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Fabio Melani | Road to Le Tour | End of Season
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 01-12-2013 08:56
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Hobbit: The reason I'm going so quickly is that I have tonnes of motivation for this story. I don't know why, but I just love playing it. I do feel sometimes that it might be too fast for you guys, and you might not be able to keep up. Share your thoughts everyone 
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 01-12-2013 09:19
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Hey guys, Fabio here again.
I just wanted to say, that lately this has felt more like me being a jounalist. The only difference being I'm reporting in 1st person. Either way, I feel like I'm just giving results, and this is not a blog anymore. First of all, what do you guys think? And 2nd, I want you guys to know, that during the offseason and onwards, this will be a blog again. I've now almost finished my rookie year, and I know how everything works now. I think that, although I will keep everything that I already have going on here, I will add stuff about my life, and the reports will be more personal.
Fabio  
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| The Hobbit |
Posted on 01-12-2013 09:27
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Sounds good, |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-11-2024 02:46
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 02-12-2013 05:35
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 Japan Cup
Category: 1.HC
Country: Japan
Well, the last race of this season is here. Can Fabio Duarte win his last race for or team? What will the startlist be like? The race with the best log in history is coming up for us.
Leader
Fabio Duarte
Sprinter
Virgilijus Grazhys
Main Teammate
Fabio Melani
Leadout Man
Jarlinson Pantano
Domestique
Marco Corti
Domestique
Michael Rodriguez Galindo
Domestique
Alexis Camacho
Domestique
Duber Quintero
DS: Fabio Duarte, you need to win this race for us. Show the fans that you still care about this team. Melani, it's on you to deliver him to the finish line.
Me: It's all on me it feels. It seems as though I have more responsibility to make Fabio win than he does. I have to assist him in the best way possible, and send him off on a high. I think we can do it 
DS: Win
Sponsors: Top 5
Me: Top 3
I'm still being realistic. I think we can win, but a Top 3 would be good for us.
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 02-12-2013 06:56
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Velo d'Or Losers Announce
I've decided to the the remaining 3 now . They are:
 Edvald Boasson Hagen
Eddy didn't have much outstanding success this season, only impressing in the less important races.
 Mark Cavendish
The ManxMissile was definitely the best sprinter this year, but unfortunately for him the climbers did better.
Bradley Wiggins
Sir Bradley had to take a back seat this year to Chris Froome, however when he did lead, he rode well. Although not good enough to crack the Top 3.
Just so everyone knows, these guys aren't being discounted in ranking - just randomly - as long as they didn't make the Top 3.
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| The Hobbit |
Posted on 02-12-2013 06:58
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That Japan Cup Logo is great, wonder who will win the velo d'or. |
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 02-12-2013 07:07
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Hobbit: Best logo ever
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 02-12-2013 07:31
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Japan Cup
We had a 3 man break. Obviously the fans still supported Duarte as well, so that's good .
With 20km to go, only 54 riders remained in the peloton. I started to tense up, I was nervous. I hadn't felt like this since the Tour de San Luis. I wasn't feeling good, but somehow I channeled my nerves into some more energy!
I did my job. Duarte and Amador were away, leading me solo, with an 8 man group
But I managed to ride away. I was determined to finish my season well, no matter how bad I felt. I was now closing the gap to the leaders, but I was always hoping that Fabio could win his last race for us.
The rest were now WAY behind. Fabio took his rival's wheel. I would get 3rd.
With 300m left Duarte made the pass! Surely he had the energy now!
Yes! The sheer feeling of ecstasy and relief when Fabio raised his arms in victory in his last race for Colombia! I was proud to be such a big part of it too.
I also took a comfortable 3rd to add to it.
Great win for Fabio! It's amazing for him to have done this.
Virgilijus didn't bother with the sprint really. He was almost last in the peloton, but sprinted to a key 9th - which won us the teams' competition.
One last congratulations to Fabio Duarte for his great win. But also, thanks so much to everyone who followed me throughout this season! It's been a great ride, with big ups and terrible downs. It's been great to interact with my fans in this way, and I'll be back to give a Velo d'Or report. As well as this, as soon as the media release their reports of the season I'll post the relevant sections, as well as my own. Then, I'll come back with my holiday/training updates.
Fabio
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 02-12-2013 08:34
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Tour de France Champion
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Brilliant way to finish the season  |
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 02-12-2013 08:46
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Thanks Ian! Didn't know you were following  . Makes me feel better about myself
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 02-12-2013 08:49
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Velo d'Or Winner Announced
So, with the close of the season, the Top 3 riders in the world have been rewarded. Below are the rankings and their most significant results:
Also I think that the media reviews are coming in soon, so I'll relay them on to you guys
Fabio
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 02-12-2013 08:58
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Cycleman123 wrote:
Thanks Ian! Didn't know you were following . Makes me feel better about myself
Was following on and off, but trying to follow constantly now
Froome the obvious Velo d'Or winner, with 2 Grand Tours! |
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 02-12-2013 09:09
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Well, another season has drawn to a close, and it is now time for us to review this year in Cycling. First of all, my thoughts on the promotions and relegations for next season.
