baia wrote:
We need some action from Schleck or Sagan... 1´14" will be hard to knock down....
Althought i like Monster babes ... a change might be interesting..... look first if Petronas as nice babes too...
I did forget to mention that a change to Petronas means no more Monster-babes! And did a quick research with google: yes, there are Petronas-girls, but they're all Malaysian / Asian. And I prefer the European/American kind of women..... 1-0 for Monster
The queens stage of the Vuelta al País Vasco is the 4th stage from Murgia Zuia to Eibar. It features 3346 height metres, and only 3km before the finish awaits the summit of the dreadful Alto de Usartza.
61km to go
We have a pretty strong BOTD that reaches the first of the steep climbs, namely the Alto de Karabieta. With a length of 5.3km at an average gradient of 7.8%, it separates the boys from the men.
As said, the BOTD consists of some strong riders as Pieter Weening (Qantas), Tom Jelte Slagter (Rabobank), Daniel Navarro (Saxo) and Ivan Basso (Sky). At this point, they have a lead of 8'30 and can start dreaming about the stage win.
33km to go
Shortly before the finish of the 2nd of 3 bigger climbs, the Alto de Ixua (3.4km at 9.1%), the 4 already named riders drop their 7 companions. Their lead has even increased to 9'10, as the peloton probably wants to wait for the final climb.
17km to go
3 riders don't want to wait before the ascend of the Alto de Usartza. Fränk Schleck, Luis Leon Sánchez and GC's number 4 Chris Froome attack in the descend of the penultimate climb.
11km to go
The peloton doesn't want to let these 3 ride away, and they get caught shortly after. Then Igor Antón decides to surprise his aopponents. The GC-leader attacks at a little kicker before the last climb. Because he's riding 7'34 behind the 4 leaders, the stage winis out of reach.
7km to go
The 4 leaders have begun the ascend of the Alto de Usartza. The climb is 6.1km long with an average gradient of 7.5%, and max of 17%! Daniel Navarro is the best climber of the 4, and he drops his 3 breakaway-buddies easily.
At this point, with 7km to go, he already has created a margin of 35 seconds. Antón follows at 6'22 and the peloton at 6'56.
6km to go
Joaquím Rodríguez is the first to close the gap to Antón. Also Roman Kreuziger, Chris Anker Sorensen and Andy Schleck are the next ones to do it. This is still over 5 minutes behind Navarro, who is going to win the stage for sure.
5km to go
The GC-contenders join each other, and the pace drops a bit. Because of it, Vincenzo Nibali has been able to return. This is 4'58 behind Navarro. Chris Froome rides 40 seconds behind this group.
Because the pace drops, Andy Schleck decides to attack (sorry, thought I had made a screen of it, apparantly not...) and nobody can follow him!!
Finish
Daniel Navarro has already finished the climb and the descend and takes the stage win! A great ride, truelly deserved. Basso beats the 2 Dutchies in the sprint for the 2nd place at 1'47. The wait starts for Schleck to arrive.
Schleck arrives 3'53 beind Navarro in 5th place. Antón, Nibali and Rodríguez finish about 25 seconds behind him. Roman Kreuziger looses 1 minute and Chris Froome even 1'15!! The wait starts for the official results, so the GC-gaps can be calculated.
WTF???? Antón, Antón and Rodríguez have the same time? We need to go to the jury to tell..... Wait, also Kreuziger has been rewarded with the same time???? This can't be.... Oh no, even Froome gets the same time. This is ridiculous, the gap was even more than 1 minute
No dinner for me, I'll go to the jury to protest, this is an outrage!
Results
1
Daniel Navarro
Saxo Bank SunGard
4h35'24
2
Ivan Basso
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'47
3
Pieter Weening
Qantas Airways
s.t.
4
Tom Slagter
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Andy Schleck
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 3'53
6
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
7
Vincenzo Nibali
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
8
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
9
Michael Albasini
Red Bull - Cervélo
s.t.
10
Daniel Teklehaimanot
FDJ
s.t.
GC
No big changes here. Behind De Gendt is a gap of 2 minutes to Sicard.
