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You are the Hero of the Game -THE END
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| Shonak |
Posted on 11-01-2014 16:09
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Antón spanish national champion. 
No chance for Gerdeman beating Tony Martin, but still a great result. Breschel & Pinot are great signings.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| welker3257 |
Posted on 12-01-2014 04:55
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2336
Joined: 29-05-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Will there be a recruitment part 2?
Gig 'em Aggies
Fast N' Loud Cycling Project - ICL
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| duxili |
Posted on 12-01-2014 08:59
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Domestique
Posts: 562
Joined: 18-09-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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@ welker: Nope, we got our 9 recruits already (and no budget left). You've been pretty much detailed in your votes 
So here is the complete list of our recruits:
 Nibali - The leader
 Breschel - Possible leader for Flandriennes
 Busche - The Climber
 Taubel - The Young Gun
Phinney - The ITT guy
 Pinot - The Leader to be
 Zeits - The Complete guy
Lander - The Teammate
Kupahldt - The American Teammate
And now, ladies and gentleman, we will start
Our Team
Gerdemann, Castroviejo, Hanson, Loutit, Oronte, Hamilton, Mazich, Powers, Cogburn
The Objective
We certainly don't have our A-Team on the A race, so we can't hope for much. The objective is to get something out of it: a Top 10, a KoM or a stage win, anything really as the circumstances offer.
Main Riders
Contador is once again the big favorite. He will have to face Gesink, Van Den Broeck, F. Schleck, Anton, Taaramae, Kreuziger, Ruygh, Fuglsang. Brankovic, Mollema, Cavendish, Farrar, Greipel, Uran, etc
Stage 1 – Flat
Favourite: Oss
The arrival at Mont de Alouettes let some suspense for this first stage, both sprinters and climbers could take a shot. In the Final, RadioShack was leading the pack. Gerdemann was ideally placed in the wheels of Ventoso.
But coming from behind, the stage favorite Oss is taking the win.
| 1 | Daniel Oss | Isd - KazMunayGas | 4h30'34 | | 2 | Samuel Dumoulin | Cofidis, le crédit en ligne | s.t. | | 3 | Marcel Kittel | Lotto - Belisol | s.t. | | 4 | Andrea Guardini | RadioShack - Nissan - Trek | s.t. | | 5 | Peter Sagan | Vacansoleil - Dcm Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 15 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | s.t. |
Stage 2 – TTT – 23 km
Favourite: Radioshack
AT&T was the first to ride. Gerdemann was in a great day and in good form so he did most of the job with some help from Castroviejo. We hardly get 5 riders to keep the wheels. A 21 out of 22 finish but the feeling we managed the stage the best we could.
At the front RadioShack is imposing his power ahead of the 2nd favourites: Sky.
| 1 | RadioShack - Nissan - Trek | 29'29 | | 2 | Sky ProCycling | + 7 | | 3 | Rabobank Cycling Team | + 12 | | 21 | AT&T | + 1'40 |
Stage 3 – Flat
Favourite: Cavendish
Flat stage and massive sprint. Cavendish is ideally placed at the 1.5 km mark.
For the expected result
| 1 | Mark Cavendish | Sky ProCycling | 4h15'39 | | 2 | Daniel Oss | Isd - KazMunayGas | s.t. | | 3 | Ben Swift | Liquigas - Cannondale | s.t. | | 4 | Romain Feillu | Vacansoleil - Dcm Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 5 | Andrea Guardini | RadioShack - Nissan - Trek | s.t. | | 14 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | s.t. |
Stage 4 – Flat
Favourite: Uran
Can you believe it? 4th stage and 4th victory of the favourite! Hopefully we will have our chance one day. Today the peleton was grouped at the bottom of the climb and the strongest man wins.
Uran takes the yellow too.
| 1 | Rigoberto Uran | Sky ProCycling | 3h41'08 | | 2 | Greg Van Avermaet | Cofidis, le crédit en ligne | s.t. | | 3 | Daniel Oss | Isd - KazMunayGas | + 11 | | 4 | Paul Martens | RadioShack - Nissan - Trek | s.t. | | 5 | Damiano Cunego | Saxo Bank Sungard | s.t. | | 6 | Nicolas Roche | Ag2r La Mondiale | s.t. | | 7 | Igor Anton Hernandez | Euskaltel - Euskadi | s.t. | | 8 | Michael Albasini | GreenEdge | s.t. | | 9 | Peter Sagan | Vacansoleil - Dcm Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 10 | Fränk Schleck | Isd - KazMunayGas | s.t. | | 20 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | s.t. |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-11-2024 18:32
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Bot Agent
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| The Rider |
Posted on 12-01-2014 10:22
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4543
Joined: 29-02-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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A stage win with this team would make it an excellent TDF here.
