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PCM.daily » PCM Stories & Story Games » PCM 14: Stories
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A New Beginning - It´s over
the_hoyle
Good start in Spain Smile
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Croatia14
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/Leopardfinalversion_zps3280445f.jpg

vueltamallorca.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/XXIIchallengeokBtr-2015-10-homeVM.jpg


Vuelta a Mallorca
29.1.-1.2. Cat. 2.1


Stage 2
Campos - Ses Salinas 157,9km flat

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/Profil_zps7usfkrer.jpg


Favorites

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/Favoriten_zpsdjo8euxc.jpg


Breakaway

I.Kosehvoy (Lampre)
M.Hasnaoui (SkyDive)
A.Kamyshev (Astana)
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-08_00005_zpsvgaylavd.jpg


Chasing Teams

MTN-Qhubeka
Bardiani
LottoNL-Jumbo
Tinkoff-Saxo
Movistar


The Race


The group of three formed themselves after 20 kilometers of brutal racing, with attacks after attacks. Our man Balck was involved there too for the KOM points, but it was too hard. The trio went away when everybody thought that MTN wouldn´t let away anyone. They achieved a miximum advantage of three minutes, which went down when Adam Hansen attacked with 75 km to go.
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-08_00006_zpsk4dwj5hs.jpg
He could reach the breakaway with 45 km to go and an advantage of 1"40 on the peloton.
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-08_00007_zpst22dyf39.jpg
We still had the mountains classification in mind, so we brought Tschopp in front of the peloton on each KoM-point.
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-08_00008_zpsjbuaxkf1.jpg
The peloton did a hard chase since Hansen went, so they catched the group early. 6 MTN-Qhubeka men launched the sprint for Bos in yellow bot on the final bumps we had Bardiani, LottoNL, MTN and Leopard with a train for their men.
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-08_00010_zpsxhsgsff2.jpg
At least we did well with the pre-sprint, Maaskant had a great day, but Mathieu went a little late of Petrs backwheel. Meanwhile three riders without train finished first. Guardini took the stage for Astana in front of Sabatini and Bennati.
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-08_00011_zpsl7saenx0.jpg
With this result Guardini took the leadership in the GC, Bos is in second with the same time.


Results


Stage
1Andrea GuardiniAstana Pro Team3h18'41
2Fabio SabatiniEtixx - QuickSteps.t.
3Daniele BennatiTinkoff - Saxos.t.
4Theo BosMTN - Qhubekas.t.
5Tom van AsbroeckTeam LottoNL-Jumbos.t.
6Mathieu van der PoelLeopard-Evonik ProCyclings.t.
7Nicola RuffoniBardiani CSFs.t.
8Petr VakočLeopard-Evonik ProCyclings.t.
9Matti BreschelTinkoff - Saxos.t.
10Francesco LascaCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.

Spoiler


General Classification
1Andrea GuardiniAstana Pro Team5h19'06
2Theo BosMTN - Qhubekas.t.
3Daniele BennatiTinkoff - Saxo+ 8
4Fabio SabatiniEtixx - QuickStep+ 16
5Guillaume van KeirsbulckEtixx - QuickStep+ 22
6Kevin LedanoisBretagne - Séché Environnements.t.
7Arman KamyshevAstana Pro Teams.t.
8Alberto BettiolTeam Cannondale - Garmin+ 24
9Stephen CummingsMTN - Qhubekas.t.
10Matteo TosattoTinkoff - Saxos.t.

Spoiler


Points Classification
1Theo BosMTN - Qhubeka47
2Andrea GuardiniAstana Pro Team41
3Daniele BennatiTinkoff - Saxo36
6Mathieu van der PoelLeopard-Evonik ProCycling19


Mountains Classification
1Arman KamyshevAstana Pro Team28
2Maher HasnaouiSkyDive Dubai Pro Cycling Team26
3Ilya KoshevoyLampre - Merida18
5Johann TschoppLeopard-Evonik ProCycling14


Young Rider Classification
1Guillaume van KeirsbulckEtixx - QuickStep5h19'28 (1)
2Kevin LedanoisBretagne - Séché Environnement+ 0 (2)
3Arman KamyshevAstana Pro Team+ 0 (3)
9Mathieu van der PoelLeopard-Evonik ProCycling+ 6 (9)


Team Classification
1Burgos BH - Castilla y León15h58'42 (1)
2Team Tavira+ 0 (2)
3Itera - Katusha+ 0 (3)
17Leopard-Evonik ProCycling+ 0 (17)


What else?


