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Michael Matthews - The New Robbie McEwen
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 30-05-2012 16:07
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Too bad about Oman. TDU was pretty good, though!
I love the pace of this story, btw! |
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| Zoom123 |
Posted on 31-05-2012 00:51
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 294
Joined: 21-04-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Yeah, i must say I too love the pace of this story! Good TDU but unlucky in Oman 
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| Porte |
Posted on 31-05-2012 03:23
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Stagiare
Posts: 247
Joined: 03-06-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Loving this story! Good luck with it.  |
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 31-05-2012 06:34
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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The field isnt as strong here so I have a really good chance at winning today. That will be the goal.
7 Riders in the break today.
We worked hard to bring them back. They did an even better job in getting me ready for the final sprint. I'm the 4th rider on the left here.
2km to go, Vermelfoort does a great job. I've got alot of energy left. Cardoso (the slower one) is to my left with Trussov on my wheel.
I'm in with a shot here but Cardoso (the faster one  ), Trussov and Boivin are coming up fast on the right.
Urtasun was the fastest today. I managed to come in 5th but I was hoping for much better.
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | Pablo Urtasun | Euskaltel - Euskadi | 4h33'03 | | 2 | Manuel Cardoso | Caja Rural | s.t. | | 3 | Filipe Cardoso | Efapel - Glassdrive | s.t. | | 4 | Guillaume Boivin | SpiderTech powered by C10 | s.t. | | 5 | Michael Matthews | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 6 | Nikolai Trussov | RusVelo | s.t. | | 7 | Jure Kocjan | Team Type 1 - Sanofi | s.t. | | 8 | Daniele Callegarin | Team Type 1 - Sanofi | s.t. | | 9 | Pieter Vanspeybroeck | Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator | s.t. | | 10 | Geoffroy Lequatre | Bretagne - Schuller | s.t. |
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 31-05-2012 06:49
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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So I have just over a months break before I get in the saddle to race again. The Hel van het Mergelland is a one day race which ill use to get back into some shape to begin my preparation for the coming months.
I'll have some small updates in the near future covering how we faired in the Pro Tour races this month. |
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 31-05-2012 08:33
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Success for Barredo at the "Primavera"
What a fantastic result for the team. No doubt Barredos biggest win of his career. Heading up the penultimate climb he rode on the front to bridge the gap to the leaders and then gapped the rest of the peloton, he then managed to open up a gap of a minute and hold on right to the line. Matti Breschel was patient in the group and sprinted to an 8th place finish, a great day for us.
The only other real highlight to note was the 6th place overall in Tirreno-Adriatico by you guessed it, Carlos Barredo. He's having a fantastic year so far. He also took the victory in stage 4 and came 2nd on stage 5. Gesink placed 8th overall.
Edited by Skippy17 on 31-05-2012 08:39
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| Vien |
Posted on 31-05-2012 08:35
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2322
Joined: 16-06-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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he rode on the front to bridge the gap to the leaders and the gapped the rest of the peloton and then managed to open up a gap of a minute and hold on right to the line.
I'm starting to love PCM more and more 
Good job
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 31-05-2012 08:38
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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2012 Hel ven het Mergelland
Todays stage is listed as flat but it's quite hilly throughout. If I have the legs at the finish I'll have a shot but today is about getting fitness back up.
The break of the day. It's been very wet and quite windy today as you can see.
They were brought back and it turned out to be a bunch sprint. I'm sitting toward the front behind Van Emden. The legs have been tested a bit from the high pace that was set but im gonna have a shot at this. Martens and Van Winder are also up here to contest.
As the sprint starts im sitting in 5th place when suddenly Hovelynck loses control of his bike and falls. This causes a chain reaction as Dumoulin also falls and Veelers infront of me is also about to go down. I don't know if I'll be able to avoid this.
Wow! I managed to avoid Veelers and continue on. There was a huge pile of riders that ended up falling. I was very lucky. I came out in 2nd with Traksel sprinting away to an easy victory. Van Emden to my left decided to sprint for the line but some of the other riders that came through are starting to catch us now.
I ended up crossing the line in 9th. Van Emden grabbed 5th and Van Winden got the better of me in 8th.
