The final of the Ardennes Classics, Liege - Bastogne - Liege is probably the most climber's oriented race of the three. Gilbert is prbably favourite again, but Cadel has a great chance. Vinokourov will look to defend his title, and if yesterday's race was any guide, he has a great chance to do so. Alberto Contador has arrived for the race, and will be a real presence in the peloton.
A very similar starting list for BMC, but Marcus Burghardt replaces Jeffry Louder, who has come down with a stomach virus.
The BOTD formed after 70kms and it was not too strong. It contained mostly domestiques, with the exceptions being break specialist Remy Di Gregorio and Benat Intxausti.
With 115kms to ride, Albasini and Nieve went off alone from the peloton. They gained about 2;00" minutes, before Omega Pharma started pulling them back. The main break had about 4'00".
The pack was caught at the start of the big climbs and with 95kms to race, the Liege was on!
The climbs were coming thick and fast, and although the group had mainly stuck together, it was slowly thinning out, and would seen be a favourites only group.
With 18kms to ride, Evans made his move. All the favourites followed.
On the penultimate climb, Gilbert attacked. Only Sanchez and Vinokourov could follow, as many others were left slightly behind.
The final sprint started, and Gilbert sped off and takes an easy win!
Cadel was pretty out of it on the last climb, and finished 8th while Greg van Avermaet sprinted away from his group to take 13th place, 20" ahead..
1
P. Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
6h53'38"
2
A. Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
+ 24"
3
S. Sanchez
Euskatel - Euskadi
s.t.
4
F. Schleck
Leopard - Trek
+ 1'00"
5
D. Cunego
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
Spoiler
6
R. Kreuziger
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'10"
7
J. Rodriguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
8
C. Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
9
A. Contador
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 1'21"
10
I. Basso
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
11
D. Martin
Team Garmin - Cervelo
+ 3'08"
12
R. Uran
Sky ProCycling
+ 3'21"
13
G. Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'36"
14
M. Monfort
Leopard - Trek
+ 3'57"
15
C. Horner
Team RadioShack
s.t.
Phillipe was so happy with his win, he brought out his little baby Alan Gilbert on to the podium, to bask in his glory!
Obviously, Gilbert and Vinokourov are a step above here in Belgium. They have been amazing, and although Cadel performed very well in Amstel, his results have been slightly dissapointing. These are not his season goals though, and after the Tour de Romandie, Cadel will only race once before he aims for TdF glory!
It has been great to write these reports, and watch these great races, but now it is time to concentrate on cycling, after the DS told me that I would be racing the Criterium du Dauphine, not the Tour of California. Cannot wait!
I have decided I will let cyclingnews.com now deal with all the latest news and results, instead of me rambling on about who knows what..
Rodriguez wins in Italia!
This years Giro d'Italia was one of the most surprising in years. Joaquim Rodriguez showed he is one of the world'd best riders by taking his first ever Grand Tour win! His overall victory was nearly overshadowed though, by the amazing ride by Euskatel rider Amets Txurruka who came in 2nd place. On Stage 13, Txurruka and Massimo Codol took the breakaway all the way to the line, gaining 13 minutes on the peloton, and setting up the Spaniard's terrific podium finish!
Rodriguez won stages 5, 6 and also had podium finishes on stages 7, 9 and 17. He lost about 3'30" on the final time-trial, buts still won convincingly over Txurruka. Nicolas Roche finished off the podium with a great ride.
1
J. Rodriguez
Katusha Team
90h14'55"
2
A. Txurruka
Euskatel - Euskadi
+ 3'02"
3
N. Roche
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 6'32"
4
E. Mosquera
Vaconsoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 7'36"
5
V. Kiryienka
Movistar Team
+ 8'01"
Spoiler
6
J. Rujano
Androni Giocattoli
+ 8'09"
7
S. Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 8'22"
8
I. Anton
Euskatel - Euskadi
+ 13'57"
9
M. Pinotti
HTC - Highroad
+ 14'38"
10
R. Porte
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 19'20"
11
R. Plaza
Movistar Team
+ 24'37"
12
L. Leipheimer
Team RadioShack
+ 26'11"
13
M. Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
+ 26'28"
14
E. Sella
Androni Giocattoli
+ 26'33"
15
T. Danielson
Team Garmin - Cervelo
+ 27'59"
King of the Mountains: A. Txurruka - Euskatel - Euskadi Points Jersey: J. Rodriguez - Katusha Team Young Riders: S. Kruijswijk - Rabobank Cycling Team
Also, Alberto Contador has beaten Rein Taaramae in the Tour of California, while Cadel Evans was victorious against Giro champ Joaquim Rodriguez in the Tour de Romandie..
