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Cycling Team de Rijke - Taking over
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| Mico92 |
Posted on 29-09-2012 00:30
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Under 23
Posts: 53
Joined: 25-12-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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I'm finally done with the Tour de Bretagne . The six days in France didn't have the best cycling weather, but the wind can always tear a peleton apart. We managed to do it a few times, but our team just isn't strong enough to maintain the lead.
Stage 1
In stage 1 we went instantly for the polka dot. Pfingsten was the one that attacked and took a 6 point lead after the first stage.
With only 17 kilometers to go the breakaway group got caught and the teams with sprinters started to position themselves. We started to get Bates in a good position and that worked out fine, but unfortunately it was Pedersen from Christina Watches who proved to be the fastest man leaving Bates best of the rest.
Stage 2
Stage 2 was another almost flat race. Beukeboom was in the breakaway to defend our polka dot. At the last climb he had 20 points and Taciak (CCC) and Pfingster had 18. The jersey changed shoulders, but stayed property of Cyclingteam De Rijke. The breakaway group counted 5 riders and with 24 kilometers to go the fun was over. We tried to get everybody in front. Just when our train was starting to form at 14 kilometers to the line there was a massive crash. We only lost one rider there, but it was the one that couldn't be missed... Bates
We thought our stage was over so we tried to maintain the train and keep Augustyn on the front row. This succeeded, but the falling wasn't over yet. Only 3 of our riders managed to finish in the front group. These riders were Joseph, Augustyn and Schoonbroodt
At the end of the stage some riders were already forced to change their GC plans. 31 riders finished in the front group, 43 riders lost 2.20 minutes and the third group (including Bates and other riders from the first crash) lost almost 10 minutes. Best rider in GC for my team was Joseph with a 8th place.
Stage 3
Stage 3 was a flat stage. Nothing happened and we didn't make the breakaway group. While the sprint was prepared some riders couldn't keep up the pace. The second group counted 70 riders. Bates had his train going in full speed and started sprinting with 1 kilometer left to ride. It looked like he was going to make it, but Europcar's Pelucchi found some extra energy and accelerated hard with 0,5 kilometer to go. Another 2nd place for Bates. Because some riders lost contact with the peleton Joseph entered top 5. Dumoulin from Cofidis stays the race leader.
Stage 4
Stage 4 was a hilly one and didn't look like ending in a mass sprint. Bates choose to attack and wanted to gather some points for his green jersey.
The peleton didn't wanted to follow the breakaway and they had 8 minutes with 90 kilometer to go. While I was already hoping to win the race it was Joseph who decided to say hello to the tarmac. He returned just in time because the peleton started accelerating with 70 kilometers to go. With just 23 kilometers to go it was Bates who attacked on the first of three hills in the final. He managed to grab a small lead on his companions and when the big guns started to attack Dumoulin's yellow jersey a small group of 12 riders got away. Dumoulin countered perfectly and even managed to sprint to the second place. Augustyn ended 4th in the same time as Dumoulin, but this all hapened 53 seconds after Bates who had his first win of this tour. He also made the green jersey his own and leaded the KOM ranking.
Stage 5
Stage 5 was another flat stage. Main goal was getting Bates to the line, secondary goal was protecting the KOM jersey. The first one succeeded because Bates won the stage, the second one failed. A rider in the breakaway group gained a 36 point lead. Bates had lost the polka dot, but gained more points for the green one. Joseph spend a day riding in the lead, but wasn't strong enough on the mountain sprints.
Stage 6
The final chance to change something in the GC so Augustyn stayed at the front of the peleton the whole day. He was protected by Ottema who did a great job. Again it was Bates who attacked because he knew that he wasn't good enough to beat guys like Dumoulin on hilly terrain. Bates still had a 8 minute gap with Dumoulin so he was no danger to him and the breakaway could drive away. Bates won the mountain sprints and only had to make up 6 point. With only 14 kilometers to go it was Bates who attacked from the 6 man breakaway. Again he tried to solo to the finish but Dumoulin was in pursuit. Bates managed to win with only 13 seconds left. Augustyn ended 8th in the first group. Losing no time, but winning none either.
Stage 7
Stage 7 had some small cobblestone sections, but this wasn't enough to get some differences. Schipper and Joseph participated in the breakaway, but eventually became 14th and 15th. Bates won the peleton sprint for 16th place.