--Nice to see 3 American's coming into the team, not forgetting that young rider you signed a while back.  |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 12-01-2014 12:21
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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I'm sure the chances for a stage win are yet to come for AT&T. Maybe Castroviejo will show some of his"Red Project"-dominance in the coming stages.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 12-01-2014 14:00
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Those recruits will definitely give the team a lot of strength and fire power |
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| welker3257 |
Posted on 12-01-2014 14:33
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2336
Joined: 29-05-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Hopefully the boys can get that stage win
Gig 'em Aggies
Fast N' Loud Cycling Project - ICL
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| duxili |
Posted on 13-01-2014 19:51
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Domestique
Posts: 562
Joined: 18-09-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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@ The Rider: Stage win would be the best indeed. And you are right there is the trainee, a puncher, my scout (6 in puncher) told me he will be number 1 babla, I'll post the stats when he joins (well it makes it 4 American, but still less than the ones I am not renewing.)
@ Shonak: Castroviejo is fantastic in the "Red Project" but this is another story (competition is a bit different too  ) I still hope he can get a chance.
@ sutty: Thanks, I definitely hope so!
@ welker: the boys may not but Gerdemann or Castroviejo might. But it will be hard: Castroviejo is soo poor in sprint and not good enough in TT, Gerdemann is leader and might not ben allowed some free space...
So let's move to the next stages of
Stage 5 – Flat
Favourite: Cavendish
With an uphill arrival, RadioShack has repeated the same tactic that failed on day 1.
But this time Guardini creates the first surprise of the Tour.
| 1 | Andrea Guardini | RadioShack - Nissan - Trek | 3h43'06 | | 2 | Mark Cavendish | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 3 | Marcel Kittel | Lotto - Belisol | s.t. | | 4 | Tyler Farrar | Garmin - Barracuda | s.t. | | 5 | José Joaquin Rojas Gil | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 24 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | s.t. |
Stage 6 – Flat
Favourite: Cavendish
Very similar stage today. And RadioShack is getting some habits on this Tour!
But today it fails again.
| 1 | Marcel Kittel | Lotto - Belisol | 5h31'39 | | 2 | Heinrich Haussler | Garmin - Barracuda | s.t. | | 3 | Daniel Oss | Isd - KazMunayGas | s.t. | | 4 | Peter Sagan | Vacansoleil - Dcm Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 5 | Mark Cavendish | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 34 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | + 25 |
Stage 7 – Flat
Favourite: Cavendish
Massive sprint for a change. Garmin got a strange strategy: Farrar used as lead out man for Haussler. Would that pay against RadioShack?
Was it for Farrar to impede Cavendish sprint? If so it has been a real success!
| 1 | Heinrich Haussler | Garmin - Barracuda | 4h59'38 | | 2 | José Joaquin Rojas Gil | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 3 | Marcel Kittel | Lotto - Belisol | s.t. | | 4 | Andrea Guardini | RadioShack - Nissan - Trek | s.t. | | 5 | Mark Cavendish | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 34 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | s.t. |
Stage 8 – Hills
Favorite: Anton
The Tour starts today. Loutit is suffering at the front as Albasini is leading the break.
But the favorites are finally in action: Schleck, Contador, Gesink, Brankovic, Mollema, Kreuziger to lead the rest of the pack
After many attacks and regroupement, Van den Broeck’s move is catching back the last man of the break.
Good enough to win the stage in front of 2 legends!
