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Gilbert the next step - Tour de France contender !
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| Rammus |
Posted on 17-08-2011 20:35
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
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Stage 13
Stage Plan
An oppotunistic profile in todays stage. Really anything goes here and we're definetly looking to be one of the protaginists, try and gain time with an attack or if its a fast climb up the Aubisque bring it back on the descent. Oh an its imperative to get someone in the break.
The Stage
One of the teams climbers Bart de Clerq was feeling well yesterday so we sent him on the attack today and he succesfully made into the break of 10. At the base of the beast Aubisque the break had 4 minutes. About a quarter the way up Igor Anton started the fireworks as Sastre joined him. Our team saw the oppotunity and so we joined in ...
Vanendert and Gilbert cause some tension in the peleton with the move and Ivan Basso and Samuel Sanchez decide to react and come across forming the most unlikely group at the front of the race as we all join up with the break ...
It's a big bluffing game behind as some of the favourites are now losing time as Anton and de Clerq up the pace in the break and at the top of the climb the break has 2 minutes ! Many of the break couldn't keep with the pace and dropped off though. Sanchez and Basso didn't want to wait around though and attacked on the descent as Omega work hard for Phil.
Despite it looking solid for the team, on the Col du Soulor Contador,Evans&Schelck jumped across the gap being the fantastic climbers they are and overtook the Gilbert group !
As we reached the bottom of the descent the situation was Sanchez&Contador with a minute over Basso&Evans with our group a few more seconds down. The main favourite in trouble was Frank Schleck who was way behind. Gilbert was losing time so he had to do something !
He passes Ivan Basso and catches Cadel Evans who works with Phil to limit the time.
At the front of the race the two riders sprint it out ...
Samuel Sanchez takes a great win in an action packed day on the Aubisque over Alberto Contador.
54 seconds behind Phil and Cadel cross the line.
1"14 down was a group of 13 riders containing most of the other favourites and at 2"42 was Frank Schleck.
Stage Results
Spoiler
Sanchez
Contador +0"00
Gilbert +0"54
Evans +0"54
Sastre +1"14
ASchleck +1"14
Basso +1"14
Gesink +1"14
Menchov +1"14
Inxtuasti +1"14
Gadret +1"14
Rolland +1"14
Garate +1"14
Anton +1"14
Pineau +1"14
Gerdeman +1"14
Scarponi +1"14
FSchleck +2"42
Top Ten
Spoiler
Gilbert
Contador +2"47
Sanchez +3"19
Evans +4"04
ASchleck +5"18
Gadret +5"20
Gesink +5"41
Menchov +5"55
Basso +6"15
FSchleck +6"44
Mixed feelings about this stage since I thought the team played it perfectly but some of our rivals are so strong that it didn't matter. We did gain 20 seconds on a number of top ten contenders though yet Contador is closing in very fast ! |
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| ggDonovan |
Posted on 18-08-2011 10:48
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 897
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Thinking about you can loose to Contador around two minutes on stage 14th, win some time (1 min) on the Gap and Pinerolo stages, loose two minutes more at Galibier and Alpe d'Huez and loose 2 min more at the TT. This will be losing 6 min to Contador. I don't think you will be able to win the TDF but you got a serious chance to the top 5.
KTGW! This is a fantastic story!
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| GreenEDGEFan |
Posted on 18-08-2011 11:09
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Under 23
Posts: 81
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Really, Really good. You may have to try and get a break into the transitional stage to get some time back though, and ride a TT of Phil's life to maybe clinch a podium.
GreenEDGE 100%
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| Rammus |
Posted on 19-08-2011 20:14
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Stage 14
Stage Plan
Huge number of climbs today so it's going to be tough. As with the tourmalet stage the only plan we have is to make sure Gilbert makes it to the bottom of the Plateau de Beille then make his own pace up the 15km monster !
The Stage
From a spectators point of veiw another fairly dull mountain stage. Good for the team though as very little action occured throughout the day as approx 90 riders remained at the base of the plateau de beille with the breakway only 1 minutes advantage with no big names of mention.
On the lower slopes now as Phil is climbing in the middle of the pack.
Under the 10km banner and Euskatel want to make things happen. Anton puts the pressure on as Sanchez follows and Contador also makes the move.
