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Il Bimbo d'bronzo | Giro d'Italia 2015
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 01-08-2014 16:14
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The new signee Thomas Dekker (one time winner of the Tirreno Adriatico) and I immediately clicked, the Dutchman and I where roommates for the duration of our rained out training-camp, during which we mostly rode on the new TT bikes we got from our sponsor. Certainly he was a more pleasant conversational partner than Grimshaw had been.
When our team manager Gianluca came up with the idea of having me ride the Giro as GC leader after my result in the Vuelta, it was Thomas who pulled me across the line. After I initially rejected Gianluca his idea, insisting I’m not a podium candidate and much rather focus my season around the better to my talent suited Ardennes. The added pressure of the people at Tissot Headquarters expecting a Top 5 finish, wasn’t something I wanted to deal with either.
Gianluca told me his hands were tied as Zoidl and Arredondo would be going to the Tour and Fuglsang was completely focusing his season around winning the Vuelta with Kišerlovski as second in command. Leaving me as the best option for the Giro.
It was the experienced Dekker who insisted that I could surprise in the Giro just as I did in the Vuelta and that he was more than willing to join me as lieutenant. To sweeten the deal Gianluca even promised to make me the absolute leader in the fall season for la Giro di Lombardia.
As I accepted Gianluca his demands at the end of our training-camp we came up with a schedule build around various stage races.
First I would be going to the  Volta ao Algarve, where I would be the leader for the GC, but serve as part of Danny van Poppel his sprint train as well.
Next up the  Omloop het Nieuwsblad, where I was to serve Fabian Cancellara just as I did last year.
Then I would have my first race in Italy with the  Strade Bianche where I was going to serve as co-leader with Fabian. Both trying to improve on our 2nd and 3rd place of last year.
Just like last year I would then right away fly over to the French capital to compete in  Paris-Nice where I would be co-leader with the then still in form getting Riccardo Zoidl. This would be my first real test in a super competitive field.
Next would be the two most important races for me as a domestique when it comes to our sponsor goals. The E3 Prijs Harelbeke and the Ronde van Vlaanderen, where we would be completely focused on helping Fabian towards victory.
In between the E3 and the Ronde, I would also compete in the 3-Daagse de Panne, a race which suited my qualities perfectly hence I was guaranteed a role as absolute leader.
After this week in Belgium I would travel down to the North of Spain for the  Vuelta al País Vasco. Where we would be with a strong team made out of Fuglsang, Zoidl, Arredondo and Kišerlovski. My role that of a domestique to serve whomever did best in the GC. My second goal would be to test myself in the time trial.
Right after the visit to the Basque country I would fly over to Italy for a brief scouting trip of some of the stages in the Giro d’Italia.
From there I would go to Switzerland for my final test ahead of the Giro, the  Tour of Romandie. Where the sponsor once again piled up the pressure by expecting a GC win!
After Switzerland the second Grand Tour of my career would present itself in the form of the Giro d’Italia. Whereas I mentioned before the sponsor expected a Top 5 finish. A job not made easier as I would serve in Danny van Poppel his sprint train as well. The young Dutchman who surprised us by winning a stage at the Tour de France last year probably our best bet as at a stage win. Personally I would also be aiming for a stage win and see how the GC battle worked itself out.
With this long and grueling spring session the only two races that where locked in for the second part of the season where Milano-Torino and the Giro di Lombardia. Last mentioned my personal main goal of the season. In preparation I would probably ride some races in Canada and the  World Championships for which I was finally eligible.
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 01-08-2014 16:17
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Tour de France Champion
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Looks like Nicholas has a busy race schedule ahead of him  |
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 01-08-2014 20:55
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@sutty68
Yes. The pressure is really piling up on him. (And I wanted to see just how many races days I had to give to all the riders to not have them complain about not getting enough days.  )
As always thanks for your comment!
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 01-08-2014 20:56
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After our team its winter training camp in California I had decided against returning to my home in Varese, instead opting to prepare myself for this spring in Arizona at my sister Rebecca her place. She knew my body better than anyone else and had been my trainer/nutritionist even before I joined the novice ranks in my teen years, and was always willing to step onto her derny and go out for a good long training session with me. Plus the warm and dry climate with long empty roads made an ideal location for me to train on Pinarello their new TT bicycle, of which each rider got one to keep year round. (Did I mention we got a new TT bike yet?)
