1 Andrew Tennant cycleYorkshire 53'41
9 Richard Laningo Laizer + 1'39
11 Hugues Mottin + 1'43
31 Albert Kireva + 2'34
Not the best of results but it wasn't a disaster. Having Mottin as one of the top favourites and Laizer as an outsider. Laizer backed up his good Bayern TT with a 9th in the race, Hugues Mottin didn't have the best of days but managed to get some points with an 11th. Albert Kireva didn't show his early season form, finishing in the last places but no stress there.
Sole stage race for us in May, our squad remains in Africa but with different names. Former race winner Andzs Flaksis leads the squad as he tries to recreate that feat, but a top5 is a realistical goal, and a top10 is the minimum. Supporting will be mainly Albert Kireva, who himself can target a good place overall if in good shape. Nazir Jaser will once again try to mettle in for the only sprint stage, and the rest of the team is made up of Miguel Afonso, Omer Goldstein, Richard Laningo Laizer, Daniel Rinner and Michal Schlegel.
13 Albert Kireva s.t.
65 Andzs Flaksis + 2'25
81 Miguel Afonso + 3'30
100 Richard Laningo Laizer + 4'20
114 Nazir Jaser + 5'30
126 Daniel Rinner s.t.
153 Omer Goldstein + 6'33
175 Michal Schlegel + 8'20 GC
13 Albert Kireva + 25
Spoiler
Flaksis alrwady joined the break exausted
Spoiler
Kireva watched the winning celebration from distance but he did his job well
Stage 2
The no-cobbles stage of the race, pan-flat and perfect for pure sprinters. But in the end it was indeed a break to get the win but no time gaps. All of our riders came home safe.
Spoiler
48 Albert Kireva s.t.
50 Nazir Jaser s.t.
65 Michal Schlegel s.t.
86 Miguel Afonso s.t.
89 Andzs Flaksis s.t
95 Daniel Rinner s.t.
104 Richard Laningo Laizer s.t.
106 Omer Goldstein s.t. GC
16 Albert Kireva +25
Stage 3
And finally the queen stage, the most cobbled race in the calendar ,absolutely brutal! or is it...
We can fast-forward the entire stage, no attacks and no gaps, only a final dash in the final 2Km. Goldstein tried but couldn't even make it in the breakaway, and despite sometimes being well positioned Flaksis and Kireva didn't make a move, nor dropped, both finished in the peloton.
Spoiler
17 Andzs Flaksis + 2'29
24 Albert Kireva s.t.
61 Richard Laningo Laizer + 15'22
80 Miguel Afonso + 21'54
91 Omer Goldstein s.t.
DNF Nazir Jaser
DNF Michal Schlegel
DNF Daniel Rinner GC 1 Sam Harrison World Cycling Centre 8h26'39
15 Albert Kireva +37
31 Andzs Flaksis + 3'02
67 Richard Laningo Laizer + 17'50
80 Miguel Afonso + 23'32
100 Omer Goldstein + 28'55
DNF Nazir Jaser
DNF Michal Schlegel
DNF Daniel Rinner
I enjoyed Flaksis attempt a lot but result wise it wasn't for the best of you. Kireva is still in a good position, it is now up for him to deliver the points from this race.
A month of racing in Africa, Richard Laningo Laizer and Hugues Mottin used their time-trialing skills to net 20 points in Windhoek, whilst later in the cobbled roads of Faso it was Albert Kireva who stood up and took the lead over from Andzs Flaksis and took a 15th place overall, adding 9 more points.
But now we begin June and we have big obbligations that are followed with big expectations. Two one-day openers in the same day.. Lillestrom GP is another one for the cobbled specialists and here once again Flaksis will lead although we´re not sure what to expect from him. And also the Costa Rica Mountain Classic, a race that suits our leader Solis and Rujano and they will be well supported but will face a though PCT contingent.
Another C1 in the mix later on, the Tour of Slovenie where Claerebout and Uwizeyimana will co-lead, with stage hunters and time-trialists in the mix for what could be a vital race.
And the most important week for us of the season, our home race in the Andorran mountains may be a make or break for our goals and we will have our strongest mountain contingent there, and adding into the mix yet another C1 race as most of the rest of our squad will head over to Mexico for the Monterrey TTT.
One of the last cobbled race appearances of the season for us, we hope it's finally time for a good result, Andzs Flaksis will lead the charge again backed mainly by Albert Kireva, and a very similar squad to Tour of Faso will support them, with an exception as Andorran Adria Urcelay will be in filling in for Jaser, with fellow countryman Miguel Afonso, Omer Goldstein, Richard Laningo Laizer, Daniel Rinner and Michal Schlegel.
As in Faso the minimum is a top10 because Andzs Flaksis has the quality to do much more than that, and we'll also be looking to score a few points with Kireva.
