A little over a year ago, I started this blog. In one year I have achieved more than I could hope for. There is no doubt in my mind that this year will be equally hard, maybe even harder.
As a wise man once said: it's easier to surprise than to confirm. 2014 has to be my year of confirmation. People expect a certain level of me now, and I can't disappoint. The peloton will keep a closer watch on me, my team managers expect me to perform well in certain races, the sponsors expect me to show their names during the races, and I'm sure my readers (you) expect me to put up a fight this season.
So about that season: I sat down with Van Impe to talk it out and we came to a provisional calendar. I must say it's more than a great schedule for me!
2014 Calendar
Keep in mind that this is all provisional, but I think my year will go as planned, sort of. The best part is that I'm a leader in almost all races I will enter. Roche (the team's strongest stage racer) has a totally different agenda this year.
Races in bold are World Tour races.
Henry's Calendar - Part I
Santos Tour Down Under, Tour Med, Tour Haut Var, GP Lugano, GP Camaiora, Paris - Nice, Critérium International.
Henry's Calendar - Part II
5 jours de Dunkerque, Tour of California, Critérium du Dauphiné, National Championships, Tour de France.
Henry's Calendar - Part III
The final part of the season is too far into the future to plan. There are plans to race the American calendar (Tour of Colorado), there are plans to race the Volta a Portugal and the GP Plouay. Even the Vuelta is not excluded.
2014 Objectives & Goals
Now you know my calendar, it's time for my objectives and my goals!
Keep in mind, this is my second year as a professional and my first in the World Tour.
However, Van Impe has branded me an absolute talent and told me I can expect more than any other rider at this age. He told me to shoot for the stars.
Henry's Goals - Part I
I've never raced in Australia before. In the Tour Down Under I hope to get a good result. A top 10 will make me very happy.
In Tour Med and Tour Haut Var I have great memories. My first stage win and my first stage race win. I don't have particular goals for those races. GP Lugano and Camaiora serve the only purpose of building up form, but that doesn't exclude going for a podium or even a victory. Paris - Nice is my first main objective of the season. I'm going 100% for a good general classification. Personally I would've liked to ride as a free element and try to score a stage win, but the team needs all the WT points we can gather and the GC is just much more important than stage wins for those points. But it's okay, I'm ready to go for a good general classification. If I ever want to challenge the Tour de France podium, I better get working on it now. Critérium International wasn't on my original planning. But we decided I should make a showing as last year's winner. My form will not allow me to perform good enough for a top 10, though.
Henry's Goals - Part II
5 jours de Dunkerque is not my kind of race. I'm here to get back into race rhythm, that's all. The next race, Tour of California is another thing. Still not in great shape, but decent enough to put up a fight, I can either go for the general classification or a stage win. Our (American) sponsor prefers a good general classificaiton, though. However, Nicolas Roche is also going to be there, so we have options there. Critérium du Dauphiné, one of my favorite races growing up. It would be amazing if I could get a top 10 there. If the opening stages would set me back too much, I will try to score a stage win in the later mountain stages. The French National Championschips are just before the Tour. I will be in excellent shape. The profile for the road race looks like it's made just for me. I will try to defend my title with my life! However, with Warren and Julien leaving, Citigroup only has 2 French riders on its payroll. We are very vulnerable there. I will need to be 100% if I want to defend that jersey. Tour de France, what? Really? That was my first reaction. In November (2013), I asked the management if I could lead (or at least be a free element) in one of the 3 Grand Tours. You can imagine how surprised I was they made me absolute leader for the Tour de France 2014! The profile is one of the toughest of the last 30 years, with almost 10 mountain stages! The time trial kilometers are limited. I will chase down a top 15. It's ambitious, but nobody ever died of being ambitious. The Young Jersey is also an objective, depending on the startlist. A stage win is not explicitely on my list, but I will never pass on a chance to get that, you know that!
Henry's Goals, - Part III
Everything after the Tour is vague. However, up until July, I will mostly work for General Classifications. I told the team management I don't want to chase any more GCs after the Tour. The rest of the season I want to try and get a victory somewhere.
