|
[EPIC] Belkin Pro Cycling Team
|
| jaxika |
Posted on 05-02-2015 10:59
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3148
Joined: 16-07-2008
PCM$: 9200.00
|
Wow .. 14 CT races ... this is possible?
How your riders raceday will cope with this?  (mainly ask this because my part2-3 plans) |
| |
|
|
| Ollfardh |
Posted on 05-02-2015 12:41
|
World Champion
Posts: 14562
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
|
Yeah, it's very demanding on race days early on. But well, it worked for me last year 
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
|
| |
|
|
| jaxika |
Posted on 05-02-2015 13:26
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3148
Joined: 16-07-2008
PCM$: 9200.00
|
Ollfardh wrote:
Yeah, it's very demanding on race days early on. But well, it worked for me last year
Good for you. Some guy from the UCI rejected a lot of our wildcards. You have some connections there?  |
| |
|
|
| Ollfardh |
Posted on 05-02-2015 13:32
|
World Champion
Posts: 14562
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
|
Since when does 3 count as a lot?
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
|
| |
|
|
| jaxika |
Posted on 05-02-2015 13:43
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3148
Joined: 16-07-2008
PCM$: 9200.00
|
Ollfardh wrote:
Since when does 3 count as a lot?
That 3 counted a lot for us and after that i was afraid to send more becuase i thought the UCI will choose the unimportant and reject again theimportant. But nevermind, in the second part ill send a lot. Btw, you can speak with your connection at the UCI for some favours  |
| |
|
|
| sgdanny |
Posted on 07-02-2015 17:26
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3591
Joined: 18-03-2014
PCM$: 200.00
|
 Brotherhood
"With Khan in Gabon
| st. | Rider | Result | Points Gained | | 1 | Mangere Kaha | 37th | 0 | | 2 | Mangere Kaha | - | - | | 3 | Mangere Kaha | - | - | | 4 | Mangere Kaha | - | - | | 5 | Mangere Kaha | - | - | | 6 | Mangere Kaha | - | - | | 7 | Mangere Kaha | - | - |
Greetings
1st stage of this years Tour of Gabon is over and I've decided to report our actions of the day, which involves absolutely nothing. We were riding for Jorge today, but he didn't have the best day and this mean't that we were given an anonymous role today. Tomorow the team will ride for me and I do hope to get my first Podium there, I feel great at the moment and today really gave me more focus for this week.
We don't have the largest squad possible at the moment and nor the best, but I think that we have a strong enough sprint train to fight along the likes of Movistar and MTN. The table above will be updated after each stage and I will hopefully bring back a picture of me winning the stage tomorrow!
Peace
|
| |
|
|
| Ollfardh |
Posted on 09-02-2015 09:12
|
World Champion
Posts: 14562
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
|
A slow start in Gabon
We started with a win last year, but it was hard to repeat this year. We did start with putting Maarten Wynants in the breakaway, but the peloton brought him back. The next group got clear though and made it to the finish. We left the chasing to the other teams because of that, but we may have played it a bit too hard, as the GC seems out of reach already. Well done to NetApp though, Hagg played that very well.
Stage 2 was a bit better, until a few guys were caught napping at the back. Only Jorge Cristobal Riquelme managed to stay in te first group and sprint his way to an unlucky 4th place. His best stages are coming up now though. We hope he can inprove his GC a bit and maybe get a stage win.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
|
| |
|
|
| Ollfardh |
Posted on 12-02-2015 13:04
|
World Champion
Posts: 14562
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
|
The first win of the year!
We had to wait 4 days more compared to last year, but we're happy with it nonetheless! To quickly recap, on stage 3 we had another sleepy performance from Belkin, with Jorge Cristobal Riquelme missing the final attack. He made up for it the day after, where he had a great ride, took back some time and finished 2nd on the stage and into the top 10 of the GC.
But then we had stage 5, Tom-Jelte Slagter joined the break and showed who's the boss on the hills. We had hoped for a good GC for him, and perhaps this is his way of making up.
The break works together well, and the peloton won't be back in time. With 5 kilometres to go, he decided not to risk a sprint, but go solo. With an impressive attack, he loses the rest of the breakaway.
And he still has time to celebrate, excellent ride from him, and our first win of the season! Honourable mention to Mangere Kaha who still managed to get 10th, picking up the first points of his career!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
|
| |
|
|
| Forever the Best |
Posted on 13-02-2015 12:20
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3803
Joined: 27-06-2014
PCM$: 400.00
|
I had 6 rejected wildcards,while you have none,Ollfardh
Is this fair?
The user formerly known as 'The Schleck Fan'
Gracias Alberto.
|
| |
|
|
| Ollfardh |
Posted on 13-02-2015 12:25
|
World Champion
Posts: 14562
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
|
1) This is the Belkin HQ, if you want to argue, do it somewhere else.
2) Your applications were very, very bad, most of them were 1 short sentence. In retrospect, I probably should've canceled more, but you got lucky some races were very empty.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
|
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 21-11-2024 22:09
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| Forever the Best |
Posted on 13-02-2015 12:42
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3803
Joined: 27-06-2014
PCM$: 400.00
|
Ollfardh wrote:
1) This is the Belkin HQ, if you want to argue, do it somewhere else.