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | Bobbie Traksel | Landbouwkrediet - Euphony | 5h11'52 | | 2 | Tomas Vaitkus | Orica - GreenEdge | + 25 | | 3 | Yaroslav Popovych | RadioShack - Nissan | s.t. | | 4 | Lieuwe Westra | Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 5 | Jos Van Emden | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 6 | Andrew Fenn | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | s.t. | | 7 | Arnoud Van Groen | Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda's | s.t. | | 8 | Dennis Van Winden | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 9 | Michael Matthews | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 10 | Jérôme Pineau | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | s.t. |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 31-05-2012 08:41
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Another top ten for Matthew, keep it going, that win is just around the corner  |
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| dienblad |
Posted on 31-05-2012 08:49
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3772
Joined: 10-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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With a pretty disastrous fitness (68), a top 10 is a good result Hope your fitness level increases, so you can seriously compete for a top 3 or win in any race!
Like the story, also interesting rider to follow!
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 15:24
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Bot Agent
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 31-05-2012 08:57
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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9 race days for me this month beginning with the "Sprinters classic" Scheldprijs. I'll be a helper for that race to Theo Bos most likely. Then we head to Turkey for 8 days when I aim to get my fitness up for the Tour of California next month. |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 31-05-2012 08:59
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Skippy17 wrote:
9 race days for me this month beginning with the "Sprinters classic" Scheldprijs. I'll be a helper for that race to Theo Bos most likely. Then we head to Turkey for 8 days when I aim to get my fitness up for the Tour of California next month.
Have a Great race in Turkey and be sure to top up your tan line whilst your there
Edited by sutty68 on 31-05-2012 15:30
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 31-05-2012 08:59
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4505
Joined: 05-10-2010
PCM$: 900.00
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The Tour of Turkey is always interesting
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 31-05-2012 09:19
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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We're gonna try to setup a good result for Bos today but there is a strong field here today. Cavendish, Boonen, Boasson Hagen and many other top sprinters are here today.
Todays break. They have about a 6 minute lead on the peloton with 90km to go. Another group of 6 riders are 1 minute down on the leading group.
They were brought back with around 15km to go. Here we are with 12km left. The train we have is myself-Brown-Bos. I've taken the wheel of Cavendish for now.
I didnt quite have the legs today to stay at the front so Tjallingi has taken my spot. My day is done.
Turns out Bos didnt have it in him either and only managed to place inside the top 15. Cavendish takes the win.
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | Mark Cavendish | Sky Procycling | 4h20'55 | | 2 | Yauheni Hutarovich | FDJ - BigMat | s.t. | | 3 | Daniele Bennati | RadioShack - Nissan | s.t. | | 4 | Robbie McEwen | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | | 5 | John Degenkolb | Team Argos - Shimano | s.t. | | 6 | Heinrich Haussler | Garmin - Barracuda | s.t. | | 7 | Tom Boonen | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | s.t. | | 8 | Grégory Rast | RadioShack - Nissan | s.t. | | 9 | Gerald Ciolek | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | s.t. | | 10 | Arnaud Demare | FDJ - BigMat | s.t. | | 12 | Theo Bos | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 85 | Michael Matthews | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. |
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| muttisr |
Posted on 31-05-2012 13:51
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Stagiare
Posts: 178
Joined: 03-07-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Amazing story! Are you gaming atm or are you done with hole season? Just posts the story?
(looking at how fast you have manage to get so long in the season. |
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 01-06-2012 05:44
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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muttisr wrote:
Amazing story! Are you gaming atm or are you done with hole season? Just posts the story?
(looking at how fast you have manage to get so long in the season.
Thanks!
I havent finished the season, i'm writing the story as I play.
I only play the stages that has Matthews racing and I sim the rest. The only other races that i've played are Milan - San Remo and Paris - Roubaix. For anyone that was wondering how we faired in Paris - Roubaix. Cancellara won, Breschel finished 7th and Boom came in 8th. |
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 04-06-2012 10:23
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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The first of 8 tough days. Brown is in better shape right now and will be our main sprinter for this tour. I will help him as much as I can.
4 Riders break away today.
With 5km to go there are still 2 riders ahead with about 30 seconds. I have Brown tucked in behind me while I follow the train for Kittel. Brown says he's feeling pretty good right now.
We got blocked going around the final corner so we lost some ground. Kittel looks to have this one in the bag surely.
Not quite sure what happened to Kittel but it's Kocjan who takes the win from Guardini. I started my sprint fairly late because Brown chose to find another way through so I managed to come aross in 8th with Brown just getting me at the line to take 7th.
