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In The Pursuit of Glory | Thank You!
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| HuDCC |
Posted on 24-10-2014 09:34
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good 3rd place on stage 4! I believe Martijn is ready to take some wins at Giro!
Thank you Andy for everything!
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| OZrocker |
Posted on 24-10-2014 15:54
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Good effort from the boys there, Rohan doing well against top-class opposition and the future of South African cycling on show for Team Europcar!
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| baia |
Posted on 24-10-2014 16:54
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Not being a natural climber, Martijn did good.. maybe he can finish Giro inside top40.. 
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Posted on 21-11-2024 20:11
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 24-10-2014 18:12
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@HuDCC: The 3rd was a complete shock, so Martijn should fair well if stages end in a small group
@OZ: Rohan was good, and will be leading in Italy. South African cycling looks like it has some good prospects, but sadly they will not be at Europcar for much longer...
@baia: Top 40 would be fantastic result in the Giro. It will depend on how he can fair in the very high mountains. Although, the 2015 route in game only had 6 big mountain stages so you never know what could happen
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 24-10-2014 20:20
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Giro d'Italia - The Preview
So here we are on the eve of the 2015 Giro d'Italia - my first Grand Tour. Defined on my Schedule as my second main target after the Ardennes Classics last month.
My build up to the race has been good, and I am happy with how my legs performed during the recent Tour de Romandie.
I have my targets for the race, mainly in the form of stage wins, and giving my recent form, that looks like could be a possibility.
The first Mountain stage comes on Stage 10, with the climb to the summit finish of Abetone. Will it see the real battle of the GC contenders, or will a surprise spoil the party?
Another big Mountain test comes on Stage 14, with 2 Cat.1 climbs and 1 Cat.HC climb over the final two-thirds of the stage. Have a bad day on a stage like this, and it could be goodbye to the Maglia Rosa.
Stage 18 into Prato Nevoso will be final chance for any GC riders to stake their claim for the Maglia Rosa. The climb to the Summit Finish could see a real firework show happening amongst the main contenders.
Just when you thought it was over, and it would be an easy ride into Milan, an Alpine ITT is what the riders will face on Stage 20. After a long 3 weeks in the saddle, tired legs will definitely be shown when alone against the clock. Will the Maglia Rosa change hands on the final stage before Milan?
  Rohan Dennis: Leader of the team in Italy, and he will be our man in the GC battle. He has performed well all season, with Top 10 finishes at Volta a Catalunya and most recently Tour de Romandie.
 Adrien Petit: Europcar's Sprinter in Italy, and he will look for stage wins and the Points Classification.
 Davide Malacarne: The main rider who will look after Rohan in the Mountains. Work as Super Domestique in his home Grand Tour.
 Martijn North: I will ride in a free role, looking for stages wins during the race, and maybe wearing a jersey during the first week.
Louis Meintjes: He will ride in a similar role to me, but target the overall KoM Jersey. He will be the man for the breaks in the Mountains.
 Bjorn Thurau: The third man who will have free role in Italy. Will look to target the break, and give needed rest to Louis and I.
 Yukiya Arashiro: Lead-out man for Adrien, but will have his own chance to shine if the finish suits his strengths more.
Christophe Kern: One of two Domestiques for the whole team, but will mostly likely work at his best when in the Mountains.
Giovanni Bernaudeau: The other domestique for the team, and will ride for the team on the flatter stages.
Edited by the_hoyle on 24-10-2014 20:28
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| HuDCC |
Posted on 24-10-2014 20:24
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Isn't it Stage 3 from Terracina to Maddaloni?
anyway, finally, I'm waiting for the Giro all the day! 
Thank you Andy for everything!
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 24-10-2014 20:29
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@HuDCC: I have changed it now Main Giro reports to come over the weekend. I am still unsure how to properly report them. Either in 3-4 stage reports, or in 3 1-week reports on the rest days...
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 24-10-2014 23:10
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Hope Martijn has a Great Giro  |
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| baia |
Posted on 25-10-2014 12:12
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Well, Martijn has good chances to finish inside top40, watching that route.. now he just needs good legs up there..
