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[EPIC] Team NetApp - Endura
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 09-12-2014 02:08
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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 Mitchell Birt: Season Review
Hello all,
Firstly some news, I recently took part in the World Championships where I represented my country Australia. In the U23 Road Race I was the best Australian in 29th, I was a little disappointed with the result but the course did not quite suit me. In the Elite Road Race I finished 89th which wasn't too bad, especially if you look at the start list. There is always room to improve next year.
When I came onto the professional cycling scene I was very thankful to receive an offer from Mr Luttenberger asking me to ride for the NetApp-Endura team. I was going to be given a super domestique/secondary leaders role at the team. It was an honour to ride under Peter's control and it was a great experience riding with the likes of Konig this season. I finished my first season with 256 points which is not bad but I hope to improve next season.
There were 4 highlights of my season. In the Osterreich Rundfahrt, the Amgen Tour of California and la Vuelta.
The first great moment for me came following the Tour de Romandie. It was Stage 1 of the Amgen Tour of California where Konig was leader. I had recently done alright in Romandie and I felt good, on stage 1 the breakaway was on and I went solo to the finish line which gave me my first win and it felt good being in the leader's jersey on stage 2. I finished the race in 21st in the GC.
The team set a goal of a Top 15 in the GC of Osterreich and I was sent as leader to go and achieve this goal. I was pleased to see the manager's faith in me after seeing me finish 21st in the Tour de Romandie and the Tour of California. In 8 stages I was able to achieve 4 top 10 finishes as well as 8th in the TT. I ended up achieving the goal with a great 6th place in the GC which is exactly what I was there to do.
The final two great moments of my season came in la Vuelta a Espana. When I joined the team I was promised participation here and after a difficult week and a bit I showed the world what I was capable of. I took back to back breakaway victories on stage 9 by 33 seconds and stage 10 by 44 seconds, this was somewhat of a surprise to me and the team. Unfortunately on stage 13 I was clipped by a rider from another team and took a very nasty fall which forced me to abandon.
Full Results List:
Spoiler | Tour de Romandie | | | Stage 1 | 25th | | Stage 2 | 93rd | | Stage 3 | 54th | | Stage 4 | 48th | | Stage 5 | 15th | | Stage 6 | 23rd | | GC | 21st | | KOM | 2nd | | U25 | 6th | | | | Amgen Tour of California | | | Stage 1 | 1st | | Stage 2 | 21st | | Stage 3 | 13th | | Stage 4 | 49th | | Stage 5 | 34th | | Stage 6 | 14th | | Stage 7 | 41st | | Stage 8 | 54th | | GC | 21st | | U25 | 9th | | | | Osterreich Rundfahrt | | | | | Stage 1 | | | Stage 2 | 9th | | Stage 3 | 8th | | Stage 4 | 8th | | Stage 5 | ? | | Stage 6 | 41st | | Stage 7 | 8th | | Stage 8 | 48th | | GC | 6th | | U25 | 4th | | | | | | Vuelta a Espana | | | | | Stage 1 | 18th Team | | Stage 2 | 56th | | Stage 3 | 69th | | Stage 4 | 70th | | Stage 5 | 54th | | Stage 6 | 92nd | | Stage 7 | 96th | | Stage 8 | 78th | | Stage 9 | 1st | | Stage 10 | 1st | | Stage 11 | 28th | | Stage 12 | 79th | | Stage 13 | ABANDON | | | | Milano-Torino | 69th | | | | Giro del Piemonte | 80th | | | | World Championships | | | U23 Road Race | 29th | | Elite Road Race | 89th |
It was a truly memorable experience riding for the NetApp team where I was given a lot of support by my fellow riders, the management and the rest of the cycling world. I hope I can one day pay back the NetApp team by returning and winning a GT for them. For now I shall focus on training and smaller races and I shall see all of you in Australia where I will next season be riding for Orica-Greenedge.
Regards,
Mitchell
Edited by Luis Leon Sanchez on 09-12-2014 03:07
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 09-12-2014 07:00
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Team Leader
Posts: 6795
Joined: 21-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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I’ve ridden a bunch of one-day races this last while. None of them with much success apart from fetching bottles for my team mates (which I’m happy to do). Still getting to ride big races like Emilia, Paris-Tours and the U23 Worlds have been an amazing experience!