Exactly 6.7% the digital LED plate on the body fat measurer read. Apparently surprising Rebacca enough to enchant a raised eyebrow on her face.
“Aren’t you a bit too fit for this time of the year?”
I brushed off her worries with a simple grin and wave of the hand. Lesser riders would worry about peaks and aiming for a specific race on the calender. To hell with them I say. The specialization brought into the peloton by the likes of Miguel Indurain and Lance Armstrong was a trend I had no interest in following. If there was one thing the gentlemen at Team Sky had done properly it was reintroducing the mentality of competing for the victory flowers wherever they start. Something which I planned to do starting next month in Portugal. It was time for the cycling world to meet it’s new matador.
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 02-08-2014 15:17
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Tour de France Champion
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Nicholas looks really up for the next part of the season |
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 02-08-2014 20:35
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I send a playful text to Daphné about the weather in Faro. With 10 degrees and a dark sky it was anything, but Mediterranean. The doll had nothing to be jealous about.
As I made my way past the team buses towards the start, avoiding the various rain puddles. A surprising figure bumped into me outside the Lampre-Merida bus. Aziz Kastell was strolling around in khakis and a Lampre sponsored polo.
“Awww. I was looking forward to beating you in Malaysia, but I guess you rather slave away for your little sprinter here.”
Aziz sure knew how to say hello.
“I’m actually the leader of our team here.” I said turning his arrogance in kind. “And unlike someone who has to fly down to Asia to compete for the flowers, I can do so just fine here in Europe.”
Great pleasure was taken as annoyance quickly drew itself on Aziz his face.
“Wasted energy my friend.” Aziz was quick to retort. “I’m going to be our leader in the Giro and I’m planning on finishing on the podium.”
Touche, beating Aziz in a 3 week race would be almost impossible, not only did he climb better than I did, he had the magical ability to recuperate quickly from his efforts. Nonetheless I couldn’t back down at this point. “Well surprise. I’m also going to head into the Giro as one of our leaders. You enjoy riding to your podium anonymously (is such a thing even possible?), while I win a stage or two and wear the lead jersey just as I did in Spain last year. What did you do last year? Finish 17th in Suisse or something was it?”
Aziz resigned to his fate. He knew that so far my career among the pro’s had been a lot more successful than his. “16th actually, but don’t you worry. Just how you like to get a head start on any climbs and blow yourself up. This year things will be just as they used to be. Me #1. You #2.”
With an arrogant smile on both our faces we shook hands and wished each other luck. Aziz wasn't all that bad. Still didn't mean I would let him beat me without a fight.
Edited by Re Leone on 02-08-2014 20:40
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 02-08-2014 21:32
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Grand Tour Champion
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Nice preview of the new season. Some interesting transfers!
Good schedule for Nicolas Can't wait for the Giro
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 03-08-2014 09:55
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@the_hoyle
Good to know you're looking forward to the Giro.
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 03-08-2014 09:55
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Stage 1 | Faro › Albufeira, 199 km
With Danny van Poppel we had a real chance at success in the first two flat stages. With todays rained out stage the first of those opportunities. The young Dutchman who last year won one stage in the Tour de France, would have a tough task at hand in beating green jersey winner Marcel Kittel.
Fumiyuki Beppu, Martin Elminger, me, Bob Jungels, Boy van Poppel, Fabio Silvestre, Fabio Felline and Danny. That was the order of our sprint train as we flew into the final 15km of the stage. Everything went well until Silvestre had to let a gap grow between himself and Boy, as the Portuguese rider was unable to follow the pace. Letting the Giant and Androni trains pass in the final 3km, which caused Danny to start with a big disadvantage.
