Thanks Alakagom, I decided to post at a super quick pace while you were gone, just to make your life more difficult when you returned
Hopefully you like the Post Turkey - Present Results
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World Championships Road Race: Startlist
So the race, and the route are quite crazy actually. The race is ranked as a flat, cobbles race, but the only stretch of cobbles comes in the first 10km for about 100m. Not only that, but the stage is quite clearly not flat. Managers not paying attention to this will have lost out.
The obvious favourites would be riders like Cancellara, Gilbert and Ballan, but someone like Cunego or Pozzato cant be underestimated. For Sky, there are a bunch of hopefuls with, Uran, Boasson Hagen, Thomas and Flecha, so there is a possibility the world champ will be riding for Sky next year. Still I just cant wait to get this race started, so I'll cut this short a little. And as always enjoy the races, even in the awful weather. Edited by valverde321 on 19-08-2011 00:19
David's Plan:
The stage is quite hilly so I want to surive the hills, and then hopefully use the late downhill to my advantage and gain some time on the peloton there. I know I might not do that well but its basically my only chance of winning. Rollin might also be up there for Canada so we do have a fall-back plan.
Here is the BOTD. They have 7 minutes gap, with 120km to go, and the most significant riders in it are Peter Velits and Bozic.
With 100km to go, it began to rain, so the whole Canadian team moved up to the front to avoid any of the large pile ups.
Now with 30km to go, Peter Velits is the only rider still ahead as the rest of the break has been caught. Stijn Devolder went on the attack and made it up to Velits, but they were both brought back soo after, leaving it at a group of about 60 riders leading the race, Rollin, Meier and I were all still in there.
Then with 12km to go, J.A. Flecha went on the attack. It would be awesome if he won, but it would also really mess things up because he already said that this will be his last season of cycling. But now more of the favourites are following him, like Gilbert and Cunego.
That group doesn't really get much of a gap, but with 5km to go, Cunego makes a very brave move, and he seems to be getting a gap.
Now in the sprint, Cunego still has a lead, but Cancellara, Gilbert and Ballan are all right there, as well as Rigo Uran. Surely someone will pass Cunego.
But nobody can, and he takes the victory, and his 2nd WC victory in his career. Uran did finish 5th but in this kind of race, its 1st or nothing. I finished 73rd, which although it isn't the best result, I'm still happy, because I tried my best, and I think that as long as I did try my best, theres nothing I should be mad about. Now I have a week and a bit to prepare for Paris-Tours the last Sprinters Classic of the season and then its off to Japan.
Note: For some reason my last few pics didn't save, as well as it crashed so I had to take pics of the results. Sorry.
David's Plan:
Well I'm not sure how much chance I have of doing well staying in the pack, so today I'll probably want to get into the break. Its either me or Ignatiev who will get in the days break, which is a good situation for the Managers to be in. Lets hope I can deliver. After today I only have one more race day, so I hope I can do well in the late season.
Here is the BOTD, and no one too dangerous. I tried to get in the break, but Movistar didn't want me in the break for some reason, so Ignatiev tried too, and he wasn't let in either. As you can see the peloton is closing in with 40km to go and a 3 minute gap.
Literally seconds after the BOTD was caught, Jimmy Casper went on the attack, and got a huge gap. If he was gonig to win, he would have to go solo to the line with a 2 minute lead.
And then with 11km to go on the final climb Kreuziger used the hill as best as he could to try and bridge the gap back to Casper, but he couldn't make it.
Eventually Casper held on for the win, and Boasson Hagen came 3rd behind Kreuziger who held on to 2nd with his brave solo effort.
29. David Veilleux Sky Procycling + 1'08
As always Comments are Appreciated! Edited by valverde321 on 20-08-2011 04:00
Hello everyone, thanks for following, without all of you, this story would be nothing, so I have to thank you all for following and commenting.
After the WC's I've been resting a bit, my results were pretty good for me, but of course if I go next year I want to do even better. Paris Tours went pretty good, I finished 29th in front of a lot of good sprinters. The transfer news is really picking up, as I've heard there will be a couple new teams, as well as sponsors switching. Some say HTC will disband, and others say they might be joining in with another team. Its all really exciting, but I know for sure Sky will be there next season, as Sky ProCycling.
Ask David:
Mresuperstar wrote:
Question for David:
Can I ask another question?
And if so, which Sky teammate do you get along with the best?
Well I think Barry is a really cool guy, and since we're from the same country its always easy to relate to him for some things. Especially since we can both speak our Canadian French together. Of course how can you not get along with Geraint Thomas? He's really cool, but sometimes I think he likes taking video's of himself more than riding a bike
But nice question thanks,
And as always you can leave comments about my results, and feel free to ask me a question for next time!
Thanks everyone.Edited by valverde321 on 20-08-2011 17:39
Kreuziger 2nd in Paris - Tours... that can only happen in PCM! I like this story, it's an mix between cunego's Nerz story and mine about Philippe Gilbert. Looking forward to next season!
laidbackmarc wrote:
Kreuziger 2nd in Paris - Tours... that can only happen in PCM! I like this story, it's an mix between cunego's Nerz story and mine about Philippe Gilbert. Looking forward to next season!