Citigroup Pro Cycling 2014: The "New" Team
With 3 riders leaving and 10 riders coming in, the team has changed a lot since last season. I've met all newcomers on the first team camp in December. The group spirit is pretty strong and we all get along. Zdenek (Stybar) is a really funny guy. I hope to race a lot with him this season! Wout (Poels) is great to talk to, but his French is just awful. So we speak in English. Nicolas (Roche) looks a bit shy. I didn't have the chance to really talk to him, yet. But he's very professional and that's the main thing!
I will miss Warren this season, though...
Citigroup Pro Cycling 2014: World Tour Calendar
Just (some of) the World Tour races and the leaders (and goals) for that race so far: Santos Tour Down Under: Vergnaud - GC, Zabel - stage win Paris - Nice: Vergnaud, Roche - GC Tirreno - Adriatico: Poels, Pinotti - GC/stage win Milano - San Remo: Kristoff, Stybar, Zabel Vuelta Catalunya: Poels Cobbled Classics: Stybar (Kristoff) Vuelta Basque Country: Poels Ardennes Classics: Poels, Roche Tour Romandie: Zabel - stage win Critérium du Dauphiné: Vergnaud - GC Tour de Suisse: Poels, Roche - GC Eneco Tour: Kristoff, Stybar, Zabel - stage wins
Giro d'Italia: Kristoff, Zabel, Malori, Pinotti, Bibby, de Jong - stage wins Tour de France: Vergnaud (Poels) - GC, Stybar - stage win Vuelta a España: Roche, Poels (Manresa, Herklotz) - GC, climber's jersey, stage win
Citigroup Pro Cycling 2014: General Plan
On the press conference, where the entire team was introduced, our team manager stood up and gave a speech where he told the press where our team was going. Here's the summary of what he said:
General Goals for 2014
A rider in the top 10 of the World Tour
The team in top 10 of the World Tour
Win a World Tour stage race
Win a World Tour classic
Top 10 in a Grand Tour
10 World Tour victories
Future Goals
Win a Monument by 2016
Win a Grand Tour by 2017
Be a top team by 2017
Win the World Tour Rankings by 2018
Have the World Tour rider n°1 by 2018
There you have it. Citigroup Pro Cycling is ready for the 2014 season, so bring it on! We are all ambitious, but we are all motivated enough to make it work!
We have a plan and if every one of us works hard and performs on level, we should have no problem achieving all of our goals!
Cheers,
Henry
A Christmas Miracle - Part I
It was the 24th of December 2013. I had just returned from a long training on the mountainbike. Technically I'm not the best mountainbiker, but I make up for it with my strength.
The house has been ever so empty since my sister moved in with her boyfriend. It's gotten a lot messier, too. Those particular days were tough. The holidays, the long darkness coming over the land, the cold temperatures. For Christmas Evening I will be all alone.
Mom and dad were taking a trip through the United States and my sister would be spending the Holidays with her boyfriend in Switzerland. So I'd probably turn in early. After all, I had another training scheduled tomorrow.
However, I wanted to give myself a treat, if only to cheer myself up a little bit, so I decided to eat a good steak that night. It made that cozy 'ttsssshhhh' sound when I laid it in the pan.
I mumbled to myself: "Merry Christmas, man."
*Ding - Dong*
There was someone on my doorstep. On Christmas Eve? Who could that be?
My amazing future telling powers, predict... Michelle, in which case, set a baby Balrog on her, muhahahahahhahahahahha.
Nice preview, Leader in the Tour, that's great. Hopefully you'll get a good result, but it'll be tough, maybe a few more Vueltas after as you stand a decent chance of winning them.
Leading the Tour is definitely a great opportunity, i'm sure Henry will be extra-motivated to do well in front of a home crowd at the biggest race of all.
And Nico leading the Vuelta is great too, i think a Top 5 is possible.
sutty68 - He sure has. Not the kind of guy to take a lot of breaks
Dippofix - He will have the highest motivation of all competitors. But unfortunately that's not all what matters. We'll see how it goes. Nico is going for top 10 but depending on the field, a top 5 might happen, especially with Poels along his side.