The Criterium du Daphine is my next stop, and as the hand is 100% now, I hope for a great result! I need to step up if I want the DS to give me important roles again this season.
Finally, I'm back on the bike! The Criterium du Dauphine is were I start off again, and some big name riders are here!
The race starts with a 5km prologue and Lars Boom, David Millar and our own Taylor Phinney are the favourites!
Criterium du Dauphine
Stage 1 - Prologue
Saint Jean de Maurienne : 5kms
The first best time of the day was set by Geraint Thomas at 7'23"
David Millar could not beat the time, and was 1" off!
I rolled down soon enough, and coming off an injury, my form wasn't great, so I think a top time was beyond me, but I still gave it 100%.. Tim's time came in at 65th place, slightly dissapointing as he lost 35 seconds over just 5kms...
Taylor Phinney was BMC's top hope for the stage win, and although it wasn't his best day, he still came in at 3rd, behind Millar and Thomas.
Linus Gerdemann knocked Taylor off the podium, but Lars Boom, the favourite for the stage since he is an outstanding prologue man, underwhelmed, finishing in 5th, just behind Phinney.
Mick Rogers and Peter Sagan both set fast times, but Geraint Thomas still took the win!
Great ride by the Welshman!
1
G. Thomas
Sky ProCycling
7'23"
2
M. Rogers
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
3
D. Millar
Team Garmin - Cervelo
+ 1"
Spoiler
4
L. Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
+ 3"
5
P. Sagan
Liquigas Cannondale
s.t.
6
D. Zabriskie
Team Garmin - Cervelo
+ 4"
7
T. Phinney
BMC Racing Team
+ 6"
8
L. Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
9
A. Rasmussen
HTC - Highroad
+ 7"
10
M. Cavendish
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
...
165
T. Roe
BMC Racing Team
+ 35"
I had a mongrel day out there, and although it was great for Taylor to get 7th, the Directeur Sportif was quite disappointed with the whole team's efforts. Let's hope for some better results on the roads tomorrow and in the later time trial on stage 4, which happens to be the same TT that they will use in the TdF! A great preview of that ever important stage!
Stage 2
Albertville - St. Pierre de Chartreuse : 129.2kms
The BOTD was a 8-man group and contained Brazilian Champ Murilo Fischer, Aussie Adam Hansen and Gert Steegmans notably.
With 45kms to ride the lead was at 4'25". The first two mountain sprints were won by Fischer, while the third was won by Marzano of Lampre.
Back in the Peloton, Philippe Gilbert made his first move!
Team Sky and Euskatel were setting a ridiculous pace trying to cactch him, but Gilbert just wouldn't budge and held a 20" or so lead..
Gilbert is caught with 30kms, but attacks almost instantaneously and Mathias Frank is the only rider to react, joining the Belgian in front.
It was seriously cold out here, and after just healing from my broken hand, I hope I don't get the flu!
Gilbert and Frank were caught again, and surely the Belgian can't have too much left in the tank after two unsuccessful attacks!
The main break was caught with 8.6kms to ride, adn the final climb awaited us!
AG2R's David Le Lay, and Sergey Lagutin attacked, and amazingly, Phillippe Gilbert joined them! He is made of steel!
The breaks get nowhere, but an Astana rider attacks! It is Tiralongo! He has a small break, can he hold on!
Tim has fallen back one pack, and will probably lose a few minutes.