As for Gerdemann, he fnishes in Wiggins’ wheel. But the English man let a small gap so they are loosing 38’’.
| 1 | Jürgen Van Den Broeck | Euskaltel - Euskadi | 4h36'41 | | 2 | Fränk Schleck | Isd - KazMunayGas | s.t. | | 3 | Alberto Contador | Saxo Bank Sungard | s.t. | | 4 | Robert Gesink | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 5 | Roman Kreuziger | ProTeam Astana | s.t. | | 6 | Igor Anton Hernandez | Euskaltel - Euskadi | s.t. | | 7 | Rigoberto Uran | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 8 | Janez Brajkovic | ProTeam Astana | s.t. | | 9 | Ryder Hesjedal | Garmin - Barracuda | s.t. | | 10 | Michael Albasini | GreenEdge | s.t. | | 17 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | + 38 |
Stage 9 – Hills
Favorite: Anton
The stage looks classic, hilly but not that difficult. A break of 13 riders was chased from the start and hills after hills weak riders got tired. First of our riders have been dropped at mid stage.
At the end of the day the pack regroup and Hesjedal was the strongest in the last 2 kilometers.
30 riders didn’t make the cut today. Including 5 of our team. That means we only got Gerdemann, Castroviejo and Loutit (who hardly made the cut) still alive… A good thing we are renewing the team for next year…
| 1 | Ryder Hesjedal | Garmin - Barracuda | 5h37'06 | | 2 | Igor Anton Hernandez | Euskaltel - Euskadi | + 8 | | 3 | Rigoberto Uran | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 4 | Alberto Contador | Saxo Bank Sungard | s.t. | | 5 | Robert Gesink | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 6 | Jürgen Van Den Broeck | Euskaltel - Euskadi | s.t. | | 7 | Thomas Lövkvist | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 8 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | s.t. | | 9 | Roman Kreuziger | ProTeam Astana | s.t. | | 10 | Ben Hermans | RadioShack - Nissan - Trek | s.t. |
Of course there is not yet any big difference in GC. The next stages in the Pyrenees will change it for sure!
GC After 9 stages
| 1 | Rigoberto Uran | Sky ProCycling | 37h25'19 | | 2 | Robert Gesink | Rabobank Cycling Team | + 1'10 | | 3 | Bauke Mollema | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 4 | Ryder Hesjedal | Garmin - Barracuda | + 1'23 | | 5 | Beñat Intxausti Elorriaga | Movistar Team | + 1'34 | | 6 | Bradley Wiggins | Sky ProCycling | + 1'43 | | 7 | Andreas Klöden | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 8 | Michael Rogers | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 9 | Roman Kreuziger | ProTeam Astana | + 1'48 | | 10 | Igor Anton Hernandez | Euskaltel - Euskadi | s.t. | | 19 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | + 2'43 |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 15-01-2014 01:54
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Gerdemann looking very good so far. I guess we can blame at least 39 seconds on Wiggins though. U
ran still leading... hm. But I don't think he will stay in it. Not sure if Fränk Schleck can be described as a legend either. 
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| welker3257 |
Posted on 15-01-2014 05:00
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2336
Joined: 29-05-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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So the team will probably only finish two riders 
Gig 'em Aggies
Fast N' Loud Cycling Project - ICL
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| duxili |
Posted on 15-01-2014 18:56
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Domestique
Posts: 562
Joined: 18-09-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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@ Shonak: I guess you are right on everything, so let's call him the brother of a legend
@ welker: I am hoping so
So let's go on with our French adventures
Stage 10 – Hills
Favorite: Anton
It is becoming somehow boring as the scenario reproduces every day: a break. A grouped pack in the final. Then a sprint or a punchers’ arrival.
Today was for the punchers and Hesjedal was ahead of Anton.
But they launched they sprint too early and Van Avermaet came back for a great win.
| 1 | Greg Van Avermaet | Cofidis, le crédit en ligne | 3h27'56 | | 2 | Maxime Bouet | Katusha Team | s.t. | | 3 | Samuel Dumoulin | Cofidis, le crédit en ligne | s.t. | | 4 | Cyril Gautier | Bmc Racing Team | s.t. | | 5 | Arnold Jeannesson | Française des Jeux - Bonjour | s.t. | | 6 | Damiano Cunego | Saxo Bank Sungard | s.t. | | 7 | Simon Gerrans | GreenEdge | s.t. | | 8 | Roman Kreuziger | ProTeam Astana | s.t. | | 9 | Andrey Zeits | ProTeam Astana | s.t. | | 10 | Sergey Lagutin | Vacansoleil - Dcm Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 37 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | s.t. |
Stage 11 – Flat
Favorite: Cavendish
Should I repeat myself?
