|
Diego Ulissi: The next Italian climber
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 18-09-2011 02:43
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Ok no problem
|
| |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 18-09-2011 03:05
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Sorry, but my computer is really messed up. The internet connection at my house seems to have dissapeared completely, so until i fix that there will be no more updates. I'll try and fix it as soon as possible, and I've also been pretty busy as of late.
I'll try and get it back up and running so I can continue the story soon, though.
|
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 13:24
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 18-09-2011 14:06
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
It seems I have spoke too soon.
In fact it was the laptop that was wrong, and not the wifi connection, and it's just been fixed I can once again resume the story
Edited by Flash127 on 18-09-2011 14:13
|
| |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 18-09-2011 14:38
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Hey everyone. I must say that race was pretty difficult, especially for being the first of the year. I don't have another race for the rest of February, believe it or not. this doesn't mean that I can sit back and relax, though. In fact, our coach has booked a training camp in Spain for one week, and I'm going to go. I'll be joined by Simon, Alfredo, and Cunego, who is looking for a top result in the Giro and the Tour this year.
|
| |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 18-09-2011 15:04
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
I've just returned from the training camp, and I feel great. I feel as though I've improved loads, and Cunego helped me a whole lot. Simon also feels great, and Balloni is beginning to get a feel for climbs as well.
I think Cunego is becoming somewhat of a mentor for me.
|
| |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 18-09-2011 16:37
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Giro de Laiglueglia
Diego did not participate in the race, but it was a sponsor goal. Damiano Cunego was made leader for the race. It is certainly a difficult race, with gradients reaching over 15% on some of the climbs.
In the end, it came down the 7 riders in a lead group, containing Cunego. Enrico Gasparotto of Astana attacked in the final 3 kilometers, and managed to pull away from the group to take a victory, with Cunego finishing in third behind Giovanni Visconti.
It was still a great performance by him considering his bad form, and he acheived the sponsor goal of getting a top 5 performance.
Results
Spoiler 1. Enrico Gasparotto Astana 5h34'43"
2. Giovanni Visconti Farnese-Vini s.t.
3. Damiano Cunego Lampre-ISD s.t.
4. Maxim Iglinsky Astana s.t.
5. Jurgen Van Goolen Veranda's Willems-Accent s.t.
Lampre's next best placed rider was Daniele Pietriopolli, who finished in the second group on the road in 9th place.
|
| |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 18-09-2011 16:47
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Night Report
Once again I have decided to give everyone another update. I'm in my hotel room right now, with Simon behind me and Alfredo sitting over on the bed, icing his legs. He said he's never been in more pain in his life. He spent the majority of the day, leading the breakaway up the mountains without much help, and they weren't caught until near the top of the final climb. He's definately coming along as a rider.
So our next race I think is the Giro de Sardegna. I don't think any of us are going to be in it, but it still should be interesting. I think Bertagnolli will be our leader for it, but I'm not sure. There's going to be some stiff competition, including Joaquim Rodriguez. Well, good to see you. I don't know when my next post will be.
Edited by Flash127 on 18-09-2011 16:48
|
| |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 20-09-2011 03:01
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Giro di Sardegna Stage 1
In this first stage of the Giro di Sardegna, Lampre got Alessandro Spezzialetti to get into a breakaway, which barely managed to hold onto the day's victory. spezzialetti didn't have the legs in the end, however. He finished 5th.
Stage Results
Spoiler 1. Laurent Mangel Saur-Sojasun 2h21'50"
2. Joe Eldridge Team Type 1 s.t.
3. Dirk Bellemakers Landboukrediet s.t.
4. Ruben Martinez H. Caja Rural s.t.
5. Alessandro Spezzialetti Lampre-ISD s.t.
It was Laurent Mangel who was King of the Day, however.
Edited by Flash127 on 20-09-2011 03:07
|
| |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 20-09-2011 03:27
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Giro di Sardegna
The second stage included some climbing. Vincenzo Nibali and Joaquim Rodriguez were the obvious favorites. However, it was Enrico Gasporatto who managed to sneak away late in the stage and grab the win, this coming almost immediately after winning the Giro de Laiglueglia.