More interesting to talk about was my stint in China.
On the first four stages I attacked every single day, usually several times as well. But the peloton just wouldn’t let me in to the break. Until stage 5 that was…
Finally I managed to hit the break of the day along with another young frequent attacker Aquili Feunard and four others including a couple of WT-riders. We had 3 and a half minute at most but we worked well together until we approached the final hills where Proni attacked.
On the hill I had nothing to respond with but fortunately we soon hit a small descent and I bridged the gap along with Van Hecke. What a morale boost that was!
I took a quick look behind and saw the peloton approaching fast. As usual in this race and I decided to make one final show for the audience instead of playing it safe and waiting for someone else to open – just to get caught in the end anyway.
I never really expected anything of it, but to my great surprise I saw Proni disappear from my rear wheel. At first I could just see him under my elbow and then I suddenly couldn’t anymore.
I went full throttle the final distance with nothing on my mind really.
I had nothing left but will and determination. Then suddenly I saw a stand at the side of the toad indicating the finish line. For some reason they hadn’t painted it on the road.
I was surprised but sat up straight to celebrate only to realize that Calzone was right next to me on the other side.
Fortunately I was first over the line and got my first win. I never expected that. 18 years old in my first pro season and already a race winner!
Let the lesson to everyone be that if you just keep trying you’re bound to success at some point…
After that I decided to focus on helping the others in the last few stages.
Hainan Results
Stage 1: 76th / + 3'10
Stage 2: 101st / s.t.
Stage 3: 104th / + 4'32
Stage 4: 29th / s.t.
Stage 5: WIN
Stage 6: 56th / s.t.
Stage 7: 86th / s.t.
Stage 8: 87th / s.t.
Stage 9: 60th / + 1'44
General Classification: 75th / + 10'14
Points Classification: 19th / 29 pts
Young Riders: 26th / + 10'14
Team Classification: 12th / + 9'26
~ Heimdal
Edited by Atlantius on 09-12-2014 07:01
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| knockout |
Posted on 27-12-2014 22:34
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7735
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 400.00
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Thomas Schwabe praises Zoidl
German Talent Thomas Schwabe (NetApp-Endura) praises the abilities of austrians star Riccardo Zoidl in an interview with Austrians sport magazin Sportwoche. He hopes that the 24 year old will join his team in this year's UCI draft since he is one of "the best available talents on the market". Having such a classy rider in his team would surely "boost [Schwabe's] chances to compete in prestigious stage races like Paris-Nice or the Österreich Rundfahrt" and would add enormous quality to the climbing squad as well as to a possible TTT line-up. Should he be picked at an earlier position then Schwabe would recommend one of the talented Yates brothers to his team chef although he feels that they might turn too ambitious to always stay a domestique for him.
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 01-01-2015 23:47
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Wait, what - transfer season?
Yeah, it's that time of the year. Transfer season for Peter Luttenberger. As NetApp Endura's manager, Luttenberger will be the offical voice of the team. A great first signing can already be confirmed: Aspiring youngster Mathieu Van Der Poel joins the team. Only 18 years old, the rider from Netherlands and reknown Cyclo-Cross specialist, will take to the road. Plenty of potential is surely with Van der Poel, after all he recently became Junior World Champion in Firenze.
Meanwhile, it's seems almost certain that Leopold König is to leave the team at the end of the season. The gap between him and the other riders is too high by now and NetApp Endura will prefer to have a greater team depth instead. With his performance in the Vuelta, König has also shown that he is ready for the World Tour.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Shonak |
Posted on 07-01-2015 21:21
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Whilst the Free Agent bids have just started, NetApp Endura and its manager Peter Luttenberger are happy to announce their final roster.
New riders include Nikias Arndt, Ian Boswell, Bert Grabsch, Julian Kern, Dominik Nerz, Thomas Schwabe, Rüdiger Selig, Mathieu Van der Poel, Carlos Verona, Mathias Von Triesenberg, Rick Zabel and Edoardo Zardini. That's a total of 12 new riders this transfer season. In return, we've also lost some names of course, most notable our czech riders Leopod König and Jan Barta as well as Mitchell Birt, who have successfully managed to make the jump to a World Tour team. The team has established a strong german core by now, but is also very proud of its multi-national appeal!