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 25-10-2014 13:41
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@sutty: Thanks 
@baia: The 2000 Giro route certainly works in Martijn's favour
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 26-10-2014 11:16
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This yesar's first rest day came just after 3 stages, but to be honest, after the last few days I was ready for it. I didn't know whether it was over exuberance, or it was just a lack of experience in Grand Tours, but I was not going to last for the entire Giro if I continued like this.
Of the first three stages before the first rest day, Stage 3 could be the one that might give the GC a small shake up. With a large number of KoM points over the stage, it could also give a chance to someone to take an early commanding lead in the Classification.
I started well in the Prologue around the city of Rome, finishing 23rd on the stage, 14" seconds down on Taylor Phinney (BMC), who pulled on the first Maglia Rosa of 2015.
Stage 2 saw me on the attack, stealing away on the first KoM climb of the Giro, taking maximum points. My first Grand Tour jersey would be the Giro KoM Jersey for one stage at least. There was small feeling of pride inside. I was joined in the break by Simon Clarke (Orica) and Mikhail Ignatiev (Katusha). Our lead was never given more than 4 minutes, and eventually I was the last to be caught with 15km to go. In the first Mass Sprint of the Giro, Elia Viviani (OmegaPharma) took the victory.
I was a little more conservative on Stage 3, as Louis Meintjes began his campaign for the KoM Jersey. Joined by Johan Vansummeren (Garmin) and Fabian Wegmann (IAM), he rode well to take the KoM jersey going into the first rest day.
I looked to the small rise with 5km to the finish as a possible launch pad for a surprise victory. I was only 11" down on Phinney and the Maglia Rosa, so any gap at the finish could put me in Pink.
I was caught going under the Flamme Rouge, but out the corner of my eye, I saw Arashiro sitting on the wheel of Moser (Cannondale). The Japanese Champion opened his sprint, and with all the big sprinters missing after the climbs, he comfortably took the victory! What a great way to start the Giro, and it meant there was a happy atmosphere is the team on the first rest day.
General Classification after Stage 3 | 1 |  Taylor Phinney | BMC Racing Team | 8h16'51 | | 2 |  Mikhail Ignatiev | Katusha Team | + 3 | | 3 | Moreno Moser | Cannondale Pro Cycling | + 4 | | 4 | Vincenzo Nibali | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | | 5 |  Jan Bárta | BMC Racing Team | + 5 | | ... | | 12 | Martijn North | Team Europcar | + 11 |
Points Classification after Stage 3 | 1 | Elia Viviani | OmegaPharma - Quick Step | 41 | | 2 | Moreno Moser | Cannondale Pro Cycling | 34 | | 3 | Yukiya Arashiro | Team Europcar | 27 |
KoM Classification after Stage 3 | 1 | Louis Meintjes | Team Europcar | 55 | | 2 | Fabian Wegmann | IAM Cycling | 43 | | 3 |  Johan Vansummeren | Garmin-Sharp | 26 |
U25 Classification after Stage 3 | 1 | Taylor Phinney | BMC Racing Team | 8h16'51 | | 2 | Moreno Moser | Cannondale Pro Cycling | + 4 | | 3 | Martijn North | Team Europcar | + 11 |
Team Classification after Stage 3 | 1 | BMC Racing Team | 24h50'50 | | 2 |  Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 15 | | 3 |  Sky ProCycling | + 15 |
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| HuDCC |
Posted on 26-10-2014 12:25
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good start for Martijn and the whole team!
Thank you Andy for everything!
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| baia |
Posted on 26-10-2014 12:44
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Indeed good start..
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 26-10-2014 16:10
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Martijn looking good so far, but there is a long way to go yet |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 26-10-2014 18:41
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@all: Thanks! It was only 3 stages, but it still a good start. Long way to go, so we will see The next report to come tonight!
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 26-10-2014 20:17
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Greatest Week of my Career
If I could have lived the perfect week on a Grand Tour, then I think I pretty much just have. On the first rest day, I sat 12th on GC, looking forward to a steady week before the Mountains finally announce their arrival on the scene.
Whilst the hillier profiles in during this week (mainly Stages 6 & 9) would be something I would really relish, the difficult finish to Stage 5 into Matera seemed to really jump out at me. Could I spring a surprise in Southern Italy?