Mathieu really hoped for a top five today, so now he is a little disappointed being unlucky the second time in a row. But he is really young and will get stronger every sprint. Our sprinting train looked strong today, especially Martijn with all his experience and Petr are doing fantstic jobs there.
Tomorrow Johann will attack the polka-dot jersey early, whil Laurent will wait to the big climb. It will be the deciding stage of this years Vuelta a Mallorca.
 
sutty68
Another good display from the guys today Wink
 
Croatia14
currently I'm on my way to Panama, so no Updates for a week Smile
 
Croatia14
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/Leopardfinalversion_zps3280445f.jpg

vueltamallorca.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/XXIIchallengeokBtr-2015-10-homeVM.jpg


Vuelta a Mallorca
29.1.-1.2. Cat. 2.1


Stage 3
Deia - Lluc 152,9km mountain

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/Profil_zps36yftynj.jpg


Favorites

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/Favoriten_zpssamb8dr4.jpg


Breakaway

Gianluca Brambilla (Etixx)
Peter Velits (BMC)
Jack Bauer (Cannondale)
Maxim Belkov (Katusha)
Johann Tschopp (Leopard)
Lars Ytting Bak (Lotto-Belisol)
David Belda (Burgos)
Ian Boswell (Sky)
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-21_00001_zpsm3ziiv3e.jpg


Chasing Teams

Astana
Sky
Movistar

The Race


max.advatage: 6"07 with 78km to go
remaining advantage at the Puig Major: 3"28 with 32 to go
remaining break: Velits, Brambilla, Tschopp
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-21_00003_zps45ns3nub.jpg


Attacks

Plaza (30km)
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-21_00002_zps0809qt2k.jpg
Hernandez, Valls, Visconti, Herrada (28km)
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-21_00004_zpsjctcy5xu.jpg
Vuillermoz, Montaguti, Acevedo, van der Poel (27km)
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-21_00005_zps4qzejvp2.jpg

We go into racing with 18km to go. Brambilla and Velits fought for the KOM points until the top of the Puig Major, when suppenly Tschopp reacted to their attacks. He finished first at the Puig, just when Plaza, Hernandez and Herrada reached the trio.
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-21_00006_zpsmgtxvpxy.jpg
In the meantime their were loads of attacks in the peloton, while our main man Didier really struggled to climb, Mathieu surprised us by holding on to some big names, especially when Landa put the hammer down for Astana to lead the peloton. Yellow jersey Guardini was dropped a long time ago by this moment.
The six man were a minute upfront on the top of puig, and the splitted groups behind partly found themselves together. The leading group had to keep the pace high, so that they dropped Velits and Brambilla on the descent with five to go. Tschopp could hang on to them, but had not enough left to fight for the win.
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-21_00007_zpswtyq3dzl.jpg
Plaza took it very close on the line, finishing in front of Hernandez and Herrada, who looked the strongest before. Velits and Brambilla finished half a minute down on the four; the other riders got clearly distanced. Van der Poel came in on place 12, finishing the same time with LL Sanchez and Dombrowski, which gave him a very surprising white jersey.
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-21_00008_zpsag7xn0fa.jpg
Tschopp missed the polka-dot jersey by only six points, but on tomorrows stage he can fight either for the mountains jersey or for a podium place...


Results


Stage
1Rubén PlazaLampre - Merida4h07'22
2Jesús HernándezTinkoff - Saxos.t.
3José HerradaMovistar Teams.t.
4Johann TschoppLeopard-Evonik ProCyclings.t.
5Peter VelitsBMC Racing Team+ 36
6Gianluca BrambillaEtixx - QuickSteps.t.
7Giovanni ViscontiMovistar Team+ 3'12
8Rafael VallsLampre - Meridas.t.
9Mikel LandaAstana Pro Teams.t.
10Alexis VuillermozAG2R La Mondiales.t.

