@icksdeh,@Munique,@cactus-jack thanks for kind words, glad you enjoyed.
cactus-jack wrote:
Do you think you'll try something similar with a different GT or maybe a different rider?
I am unsure, it wouldn't be anytime soon anyways if I did. It's hard to get the motivation as I'm sure you noticed I was fatigued towards the end of the story haha, I don't know how the other guys who cover careers do it ! That's one concern.
Also my other concern is that I don't want to be too repetitive, I think a lot of the attraction of the story was that it was unique challenge and it loses its appeal if I was to keep taking riders that can't climb and trying to get them to win GT's lol. They also have to be a interesting rider like Gilbert, the only other rider I can think of that this kind of story could work is Cancellara (tbh I wouldn't mind trying ).
Is there another interesting 'short story' challenge though I could attempt ? I'm raking my brain but can't come up with anything, Cavendish to take the mountains jersey ?!? If anyone has any suggestions feel free to post them ...
But anyways don't except another story for at least a month minimum even if we find a good idea, I need recover haha. Final stage comming soon !
Very nice story, congrats I think that it would be more interesting (at least for me) if you tried something not so unreal (Cav going for mountain would be really unreal). Maybe Hushvod to go for the mountain, or something like that.
Waiting for the last stage!
- KoM jersey with a non-climber
- Setting a new record for most stage wins
- Get any jersey on the first day and try to keep it through the entire Tour
There will be some big changes in the GC as it's an incredibly tough stage today as the favourites look to gain some ... ahhh only kidding, it's Paris time ! Contrary to what I said on stage 20: technically it is possible for Gilbert to lose green with the intermediate sprint and all but he has a 49 point lead over Boassen Hagen. We'll just look to secure that and see what Phil can do at the end of the stage, who knows ?
The Stage
Beautiful sunny day as the riders ride around Paris and roll onto the Champs Elysees.
Best of friends Gilbert & Contador ride together as always ! The break today takes a lap approaching the finish.
It includes the usual bunch of misfits who have any energy left after this greulling tour. Omega Pharma Lotto rally the team for the final assault.
The sprinters launch themselves towards the line, who will win on the Champs Elysees ?
It's Alessandro Pettachi ! He edges out Chavanel and Gilbert who takes 3rd place. Boassen Hagen takes 4th meaning Phil takes green comfortably.
The race now over and one man is in yellow, and he well and truly deserved it. Contador punshes the air with triumph !!!
Gilbert steps onto the podium next as he is awarded the green jersey ! He waves to the crowd as his trophy is bought on ...
Not only did Contador win the Tour de France but we racked up a whopping 140 points in the mountains classement beating 2nd place Sanchez by 64 points ...
Robert Gesink was able to fend off the challenge by the french favourite Pierre Rolland to take the white jersey, a great result !
The team prize was picked by none other than Leopard-Trek thanks mostly to the efforts of the Schleck bros. Rabobank was 2nd a whole 24 minutes down.
************************************************
2011 PCM Tour de France !
This year there were only 10 stage winners, how very greedy of them, let's see who they were ...
The lantern rouge goes to Yohann Gene who stormed home with a time of 4"19"08.
Since we finished with 5 riders, did any teams finish with a full complement ? Only team managed such a feat and surprisingly it was AG2R. Conversely HTC-Highroad only finished with 3. Saxobank finished with 5.
Omega Pharma Lotto came in 17th in the teams ranking at +1"46"45. Movistar finished last at 3"13"37.
114 riders scored points for the green jersey. 62 for the mountains. 33 young riders finished the race.
How did Philippe Gilbert do compared to equally matched climbers ? The next best placed rider with 72 mountains or lower was Chavanel in 30th at +44"22. After that it was Vogondy in 55th at +1"11"52.
Speaking of which the rider with the poorest mountain skill to make it to Paris was Alessandro Pettachi with a lowly 64. Impressive stuff.
8th Place
Starting this challenge I had no idea how it would turn out at all ! Got to say I'm pleased with how it went - but there's always room for improvement
).
