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A Day in the Life | Sweet Delight
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| anderspcm |
Posted on 28-12-2013 17:23
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Sprinter
Posts: 1716
Joined: 09-01-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Overall, it has been a good Vuelta for Vergnaud. The highlight was obviously the stage win, but it is also nice to see him battling with some of the best climbers 
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 28-12-2013 22:57
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Selwink - Very true. Augustyn was a great help all through the year so it's sad to see him go 
duxili - Thanks a lot  Henry sure is having the season every neopro can wish for, constantly pushing his limits and achieve more than he can hope for. I'm actually a little surprised myself 
Daggen - Bibby was really strong in the Vuelta 
Dippofix - I couldn't agree more the Angliru was a beast but Henry's performance was worthy of a national champion!
anderspcm - I feel the same way, yeah. Although I'd like him to do that more consistent in the future. Now he had his days, but other days he was just out there, losing over 10 minutes. Those days need to disappear
Thanks for the huge, huge support here! It's great to see that many replies and views to this story.
To be honest, though, I'm keen to finish the season now. So I don't think I'll do a lot of races in 2013 anymore. Mostly because Henry wouldn't be racing in his national kit
I'll probably do another "blog", then go directly to the WC and then maybe end the season already. It's been a long season for Henry, after all.
Hope you can agree here
Edited by Ian Butler on 28-12-2013 23:00
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| anderspcm |
Posted on 28-12-2013 23:46
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Sprinter
Posts: 1716
Joined: 09-01-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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I agree with you, finish the season as soon as possible, the races at the end of the season is also pretty boring imo.
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| Shonak |
Posted on 29-12-2013 02:40
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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I don't know what's more impressive: Getting a stage win on such a steep final climb or freaking scoring 3rd on Angliru. I'd even go for the latter, after all it's the mother of all climbs, Angliru... A... too steep for any words nlgiru... Amazing finish to the Vuelta. That's how you do it, Henry, and with such mentality you will really one day win le Tour. Nice gesture to John-Lee too, such a shame though. And honestly, if you want to make friends in the peloton, Contador is definitely the right adress: Say about him what you will, but he never forgets someone who helps him along the way (except Samu Sánchez and a hopeful contract at Tinkoff Saxo irl  )
And yes, Henry deserves a break after all these fantastic races. Can't wait to see him first at WC and then on World Tour level (where Citigroup is heading right?). 
Edited by Shonak on 29-12-2013 03:09
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 29-12-2013 09:06
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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anderspcm - Thanks I'll try to get the WC there today even!
Shonak - What can I say? I think it's amazing to have a follower like you, thanks a lot!
Henry sure has learned a thing or two about steepness here in Spain. Looks like he can handle himself pretty well on it. Angliru was a top performance, never expected that. Seeing it was the 20th day of the Vuelta, I'd say he handles GTs pretty well.
I thought it might be nice to give a hand to Contador If things would go back at Citigroup, I'm sure Saxo would think about signing him now!
Citigroup is headed for the World Tour, but with an editor anything can happen. I'm not sure yet if I'll let us promote or keep up another year at the ProConti league, where we belong more at the moment... Though with Stybar coming, I might make a few more transfers that'll make us WT worthy.
Second day of my FU-school-weekend. Will try to put in some hours into PCM today!
Oh, but tomorrow I really have to study again, so if I make a report before 2pm, tell me to go back to my books!
Edited by Ian Butler on 29-12-2013 09:07
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 29-12-2013 10:20
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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A Classic Battle of Good vs. Evil - Part II Just two weeks before the Vuelta, the team released the final pre-selection for the race, 10 names. I immediately saw Julien was not on it.
Aha, so it worked. I don't even feel bad about it. Yes, I abused my current status to sabotage a team mate, but after what he did to me? Justice.
Vuelta a España, stage 5. I had just conquered my first top 5 place here, a nice 4th. I was on my hotel room, watching the finale of the race on youtube, trying to learn from it. Suddenly, I got a text message.
Usually I keep my cell phone on air plane mode when I'm at a race, but my grandfather was in the hospital at that time, so I had to keep my cell phone close.
Henry,
I know what you did. But I don't understand why.
What have I done that makes you so mad?