Phil is starting to struggle now as the front of the race shows no signs of slowing down.
Alberto Contador our most dangerous rival has no gapped the rest of the contenders ...
Evans trys to shut him down with an attack in the last few kilometres ...
But it's not enough and Contador takes yet another stage win ! Phil does a solid performance and comes to the finish in a group with the likes of Velits,Kloden,Brajkovic and Danielson.
However he loses 3"17 on the stage and thus loses the yellow jersey to Contador !
Stage Results
Spoiler
Contador
Evans +0"00
Sanchez +0"19
FSchleck +0"19
Basso +0"19
ASchleck +0"19
Menchov +0"19
Gadret +0"19
Gesink +0"19
Anton +0"54
Rolland +1"37
Horner +2"00
Wiggins +2"17
Le Mevel +2"17
Hesjedal +2"36
Kreuziger +2"52
Leipheimer +2"52
Scarponi +3"11
Dupont +3"17
Sastre +3"17
Moreno +3"17
Velits +3"17
Brajokvic +3"17
Rogers +3"17
Kloden +3"17
Di Luca +3"17
Danielson +3"17
Gilbert +3"17
Fuglsang +3"17
Kiserlovski +3"33
Top Ten
Spoiler
Contador
Gilbert +0"30
Sanchez +0"51
Evans +1"17
ASchleck +2"50
Gadret +2"52
Gesink +3"13
Menchov +3"27
Basso +3"47
FSchleck +4"16
Dissapointing to lose the jersey, would've been nice to keep it up to the Alpes but realistically it was still a good climb as he finished with many good riders and it could've gone a lot worse. Gilbert is still 2nd in the GC after the Pyrenees, one more mountain range to go ^_^ !! Rest tommorow and see what we can do on the transition stages before the Alpes ! |
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| Rammus |
Posted on 19-08-2011 20:16
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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At replies before the latest stage
@Donovan Allow 2 minutes for the Galbier ? Keke very optomistic, I'm anticipating 4-5 minutes minimum !
@GreenEDGE Yes we will try to attack on the transitional stages ! There are two though the 2nd one might be too mountainous ... we will see |
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| Rammus |
Posted on 20-08-2011 20:04
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Stage 15
Stage Plan
Rest,rest,rest.
Also some important infomation, after the stage to Plateau de Beille we were informed Vincente Reynes was outside the time limit and therefore is out of the race ! It is a shame to lose a rider but he was very useful in the first week so his work did not go unoticed ^_^
And some good news aswell as Philippe Gilbert takes over the green jersey thanks to his consistency now that he has lost the yellow.
The Stage
Another bunch of desperate hopefuls filled todays break but with this being the last flat stage till Paris it was most likely to come down to a sprint.
Gilbert and Contador riding alongside each other.
As predicited the race came down to a drag sprint along the coast ...
... with Pettachi taking victory over Friere and Bennati ! All the favourites finished with the same time. Top Ten is the same as previous stage. |
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| Rammus |
Posted on 22-08-2011 17:54
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Stage 16
Stage Plan
Attack on the Col de Manse to gain some time before the Alpes !
The Stage
A break of 7 riders formed including Garate,Fuglsang,Kiserlovski,Poels,El Fares,Inxuasti and Dessel. It became clear towards the end of the stage that the peleton would not chase and the breakaway riders would later fight it out for victory.
Mario Aerts from our team ensured the first 2km of the Col de Manse was a fierce pace. When he blew Vanendert took over.
Gilbert has a handful of seconds over Contador,Evans,Sanchez,Anton and Schleck.
Contador begins to claw back the difference so Gilbert attacks again and this time no one can follow !
Taking big risks on the descent Phil is able to pull out the distance. Kreuziger is trying to bridge to the Contador group and is making a really nice descent too.
At the front Fuglsang takes a great win !
Gilbert is motoring now under the 1km kite, looking increasingly likely he can take back the yellow jersey. In the background you can see Kreuziger has overtaken the group of Contador, very impressive.
Gilbert finishes at 4"13.
The peleton who are now back together with all the favourites are at 5"13.
Top Ten
Spoiler
Gilbert
Contador +0"32
Sanchez +1"23
Evans +1"49
ASchleck +3"22
Gadret +3"24
Gesink +3"45
Menchov +3"59
Basso +4"19
FSchleck +4"48
Back in yellow ^_^ yay. |
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| ggDonovan |
Posted on 22-08-2011 18:28
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 897
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Congratulations! Now Pinerolo time!