Spoiler


General Classification
1Rubén PlazaLampre - Merida9h26'36
2Jesús HernándezTinkoff - Saxo+ 8
3José HerradaMovistar Team+ 12
4Johann TschoppLeopard-Evonik ProCycling+ 20
5Gianluca BrambillaEtixx - QuickStep+ 56
6Peter VelitsBMC Racing Teams.t.
7Rafael VallsLampre - Merida+ 3'32
8Alexis VuillermozAG2R La Mondiales.t.
9Mikel LandaAstana Pro Teams.t.
10Giovanni ViscontiMovistar Teams.t.

Spoiler


Points Classification
1Theo BosMTN - Qhubeka47
2Andrea GuardiniAstana Pro Team41
3Daniele BennatiTinkoff - Saxo36
6Mathieu van der PoelLeopard-Evonik ProCycling23


Mountains Classification
1Peter VelitsBMC Racing Team42
2Johann TschoppLeopard-Evonik ProCycling36
3Gianluca BrambillaEtixx - QuickStep36


Young Rider Classification
1Mathieu van der PoelLeopard-Evonik ProCycling9h30'54 (1)
2Joseph DombrowskiTeam Cannondale - Garmin+ 0 (2)
3Valerio ContiLampre - Merida+ 2'21 (3)


Team Classification
1Movistar Team28h30'19 (1)
2Lampre - Merida+ 0 (2)
3Leopard-Evonik ProCycling+ 12 (3)


What else?


Everything is reachable until now. We have a top 5, the white jersey, and are not far away from the polka-dot jersey. But what should we focus on? That´s what you have to tell us for the last stage. We were thinking of either putting Laurent or Mathieu in the break.
 
sutty68
Good result for Tschopp and now looking good on the GC too Smile

Hope Panama went well Wink
 
Croatia14
sutty68 wrote:
Good result for Tschopp and now looking good on the GC too Smile

Hope Panama went well Wink


Tschopp went good and my trip to Panama even better Wink
 
Croatia14
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/Leopardfinalversion_zps3280445f.jpg

vueltamallorca.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/XXIIchallengeokBtr-2015-10-homeVM.jpg


Vuelta a Mallorca
29.1.-1.2. Cat. 2.1


Stage 4
Alcuida - Playa de Muro 164,7km hilly

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/Stage_zpsjjhtnwv4.jpg


Favorites

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/Favorites_zpszw34gc8a.jpg


Breakaway

Howes (Cannondale)
Dupont (AG2R)
Capecchi (Movistar)
Benoot (Lotto)
Barbero (Caja Rural)
Rodriguez (Androni)
Didier (Leopard)
Silin (Katousha)
Mancebo (SkyDive)
Sepulveda (Bretagne)
Zandio (Sky)
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-23_00003_zpsrxosntja.jpg


Chase

Cult Energy
Lampre
Movistar
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-23_00004_zps7azuuesq.jpg


The Race


max.advantage: 6"17 with 82km to go
remaining group with 60 km to go:
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-23_00005_zpsrgfnsqua.jpg
Silin, Capecchi, Benoot, Zandio
2 minutes with 20 km to go


Attacks


Pirazzi(Bardiani) with 58km to go
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-23_00006_zpsydtrv1md.jpg

Haas & Hivert(Bretagne) with 25 km to go
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-23_00007_zpspflbcjom.jpg

Wegmann(Cult) & Moreno(Movistar) with 14 km to go
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-23_00008_zpsacdjpv9l.jpg

For us Tschopp had a really bad day, so we realized that we just slow things down to secure Johanns Tschopp. After the hard day yesterday he struggeled from the beginning on, so we had to change the van der Poel plan into a secure the GC-plan. Tschopp managed to reach the finish with the GC boys, but he wouldn´t have taken another 10km.
While the four man upfront battled for the victory the peloton took it easy, not lifting up their legs but chasing not on full speed.
So Zandio came first on the final road after an attack with five to go, but Capecchi closed him down. The italian had to pay for this effort and was chanceless, when young man Tiesj Benoot raised his hands to celebrate the victory.
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-23_00009_zpsm38smcqr.jpg
There were no major changes in the GC, as the group was not dangerous for the leaders. But somehow Herrada lost time, and we could celebrate an unexpected podium place in the GC.