Because of the strong wind the sprinter who staid in the wheels the longest won. Second win for Oss.
| 1 | Daniel Oss | Isd - KazMunayGas | 3h52'32 | | 2 | Heinrich Haussler | Garmin - Barracuda | s.t. | | 3 | Marcel Kittel | Lotto - Belisol | s.t. | | 4 | Andrea Guardini | RadioShack - Nissan - Trek | s.t. | | 5 | Mark Cavendish | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 11 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | s.t. |
Stage 12 – Mountain
Favorite: Contador
Finally the Mountain. And what a stage, 3 climbs with Tourmalet and Luz Ardiden! Time for Gerdemann to decide what he want to chase.
Let’s try for KoM. In the 1st climb, he is 2nd to Gadret.
But the real points are in the Tourmalet and Gerdemann is too weak to compete. He can still barely stay with the front group.
There are 25 riders. Too many to target a Top 10. Let it go and loose time. That is the best strategy to then look for a stage At the front Ruygh still have strength to launch an attack in the final.
But not enough to hold on. Van Den Broeck wins the monster stage.
Rabobank is rewarded for his job all day long as Gesink is getting the lead for 13’’ on Hesjedal. Top 11 is within 2’ though.
| 1 | Jürgen Van Den Broeck | Euskaltel - Euskadi | 6h01'46 | | 2 | Robert Gesink | Rabobank Cycling Team | + 10 | | 3 | Alberto Contador | Saxo Bank Sungard | s.t. | | 4 | Rob Ruygh | Vacansoleil - Dcm Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 5 | Pierre Rolland | Team Europcar | s.t. | | 6 | Ryder Hesjedal | Garmin - Barracuda | s.t. | | 7 | Rein Taaramae | Cofidis, le crédit en ligne | s.t. | | 8 | Fränk Schleck | Isd - KazMunayGas | s.t. | | 9 | Bradley Wiggins | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 10 | Beñat Intxausti Elorriaga | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 37 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | + 11'07 |
Stage 13 – Mountain
Favorite: Contador
With the Aubisque in the middle of the stage Gerdemann should try a break and pick the KoM points. But Mollema is leading the pack chasing behind any climber. At the top of the climb, Gerdemann is too exhausted to sprint. Too exhausted as well to stick with the best in the final.
Contador is anticipating the sprint for a nice win.
| 1 | Alberto Contador | Saxo Bank Sungard | 3h36'41 | | 2 | Robert Gesink | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 3 | Bradley Wiggins | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 4 | Ryder Hesjedal | Garmin - Barracuda | s.t. | | 5 | Pierre Rolland | Team Europcar | s.t. | | 6 | Jürgen Van Den Broeck | Euskaltel - Euskadi | s.t. | | 7 | Daniel Martin | Garmin - Barracuda | s.t. | | 8 | Arnold Jeannesson | Française des Jeux - Bonjour | s.t. | | 9 | Rein Taaramae | Cofidis, le crédit en ligne | s.t. | | 10 | Roman Kreuziger | ProTeam Astana | s.t. | | 16 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | + 1'53 |
Stage 14 – Mountain
Favorite: Contador
Tomorrow we will be the end of the Pyrenees. But before that we have that:
And as planned Gerdemann is on the attack from the start to pick KoM points and more if favorites let him. In the second climb there are only 2 left from the break: Gerdemann and Moinard.
But Gadret is closing the gap to form a strong trio.
While the battle for KoM points is ferrous at the front, Rabobank let it go. Yes! Gerdemann is now allowed in a break!
At the bottom of the Plateau de Beille climb, the counter seems too far away. No one in the trio seems to have much left but Gadret still attacks. Moinard answers while Gerdemann is taking his rhythm and stabilize the gap at 40’’. Then Moinard gets dropped and passed by Gerdemann. Our man is back 25’’ but there is only 3 kilometres left and the gap seems to stabilize again.
But the miracle happens as Gadret runs out of power while Gerdemann has just a little bit left. He joins him with 1.5km to go and pass him in the last 800 meters for a glorious win!
Cherry on the cake, the summit points makes a big difference for the KoM and Gerdemann is now leading it with 18 points on Gadret. GC men are 40 points behind but might well be a real threat too with the Alpes to come.