None other than Rebecca was standing on my doorstep. Rebecca was... Well, it's a long story. We were neighbours growing up. We were inseparable between the ages of 8 to 17. For example, when I broke my foot at the age of 14 she used to push me around everywhere, so I wasn't stuck at the house all the time.
"Oh my God, how've you been? How was Paris?"
But then I noticed. A tear, a single, lonesome tear.
"Becca?" I asked cautiously.
Hi there!
It's my first time racing in Australia and I have to say I have never enjoyed racing anywhere like I have here. The roads are clean and smooth, the audience is wildly enthusiastic and the climate is perfect for me!
First three stages are done, three are left. Here's what's happened so far!
Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 1
A fast, short, flat race. Don't expect any mercy from the peloton because it's the start of the cycling season!
The Race
Today was all about surviving, nothing less. The sprint trains set their speed way into the 50s.
With a slight sense of risk, I threw myself in the sprint, if only to avoid falling behind. I finished 11th, not bad!
It looks like it'll be a German battle for the sprints, with Degenkolb, Greipel and our Zabel.
Result
1
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
3h19'52
2
John Degenkolb
Sky Procycling
s.t.
3
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Rick Zabel
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
5
Aidis Kruopis
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
6
Barry Markus
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
8
Marco Haller
Katusha Team
s.t.
9
Caleb Ewan
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
10
Tony Gallopin
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
11
Henry Vergnaud
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
Spoiler
12
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
13
Bryan Coquard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
14
Roberto Ferrari
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
15
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
16
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
17
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
18
Christopher Sutton
Sky Procycling
s.t.
19
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
20
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
21
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
s.t.
22
Romain Feillu
Team Europcar
s.t.
23
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 19
24
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
25
Michel Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 22
26
Ángel Vicioso
Katusha Team
s.t.
27
Mitchell Docker
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
28
Andrew Fenn
Sky Procycling
s.t.
29
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
30
Juan José Lobato
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 26
31
Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
32
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
33
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
34
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
35
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto Belisol
+ 31
36
Diego Milán
Movistar Team
s.t.
37
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
s.t.
38
Jonathan Cantwell
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 35
39
Luke Roberts
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
40
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
41
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
42
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
43
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
44
Pablo Urtasun
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
45
Alexandre Pichot
Team Europcar
s.t.
46
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
47
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
s.t.
48
Julien El Fares
Team Europcar
s.t.
49
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
50
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
51
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
52
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 46
53
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
54
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
55
Levi Leipheimer
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
56
Rohan Dennis
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
57
Ben King
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
58
Jérôme Baugnies
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
59
Adrián Sáez de Arregi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
60
Steele Von Hoff
Garmin - Sharp
+ 52
61
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
62
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
s.t.
63
Gediminas Bagdonas
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
64
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
65
David Zabriskie
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
66
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
67
Ian Bibby
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
68
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
69
Gatis Smukulis
Katusha Team
s.t.
70
André Schulze
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
71
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
72
Jesse Sergent
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 59
73
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
74
Iljo Keisse
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
75
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
s.t.
76
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
77
Sebastian Lander
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
78
Massimo Graziato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
79
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
80
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'04
81
Angelo Tulik
Team Europcar
s.t.
82
Francisco José Pacheco
Movistar Team
s.t.
83
Morris Possoni
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
84
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
85
Dylan van Baarle
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
86
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
87
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
88
Assan Bazayev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
89
Marko Kump
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
90
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
91
Luke Durbridge
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
92
Dennis Van Winden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
93
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
94
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
95
Jack Bobridge
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
96
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
97
Boy Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
98
Piercarlo Molinaro
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
99
Fabian Wegmann
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
100
Fred Rodriguez
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
101
Graeme Brown
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
102
Juan Antonio Flecha
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
103
Lloyd Mondory
Team Europcar
s.t.
104
Jos Van Emden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'25
105
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
106
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
107
Denis Flahaut
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
108
Geraint Thomas
Katusha Team
s.t.
109
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
110
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
111
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
112
Lee de Jong
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
113
Cameron Wurf
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
114
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
115
Sep Vanmarcke
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
116
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
117
Nelson Oliveira
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
118
Matthias Krizek
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
119
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
120
Aitor Galdos
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
121
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
s.t.
