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Double Feature | THE END
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 24-12-2012 16:10
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Tour de France Champion
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Stijn is performing well in Argentina, lets hope he can hang on to that top ten placing on the GC  |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-11-2024 11:03
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 25-12-2012 01:35
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Very good so far. Keep it up Ian
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 25-12-2012 09:26
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
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JuanMotr: Sure it is. At the moment, everything within top 10 is brilliant. Let's hope Willy can do this in the mountainous terrain
sutty68: It'll be very hard, since there are three difficult stages coming up for him: 2 hilly and a TT. But he'll try, that's for sure! Thanks 
Jakstar22: Thanks a lot, I'll keep it up for sure Though today will be a little hard, since it's Christmas  (but that doesn't mean I won't try) |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 25-12-2012 15:20
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Ruta de San Luis - Stage 3
The first day where real differences will be made, probably. The weather forecast for today is looking good for the third day in a row. It's time to race!
The biggest obstacle of the day falls pretty early in the race. The real differences will be made at the final ascend. Which means the intermediate sprints might be possible to pick up for sprinters.
Thanks to my consistent results so far, I'm not that far down in the points classification. I chose the attack for today, targeting the intermediate sprint after the big hill.
Three men joined me: Turgot, Plankaert, Van Vooren. I felt partly relieved, since they wouldn't probably drop me on that hill. But all three of them have some sprinting capacities themselves, so winning the intermediate sprint wouldn't be too easy after all.
We reached the top with the four of us. Van Vooren had been bluffing so we divided the work between the three of us. It was time to go downhill, and then the sprint.
I chose Planckaert's wheel for the sprint. Unfortunately I came around him too late, only 4 points for me.
The peloton caught us and some attacks were launched. But by the final intermediate sprint, the pack was all together. I tried taking some points but the real sprinters got the better of me. Today was not totally fruitless, but it was hard and I'll pay for that tomorrow.
Thanks to Stijn's attack, we could lean back and relax, so to speak. I raced at the front all day. I felt pretty early on that I didn't have yesterday's legs, but I could definitely ride for a top 10 place, like Stijn yesterday!
When we caught the breakaway, some riders attempted to get away. When Carrara went, I decided it might be good to follow him.
Unfortunately we got caught, and the peloton remained in one piece until after the last intermediate sprint. Then I followed another attacked, launched by Bakelants.
But yet again a (smaller) peloton caught us. It would come down to a sprint and then I knew a top 10 place was out of my league. Westra made a formidable final jump and took the win, along with the leader's jersey. He'll defend it well in tomorrow's time trial, that's for sure!
Today wasn't all bad. I tested my legs twice and it was alright. Although I still hope to finish top 10 in a stage here in Argentina. Maybe tomorrow!
Result
| 1 | Lieuwe Westra | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | 4h19'30 | | | 2 | Jan Bakelants | Radioshack Nissan Trek | + 19 | | | 3 | Jose Rujano | Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela | + 27 | | | 4 | Vasil Kiryienka | Movistar Team | s.t. | | | 5 | Xavier Florencio | Katusha Team | s.t. | | | 6 | Sandy Casar | FDJ-BigMat | s.t. | | | 7 | Matteo Carrara | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | | 8 | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | s.t. | | | 9 | Oscar Gatto | Farnese Vini Selle Italia | s.t. | | | 10 | Fabio Felline | Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela | s.t. | | | (...) | | 24 | Willy Wouters | Lotto Belisol | s.t. | IanButler | | (...) | | 53 | Stijn Van Gent | Lotto Belisol | + 2'42 | IanButler |
GC
| 1 | Lieuwe Westra | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | 11h30'18 | | | 2 | Giacomo Nizzolo | Radioshack Nissan Trek | + 27 | | | 3 | Jan Bakelants | Radioshack Nissan Trek | s.t. | | | 4 | Frédéric Amorison | Landbouwkrediet-Euphony | + 33 | | | 5 | Arthur Vichot | FDJ-BigMat | + 35 | | | 6 | Jose Rujano | Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela | + 39 | | | 7 | Matteo Carrara | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | + 41 | | | 8 | Xavier Florencio | Katusha Team | + 47 | | | 9 | Fabio Felline | Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela | s.t. | | | 10 | Oscar Gatto | Farnese Vini Selle Italia | s.t. | | | (...) | | 32 | Willy Wouters | Lotto Belisol | s.t. | IanButler | | (...) | | 47 | Stijn Van Gent | Lotto Belisol | + 2'58 | IanButler |
Points
| 1 | Sébastien Chavanel | Team Europcar | 34 | | | 2 | Lieuwe Westra | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | 34 | | | 3 | Arthur Vichot | FDJ-BigMat | 27 | | | 4 | Xavier Florencio | Katusha Team | 27 | | | 5 | Giacomo Nizzolo | Radioshack Nissan Trek | 25 | | | 6 | Danilo Napolitano | Acqua & Sapone | 25 | | | 7 | Stijn Van Gent | Lotto Belisol | 25 | IanButler |
Tomorrow's a medium-short time trial. See you there!