Team Results
GC
1. Samuel Dumoulin
2. Cyril Gautier 56'
3. Marek Rutkiewicz 56'
4. John Lee Augustyn 1.04'
5. Jonathan Tiernan-Locke 1.04'
KOM
Bates 2nd, Joseph 4th
Points
Bates 1st
Youth
Joseph 2nd
Team
Cyclingteam De Rijke 1st
I'm glad the team finally got a good form because of the races they did. The first months they only had 83 form because of the great amount of training but the lack of races. Now things are falling in place. I signed 3 talented riders to give my team a boost for next season. Tomorrow more and for now goodnight. |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 29-09-2012 01:03
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Fourth place is still a creditable result for Augustyn  |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 29-09-2012 07:51
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Bates races excellently. And Augustyn has a decent GC place  |
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| dienblad |
Posted on 29-09-2012 08:43
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3772
Joined: 10-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Good results in Bretagne!!
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| Mico92 |
Posted on 29-09-2012 09:59
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Under 23
Posts: 53
Joined: 25-12-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Here are my new signings. The two Polish riders will start from January and the Russian guy starts in August. I'm hoping that the Polish riders will be good lead outs in a year or two. The Russian guy will need to get me some stage wins or at least extend my sprinting train for Stroetinga.
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 29-09-2012 11:37
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Hopefully these guys will grow in to some good talents |
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| Mico92 |
Posted on 30-09-2012 12:40
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Under 23
Posts: 53
Joined: 25-12-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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We had 2 races at the same time. The first one was the Tour of the Gila (5 stages) which took place in the United States and started on the 2nd of May. The other race was the Ronde van Overijsel (2 stages) in the Netherlands which started on the 4th of May followed by the Circuito del Porto - Trofeo Arvedi. The downside was that both of the stage race were sponsor goals and so I had to split up my team. Tour of the Gila had 2 hilly races so I decided to send Augustyn to the U.S. and send Bates and Joseph to the flat Ronde van Overijsel and Circuito. The sponsor demanded stage wins in both races.
Tour of the Gila
I only selected a minimum of 6 riders for this race. Augustyn was my leader and all the other riders had to work for him. Pfingsten was the second best rider so he protected Augustyn while the other 4 riders took the lead in the peleton.
Stage 1
15 teams and a total of 84 riders started this Tour of the Gila so it was a small group. Jong Vlaanderen Cycling Team even decided to start with just one rider. Two riders jumped away and we decided to stay in the peleton. 4 man controlled the peleton and Pfingsten protected Augustyn just as it was decided on the team meeting before the race. As the final climb came closer and closer the four riders kept a nice pace and even accelerated with just 15 kilometers to go. With only 5 kilometers to go it was Pfingsten who launched Augustyn.
The only ones strong enough to counter attack were Craven, Richardson (both Team IG - Sigma Sport) and Deignan from United Healthcare but they just couldn't follow the unleashed Augustyn who still had a great form (94) after Tour de Bretagne. He crossed the line with a 1.55' lead. He also took the first polka dot and points yersey. Pfingsten came in 12th.
Stage 2
Stage 2 was a flat stage and we took our responsibility as race leaders. A 5 man breakaway was allowed to get some media attention, but we never let the gap grow over 4 minutes. With 18 kilometers left we decided to increase the speed and were hoping to get Augustyn a small lead before entering the last 3 kilometers. He attacked with just 5 kilometers left, but his lead just wasn't enough and he became 2nd behind Craven
Stage 3
The 3rd stage was the one I feared. A 25 kilometer time trail. Fortunately Augustyn had a nice lead after the first stage and he did beter than expected on the this stage. It took him 36.27 minutes which put him on the podium. 3rd place to be exactly. He lost 22 seconds on winner De Maar and 2 seconds on Deignan. The 4th place went to Van Poppel so it would have been a 1-2-3 for United Healthcare if Augustyn wouldn't have messed it up for them. Pfingsten took 5th place with the same time as Van Poppel. He climbed to the top of the youth classification.
Stage 4
stage 4 was the shortest stage of this tour with only 66 kilometers which had no hills or whatever. Things went exactly like the 2nd stage. we took our responsibility to lead the peleton in pursuit of the breakaway. Augustyn became 10th and nothing changed in the GC.