122
Guillaume Boivin
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
123
Adam Semple
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
124
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
125
Jaak Wijckmans
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
126
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
127
Robert Hunter
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
128
Franck Bouyer
Team Europcar
+ 1'41
129
Ilario Ragone
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
130
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
131
Álvaro José Izquierdo
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
132
Bert Grabsch
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'46
133
Nariyuki Masuda
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 2'01
Looks like I did good today. Look at that peloton breaking up. De Gendt, Rodriguez, Gilbert, they all lost time already.
Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 2
Today's stage is a bit longer than yesterday's. The first WT win of the season is gone so I expect the peloton to be a little bit more relaxed. Despite that, I will stay near the front anyway.
The Race
Baugnies is happy to be here in Australia and he's showing his gratitude by attacking, a lot! Good for us.
As I expected, the peloton was more relaxed today. The sprint was one between Germans only.
I put in a good sprint and finished 8th.
Result
1
John Degenkolb
Sky Procycling
3h51'17
2
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
3
Rick Zabel
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
4
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
5
Caleb Ewan
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
6
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
7
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
8
Henry Vergnaud
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
9
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Roberto Ferrari
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
12
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
13
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
14
Aidis Kruopis
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
15
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
16
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
17
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
s.t.
18
Christopher Sutton
Sky Procycling
s.t.
19
Bryan Coquard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
20
Andrew Fenn
Sky Procycling
s.t.
21
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
22
Robert Hunter
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
23
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
24
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
25
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
26
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
s.t.
27
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
28
Guillaume Boivin
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
29
Mitchell Docker
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
30
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
31
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
32
Ben King
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
33
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
34
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
s.t.
35
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
36
Sebastian Lander
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
37
Tony Gallopin
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
38
Marco Haller
Katusha Team
s.t.
39
Jesse Sergent
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
40
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
41
Barry Markus
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
42
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
43
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
44
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
45
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
46
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
47
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
48
Steele Von Hoff
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
49
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
s.t.
50
Iljo Keisse
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
51
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
52
Juan José Lobato
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
53
André Schulze
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
54
Boy Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
55
Dennis Van Winden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
56
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
57
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
58
Aitor Galdos
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
59
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
60
Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
61
Luke Roberts
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
62
Denis Flahaut
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
63
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
64
Gediminas Bagdonas
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
65
Adam Semple
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
66
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
67
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
68
Diego Milán
Movistar Team
s.t.
69
Jos Van Emden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
70
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
71
Dylan van Baarle
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
72
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
73
Jack Bobridge
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
74
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
75
Francisco José Pacheco
Movistar Team
s.t.
76
Gatis Smukulis
Katusha Team
s.t.
77
Ian Bibby
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
78
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
79
Graeme Brown
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
80
Lee de Jong
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
81
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
82
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
83
Adrián Sáez de Arregi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
84
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
85
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
86
Fabian Wegmann
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
87
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
88
Rohan Dennis
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
89
Marko Kump
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
90
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
91
Geraint Thomas
Katusha Team
s.t.
92
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
93
Luke Durbridge
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
94
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
s.t.
95
Angelo Tulik
Team Europcar
s.t.
96
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
s.t.
97
Levi Leipheimer
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
98
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
99
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
100
Jonathan Cantwell
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
101
Massimo Graziato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
102
Ángel Vicioso
Katusha Team
s.t.
103
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
104
Nariyuki Masuda
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
105
Alexandre Pichot
Team Europcar
s.t.
106
Cameron Wurf
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
107
Romain Feillu
Team Europcar
s.t.
108
Julien El Fares
Team Europcar
s.t.
109
Franck Bouyer
Team Europcar
s.t.
110
Pablo Urtasun
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
111
Michel Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
112
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
113
Morris Possoni
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
114
Matthias Krizek
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
115
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
116
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
117
Sep Vanmarcke
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
118
David Zabriskie
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
119
Nelson Oliveira
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
120
Assan Bazayev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
121
Juan Antonio Flecha
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
122
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
123
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
124
Bert Grabsch
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
125
Lloyd Mondory
Team Europcar
s.t.
