@Sutty: It sure is, especially when you consider the opposition
@LLS: Travis did a great job, and has shown he is capable of more leadership roles in the future, he will dutifully be put on a TT training regime.
Another hilly stage, with a flat finish this time. (Screen failed)
Tom was at it again today. Another 'late attack'. Again, we were glad, because his pain meant we could relax and wouldn't have to chase.
Again, he made his move and caught the day's breakaway. Unfortunately he still hasn't perfected his decision making, the break was doomed to fail, the French teams were on the front all day.
As such he was reeled back in with 40 or so km left in the stage.
With O'Malley spent, I was left to follow the attacks. Voeckler is on my wheel as I follow Simon Clarke. We formed a small group up the road.
However, as we see so often in modern cycling, the leader of our little group was dropped. Simon Clarke fell back, but was replaced by no less worthy an adversary, Alejandro Valverde! Ion Izagerre later joined us as well.
I knew I couldn't wait much longer with such quality talent on my wheel, I attacked! The others were tired with their efforts to get across so only Voeckler was at full strength. He was caught unawares though, and that slight hesitation was all I needed.
I squeezed every second from the last few kilometres. I was afraid to celebrate for fear of a charging Valverde or Voeckler behind.
In fact, those two were the big losers of the move. Tired by their efforts they were trounced by Izagerre in the sprint.
As you can see the stage gave me the GC win, what a start we've all had, the team is outperforming even WTO opposition consistantly. Long may it continue!
Edited by The Hobbit on 23-12-2013 09:44
I have just been forwarded the times list from Tonton Susanto, another rider/coach, and the man who was previously the best Indonesian cyclist around...
It is for stage 1 of the prologue of the Vuelta a Andalucia
Di Silvestro 7:45
Susanto 8:03
Pal 8:05
Nool 7:53
Burt 8:09
Acosta 7:35
None of these times are particularly good when you consider the winnerMichael Rogers, took only 7:21
Travis showing off his poor time trialing abilities. However, time can be made in the mountains.
And it is good that you have him training his timetrial as it is definitely necessary.
LLS- Travis Burt Manager and Agent.
Unfortunately, the team never really improved on our atrocious TT performance
We did get a man in the break on stage 2, Ricardo in fact. However, he wasn't particularly happy at even being brought to this race, since it has no flat stages.
As I should well know, Ricardo prefers his own company when he's angry. As such he attacked and tried to go it alone the whole stage.
The break was reeled in, and both Peter and Travis gave it a go or two.
In the end neither of them caught the winning move, so Travis was our best representative sprinting it out in the peleton.
By the next stage everyone in the team was very tired. Neither of our leaders even had the strength to attack, so Ricardo was our man, for the sprint, again behind the winning group.
As you can see this was quite a disappointing race, but hey, there were some tough opponents, and we have to lose some of the time! Don't worry about a loss of momentum, as we are guaranteed to get a win today, it's the Indonesian TT Championships, and we are the only team competing!
So, here we go. The team probably doesn't care how we all do, but that won't stop us, as all uh 6 of us are desperate for the win. It's a hilly, long TT, my favourite, and well, I am expected to take this easily.
So, here's the startlist, I'm in good shape too, so this is really mine to lose.
Djaja Tanuwidjaja is a sprinter, he can't TT, so he's nothing to worry about.
Next up was Firmanyah Sinaga, more of a climber than a Time Trialist
My biggest opposition was to come from Ridwan Pranoto, a fellow Time Trialist
Cobbler Surya Iksander could also Time Trial at a decent level, so he was one to watch.
Just after him was climber Budi Darmadi, not such a good Time Trialist.
Last off was myself.
I was riding well, I was up 35 seconds in Pranoto at the first check.
Before we even reached the second check I had overtaken Darmadi.
I was still going strong by the next checkpoint. I was ahead by 1:08, this was looking sealed.
Soon we began to cross the line. Djaja, Firmanyah and Ridwan arrived in quick succession, setting times of: 1:07:55, 1:06:09 and Ridwan with 1:04:49. I had a feeling that was the time I had to beat.
Iksander was next, but he was no better, it took him 1:05:44 to complete the course.
Then there was me.
My time:
1:02:10, fastest by 2:39!! I was the champion.
It's a nice route, a lot of hilly circuits before a final ascent. With a small peleton it should be decided on the final climb.
It was a bit odd at the start, more of a disorderly TTT than anything else.
A break was formed, but thankfully even they didn't fancy making the pace too tough in the final kms. Surya Iksander and Tonton Susanto formed it.
When the break was caught, Firmansyah Sinaga attacked, right out of the shadow.