I know that my legs were feeling good after the first rest day when it came to the sprint on Stage 4 in Scalea. We had hoped to work for Petit but a mechanical problem ruled him out at the end. I just followed the wheels at first, and as the sprint got underway, I went with them, finishing 7th, as Sasha Modolo (Lampre) took the win.
And so, onto Stage 5. The finish looked technical on paper, and it proved it on the road as well. Coming to the Cat.3 climb at the end of the stage, only 50 or so riders remained in the peleton, and it was not going to be the Mass Sprint finish the pundits had anticipated. Over the top of the climb, I accelerated enough to cause a gap and I didn't look back. Ten seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seceonds... The gap continued to grow.
I was counting down the kilometers, and I could see the finish approaching. I was going to be caught and this was about to be the best day of my career to date. I had a Grand Tour stage win, and to top it off the gap back to the chase group... over 33 seconds! I was going to be in Pink!
A single day in the Maglia Rosa would have made me happy, but I wanted to defend it, and see how long I could hold onto it. Stage 6 would be a challenge, and I would have to really fight to make sure that I didn't lose it. I finished in the main group, as Rohan finished strongly behind stage winner Jelle Vanendert (Lotto)
The finish in Vasto on Stage 7 was a Sprinter's Haven, and it was nice to have a day off after a tough couple of days. The team looked after me well all stage, and I comfortably finished amongst the peleton. Moreno Hofland (Belkin) took a comfortable win.
Stage 8 was meant to be another easy day, but sadly a very focused, and well-drilled Cannondale team had other ideas. the roads were narrow over the climbs, and it blow holes in the peleton. Coming into the last 15km, there were 26 riders in the peleton. Lagutin (Katusha) won the stage from the day's break, whilst I finished strongly in 3rd, gaining some bonus seconds in the process.
Strangely, on Stage 9 my focus changed every so slightly, as I turned from 'Defending the Jersey' to 'Working for my Leader'. Attacks from the favourites came on the final climbs on the stage, and I worked hard to chase everyone of them down. Yes, it worked in my favour, but at the same time, I wanted to make sure that Rohan was in the best place on GC before the big Mountain stage on Stage 10. Philippe Gilbert (BMC) took the victory, as I did enough to secure the Maglia Rosa going into the rest day and leave Dennis sitting 10th on GC.
General Classification after Stage 9 | 1 | Martijn North | Team Europcar | 35h24'36 | | 2 | Vincenzo Nibali | Astana Pro Team | + 33 | | 3 |  Rigoberto Urán Urán | OmegaPharma - Quick Step | + 49 | | 4 | Bauke Mollema | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 51 | | 5 | Wilco Kelderman | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | s.t. |
Points Classification after Stage 9 | 1 | Martijn North | Team Europcar | 99 | | 2 | Elia Viviani | OmegaPharma - Quick Step | 81 | | 3 | Domenico Pozzovivo | OmegaPharma - Quick Step | 77 |
KoM Classification after Stage 9 | 1 | Louis Meintjes | Team Europcar | 92 | | 2 | Simon Clarke | Orica - GreenEDGE | 88 | | 3 |  Kanstantsin Siutsou | Sky ProCycling | 48 |
U25 Classification after Stage 9 | 1 | Martijn North | Team Europcar | 35h24'36 | | 2 | Wilco Kelderman | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 51 | | 3 | Rohan Dennis | Team Europcar | + 1'00 |
Team Classification after Stage 9 | 1 | Cannondale Pro Cycling | 106h16'29 | | 2 | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 1'50 | | 3 | Sky ProCycling | + 3'09 |
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| HuDCC |
Posted on 26-10-2014 20:35
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simply - great...Europcar holding all the jerseys! keep that great work until the end of Giro!
Thank you Andy for everything!
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 26-10-2014 23:57
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Martijn is certainly a man with a mission , long may it continue |
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| OZrocker |
Posted on 28-10-2014 10:18
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What a great start, Martijn has already exceeded all expectations in the first 9 days!
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| calamada8454 |
Posted on 28-10-2014 10:40
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Great stuff from Europcar. Well done!! |
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