126
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
127
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
128
Piercarlo Molinaro
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
129
Álvaro José Izquierdo
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
130
Jérôme Baugnies
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
131
Jaak Wijckmans
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
132
Fred Rodriguez
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
133
Ilario Ragone
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 4'00
No splits today, but I'm within striking distance for tomorrow's stage!
Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 3
The Queen stage, hands down! I love a mountain like this, long, very long, and irregular. For climbers, like me!
The Race
Durbridge, one of our new additions, went into the daily break and won the intermediate KoM sprint. Citigroup wants to show we belong in the World Tour now.
Yesterdays' big attacker Baugnies made a steering mistake in the downhill and lost grip on his wheel. Looked like a very nasty crash, but it was all better than it looked.
It was definitely warm, very warm. It seemed everyone was waiting for the final mountain, some scared, some anxious. I, myself, was unnerved a little bit. Uncertain.
Martin opened the attacks!
It was just the startshot I was waiting for!
The World Champion Rodriguez has not been relaxing this winter, that much is certain. He came after me. I should be honored.
More followed. Everything blew into pieces, you can't slipstream up this mountain, you have to earn it. I was in the second group, closing into the front of the race.
We got together and formed one big group. I needed to think quickly now. I decided to bluff. 4 more kilometers, I didn't expect any more attacks to last, the final kilometer would decide everything.
So I hung back. Rodriguez had the same plan, I think. It was a risk, but we both took it.
Being in the final position allowed me to come to the front and pick up enough speed to launch me into a good sprint, with nobody able to get in my wheel! I went my chance and picked up speed.
But my sprint had no real juice in it. Damn it!
I was really disappointed at this result, but then I suddenly heard the announcer say: "Vergnaud, new leader in the General Classification."
Heh? How was that possible?
--- Oh right, the time losses in stage 1!
Result
1
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
4h26'06
2
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
3
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
4
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
5
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
6
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
7
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
s.t.
9
Henry Vergnaud
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
10
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
12
Nelson Oliveira
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1'15
13
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
14
Cameron Wurf
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
15
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
+ 5'15
16
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
17
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
+ 5'49
18
Tony Gallopin
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
19
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
20
Julien El Fares
Team Europcar
s.t.
21
John Degenkolb
Sky Procycling
+ 6'20
22
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
23
Jonathan Cantwell
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
24
Ian Bibby
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
25
Adam Semple
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
26
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
27
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
28
Aidis Kruopis
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
29
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
30
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
31
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
32
Pablo Urtasun
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
33
Roberto Ferrari
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
34
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
35
Luke Roberts
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
36
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
37
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
38
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
39
Bert Grabsch
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
40
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
41
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
42
Rohan Dennis
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
43
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
44
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
45
Mitchell Docker
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
46
Sebastian Lander
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
47
Robert Hunter
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
48
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
49
Levi Leipheimer
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
50
Marko Kump
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
51
Jos Van Emden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
52
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
s.t.
53
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
54
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
55
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
56
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
57
Marco Haller
Katusha Team
s.t.
58
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
59
Michel Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
60
David Zabriskie
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
61
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
62
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
63
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
64
Rick Zabel
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
65
Dennis Van Winden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
66
Ángel Vicioso
Katusha Team
s.t.
67
Lee de Jong
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
68
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
69
Juan Antonio Flecha
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
70
Andrew Fenn
Sky Procycling
s.t.
71
Juan José Lobato
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
72
Bryan Coquard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
73
Assan Bazayev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
74
Adrián Sáez de Arregi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
75
Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
76
Romain Feillu
Team Europcar
s.t.
77
Diego Milán
Movistar Team
s.t.
78
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
79
Lloyd Mondory
Team Europcar
s.t.
80
Jack Bobridge
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
81
Christopher Sutton
Sky Procycling
s.t.
82
Fabian Wegmann
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
83
Ben King
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
84
Geraint Thomas
Katusha Team
s.t.
85
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
86
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
87
Barry Markus
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
88
Fred Rodriguez
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
89
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
s.t.
90
Caleb Ewan
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
91
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
92
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
93
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
94
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
95
Jesse Sergent
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
96
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
97
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
98
Gatis Smukulis
Katusha Team
s.t.
99
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
100
Alexandre Pichot
Team Europcar
s.t.