And as the climb begins, the pack splits dramatically! Paulo Tiralongo is alone ahead, as the sprint begins he hold on and takes a great win! Giro podium place finisher Txurruka takes second ahead Navarro of Saxo Bank.
I struggled slightly today, and took a disappointing 54th. Luckily I didn't lose too much time, and remain in touch.
This stage needed a veteran's touch, and Paolo provided that! His first win in 12 years!
1
P. Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
3h33'40"
2
A. Txurruka
Euskatel - Euskadi
+ 14"
3
D. Navarro
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
Spoiler
4
C. A. Sorensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
5
S. Joly
Saur - Sojasin
s.t.
6
C. Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
7
L. Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
s.t.
8
D. Le Lay
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
9
M. Rogers
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
10
D. Moncoutie
Cofidis, le credit en ligne
s.t.
...
54
T. Roe
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'47"
An okay stage for me, but I don't think my form is good enough to contend up in these mountains. I still gave it a crack though and as long as I make it to the finish line, I'm satisfied. Mathias Frank rode very well taking 12th, he is our new leader.
Tim.
Please feel free to comment and give any compliments or criticisims!
Wow,you have a very nice story here, i like all the graphical elements
Some weird results at Giro, probably an easy startlist?
Good luck with Tim, he looks promising.
Edit:You posted stage 1 from Dauphine 2 times Edited by Avin Wargunnson on 31-08-2011 10:41
@Avin Wargunnson Thanks for the comments, yeah, that Giro was very strange. The list was not too weak but many main contenders had low fitness. And thanks, I deleted the second post!
Hello readers,
Today's flat stage is the first of 2 in the Dauphine so riders like Cavendish should take advantage. I will try get in the breakaway, and maybe for fun, win some sprint points to lift spirits!
Criterium du Dauphine
Stage 3
Voiron - Lyon : 177.1kms
I started the race by getting in the break. It was quite nice out here, compared to yesterdays freezing conditions.
The pack was caught soon enough, but Tim attacked again. along with Europcar's P. Quemener and Movistar's C. Oyarzun. He won the sprint points uncontested.
They had a break of about 5'00" after 50kms of riding.
Our lead got out to about 6'00" but with 70kms left, HTC took control, and started to chase us down viciously..
Just when the riders looked to get comfortable, the scheduled rain started to pour, and a whole new race begun!
I was really tired after those two attacks earlier, and when the others decided to go it alone, I fell back into the peloton, and Yuri Trofimov took my spot in the break.
They were caught soon though, and the final uphill sprint was beginning. HTC had the only active looking train and Goss had Cav on his tail, and let him go with 1km to do his job!
Samuel Dumoulin was on his wheel though, and they were the only two in with a chance!
Cav was leading and Dumoulin went for it but the Manx Missile was too strong and held on for the win! His leadout Matt Goss recovered well too and took 3rd.
I was completely out of it and came in last place, losing 3 minutes! How annoying!
1
M. Cavendish
HTC - Highroad
4h12'58"
2
S. Dumoulin
Cofidis, le credit en ligne
s.t.
3
M. Goss
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
4
B. Bozic
Vaconsoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
5
G. Ciolek
QuickStep Cycling Team
s.t.
Spoiler
6
L. Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
7
P. Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
8
K. Fernandez
Euskatel - Euskadi
s.t.
9
W. Bonnet
FDJ
s.t.
10
G. Thomas
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
...
175
T. Roe
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'07"
Well, I am really not performing here, I guess I will have to wait until my form is up before I can compete in anything. I will do my best out here, but after losing those 3 minutes, all my motivation to win has vanished. I'll just have to push through it. I wanted to lift spirits, that was an epic fail...
@Housies Thanks for the support, He will bounce back soon enough!
@tsmoha Thanks, you are spot on, Tim is just going to have to recover!
Contador to stay with Saxo Bank!
2010 Tour de France champion and Spanish superstar Alberto Contador has signed a new deal with current team Saxo Bank SunGard that keeps him under Bjarne Riis' leadership until 2013.