Stage 5
Tour of the Gila ended with another hilly stage. Cyclingteam de Rijke took control and guided the peleton in high pace to the final hilly section. Pfingsten proteced Augustyn as he did all day this tour and Augustyn was waiting in the front of the peleton to react to anyone who was standing in the top 10. Eventually it was Romero (6th in GC) who attacked. Augustyn followed and so did Deignan and De Maar. The 4 had a one minute lead on a second 4-rider group and with only 3 kilometers to go Augustyn took De Maar's wheel. When the sprint started it was De Maar who couldn't follow his leadout Deignan and Augustyn had to make the jump, but the gap was to big. Augustyn came in 2nd and secured his 3 jerseys.
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 30-09-2012 12:42
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Great riding from Augustyn |
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| Mico92 |
Posted on 30-09-2012 22:16
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Under 23
Posts: 53
Joined: 25-12-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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So the other team started in the Netherlands with the Ronde van Overijsel and went for a stage win. This race started with a short prologue, but our riders didn't do very well. Joseph ended 34th, Bates 39th and Ottema 42nd. They all lost 10 seconds to the number one.
The second stage was a flat stage. It was 201 kilometers long and there where no mayor difficulties. 2 helpers kept a good pace and the sprint was prepared for Bates. First rider was Ottema, followed by Joseph and Stroetinga. Another good launch, but Bates almost failed to win. He did win by just a few inches. He took some seconds with his 1st place and that gave him a 11th place overall.
The Circuito del Porto - Trofeo Arvedi was just like the last stage of the Ronde van Overijsel. No hills so it ended in a mass sprint. The same train formed with 16 kilometers to go and this time Bates took an easy win.
PS. The second rider isn't mine so I guess it's a bug that he's wearing the same shirt.
Team news
Shulyov managed to win the Tour de Berlin. He also won 2 stages.
Rasmussen proved to be a mistake. He's costing me € 66.000,- this year and i can't use him at all. He is suspended till May 2013 and not 2012 as I thought. I'm hoping that he can earn me some of that money back next season. |
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Posted on 24-11-2024 18:45
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 01-10-2012 06:59
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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That's an expensive mistake to have made..
At least the rest of the team's doing really great! |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 01-10-2012 08:02
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Lets hope Rasmussen makes up for lost time in 2013 |
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| wroblitz |
Posted on 02-10-2012 05:20
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 289
Joined: 27-12-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Taciak scoring mountain points for CCC brings some memories.
Anyway - very good tour for you (results speaks for themself). You're doing pretty well with Bates, even when he isn't winning. Bare in mind that 2nd place is pretty good result with such a sprinter. I like the way you pick tactic for each race. Keep it up!
PS. Sorry to say that (especially as Polish), but those 2 Poles are rather useless. I was also hoping that Russian sprinter will be bit better. Well, we'll see when his potential's reviewed. |
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| Mico92 |
Posted on 02-10-2012 12:43
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Under 23
Posts: 53
Joined: 25-12-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Just gonna learn from my mistakes. Next time I'll watch before signing free riders.
@ Wroblitz: Really hoping they are talented because they aren't very good indeed.
Our next race was the Lincoln GP on the 15th of May. This race had some uphill cobblestone sections. With the first section after just 20 kilometers we tried to break the peleton and it worked. The peleton fell apart in 6 small groups. Because we were driving the same circuit time and time again the cobblestone hill always caused panic. We kept a high pace all day long and favorites like Eeckhout just couldn't reach the first group
With only 40 kilometers left it was clear that only 30 riders could try to win this race, but everyone had to do a tremendous effort to get back in the first group. Everybody accept Joseph. With only 12 kilometers left to go he managed to attack and nobody was able to follow him. He drove solo to the finish line and got his second win of the season. Ottema also had a great day finishing 5th Tomorrow Cyclingteam De Rijke will start in the Royal Smilde Olympia's Tour
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| dienblad |
Posted on 02-10-2012 14:38
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3772
Joined: 10-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Good win in the Lincoln GP, with a nice tactic!
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 02-10-2012 18:29
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Great Win from Joseph at Lincoln |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 02-10-2012 19:55
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Brilliant attack |
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| Mico92 |
Posted on 04-10-2012 03:15
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Under 23
Posts: 53
Joined: 25-12-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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One of the last races my first team will participate in is the Royal Smilde Olympia's Tour. It was another sponsor goal. They demanded we had the yellow jersey for at least one day. The Olympia's Tour started with a prologue and had 5 flat stages and one more time trail. Perfect for sprinters so once more it was Bates who was the team leader. The plan is to only control the race and only attack in the 2 stages with the most points for the polka dot jersey.