Results 1 Guillaume Van Keirsbulck Goldcorp - Nordstrom Rack 5h20'44
10 Andzs Flaksis + 3'23
81 Albert Kireva + 21'32
DNF Adria Urcelay
DNF Daniel Rinner
DNF Michal Schlegel
DNF Miguel Afonso
DNF Omer Goldstein
DNF Richard Laningo Laizer
In the end we can't complain, Flaksis took a much-needed top10 wich was the minimum goal, despite beifiting from the bad luck of Jean-Pierre Drucker. It was visibly a very hard race, only two of our riders finished and Kireva unlike Faso really struggled on the cobbles.
Flaksis was exhausted but he did a good race to have his first Top10 of the season
It's hard to put a goal in this race, if both our leaders have a great day a top15 is a solid goal, but it will be nice to compare their current form with the other CT climbers ahead of Tour of Andorra.
Carlos Baltazar as planned got into the race's break and entering the final climb with about a minute's lead was a good sign but he was quickly caught. Nothing happened in the first two colossal mountains for the surprise of many, and in the final climb no attack was hard enough to break the race. A 14-man gorup sprinted for victory and an even bigger one chased. No points for us, Solis was the best-placed rider but failed to be in the Top25, and Rujano finished dead-last in the race, nobody is sure why there was no info on any crashes but we take that as the only possible explanation.
Baltazar already has a habit of attacking the high mountains
Back to Europe for another C1 race, high competition equals not-so-high expectations. In theory we've got David Claerebout and Bonvaenture Uwizeyimana leading, targeting a place in the top20, the latter can also target a U25 spot. For the TT we've got some expectations, and it is the most decisive stage of the race.. Hugues Mottin and Richard Laningo Laizer can pull off a good result. Albert Kireva is a bit of a joker, if in great shape he can time-trial with the best and surely have a good run on the hilly (and flat) stages. Nazir Jaser will taret the sprints (if he can that is), and Daniel Rinner and Michal Schlegel will provide the essential support over a tactic race.
Stage 1
Michal Schlegel protagonized the break of the day, no intermediate sprint and KOM points made it a worthless effort but he was only caught with 3.5Km to go and that made for an exciting race. Bunch sprint and everybody arrived safely in the pack.
Spoiler
36 Nazir Jaser s.t.
65 Michal Schlegel s.t.
116 Albert Kireva s.t.
125 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana s.t.
129 Daniel Rinner s.t.
158 David Claerebout s.t.
173 Richard Laningo Laizer s.t.
178 Hugues Mottin s.t.
Spoiler
Schlegel in for a hard day's work
Stage 2
A monotonous day.. Our expectation was to try and keep as much riders in front as possible, especially our time-trialists Mottin and Laizer, but unfortunately none of our riders finished in the peloton, killing the GC hopes before they even began.
Spoiler
75 Daniel Rinner + 2'01
92 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana s.t.
94 Michal Schlegel s.t.
97 Albert Kireva s.t.
110 Nazir Jaser s.t.
131 David Claerebout + 6'29
173 Hugues Mottin + 14'42
176 Richard Laningo Laizer s.t.
Stage 3
Our big day of hopes.. the previous day was a complete disaster but the race was still salvagable if there was a good result today. Although both Hugues Mottin and Richard Lainingo Laizer were in the hotseat, there was no result today. In fact Claerebout was the tem's best placed rider in 20th.
Spoiler
20 David Claerebout + 1'43
22 Albert Kireva + 1'45
26 Richard Laningo Laizer + 1'48
43 Hugues Mottin + 2'23
54 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 2'35
64 Daniel Rinner + 2'47
128 Michal Schlegel + 3'51
172 Nazir Jaser + 4'50
Spoiler
Mottin en route to a provisional 1st place
Spoiler
Laizer on the move
Spoiler
Luxembourg champion Clarebout with a solid TT
Spoiler
Kireva going fast
Stage 4
Sprint stage with slight uphills.. not much to note here. In the end Jaser pulled off a good sprint but the break took many of the places from him, so he came home 17th.
Spoiler
18 Nazir Jaser Andorra Cycling Project +17
67 Albert Kireva Andorra Cycling Project s.t.
97 Daniel Rinner Andorra Cycling Project s.t.
127 Michal Schlegel Andorra Cycling Project s.t.
136 Richard Laningo Laizer Andorra Cycling Project s.t.
163 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana Andorra Cycling Project s.t.
167 David Claerebout Andorra Cycling Project s.t.
175 Hugues Mottin Andorra Cycling Project + 5'45
Stage 5
Last race day but it didn't go in a good way. Again no presence in the break and in the end nobody having the legs to stay in front. Disapointing race in every way and we hope to see a better end of the month with Andorra and Monterrey.