The Spaniard, who is preparing for this years Tour after bypassing the Giro d'Italia for the Amgen Tour of California, in which he won, has said in a statement: "I wish to win all three Grand Tours with Saxo Bank SunGard. That is my career goal from now. I feel that the team here will best equip me for victory. 2013 is along time away, I will focus on my future then."
Also in contract news, BMC's young time trial specialist Taylor Phinney has signed for three more years and Liquigas - Cannondale's Sylvester Szmyd also signed a two-year deal. BMC is currently in negotiations with leader Cadel Evans, who has expressed his desire to remain with the Swiss-American outift. The team has been tipped to have a transfer bonanza later this year, and reportedly Phillipe Gilbert is their no. 1 target.
Aaaaah, the time trial. It's all about individual acheivement today, and as this is the longest time trial I have ever ridden, 40kms, and my form is questionable to say the least, I may struggle to set a good time. But hey, we have Taylor Phinney here, and a top-10 for Tay would be great. It's all about positive thinking the DS told me this morning, and that's what I'm doing!
Criterium du Dauphine
Stage 4 - ITT
Grenoble - Grenoble : 40.2kms
When Tim set off as the first BMC rider, Alex Rasmussen of HTC had set the best overall time of the day, at 1h'03'00".
I was feeling okay out there, but not great. I wasn't expecting anything special.
At the first timecheck, Tim was 1'06" off the pace.
The climbs on the course were pretty trialing (mind the pun) and the legs were stinging pretty damn bad on the top of the 2nd timecheck, where I was 1'57" off.. I sprinted to the line, and and up being 2'07" off the new best time set by former World Champ Pat Gretsch. A decent ride for me, but now it is up to Mathias Frank to hold his top-20 position, and Taylor Phinney to do what he does best, ride fast.
Phinney set off about 20 minutes after me and was looking sleek in his US Champs uniform, which he will defend in a few weeks at the USA Championships.
He was 1'12" off after two time-checks, but still had some left in the tank, and would surely finish fast.
He sprinted to the line, and was 7th, 15" off Gretsch. A good ride, he will probably lose his top-10 though.
Mathias Frank would have to ride well to hold onto his top-20 position. He is currently 13th in the GC, 51" off leader Michael Rogers, who will be out to win today on the ITT.
And Dave Zabriskie has ripped up the course, setting th new best time by 35" at 1h'02"10".
Mathias Frank had the unfortunate task of starting just before Geraint Thomas. Thomas was soon on his tail, and on the 2nd climb rode past the BMC rider.
Just as David Millar again bested Zabriskie's time by another 32", the ongoing war between Geraint Thomas and Mathias Frank continued, as the Swiss overtook Thomas on the final sprint to the line. A great effort by that man, and he finishes 68th, 2'45" off Millar's time.
And Michael Rogers is the last rider on the course, and after hunting down Paolo Tiralongo ahead of him, was looking good for a top time. He finished in 2nd, 16" behind Millar, who takes the stage win in a time of 1h01'38".
Phinney is 15th. Tim is 123rd.
David Millar adds this stage to his long list of time-trial achievements!
Final Rankings - Stage 4
1
D. Millar
Team Garmin - Cervelo
1h01'38"
2
M. Rogers
Sky ProCycling
+ 16"
3
D. Zabriskie
Team Garmin - Cervelo
+ 32"
4
S. Paulinho
Team RadioShack
+ 33"
5
L. Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
+ 39"
Spoiler
6
C. Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 49"
7
G. Thomas
Sky ProCycling
+ 54"
8
B. Grabsch
HTC - Highroad
+ 1'08"
9
A. Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'09"
10
S. Cummings
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'13"
...
123
T. Roe
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'30"
Overall Standings
GC
1
M. Rogers
Sky ProCycling
8h56'09"
2
L. Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
+ 26"
3
C. Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 41"
Spoiler
4
D. Millar
Team Garmin - Cervelo
+ 55"
5
G. Thomas
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'22"
6
D. Le Lay
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'25"
7
S. Joly
Saur - Sojasun
+ 1'28"
8
S. Paulinho
Team RadioShack
+ 1'39"
9
P. Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'41"
10
D. Moncoutie
Cofidis, le credit en ligne
+ 1'55"
...