Promotions
 Team Europcar: There was never really any doubt whether Europcar would be given the chance to promote, but the question was will they choose to? Well, finally, they have. Their season was quite surprisingly headlined by Yukiya Arashiro, who seemed to finally come out of his shell with some extraordinary results. Unfortunately though for Europcar, the Japanese puncher won't be with them next season. Pierre Rolland showed frequently that he mightn't be a write-off just yet, and will have the chance to prove it with the big boys. Thomas Voeckler seems to be speeding towards his decline, with only sporadic good performances.
Team Colombia: The surprise package of this year for sure. Somehow they managed to skittle IAM Cycling to 2nd place out of the Continental teams, with Fabio Duarte and John Darwin Atapuma especially producing absolutely scincillating results. As well as this, now 20 year old Argentinian climber Fabio Melani started his first season in professional cycling rather timidly, but has now developed into a great teammate. After signing the Top 2 U23 riders in the world - Virgilijus Grazhys and Jagoba Aurrekoetxea - to boost their sprinting squad, they still only have the team to compete at Continental level, and I'm pretty sure they'll get relegated. This is mainly because they have had to stick with the same team as last year, only losing their superstar Duarte, due to financial difficulties.
 Team de Rijke Shanks: The only Continental ---> Pro Continental change this year. De Rijke have had a decent season, with Yoeri Havik leading the charge with some impressive results. They also bring in a new leader, Bert-Jan Lindeman from Vacansoleil.
Relegations
 Lampre-Merida: Lampre really struggled this year, with none of their riders producing impressive campaigns. Enough said.
 Euskaltel-Euskadi: Euskaltel were left disappointed with their stars Samuel Sanchez and Igor Anton. But in a team where you just have those 2, Jure Kocjan and Mikel Nieve who can compete, you're always going to be in trouble.
 Team Novo-Nordisk: Novo were never really going to stay in Pro-Continental - without any real stars on their team. They'll be counting on Alexandr Serebyakov and Lawson Craddock to carry them next season.
Edited by Cycleman123 on 02-12-2013 09:09
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 02-12-2013 09:10
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Ian: Good to hear And the Velo was never really in question.
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 02-12-2013 09:59
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A Great win from Fabio to end the season
Lets hope the team get better and better next season |
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| The Hobbit |
Posted on 02-12-2013 16:53
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Nice win, and nice performance. Hope Fabio does well next year, maybe even leader in some hilly classics? |
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 02-12-2013 19:29
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Sutty: We hope that with the increased budget we can sign some nice trainers.
Hobbit: With Duarte gone, I might lead some Pro-Conti races, maybe even an Ardennes classic.
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 03-12-2013 07:00
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Wins: GP de Cholet
Circuit de Getxo
2nd Place: Amgen Tour of California GC
 Tour of Turkey GC
3rd Place: Japan Cup
Amgen Tour of California Stage 1
 Tour of Qinghai Lake Stage 6
USA Pro Cycling Challenge Stage 2
Jerseys: USA Pro Cycling Challenge - White Jersey
Tour of Turkey - White Jersey
Tour of Qinghai Lake - KoM Jersey
Amgen Tour of California - White Jersey
There are all my best results from this season! I'll come back after a 2 week holiday in Sydney, Australia. I liked it when we went on a training camp, and so did John Darwin, Esteban and Edwin, who are going with me.
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 03-12-2013 07:19
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 Sydney Holiday
Well, first we had to catch a plane. On 5th November we jumped on Emirates flight 309 from Bogota to Sydney. It was 8 in the morning, not a very early start for cyclists, but we had to be at the airport by 6 to do all the check-in stuff. When we were finally on the plane, I sat next to Darwin, while Esteban and Edwin sat behind us.
When we arrived (after all the formalities of course) we were greeted by a splendid hotel room. We had 2 rooms, and lodged in the same split that we had on the plane.
We were there for less than an hour before I decided to check out the outside facilities. I managed to find a pool, and of course Esteban was already there, soaking wet on the side of the pool, chatting up some ladies.
I put on my boardies, and came down with Edwin in the lift. For some reason Darwin didn't fancy a swim, and he stayed in the room alone.
But the real swimming was to be done here, at Bondi Beach. We tried our hands at some surfing, but none of us were any good.
We hadn't had much time for sightseeing on the training camp, so we made sure to make the most of it while we were here. We actually climbed the Harbour Bridge, a terrifying experience.
Well, after all that, it's time to get back on a plane tomorrow and head back home. I'll be catching another flight to Buenos Aires when we land in Bogota, to see my family again. See you there!
Fabio
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 03-12-2013 13:58
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The holiday in Australia looks great |
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