|
La Pomme Marseille - Bye for now!
|
| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 31-10-2012 22:17
|
World Champion
Posts: 10121
Joined: 01-05-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Thanks, guys. Siskevicius certainly did well, but Greipel was unstoppable. 
 2.1: Circuit de Lorraine
We continue with another shortish sprinter-friendly stage race. This time it's five days of racing, of which none are especially demanding. Hopefully things can continue the way they've been going recently, to score us even more points.
Needless to say, it's everyone for Evaldas again. The form is great overall, so this looks promising. We'll probably try out the breakaway at least once as well.
Lloyd Mondory has had an excellent season and is hard to beat if his form is where it should be. Adrien Petit and Scott Thwaites are two other who've impressed recently. The OPQS squad will be dangerous as well, as they've turned up with several strong names.
|
| |
|
|
| sutty68 |
Posted on 31-10-2012 23:17
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Good Luck in Lorraine  |
| |
|
|
| Ian Butler |
Posted on 01-11-2012 09:22
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
|
Come on Evaldas, bring home another victory! |
| |
|
|
| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 01-11-2012 10:05
|
World Champion
Posts: 10121
Joined: 01-05-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
2.1: Circuit de Lorraine: Stage 1
Pierre-Luc gives in to the temptation and puts in a dig on the day's steep final climb, 15 km out. The breakaway is still around a minute ahead, providing an opportunity to hunt as extra motivation.
It never really looks like the move is going to succeed, but he still manages to hold on all the way to the kilometer mark. Enrique Sanz is the first to catch up, followed by a charging Luke Rowe, followed by Evaldas.
After an impressive sprint from a position a few wheels back, it's Gerald Ciolek who takes the stage win! Lloyd Mondory storms up with an insane speed in the final meters, but can only make his way up to second.
Evaldas pulls off a strong sprint, but just can't match the best today. Fifth place is still a very decent way to begin. A shame that Perichon didn't survive.
| 1 | Gerald Ciolek | OmegaPharma - Quickstep | 3h46'23 | | 2 | Lloyd Mondory | AG2R La Mondiale | s.t. | | 3 | Justin Jules | Veranda Rideau - Super U | s.t. | | 4 | Romain Matheou | Veranda Rideau - Super U | s.t. | | 5 | Evaldas Siskevicius | La Pomme Marseille | s.t. |
2.1: Circuit de Lorraine: Stage 2
Another day for the sprinters. Yoann and Yannick actually provides a quite okay leadout for Evaldas. Sanz, Bacquet and Thwaites swiftly move up right behind.
Sanz makes the early jump, but Evaldas responds well and starts to launch his own sprint under the Flamme Rouge. Yesterday's first and second; Ciolek and Mondory, both get stuck behind Thwaites and Bacquet.
Evaldas powers clear inside the final k, but just when it looks like he has the victory wrapped up - Mondory returns. With amazing speed, he nips past in the last 100m to snatch the stage win out of our hands!
| 1 | Lloyd Mondory | AG2R La Mondiale | 4h14'47 | | 2 | Evaldas Siskevicius | La Pomme Marseille | s.t. | | 3 | Enrique Sanz | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 4 | Gerald Ciolek | OmegaPharma - Quickstep | s.t. | | 5 | Michal Kwiatkowski | OmegaPharma - Quickstep | s.t. |
2.1: Circuit de Lorraine: Stage 3
A rather difficult hill inside the final 10 km obviously opens up an opportunity for the non-sprinters. Peter Kennaugh is the first to give it a go. Pierre-Luc is quickly onto his back wheel, together with a a few more riders.
Pierre-Luc dumps the other attackers near the top of the climb and goes solo instead. Unfortunately, Europcar organizes a strong leadout train in the short descent, reducing the gap rapidly back down on the flat.
Third on the opening stage, Justin Jules, takes off just as the final catch is made. Points jersey wearer Ciolek reacts quickly, as does Evaldas.
Europcar's mastermind plan works out to perfection in the end. Matteo Pelucchi strikes back in the final kilometer and nabs the victory just in front of Ciolek. Evaldas also makes the jump past Jules in the finale, to finish third.
| 1 | Matteo Pelucchi | Team Europcar | 4h46'59 | | 2 | Gerald Ciolek | OmegaPharma - Quickstep | s.t. | | 3 | Evaldas Siskevicius | La Pomme Marseille | s.t. | | 4 | Justin Jules | Veranda Rideau - Super U | s.t. | | 5 | Luke Rowe | Sky Procycling | s.t. |
Ciolek takes back the race lead from Mondory on thanks to the bonus seconds. They're both on the same second, so it's going to be a tough battle on the two final days. Evaldas is also looking great, currently in the last podium spot.