101
Piercarlo Molinaro
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
102
Guillaume Boivin
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
103
Steele Von Hoff
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
104
Gediminas Bagdonas
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
105
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
106
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
107
Francisco José Pacheco
Movistar Team
s.t.
108
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
109
Massimo Graziato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
110
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
s.t.
111
Iljo Keisse
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
112
Sep Vanmarcke
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
113
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
114
Boy Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
115
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
116
Aitor Galdos
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
117
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
118
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
119
Matthias Krizek
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
120
Angelo Tulik
Team Europcar
s.t.
121
Nariyuki Masuda
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
122
André Schulze
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
123
Dylan van Baarle
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
124
Franck Bouyer
Team Europcar
s.t.
125
Denis Flahaut
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
126
Morris Possoni
BMC Racing Team
+ 11'12
127
Graeme Brown
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
128
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
129
Álvaro José Izquierdo
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
130
Jérôme Baugnies
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
131
Jaak Wijckmans
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
132
Luke Durbridge
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
133
Ilario Ragone
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 12'49
General Classification
1
Henry Vergnaud
Citigroup Pro Cycling
11h37'15
2
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
s.t.
3
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
+ 12
4
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 19
5
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
6
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
+ 22
7
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 29
8
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
+ 35
9
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
10
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
12
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2'40
13
Cameron Wurf
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
14
Nelson Oliveira
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
15
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
+ 5'46
16
Tony Gallopin
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 5'49
17
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
+ 5'59
18
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
+ 6'01
19
John Degenkolb
Sky Procycling
+ 6'04
20
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 6'16
21
Rick Zabel
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
22
Aidis Kruopis
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 6'17
23
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
+ 6'19
24
Roberto Ferrari
Lampre - Merida
+ 6'20
25
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
26
Frederique Robert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
27
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
28
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
29
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
30
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
31
Marco Haller
Katusha Team
s.t.
32
Caleb Ewan
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
33
Bryan Coquard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
34
Christopher Sutton
Sky Procycling
s.t.
35
Barry Markus
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
36
Romain Feillu
Team Europcar
s.t.
37
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
+ 6'24
38
Julien El Fares
Team Europcar
s.t.
39
Mitchell Docker
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 6'42
40
Andrew Fenn
Sky Procycling
s.t.
41
Ángel Vicioso
Katusha Team
s.t.
42
Michel Kreder
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
43
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
+ 6'46
44
Juan José Lobato
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
45
Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
46
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
47
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto Belisol
+ 6'51
48
Diego Milán
Movistar Team
s.t.
49
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
+ 6'55
50
Luke Roberts
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
51
Jonathan Cantwell
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
52
Pablo Urtasun
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
53
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
s.t.
54
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
55
Alexandre Pichot
Team Europcar
s.t.
56
Ben King
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 7'06
57
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
58
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
59
Rohan Dennis
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
60
Levi Leipheimer
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
61
Adrián Sáez de Arregi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
62
Ian Bibby
Citigroup Pro Cycling
+ 7'12
63
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
64
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
65
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
s.t.
66
Steele Von Hoff
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
67
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
68
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
69
Jay McCarthy
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
70
Gediminas Bagdonas
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
71
Gatis Smukulis
Katusha Team
s.t.
72
David Zabriskie
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
73
André Schulze
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
74
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
+ 7'14
75
Sebastian Lander
BMC Racing Team
+ 7'17
76
Jesse Sergent
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 7'19
77
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
78
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
s.t.
79
Iljo Keisse
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
80
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
81
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
82
Massimo Graziato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
83
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 7'24
84
Dennis Van Winden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
85
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
86
Marko Kump
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
87
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
88
Jack Bobridge
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
89
Michal Golas
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
90
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
91
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
92
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
93
Francisco José Pacheco
Movistar Team
s.t.
94
Boy Van Poppel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
95
Fabian Wegmann
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
96
Dylan van Baarle
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
97
Valentin Iglinskiy
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
98
Assan Bazayev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
99
Juan Antonio Flecha
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
100
Angelo Tulik
Team Europcar
s.t.
101
Lloyd Mondory
Team Europcar
s.t.