Stage
1Tiesj BenootLotto - Soudal4h20'50
2Xabier ZandioTeam Skys.t.
3Egor SilinTeam Katushas.t.
4Eros CapecchiMovistar Teams.t.
5Javier MorenoMovistar Team+ 1'33
6Fabian WegmannCult Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
7Luis León SánchezAstana Pro Team+ 2'32
8Michał GolasEtixx - QuickSteps.t.
9Giovanni ViscontiMovistar Teams.t.
10Adam HansenLotto - Soudals.t.

Spoiler


General Classification
1Rubén PlazaLampre - Merida13h49'58
2Jesús HernándezTinkoff - Saxo+ 8
3Johann TschoppLeopard-Evonik ProCycling+ 20
4Gianluca BrambillaEtixx - QuickStep+ 56
5Peter VelitsBMC Racing Teams.t.
6Rafael VallsLampre - Merida+ 3'32
7Giovanni ViscontiMovistar Teams.t.
8Mikel LandaAstana Pro Teams.t.
9Alexis VuillermozAG2R La Mondiales.t.
10Xabier ZandioTeam Sky+ 3'53

Spoiler


Points Classification
1Theo BosMTN - Qhubeka47
2Andrea GuardiniAstana Pro Team41
3Tiesj BenootLotto - Soudal37
7Mathieu van der PoelLeopard-Evonik ProCycling23


Mountains Classification
1Peter VelitsBMC Racing Team42
2Eros CapecchiMovistar Team38
3Johann TschoppLeopard-Evonik ProCycling36


Young Rider Classification
1Mathieu van der PoelLeopard-Evonik ProCycling13h54'16 (1)
2Joseph DombrowskiTeam Cannondale - Garmin+ 0 (2)
3Carlos BarberoCaja Rural - Seguros RGA+ 2'19 (3)


Team Classification
1Movistar Team41h36'54 (1)
2Lampre - Merida+ 3'31 (2)
3Leopard-Evonik ProCycling+ 3'43 (3)


What else?

I wanted to say a bad stage for us, because I honestly didn´t notice what happened to Herrada. But like this it´s an amazing result, for the stage and the whole tour. A 3rd Place for Tschopp as well as the white jersey vor van der Poel are really amazing compared to the ambitions we had before this race.
 
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sutty68
Nice to see Tschopp get in to those podium positions Smile
 
Croatia14
Etoile de Besseges
4.2.-9.2. Cat. 2.1


www.procyclingstats.com/races/logos/2012-12/Etoile-de-Besseges.png


Stage 1: flat
Stage 2: bumpy
Stage 3: bumpy
Stage 4: bumpy
Stage 5: short TT
Stage 6: hilly TT

Kristof VandewalleCaptain
Petr VakocSprints
Marcus BurghartFree Role
Laurent DidierBreakaways
Gatis SmukulisDomestique
Ryan MullenDomestique
Martijn MaaskantDomestique
Patrick GretschDomestique


The Race


Stage 1 was a classic sprinters stage. We came here with low ambitionsand didn´t set up a sprint train. Petr did well placing himself behind van Asbroecks wheel. As soon as Van Asbroeck set the sprint up for Hofland Vakoc went one back on Hoflands wheel, and stayed there until close to the finish line, from where he went to a surprising P3. Hofland could take the win for Lotto-NL Jumbo.
Stage 2 should be a sprinters stage, but the group with one rider from Novo, Wallonie and Leopard got away and the chasing teams in the peloton disagreed with each other. Dernies could attack away from his breakaway companions, while Gallopin tried a solo chase. He overtook Maaskant and the Novo guy, but couldn´t reach Dernies before the finish line. The peloton catched all but Dernies and Gallopin, so they fought for P3 on the finish line. Dernies with a huge win for Wallonie and the yellow jersey, while Gallopin got some time on the other GC guys.
Stage 3 had an early caught break, when Smukulis launched an attack for Burghardt on the last hill. Gaudin followed him, and they tried to go for the more or less flat final 30 km with an advantage of one minute. But the duo got caught after loads of attacks from the peloton. At the end Vandewalle had a big turn to bring Vakoc on the front for the reduced bunch sprint, and Vakoc had the best combination of position and power to finish the great one-man leadout of to the first vitory for Leopard. Ratto came fast on the line but just couldn´t take the victory.
We fucked up stage 4 in a brutal way. Due to a bad starting position Burghardt and Vandewalle had no chhance to avoid a peloton split, taking out nearly 100 riders. While Didier fought for mountain points on his own - he did most of the work but the breakaway group refused to work with him together - Vakoc and Gretsch were the only ones left for us in the peloton. We gave up the chase after 150km of work and still 4 minutes disadvantage (it was 10 minutes very early in the day). Upfront there were loads of attacks again, Visconti was the man who could get away from all the others and celebrate with a small advantage in front of a reduced bunch. Gretsch got cought out in the last kms as well as Dernies, who lost his lead to Gallopin. Vakoc got P9 out of the group, Didier went into blue again.
Stage 5 was a prolouge like TT only 8 km long. Gallopin won, Vandewalle took a top 10, whil Vakoc lost not too much and was still in P4 due to time bonifications of sprints.
But Stage 6 killed him. He lost nearly two minutes on a 13kmTT with an uphill finish. At the end P24 stands there for him, with a slight advantage on Gretsch. Zoidl took the day, while Gallopin secured his GC win and Vandewalle took another top10. Didiers blue jersey couldn´t be attacked anymore.