For the GC, Van Den Broeck, Gesink, Contador, Ruygh and Schleck finish in the same time. Hesjedal loose less than 1’ and remains a serious pretender. But with a Top 9 under 2’ a lot can still happen. Oh and Loutit didn’t make the cut. Only 2 AT&T riders left in Le Tour.
| 1 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | 4h55'04 | | 2 | John Gadret | Liquigas - Cannondale | + 50 | | 3 | Romain Sicard | Saur - Sojasun | + 2'57 | | 4 | Christopher Froome | Ag2r La Mondiale | + 4'19 | | 5 | Janez Brajkovic | ProTeam Astana | + 4'35 | | 6 | Andreas Klöden | Sky ProCycling | + 5'21 | | 7 | Jürgen Van Den Broeck | Euskaltel - Euskadi | s.t. | | 8 | Rob Ruygh | Vacansoleil - Dcm Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 9 | Robert Gesink | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 10 | Alberto Contador | Saxo Bank Sungard | s.t. |
GC After 14 Stages
| 1 | Robert Gesink | Rabobank Cycling Team | 59h25'59 | | 2 | Jürgen Van Den Broeck | Euskaltel - Euskadi | + 28 | | 3 | Fränk Schleck | Isd - KazMunayGas | + 49 | | 4 | Ryder Hesjedal | Garmin - Barracuda | s.t. | | 5 | Alberto Contador | Saxo Bank Sungard | + 1'17 | | 6 | Beñat Intxausti Elorriaga | Movistar Team | + 1'20 | | 7 | Rob Ruygh | Vacansoleil - Dcm Pro Cycling Team | + 1'21 | | 8 | Bradley Wiggins | Sky ProCycling | + 1'29 | | 9 | Pierre Rolland | Team Europcar | + 1'46 | | 10 | Roman Kreuziger | ProTeam Astana | + 2'13 | | 18 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | + 9'02 |
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| The Rider |
Posted on 15-01-2014 19:05
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4543
Joined: 29-02-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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 After a very hard tdf I didn't think the win would come, but there we have it. In sensational style to! |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 15-01-2014 23:20
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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And the team has a stage victory thanks to Linus |
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| sammyt93 |
Posted on 15-01-2014 23:26
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3634
Joined: 03-07-2012
PCM$: 300.00
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what a brilliant way to get the win, hopefully now he will be allowed to get in more breaks so he can try and defend his KOM jersey.
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| welker3257 |
Posted on 16-01-2014 01:44
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2336
Joined: 29-05-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Great stage win for Linus
Gig 'em Aggies
Fast N' Loud Cycling Project - ICL
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| Shonak |
Posted on 16-01-2014 02:04
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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What a performance by Gerdeman, really stepping over the limit there. Big one from him.
Gesink leading... TdF... okay...
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| duxili |
Posted on 16-01-2014 07:18
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Domestique
Posts: 562
Joined: 18-09-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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@ The Rider: yeah difficult start and only 2 riders left Victory is even sweeter
@ sutty: you are right, how could I have hesitated to renew him!
@ sammyt: Probably the win I am the most proud of since the beginning of the story
@ weleker: Great indeed!
@ Shonak: well Gesink is 80/80 in MO/HIL 
And now the end of this year
Stage 15 – Flat
Favorite: Cavendish
A mass sprint in Montpellier for a change. Bennati is leading Guardini ideally with 1.5km to go, Cavendish behind well behind.
The sprint was particularly close though.
| 1 | Andrea Guardini | RadioShack - Nissan - Trek | 4h31'32 | | 2 | Daniel Oss | Isd - KazMunayGas | s.t. | | 3 | Gerald Ciolek | Omega Pharma QuickStep | s.t. | | 4 | Edvald Boasson Hagen | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 5 | Mark Cavendish | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 13 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | s.t. |
Stage 16 – Hills
Favorite: Anton
Only 20 riders makes the last climb together, with all the favorites. The sprint was launched with 2 kilometres to go by Schleck, Van Den Broeck and Contador.
