Yeah, and funny enough that guy has to finish top 15 all the time. The good thing is, there's only 3 stages left. I guess it's Iranian flag I'm missing.
On day 8 I decided to withdraw Boeckmans from the race, as I will need him in France to help Burlakov accomplish my sponsor's goal in Paris-Nice, which is a stage win. I might get it on day 1 time-trial, but you can't be too sure. Anyway, Rasmussen is 2nd in points ranking (just behind Boeckmans), so he should be able to keep the green jersey, so no harm done.
Despite mountain premiums I didn't take part in breakaways, and again E1 was caught just 4 km before the finish line, and without Boeckmans I put all my hopes on Rasmussen, didn't really think he's gonna win it, but hopefully top 10. Then something strange happened, and my train got clear of the pack, and peloton wasn't bothered chasing it. They started on last 3 km, but it was too late, and Dane brought team another win.
His lead out - Michal Kwiatkowski came 2nd, with Rolland 5th, so surprising win for my team.
Selwink - I don't know. Quite few I guess, especially lately (I guess I got more wins last season alone than in first 3 years). However I was never tempted to count them. Ian - thanks. That's just some minor tour, plus green jersey stays in the team. I would need him more in Paris-Nice. Hopefully we'll be able to help Burlakov bring a stage win for the sponsor.
First thing I did was withdrawing Castroviejo from the race.
Castroviejo's engine failure.
As I was speaking of maybe fulfilling my sponsor's objective on day 1 of Paris-Nice, I forgot that I won't have any time-trialists for that, as all of them Kwiatkowski, Rasmussen, Castroviejo are still in Malaysia. I think it will be too late anyway, and I won't be able to register Castroviejo as tour starts tomorrow. Anyway, we'll see.
There was a strong breakaway group of 11 on day 9, so I had to sacrifice few of my riders to the peloton, but they were eventually caught 10 km before the finish line. With such a weak train as Rasmussen->Rolland->Kwiatkowski->Barton (also bit tired) I couldn't do any good. My sprinter replacement - Alex Rasmussen came 14th, and with one day to go he's only 16 points ahead of Sacha Modolo, who came 3rd. That means if he would do it again, they'll be all square, if higher - the green shirt go to him... so I guess no breakaway chases from me on the final day. Race was won by Tom Veelers.
Great, looks like I forgot to save everything I wrote, so one more time - briefly.
Last stage of Tour de Langkawi. Instead of just sitting on his... seat, and waiting for what Modolo will do, Rasmussen decided to tak part in breakaways in order to make it harder for him to get the blue jersey. He attacked first intermediate from the peloton with some other guy from Dexia (don't remember his name anymore), and lost to him, getting 2nd place and 4 points.
However he did much better on the second one, well nobody went for it really, and added another 6 points. Modolo eventually came 4th if I'm not mistaking, so there was no need for all that, because blue jersey would stay on Dane's back anyway... but obviously I couldn't know that. My best rider - Alex Rasmussen was 13th on that day.
Le Tour de Langwaki (2.HC)
Overall: 1st Rolland
Points: 1st Rasmussen
Mountain: 1st Rolland
Young: N/C
Team: 1st
That's probably my best tour so far, but it has to be said it's mainly because nobody seemed to care about it since it's interfering with Paris-Nice. I'm pretty sure it won't be that easy for the win there.
Edited by wroblitz on 15-05-2013 16:03
While my team was still fighting in Malaysia (well at least the part that stayed there to the very end) Pari-Nice started.
Lucky enough I was able to register Castroviejo for this race. Here's my full roster.
Coca-Cola
Maciej Bodnar
Kris Boeckmans
Valery Burlakov
Josep Cardo
Jonathan Castroviejo
Jonathan Monsalve
Arkadiusz Olszewski
Enrique Sanz
As I said before it's quite important tour for me, as my sponsor wants a stage win here. Well, it's only a 1-star objective, but still. Beause I was able to register Castroviejo for the race I thought maybe I will be able to do it on day 1, and 7 km ITT session. But when I saw names like: Phinney, Contador, Martin, Jungels and Sergent I knew it's not gonna happen. My rider was just 14 favourite for the race.
He still did quite well, finishing 4th. Race was won by Taylor Phinney, who I guess would be good to have (especially if my team stays American). Burlakov came 11th, and Olszewski with 72nd time of the day, was named best young rider.
It looks like I will have to look for a win on sole flat stage, unless Cardo will get something on hilly ones.
Edited by wroblitz on 16-05-2013 16:06
Second stage of Paris-Nice 2018, and my first chance to complete the sponsor's goal.
I have to say that I lost my hopes when I saw Peter Sagan on the startlist. In 2018 he's just unreal - a complete rider.
It ended up with mass sprint finish after 5-man breakaway group was caught 13 km before the finish. I formed a train, but instead of Burlakov I made Boeckmans my main sprinter, as he was in better shape and form on this day. For some reason Sagan stayed in the middle of the peloton and didn't take part in final sprint, so my main rivals were: Rowe, Bol, Roelands and Guardini.
Final sprint started. Burlakov gave Boeckmans some advantage, but then he was blocked by other sprinters, but finally managed to find some space and get the win for the team and sponsrors.
Third day of Paris-Nice was even better for my team. This time Sagan felt like sprinting, but he didn't get a good position, and eventually came just 5th. This time it was Burlakov's day, who despite being a lead-out for Boeckmans snatched a win, while Belgian came 2nd to bring Coca-Cola a double.
The good thing is, there's only 3 stages left. I guess it's Iranian flag I'm missing.