101
T. Roe
BMC Racing Team
+ 10'23"
King of the Mountains
Spoiler
1
P. Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
20 Pts
2
A. Txurruka
Euskatel - Euskadi
15
3
M. Fischer
Team Garmin - Cervelo
15
4
D. Navarro
Saxo Bank SunGard
12
5
C. A. Sorensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
10
Points
Spoiler
1
M. Rogers
Sky ProCycling
46 Pts
2
G. Thomas
Sky ProCycling
38
3
D. Millar
Team Garmin - Cervelo
38
4
L. Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
33
5
M. Cavendish
HTC - Highroad
26
...
31
T. Roe
BMC Racing Team
6
Young Riders
Spoiler
1
G. Thomas
Sky ProCycling
8h57'31"
2
P. Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1'00"
3
B. Mollema
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1'19"
4
R. Sicard
Euskatel - Euskadi
+ 1'23"
5
R. Uran
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'47"
...
28
T. Roe
BMC Racing Team
+ 9'01"
A very demanding course this Grenoble circuit is, and Cadel will have to ride very well on these roads in July if he wants to wear the maillot jaune into Paris.
I did my best, and I only lost a few minutes, so I'd call it a mediocre day. Phinney's 15th was well deserved, especially since he is only 21! There are some real tough mountain stages over the next few days, and although I will just try to stay in the peloton, I feel I can really show something out there.
Stage 5 was another flat stage, and Cavendish, who was the unbackable favourite for the stage was pipped on the line by Samuel Dumoilin of Cofidis. It was a great ride by the Frenchman, and Cav was very disappointed with his loss I presume. All our riders finished firmly in the pack.
And after Linus Gerdemann crashed, 4 or his Leopard Trek teammates went back to help him out, and ended up never reaching the peloton again, and came over the line 9 minutes after Dumoilin crossed the line!
A great win for Dumoulin on his home soil!
Final Rankings - Stage 5
1
S. Dumoulin
Cofidis, le credit en ligne
4h19'56"
2
M. Cavendish
HTC - Highroad
s.t
3
J.J. Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t
4
B. Bozic
Vaconsoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t
5
G. Ciolek
QuickStep Cycling Team
s.t
Spoiler
6
L. Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t
7
W. Bonnet
FDJ
s.t
8
L. Boom
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t
9
A. Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t
10
B. Hermans
Team RadioShack
s.t
...
127
T. Roe
BMC Racing Team
s.t
Now, we're onto the real big climbs for the next three stages, and it will be very tough. Can't wait.
Today is when the real racing kicks in, and the climbs are starting to really get bigger, steeper and tougher. Our leader Mathias Frank will look to stay at the front with the leaders, and get as high a finish as possible. I am just a domestique, but my form is slowly getting back, and I will have some fun. After showing great form in the Ardennes Classics, Phillipe Gilbert and Alexandre Vinokourov have to be the favourites for today's stage.
Criterium du Dauphine
Stage 6
Villars les Dombes - Les Gets : 195.4kms
At the top of the first climb, Bazayev of Astana, who was in the BOTD with 12 other riders, took 20 precious points, but since 40 more were available today, the classification was still wide open. The break was about 3'00"..
Brice Feillu pipped Grischa Niermann to take the 20 points on the next climb, which was pretty fierce, averaging out at about 8%. The break was currently at 6'45".
As the peloton made it's way up the second climb, some gaps started to form, and Yannick Eijssen was the only BMC rider to start to fall back.
I was feeling terrific, and although I was not going for the win, I felt very strong and that I wouldn't lose too much time out there!
At the end of the penultimate climb, the group had split into several groups and Taylor Phinney was the next casualty from BMC.
The main group was about 75 riders strong though, so the leaders would have to make their moves on the final climb. The break still had about 3'00" on the peloton.
The final 8kms was for the climbers, and the fast pace pulled most BMC riders back, including Tim. Frank was the only rider left at the front.