Stage Results
Spoiler 1. Enrico Gasporatto Astana 5h09'24"
2. Giovanni Visconti Farnese-Vini +0'12"
3. Joaquim Rodriguez Katusha s.t.
4. Leonardo Bertagnolli Lampre-ISD +0'36"
5. Alexandr Kolobnev Katusha s.t.
Gasporatto so far has had a great start to the season.
|
| |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 21-09-2011 23:36
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Giro di Sardegna Stages 3 & 4
Stage 3
Stage three was flat, and finished in a bunch sprint. Romain took the win ahead of Gerald Ciolek. Not suprisingly there was no one from Lampre contesting.
Stage Results
Spoiler 1. Romain Feillu Vacansoliel 4h03'53"
2. Gerald Ciolek Quickstep s.t.
3. Pierpaolo De Negri Farnses-Vini s.t.
4. Fabio Sabatini Liquigas-Cannondale s.t.
5. Andrea Guardini Farnese Vini s.t.
Stage 4
In this stage, a two man breakaway manged to survive, and Roy Curver took the win over his Julian Sanchez Pimiendo.
Stage Results
Spoiler 1. Roy Curvers Skil-Shimano 3h32'50"
2. Julian Sanchez Pimiendo Caja Rural s.t.
3. Manuel Bolletti Colnapo CFS-Onix +1'13"
4. Romain Feillu Vacansoleil s.t.
5. Andrea Guardini Farnese-Vini
This man was the day's surprised winner.
It should be interesting going into tomorrows final stage
|
| |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 22-09-2011 02:01
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
GP di Insurbia
Before the final stage of the Giro di Sardegna, the GP di Insurbia took place. It was a one day hilly course with an uphill finish. This course favored Damiano Cunego, so he became the leader for the race.
The temperature was very cold, coming down to just 3 degrees celsius, so most riders wore light jackets. This temperature may have affected Cunego, becaue none of his attacks succeeded in the end, and it all came down to a final sprint for the line, which was won by Julien Antomarchi in a photo finish over Alexander Efimkin.
Stage Results
Spoiler 1. Julien Antomarchi Velo-Club La Pomme Marseille 4h18'10"
2. Alexander Efimkin Team Type 1 s.t.
3. Daniele Callegarin Team Type 1 s.t.
4. Wout Poels Vacansoleil s.t.
5. Luca Mazzanti Farnese Vini s.t.
Cunego finished just outside the top five in 6th place, but Antomarchi had a truly great ride
|
| |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 22-09-2011 03:00
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Giro di Sardegna
This stage was flat all the way until the last few kilometers, when it kicked up for the final climb. On that climb, Leonardo Bertagnolli took advantage of his strong early season form and shot out of the peloton. No one could catch him, and in the end he won the stage by over 20".
Stage Results
Spoiler 1. Leonardo Bertagnolli Lampre-ISD 3h59'48"
2. Enrico Gasporatto Astana +0'24"
3. Joaquim Rodriguez Katusha +0'32"
4. Giovanni Visconti Farnese-Vini +0'44"
5. Alexandr Kolobnez Katusha +1'12"
Overall Results
Spoiler 1. Enrico Gasporatto Astana 19h09'10"
2. Leonardo Bertagnolli Lampre-ISD +0'24"
3. Joaquim Rodriguez Katusha +0'36"
4. Giovanni Visconti Farnese-Vini +0'52"
5. Alexandr Kolobnev Katusha +2'08"
Bertagnolli grabs his first win of the season, and was just off getting the overall victory. Nevertheless he had a ride to be proud of.
|
| |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 22-09-2011 03:01
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Night Report
I am sorry to say that this is not a happy night report. Danilo Hondo informed our team tonight at dinner that this would be his last year of cycling. He's thought it over for a while, and feels that he's made the right decision. this will be a tough loss for us, because he is a strong rider.
|
| |
|
|
| kitface |
Posted on 22-09-2011 10:28
|
Domestique
Posts: 408
Joined: 11-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Really nice so far. Just one suggestion, maybe give us a but more info about Diego and how he is feeling, His upcoming races, if he'll be leader etc. Really nice though, good job. |
| |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 22-09-2011 21:07
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
@kitface thanks a lot its good to know I've got people who like the story, and thanks for the advice
|
| |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 22-09-2011 21:53
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
We've just finished February, and the second month of the cycling season was quite boring for me, to say the least. I wasn't in a single race! That may affect my form in the upcoming Paris-Nice, in which I will be Simon's right hand man. Simon has the leading role in this. Petacchi will be entering as well, and Premyslaw Niemec will also be one of Simon's biggest helpers.
