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Roberto Velásquez: The Story of A Legend |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 03-10-2012 15:48
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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TimoCycling: PM'd you, if that doesn't work, try sutty's 
the_hoyle: well, you know how coaches can be 
Jakstar22: I'm very glad you like this even better!
sutty68: thanks
Avin Wargunnson: I'm glad you like him 
Jakstar22: He isn't a pain in the ass, but he's quite new to the cycling world, never raced as an amateur etc so he has different tactics and different rules. Must be frustrating for the coach |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 03-10-2012 15:48
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Volta a Catalunya 2012 - Stage 6
This particular day had not started well for Roberto Velásquez. He had a minor argument with the coach at breakfast. We don't know for sure what happened but it seems like the coach asked him "what he hell he was doing", and Roberto simply refused to answer because "there's no reasoning with someone who's angry". Before the race started, he asked around and was quite happy to see his teammates supporting him. They would ride for him today!
The entire team had worked hard all day to reel in the breakaway group.
Nearing the end, Thomas De Gendt had launched some small attacks, and when Roberto gave him an answer, he looked him right in the eyes and gave him a big smile.
Some say this was unfriendly and mean, but Roberto said of this particular moment years later:
It wasn't to be disrespectful, it was a friendly challenge. I invited him to a hard race. I'm sure he thinks the same.
Roberto reached the top of the final climb first and threw himself in the descent.
It was him and Samuel Sanchez, but the pack was nearing and with 10km left to go, they let themselves be reeled in to prepare themselves for the final sprint.
The sprint was on...
He had done it. Roberto Velásquez won his first WorldTour race, and it was a beautiful one. If you look at the people who finished behind him, it's safe to say that this was a promising rider, and everyone knew it now.
Result
| 1 | Roberto Velásquez | Colombia Coldeportes | 4h09'33 | IanButler | | 2 | Luis León Sánchez | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | | 3 | Jelle Vanendert | Lotto Belisol | s.t. | | | 4 | Nicolas Roche | Ag2r La Mondiale | s.t. | | | 5 | Maxime Monfort | Radioshack Nissan Trek | s.t. | | | 6 | Bauke Mollema | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | | 7 | Matteo Carrara | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | | 8 | Ryder Hesjedal | Team Garmin-Barracuda | s.t. | | | 9 | Andy Schleck | Radioshack Nissan Trek | s.t. | | | 10 | Matthew Lloyd | Lampre-ISD | s.t. | | | 11 | Daniele Ratto | Liquigas-Cannondale | s.t. | | | 12 | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | + 47 | |
GC
| 1 | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | 28h57'10 | | | 2 | Maxime Monfort | Radioshack Nissan Trek | + 3 | | | 3 | Peter Velits | Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team | + 20 | | | 4 | Nicolas Roche | Ag2r La Mondiale | + 25 | | | 5 | Samuel Sánchez | Euskaltel Euskadi | + 30 | | | 6 | Roberto Velásquez | Colombia Coldeportes | + 49 | IanButler | | 7 | Carlos Alberto Betancourt | Acqua & Sapone | + 1'18 | | | 8 | Richie Porte | Sky Pro Cycling | s.t. | | | 9 | Marco Pinotti | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | | | 10 | Christian Vandevelde | Team Garmin-Barracuda | s.t. | |
This restored the relationship between Roberto and the coach somewhat, but they remained cool towards each other.
On a personal note
We have collected many data for this documentary, and one of the rarest things is a story about Roberto Velásquez' personal life. The story is based upon this picture:
When the picture was taken, he asked her out on a date because "she looked incredibly beautiful yet she seemed timid, innocent". The date was to take place the next evening, only hours after the final stage, which was a bit strange. But Roberto was a man who knew what he wanted, and he didn't feel like wasting time. He married the American Nicole Roberts Velásquez in the winter of 2012. |
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| TimoCycling |
Posted on 03-10-2012 16:00
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Sprinter
Posts: 1765
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Haha nice story! Great win man, he must have monster stats |
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| Wild Dog |
Posted on 03-10-2012 16:54
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Domestique
Posts: 425
Joined: 17-07-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Just read the whole story, and I must say you're doing great. Nice way to tell a story and the whole mysterious thing like "we don't have photos of this and that" gives it something special. Keep it up |
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| FreitasPCM |
Posted on 03-10-2012 17:04
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8389
Joined: 08-09-2009
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In 2013 he will have won nearly everything if he keeps to shine like this!
