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Il Bimbo d'bronzo | Giro d'Italia 2015
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 24-07-2014 20:07
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@dark_x2012, @The Schleck Fan
Let's hope so!
@sutty68
There always is. 
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| dark_x2012 |
Posted on 24-07-2014 20:08
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Breakaway Specialist
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Getting closer to top 10
And phew Froome still 2nd  |
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 25-07-2014 00:51
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@dark_x2012
Never underestimate Sky though. 
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 21-11-2024 21:48
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 25-07-2014 00:54
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Loud knocks where the first thing I heard at 5 in the morning on the first rest day of the Vuelta. Voices through the wall yelling that it was time for a ‘doping control’ welcome to the pro peloton I suppose.
After an uncomfortable morning leak under the watchful eye of a middle aged slightly balding German. (And a not so lovely meeting with his needle (not that one.)) I finally was able to return to bed well over a hour later.
Having a hard time returning to sleep due to the white coats outside chatting below my window. An intriguing affair as I overheard one of the men say.
“Got to be lucky that those guys at Sky paid us to do this. I was already losing more hair than normally worrying about how to pay the bills.”
Those Brits had fooled us! Where we woken up from our morning slumber. (I learned later the Ag2r and Tinkoff team had to go through the same shenanigans.) Those pigs at Sky where probably sleeping in.
When I brought my discovery past Josu Cortés later that morning the Spaniard reacted nonchalantly as he laid baking in the sun next to the hotel swimming pool.
“These things happen Nicholas, it simply means they’re scared.”
Words which seemed to gain some deeper quality to them as the Rolling Stones sounded through the transistor radio next to the pool.
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh yeah, get down
Spoiler Image used is from the movie 'Sexy Beast' which I can definitely recommend.
Edited by Re Leone on 25-07-2014 00:55
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| dark_x2012 |
Posted on 25-07-2014 08:09
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That won't help Sky. Go destoy them in the mountains |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 25-07-2014 09:36
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Some great racing from Nicolas! Just had a nice catch up after my week away from the site. Love this story
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 25-07-2014 15:54
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Nice but evil move from Sky |
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 25-07-2014 21:31
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@dark_x2012
The mountains would probably the last place Arcier could make life difficult for Froome and Henao.
@the_hoyle
Thanks for the comment and for catching up. Good to know people are enjoying it!
@sutty68
I feel bad at times for writing Sky into this villain role. I ride the races first then write the story around what happens, unfortunately for them it worked out like this. 
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 25-07-2014 21:32
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Stage 11 | Pamplona - Santuario de San Miguel de Aralar, 151 km
At 22 degrees weather the stage after the rest-day felt like the beginning of a whole different Vuelta. And Pamplona the city of the running bulls had all the qualities to host this second grand depart in the North of Spain. Even with the early morning call from last morning, I felt strong and rested. Ready for this second chapter of this Vuelta.
Even though the stage was short, with the finish on top of the properly named Santuario de San Miguel de Aralar a climb of 11km at an average of 8%, with a section of unhardened road, the recipes where there to deliver victims.
Once again the breakaway got caught back before the real finale even started. It was Contador who attacked early on the penultimate climb the Puerto de Lizarraga. The jersey roja wearer quickly taking a 40 second lead before the men of Sky and Belkin decided to set up a joint chase.
Near the top of the climb Betancur, D.Martin and Malacarne decided the pace of Sky and Belkin wasn’t high enough for them as they accelerated towards Contador. The quartet passing the top with a 32 second lead.
In the valley towards the San Miguel the hard-riders at both Sky and Belkin managed to close the gap with a strong effort. Both teams had blown themselves up in doing so as it was Zubeldia who set the pace on the beginning slopes of the final climb.
It wasn’t for long though as a flurry of attacks of Henao, Betancur and Mollema. The Spanish trio Rodriguez, Valverde and Contador chased them down and pulling the to 30-man reduced peloton with them.
With just over 4km left the gravel and pebbles of the unhardened road started to crunch below our wheels as Rodriguez and Betancur placed another all deciding acceleration. Contador like he had done all day responded and seemed to be the only one able to do so together with Mollema, but the jersey roja cracked!
Contador lost pace quickly and had to watch how Mollema left him behind and the rest of the peloton caught up to him. Right at this moment the skinny pale figure in the green jersey dashed away. Froome countered and Valverde and Arredondo where the only ones able to follow as the trio made their way to the front of the race.