The big question after the stage was “what if”. What if Silvestre had held the wheel ahead of him? Would Danny have beaten stage winner Kittel? Who had now fought him out by one wheel length.
| 1 | Marcel Kittel | Giant - Shimano | 4h48'12 | | 2 | Danny Van Poppel | Tissot Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 3 | Manuel Belletti | Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela | s.t. | | 4 | Taylor Phinney | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | | 5 | Daniel Oss | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. | | - | | 30 | Nicholas Arcier | Tissot Pro Cycling Team | s.t. |
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| admirschleck |
Posted on 03-08-2014 10:00
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Team Leader
Posts: 6690
Joined: 11-10-2010
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I'm somehow annoyed by the amount of this story followers, as it definitely deserves more. It's surely the best story on the site at the moment and I know I am sounding like an idiot, because it's millionth time I repeat this - but this is simply great. I also really like Nicholas' stats! Not underpowered, not overpowered - just perfect (same with writing style, same with layout).
I know these type of comments helps alot with motivation and inspiration for new stuff, so please keep it up!
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 03:02
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 03-08-2014 10:02
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Stage 2 | Lagoa › Lagoa, 195 km
After yesterday’s disappointment Silvestre had been placed in the doghouse. Josu who pleasantly enough was the first DS I would be working with this year, didn’t appreciate the Portuguese rider his failure and had reordered the train in such a way that would make him the first locomotive on our first sunny day in Portugal
A plan which to everyone their (hidden) disappointment had to be quickly turned around as Fellini wasn’t feeling well today, making Silvestre the penultimate lead-out ahead of Boy.
As the break was caught with 20km to go our train was shaped; Beppu, Elminger, Fellini, Jungels, me, Silvestre, Boy and Danny.
After an excellent shift by Fellini, who with the little power he possessed today managed to pull our train to the head of the peloton, it was Jungels who managed to kick our pace into an even higher gear. Too high for Silvestre apparently (who had been included in our team because the organization had invited him) as he couldn’t follow the pace and had to leave a gap behind my wheel as I started to hammer away at the head of the peloton.
With all the energy Boy had to use to regain my wheel together with his younger brother, it was up to me to perform the final lead out. With my legs already feeling as if they had been cut off twice, I kept turning the heavy gear best I could, but I quickly blew up. I managed to launch Danny ahead of the Giant and Androni trains, but it was to no avail. Danny had to go way too early and finished 5th as Kittel took what was already his 9th win of the season.
| 1 | Marcel Kittel | Giant - Shimano | 4h34'42 | | 2 | Simon Geschke | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step | s.t. | | 3 | Taylor Phinney | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | | 4 | Manuel Belletti | Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela | s.t. | | 5 | Danny Van Poppel | Tissot Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | - | | 14 | Nicholas Arcier | Tissot Pro Cycling Team | s.t. |
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 03-08-2014 10:05
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Posts: 322
Joined: 25-06-2014
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admirschleck wrote:
I'm somehow annoyed by the amount of this story followers, as it definitely deserves more. It's surely the best story on the site at the moment and I know I am sounding like an idiot, because it's millionth time I repeat this - but this is simply great. I also really like Nicholas' stats! Not underpowered, not overpowered - just perfect (same with writing style, same with layout).
I know these type of comments helps alot with motivation and inspiration for new stuff, so please keep it up!
Thanks admir! Comments like these really help in making the story feel appreciated. And writing about the races and events around them makes PCM feel a bit more realistic and enjoyable for me, so the followers aren't too big of an issue. I'll probably keep this up until Cyanide create a descent game. Or I simply get tired of it. 
edit; I do consider Arcier his stats a bit overpowered, but I didn't want to ride around anonymously so I had to make him somewhat good. His lower STA/REC stats should keep him in check though. 
Edited by Re Leone on 03-08-2014 10:22
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| Forever the Best |
Posted on 03-08-2014 11:41
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Good luck in Algarve.
And Betancur winning IL Lombardia with SKY losing La Vuelta 
The user formerly known as 'The Schleck Fan'
Gracias Alberto.
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| fernando97 |
Posted on 03-08-2014 11:44
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Posts: 2167
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Totally agree with Admir, great content with great pace! One of the best stories around. I like it how you mix the racing with the storylines and rivals, there is some good balance between those. |
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 03-08-2014 16:08
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@The Schleck Fan
Thanks! And as a big Betancur fan myself, I'm glad to see him do well in my career.
@fernando97
Thanks for the support! Good to hear you like the format.