1
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
17h48'51
2
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
+ 16
3
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
+ 32
4
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
5
Andy Schleck
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 1'14
6
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Vincenzo Nibali
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
8
Chris Anker Sørensen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
9
Fränk Schleck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
10
José Rujano
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
11
Thomas De Gendt
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
Points
1
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
71
2
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
62
3
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
49
4
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
41
5
Andy Schleck
Monster Energy - Subway
35
KOTM
1
Daniel Navarro
Saxo Bank SunGard
45
2
Tom Slagter
Rabobank Cycling Team
42
3
Ivan Basso
Sky ProCycling
27
4
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
20
5
Johann Tschopp
BMC Racing Team
20
Today's winner
Word from the DS
I just returned from the jury. My protest was rejected, so no time gap fr Andy. We are very pissed about it, but there is nothing we can do about it now. It has 1 positive thing: Thomas De Gendt also was given the same time as Schleck, so our best timetrialist can still have a shot at the GC-podium.
Spilak23 wrote:
Dienblad, I've been out for a while but here I'm back following again!
I must say that your team has become great with great development of some riders (Keldermann, obviously) and some nice additions.
It's great to see that you could win de Ronde van Vlaanderen with Breschel cause I know how hard it is to win when your not playing with Cancellara or Boonen!
Thanks! But I think it is too strong, so for 2014 there are going to be some changes. I won't renew the contract of Andy Schleck, and let Keldeman take his place as a GC-contender.
Missed you here. Any plans for a new story for you?
Still thinking, I'm having a Lampre-career which is already in 2014 so I don't think I will start a story about that one but I'm currently downloading and installing the 2007 DB from pcm.norge and might start a one rider story with that database soon. And you will certainly like the rider that I'm thinking about
I was with the jury myself but it didn´t changed nothing.... they made the same to Velits at stage 4.... so i understand your anger....
Like you said, still good chances for a podium spot if ITT goes well.
The difficulty of the 5th and penultimate stage lies in the beginning of it. The last part is relatively easy (for Basque-measures), with the Alto de Beci 15km before the finish.
26km to go
We immediately go to the last 30 kilometres of the stage, as the first 145 can easily be summarized: 12 riders form the BOTD, create a gap of several minutes, peloton starts to chase and the gap decreases rapidly.
The 12, with riders as Tom Jelte Slagter (Rabobank), Michal Albasini (Red Bull) and Eros Capecchi (Liquigas) still have a 2'51-lead, when Joaquím Rodríguez attacks.
20km to go
Rodríguez gets caught, and immediately attacks again. What kind of rubbish is this? This time, Antón counters the attack, and so does Kreuziger. We continue in a high pace, with the goal of letting it turn into a bunch sprint, where Peter Sagan can take the stage win.
16km to go
Michal Albasini reaches the summit of the Alto de Beci, shortly before Nicki Sorensen and Diego Milán. Behind the 3, all attackers have been caught and they’ll close the gap to the 3 leaders in the descend towards the finish in Zalla.
9km to go
While we are preparing for a bunch sprint, there is another attack. This time CA Sorensen and Roman Kreuziger try to create a gap.
2km to go
The 2 get caught and when the pace drops a bit, Joaquím Rodriguez attacks for the 3rd time. With just 2 kilometres to go, Purito has a gap of 25 seconds to the chasing peloton.
600m to go Peter Sagan gets boxed in a bit, and manages to break free with about 600 metres to go. He starts to close the gap to Rodríguez quickly now, as Purito feels his legs burning after his 3rd attack.
Finish
Rodríguez stalls completely and Sagan takes over the lead. The Slovakian takes his 3rd win of the season, the biggest so far!
Results
1
Peter Sagan
Monster Energy - Subway
4h39'14
2
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
3
Maxime Monfort
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
4
Simon Gerrans
Qantas Airways
s.t.
5
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
6
Federico Canuti
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
7
Enrico Gasparotto
Lampre - Generali
s.t.
8
Diego Milán
Caja Rural
s.t.
9
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
10
Andy Schleck
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
GC
No changes.
1
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
22h28'05
2
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
+ 16
3
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
+ 32
4
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
5
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1'14
6
Andy Schleck
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
7
Vincenzo Nibali
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
8
Fränk Schleck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
9
Chris Anker Sørensen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
10
Thomas De Gendt
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
Points
1
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
71
2
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
69
3
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
62
4
Peter Sagan
Monster Energy - Subway
59
5
Andy Schleck
Monster Energy - Subway
44
KOTM
1
Daniel Navarro
Saxo Bank SunGard
45
2
Tom Slagter
Rabobank Cycling Team
43
3
Ivan Basso
Sky ProCycling
27
4
Michael Albasini
Red Bull - Cervélo
26
5
Diego Milán
Caja Rural
22
Today's winner
Word from the DS
Revenge!! This feels very sweet!