But it was too soon and Ryugh comes from behind ahead of the yellow jersey.
| 1 | Rob Ruygh | Vacansoleil - Dcm Pro Cycling Team | 3h55'24 | | 2 | Robert Gesink | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 3 | Rémi Pauriol | GreenEdge | s.t. | | 4 | Ben Hermans | RadioShack - Nissan - Trek | s.t. | | 5 | Bauke Mollema | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 6 | Rigoberto Uran | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 7 | Bradley Wiggins | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 8 | Janez Brajkovic | ProTeam Astana | s.t. | | 9 | Rein Taaramae | Cofidis, le crédit en ligne | s.t. | | 10 | Fränk Schleck | Isd - KazMunayGas | s.t. | | 34 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | + 57 |
Stage 17 – Hills
Favorite: Uran
With 2 hills in the middle of the stage, Castroviejo manages to keep the break under control. It allows Gerdemann to pick 15 points.
Then a group of 19 leaders passes the final climb and Kreuziger wins the sprint.
| 1 | Roman Kreuziger | ProTeam Astana | 4h37'34 | | 2 | Bradley Wiggins | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 3 | Alberto Contador | Saxo Bank Sungard | s.t. | | 4 | Fränk Schleck | Isd - KazMunayGas | s.t. | | 5 | Arnold Jeannesson | Française des Jeux - Bonjour | s.t. | | 6 | Pierre Rolland | Team Europcar | s.t. | | 7 | Rein Taaramae | Cofidis, le crédit en ligne | s.t. | | 8 | Jürgen Van Den Broeck | Euskaltel - Euskadi | s.t. | | 9 | Robert Gesink | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 10 | Beñat Intxausti Elorriaga | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 33 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | + 2'42 |
Stage 18 – Mountain
Favorite: Ruygh
Time for the Alpes with the Galibier to start after 2 huge climbs. For sure a decisive stage for the GC. And for the KoM. And it all starts badly with Gadret having decided to attack.
Castroviejo once again does the job and when the 1st climb arrives, Gadret is dropped from the pack! But Gerdemann coud not pick point either. He manages to get 4 points behind the break for the 2nd climb and of course he could only surrender in the Galibier.
The most serious attack comes from Ruygh.
And Van Den Broeck counters.
Time for Gesink to give it all.
Not enough: Van Den Broeck takes the win and the yellow for 50’’. He also pick 40 KoM points and is back at the second place only 21 points behind Gerdemann. Gesink is now 3rd 12 points behind Van Den Broeck. Gadret is 4th but should be beaten if we stay vigilant.
| 1 | Jürgen Van Den Broeck | Euskaltel - Euskadi | 5h59'49 | | 2 | Robert Gesink | Rabobank Cycling Team | + 1'18 | | 3 | Ryder Hesjedal | Garmin - Barracuda | s.t. | | 4 | Rob Ruygh | Vacansoleil - Dcm Pro Cycling Team | + 1'31 | | 5 | Fränk Schleck | Isd - KazMunayGas | s.t. | | 6 | Alberto Contador | Saxo Bank Sungard | s.t. | | 7 | Roman Kreuziger | ProTeam Astana | s.t. | | 8 | Bradley Wiggins | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 9 | Beñat Intxausti Elorriaga | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 10 | Rein Taaramae | Cofidis, le crédit en ligne | s.t. | | 25 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | + 3'22 |
Stage 19 – Mountain
Favorite: Van Den Broeck
With 3 climbs including 40 KoM points at the arrival of the mythical Alpes d’Huez, Gerdemann’s lead is in great danger if one of the favorite wins the stage. No choice. Castroviejo controls the beginning and before the first climb Gerdemann attacks. He can get some points before Gadret joins the break. In the second climb Sicard, Kiserlovski, Gadret and Gerdemann are together.
At the bottom of the 13 km of the Alpes, they got more than 3’ lead. Gadret attacks and Gerdemann cannot follow. But before he can realize it
He is the strongest in Mountain and needs more than 50’’ before the final ITT. Gesink finishes 2nd of the stage again and is 1’15 behind and still has some hope.