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| Rammus |
Posted on 23-08-2011 23:12
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Stage 17
Stage Plan
So it's the last chance for Gilbert to take an advantage before the dreaded Alpes. The team will pull out all the stops today to ensure Phil a good ride !
The Stage
Mario Aerts, Bart de Clerc and Adam Hansen attacked hard and numerous times to secure a place in the days break. A long day for these guys and they are working hard.
Col de Montgenevre passes with no movement but as we crest the summit of Sestrieres the plan of Lotto springs into action ! Gilbert & Vanendert have leapt across to the break ...
40km of descending ahead of us, go go go go go !! Aerts, Clerq, Hansen and Vanendert all take turns trying to eek out the one minute gap over the peleton.
At the base of the Pramartino Gilbert goes alone. Once again the strongest climber in the race Contador takes matters into his own hands.
Phil fends him off however, he now has to negotiate the difficult descent ...
Sanchez and Andy are trying to catch Evans as riders are split up everywhere now !
Another day, another stage win for the man in yellow ^_^
Alberto Contador finishes at 1"19
Schelck, Evans and Sanchez are at 1"38
Will it be enough though ? Unlikely
Stage Results
Spoiler
Gilbert
Contador +1"19
ASchleck +1"38
Evans +1"38
Sanchez +1"38
Scarponi +2"29
FSchleck +2"29
Gadret +2"29
Gesink +2"29
Menchov +2"29
Anton +2"29
Basso +2"29
Barredo +2"29
Kloeden +2"29
Kreuziger +2"29
Spilak +2"29
Horner +2"29
Top 18 GC
Spoiler
Gilbert
Contador +1"51
Sanchez +3"03
Evans +3"27
ASchleck +5"00
Gadret +5"53
Gesink +6"14
Menchov +6"28
Basso +6"48
FSchleck +7"17
Rolland +10"31
Anton +11"26
Hesjedal +11"46
Wiggins +12"19
Horner +12"32
Kreuziger +12"42
Scarponi +13"39
Velits +13"51
It went well today but objectively it looks to me as if the podium is out of reach and even the top 5 will be hard to get but not impossible. Contador, Sanchez and Evans are all going to podium since they are all great at TT and climbing and only a disaster will stop that happening. Hard to say how Andy will do, he's had a dissapointing Tour so far but he is still one of the strongest climbers.
Gilberts recovery is 'good', I suspect the other riders may have more though ...  |
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| Rammus |
Posted on 25-08-2011 21:54
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Warning - May be a lot of picutres ^_^
Stage 18
Stage Plan
Here it is ! The queen stage of the 2011 Tour de France, today some riders will fufill thier dreams and others will be crushed ... it's going to be an epic day. We have no specific plan at all for Gilbert except for just ride your heart out and good luck to him ^_^
The Stage
After a series of attacks from strong riders like Scarponi,Wiggins,Kreuziger and so on 3 brave souls formed the break. They were Hesjedal, Chavanel and Di Gregorio, at the top of Agnel they had accumulated 8 minutes of an advantage.
As well as the horific profile it was also snowing, unbeleivable !
Over the Izoard they lost a further 4 minutes. At the summit the peleton was reduced to just 52 riders with the rest srewn across the previous climbs. Gilbert really struggled on this last climb, here he is descending in at the very back of the group.
Lotto has one other rider which is our super climber Vanendert. Unfortunately he informed us that he was not feeling so great (-5), what a stage to have a bad day.
On the lower slopes of the Galibier more riders fell victim to the fierce pace of Euskatel including Gilberts final domestique Vanendert. Only 30-35 cyclists left at the front now. At the same time the break is caught ...
With still 15km remaining Ivan Basso starts the hostilities.
Gilbert cracks ! ... it's still 15km of climbing to the summit ... it's going to be a long long road.
Under the 10km banner but Phil has already lost over 2 minutes, he is catching a few stray riders however.
It's every man for himself, Phil is getting no help whatsoever
Up ahead Contador & Evans rip the race to shreds.
5km now Phil passes a half dead Di Gregorio. Reports suggest he has now lost 3-4 minutes on the leaders.