Results


Stage 1: Moreno Hofland
Stage 2: Tim Dernies
Stage 3: Petr Vakoc
Stage 4: Giovanni Visconti
Stage 5: Tony Gallopin
Stage 6: Riccardo Zoidl

General Classification
1Tony GallopinLotto - Soudal14h19'12
2Giovanni ViscontiMovistar Team+ 34
3Javier MorenoMovistar Team+ 47
4Jérémy RoyFDJ.fr+ 56
5Riccardo ZoidlTrek Factory Racing+ 1'00
6Simon ClarkeOrica GreenEdge+ 1'07
7Jesús HerradaMovistar Team+ 1'15
8Michael HepburnOrica GreenEdge+ 1'16
9Simon GeschkeTeam Giant-Alpecin+ 1'17
10Damien HowsonOrica GreenEdges.t.
24Petr VakočLeopard-Evonik ProCycling+ 2'14


Points Classification: Tony Gallopin
Mountains Classification: Laurent Didier
Young Rider Classification: Jesus Herrada
Team Classification: Movistar

Impressions [Stage 3]

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-24_00008_zpstxyxgifb.jpg

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-24_00009_zps708sfzjm.jpg

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-24_00010_zpsnqhmcnfb.jpg

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-24_00011_zpsdcuicum2.jpg

What else?


This race was not a big deal for us, more preparation race for Vandewalle and Burghardt. The couple got lost in the winds of stage 4, where we overlooked the split and then no one helped us to come back.
On the bright side of this race, Vakoc did well another time with the first victory for our team, as well as with P3 on the first stage. He is clearly one of the biggest surprises in this early season.
Didier could reach the mountains jersey after the disappointment in Mallorca, while Maaskant had his chance in the winning breakaway on stage 2, but annoyingly couldn´t hold on to Dernies and got caught by the peloton. Smukulis and Gretsch with good domestique races, especially when Gretsch was the only man for Vakoc for over 100km on the windy stage.

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/Leopardfinalversion_zps3280445f.jpg
 
Ian Butler
Mallorca was just fantastic Smile
 
sutty68
Good to see Vakoc grab a stage win Wink
 
Croatia14
i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/Leopardfinalversion_zps3280445f.jpg


Feedback Corner


sutty68 wrote:
Good to see Vakoc grab a stage win Wink

Ian Butler wrote:
Mallorca was just fantastic Smile

We, especially Vakoc, had a great time there Banana


Contracts


We can start a small look in the future. Following contracts will end in 2015, it´s our task to look at their results and developement to see whether we offer them a new one:

Marcus Burghardt
Julian Kern
Johann Tschopp
Jelle Wallays
Martijn Maaskant
Alex Kirsch
Gatis Smukulis
Lasse Hansen
Sebastian Balck

Wildcards


We can announce that we got wildcards for all hilly spring classics we applied for, that´s Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Fleche Wallonne and Amstel Gold Race. Furthermore we got one of the rare Romandie-Wildcards.
What we really can´t understand is that we missed out on all four!!! wildcard applies for the cobbled spring classics. With our amount of regional riders as well as great cobblestone leaders who trained for this event (especially Burghardt, Westra) we are very angry on that decision. Maybe we have to change our focus if we don´t get promoted this year.
Looking at the other teams who got Wildcards (Bora, Bretagne; partly Bardiani, Southeast and UHC) we can´t understand the decisions in any way.