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 03-08-2014 16:18
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Stage 3 | Portimao › Alto do Malhão, 193 km
I believed in Danny his abilities, but after two days of disappointments caused by other cogs in our machine, I was more than happy to finally get a chance of my own. And a great chance at that; the Alto do Malhao with its 2.5km in length and 9% average gradient was the perfect climb for me. (Well maybe they could have thrown a few cobbles on there just to make sure.)
There was a chuckle heard around our breakfast table as we opened up the morning newspaper to see the likes of Busche and Schleck higher rated than I was. Two riders I repeatedly beat on climbs like these last year in training.
No, my biggest rivals today where going to be Valverde, Uran and Majka.
After Omega Pharma and Tinkoff closed the gap with the breakaway. It was Majka who was kind enough to take himself off the favourites list. The young Pole unable to contain his legs as he signed his own death certificate by attacking right ahead at the foot of the final climb.
Next it was Matthew Busche who placed an attack. The American who was now riding for Cannondale was keen to show his early season form a silly decision as he had obviously gone too early. I simply kept quiet on the front row of the peloton as we slowly caught up to the two riders ahead thanks to the men of Celesio Pro Cycling working for their leader Cadel Evans.
Just as Majka and Busche were about to be caught it was last year’s Giro d’Italia winner Rigoberto Uran who placed a powerful acceleration. Right away opening up quite the gap with the strongly reduced peloton.
I waited just a moment to see if either Valverde or Cadel Evans would respond, but neither looked particularly keen. Leaving me to launch myself after the Colombian myself, my legs which were feeling great today carrying me towards Uran metre by metre.
Surprising myself a little with just how much more powerful I had become in comparison to last year, I nor my wonder legs could keep the day from ending in frustration. Half a bike length was how much I came short on the finish-line as Uran played the flute on his way to the stage win and yellow jersey. I bowed my head in disappointment as I passed Uran. I had fallen into the fear of not wanting to lose and gone too late. A mistake I was not keen on repeating.
| 1 | Rigoberto Uran | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step | 4h46'49 | | 2 | Nicholas Arcier | Tissot Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 3 | Alejandro Valverde | Movistar Team | + 18 | | 4 | Cadel Evans | Celesio Pro Cycling Team | + 26 | | 5 | Simon Geschke | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step | s.t. | | 6 | Matthew Busche | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. | | 7 | Rafal Majka | Team Tinkoff - Saxo | s.t. | | 8 | Simon Clarke | Celesio Pro Cycling Team | + 48 | | 9 | Matteo Rabottini | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | | 10 | Bob Jungels | Tissot Pro Cycling Team | s.t. |
Spoiler Forgot to export the results, GC is the same as the top 10, but with boni seconds.
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| admirschleck |
Posted on 03-08-2014 16:20
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Aaah, that was so close. Real shame, but 2nd is still a great result!
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 03-08-2014 17:34
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Tour de France Champion
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Nicholas was so close to the win there on stage 3 in Portugal but he is riding a nice and steady race |
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 03-08-2014 22:47
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@admirschleck, @sutty68
Although he isn't in top shape. Beating Valverde is a boost to the morale.
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| Re Leone |
Posted on 03-08-2014 22:50
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A text message of Daphné in the morning was just the little boost to the moral I needed to take today’s time trial seriously. There was not much for me to gain, but I at the very least could make sure to maintain my Top-3 position and secure the jersey in the Under-25 Classification. Achievements all reasonably possible with today’s time trial being somewhat similar to that of in the Vuelta last year where I surprisingly finished 5th. There also was a bit of prestige in play as Boy Jungels who on a normal day is my superior in the time trial wasn’t too far behind in the GC, so he could become a serious contender as well. And the last thing I wanted to do was leave Portugal as anything, but the best rider of our team in these four days.
As I began warming up on the tacx next to Jungels, (who I was actually on pretty good terms with, I would like to be noted.) It didn’t take long before I felt that my wonder legs of yesterday had carried themselves over to today. As I listened to the tunes of Rihanna her new album. (I had accidentally ordered it when I was trying to buy Pink Floyd their new album in the app store, I swear!) A stupid grin formed on my face. As I promised myself that I would ask Daphné to marry me if I somehow managed to leave a winner today. (Might as well skip the moving in together part, no?)
Edited by Re Leone on 03-08-2014 22:51
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