But you know, it doesn't matter.
I just wanted to let you know that I won't leave it at that.
I know you've been talking about the World Championships ever since you won Critérium International.
Well, think again. Who's our national coach? Doesn't his last name start with Duvivier?
Oh yeah, scumbag, you'll never make the team.
Friendly regards,
Julien
What? What?
I quickly checked.
Uh-oh. National Coach (France): Marc Duvivier, father of...
Hi everyone,
First, some good news. Lee de Jong, our Australian talent, has won two stages and the GC of the Tour of Britain! What a guy.
Then the bad news: As son of national coach Duvivier, Julien successfully banned me out of the French final selection. I wasn't present at the World Championships. I'm extremely pissed off right now, but there's nothing I can do about it, damn it!
However, the coach has received a lot of criticism about leaving me home, so I can only hope for a new coach for next season, so I'd make the selection...
World Championships - Team Time Trial
Citigroup participated, but bombed out with a 29th spot. This wasn't our thing. Orica-GreenEdge took Gold!
World Championships - Individual Time Trial
Surprising winner Thomas De Gendt blew almost everyone away. Only Tony Martin came close, withing 2 seconds, even. Wiggins completed the podium, finishing with a 27 second deficit.
The biggest surprise, however, must be Travis Bickle finishing 4th. What a talent, it seems.
World Championships - Road Race
Rodriguez was unbeatable on the final climb of the day. Nobody could follow him.
Sagan was his biggest threat, but it seems young Peter will have to wait at least another year for his jersey!
I don't think anyone can complain that Rodriguez is the new World Champion. He deserves it and he will do the jerser proud.
Result | 1 | JoaquÃm RodrÃguez | Katusha Team | 6h57'23 | | 2 | Philippe Gilbert | BMC Racing Team | + 53 | | 3 | Peter Sagan | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. | | 4 | Thomas Voeckler | Team Europcar | + 1'53 | | 5 | Simon Gerrans | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | | 6 | Alejandro Valverde | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 7 | Carlos Betancur | AG2R La Mondiale | s.t. | | 8 | Bauke Mollema | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 2'24 | | 9 | Vincenzo Nibali | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | | 10 | Chris Froome | Sky Procycling | s.t. | | 11 | Rigoberto Urán | Sky Procycling | s.t. | | 12 | Ryder Hesjedal | Garmin - Sharp | s.t. | | 13 | Fabian Cancellara | RadioShack - Leopard | s.t. | | 14 | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | + 4'15 | | 15 | Rui Costa | Movistar Team | s.t. |
I'm so tired of it all right now. I'm so angry I didn't make the selection, I'm angry at Julien. Our team still has Lombardia left, but I think I'll skip.
I want to finish my season early and start focusing on next year. But making that choice is not only my business. I'll discuss it with Van Impe later today.
Until later,
Henry
Edited by Ian Butler on 29-12-2013 21:37
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| duxili |
Posted on 29-12-2013 10:32
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Domestique
Posts: 562
Joined: 18-09-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Henry is still young, he'll have other opportunities. Plus Rodriguez was too strong and a great winner!
More puzzling is Julien's claim he didn't know what he has done...
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-11-2024 07:25
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Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
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| The Hobbit |
Posted on 29-12-2013 10:33
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2730
Joined: 18-08-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Face palm, wow, do your research.... Big fail from Henry there. Isn't he even going to talk with this guy, maybe it's different from his side. |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 29-12-2013 12:40
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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duxili - The mind works in mysterious ways. Rodriguez is a brilliant winner
The Hobbit - Yeah, Henry didn't do well there You'll see how he goes
Thanks for the support! Closing 2013 in the next update! |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 29-12-2013 12:40
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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A Classic Battle of Good vs. Evil - Part III (finale) Using my head, I knew I had to make things right with Julien. So I decided to pay him a visit, maybe try and talk things out.
Julien wasn't too far from me so I'd drop by during my training.
*Ding-Dong*
I didn't know what I'd say to him yet, but something would come to me, for sure.
The door opened.
"Listen, Juli---"
But it wasn't Julien at the door.
It was Michelle, wearing nothing but a long plaid shirt. I could just imagine what was going on here.