But now we have to look forward to tomorrow's 24km-ITT. To me, Kreuziger is the big favourite to win the GC and Antón will probably loose it again, just as last year. Andy should be happy with a top 8, while Thomas De Gendt is our best shot in getting a top 5. But getting in the top 4 will be tough.
The last stage in this year's exciting Vuelta al País Vasco is a 24.6km long time trial in the hills around the town of Zalla. Can Antón finally win his home Vuelta, or does he looses it again in the ITT?
The best time so far is set by Radio Shack's Bradley Wiggins, when his team mate Jakob Fuglsang breaks the time with 18 seconds. The new best time is 36'21.
Thomas De Gendt is our hope for a GC Top 5. But the Belgian rider has suffered a lot in the last few days to hang on to the first group. He sets the 5th time so far, '22 behind Fuglsang. After all the riders have finished, this will be the 11th time of the day. That's good, but not good enough.
The 2012 Tour de France-winner Vincenzo Nibali is just a few seconds too slow to take the place in the hot seat: 36'24. This time means that he's the virtual GC-leader now.
Andy Schleck is the number 6 in the GC and it will be difficult for him to climb in the ranking. He rides a very good ITT, the 5th time so far and only '15 behind Fuglsang! In the end, he'll drop to 9th, even '3 faster than Bradley Wiggins!
Luis León Sánchez sets the new best time of the day! He finishes the 24.6km in 26'00 and assures himself of the 5th place in the GC.
The British TT-champion Chris Froome has raced the best stage races in his life, and aims for the podium with the 2nd time so far in 36'13.
The question is not if Joaquím Rodríguez will loose places in the GC, but how many. He rides the 15th time of the day, and surprises everybody with that. But the 51 seconds he looses against LL Sánchez, means he not only gets passed by Froome, but also by LLS.
Roman Kreuziger is the big favourite to win the ITT and the GC. He sets the fastest time at the split time (summit of the hill), and manages to keep the fastest time at the finish: 35'59!
This means that Igor Antón has to finish before the clock hits 36'15. But at the split time, the Basque has already lost 12 seconds of his margin of 16. And with the descend remaining, things look bad for him. When he crosses the line, the clock says 36'25, meaning Kreuziger has won the Vuelta al País Vasco. So even a great 6th place, wasn't enough for Antón.
Results
1
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
35'59
2
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1
3
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
+ 14
4
Jakob Fuglsang
Radio Shack - Nissan
+ 22
5
Vincenzo Nibali
Radio Shack - Nissan
+ 25
6
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 26
7
Alberto Contador
Movistar Team
+ 29
8
Maxime Monfort
Lotto - Belisol
+ 34
9
Andy Schleck
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 37
10
Bradley Wiggins
Radio Shack - Nissan
+ 40
11
Thomas De Gendt
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 45
GC
Krueziger-Antón-Froome: a great podium! We did well with 7th and 8th.
1
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
23h04'20
2
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 10
3
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
+ 30
4
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 59
5
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
+ 1'08
6
Vincenzo Nibali
Radio Shack - Nissan
+ 1'23
7
Andy Schleck
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 1'35
8
Thomas De Gendt
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 1'43
9
Fränk Schleck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 1'55
10
Chris Anker Sørensen
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'29
Points
1
Roman Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
77
2
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
76
3
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
69
4
Peter Sagan
Monster Energy - Subway
59
5
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
53
KOTM
1
Daniel Navarro
Saxo Bank SunGard
45
2
Tom Slagter
Rabobank Cycling Team
43
3
Ivan Basso
Sky ProCycling
27
4
Michael Albasini
Red Bull - Cervélo
26
5
Diego Milán
Caja Rural
22
U25
1
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
23h08'52
2
Ángel Madrazo
Movistar Team
+ 20
3
Peter Sagan
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 1'10
4
Tom Slagter
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 9'18
5
Tosh Van der Sande
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 14'16
Teams
1
Sky ProCycling
69h16'53
2
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 3'58
3
Pro Team Astana
+ 7'45
4
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 10'17
5
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 12'41
Today's and overall winner
Word from the DS
Many riders will think back at the not-given time laps in stage 4. Kreuziger wins the Vuelta País Vasco because of it, so Antón looses his own race because of it. Also Andy lost a Top 5 because of it.
Nevertheless, we can look back at a succesful race, with many top 10's, 1 stage win and 2 riders in the top 10 in the GC.
