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Argyle Armada / Garmin - Slipstream '09
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| Silence |
Posted on 13-04-2009 09:45
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Stagiare
Posts: 203
Joined: 18-08-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Nice results and lovely reportin' 
Le'Sheep: If life's a bitch use a knife to get over it.
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| Goldberger |
Posted on 13-04-2009 18:31
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Domestique
Posts: 504
Joined: 14-02-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Yes, this is a good story, fun to read
Looking forward to Vandevelde rocking in the tour!!!! |
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| acornwell |
Posted on 13-04-2009 20:27
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Under 23
Posts: 57
Joined: 14-08-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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After two days, a longer stage is offered for the peloton which heads South into the state of Johor via Merlimau and Sungai Rambai. This undulating stage right from the start could take its toll on the bunch, prior to the first intermediate sprint in Muar.
After an hour or so a big break of 13 got away. This raised a few eyebrows as this undulating stage may benefit a break. Especially one of this size.
With seemingly every team except ours represented in the break the responsibility of controling the pack was placed on our shoulders. Ricardo, Lucas and Cameron handled themselves well and kept the leaders in reach the whole day.
As the sprint sets up, Chris has good positioning towards the front.
Bobbie Traksel (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team) grabs the stage victory as Chris was able to come across in 4th and stays in the top 5 in the GC.
Things are going to plan so far as we approach the Genting Highlands the day after tomorrow. Chris is sprinting well and Christian has kept himself in the main group through the first 3 days. The are two climbs in Stage 4 so the guys have their work cut out for them tomorrow. For now, it's time to rest and relax. |
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| Silence |
Posted on 13-04-2009 21:35
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Stagiare
Posts: 203
Joined: 18-08-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Ahh.. Bummer Petacchi's in the race, it'll be hard to get the first stage victory here then 
Anyhow I wish you the best of luck with Sutton. It doesn't seem you've picked one for the mountain stage? Not that you have to, just curious
Le'Sheep: If life's a bitch use a knife to get over it.
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| acornwell |
Posted on 13-04-2009 21:42
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Under 23
Posts: 57
Joined: 14-08-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Mike Friedman was supposed to race this tour but was feeling too ill to even start on day 1. (Actually, I forgot to click his name in the registration screen and didn't realize until it was too late, but I like the illness story better.)
As expected we don't have any favorites here. This was supposed to be a good opportunity for Ryder to showcase his talents but with his injury we have brought Magnus to fill out the team.
Alot of action early in todays opening stage. We decided to join the action just in case something came of it. We sent Kilian Patour out with Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R La Mondiale) and Pablo Lastras (Caisse d'Epargne) after the first climb of the stage.
It was a good decision as these three built a lead over the peloton up to 6'00". With 15 kilometers to go Lastras pulls away and from Nocentini and Patour as they have a 1'25" lead.
With 12 kilometers remaining, Kilian is leading the 2nd group whose lead has fallen to 50". Lastras is about 25" ahead of this group.
8 kilometers out and Nocentini drops Patour. He has held his lead around 45" and has closed in to 10" behind Lastras.
Nocentini can't reach Lastras and just under the 1 kilometer flag, Lastras is finally caught and passed by his teammate José Iván Gutiérrez.
Thor Hushovd (Cervélo Test Team) powers his way across the line in first place getting his 2nd win in as many days of racing this year.
A good showing by Kilian who seems to be in good form right now. We are at a crossroads with our strategy for this race. We feel that David or Daniel have a chance for a good showing in the GC. I am really wishing we had Mike to help the guys out. With the likes of Hushovd and Bennati in the race the sprints seem like a bit of a pipedream. We have a fairly flat Stage 2 ahead tomorrow so we will try to hold onto good GC position for now and see what happens on the uphill finish in Stage 3. |
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| acornwell |
Posted on 13-04-2009 21:47
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Under 23
Posts: 57
Joined: 14-08-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Yeah, Petacchi will make a stage win difficult, that's for sure.
As for the mountains, it is a situation where we are going to be in three tours at a time so I had to make alot of hard decisions about who was going to be where.
We will be racing in the Tour of California at the same time and that is a three star sponsor race so it is going to get my top guys and most attention. Christian is a 71 MTN so he should fare ok come the big climb. We'll have to see what happens. |
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| acornwell |
Posted on 14-04-2009 00:10
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Under 23
Posts: 57
Joined: 14-08-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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After a difficult third stage, the peloton is expected to enforce caution entering the longest stage of the Tour. If the opportunity presents itself we would like to send Cameron or Lucas to pick up some TV time in a break.