The thing I feel I need to work on most right now is my time trialing. If I am ever going to be a competitive stage racer, my time trialing will have to improve quite a bit.
|
| |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 23-09-2011 02:26
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Here are the awards for the month of February.
Jerome Coppel won the rider of the month, and he deserved it, winning the Vuelta ciclista a Andalucia, the hardest race of February. You also could have argued a case for Luis Leon Sanchez. He only lost to Coppel by two seconds in the Andalucia, and he won the Mallorca. Yaroslav Popovich was also in the running, getting second in the Mallorca and Winning the Tour of Oman against the likes of Alberto Contador.
Robert Partridge, the young rider of the month, got second in the Tour du Var, which was enough to earn him the award.
|
| |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 23-09-2011 22:23
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Vuelta a Murcia
Here is a brief summary of the Vuelta a Murcia, the last stage race before the Paris-Nice finally begins.
Stage 1
Stage Results
Spoiler 1. Roger Kluge Skil-Shimano +4h06'17"
2. Juan Jose Haedo Saxo-Bank Sunguard s.t.
3. Theo Bos Rabobank s.t.
4. Julian Dean Garmin-Cervelo s.t.
5. Andre Scholze CCC-Popol s.t.
Stage 2
Stage Two Results
Spoiler 1. Vicente David Barnabeu Andalucia Caja Granada 4h20'18"
2. Constantino Zaballa Miche-Guerciotti +0'26"
3. Egoi Martinez Euskatel-Euskadi +0'26"
4. Christophe Le Meval Garmin-Cervelo +0'26"
5. Samuel Sanchez Euskatel-Euskadi +0'55"
...
15. Andrey Kashechkin Lampre-ISD +1'20"
This race was not set as a goal for the team, so there wasn't a particular strong lineup, and no big results were expected.
Stage 3
Luke Roberts won the 12 kilometer time trial slimly.
Stage Results
Spoiler 1. Luke Roberts Saxo-Bank Sunguard 14'00"
2. Rory Sutherland UnitedHealthCare Pro Cycling +0'04"
3. Levi Leiphimer RadioShack +0'05"
4. Vicente David Barnabeu Andalucia Caja Granada +0'06"
5. Brett Lancaster Garmin-Cervelo +0'08"
Overall Results
Spoiler 1. Vicente David Barnabeu 8h40'21"
2. Egoi Martinez Euskatel-Euskadi +1'04"
3. Benat Inxausti Movistar +1'20"
4. Marzio Bruseghin Movistar +1'24"
5. Samuel Sanchez Euskatel-Euskadi +1'29"
...
17. Andrey Kashechkin +2'55"
After the final stage of the Vuelta a Murcia, the Paris-Nice was finally ready to begin.
Edited by Flash127 on 24-09-2011 16:37
|
| |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 24-09-2011 16:35
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
We've finally reached the 2011 Paris-Nice!
This year's edition of the Paris-Nice involves three flat stages, four mountain stages, and one individual time trial. A lot of strong riders will be present, most notable of which being Alberto Contador, who will be looking to defend his title. Lampre-ISD's team is centered around Alessandro Petacchi, who will be looking to win the green jersey competition and get a few stage wins.
Stage 1
The first stage of this year's Paris-Nice is flat, perfect for Alessandro to grab a win. We didn't put out a strong team for the overall, with Simon, Premyslaw, and me anchoring the team for the mountains. Petacchi is in the lineup so that he can grab a stage win and achieve the sponsor goal. He is in decent form, and his biggest competition will be in Andre Greipel. We believe that he can pull it off. We will see soon enough.
Stage one began calmly for about ten kilometers, before the first attack of the day was launched.
J. Galland of Saur-Sojasun and J. Sagan of Liquigas were involved.
These two riders were eventually joined by more and more riders, all looking to have a shot at the opening stage win.
However, the peloton was in hot purssuit, and the gap never reached more than two minutes. They were reeled in with still 70k to go.
the first dangerous attack came from Roger Hammond of Garmin-Cervelo and Sergeui Ivanov of Katusha. They moved ahead hard and fast with just 5k to go.