Contador cements his iron grip on the 2011 TDF by taking another victoy on the hardest stage of them all.
Snow is comming in thick and fast as the maillot jaune of the Tour is killing himself to have any hope of a good placing in Paris. 1km to go!
The finish is in site !
Gilbert collapses over the line at 7"30 down on Alberto Contador.
Interestingly Menchov and Wiggins were no where to be seen on the Galibier and lost and absolute pakcet of time ! Race radio reported Wiggins was dropped on the Agnel but where Menchov blew is anyones guess.
Stage Results
Spoiler
1.Contador
2.Evans +0"21
3.ASchelck +0"28
4.FSchleck +0"58
5.Sanchez +1"21
6.Basso +1"21
7.Gesink +1"21
8.Scarponi +1"43
9.Cunego +2"15
10.Gadret +2"15
11.Rogers +2"34
12.Kloden +2"40
13.Anton +3"22
14.Leipheimer +3"43
15.Kruisjvik +3"43
16.Le Mevel +3"47
17.Rolland +3"47
18.Kreuziger +3"55
19.Horner +3"59
20.Brajkovic +3"59
21.Danielson +4"09
22.Smzyd +4"22
23.De Weert +4"48
24.Taarmare +5"47
25.Sastre +5"55
26.Vande Velde +6"17
27.Mollema +6"17
28.Fuglsang +6"17
29.Velits +6"48
30.Gilbert +7"30
31.Di Luca +8"21
32.Dupont +8"25
33.LLSanchez +8"34
34.Kiserlovski +8"40
35.Jeaneasson +9"22
Top 20 GC
Spoiler
1.Contador
2.Evans +1"57
3.Sanchez +2"31
4.ASchleck +3"37
5.Gilbert +5"39
6.Gesink +5"44
7.Gadret +6"17
8.Basso +6"18
9.FSchleck +6"24
10.Rolland +12"27
11.Anton +12"57
12.Scarponi +13"31
13.Horner +14"40
14.Kreuziger +14"46
15.Leipheimer +17"53
16.Velits +18"48
17.Hesjedal +19"21
18.Sastre +20"44
19.Menchov +21"22
20.Kloden +24"44
Well it was going to happen eventually, super Phil finally blew up and now sits in 5th spot but with the next 4 riders all incredibly close and much stronger climbers. It is at least nice to know that a top 10 is safe as Rolland the best place french rider is a long way down. The next 2 stages will require some tough fighting if Gilbert has anything left (he just finished the stage before his green bar ran out, JUST ^_^). Looks like Contador will win ! |
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| laidbackmarc |
Posted on 25-08-2011 21:57
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| Rammus |
Posted on 29-08-2011 19:15
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
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I have a free day tommorow so I'll get the stage and report done then. @marc I'll have a look, I only have a few stages left though, I may just use the old method since it's just about to finish  |
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| Rammus |
Posted on 30-08-2011 18:32
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Stage 19
Stage Plan
Be in the front group over the summit of the Galibier and then ride really fast up the Alpe. Simple.
The Stage
A strong break escaped today inclduing Leipheimer and Hesjedal who are high on the GC. Scarponi attacked later on ...
The tempo increased behind as Scarponi was only 13 minutes down on GC. By the base of the Alpe they only had 3-4 minutes. Early on into the climb Phil was having trouble staying towards the front ...
Scarponi attacked out of the break increasing his chances for a stagewin. Contador doesn't need to attack since he pretty much was the tour wrapped up but he does anyways distancing the feild yet again.
It wouldn't be enough to ctach Michele Scarponi though and he started celebrating with 500m to go !
He redeems his poor TDF thus far. Over 6 minutes down Gilbert sprints towards the line, he's going to drop down to 9th position today, dissapointing but not unexpected.
Stage Results
Spoiler
Scarponi
Leipheimer +1"22
Hesjedal +1"22
Contador +2"08
Basso +2"44
Evans +2"44
Sanchez +2"44
ASchleck +2"59
Anton +3"06
FSchleck +3"06
Sastre +3"06
Plaza +3"06
De Weert +3"06
Gesink +3"21
...
...