Things where so bad for Contador that I ended up being the one setting the pace for him, but I felt I could do much better. After a moment of insecurity and doubt I accelerated away from the red jersey with that kid who once won the Dauphine in my wheel. Riding away from one of my heroes! Ironically enough I was on cloud nine as I flew towards the top, finishing not even a minute behind stage winner Mollema. Contador and the rest of the peloton had to watch how the inevitable happened. Froome in the jersey roja!
| 1 | Bauke Mollema | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | 3h35'04 | | 2 | Chris Froome | Sky Procycling | s.t. | | 3 | Julian Arredondo | Team Tissot | s.t. | | 4 | Joaquin Rodriguez | Katusha Team | s.t. | | 5 | Alejandro Valverde | Movistar Team | + 18 | | 6 | Carlos Alberto Betancur | Ag2r - La Mondiale | s.t. | | 7 | Nicholas Arcier | Team Tissot | + 36 | | 8 | Janez Brajkovic | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | | 9 | Tejay Van Garderen | BMC Racing Team | + 1'06 | | 10 | Sergio Henao | Sky Procycling | s.t. | | 11 | Andrew Talansky | Garmin - Sharp | s.t. | | 12 | Alberto Contador | Team Tinkoff - Saxo | s.t. | | 13 | Rafal Majka | Team Tinkoff - Saxo | s.t. | | 14 | Wout Poels | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step | s.t. | | 15 | Daniel Martin | Garmin - Sharp | s.t. | | 16 | Jelle Vanendert | Lotto - Belisol | s.t. | | 17 | José Joaquin Rojas Gil | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 18 | Sébastien Reichenbach | IAM Cycling | s.t. | | 19 | Simon Clarke | Orica - GreenEDGE | s.t. | | 20 | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | s.t. |
| 1 | Chris Froome | Sky Procycling | 38h11'39 | | 2 | Alberto Contador | Team Tinkoff - Saxo | + 1'10 | | 3 | Bauke Mollema | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 1'59 | | 4 | Alejandro Valverde | Movistar Team | + 2'07 | | 5 | Julian Arredondo | Team Tissot | + 3'45 | | 6 | Carlos Alberto Betancur | Ag2r - La Mondiale | + 4'31 | | 7 | Daniel Martin | Garmin - Sharp | + 5'28 | | 8 | Sergio Henao | Sky Procycling | + 5'54 | | 9 | Janez Brajkovic | Astana Pro Team | + 6'15 | | 10 | Tejay Van Garderen | BMC Racing Team | + 6'21 | | 11 | Nicholas Arcier | Team Tissot | + 6'34 | | 12 | Andrew Talansky | Garmin - Sharp | + 8'38 | | - | | 17 | Joaquin Rodriguez | Katusha Team | + 12'57 |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 25-07-2014 23:06
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That's a good result for Arredondo! He is riding well on GC as well
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 25-07-2014 23:18
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A Great ride from Nicholas as he closes in on that top ten place  |
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| dark_x2012 |
Posted on 26-07-2014 07:07
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Awesome team performance |
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 26-07-2014 18:45
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@the_hoyle
He is! The original plan was to go for the mountain jersey, but the point system in this Vuelta is really wacky. So went with a good GC instead.
@sutty68, @dark_x2012
Thanks!
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 26-07-2014 18:45
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Stage 12 | Logroño - Logroño, 168 km
There are certain days you tell your grandchildren about and today was such a day. When Kristof Vandewalle accelerated out of the peloton unthreatened right from the start nobody could have known he was about to ride a 167km long individual time trial.
With the entire team cheering him on through the ear-piece we knew something special was going on when his lead grew to 20 minutes with the peloton just not riding today.
After a broken pelvis and only 9 race days in the entire year Kristof got one of the most beautiful welcome back gifts he could have wishes for as he crossed the line with his arms to the sky over 6 minutes ahead of the peloton.
Our chef Kim Thorsen made us pizza to celebrate this amazing day something which naturally made us appreciate Kristof his efforts more. As we sung his name among the glasses of champagne at the dinner table. A stage win, an extra rest day inside the peloton and pizza. A cyclist life can be great at times!
| 1 | Kristof Vandewalle | Team Tissot | 3h42'52 | | 2 | Marcel Kittel | Giant - Shimano | + 6'24 | | 3 | Alexander Kristoff | Katusha Team | s.t. | | 4 | Elia Viviani | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. | | 5 | Arnaud Démare | FDJ.fr | s.t. | | - | | 15 | Nicholas Arcier | Team Tissot | s.t. |
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 26-07-2014 18:47
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Stage 13 | Belorado - Obregón, 182 km
Just like yesterday another Tissot man was out ahead in the front. Unfortunately Zubeldia wasn’t the only one as together with Pauwels, Caruso, Mohoric and Albasini the 5-men sprinting for the stage win.
Thankfully the peloton didn’t force the chase as the Alto del Caracol the last climb of the day had some ridiculously steep sections up to 20%.
Zubeldia looked to be strongest man all day, but unable to get away in the final 10k he finished an impressive second after Caruso in the final sprint. No pizza from Kim Thorsen today, though he was gentle enough to soften Zubeldia his sour loss with pancakes. Give that man a raise!
| 1 | Giampaolo Caruso | Katusha Team | 4h08'42 | | 2 | Haimar Zubeldia | Team Tissot | s.t. | | 3 | Michael Albasini | Orica - GreenEDGE | s.t. | | 4 | Serge Pauwels | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step | s.t. | | 5 | Matej Mohoric | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 26-07-2014 23:38
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Great day out for Haimar and really liking the pic too |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 27-07-2014 10:56
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Two great stages for the team
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 27-07-2014 20:20
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@sutty68, @the_hoyle
Thanks! It came as a surprise to get 2 wins with this team. With Arredondo focusing on the GC. Pity Zubeldia couldn't make it 3. 