The great news of the day is Gerdemann is going to win the KoM!
| 1 | Jürgen Van Den Broeck | Euskaltel - Euskadi | 3h25'39 | | 2 | Robert Gesink | Rabobank Cycling Team | + 25 | | 3 | John Gadret | Liquigas - Cannondale | s.t. | | 4 | Robert Kiserlovski | ProTeam Astana | s.t. | | 5 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | s.t. | | 6 | Beñat Intxausti Elorriaga | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 7 | Alberto Contador | Saxo Bank Sungard | + 52 | | 8 | Fränk Schleck | Isd - KazMunayGas | s.t. | | 9 | Rob Ruygh | Vacansoleil - Dcm Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 10 | Romain Sicard | Saur - Sojasun | s.t. |
Stage 20 – ITT – 40 km
Favorite: Martin
Gerdemann crosses the line with the best time but no hope. Gesink has the best time at the 2nd intermediate and if Van Den Broeck is 3rd he has lost more than 30’’.
Best time is beaten by Brankovic, Kreuziger and finally Gesink. But Van Den Broeck is using the yellow jersey to resist to keep the lead for only 28’’.
| 1 | Robert Gesink | Rabobank Cycling Team | 1h04'20 | | 2 | Roman Kreuziger | ProTeam Astana | + 26 | | 3 | Jürgen Van Den Broeck | Euskaltel - Euskadi | + 47 | | 4 | Beñat Intxausti Elorriaga | Movistar Team | + 49 | | 5 | Bradley Wiggins | Sky ProCycling | + 57 | | 6 | Janez Brajkovic | ProTeam Astana | + 1'04 | | 7 | Ryder Hesjedal | Garmin - Barracuda | + 1'25 | | 8 | Alberto Contador | Saxo Bank Sungard | + 1'27 | | 9 | Rein Taaramae | Cofidis, le crédit en ligne | + 1'28 | | 10 | Vladimir Karpets | Katusha Team | + 1'30 | | 11 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | + 1'38 |
Stage 21 – Flat
Favorite: Guardini
A break on the Champs for a nice picture of the Obelix under the rain.
Than it is time to prepare the sprint and the big names are unleashed with 1.1 km to go. Haussler, the green jersey Guardini and Kitel.
But the former Spanish Champ comes from nowhere to get the biggest victory of his career.
| 1 | José Joaquin Rojas Gil | Movistar Team | 3h45'57 | | 2 | Heinrich Haussler | Garmin - Barracuda | s.t. | | 3 | Andrea Guardini | RadioShack - Nissan - Trek | s.t. | | 4 | Samuel Dumoulin | Cofidis, le crédit en ligne | s.t. | | 5 | Edvald Boasson Hagen | Sky ProCycling | s.t. | | 14 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | s.t. |
Final GC
| 1 | Jürgen Van Den Broeck | Euskaltel - Euskadi | 86h47'29 | | 2 | Robert Gesink | Rabobank Cycling Team | + 28 | | 3 | Beñat Intxausti Elorriaga | Movistar Team | + 2'50 | | 4 | Ryder Hesjedal | Garmin - Barracuda | + 3'50 | | 5 | Alberto Contador | Saxo Bank Sungard | + 3'52 | | 6 | Bradley Wiggins | Sky ProCycling | + 4'15 | | 7 | Fränk Schleck | Isd - KazMunayGas | + 4'20 | | 8 | Roman Kreuziger | ProTeam Astana | + 4'28 | | 9 | Rob Ruygh | Vacansoleil - Dcm Pro Cycling Team | + 5'29 | | 10 | Pierre Rolland | Team Europcar | + 5'44 | | 16 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | + 16'51 |
Points
| 1 | Andrea Guardini | RadioShack - Nissan - Trek | 262 | | 2 | Marcel Kittel | Lotto - Belisol | 245 | | 3 | Daniel Oss | Isd - KazMunayGas | 229 | | 10 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | 119 |
Mountain
| 1 | Linus Gerdemann | AT&T | 142 | | 2 | Jürgen Van Den Broeck | Euskaltel - Euskadi | 123 | | 3 | Robert Gesink | Rabobank Cycling Team | 103 |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 16-01-2014 12:33
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Liking pic 1 from the Champs Elysees
And Linus put in a Great all round effort in France |
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| Neillster |
Posted on 16-01-2014 14:16
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Domestique
Posts: 713
Joined: 13-10-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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1 stage win, 1 top 5, 1 top 10.
1 jersey in Paris
Really good first tour for the team, and based on the new recruits replacing those who clearly didn't cut it in France, things can only get better
Let's see now if Wout can double it up in Spain |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 16-01-2014 14:20
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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It was a pretty nice Tour
That mountain jersey is just great! |
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