After the 2nd sprint there was still no established break. When 5 other riders took off, bot Cameron and Lucas followed and made what ended up being a 4 man break. Lucas stayed and did the work while Cameron laid low and had visions of a stage win.
With 12 kilometers to go, Cameron had managed to stay ahead of the pack, but they were closing fast. He was eventually caught just outside of 5 kilometers remaining.
Nico Sijmens (Cofidis, le crédit en ligne) edges Mikhaylo Khalilov (Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce) at the line for the stage victory.
We head to the big climb tomorrow. The guys are feeling good and are excited to see what they can do in the first big test of the year for them. |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-12-2024 06:36
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| acornwell |
Posted on 14-04-2009 00:47
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Under 23
Posts: 57
Joined: 14-08-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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A somewhat flat stage with a couple hills on it before the mountain stage tomorrow. The plan today is to get Danny into the break and get some KOM points before tomorrow.
Danny worked well today getting into the break and leading for much of the day. He was able to take all three KOM sprints and receive maximum points and will wear the jersey tomorrow.
The leaders were caught and the sprint set up with Magnus taking the wheel of Thor Hushovd (Cervélo Test Team) as we approached the finish.
Hushovd is handed his first loss of the season as Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) wins stage 2. Magnus did well to finish in 4th.
Great day for Danny Pate. He wants to keep that climbers jersey but will have a tough day tomorrow as we face 4 climbs on the day and the stage ends at the top of the final one. Martin and Millar are still within striking distance. If they are feeling good tomorrow it will be their opportunity to show their stuff.
Edited by acornwell on 14-04-2009 00:47
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| acornwell |
Posted on 14-04-2009 04:52
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Under 23
Posts: 57
Joined: 14-08-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Well, it's here. The big climb we have all been waiting for. The team has gone over the days plans already and they are just heading out to the sign in. Hopefully we will see slot of the Canadian National Champion jersey today.
As expected, the sprinters played around with each other through the first three intermediate sprints. Then, as the climbs began so did the attacks. Here, David Moncoutié (Cofidis, le crédit en ligne) gets the party started with the first move. 4 riders follow him.
As these first attackers reach the pinnacle of the first climb, they have put 1'45" on the group. Nobody is panicking as of yet, there is still alot of mountain to climb. Ricardo and Timmy have Christian well protected towards the front of the chasers.
With 7 kilometers remaining, Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes Farnese Vini) makes his move. Christian senses the danger in this attack and makes a move as well.
4 kilometers to go and a group of 11 has formed at the front. Christian has made this group and has reported that he is still feeling strong. Who will make the next move?
It's Di Lucca who is followed by Moncoutié and they go right by Mauricio Soler (Barloworld).
These two are side by side as the stage finish nears. Neither one is giving an inch.
Di Lucca proves too powerful for Moncoutié and takes the stage win and the leaders jersey. Moncoutié did a great job to show his strength attacking early and hanging strong through the finish.
Christian represents the team very well as he crosses the line in 6th place only 1'27" off the leader. Well done Christian.
Good day for Garmin. We came out here not really knowing what to expect and showed we can compete. Christian Meier I'm sure made Canadian fans proud to see their champion finish so well. He could not have done it without the help of aall his teammates, especially Ricardo and Timmy who climbed hard and steady to lead the way. Two stages left, both relatively flat, thank goodness. Now it's time to let the legs cool down and prepare for tomorrow. |
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| chrica04 |
Posted on 14-04-2009 16:54
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 853
Joined: 23-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Get Christian ahead of the guys at same time, and he could be 5th |
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| acornwell |
Posted on 18-04-2009 09:15
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Under 23
Posts: 57
Joined: 14-08-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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This is the only photo I have of the race. There was an issue with the replay and screenshots and this is all that's left.
As expected it was an exciting stage finish. Lots of attacks and counter attacks. We had David and Daniel ride steady to the finish and try to steal a spot or two with a very late attack. This strategy almost got us into the top 10 in the stage. The guys did well working for these two and really had alot of fun today.
Danny Pate picked up a few mountain points and retained his KOM jersey for tomorrow. With the GC so far away the new goal for the race is to keep Danny in this jersey.
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