We wish all former riders good luck for the new season and hope ourselves for a successful 2014!
The team philosophy will further put an focus on consistent breakaway performances, daring bunch sprints with outsider chances and small GC ambitions in Pro Continental Tour races. NetApp Endura has especially tried to improve our depth in the department of hilly terrain, so we hope to perform better in one-day classics, be them either a hilly affair or a bunch sprint finish. With guys like Arndt, Walker, Kluge and Jarc we've a couple of really fast sprinters in our team, who can count on some solid support throughout the season. Surely, the loss of our two best GC riders is a huge loss but NetApp Endura is confident in replacing their quality in the coming seasons.
| Last Name | First Name | Nationality | FL | MO | HIL | TT | CB | SP | Age | | Arndt | Nikias |  | 74 | 60 | 66 | 71 | 60 | 74 | 22 | | Benedetti | Cesare |  | 68 | 63 | 68 | 63 | 59 | 65 | 26 | | Boswell | Ian |  | 68 | 73 | 73 | 67 | 60 | 61 | 22 | | Camaño | Iker |  | 67 | 66 | 67 | 70 | 54 | 60 | 34 | | Dempster | Zakkari | | 72 | 60 | 66 | 65 | 56 | 71 | 26 | | Dimitriou | Ioannis |  | 65 | 73 | 71 | 62 | 57 | 64 | 22 | | Downing | Russell |  | 71 | 60 | 66 | 56 | 66 | 68 | 35 | | Grabsch | Bert | | 72 | 57 | 65 | 72 | 61 | 61 | 38 | | Hägg | Heimdal |  | 72 | 68 | 72 | 62 | 69 | 69 | 19 | | Huzarski | Bartosz |  | 68 | 71 | 73 | 66 | 55 | 62 | 33 | | Jarc | Blaz |  | 72 | 61 | 65 | 65 | 55 | 73 | 25 | | Juárez | Jose Alberto |  | 63 | 70 | 67 | 71 | 58 | 61 | 19 | | Kern | Julian | | 70 | 67 | 74 | 58 | 55 | 68 | 24 | | Kluge | Roger | | 74 | 60 | 64 | 68 | 71 | 74 | 27 | | Matzka | Ralf | | 69 | 56 | 64 | 65 | 58 | 71 | 24 | | McEvoy | Jonathon | | 70 | 57 | 64 | 59 | 59 | 69 | 24 | | Mendes | José |  | 66 | 73 | 72 | 68 | 51 | 64 | 28 | | Nerz | Dominik | | 68 | 76 | 74 | 72 | 56 | 65 | 24 | | Schorn | Daniel |  | 71 | 63 | 65 | 60 | 60 | 74 | 25 | | Schwabe | Thomas | | 72 | 74 | 71 | 75 | 55 | 60 | 22 | | Schwarzmann | Michael | | 68 | 54 | 64 | 60 | 55 | 70 | 22 | | Selig | Rüdiger | | 73 | 58 | 67 | 65 | 67 | 75 | 24 | | van der Poel | Mathieu |  | 70 | 66 | 72 | 67 | 64 | 70 | 18 | | Verona | Carlos | | 66 | 66 | 68 | 64 | 55 | 63 | 21 | | Von Triesenberg | Mathias |  | 72 | 64 | 75 | 68 | 71 | 68 | 22 | | Voss | Paul | | 70 | 73 | 75 | 67 | 67 | 66 | 27 | | Walker | Dermot | | 73 | 55 | 63 | 60 | 62 | 75 | 19 | | Zabel | Rick | | 71 | 57 | 66 | 65 | 65 | 72 | 20 | | Zardini | Edoardo | | 66 | 68 | 72 | 60 | 56 | 64 | 24 |
Edited by Shonak on 08-01-2015 14:09
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| brewers90 |
Posted on 07-01-2015 21:30
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3711
Joined: 01-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Though I'm not one to complain normally, especially not to a team that has done so much for me, I have to say I am extremely disappointed in these transfers. In our contract talks, you promised you'd bring in another Brit but, not only have you not done that, you've let go of my preferred leadout Scott Thwaites. You also seem to have replaced me with Selig despite promising that you would allow me to be the lead sprinter.
What happened? 