Did she dye her hair?
I turned around, grabbed my bike and resumed my training. No, this couldn't be fixed. One of us had to go. And I knew who Van Impe would pick.
Life sometimes deals you a bad set of cards. All you can do I try and play your hand. I made some mistakes, did some bad things. Only in movies and comic books it's good vs. evil. In real life, we all do things we're not proud of.
This whole episode taught me that. At least it did that.
Citigroup Pro Cycling heading into 2014
Some Other Major Transfers Gilbert -> Lotto
Van Den Broeck -> BMC
Wiggins -> Cannondale
Coquard -> AG2R
And so we know our squad for 2014. It was a tough call and I didn't expect it, but Citigroup decided to go for it. We have the necessary professional results, the increased budget, our administration is correct and we have the drive to go for it. Citigroup Pro Cycling will be a World Tour team in 2014.
I'm very sad to see Warren go. It was a mixture between budget difficulties (some of the new arrivals did not come cheap) and Warren's wish for new challenges. I'll miss him, he's my best friend. But we'll keep in touch, I'm sure.
My season has been an amazing experience. There's too much to even list. My three biggest moments were definitely Critérium International, the French National Championships and lastly that stage win in the Vuelta. Angliru was pretty great, too. For 2014 I'm guaranteed a leading role in some races. I would've been team leader if it weren't for some of the incoming talent. But I'll fight my way through, I always do.
Anyway, happy holidays for December and I'll see you in 2014!
Henry
Edited by Ian Butler on 29-12-2013 12:42
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| The Hobbit |
Posted on 29-12-2013 13:58
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2730
Joined: 18-08-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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1- Nice transfers
2- Why would anyone answer the door before getting changed, who knows who it could've been? |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 29-12-2013 14:26
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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The Hobbit - 1. Thanks! I think we'll survive WT with that squad.
2. Well, she did get dressed before answering the door |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 29-12-2013 14:44
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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With additions such as Stybar, Kristoff, Roche and Poels, Citigroup will surely remain at World Tour level next season too. Good thing for Henry too, as he won't have too much pressure (hopefully).
Michelle appears to be a true b... Didn't even contact Henry ffs but then again, it's his fault too for getting way too wasted. Anyhoo, she looked hotter in the field anyway.
Edited by Shonak on 29-12-2013 14:44
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Dippofix |
Posted on 29-12-2013 14:49
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3904
Joined: 29-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
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Purito in the rainbow jersey.
And Nico in, how great!
I take it He, Wout and Henry will lead one GT each?
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 29-12-2013 15:02
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Shonak - I think so, too. Henry won't have too much pressure now. Stybar and Kristoff could be a deadly duo in Paris - Roubaix
Well, actually, if you look at it from Michelle's side, it's not that bad. She met him, asked him on a date, he didn't show up. Then she met someone else.
But she was hotter in the field, I agree
Dippofix - I can't get into specifics for the calendar (that's for either this evening or tomorrow), but I'm not sure that all 3 will lead a grand tour. The Giro is a tough profile with even a cobbled race and a lot of flat stages, so we might go stage hunting there with Zabel (80SP by now) and Kristoff |
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| baia |
Posted on 29-12-2013 16:42
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5398
Joined: 04-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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WTF is wrong with Michelle? how can she do that to Henry?
Good transfers.
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| fronaldo |
Posted on 29-12-2013 17:15
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 347
Joined: 08-09-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Sorry i'm new here and new to this game also..but in World Champ is team TT also there? |
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| welker3257 |
Posted on 29-12-2013 17:21
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2336
Joined: 29-05-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Too bad that Henry will never wear the rainbow stripes unless the coach is taken out by a hitman
Gig 'em Aggies
Fast N' Loud Cycling Project - ICL
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 29-12-2013 19:53
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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baia - Thanks! I've build a nice squad for our first WT season, I think.
fronaldo - In the game, there is no TTT, unfortunately. I just added it into the story
welker3257 - Aha, now there's an idea |
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 29-12-2013 20:06
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Team Leader
Posts: 6795
Joined: 21-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Some nice transfers there and I'm sure Henry will find someone even better than Michelle
Also: Check the headlines in the WC-post...
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