Edited by FreitasPCM on 03-10-2012 17:04
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 03:54
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 03-10-2012 17:30
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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A Great attack by Roberto ending in a Brilliant win, Well Done  |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 03-10-2012 19:40
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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TimoCycling: He doesn't really have stats since I change them constantly
Wild Dog: I'm glad you like it, man
FreitasPCM: Well, he did turn out to be a legend, so he has to do better than Wiggins, Contador, Gilbert, because otherwise they had become legends
sutty68: Thank you |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 03-10-2012 19:59
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Volta a Catalunya 2012 - Stage 7
Had they known Roberto Velásquez a bit better, they would've been afraid of this stage. Short, powerful, just like Roberto himself.
A monstrous attack which involved 2 Movistar riders and 3 Team Colombia took place, they had about half a minute on the pack, while the breakaway of the day was still far ahead.
Roberto went looking for the breakaway. Nobody really chased so far, we don't know why. Of course, they didn't know Roberto like we know him now, maybe they didn't see him as a threat, seeing that it was still +30km from the finish.
Atapuma was in the breakaway and helped Roberto putting some more distance between him and the peloton.
On the final climb, he had to let him go. Atapuma recollects this day:
I remember being extremely surprised of suddenly seeing Roberto in our breakaway group. He never asked any favors but that day he come to me and asked me to ride for him. I didn't even hesitate and put myself up front and pulled as hard as I could. On the next climb, he rode past me, said "thanks" and he was off like a rocket. I was certain he was riding straight for the win, straight for glory.
Luckily for Velásquez, there wasn't any real organization behind him.
And so it looked as if Roberto Velásquez was riding towards his second consecutive win in Catalunya.
Eurosport:
And there he goes, Roberto Velásquez, the young Colombian, for the second day in a row. I don't think they can catch him now - no, there he is. The final kilometer, the peloton woke up too late, Daniel Moreno, this is going to sting! There he is, the winner of the final stage in this tour and most likely the winner of the tour itself, Roberto Velásquez. Un-believable!
Result
| 1 | Roberto Velásquez | Colombia Coldeportes | 2h57'12 | IanButler | | 2 | Luis León Sánchez | Rabobank Cycling Team | + 1'06 | | | 3 | Maxime Monfort | Radioshack Nissan Trek | s.t. | | | 4 | Vincenzo Nibali | Liquigas-Cannondale | s.t. | | | 5 | Chris Horner | Radioshack Nissan Trek | s.t. | | | 6 | Mathias Frank | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | | | 7 | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | s.t. | | | 8 | Tiago Machado | Radioshack Nissan Trek | s.t. | | | 9 | Peter Velits | Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team | s.t. | | | 10 | Nicolas Roche | Ag2r La Mondiale | s.t. | |
The commentators from Eurosport were right (for once, in those days), the peloton had woken up too late and Moreno lost the jersey, to our young Colombian.
