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EPIC - World Championships 2013
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| Shonak |
Posted on 23-11-2014 00:18
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
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Catch the preview on the previous page if you like. Also, if your nation fields 9 riders, please de-select one of them for the Men & U23 Road Race. 
U23 World Championships Time Trial
It’s a beautiful, sunny day in the Tuscany and Erik McDermott, the cobble specialist from Denmark, is the first to launch from the starting ramp into the race. A decent season is behind the classic rider. He is some great stamina and a talent for rough surfaces but his Time Trial qualities don’t hold up to what his great engine may promise.
Afterwards Sinkeldam and Warbasse launch. Gorka Nieve is the fourth rider to get into the race. The Basque Moustache isn’t a Time Trialist at all but he surely will enjoy his time on the road to Firenze. Having scored some solid results in the Basque Racing Series and in the Österreich Rundfahrt, Nieve will move from Orica GreenEdge to Team Colombia at the end of the year. Of course, all roads lead to Euskaltel – Euskadi eventually for this young basque.
A very tall, skinny Christian Schröder will look forward to the little climb around Crono #3. Some good exercise ahead of the U23 Road Race, which should see him as a favourite and plays into his cards. The German made a good run of things and will stay with Europcar. After Po-Ding Kim’s departure, much will depend on Schröder’s success next season if the french team wants to stay in World Tour.
Tim Wellens, Johan Le Bon (surprise 2nd place Eneco Tour this year!) and O’Callaghan head next into the race. Owniak follows a bit later. The polish rider is a new arrival at BMC and impressed already in the Vuelta where he enjoyed a great run of things. Certainly one of the upcoming talents we’ve been talking about, Damian isn’t a Time Trialist though. Just like with Schröder, he wants to get some late racing kilometers so he’ll be at his top game come the U23 Road Race.
De Las Campos at the starting ramp: The Euskaltel – Euskadi rider has been a solid rider for the basque outlet, who are still hoping to avoid relegation. De Las Campos had some big hopes for the Giro d’Italia but major bad luck and some deficit in his hilly climbing & time trial riding put him out of contention very soon. Still, with multiple breakaways he definitely showed himself. Neither today’s nor the coming road race route suit him but maybe there’s hope for a surprise come the U23 Road Race. Yet there are stronger puncheurs around than him and for his tastes there’s probably too little elevation.
The fans cheer frantically for THE one CALZONE!! Girls want to jump in front of him because he’s so handsome, man want to touch him to get some of his sparkling magic… Yes, the Calzone rides here in front of his home crowd. The red carpet rolled out for the winner of a stage of Tour of Turkey and Tour of Hainan. What a stunning record this season….
Tuscany’s sun shines bright onto Hintermüller as he heads through a village. A great german talent, the MTN – Qhuebeka rider has already tasted World Championship feeling in the Team Time Trial. With some decent skills, he’ll hope to see his name higher up today than last time with his team.
French rider Mathieu Favre is likely to quit this season, this is somehow his swan song. Having been under some relegation battle with Orica GreenEdge, the pressure may have been too much to bear for him. Still, he looks like he enjoyed his run at the world elite and surely will follow cycling further.
Because FDJ.fr are really fed up with Delfi Cervero, the Costa Rican didn’t even get a national team jersey. Instead, he had to borrow Andrey Amador’s national TT jersey. Scandal? Well, Delfi is used to some mistreatment. The legendary smiter of all people, a fan favourite for many, had a crazy season of lots of ups and downs. Next year, he’ll be riding for Androni where he hopes to have enough time to develop into the world class rider people believe he can be.
Here’s Khamse Khamphan heading to the intermediate. Much like McDermott, he has got a true engine for pacing there but weirdly enough, he’s pretty terrible at Time Trials. Those young kids just specialize too much I guess. The man from Laos will enjoy another season at Europcar, where he hopes to finally get leadership at the spring classics. The man who is used to tough surfaces has been called an amazing talent for those races, he just needs some luck and some time to develop.
Jorge Cristobal Riquelme is one more rider who uses today as a training exercise ride for the real challenge come the U23 Road Race. He may be considered one of the favourites. Having some talent for long races and a great punch at climbs, he has good chances to keep in the favourites’ group and win a reduced bunch sprint. Unfortunately he lacks the teammates, but maybe some guys from Belkin help him out.
Uh, embarrassing… Christian Schröder is about to catch Gorka Nieve in the descent from Crono Checkpoint 3. But spoilers: Gorka Nieve manages to get to the finish line just ahead of Schröder, thus saving him from this little catastrophe.