Stijn & Willy |
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| Daggen |
Posted on 25-12-2012 15:23
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Sprinter
Posts: 1849
Joined: 08-07-2012
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BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT EVER!
ME SO HAPPY  |
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| JuanMotr |
Posted on 25-12-2012 15:37
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Domestique
Posts: 701
Joined: 29-07-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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nice brave effort from Stijn better luck next time |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 25-12-2012 15:52
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Daggen: Glad you like it so much I've got some time between brunch and dinner, another report coming up
JuanMotr: Thanks |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 25-12-2012 15:52
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Ruta de San Luis - Stage 4
Man, oh man! 32°C out, that's hot. For an individual time trial it's a nice day, but for Stijn there aren't the best temperatures.
Almost 20km, there will be some major differences, so let's hope those are to our advantage.
I was off first and rode a pretty decent time trial. Not much to say for me today. I really don't like it, riding alone so long. I bet the only time I'd enjoy it would be when I was winning the Ronde Van Vlaanderen on a 100km solo. Yes, I'd definitely love riding alone then. Otherwise not so much!
I actually had a much better day than I could've hoped for. Stayed upright at all times and even finished 30th! But Willy definitely did a great job today, I'll let him tell it!
An important date in my calendar, the temperatures agree with me. I can stand heat much better than Stijn can. Today will be about time differences. With the final hilly stage being tomorrow, a part of the GC will be decided today.
When I finished, I was a provisional 5th. By the time the race was over, I made the top 10, I was standing strong on the 8th place. Yes!
Result
| 1 | Lieuwe Westra | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | 26'58 | | | 2 | Gustav Larsson | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | + 13 | | | 3 | Manuel Quinziato | BMC Racing Team | + 15 | | | 4 | Marzio Bruseghin | Movistar Team | + 18 | | | 5 | Marco Pinotti | BMC Racing Team | + 20 | | | 6 | Mikhail Ignatiev | Katusha Team | + 26 | | | 7 | Markel Irizar | Radioshack Nissan Trek | + 28 | | | 8 | Willy Wouters | Lotto Belisol | + 35 | IanButler | | 9 | Jonathan Castroviejo | Movistar Team | s.t. | | | 10 | Sandy Casar | FDJ-BigMat | + 36 | | | (...) | | 30 | Stijn Van Gent | Lotto Belisol | + 1'14 | IanButler |
Looking at the General Classification that gives us this:
GC
| 1 | Lieuwe Westra | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | 11h57'16 | | | 2 | Gustav Larsson | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | + 1'00 | | | 3 | Manuel Quinziato | BMC Racing Team | + 1'02 | | | 4 | Marzio Bruseghin | Movistar Team | + 1'05 | | | 5 | Marco Pinotti | BMC Racing Team | + 1'07 | | | 6 | Mikhail Ignatiev | Katusha Team | + 1'13 | | | 7 | Markel Irizar | Radioshack Nissan Trek | + 1'15 | | | 8 | Jan Bakelants | Radioshack Nissan Trek | + 1'19 | | | 9 | Willy Wouters | Lotto Belisol | + 1'22 | IanButler | | 10 | Sandy Casar | FDJ-BigMat | + 1'23 | | | (...) | | 46 | Stijn Van Gent | Lotto Belisol | + 4'12 | IanButler |
With only one more hilly stage, I'm in the top 10 here. It would be amazing if I could keep it. The form is slowly coming and I'm starting to believe in it!
But wait a minute, I couldn't go to the hotel, I was wanted at the podium ceremony... Wait, WHAT?
This is definitely a very nice bonus and this gives me a new goal here. I will try everything in my power to keep this jersey, and Dennis (Vanendert) already told me he'd help me any way possible! My season couldn't have started better. Though, of course, we aren't home just yet!
Tomorrow is all about defending places, see you then!
Stijn & Willy |
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| SSJ2Luigi |
Posted on 25-12-2012 15:57
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World Champion
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nice result but Vacansoleil 1,2
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| Daggen |
Posted on 25-12-2012 16:00
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Sprinter
Posts: 1849
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Gustav Larsson FTW! |
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| juszta |
Posted on 25-12-2012 16:03
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Protected Rider
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Nice to see Willy in the White Jersey
Let's hope he can keep it! |
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| JuanMotr |
Posted on 25-12-2012 19:29
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Domestique
Posts: 701
Joined: 29-07-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Great! Willy is getting his first podium experiences. I think it´s not the last time we see him in young riders jersey
Edited by JuanMotr on 25-12-2012 19:29
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 25-12-2012 21:18
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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SSJ2Luigi: I know, they sent a strong TT squad
Daggen: Too bad Westra took his win
juszta: Hope so, too. 2 seconds is really close, it'll be a tough fight
JuanMotr: Probably not the last time. But the first time is always great and always special! Most important thing: he can already practice with the big champagne bottles!