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | Jure Kocjan | Team Type 1 - Sanofi | 2h43'01 | | 2 | Andrea Guardini | Farnese Vini - Selle Italia | s.t. | | 3 | Kristof Goddaert | AG2R La Mondiale | s.t. | | 4 | Reinier Honig | Landbouwkrediet - Euphony | s.t. | | 5 | Julian Dean | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | | 6 | Daniele Colli | Team Type 1 - Sanofi | s.t. | | 7 | Graeme Brown | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 8 | Michael Matthews | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 9 | Mauro Abel Richeze | Team Nippo | s.t. | | 10 | Jesús Rosendo | AndalucÃa | s.t. |
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 04-06-2012 10:27
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Strangely enough I've been put down as an outside favourite to this stage with Sanchez listed as a favourite. The plan stays the same however. We set the sprint up for Brown.
I'll be wearing the white jersey today for best young rider, although im sitting 2nd in the standings.
Break of the day. They wouldnt survive. Another sprint finish.
3km to go. Brown fell back a little bit on the small climbs so we had to do a but of work to get back to the front.
I've done all I can. Brown has jumped on Faillis wheel on the left. Sanchez is going with him.
Kocjan takes his 2nd straight victory. Brown comes in 10th.
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | Jure Kocjan | Team Type 1 - Sanofi | 4h28'09 | | 2 | Reinier Honig | Landbouwkrediet - Euphony | s.t. | | 3 | Andrea Guardini | Farnese Vini - Selle Italia | s.t. | | 4 | Julian Dean | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | | 5 | Daniele Colli | Team Type 1 - Sanofi | s.t. | | 6 | Maxime Vantomme | Katusha Team | s.t. | | 7 | Kristof Goddaert | AG2R La Mondiale | s.t. | | 8 | Kevin Hulsmans | Farnese Vini - Selle Italia | s.t. | | 9 | Simon Geschke | Team Argos - Shimano | s.t. | | 10 | Graeme Brown | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 32 | Michael Matthews | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. |
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| tyriion |
Posted on 04-06-2012 10:27
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Sprinter
Posts: 1510
Joined: 29-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Too bad, maybe better teamwork will get you a win.
Check out my ManGame team here
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 04-06-2012 11:47
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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A fairly hilly stage. My fitness is getting better each day but for now today is a chance for our GC leader Sanchez to get a good result. I'll have a dig at the end myself if the legs are feeling good.
Wilco Kelderman rode off the front and went over the first mountain point with a 4'45 gap.
With 25km to go Wilco still holds a gap of just over 3 minutes. It will be close.
The gap came down very quickly on the small inclines. I wasnt able to stick with the leaders and will finish a few minutes down today. A group of around 25 riders will contest the stage victory today. Sanchez sits in 4th place as the final sprint started.
Final kilometre
A fantastic sprint by Sanchez to secure a stage win for us.
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | Luis León Sánchez | Rabobank Cycling Team | 4h14'36 | | 2 | Aleksandr Kuschynski | Katusha Team | s.t. | | 3 | Pavel Brutt | Katusha Team | s.t. | | 4 | Alexander Efimkin | Team Type 1 - Sanofi | s.t. | | 5 | Jure Kocjan | Team Type 1 - Sanofi | s.t. | | 6 | Reinier Honig | Landbouwkrediet - Euphony | s.t. | | 7 | Christophe Riblon | AG2R La Mondiale | s.t. | | 8 | Yury Trofimov | Katusha Team | s.t. | | 9 | Luca Ascani | Farnese Vini - Selle Italia | s.t. | | 10 | Daniele Callegarin | Team Type 1 - Sanofi | s.t. | | 24 | Michael Matthews | Rabobank Cycling Team | + 1'10 |
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | Jure Kocjan | Team Type 1 - Sanofi | 11h25'06 | | 2 | Luis León Sánchez | Rabobank Cycling Team | + 20 | | 3 | Reinier Honig | Landbouwkrediet - Euphony | + 28 | | 4 | Aleksandr Kuschynski | Katusha Team | s.t. | | 5 | Pavel Brutt | Katusha Team | + 32 | | 6 | Daniele Callegarin | Team Type 1 - Sanofi | + 40 | | 7 | Simon Geschke | Team Argos - Shimano | s.t. | | 8 | Francesco Failli | Farnese Vini - Selle Italia | s.t. | | 9 | Jesús Rosendo | AndalucÃa | s.t. | | 10 | Yury Trofimov | Katusha Team | s.t. | | 23 | Michael Matthews | Rabobank Cycling Team | + 1'50 |
Edited by Skippy17 on 04-06-2012 15:08
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