Upcoming Events


Algarve and Andalucia are coming up, where our leaders should ride racing kilometers to get prepared for our new cobbled highlights. These will be Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne and Omloop het Nieuwesblad , where Westra will lead us due to the fact that Burghardt didn´t plan to be on his best form there.

Rider of the month - January


upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/Johann_Tschopp.JPG/220px-Johann_Tschopp.JPG


Johann Tschopp did great for us in the January races, scoring most of our points at San Luis and Mallorca.

also notable: Julian Kern with his attacks in Argentina
 
Ian Butler
No Flanders' Classic whatsoever? That's harsh.
But Ardennes and Romandie make up for that!
 
Croatia14
www.steephill.tv/2015/vuelta-a-andalucia-ruta-ciclista-del-sol/badge.jpg


Vuelta a Andalucia
18.-22.3. 2.1


Stage 1: Prologue
Stage 2: Hilly
Stage 3: Hillly
Stage 4: Flat
Stage 5: Hilly with a flat finish

Squad


Fränk Schleck
Kristof Vandewalle
Julian Kern
Martijn Maaskant
Ryan Mullen
Laurent Didier
Marcus Burghardt

The Race


Stage 1 gave us already a third place, reached by Kristof Vandewalle. Frank Schleck didn´t lose too much time here. On the second stage we did as well as on the first. The last kilometer were uphill, and Frank Schleck took a third, behind victorious Valerio Conti from the breakaway and Wout Poels.

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-25_00001_zpssmfmozci.jpg


Stage 3 was just horrific. Frank crashed with 30 km to go, while the peloton was chasing brutally. Our whole team waited for Frank, and like a TTT we fought to came back. But there was no chance, we reached the final climb weing two minutes on on the peloton. Frank pushed until the end, so he could limit his damage; the time gap to the winnner was at least 1"50. Frank was down to P10, and he couldn´t change that on the pan-flat stage 4, where all the riders of us had a rest to try something on the final stage. There we had a Schleck attack, and with him went most of the favourites. They formed a group of 16 riders together with the original break, and Frank did a lot of work to keep them in the lead. The occuring time gap to the peloton brought us up to P6 in the GC, while Frank finished the stage on P16.

Result


General Classification
1Wout PoelsTeam Sky18h09'45
2Luis León SánchezAstana Pro Team+ 27
3Sérgio HenaoTeam Sky+ 1'01
4Valerio ContiLampre - Merida+ 1'17
5Javier MorenoMovistar Team+ 1'47
6Fränk SchleckLeopard-Evonik ProCycling+ 2'14
7Jay McCarthyTinkoff - Saxo+ 3'02
8Rubén PlazaLampre - Merida+ 3'04
9Steven KruijswijkTeam LottoNL-Jumbo+ 3'10
10Alberto LosadaTeam Katusha+ 3'36


What else?


This was just a preperation race, but Frank had the motivation for a little more so he scored some nice points.
@IanButler Yes Ardennes and Romandie are really nice races, but we are just surprised because the Flandries always have a lot of wildcards to give.
Edited by Croatia14 on 26-05-2015 07:48
 
Croatia14
voltaaoalgarve.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/logo-2015.png


Volta ao Algarve
18.-22.3. 2.1


Stage 1: Flat
Stage 2: Flat
Stage 3: TT
Stage 4: Hilly
Stage 5: Flat

Squad


Lieuwe Westra
Gatis Smukulis
Mathieu van der Poel
David van der Poel
Patrick Gretsch
Petr Vakoč
Lasse Norman Hansen