Stage 1
The prologue with a length of 5 kilometers wouldn't make a mayor impact on the GC, but it will decide who will wear the first yellow jersey. The best rider against the clock was Jungels from Leopard - Trek Continental Team. Our best riders were Bates and Ottema. Bates managed to get the 9th place, losing 9 seconds to Jungels, and Ottema became 20th. He lost 16 seconds.
Stage 2
After the prologue it is now the time to make up some lost ground with seconds that could be earned at the line. The winner gets 20, second 12 and third 8. With that in mind it was easy to go for a podium finish with Bates. We didn't join the breakaway but we did lead the pursuit. The breakaway got caught and the preparations for the sprint could begin.
With just 22 kilometers to go it was Downing (Endura Racing) who fell. He was one of the favorites, but today he would join the sprint. A few sprinters followed our train and waited for the final burst, but Bates was to powerful for all the other riders and got his 12th victory of the season.
Stage 3
Everything except the length of the stage was the same. The picture should be clear enough.
Stage 4
Stage 4 had the first climb of the tour so the first polka dot could be earned. Augustyn succeeded and won the first mountain sprint so far. The sprint went the same as always. High pace, long sprint, same winner : Bates. Downing recovered from his crash in stage 2 and got the 2nd place, Van Hoff ended 3th.
Stage 5
Stage 5 was a short one. Just 110 kilometers and one mountain sprint after 20 kilometers. Again it was Augustyn who proved that he was the best uphill. Bates got launched by Ottema and Joseph again and secured his position in the GC.
Stage 6
Another short time trail. This time it's a 12 kilometer ride and again it is Jungels who is the favourite. He managed to win the stage and had a 16 second lead on the number 2. Our best man was Bates. He finished 10th and lost 30 seconds. He still leads the GC.
Stage 7
The final stage was the most hilliest, but still not hilly enough to avoid a mass sprint. It did count 9 mountain sprints so it was Augustyn who got in the breakaway. Winning the sprints wasn't even hard for him. The breakaway existed out of 2 sprinters, 2 timetrailists, and 3 riders without a specialty. With only 8 kilometers to go the group got caught by the Cyclingteam De Rijke train. Another sprint was the result and Bates got his 16th win of the season. He also won the points jersey and GC. Joseph ended 5th in the last stage and 6th in GC.
These are one of the last races of this squad. Next month I'm hoping to see some good results from Stroetinga en Duyn
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 04-10-2012 06:47
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
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That was an impressive stage race. And what a nice lead-out train screenshot! |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 04-10-2012 10:04
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
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Bates just keeps going from strength to strength |
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| Mico92 |
Posted on 05-10-2012 23:07
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Under 23
Posts: 53
Joined: 25-12-2009
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7 new riders started in the Delta Tour Zeeland. Another race for the sponsor. Bring home at least one yellow jersey. To help the 7 riders I also selected Bates. He was in a better shape than Duyn and Stroetinga.
Stage 1
Like so many stage races this one started with a prologue. It had a length of 3,7 kilometers and with riders like Westra, Vinokourov and Löfkvist it was clear that I wouldn't get my yellow jersey after this stage. Bates had a great morale at the start and managed to get 12th place. He lost 7 seconds to Westra. Löfkvist became 2nd and Kelderman completed the podium.
Stage 2
Stage 2 was perfect for a mass sprint and with 20 seconds to be won at the line it would be a great opportunity to grab the yellow with Bates. However there were a lot of other great sprinters like Van Hummel, Sutton and Viviani so it would be hard to get the stage win.
Groenewegen attack early this stage and managed to win the only mountain sprint of the entire race so the polka dot was secured. After that it was waiting for the mass sprint.
It was Stroetinga who tried to get Bates in a good position, but that didn't work out completely well. Bates had to come from far and lacked power. Petit from Cofidis won the stage and Bates became 7th. It was a very close finish and if the race was 10 meters longer Bates would have been 4th.
Bates is the 2nd from above
Stage 3
Another flat stage and it was the last chance to grab the jersey. Bates had to win. A 2nd place would be 2nd place in GC.
It was Duyn who attacked. He managed to win 2 intermediate sprints and became 5th on the 3rd one. He climbed to place 11 in the GC. Again Stroetinga was the last lead out for Bates. This time he did a better job and Bates was able to sprint to 3rd place. Guarnieri won the stage and Rowe became 2nd.
With his 3rd place Bates also climbed to 3rd place in the GC. Groenewegen was already sure of his mountain jersey after stage 2.
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