Thanks for following, even on this Christmas day! |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 25-12-2012 21:18
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Ruta de San Luis - Stage 5
Another hot day here in Argentina, hot but exciting. Willy rode in his very first, and hopefully not last, jersey in his professional career, and that called for celebrations!
The stage's climax is the finale, short but steep. Not exactly Willy's specialty, but it'll have to do. The wind's pretty strong today so caution is the keyword to survive the stage.
My job today is fairly easy to describe and I'll use one photo to illustrate it:
The whole team voted unanimously to put all cards on Willy. We didn't come here with any expectations and Willy's white jersey seems like a golden opportunity to work for, with the entire team.
This morning I awoke because of a strange noise. When I opened my eyes, the door was just closing. I saw my shirt I was going to wear today with a single note spelled on it: Willy White.
As predicted, the wind could be a powerful ally or enemy today. The team was absolutely perfect, I can't thank them enough. They brought me to the front of the pack and protected me from the wind there. The peloton got ripped into pieces and some top 10 placed riders didn't make the split!
When the attacks started, I couldn't stay behind. There short hills aren't exactly my style, but then I better make it my style!
I managed to stay up front fairly well, but my energy was drained well before the sprint started. My only concern now was falling behind during the sprint.
Casar took a brilliant win, as he was the final survivor of the breakaway of the day. I didn't lose any time on my biggest competitor for the Young Jersey.
If everything goes right, the two final (flat) stages shouldn't pose too much of a threat to this jersey. But, then again, 2 seconds is a dangerous margin!
Result
| 1 | Sandy Casar | FDJ-BigMat | 3h54'12 | | | 2 | Giairo Ermeti | Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela | + 26 | | | 3 | Michael Schär | BMC Racing Team | + 34 | | | 4 | Lieuwe Westra | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | + 42 | | | 5 | Jimmy Engoulvent | Saur - Sojasun | s.t. | | | 6 | Jose Rujano | Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela | + 1'01 | | | 7 | Marco Pinotti | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | | | 8 | Jan Bakelants | Radioshack Nissan Trek | s.t. | | | 9 | Vasil Kiryienka | Movistar Team | s.t. | | | 10 | Sébastien Turgot | Team Europcar | s.t. | | | (...) | | 21 | Willy Wouters | Lotto Belisol | s.t. | IanButler | | (...) | | 47 | Stijn Van Gent | Lotto Belisol | + 5'38 | IanButler |
Let's see who missed the split and where I end up on the GC so far!
GC
| 1 | Lieuwe Westra | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | 15h52'10 | | | 2 | Sandy Casar | FDJ-BigMat | + 21 | | | 3 | Marzio Bruseghin | Movistar Team | + 1'24 | | | 4 | Marco Pinotti | BMC Racing Team | + 1'26 | | | 5 | Jan Bakelants | Radioshack Nissan Trek | + 1'38 | | | 6 | Willy Wouters | Lotto Belisol | + 1'41 | IanButler | | 7 | Anthony Roux | FDJ-BigMat | + 1'43 | | | 8 | Vasil Kiryienka | Movistar Team | + 1'50 | | | 9 | Mathias Frank | BMC Racing Team | + 1'52 | | | 10 | Mikhail Ignatiev | Katusha Team | + 2'03 | |
This is definitely looking good. Two more stages, two more days to keep my place or even move up more! I'll definitely stay alert, if this wind keeps its pace!
See you tomorrow, thanks for being here!
Stijn & Willy |
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| SSJ2Luigi |
Posted on 25-12-2012 21:22
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World Champion
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let's hope that the nickname changes to willy yellow in the future
(although that doesn't sound great)
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| FreitasPCM |
Posted on 25-12-2012 21:38
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8389
Joined: 08-09-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Wauters performing quite well. |
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 25-12-2012 21:39
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World Champion
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Go go zombie Stijn!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Daggen |
Posted on 25-12-2012 21:59
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Sprinter
Posts: 1849
Joined: 08-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Woohoo |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 25-12-2012 22:08
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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SSJ2Luigi: It sounds brilliantly to me
FreitasPCM: Indeed, thanks Though he's still missing power in the final kms.
Ollfardh: Technically he's not a zombie, but okay
Daggen: Thanks!
Sorry for going this fast on Christmas, but I'm really excited about this story and I can't let it go
A weird, happy, sad, happy again, weird stage coming up!! |
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| Jesleyh |
Posted on 25-12-2012 22:10
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15274
Joined: 21-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Great job by Willy White! I hope that he can keep his jersey
Feyenoord(football) and Kelderman fanboy
PCMdaily Awards: 12x nomination, 9x runner-up, 0x win.
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