2) Your applications were very, very bad, most of them were 1 short sentence. In retrospect, I probably should've canceled more, but you got lucky some races were very empty.
1)I am gonna write it at part 2 or PM you,then
2)But this doesn't change the fact you got all your wildcards accepted and I thought your team strongness in the race is more important.
And can somebody whose wildcards got all accepted can write an example of an application?
The user formerly known as 'The Schleck Fan'
Gracias Alberto.
|
| |
|
|
| Ollfardh |
Posted on 13-02-2015 13:21
|
World Champion
Posts: 14562
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
|
Ok, I'm gonna quote your applications here
Strade Bianche:With Enrico Gasparotto we have a chance of winning in this Italian race Good to know, Sagan will be scared
GP de la Marseillaise:With Gasparotto,Gavazzi and Bozic we have every card for victory.Oh darn it, why did I bother sending Kittel here?
Dwars Door Vlaanderen:With Turgot and Degenkolb we have a great chance of winning. Definitely better then Boonen, Vanmarcke, Cancellara, Sagan, etc
Volta ao Algarve:With Nicolas Roche we will try our best to win this race. Isn't that the whole point of riding a race?
Tour de Langkawi:With Janez Brajkovic we have a very good shot at winning.Well,since he won Dauphiné a few years ago, I'll give you that one
Tour of Gabon:With Enrico Gasparotto we will have a clear favourite in Gabon. So we noticed, excellent 24th place there!
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: With Turgot and Degenkolb there we might have a very good shot on winning depends how the race goes on. Again, way better cobblers out there, but yeah, I wanted to give everyone either Omloop either Kuurne
Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne:With last year's winner(or second?)(in EPIC 2013)Degenkolb here we have a very good shot at winning this race as we also have Sebastien Turgot 2nd in Paris-Roubaix 2012. Degenkolb got 3rd, at least do your research
Tour of Oman:With Fabio Aru or Nicolas Roche(one of them will race)we have a very good shot at winning.Again, "a good shot of winning" isn't very realistic
Criterium International
With Fabio Aru or Nicolas Roche(one of them will race)we have a very good shot at winning.see above
As you can see, all applications were very short, repetitive and factually questionable.
So when you talk to me about fair, perhaps the fair thing is to take away Omloop and give it to someone who did send in a proper application?
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
|
| |
|
|
| Paul23 |
Posted on 13-02-2015 13:27
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4411
Joined: 10-08-2011
PCM$: 400.00
|
Ollfardh wrote:
Ok, I'm gonna quote your applications here
Spoiler Strade Bianche:With Enrico Gasparotto we have a chance of winning in this Italian race Good to know, Sagan will be scared
GP de la Marseillaise:With Gasparotto,Gavazzi and Bozic we have every card for victory.Oh darn it, why did I bother sending Kittel here?
Dwars Door Vlaanderen:With Turgot and Degenkolb we have a great chance of winning. Definitely better then Boonen, Vanmarcke, Cancellara, Sagan, etc
Volta ao Algarve:With Nicolas Roche we will try our best to win this race. Isn't that the whole point of riding a race?
Tour de Langkawi:With Janez Brajkovic we have a very good shot at winning.Well,since he won Dauphiné a few years ago, I'll give you that one
Tour of Gabon:With Enrico Gasparotto we will have a clear favourite in Gabon. So we noticed, excellent 24th place there!
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: With Turgot and Degenkolb there we might have a very good shot on winning depends how the race goes on. Again, way better cobblers out there, but yeah, I wanted to give everyone either Omloop either Kuurne
Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne:With last year's winner(or second?)(in EPIC 2013)Degenkolb here we have a very good shot at winning this race as we also have Sebastien Turgot 2nd in Paris-Roubaix 2012. Degenkolb got 3rd, at least do your research
Tour of Oman:With Fabio Aru or Nicolas Roche(one of them will race)we have a very good shot at winning.Again, "a good shot of winning" isn't very realistic
Criterium International
With Fabio Aru or Nicolas Roche(one of them will race)we have a very good shot at winning.see above
As you can see, all applications were very short, repetitive and factually questionable.
So when you talk to me about fair, perhaps the fair thing is to take away Omloop and give it to someone who did send in a proper application?
Or to someone who forgot to send one in, maybe? Boonen would be happy at least  .
Edited by Paul23 on 13-02-2015 13:28
|
| |
|
|
| Marcovdw |
Posted on 13-02-2015 13:30
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
Joined: 04-07-2012
PCM$: 15345.00
|
 Those applications are the best one I've ever seen
|
| |
|
|
| mvhoogdalem |
Posted on 13-02-2015 13:30
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2244
Joined: 30-06-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
A good application is one that focuses on why your team should be there, not which rider in your team 'might' get a good result.
I could apply to Gabon saying Sagan could win there, but that is no reason for Cannondale to be invited there. If I had an African rider, even a crap one, that would be a good reason for my team to be invited. |
| |
|
|
| Forever the Best |
Posted on 13-02-2015 13:35
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3803
Joined: 27-06-2014
PCM$: 400.00
|
Strade Biancheidn't Gasparotto finished 2ndin Montreal beat Sagan in that race in EPIC 2013?