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 07-01-2015 21:33
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
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A very decent CT team, great depth, but I fear you might miss the 1 great rider though.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 07:47
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Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
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| Shonak |
Posted on 07-01-2015 21:57
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Dear Dermot,
Scott Thwaites had a chance of riding for Team SKY, the spearhead of british cycling, and learning from Mark Cavendish himself. When he heard about his chance, there was really little we could do to keep him and we didn't want to stand in his way either. That we didn't get some additional british riders is indeed a bit of a missed chance though, unfortunately.
As for your future prospect on this team, I'm not sure why'd you think that you were replaced by Selig at any point. We are missing a single superstar sprinter but instead we can rely on a versalite bunch of fast men for many finishes. This has been the team before transfer and with the addition of Selig and Arndt, we have continued this tradition.
You are a very fast man, but you are still a very young rider and as such, you will naturally flux in performances throughout the season at such a young age. We believe in your future and see great potential. Remember, your stage win last year was class but it was also a result of a breakaway, whilst in the later season part you achieved some very nice results in pure bunch sprints.
As a team ultimately, we prefer to have the options and the ability to send you guys to either the same or different races and have a great depth to perform throughout the year. Thereby helping and supporting each other will be a key to success just like fast legs and some luck.
Edited by Shonak on 07-01-2015 22:04
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Shonak |
Posted on 07-01-2015 22:03
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Ollfardh wrote:
A very decent CT team, great depth, but I fear you might miss the 1 great rider though.
Yeah, but that was planned. Too much relied on König, I wanted to get away from that "one rider focus" and instead make the team grow as a whole. 
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| knockout |
Posted on 07-01-2015 22:06
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7735
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 400.00
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Moin Petter,
I am very glad about our transfers. You've managed to increase the team depth a lot and you got rid of Leopold who would likely not accept my leader role. Dominik though will be a great luxury domestique for me when it matters so I am glad he joined us.
Don't listen to Dermot. You know how those brits are. Always pessimistic and also a bit jealous that they are not the centre of our squad but only outsiders.
I guess he'll be glad to give his roster spot for a climbing domestique next year when everybody realize that only the climbing core count!
Thanks for building the squad around me,
Thomas
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| brewers90 |
Posted on 07-01-2015 22:16
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3711
Joined: 01-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Okay boss, maybe I overreacted a bit but I just can't believe you weren't able to add any British riders to the squad.
I suppose I do agree about the sprinter's part and I look forward to working with the German guys. Hopefully, we'll have a meeting soon to discuss my schedule.
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 07-01-2015 22:16
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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Mr Luttenberger
The Androni team would like to congratulate you on the team you managed to build for the 2014 season. We feel that you will do well but I think we will be better in the rankings this season. Nerz was a great signing for you. Although we feel as if Schwabe is quite a downgrade from Mitchell Birt and think Nerz should be your climbing leader.
Good luck in this coming season.
Regards
Travi Rujano
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| Shonak |
Posted on 08-01-2015 08:58
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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@Thomas:
The legends of your Superstardom will be heard throughout the cycling world.
@Dermot:
For this season part, it was important to us to get a solid line-up of german riders. We are rather disappointed ourselves to not have gotten obtained some new british riders. Though the Yates brothers were in reach with a draft pick, we preferred to get Mathieu Van der Poel. Personal preferences by the team manager I guess.
@Travis Rujano:
Thank you. We've seen that Androni have built up a very nice squad themselves, at the end of the season the rankings will tell us more. Kawaski at least seems to be a proper replacement of Carlo Calzone.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Shonak |
Posted on 14-01-2015 10:33
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Since Season Planning is right around the corner, the obligatory question presents itself to all our young EPIC riders: Do you have any wishes for your schedule?
Whether you want ride a Grand Tour, focus on One-Day Classics or make yourself a name in smaller stage races, now is the time to share. Peter Luttenberger will have - as always - two open ears for you.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 14-01-2015 11:05
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Team Leader
Posts: 6795
Joined: 21-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Hey Boss.
As usual I want to ride my bik as much as possible in different terrains, though I'd prefer it if I can avoid the biggest mountains to some extent, also I don't think I'm ready for a GT just yet.
For the first part of the season I think there's a lot of interesting classics. Especially I would like to go back to Marsaillaise where I had my debut last year finishing 18th. Langkawi was nother race I did well in, but that's not as important to me.