Edited by dienblad on 12-06-2012 16:57
The favourites *** Tyler Farrar (Omega Pharma), Ben Swift (Sky), José Joaquín Rojas (Garmin). ** Bernhard Eisel (Sky), Romain Feillu (Vacansoleil), Jens Keukeleire (Rabobank). *Matti Breschel, Alessandro Petacchi (BMC), Kenny van Hummel (M&M's).
Our goal
Top 5.
The race
As the race is a perfect opportunity for the sprinters to win a 1.HC classic, the pace is high the entire race. Due to the pouring rain and the hard wind (speeb above 45 km/h), the peloton breaks into several pieces, with eventually 39 riders in the first group.
We decide to set up a sprint train for Matti Breschel and do a pretty good job. We only get beaten by the Sky-train, that is way too dominant. After being a lead out in numerous sprints for Cavendish, this time Bernhard Eisel gets his shot at the win. And the Austrian rider takes it, easily winning the sprint before his team mate Ben Swift.
Tyler Farrar was too far behind, getting blocked by our sprint train (yes, we're evil!!!!!). Matti Breschel takes the 5th place, behind JJ Rojas, but in front of his team mate Coen Vermeltfoort.
Results
1
Bernhard Eisel
Sky ProCycling
4h25'40
2
Ben Swift
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
3
Tyler Farrar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
4
José Joaquín Rojas
Garmin - Barracuda
s.t.
5
Matti Breschel
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
6
Coen Vermeltfoort
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
7
Jens Keukeleire
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Davide Appollonio
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
9
Anthony Ravard
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
10
Sep Vanmarcke
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
The winner
Word from the DS
This was the maximum result, a 5th and 6th is satisfying.
The day after his the GP Pino Cerami. Last year we won the race, with Sébastien Rosseler in a breakaway.
The race
As I won this race (I believe the GP Jef Scherens is the same route) at this route for 3 times in a row using the same tactic (decent cobbler in the BOTD), I decided to simulate it. Had no fun playing it again.
Well, the result was even more ridiculous, taking place 1-2-3-4-6
The winner
Word from the DS
Stupid route. Simulating makes it even more easy than playing it......Not fun.
The day after the Vuelta al País Vasco, we participate in the Klasika Primavera, a hilly race with start and finish in Amorebieta. Well, we were in the region, so why not?
Last year, it was Rubén Pérez who took the win here.
The route
The race features a flat first part and then 3 laps at a final circuit, with the climbs of the Muniketagane and Autzagane in it.
The favourites ***Peter Sagan, Andy Schleck, Jelle Vanendert. **Thomas De Gendt, Danilo Di Luca (Acqua et Sapone), Beñat Intxausti (Euskaltel). * Gabriele Bosisio (Liquigas), Gorka Izagirre (Movistar), Jonathan Hivert (Saur).
Our goal
Obviously, the win, and nothing else.
The race
As we are by far the strongest team in the Klasika Primavera, we decide to hunt down every single breakaway once it is formed. As a result, the entire peloton starts the first of 3 local laps. Rob Ruijgh is the first to attack, what is part of our tactic today: exhausting the other teams!
Of course, Ruijgh gets caught, and next to follow is Thomas De Gendt. Team Euskaltel and Liquigas chase him, and when he gets caught, Jelle Vanendert goes. Again, he gets caught, but as a result, only 20 riders are left in the first group, with 5 from Monster Energy - Subway in it.
IN the last 2 climbs, the opponents try to attack, but this time we chase them, and close all gaps without much effort. Than a group of 13 is preparing to sprint for the win, but almost all riders are dead tired.
Well, all but 3! Andy Schleck has taken the rol of the first lead out man. Then Thomas De Gendt takes over, and before Peter Sagan starts his jump, he realizes that the race has already been won. The Slovakian decides to give this win to his Belgian team mate, who takes his first season win. Schleck makes it a great 1-2-3 for us!
Results
1
Thomas De Gendt
Monster Energy - Subway
4h24'43
2
Peter Sagan
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
3
Andy Schleck
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
4
Gabriele Bosisio
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
5
Danilo Di Luca
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
6
Iban Mayoz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
7
Jonathan Hivert
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
8
Jelle Vanendert
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
9
Eduardo Gonzalo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
10
Marcos García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
The winner
Word from the DS
Don't think we'll come back nect year, way too easy
... a change might be interesting..... look first if Petronas as nice babes too...