| 1 | Gerald Ciolek | OmegaPharma - Quickstep | 12h47'37 | | 2 | Lloyd Mondory | AG2R La Mondiale | s.t. | | 3 | Evaldas Siskevicius | La Pomme Marseille | + 12 | | 4 | Matteo Pelucchi | Team Europcar | s.t. | | 5 | Mickaël Delage | FDJ - BigMat | + 20 | | 6 | Tiziano Dall'Antonia | Liquigas - Cannondale | s.t. | | 7 | Justin Jules | Veranda Rideau - Super U | + 24 | | 8 | Enrique Sanz | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 9 | Pello Bilbao | Euskaltel - Euskadi | s.t. | | 10 | Ian Bibby | Endura Racing | + 26 |
|
| |
|
|
| Ian Butler |
Posted on 01-11-2012 10:16
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
|
Great riding still from Evaldas 
Love the Lorraine race, because of a song I know.
"Sweet Lorraine" from Nat King Cole, awesome song  |
| |
|
|
| ste_18 |
Posted on 01-11-2012 10:19
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1430
Joined: 06-08-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Very good result for Evaldas, but it's a shame that he didn't win one of the stage |
| |
|
|
| Miguel98 |
Posted on 01-11-2012 11:01
|
World Champion
Posts: 10497
Joined: 23-06-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Evaldas does so good. I want to kill Mondoru. |
| |
|
|
| sutty68 |
Posted on 01-11-2012 11:59
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Three top five finishes in the first three stages, very nice |
| |
|
|
| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 01-11-2012 13:56
|
World Champion
Posts: 10121
Joined: 01-05-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Thanks all.
2.1: Circuit de Lorraine: Stage 4
After the recent days' rather messy finishes, Sky decide to organize things today. Evaldas makes sure to position himself behind Mondory, who has so far seemed like the best sprinter in the race.
Sky's work pays off in the best possible way. Nordhaug delivers Rowe to the front just at the kilometer mark, and the young Briton easily takes over from there - powering his way to victory. Choosing the right wheel results in a surprising second place for Vacansoleil's talented youngster Barry Markus.
Evaldas gets stuck in the middle of many different wheels towards the end and can't manage more than a 12th place. Not the best of days.
| 1 | Luke Rowe | Sky Procycling | 3h25'14 | | 2 | Barry Markus | Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 3 | Michal Kwiatkowski | OmegaPharma - Quickstep | s.t. | | 4 | Samuel Dumoulin | Cofidis, le crédit en ligne | s.t. | | 5 | Lloyd Mondory | AG2R La Mondiale | s.t. |
2.1: Circuit de Lorraine: Stage 5
On a very hard climb near the end of the stage, we break the field into pieces. Pierre-Luc paces up the climb, and at the top only 30 riders remain. Unfortunately we're not able to prevent a second group from making it back in the aftermath of the demolishing hill.
Therefore it's a group of roughly 70 riders that fights it out for this stage win. Europcar sets things up in the finale, with Mondory, Ciolek and Evaldas all following closely.
Ciolek proves to be the strongest in the slight uphill finish. It's even a double victory for OPQS, as Kwiatkowski breaks through for second place. Evaldas just misses the bonus seconds, beaten to third by Jules.
| 1 | Gerald Ciolek | OmegaPharma - Quickstep | 3h47'54 | | 2 | Michal Kwiatkowski | OmegaPharma - Quickstep | s.t. | | 3 | Justin Jules | Veranda Rideau - Super U | s.t. | | 4 | Evaldas Siskevicius | La Pomme Marseille | s.t. | | 5 | Barry Markus | Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team | s.t. |
The time bonification throws Ciolek back to the top of the GC, at the perfect time. Mondory's miss on the final stage costs him the overall victory. Still good points for him from second place. Evaldas consistency results in yet another podium - third place here as well. Good race.
| 1 | Gerald Ciolek | OmegaPharma - Quickstep | 20h00'25 | | 2 | Lloyd Mondory | AG2R La Mondiale | + 20 | | 3 | Evaldas Siskevicius | La Pomme Marseille | + 32 | | 4 | Matteo Pelucchi | Team Europcar | s.t. | | 5 | Michal Kwiatkowski | OmegaPharma - Quickstep | s.t. | | 6 | Justin Jules | Veranda Rideau - Super U | + 36 | | 7 | Barry Markus | Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team | + 40 | | 8 | Mickaël Delage | FDJ - BigMat | s.t. | | 9 | Tiziano Dall'Antonia | Liquigas - Cannondale | s.t. | | 10 | Ángel Madrazo | Movistar Team | + 42 |
|
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-11-2024 08:34
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| fcancellara |
Posted on 01-11-2012 14:00
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Nice podium place in the GC
|
| |
|
|
| rjc_43 |
Posted on 01-11-2012 14:03
|
Team Leader
Posts: 6716
Joined: 13-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
Great results with such a small team.
Love the layout and the professional look of it all too.
Keep it up!