GC
| 1 | Roberto Velásquez | Colombia Coldeportes | 31h54'58 | IanButler | | 2 | Maxime Monfort | Radioshack Nissan Trek | + 29 | | | 3 | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | + 30 | | | 4 | Peter Velits | Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team | + 50 | | | 5 | Nicolas Roche | Ag2r La Mondiale | + 55 | | | 6 | Samuel Sánchez | Euskaltel Euskadi | + 58 | | | 7 | Carlos Alberto Betancourt | Acqua & Sapone | + 1'48 | | | 8 | Richie Porte | Sky Pro Cycling | s.t. | | | 9 | Marco Pinotti | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | | | 10 | Christian Vandevelde | Team Garmin-Barracuda | s.t. | |
Points
| 1 | Roberto Velásquez | Colombia Coldeportes | 93 | IanButler | | 2 | Peter Velits | Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team | 82 | | | 3 | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | 81 | | | 4 | Samuel Sánchez | Euskaltel Euskadi | 75 | | | 5 | Luis León Sánchez | Rabobank Cycling Team | 74 | |
KoM
| 1 | Mathias Frank | BMC Racing Team | 60 | | | 2 | Francis De Greef | Lotto Belisol | 45 | | | 3 | Fredrik Kessiakoff | Astana Pro Team | 39 | |
We have an interview with Roberto that same day:
Newspaper: Roberto Velásquez, congratulations on winning the Volta a Catalunya. Is this, in fact, your first World Tour event?
Roberto Velásquez: Thank you, and yes. However, I have been performing quite well this season.
Newspaper: So you came here expecting this?
Roberto Velásquez: No, not at all. I don't think I was the best here, definitely not the strongest. The first stages were quite hard and I think I would've gotten much better results if I was the strongest. I just think I kept my concentration at 100% and that was my advantage in the final stages. The fact that I'm young also helped me recuperate so I was very lucky at the end. I never expected this.
Newspaper: You are the youngest winner of this race, how does that feel?
Roberto Velásquez: Well, it hasn't really sunk in yet, but I'll let you know when it does!
Newspaper: What races are programmed for you later this year?
Roberto Velásquez: I intend to race the Amstel Gold Race, that is, if the management decides that I'm fit for that race. And we hope to get a wildcard for the Vuelta, again, I hope to be selected.
Newspaper: I think the entire world will want to know: what are your future plans?
Roberto Velásquez: Well, I actually have a date at eight. So I won't plan anything further ahead at the moment. Thanks, bye!
And that was it. Roberto Velásquez was gone, disappeared in the night, off to his date with his beautiful bride-to-be. However, the next day, his coach found him on his bike, training for the next race... |
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 03-10-2012 20:00
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World Champion
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Roberto is turning out a hell of a beast. |
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| dienblad |
Posted on 03-10-2012 20:08
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3772
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Really loving it. Hopefully his dominance-to-be doesn't make it boring what concerns the results. But the way you are telling it, is really great!
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| ste_18 |
Posted on 03-10-2012 20:11
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1430
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Great chocice of the team for a new story This  is for the victory |
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| TimoCycling |
Posted on 03-10-2012 20:13
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Sprinter
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Agree with Dienblad, you're doing really well! Like the story so far, keep this up! |
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| Wild Dog |
Posted on 03-10-2012 20:22
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Domestique
Posts: 425
Joined: 17-07-2011
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He rides like a beast! Great result there. Can turn out to be one of the best and most exciting stories I've read.  |
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 03-10-2012 20:29
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
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Very nice story, adding Roberto's private life to the story is very innovative
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| JuanMotr |
Posted on 03-10-2012 21:35
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Domestique
Posts: 701
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Great result I´m glad I checked results before you write that he won 2 stages. |
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 03-10-2012 22:47
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Team Leader
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Good win by Roberto. He is defiantly showing his strength.
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 03-10-2012 23:24
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
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Another Great victory for Roberto after a stage of brilliant riding |
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| Alphabet |
Posted on 04-10-2012 04:51
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Junior Rider
Posts: 44
Joined: 11-09-2012
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Great story, Ian, I'm really enjoying this |
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| lennybernstein |
Posted on 04-10-2012 07:07
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Domestique
Posts: 450
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Great win from Velasquez! Very unique story style too, makes for an enjoyable read!
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 04-10-2012 08:00
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World Champion
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Great win, but be careful Roberto, with this great results, the media will come soon with the doping speculations. I hope Roberto is clean.
But what i dont get, is why Roberto will marry first girl he met at the winners podium, he should try more of them, like a rockstar.
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