Great ride by Le Bon, who holds currently the best time at every checkpoint and will get by far the best time at the finish. He even caught Tim Wellens. After Eneco Tour Le Bon is again a great selection for the Manx Missile. Let’s see how long Le Bon can hold the top spot.
Don't pick in your nose, Birtles!
There’s Heimdal Hägg, riding in the Swedish jersey. The man from NetApp Endura is ever so known for his attacking mentality but hardly recognized for his time trial talents. As such, he’s way down on Le Bon, but Hägg had a long season with many worthy performances of a Neo Pro. It’ll be exciting to see what’s coming in future seasons!
Alinejad will race next season for communist propaganda machinery Champion System. Maybe quite a perfect fit, who knows. The sprinter has little talent for time trials though, but may have the legs for a reduced bunch sprint, especially since he has some decent enough endurance to hold up in such a long race.
We promise Kakhi will get his real jersey next time, but there was apparently a problem with the laundry service, so… he’s all in this standard jersey for now. Alas, the Indian has some great talent for prologues but lacks the quality over a longer distance. He won’t be featured in the winning shots, so he could have ridden in his pyjamas too and nobody would have bothered. He’s certainly one of the favourites for the U23 Road Race, especially since he had lately some fantastic results and was numerous times featured in the Top Tens this season.
Another Danish EPIC youngster, Alex Fischer still looks for a contract. Well, if he performs here, the 18 year old surely wouldn’t have to wait for long. Unfortunately, his time trial isn’t quite the best but maybe it’ll be better in the Road Race.
Already about a minute down on his Enecou Tour partner in crime Johan Le Bon, Richard Löwenherz rides still a solid race. Since he’s a surprise late call for nomination, he may lack a bit the racing form he would have like to have but the Austrian is a true fighter spirit and will race every event in a serious manner.
Great news on the epic youngster front! Drago Di Silvestro just passed the first checkpoint and is the first rider to beat Le Bon’s intermediate time there. Di Silvestro is known to be decent in time trials but it seems like today he is in top shape and has prepared himself real good. We’ll see what else is in store for the Italian on the upcoming kilometers and once the favourites pass through, for now he should know he is on a good way.
There’s Nokkavson, the exotic rider from Iceland. He could have followed Europcar to World Tour, but he thought that another year on pro continental level is the better solution for him. In such a manner, he has signed with CCC for next year and will look for some good opportunities of his own. Being a decent stage racer, he might end up with a race victory soon. So far his time trials will need some improvement though.
We get word from the four favourites now. Di Silvestro’s time at the first intermediate checkpoint has been beat by Pennarossa by 10 seconds. Birtles shortly thereafter achieves the equal time to San Marinese. But both get distanced later by Durbridge, who is 9 seconds ahead of them. Po-Ding Kim is the last one to pass the intermediate checkpoint, setting a new best time then. 4 seconds ahead of Durbridge. Everything is very close together.
Thomas Schwabe likes to see himself as the next Jan Ullrich and if you doubt is amazing talent, you are in to swallow his arrogance whole. But today he shows that he is able to let deeds follow his words. At the first intermediate he’s 8th and he looks like he can only improve from here on out. We see Peter Luttenberger somehow partying hard cuz he’s so happy that he signed this youngster... or maybe, he just likes to get wasted.
Christian Muriel is seen here taking on the climb up to Crono Checkpoint Numero 3. The Colombian may not be yet in his natural habitat but well, as soon as the road goes up he’s definitely in his element. With one minute margin on Po-Ding Kim at the first intermediate, Muriel highlights his abilities in the fight against the clock.
Next season he’ll be heading up mountains for Giant-Shimano. But for now Pierre de La Montagne rides for France in this UCI U23 TT World Championship race. The French really does a good job. 8 seconds down on Di Silvestro at the second intermediate for now and with the incoming climb, he may has the chance of gaining some additional ranks
Now as if Kakhi wasn’t enough, Pennarossa is riding in some radioshack jersey under San Marino’s flag. Weird weird. We’ll have to look into this and well, I hope the laundry service is forgiven. Looking at Pennarossa’s time, there’s anyway no reason to be mad. He takes a clear best time at the second intermediate, way ahead of the competition for now. But will it stay that way?
Britain’s next big time trial wonder, Jordan Birtles, proves his talent. He sets the new best time just ahead of the climb. He’s in the fight for the podium spots, 2 seconds faster than Pennarossa. Additionally he should have the upper hand against the San Marinese in the following climb. The winner of the Tour of Denmark is full of confidence and a possible medal will make his upcoming to Garmin-Sharp all the sweeter.