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 27-07-2014 20:20
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Stage 14 | Santander - La Camperona. Valle de Sábero, 199 km
Where the previous two days had been rather tranquil today Team Sky made sure there wasn’t a moments rest, never allowing the early break more than 4 minutes ahead. Allowing Anton, Poels, Bono, Reichenbach, Kern and Albasini to attack and join them on the first climb of the day the Collada de la Hoz.
With the break holding a lead of 3 minutes Josu his sharp eye somehow assessed that Tejay van Garderen was having trouble on the previous climb and after checking with me. (My legs were feeling great.) He commanded Haimar Zubeldia to up the pace on the Puerto de San Glorio the second climb of the day, our entire team at the head of the peloton riding on the high of the past 2 days.
Slowly, but surely Haimar his worked showed its effect as the 118-man sized peloton was losing riders by the troves. First victims Gerdemann and Ten Dam, then Cunego and Stetina cracked and then it was Nerz who had to let go with van Garderen! The American who was 13 seconds ahead of me in the GC was lagging behind!
At the top our group had been reduced to 35-men and Zubeldia got the helping hand from Didier, as they maintained the 1’36” gap between us and Tejay for a good 25km.
With 40km left in the day it were Valverde, Contador and Betancur who attacked out of our group on one of the short steep sections in Riano. Kicking Team Sky in gear as they chased down the trio. With van Garderen who was now chasing by himself 50 seconds behind. Haimar was dropped right away
After about 10km Sky caught the three attackers which right away slowed down the pace. With Didier taking care of Arredondo. Van Garderen was allowed to return, but surely he had spend a lot of energy to get back.
A theory which proved correct on the final climb of the day as Contador, Froome, Mollema and Valverde attacked right from the foot. A quartet which quickly became a trio as Valverde was unable to follow and fell back into a group with Arredondo and Betancur.
I was a good minute further back unable to follow the high pace at the front, but able to stick with Henao and Rodriguez. Or rather bite me in Rodriguez his wheel as I held on best I could on the steep 20% sections, as we took a good 30 seconds on van Garderen.
Contador showed some sign of life by winning the stage ahead of Froome. El Pistolero showing signs of life going into the final week of this Vuelta, after a weak second week.
With black spots filling my vision in the final 2km I just barely hung on to Rodriguez his wheel. Finishing far ahead of van Garderen as I overtook the American in the GC. It would probably not last long, but for now I was in the top 10 of a GT!
| 1 | Alberto Contador | Team Tinkoff - Saxo | 5h36'18 | | 2 | Chris Froome | Sky Procycling | s.t. | | 3 | Bauke Mollema | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 26 | | 4 | Carlos Alberto Betancur | Ag2r - La Mondiale | + 1'15 | | 5 | Janez Brajkovic | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | | 6 | Wout Poels | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step | s.t. | | 7 | Andrew Talansky | Garmin - Sharp | s.t. | | 8 | Alejandro Valverde | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 9 | Sébastien Reichenbach | IAM Cycling | s.t. | | 10 | Julian Arredondo | Team Tissot | + 1'35 | | 11 | Daniel Martin | Garmin - Sharp | + 2'04 | | 12 | Joaquin Rodriguez | Katusha Team | + 2'11 | | - | | 16 | Nicholas Arcier | Team Tissot | s.t. | | - | | 20 | Tejay Van Garderen | BMC Racing Team | + 2'56 |
| 1 | Chris Froome | Sky Procycling | 51h51'15 | | 2 | Alberto Contador | Team Tinkoff - Saxo | + 1'06 | | 3 | Bauke Mollema | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 2'27 | | 4 | Alejandro Valverde | Movistar Team | + 3'28 | | 5 | Julian Arredondo | Team Tissot | + 5'26 | | 6 | Carlos Alberto Betancur | Ag2r - La Mondiale | + 5'52 | | 7 | Janez Brajkovic | Astana Pro Team | + 7'36 | | 8 | Daniel Martin | Garmin - Sharp | + 7'38 | | 9 | Sergio Henao | Sky Procycling | + 8'11 | | 10 | Nicholas Arcier | Team Tissot | + 8'51 | | 11 | Tejay Van Garderen | BMC Racing Team | + 9'23 | | 12 | Andrew Talansky | Garmin - Sharp | + 9'59 | | 13 | Diego Ulissi | Lampre - Merida | + 12'37 | | 14 | Rafal Majka | Team Tinkoff - Saxo | + 13'02 | | 15 | Joaquin Rodriguez | Katusha Team | + 15'14 |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 27-07-2014 20:50
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Shame Arredondo lost time but good to see Nicolas in the Top 10
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