2009 14:32
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Free Agent
Posts: 110
Joined: 17-03-2009
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ok it's a very good story and i really hope you will keep it going for a long time |
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