Gilbert +6"30
Top 20 GC
Spoiler
1.Contador
2.Evans +2"33
3.Sanchez +3"07
4.ASchleck +4"28
5.Basso +6"54
6.Gesink +6"57
7.FSchleck +7"22
8.Gadret +7"48
9.Gilbert +10"01
10.Scarponi +11"23
11.Anton +13"55
12.Rolland +14"10
13.Leipheimer +17"07
14.Horner +17"27
15.Kreuziger +17"47
16.Hesjedal +18"35
17.Sastre +21"42
18.Velits +22"14
19.Kloden +27"45
20.Le Mevel +29"28
I think I can possibly take gadret in the TT since that his weak point, unlikely to go any higher. |
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| kwkke10 |
Posted on 30-08-2011 19:39
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Stagiare
Posts: 201
Joined: 27-04-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Top 10 is a great result for Gilbert
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| skeltik |
Posted on 30-08-2011 19:50
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Under 23
Posts: 98
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PCM$: 200.00
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kwkke10 wrote:
Top 10 is a great result for Gilbert
is indeeda big result, and looks like he's gonna have the green jersey in Paris.
So realy nice |
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| Rammus |
Posted on 04-09-2011 19:00
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Stage 20
Stage Plan
It's a hilly TT so its a very good course for Gilbert, ride tempo on the flats and storm up the hills !
The Stage
For some reason TT's don't have the replay race feature after so when I went to get all my picutres I was dissapointed to find it went straight to the podiums, sorry.
It was a good stage though so I'll say a litte bit about it. Throughout most of the stage Boassen Hagen was leading with a really great time, then Kiryenka turned in a shocker to take over, even beating Wiggins. But of course all the GC riders had yet to come ...
Super Phil started off well taking the first climb at speed and took out 12 seconds on Kiryenka at the first checkpoint when he went through setting a new best time ! Shortly afterwards though it was beaten by Sanchez then Evans and then Contador.
The second climb was more challenging though and was perfect oppotunity for Phil to get some more time, he once agan set a new best time 1"09 infront of Kiryenka. This time no one could beat his time, Contador was awfully close though and Gilbert was low on energy.
The results at the finish line ...
On the descent and flat Contador had the advantage and won another stage in his very succsessful Tour. Thanks to Gadret's fantastic lack of time trial skills Gilbert leaped up into 8th position !
Top 20 GC
Spoiler
1.Contador
2.Evans +3"20
3.Sanchez +4"33
4.ASchleck +6"56
5.Gesink +9"19
6.Basso +9"22
7.FSchleck +9"57
8.Gilbert +10"25
9.Gadret +11"53
10.Scarponi +14"00
11.Anton +17"15
12.Rolland +17"37
13.Leipheimer +19"00
14.Kreuziger +20"05
15.Horner +20"16
16.Hesjedal +21"46
17.Sastre +24"39
18.Velits +24"59
19.Kloden +29"57
20.Le Mevel +33"54
I must admit is slightly frustrating that FSchleck, Basso and Gesink are only a very short time in front ... what could've been 
Still Gilbert will ride into Paris with the Green Jersey of which he has enough of a lead in the classement that it is safe and a top 10 at the TDF.
Hopefully I'll complete the stage into Paris fairly soon so I can conclude this in good time. I'll give the standings for the others classements and some fun facts and statistics about the PCM 2011 TDF (with the Paris stage) so don't stop reading just yet  |
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| cactus-jack |
Posted on 04-09-2011 19:10
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3936
Joined: 31-07-2009
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I've gotta say, this has been one of the most enjoyable stories I've ever read 
Do you think you'll try something similar with a different GT or maybe a different rider? |
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| Munique |
Posted on 04-09-2011 22:20
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Junior Rider
Posts: 45
Joined: 22-02-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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cactus-jack wrote:
I've gotta say, this has been one of the most enjoyable stories I've ever read
Word. Followed it all along! |
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| icksdeh |
Posted on 04-09-2011 22:43
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Amateur
Posts: 15
Joined: 01-07-2010
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cactus-jack wrote:
I've gotta say, this has been one of the most enjoyable stories I've ever read
Do you think you'll try something similar with a different GT or maybe a different rider?
Yep, liked the story a lot as well. |
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| rorzcp |
Posted on 05-09-2011 00:31
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Domestique
Posts: 704
Joined: 21-07-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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with those same stats, last night i tried it and won the tdF with them D |
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