The Race


Stage 1&2 were not in our interest, as we have a strong TT squad here to go for the long TT at stage 3. Petr was on falling form, so we just tried not to lose energy on these flat stages. On stage 3 we had the big time trial, and we were not disappointed. Gretsch and Westra finished in the Top 15 on 34,8km. Smukulis did even better and managed to win the time trial with an advantage of 14 seconds over Steve Morabito. He picked out especially this race before, so he took it in top shape when other favourites were not there with climaxing form.
On stage 4 we mainly decided to chase the breakaway, so that Gatis could fight for yellow as long as possible. But the breakaway was really strong, especially Kolobnev was hard to get. And we were three minutes down on Kolobnev, when we decided to burn Mathieu and Patrick, just leaving Westra und Smukulis unprotected into the final hill. There Tjallingi launched the first attack. Kolobnev could secure his victory, while his teammates Moreno and Purito decided to attack yellow. Westra tried to close all gaps, and managed to stay with Moreno, while Smukulis had to let the favourites go. Then Lieuwe himself increased the pace, Kolobnev was a real danger and we tried to play our last card. Westra came in on the same time with Moreno, what just led him into yellow with an advantage of four seconds over Kolobnev.
We wanted to defend this one on stage 5 obviously, but even on this stage Katusha brought us in real difficulties. But at least Smukulis, Gretsch and van der Poel had the manpower to control the race including the sprints for bonus seconds, so that Leopard could celebrate their first GC victory in the teams history. Gatis could also stand on the podium finishing third in the GC.


Impressions


i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-25_00002_zpsuhhxomco.jpg

Gatis fighting in yellow

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-25_00003_zps80iy07te.jpg

Lieuwe pulling on his leaders jersey

Result


General Classification
1Lieuwe WestraLeopard-Evonik ProCycling17h38'29
2Alexandr KolobnevTeam Katusha+ 4
3Gatis SmukulisLeopard-Evonik ProCycling+ 44
4Maarten TjallingiiTeam LottoNL-Jumbo+ 51
5Steve MorabitoFDJ.fr+ 55
6Rafal MajkaTinkoff - Saxo+ 1'09
7Tiago MachadoTeam Katusha+ 1'12
8Alejandro MarqueEfapel - Glassdrive+ 1'20
9Sonny ColbrelliBardiani CSF+ 1'22
10José GonçalvesCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.


What else?

What a result. Westra on top of the popdium in his first race, while Smukulis puts out a surprising stage win and third place in portugal. The couple seems ready for Omloop and K-B-K.
We have seen that these squad is not the strongest when it comes to chasing, but at the end it´s just over all expectations.
Banana
Edited by Croatia14 on 26-05-2015 13:41
 
Ian Butler
Awesome! Grin We're doing good!
 
Croatia14
www.wielerrevue.nl/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/OMLOOP_Logo_2013.png


Omloop Het Nieuwesblad
Gent - Gent 193,8 km
28.2. cobbled classic 1.HC

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/Stage_zpsk4qczduu.jpg


Lieuwe WestraCaptain
Marcus BurghardtDark Horse
Jelle WallaysDomestique
Kristof VandewalleDomestique
Gatis SmukulisDomestique
Ryan MullenDomestique
Martijn MaaskantDomestique
Lasse Norman HansenDomestique


i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/Favourites_zpstiysieil.jpg


The Race


When we started our day in Gent there was not the strongest line-up in the history of the Omloop. But we have many ambicious continental teams with their captains her as well as some second-strongest cobblers from World-Tour Teams.
BMC tried to control the race for Daniel Oss right from the beginning. Not bullied by that, Smukulis attacked a couple of times to create a group.

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-27_00003_zpsihrdqjzi.jpg

Finally a group of four got together, containing Riblon, de Clercq, Smukulis and Jens Wallays (Topsport).

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-27_00004_zpshnyceqx1.jpg

They gained their lead to a maximum of 6"30 with 110km to go, but over the first cobbled section the peloton really started to chase hard early. On the front were a lot of teams, especially the likes of FDJ, Tinkoff, Europcar, Astana and Etixx.

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-27_00005_zpsq48slgfw.jpg

When the advantage came down a little, firstly Maes and then Grivko decided to have a go for a long one (80km). But as they reached the breakaway, no one had an interest in helping these two. With only two guys riding, they had no chance to survive. Especially when with 56 km to go Sky and FDJ put their man together to form a group of five, bringing the peloton in huge difficulties.

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-27_00006_zpswxxbrru0.jpg

Now the pace was extraordinary high, but as the SkyFDJ group reached the breakaway they got cought by the peloton, in which only 40 men were left. With SMukulis returning to the peloton from the break, we had now five riders in there.