Dwars door Vlaanderen:I send Degenkolb because it will finish in a sprint of cobblers likely,and Degenkolb is 76 COB.And Turgot also can get a surprise result in a sprint of cobblers because he has 70+sprint stat.
I have no answer for the others though but I still think I should also get Kuurne because it will finish in a sprint if not breakaway
Oh,and you can take away Omloop,I don't mind
The user formerly known as 'The Schleck Fan'
Gracias Alberto.
|
| |
|
|
| Paul23 |
Posted on 13-02-2015 14:07
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4411
Joined: 10-08-2011
PCM$: 400.00
|
@TSF: Strade Bianche maybe has simply better wildcard contenders. Even OPQS(we have Kwiatek who won it irl) and La Bestia couldn't make it. Maybe because my application wasn't much better as yours. At least I got some belgian races.
BTW: wouldn't it be better to talk about that in another thread. This is the Belkin HQ and since it has nothing to do with Belkin it should be moved.
EDIT: Yes, Gasparotto was second, and he did beat Sagan, who was attacking like a moron. Thats why he didn't win it. I reported the race.(Secretly i tipped the result and I was right with Gilbert winning. I like Gilbert. But I didn't manipulate anything(maybe it sounds like that))
Edited by Paul23 on 13-02-2015 14:11
|
| |
|
|
| Ollfardh |
Posted on 13-02-2015 14:19
|
World Champion
Posts: 14562
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
|
Gabon finish
Nothing special to report after the last stage of the Tour de Gabon. Again, the breakaway won. Most importantly, we managed to keep Jorge Cristobal Riquelme safe in the chaos, he even moved to a nice 7th overall after a few riders ahead of him had some bad luck. Yet we did learn a few things in this race.
1) Pay attention, even on flat stages.
Too many times, we were at the wrong side of the gap. Kudos to Movistar for working hard, but we just need to pay more attention when they do that. We had 6 quality riders here, they need to show that by being in the front. Especially Slagter and Martens could've been useful if they stayed in the front group.
2) That sprint train isn't going to form itself.
With Martens, Hofland, Cristobal Riquelme and Kaha, we shoud've done better in the sprints. Obviously we still need to adapt to Khan, as he's new in the team, but it definitely should go better next race. There's no point is signing a young sprinter if you don't bring him in position.
3) If you don't want to work, get in the break
There were 5/7 succesful breakaways this race, and we only managed to be in them once, where we won. We definitely have the guys who can handle this, so join. With 6 riders, we can't control the race (as we noticed), so take turns in making the break, so it's up to the other teams to work.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
|
| |
|
|
| sgdanny |
Posted on 13-02-2015 14:38
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3591
Joined: 18-03-2014
PCM$: 200.00
|
Brotherhood
| Stage | Rider | Result | Classification | | 1st | Mangere Kaha | 37th | Stage | | 2nd | Mangere Kaha | 39th | Stage | | 3rd | Mangere Kaha | 57th | Stage | | 4th | Mangere Kaha | 70th | Stage | | 5th | Mangere Kaha | 10th | Stage | | 6th | Mangere Kaha | 17th | Stage | | 7th | Mangere Kaha | 19th | Stage | | Final | Mangere Kaha | 52th (6 pts) | Points |
Greetings
This has been a very frustrating week, where weather and unpredictable moments have filled the team, but we did manage to get a stage win from here, just not by myself. We weren't coordinated and there were no one to cover me and protect me from the harsh weather.
I didn't get the backup I needed to perform to my full ability and the core idea of the race was chaos, which is something we sprinters don't want and when I was talking to some of the other sprinters, I realized that I wasn't the only one feeling this way.
Now I'm busy getting on the plane to Australia, where my connection to Mark Renshaw will prove it's full potential here Down Under and to be fair Moreno wasn't the best helper, which is understandable since I kinda took his role in the team, but he works better as the lead sprinter.
I hope to improve, as I can't blame the whole team for my mistakes and I think TDU will be an succesfull race for us!
Peace
|
| |
|
|
| Ollfardh |
Posted on 13-02-2015 16:01
|
World Champion
Posts: 14562
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
|
GP La Marseillaise
Only one race for us in February, so we want to make this one count. Quite a few riders making their debut here. First of all, Marcel Kittel. Though his goals are later in the season, this will be his first chance to shine in his Belkin shirt. Another rider to make his debut for us is French local Warren Barguil. Again, his goals come much later in the season, but he needs to get the legs going as well. Jasper Stuyven will also ride his first race in the Belkin jersey, he'll start as domestique to get the season going. Next we have 3 guys you already know, including our superstar Sep Vanmarcke. He needs to get ready for the Belgian opening weekend, and we think this is a good race for that. Paul Martens hopes to recover from a poor performance in Gabon and Mark Renshaw wants to show he is the world's best leadout.
 Warren Barguil
 Marcel Kittel
Paul Martens
 Mark Renshaw
 Jasper Stuyven
Sep Vanmarcke
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
|
| |
|