102
Fred Rodriguez
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
103
Piercarlo Molinaro
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
104
Robert Hunter
Garmin - Sharp
+ 7'39
105
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 7'41
106
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
+ 7'45
107
Adam Semple
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
108
Jos Van Emden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
109
Aleksandr Kuschynski
Katusha Team
s.t.
110
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
111
Guillaume Boivin
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
112
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
113
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
114
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
115
Lee de Jong
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
116
Geraint Thomas
Katusha Team
s.t.
117
Aitor Galdos
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
118
Denis Flahaut
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
119
Sep Vanmarcke
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
120
Matthias Krizek
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
121
Davide Cimolai
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
122
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 8'01
123
Franck Bouyer
Team Europcar
s.t.
124
Bert Grabsch
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 8'06
125
Nariyuki Masuda
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 8'18
126
Jérôme Baugnies
Citigroup Pro Cycling
+ 11'58
127
Graeme Brown
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 12'16
128
Luke Durbridge
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
129
Morris Possoni
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
130
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 12'37
131
Jaak Wijckmans
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
132
Álvaro José Izquierdo
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 12'53
133
Ilario Ragone
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 18'30
Analysis & Daily Thoughts
Well how about that? I'm in the leader's jersey here! It's amazing, but it's still three stages to go. The stage to Willunga Hill will prove a much bigger challenge than today's mountain for me, needing to defend this jersey. With veterans like Valverde and Rodriguez here, I can only do my best to hold onto it!
Australian National Championships
I won't go into detail here, because I wasn't there to see it, so here are both results.
Australian Individual Time Trial
1
Cameron Meyer
Orica - GreenEdge
40'14
2
Lee de Jong
Citigroup Pro Cycling
+ 9
3
Travis Meyer
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 30
4
Luke Durbridge
Citigroup Pro Cycling
+ 52
5
Rohan Dennis
Garmin - Sharp
+ 54
6
Rory Sutherland
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1'04
7
Richie Porte
Katusha Team
+ 1'15
8
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
+ 1'30
9
Jack Bobridge
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'46
10
William Clarke
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1'55
Australian Road Race
1
Simon Gerrans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
3h47'09
2
Heinrich Haussler
IAM Cycling
+ 29
3
Rohan Dennis
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
4
Jonathan Cantwell
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 49
5
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
6
Lee de Jong
Citigroup Pro Cycling
s.t.
7
Richie Porte
Katusha Team
+ 1'17
8
Lachlan Norris
Team Raleigh
s.t.
9
Allan Davis
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1'40
10
Michael Matthews
Sojasun
s.t.
That's it for today. I'll see you in three days, hopefully as the winner of the Tour Down Under 2014, but don't get your hopes up too much!
Henry
Edited by Ian Butler on 30-12-2013 16:47
Not the most important race of the calendar, but for some reason all the big guys seem to have shown up, so leading here is all the more a good achievement!
Nice race, but Valverde on the same time, you can't let any attacks go, or let Valverde sprint, Block Him!!!!
I like how you integrate story and PCM segments, (that's code for, I'm going to steal it )
Wonder how this Becca thing will turn out.
I am surprised by the tough competition too, but well - I came to expect that Henry will perform well nonetheless. The leader's jersey fits the bill just right. May the second season start as great (on a professional level) as the first one ended (on a professional level - and maybe in personal life too? )
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Dippofix - yeah, the competition is real tough Leading is real great, but Valverde is within striking distance!
sutty68 - He certainly is
The Hobbit - No, I know Valverde is a real threat, I must sabotage him! I'm real glad you like the way I mix them, I'm kind of proud of that. Steal away, just give me credit
baia - Yeah, busy calendar. We have to keep Henry busy or he's off with chicks in fields with champagne.
Shonak - A lot is expected from Henry, but seeing his debut year, it's understandable. I'll be happy if he scores his first victory of the season! Thanks!
More updates to follow tomorrow!
Edited by Ian Butler on 30-12-2013 19:52
duxili - Glad you like Becca It sure is! Rodriguez and Valverde... The only good thing about that is they might watch each other too much to notice Henry
Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 1 
Leading is real great, but Valverde is within striking distance!