I remember you attacked with Gilbert on the same hill Kreuziger did only Gilbert won, so it was worth a shot!
Yeah thanks, both of the two mentioned stories are very, very good, so its really nice to hear that. Of course I was happy to see your story continue today too!
*To all readers!!!!
I want to ask you what I can do to improve the story! I have already worked out a solution to have flags for next season, but I know I can improve my story writing in other areas so I'd like to ask which areas you think I maybe half ass, or could atleast do better so that the story can be more enjoyable to read. Should I put more reports on races David isn't racing in? More monthly rankings updates? More stat updates for David? Should I post the stats of the race winner like Squire does with Discovery? Any comments are appreciated, but I mostly want constructive criticism to see where I can improve because I know I can do better. Still telling me what I do really well, that shoudln't be changed is good too! Who knows if you tell me in time I will have time to try out some of the ideas on the final race of the season.
Thanks for taking your time to comment (if you do of course )
I really want some feedback as the interest in this story seems to be dying.
valverde321 wrote:I really want some feedback as the interest in this story seems to be dying.
First of all I thought I let you know that allthough I do not post very often, I'm a constant and pleased reader of this Also, I think that at the moment; with all the new PCM11 stories, it's normal that the older ones get a bit out of the focus. Maybe, when it became clear which new stories are worth to follow, people return a bit more to this, at least I hope so.
@ the improvement thing: I think some more race reports would be nice indeed. the ask David feature was a nice idea, imo all things that make a story unique are good. This is by the way why I didn't do the posting of the winner's stats thing. Imo, this was one of the special things about Squire's story, so I didn't want to copy it. But that's just a personal opinion
Also, I know that this is not very concrete, but I personally always like stories with a great, special layout, like Alakagom's new Sky story. I don't say that your layout is bad, but with some more graphical elements or so, it could be a bit more appealing.
Anyway, I hope you keep this one up although there might be not that ,any comments at the moment (but as you already talked about next season, I think it's no question that you continue).
Edited by cunego59 on 21-08-2011 10:25
I agree with Cunego59....but..... if motivation is down(mainly because of PCM11) in my opinion,this is a decision you must take....of course you should be able to play and enjoy PCM11,it´s great...we have only one year to play it..Edited by baia on 21-08-2011 11:18
@Cunego59 - Thanks, just what I was looking for. And you're 100% right about the stats idea from Squire, which is why I dont do it already, but obviously its a great feature, so I wanted to see everyones opinion. As always thats for the feedback, I have some ideas of what I will do so thank you very much. And hopefully you're enjoying your trip!
@baia- There's no way I'm stopping, and PCM 11 doesn't work on my computer Edited by valverde321 on 21-08-2011 14:57
Now this race means a lot to me, and last year, I had really good results here so this time I want to do even better. No doubt Nippo will want to do well at this race, as its the most important day for the Japanese team, so they've brought a really strong team. For our team, I probably wont be the leader since Geraint Thomas has decided to race here this year, so we will be working for him.
David's Stats (Update)
Race Report
The day was started with the riders setting off from Km0, how most cycling races begin. From there a group of 11 riders broke away. Almost 50km later (80km left) it was clear a few riders were stronger than others in the break and begin to create a gap.
Because of the constant change in gradient, the peloton has been split up into 3 groups, the lead group containing all by M. Barry of Sky, which has a lead of 47 seconds on the second Chase group at this point. Geraint and I, tell Beppu to go to the front to help keep this group ahead of the race.
It seems to work, as the breakaway is now brought back and joins our lead group. There's now 20km left and the group behind doesn't look strong enough to rejoin our group.
On the final hill of the circuit, on the last lap of the day, with 11km left, I decided to make an attack. At first it was just supposed to be a decoy attack for Thomas, but as I started the descent, I found out I had a gap of 49 seconds.
At this point it was just a time trial for me. I had to make it to the line first. I could hear my team director shouting in my earpiece but I was just tuning him out anyway.
I went inside the final km, and the road started to kick up again. My legs were really hurting, but I had to keep going. Staf Scheirlinckx attacked behind me, and he was rapidly gaining on me. But I knew I had the win as long as I kept going.
And I did it! One win all season, no wins until the final day. I coudln't have finished the season off any better! Hopefully this gets me some leadership opportunities for next season!
laidbackmarc wrote:
I am tired of bananas so I will give you a cucumber, hope you like it:
I like cucumbers more than bananas!!
Feedback: Well, before the Japan cup, I wanted to say that I like the story, but missed the thrill of getting a chance for a win. A story is always much more fun to follow. when you can expect good results.
And right after I thought that, you won!! So now I'm thinking you'll win a classic and a race like Romandie or Vuelta Catalunya next year
I think your writing style is very good, love reading it, just like the amount of text and screenshots. Keep continue!
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012 PCM.Daily NHL Prediction Game Champion: 2013 PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
I like this story, it's an mix between cunego's Nerz story and mine about Philippe Gilbert. Looking forward to next season!