With 3 kilometers left, it looked as though the breakaway riders were going to get the stage win.
In the end, it was Ivanov who pulled away from Hammond and grabbed the stage, with the peloton closing in. Graeme Brown just edged out Alessandro for third, and I finished in the middle of the pack with the other Lampre riders.
Stage Results
Spoiler 1. Serguei Ivanov Katusha 3h35'38"
2. Roger Hammond Garmin-Cervelo s.t.
3. Graeme Brown Rabobank +0'38"
4. Alessandro Petacchi Lampre-ISD s.t.
5. Andre Greipel Omega Pharma-Lotto s.t.
6. Jimmy Casper Saur-Sojasun s.t.
7. Edvald Boassen-Hagen Team Sky s.t.
8. Mark Renshaw HTC-Highroad s.t.
9. Greg Van Avarmeat BMC s.t.
10. Robert Hunter RadioShack s.t.
...
40. Diego Ulissi Lampre-ISD s.t.
Overall Same as Stage
Points Competition
Spoiler 1. Serguei Ivanov Katusha 28pts
2. Roger Hammond Garmin-Cervelo 24pts
3. Graeme Brown Rabobank 20pts
4. Alessandro Petacchi Lampre-ISD 18pts
5. Andre Greipel Omega Pharma-Lotto 16pts
Ivanov is usually one who waits until the hilly stages to come out, but I guess he had good form today and saw it as an opportunity.
Edited by Flash127 on 24-09-2011 16:53
|
| |
|
|
| Flash127 |
Posted on 24-09-2011 20:39
|
Free Agent
Posts: 138
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Paris-Nice Stage 2
This stage is also extremely flat, and once again we will look for Petacchi to grab a stage win. Hopefully this time there won't be a breakaway that escapes. We'll be extra cautious not to let one go.
Very early on, there was a flurry of attacks. Riders were attacking left and right.
It seemed like everyone wanted to get into the breakaway. eventually, it settled down into a twelve man breakaway, the most dangerous being Peter Sagan and Nicolas Roche.
However, we were more careful this time, and we chased down the breakaway riders with still 100k to go.
As the riders were approaching the first intermediate sprint, Laurent Mangel and Alan Perez Lazaun attacked, and they managed to keep away for the first two spots. Alessandro outsprinted everyone else in the pack to take third, however.
As Alessandro drifted back into the pack, he told me that he was feeling great and we better catch the leaders so he can have a chance at the sprint victory.
We caught the leaders in time for the second intermediate sprint, which Petacchi won rather easily.
Unfortunately, we didn't have the energy left after all of that chasing to form an adequate chain, and Petacchi had a bad place to start his sprint. Meanwhile, it was Edvald Boassen-Hagen who outsprinted the others to grab the win.
Petacchi ended up in 7th place. Next time we'll be sure to have him attach onto a different team's train.
Stage Results
Spoiler 1. Edvald Boassen-Hagen Team Sky 4h31'36"
2. Greg Van Avarmate BMC s.t.
3. Robert Hunter RadioShack s.t.
4. Graeme Brown Rabobank s.t.
5. Jimmy Casper Saur-Sojasun s.t.
6. Enrico Gasporatto Astana s.t.
7. Alessandro Petacchi Lampre-ISD s.t.
8. Andre Greipel Omega Pharma-Lotto s.t.
9. Mark Renshaw HTC-Highroad s.t.
10. Gert Steegmans Quickstep s.t.
...
55. Diego Ulissi Lampre-ISD s.t.
Points Competition
Spoiler 1. Graeme Brown Rabobank 40pts
2. Edvald Boassen-Hagen Team Sky 39pts
3. Alessandro Petacchi Lampre-ISD 36pts
4. Greg Van Avarmeat BMC 34pts 34pts
5. Jimmy Casper Saur-Sojasun 31pts
Tomorrow maybe we'll send someone in the breakaway, and force other teams to do the chasing, and then Petacchi can instead stick the wheel of someone like Graeme Brown.
Either way, it was an impressive win for Boassen-Hagen. It should be interesting to see how tomorrow's final sprint stage turns out.
As for me, I've been feeling quite strong so far this tour, and maybe I'll be the one able to accomplish the sponsor goal of winning a stage.
Edited by Flash127 on 24-09-2011 23:04
|
| |
|