Basically I want to go anywhere where I can get to go in a break with decent chance of succes. The profiles for Gabon looks kind of cool as well I think.
To cu it short: I'll race whereever it fits your plans to send me, but please spare me for a lot big mountains.
~ Heimdal Häagg
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| brewers90 |
Posted on 14-01-2015 15:59
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3711
Joined: 01-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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I also have no interest in riding a Grand Tour yet boss. I think we all agree my 'climbing' abilities would have me in serious trouble!
I would, however, love to make my WT debut at some point this season. Maybe a race like Poland would suit me. As for the start of the season, I'd love to do Langkawi again to see how much I've improved from last year. Oman holds special memories for obvious reasons but doesn't really have a route that suits me. One-day races were bad, and I mean woeful, for us last season, so I don't mind skipping them if your new signings have changed your plan for those.
My season should be pretty easy to plan though really. Keep me away from too many mountains and hills and let me sprint. I trust you to make the right calls as you did last seaspn.
Dermot
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| Shonak |
Posted on 26-01-2015 19:25
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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NetApp Endura is proud to announce that the team has stepped up one to last year, and will be riding two Grand Tours this year.
The Giro d'Italia, from 9th May to 1st June, is a premiere for NetApp Endura and with two Italians and the rest of some aspiring youngsters, we are looking to cause some unexpected fuss there. Thomas Schwabe might even be used as a leader to get some experience in the Grand Tours.
The second race is of course the Vuelta d'Espana, where we have very good memories from last year. The organization was happy to welcome us back. It'll be tough to top last year (Top 10 + 2 stage wins), but from here on out, we'll work to make something special happen again.
The rest of the race schedule for the first proper season part will be announced shortly. Race wishes are still welcome!
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Shonak |
Posted on 26-01-2015 20:12
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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And, here we go, the full season part 1 schedule for NetApp Endura.
We are hopeful that everyone of our riders and epic youngster will find at least two-three races they can like and use a decent build-up for the challenges ahead. Last season, NetApp Endura didn't enjoy the greatest start until Dermot Walker took our first stage win of the season on stage #1 in Tour of Oman. Can we celebrate a stage win even earlier this year? Or do we have to wait even longer?
Whilst the goals are worked on for the UCI, we encourage every EPIC youngster to share their thoughts on the races. We've already put in consideration of Heimdal and Dermot's wishes of course.
| CT.5 | Tour de Gabon | [13-19 January] | | CT.5 | Tour de San Luis | [20-26 January] | | CT.6 | GP La Marseillaise | [2 February] | | CT.6 | Tour of Oman | [18-23 February] | | CT.6 | Volta ao Algarve | [19-23 February] | | CT.5 | Tour de Langkawi | [27 February-8 March] | | CT.4 | Omloop Het Nieuwsblad | [1 March] | | CT.5 | Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne | [2 March] | | CT.5 | Strade Bianche | [8 March] | | CT.6 | Roma Maxima | [9 March] | | WT.3 | Paris-Nice | [9-16 March] | | WT.3 | Tirreno-Adriatico | [12-18 March] | | WT.4 | Volta a Catalunya | [24-30 March] | | CT.6 | Criterium International | [29–30 March] | | CT.6 | Driedaagse De Panne - Koksijde | [1-3 April] | | CT.6 | GP Indurain | [5 April] | | CT.6 | Volta Limburg Classic | [5 April] |
There's also an upcoming mandatory training camp for you lot. But don't worry, Luttenberger will bring his special wine from his own place again. Just don't get too drunk again.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| brewers90 |
Posted on 26-01-2015 21:03
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3711
Joined: 01-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Great news about the GTs boss, I look forward to watching the guys in the Giro battling the big boys and the weather.
As for me, I like the look of Langkawi and De Panne in this part. I don't mind doing one of San Luis or Gabon and I would be delighted to get the chance to ride Paris - Nice as my WT debut but don't expect stage wins yet if you do pick me. 
As I said before though, I'm happy to ride wherever you see fit. Well, except Tirreno and Catalunya. They'd probably kill me and I'm too young to die.
Dermot
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| Shonak |
Posted on 26-01-2015 21:05
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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I also havn't made a life insurance for you yet, so Paris-Nice it is. 
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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