Since he was my big rival I went straight to the front in pursuit. I had to catch him on the flat or descent as he was a strong climber.
In the end I was desperate and tired of dragging along all the people tucked in behind. I attacked, and hoped to make up ground to Sinaga ahead.
I got to him, it had worked! We set to work, sharing the time up front, as the people behind had been shattered by my effort and stopped working.
Irritatingly he got my wheel for the sprint. My brain came up instantly with 2 strategies. I could go early and risk him coming round me in the final straight, or I could leave it late, and risk being surprised and beaten by quite a margin.
I went early, since if I did lose, it would be a tad bit less embarrassing! I knew that I could hold a sprint, even uphill, but I also knew he could!
Then the strangest thing began to happen. He never came out of my wheel, but he couldn't hold on to it either! I still had reserves left, but Firmansyah. Who had been in the driving seat, was burnt out!
I was charging to victory in my home championships, and Firmanyah slowly saw his dream stole from him.
I crossed the line triumphant! This was another of my proudest moments, this season just keeps getting better and better!
The others filed in behind as a drawn out peleton.
The results, my performance has been confirmed, I am national champion!
Yes, it's finally here. Just another HC race you say, well, for us, it's the major point of our season, as an Indonesian rider on an Indonesian team, we HAVE to win this. Thankfully, I've been through a lot, and the pressure doesn't get to me, so bring it on!
Spoiler
Sorry this is so late, I've been busy with Lord of the Rings Online and Third Age Total War recently, so haven't done much PCM stuff.
A stage suited to me, with undulating hills and then a descent and steep uphill finish. I should be strong on the descent, and up there on the climb.
Even more undulating than before, but the finish is different too. It is longer but much less steep so not as suited to me. Maybe for a punchier sprinter, like a cross between me and Ricardo. Even so, we'll both give it a good go.
A pan flat, medium length individual time trial. This has my name written all over it. No tactics, just strength, so hopefully I'll gain time.
A sprinter stage, but with some hills at the end. With steep hils and descents the winning team will NEED to be in control over the hills or their race is lost.
It may look another straight forward sprint, but the finish is uphill, and the run in is all false flat and descent too.
The famous stage 6. It is a monstrous climb, with huge gradients, and it's a time trial, so the strongest rider will be the winner.
This is our squad. I have some good support, and Ricardo has a decent lead out, so we can challenge on all terrains. Whereas other riders are warming up for Paris-Nice or Tirreno-Adriatico, we are riding our main objective so we're in amazing form.
Just started following now, and this Mr. Hobbit guy seems like the manager I would be, if I started a cycling team. Goal-orientated and determined.
BTW You're getting a lot of wins!!!
Looking forward to see Susilo becoming a star in the future. :like:
Yes, what an amazing person this Mr Hobbit is...
We are proving very successful in the early season, let's just hope it doesn't fade through the summer. Promotion is already a serious possibility!
I think Walter has quite a lot of potential, and it agree it will be nice to see him grow.
I set off into the lovely Indonesian weather, and I was confident of a good performance. Unfortunately I was made to wear white, instead of my Indonesian Champion Jersey. Let's hope for the next few stages my look was a shade yellower.
The first attacks began with 34km. As one of the favourites I had to stay calm and let them go. It still didn't feel right though, another thing I'd have to learn before I ever became a top cyclist.
Instead I put the other guys on it. A really hard chase for kms on end made sure they stayed within a minute of the peleton.
With everything together and the sprint nearing, I couldn't wait any longer, I made my move and put in an attack.
In the run in some of the riders grabbed my wheel. Determined to make something of the attack, I kept a high pace, hoping to catch out some other riders.
I opted for an early sprint, and so did everyone behind in a mad dash to take my wheel.
With the finish line quickly approaching I was holding my lead. Vachon was beginning to become an annoyance, as here he popped up again just behind me, even after his stage win in Haut-Var
Then we hit the short sharp steep section of the finish. My legs were burning, they felt like bricks, dragging me down, but I forced them to turn the pedals with every ounce of my strength.
Vachon had not faired so well, he was swallowed up, and the peleton was like a deep enveloping cloud, dashing forward to surround me.
My mind kept on pushing my dying legs, and despite imagining myself falling down the climb, I stayed climbing.
I had done it! I'd won the first stage of my home tour! Just 5 more to go
In my confusion I missed Ricardo's late sprint, which had seen him jump into the podium with a handy third.
Another amazing day for this amazing team. We were on fire! Let's hope our repetitive giant killing continues, at least for another few days!!
I will paraphrase you: "Long may it continue!" 