David Moncoutie attacked first, and chased down the remaining riders in the breakaway, except for Brice Feillu, who was just holding on. Amets Txurruka failed to join him after countering.
The crowds were out today, and again, a Frenchman was at the fore. He passed Feillu, and sprinted ahead! He held on to a tiny lead, and takes a great hometown win!
Tiralongo again showed his great form, taking 2nd, while Vinokourov was 4th.
David Moncoutie makes it two wins in two days for Cofidis!
Final Rankings - Stage 6
1
D. Moncoutie
Cofidis, le credit en ligne
5h12'55"
2
P. Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
+ 17"
3
B. Feillu
Leopard Trek
s.t.
4
A. Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
5
A. Txurruka
Euskatel - Euskadi
+ 25"
Spoiler
6
D. Navarro
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
7
P. Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
8
M. Rogers
Sky ProCycling
+ 46"
9
L. Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
s.t.
10
S. Joly
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
...
66
T. Roe
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'39"
Overall Standings
GC
1
M. Rogers
Sky ProCycling
18h29'46"
2
C. Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 41"
3
D. Millar
Team Garmin - Cervelo
+ 55"
Spoiler
4
D. Moncoutie
Cofidis, le credit en ligne
+ 1'09"
5
P. Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'12"
6
S. Joly
Saur - Sojasun
+ 1'28"
7
G. Thomas
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'47"
8
P. Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 1'58"
9
S. Paulinho
Team RadioShack
+ 2'04"
10
D. Navarro
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 2'09"
...
74
T. Roe
BMC Racing Team
+ 14'16"
King of the Mountains
Spoiler
1
B. Feillu
Leopard Trek
36 Pts
2
P. Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
35
3
G. Nierman
Rabobank Cycling Team
30
4
A. Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
29
5
M. Marzano
Lampre - ISD
28
Points
Spoiler
1
M. Rogers
Sky Pro Cycling
58 Pts
2
M. Cavendish
HTC - Highroad
43
3
L. Gerdemann
Leopard Trek
40
4
D. Millar
Team Garmin - Cervelo
39
5
G. Thomas
Sky ProCycling
38
...
41
T. Roe
BMC Racing Team
6
Young Riders
Spoiler
1
G. Thomas
Sky Pro Cycling
18h31'33"
2
B. Mollema
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 54"
3
R. Sicard
Euskatel - Euskadi
+ 1'23"
4
R. Uran
Sky ProCycling
+ 2'04"
5
M. Frank
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'15"
...
20
T. Roe
BMC Racing Team
+ 12'29"
I'm very happy with today's stage! I only lost 4'39" and moved up about 20 places overall, Mathias Frank regained his place in the top-20 with a great 21st place finish, and Aussie Michael Rogers held onto yellow! Very happy, the spirits have been lifted, and now I know what it is like to ride a UCI World Tour climber's stage! See you tomorrow!
Tim.
Spoiler
The three screens above are probably my favourite three I've ever taken, especially the Moncoutie victory shot. Just thought I'd mention that.
Today was a big day for me, as the Directeur Sportif called me into his office. He have told me that the team believes I have a huge potential, and that they wants to help realise that potential.
The DS he is ready to talk contracts with me, and says he thinks I could be a team leader one day! I told him that I was extremely gracious of their comments and have loved the way the team has looked after me so far, but after the emergence of GreenEDGE racing for next season is all but confirmed for a ProTour spot, I want to wait to see if they were interested in my services. The DS said he understands why I would want to pursue a possible contract with a home-country team, such as GreenEDGE, and hopes me all the best. We have another meeting scheduled for July.
After all that contract talk, I'm pretty torn between if I should try to join GreenEDGE and go back home, or if I should stick with BMC and be mentored by riders like Cadel Evans? What do you guys think?
is the GreenEDGE team gonna have same riders as in real life? if yes, then definately pick BMC, that way you are riding for a team with more experience and better teammates.
Well, it now depends on whether you want tim to be the leader more or you want him, when he is leader to have better teammates.
GreenEDGE is more likely for being leader, but BMC teammates are fantastic.
Best follower? woo! keep the story going by the way!