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-27_00007_zpshhks2ng6.jpg

But the likes of Vandewalle, Burghardt and Smukulis were really tired, so Wallays and Westra were on their own when big attacks came in. Our couple couldn´t follow the strongest one, by Gaudin, Eisel and Offredo. So we put Wallays uptop of the peloton to chase together with a Cofidis guy. In the meantime there were successful attacks by Keisse, Roulston and Offredo to break away after the last cobbled section.
With 8 km to go Westra tried the jump himself, racing quickly towards the finishing line in Gent. He managed to reach the group containing Gaudin, Roulston and Keisse with 3 to go, and immediately he attacked the trio. They could not
respond to this big attack, but neither could Westra reach the fight for the win.
This fight was won by Ladagnous over Eisel; Ladagnous just had that little extra punch on the last 50 meters of the race.

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-27_00008_zpsprgvumuf.jpg

Westra reached the line third, seing all the riders he overtook behind him. But he was too tired to celebrate his podium place, just batteling himself over the line.

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-27_00009_zpsbjn5nqfv.jpg

The trio just managed to hold on in front of a fast bigger group. Our four man in the 30-riders-peloton couldn´t really sprint for minor places, they were just too tired from the hard day out.


Result


1Matthieu LadagnousFDJ.fr4h33'36
2Bernhard EiselTeam Skys.t.
3Lieuwe WestraLeopard-Evonik ProCycling+ 1'34
4Iljo KeisseEtixx - QuickStep+ 2'04
5Damien GaudinAG2R La Mondiales.t.
6Hayden RoulstonTrek Factory Racings.t.
7Laurens de VreeseAstana Pro Teams.t.
8Ramon SinkeldamTeam Giant-Alpecins.t.
9Salvatore PuccioTeam Skys.t.
10Johan VansummerenAG2R La Mondiales.t.

Spoiler



What else?


Ian Butler wrote:
Awesome! Grin We're doing good!

And we´re continuing to do so! It was good to have someone in the breakaway to control the mid-race attacks. We had a good team with 5 riders in there when only 45 were left in the peloton. Sadly all but Wallays and Westra were nearly dead, so Wallays had to chase the attacking riders all on his own. Westra seemed to be very strong, reaching many riders after his attack and overtaking them, but in the end there were two stronger guys here. But we can be really satisfied with a podium place on the first cobbled classic and maybe our highlight cobbled classic.
Hopefully Burghardt can find his form until "the revenge for Het Nieuwesblad", so that we can try something with a more offensive strategy.


i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/Leopardfinalversion_zps3280445f.jpg
 
Croatia14
www.boucles-drome-ardeche.fr/img/classic_sudardeche.png

Classic Sud Ardeche
28.2. bumpy 198,0 km 1.1


i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/Profil_zpsi1czreav.jpg


Squad


riders with ambitions here
J.Kern
M.van der Poel
S.Balck

riders with no ambitions here
L.Didier
P.Vakoc
A.Kirsch
D.van der Poel

The Race


Breakaway (Delaplace, Vicioso, Balck) with a maximum advantage of 6"28 with 110km to go

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-29_00003_zps0g5fhlyp.jpg

After the break got caught early a group of nine rider went away, including the winner Luis Leon Sanchez

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-29_00004_zpswvcvd2qf.jpg

as well as the four riders sprinting for minor places, in which group Mathieu was the strongest and got us P2.

i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a413/BlackAkinfenwa27/2015-05-29_00005_zpsr38cvcdx.jpg

Result


1Luis León SánchezAstana Pro Team5h01'23
2Mathieu van der PoelLeopard-Evonik ProCycling+ 40
3Anthony RouxFDJ.frs.t.
4Fabian WegmannCult Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
5Moreno MoserTeam Cannondale - Garmins.t.
6Fabio FellineTrek Factory Racings.t.
7Jonathan HivertBretagne - Séché Environnements.t.
8Julien SimonCofidis Solutions Creditss.t.
9Daniele RattoUnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Teams.t.
10Ivan SantaromitaOrica GreenEdges.t.


Spoiler


What else?


Not a major race for us, but our three riders, especially Mathieu, knew how to impress. Next race is way more important, when it comes to Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne.
 
sutty68
The guys are putting in some good rides lately Wink
 
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