With Kim having crossed the line at the second intermediate, we can officially publish the results there. Kim seems on his way to win gold. 12 seconds ahead of Durbridge should be enough for the North Korean, especially since he’s the superior climbing. This must be like shooting ducks in a barrel for the giant communist. Britles meanwhile will look to fight for bronze.
The fights are all over the place. De La Montagne shows what’s possible by setting a new best time up top, 8 seconds ahead of Di Silvestro. Looks like the French will be about to finish 5th at least.
10 more kilometers for Durbridge as heads up Crono Checkpoint 3. He’s clearly exhausted from the climbing and the long fight, but the silver medal is all but certain for the Aussie. He may even has not yet given up on Gold since he’s far superior in downhill compared to Po-Ding Kim, but that’s a distant hope at best. Still, he can be proud of his ride nonetheless, there’s only so much you can do against a mutant like Kim.
Kim is trenching the field on his way to Gold. 39 seconds onto Durbridge, no competition left. Birtles succeeds at keeping his time margin under a minute and seems to be successfully going for bronze there. Pennarossa and De La Montagne with some great rides will look to complete Top 5.
It’s certain now. At the Nelson Mandela Forum, a symbol of the fight for freedom, North Korea’s most loyal son and second best cyclist behind the great leader, Po-Ding Kim, takes the first world championship gold medal for the country, in like ever? In any discipline? Or is this too much enemy propaganda. Truly outstanding performance even for him makes this all seem far too easy for Kim. In such a form he will be even a candidate for the Men’s TT Gold.
Congratulations once again to Kim, Durbridge and Birtles. The young british rider increases Great Britain’s medal count to two, whilst Durbridge may consildate a bit for Orica’s weak TTT performance. Special mentions to De La Montagne, Favre and Le Bon who were together well enough to beat Time Trial nation Germany in the non-important Team Ranking. Meanwhile Tom O’Callaghan got even beat by the control rider. That may be a first.
U23 World Championships Time Trial
| Rank | Name | Team | Time |  | Po-ding Kim | North Korea | 1h08'04 |  | Luke Durbridge | Australia | + 38 |  | Jordan Birtles | Great Britain | + 56 | | 4 | Silvio Pennarossa | San Marino | + 1'08 | | 5 | Pierre De la Montagne | France | + 1'28 | | 6 | Drago Di Silvestro | Italy | + 1'33 | | 7 | Thomas Schwabe | Germany | + 1'57 | | 8 | Johan Le Bon | France | + 2'02 | | 9 | Julien Vermote | Belgium | + 2'06 | | 10 | Jesús Herrada | Spain | + 2'10 |
Spoiler | 11 | Mathieu Favre | France | + 2'15 | | 12 | Evan Huffman | USA | + 2'32 | | 13 | Josef Hintermuller | Germany | + 2'39 | | 14 | Jack Bobridge | Australia | + 2'44 | | 15 | Hugo Houle | Canada | + 3'16 | | 16 | Damian Owniak | Poland | + 3'22 | | 17 | Marc Goos | Netherlands | s.t. | | 18 | Mateusz Nowak | Poland | + 3'24 | | 19 | Christian Muriel | Columbia | + 3'25 | | 20 | Johann Nokkvason | Iceland | + 3'34 | | 21 | Christian Schroder | Germany | + 3'47 | | 22 | Ben King | USA | + 3'54 | | 23 | Cristiano De las Campos | Spain | + 4'01 | | 24 | Tim Wellens | Belgium | + 4'12 | | 25 | Richard Löwenherz | Austria | + 4'37 | | 26 | Larry Warbasse | USA | + 4'51 | | 27 | Bert-Jan Lindeman | Netherlands | + 5'00 | | 28 | Guillaume Van Keirsbulck | Belgium | s.t. | | 29 | Rajesh Kakhi | India | + 5'06 | | 30 | Heimdal Hägg | Sweden | + 5'28 | | 31 | Argiro Ospina | Columbia | + 5'30 | | 32 | Jorge Cristobal Riquelme | Chile | s.t. | | 33 | Ramon Sinkeldam | Netherlands | + 5'34 | | 34 | Alex Fischer | Denmark | + 5'38 | | 35 | Delfi Cervero | Costa Rica | + 5'39 | | 36 | Erik McDermott | Denmark | + 5'43 | | 37 | Gorka Nieve | Spain | s.t. | | 38 | Naveed Alinejad | Iran | + 5'44 | | 39 | Stephen Clancy | Ireland | + 5'52 | | 40 | Sebastian Lander | Denmark | + 5'57 | | 41 | Lue Khamse Khamphan | Laos | + 5'58 | | 42 | Carlo Calzone | Italy | + 6'01 | | 43 | Guillaume Boivin | Canada | + 6'19 | | 44 | Patrick Bosman | Tirol Cycling Team | + 6'53 | | 45 | Tom O'Callaghan | Ireland | + 7'22 |
Edited by Shonak on 23-11-2014 00:19
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 23-11-2014 00:27
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
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France very much the outstanding nation there. But as usual in a TT very few surprises with that podium... corupt UCI etc etc
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 23-11-2014 00:30
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
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Great win for Po-ding, but I got to say, an even greater report! I really loved it how all EPIC riders got in the spotlight at some point!
