@TMM: Well yes, that does tend to happen...
@Well, this is no normal 80hill puncher. I meant to add discussion on the end
@Nacho: You'll see...
A little update
After seeing the look on the manager's face, I made up my mind. I had to face the manager and see what was wrong. Well, maybe later, in the meanwhile I managed to avoid sticking around any longer... Anyway, I wouldn't be racing for a while. After my busy introduction, the next stop was the Ardennes, and on the way, Milan-San Remo. To be given a free role in such a race was a dream. I wouldn't have any practise races, as it wasn't much of an objective, so there weren't many expectations. Except those of the manager. He seems to think that I'm good for some reason, I don't know what gave him that idea, maybe it was my salary
Hello, Delfi is here again, for my next challenge of the season. The management were keen for me to ride a monument as practise for my role in the Ardennes. I am only riding the Primavera! This is great for a debut cyclist. However, even better, is the fact I have a free role. I'm telling you, the manager must be confusing me with someone better, they cannot expect me to do well.
Regardless of the high expectations, I spent a lot of the race enjoying the ride. I can ride a long way pretty easily, so the long distance isn't as bad for me as others.
In fact, I was feeling pretty good. The race was quick, but not explosive, so it was a sprinter's race. I helped the team by relaying over the climbs.
However, as always, one man could get away. Cancellara made his move on the Poggio and began a rapid descent.
I had set things up well for Bonnet, who glued himself to Sagan's wheel.
In the end it was too late, Cancellara took the Primavera.
A great result for my team mate, as I washed up at the back of the front group. My manager was happy for Bonnet, which meant he didn't notice me in the corner. However, one of the coaches did comment that I should've followed Cancellara. It seems this high valuation of my worth is a mixed blessing.
@Sutty: Yeah, quite similar to something he'd try in real life too I think.
Tour of the Basque Country
This was again, just a warm up before the big Ardennes. The team was still relying on me for a good result though, for some reason.
Unfortunately, this was my view for much of the race. I was 39th on stage one, but lost no time to the winner Gilbert.
Stage 2 was a sprint, won by Hanzen for Sky.
On stage 3 I lost 2:33 on the winner, Quintana.
As I was already behind, I attacked on stage 4. I tried to give it a shot on the narrow roads, with Kenny Elissonde blocking the way a bit.
Unfortunately I was soon back in the pack
And then out the back. It seemed this wasn't such a great idea.
In the end I lost, 13:15 on Quintana, finishing 59th.
Elissonde was actually 22nd, only losing 4:26.
To be honest, stage 5 wasn't much better, Elissonde lost 6:45, and myself 8:52, as we finished 37th and 41st respectively.
I time trialled... Badly... I lost 2:41, and finished 126th.
Overall, I finished 47th overall, 22:47 behind the overall winner Sammy Sanchez. Elissonde was better, as he was only 25th, 11:30 down.
I was not looking forward to seeing our famously strict DS now.
Delfi,
We know it might seem early in the season but it's make or break time for you. So far your performances have been shockingly below expectation and frankly it's not good enough. You must Top10 at least one of the Ardennes Classics to keep your contract with the team. Anything less, even 3 11th places, will result in termination of your contract at the end of season period.
Our expectations were never that high of you, just the occasional stage win and Top25 GC result. But you have not delivered on anything set as a goal, whereas other members of the team have pushed above and beyond, even Mourey took a stage win here while you flounder down the back.
That is our position. We hope to keep you around but can no longer afford the costs of failure.
Delfi,
We know it might seem early in the season but it's make or break time for you. So far your performances have been shockingly below expectation and frankly it's not good enough. You must Top10 at least one of the Ardennes Classics to keep your contract with the team. Anything less, even 3 11th places, will result in termination of your contract at the end of season period.
Our expectations were never that high of you, just the occasional stage win and Top25 GC result. But you have not delivered on anything set as a goal, whereas other members of the team have pushed above and beyond, even Mourey took a stage win here while you flounder down the back.
That is our position. We hope to keep you around but can no longer afford the costs of failure.
Today there has been a big leak of information from the top of the peleton. FDJ rider Delfi Cervero has come under a great deal of criticism recently, and it seems his team has decided that enough is enough. The Costa Rican has been awarded a big salary, but so far the results have not been enough.
This is the message from new team DS, Mr Missile.
We know it might seem early in the season but it's make or break time for you. So far your performances have been shockingly below expectation and frankly it's not good enough. You must Top10 at least one of the Ardennes Classics to keep your contract with the team. Anything less, even 3 11th places, will result in termination of your contract at the end of season period.
Our expectations were never that high of you, just the occasional stage win and Top25 GC result. But you have not delivered on anything set as a goal, whereas other members of the team have pushed above and beyond, even Mourey took a stage win here while you flounder down the back.
That is our position. We hope to keep you around but can no longer afford the costs of failure.
There has been a range of opinions on the subject by various fans and commentors. Some think it is fair enough that the biggest disappointment of the season is under fire. Others feel sorry for the man who has become a cult legend in certain areas. It remains to be seen whether he will succeed, or whether this will be his first and last season at FDJ.
TheManxMissile wrote:
You could have written your own update!
Why change a winning formula?
Well, I was going to write a proper update, but I figured, especially eith Ollfardh's post, everyone knew the story already, so I just made a really lazy effort. I had a busy day today anyway, so there wasn't much point.
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