[url=cleavercycling.co.uk]  [/url] |
| |
|
|
| Miguel98 |
Posted on 01-11-2012 14:03
|
World Champion
Posts: 10497
Joined: 23-06-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Siskevicius loves going 3rd it seems. |
| |
|
|
| Ian Butler |
Posted on 01-11-2012 15:34
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
|
Great result for Evaldas well done! |
| |
|
|
| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 01-11-2012 16:47
|
World Champion
Posts: 10121
Joined: 01-05-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Thanks everyone!
@ rjc - A huge extra thank you for the nice words. Hearing that means a lot to me.
Two of my favourite classics coming up, so why not a shared preview?
1.1: Grand Prix de Plumelec-Morbihan
This fun little race has become fairly popular among the French teams, mainly after hosting the Grand Départ for the Tour four years ago. The riders will force the quite short, but difficult Cadoudal climb into Plumelec for a hilltop finish.
Since PCM apparently doesn't consider a full day of climbing demanding enough to set the race as hilly, we'll be working for Evaldas. The hardness of the race and the uphill sprint finish will probably favour him over some other sprinters anyway, so it's not necessarily a bad thing.
Luke Rowe should be the guy to beat, as long as this ends up in a sprint like the game thinks. José Joaquin Rojas and Maxime Vantomme are two other who'll be dangerous - both because of recent form and strength in uphill finishes.
1.1: Boucles de l'Aulne
Although easier than Plumelec in terms of total climbing length, this race looks set to be one for more climby guys. No massive hills though, so it's possible that the outcome will be decided in the ascent up to the finish.
Pierre-Luc should be better suited for the task this time, but we wont decide anything. Evaldas takes shorter climbs rather well, so the likely tactic is that we'll save him for a contingent sprint finish.
Although he doesn't wear the green, white and red Italian champion's jersey any longer, Giovanni Visconti is still a strong card in a race like this. Especially when looking at his results this year. Jonathan Tiernan-Locke is on normal conditions the only one on a similar level.
|
| |
|
|
| Daggen |
Posted on 01-11-2012 16:58
|
Sprinter
Posts: 1849
Joined: 08-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
some nice results. So close all the time. Hope you will get this one |
| |
|
|
| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 01-11-2012 17:03
|
World Champion
Posts: 14236
Joined: 20-06-2011
PCM$: 300.00
|
Great results with Sisi, isnt he even on the top of CT ranking now?
Really lovely story, i enjoy it much.
Good luck in that two french races.
|
| |
|
|
| Ian Butler |
Posted on 01-11-2012 17:03
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
|
Hope those two races will bring us some firework |
| |
|
|
| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 01-11-2012 18:27
|
World Champion
Posts: 10121
Joined: 01-05-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Thanks a lot!
@ Avin - Well, Veelers and Van Rensburg have both been strong during this month as well, so it's a close call. You'll see in the monthly news after these two races.
1.1: Grand Prix de Plumelec-Morbihan
A few of the expected strong men try out the climb once the race reaches it's final few laps. None of the attacks really last tho, so with just the final sprint up to the finish left, the peloton is all together.
On the way down from the penultimate climb, Pierre-Luc takes Evaldas with him up to the very front of the field - to sharpen our odds a little bit. Visconti and Vincent Jérôme jumps into the slipstream as well.
Evaldas takes over the responsibility with a kilometer left, when Tiernan-Locke goes for it. Arthur Vichot, Romain Matheou and the previously mentioned Visconti all take on the challenge from the Briton.
It's never even a close battle, as Visconti is a cut above the rest in the tough finale! The Italian just leaves everyone in his dust, winning the race by several bikelengths. A real demonstration of force from the Italian.
Tiernan-Locke beats Jérôme to second behind. Evaldas hangs on surprisingly well on the hard climb and actually grabs a very strong fifth place, also overtaken by Russia's young supertalent Sergey Chernetskiy.
| 1 | Giovanni Visconti | Movistar Team | 4h29'34 | | 2 | Jonathan Tiernan-Locke | Endura Racing | s.t. | | 3 | Vincent Jérôme | Team Europcar | s.t. | | 4 | Sergey Chernetskiy | Itera - Katusha | s.t. | | 5 | Evaldas Siskevicius | La Pomme Marseille | s.t. | | 6 | Arthur Vichot | FDJ - BigMat | s.t. | | 7 | Florian Vachon | Bretagne - Schuller | s.t. | | 8 | Luke Rowe | Sky Procycling | s.t. | | 9 | Lars Petter Nordhaug | Sky Procycling | s.t. | | 10 | Romain Matheou | Veranda Rideau - Super U | s.t. |
|
| |
|
|
| Miguel98 |
Posted on 01-11-2012 18:34
|
World Champion
Posts: 10497
Joined: 23-06-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
I think that only another win is needed right now. |
| |
|
|
| dienblad |
Posted on 01-11-2012 19:07
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3772
Joined: 10-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Siskevicius is getting some good results!!
|
| |
|