PS: He's not a mutant!
Edited by Ollfardh on 23-11-2014 00:31
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Silvio Herklotz |
Posted on 23-11-2014 00:40
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1246
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Very, very interesting read.
And yay because I'll have the U23 ITT WC in my team next year.  Well done, young Communist son, but I never seriously doubted Kim would fail that task at all.
So sad there won't be a jersey for him...
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| brewers90 |
Posted on 23-11-2014 00:46
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3711
Joined: 01-09-2010
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My word, Kim Jong will be firing rockets at South Korea tonight. Unbelievable scenes! Third is a good result for Birtles but of course it should be second really. Not sure Durbridge should be in this race.
And sorry about forgetting to remove Favre from the startlist. I did it for the RR but I must have missed him in the TT startlist.
Of course if I had removed him, who would have finished 11th...?
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| Bikex |
Posted on 23-11-2014 01:29
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Team Leader
Posts: 7255
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Awesome report! The winner is no big surprise. Kakhi in 29th is okay, now onto the road race where he'll hopefully get a medal and Löwenherz gets into the break. |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 01:53
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Bot Agent
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 23-11-2014 02:54
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Tour de France Champion
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Yay, Great Britain pick up there first Medal  , although a surprising Winner in Po-ding Kim  |
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| nacho63 |
Posted on 23-11-2014 02:56
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Sprinter
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Really enjoyable read Shonak!
Happy Pierre continues to show case his talents and Muriel in 19th isn't half bad. |
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| The Hobbit |
Posted on 23-11-2014 09:10
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2730
Joined: 18-08-2013
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35th, one of Cervero's best finishes all season! I'm glad to see gim get a mention, great report. |
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 23-11-2014 09:27
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Team Leader
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Brilliant report!
Resultswise I'm content with 20th for Johann and 10th for Herrada.
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 23-11-2014 09:39
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Grand Tour Specialist
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Good result for Turbo Durbo. No picture for the HQ though? Apart from that, very nice report
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| Shonak |
Posted on 23-11-2014 10:02
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Tour de France Champion
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Cycleman123 wrote:
No picture for the HQ though?
This is Durbridge. 
Edited by Shonak on 23-11-2014 10:02
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 23-11-2014 10:32
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Grand Tour Champion
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Great ride by Silvio, unlucky just outside the podium 
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| mvhoogdalem |
Posted on 23-11-2014 11:14
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Small Tour Specialist
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Without counting Durbridge, who should have been in the Elites, Silvio got a nice podium and Di Silvestro takes a top 5. |
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| knockout |
Posted on 23-11-2014 12:05
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Grand Tour Champion
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Okay, first of all: Delete Jens Voigt for the Elites RR and Matzka for the U23 RR.
____________________
What a report 
Good result from Schwabe and Schröder fulfills his expectations, too.
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| Paul23 |
Posted on 23-11-2014 12:32
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Grand Tour Specialist
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knockout wrote:
Okay, first of all: Delete Jens Voigt for the Elites RR and Matzka for the U23 RR.
Hey 
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 23-11-2014 13:06
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Team Leader
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For Spain remove
U23: Rubén Fernández
Elite: Haimar Zubeldia (though it pains me)
Edited by Atlantius on 23-11-2014 13:06
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| Forever the Best |
Posted on 23-11-2014 14:46
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3803
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Delete Anacona from Elites
The user formerly known as 'The Schleck Fan'
Gracias Alberto.
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 24-11-2014 11:55
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World Champion
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Still a few countries that need to delete a rider I think?
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| sgdanny |
Posted on 24-11-2014 12:11
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3591
Joined: 18-03-2014
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EDIT : nvm xD
Edited by sgdanny on 24-11-2014 12:21
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![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