If we get a stage win, there won't be so much pressure on GC. But the goal is a top5, top10 the minimum. We do have WIN as a team goal and we are not discounting that possibility but the whole CT climber headers are here, so it will be a tough battle.
Stage 1
First stage here in Andorra with the arrivel in Port d'Envalira, a very known climb between our riders. The day started off easily, a small break got clear and posted no danger.. The first two climbs weren't important. With 3.5Km to the finish the first accelarations started and Solis found himself in the chasing roup of 10, behind 3 leaders, with Rujano right behind. Rujano got himself back up to the chasers as Solis went on the wheel of an attack and then he himself put a massive gap into his fellow escapees. He finally finished 5th, a very good result and right on the goal we are targeting. Rujano's group was caught by another group containing Baltazar and Claerebout and they all finished in a big group fighting for the places right outide the top10.
Rujano, Baltazar and Claerebout in the chasing group
Spoiler
Solis finishing in 5th
Stage 2
The day started off with a big scare, a big crash involving many GC contenders saw Solis hit the deck. Thankfully he recovered quickly, and survived the two big climbs of the day confortably. In the final climns there were some attacks, Solis wasn't able to counter-attack them but he stayed in a good group with Rujano supporting and he kept up in the descent to limit his losses to the max, thus saving the day.
Sign of relief as Solis goes over the top with good company
Stage 3
Perhaps the "easier" stage of the race, also the longest and most explosive. A strong breakaway got away early, but the race didn't have much show before the final climb.. Solis tryied to follow the leaders that did the whole climb by pace. With 2.5Km he dropped from the group wich was quite worrying but he managed to limit his losses the best he could, loosing about 40 seconds to his most direct rivals. Rujano didn't match the early accelaration of the leaders but finished strong, just two places behind Solis. Still the Bolivian managed to climb to 4th in the GC and Rujano also two places up, to 14th.
For some the easiest day of the race, for some the hardest. Unfortunately for us, Óscar Solis had a bad one, he struggled a lot throughout the whole TT, having a disastrous run. He finished outside of the Top100 and lost his 4th place, coming down to 10th. In a day many of the riders in the Top15 struggled a lot, Rujano had a good one, finishing 16th on the day, consolidating his 14th place but still in range of a top 10.
Last day in the Andorran mohtains. After yesterday's disaster the only thing in Solis' mind was to attack and gain back spots today but there was preocupation in relation to his performance. The race was hard all day long as expected but not as expected Solis had another bad day. He cracked in the begining of the final climb and lost time all the way through, and went down to 14th in the GC. Rujano on the other hand finished high, in 10th and climbing to 11th in GC.
Brutal race for Rujano but he picks up a solid overall
Spoiler
Solis on the other hand finished low, but not a complete disaster
Not the best of races. The expectations were very high when Solis finished 5th in the first stage that didn't suit him aswell as some others. He kept himself well until the TT where he completely lost his legs and the final stage only made things worst, he got worst every day that went by. Rujano was the opposite, getting better everyday, finishing high finally in the last stage and almost entering the Top10. The rest of the team were a disapointment though, no breakaways and no attacks and no serious support, it wasn't the best of races for some of those riders.
Edited by Yellow Jersey on 04-02-2018 18:18
It's a very undefined race with undefined goals. Bonaventure Uwizeyimana and David Clarebout will co-lead the team with the goal of a Top15. Carlos Baltazar is a joker, the TT's don't suit him but stage 6 does, and it will likely be decisive for the final GC. Nazir Jaser will try to target the sprints whilst Alberigo Passalacqua will test his legs in the hilly stages. The solid trio of Dimitri Jiriakov and Andorrans Ivan Vila and Guy Diaz Groiller round out the squad.
Stage 1
Opening prologue in Argentina. Only goals were to have Uwizeyimana and Claerebout have a good start day and it has happened. Uwizeyimana finshed in 13th and 2nd in the U25 standings (and will wear it tomorrow). Claerebout finished 36th but is within very close range.
Spoiler
13 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 11
36 David Claerebout + 17
38 Guy Diaz Groiller + 18
90 Dimitri Jiriakov + 27
98 Nazir Jaser s.t.
129 Carlos Baltazar + 31
182 Alberigo Passalacqua + 40
184 Ivan Vila s.t. GC same as above U25
2 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 11
Stage 2
Although there was an attempt by Ivan Vila to infiltrate the day's break, he didn't succeed and the day wasn't very dangerous and had no mishaps. All our squad arrived safely in the peloton.
Spoiler
91 Nazir Jaser s.t.
107 Ivan Vila s.t.
110 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana s.t.
148 Guy Diaz Groiller s.t.
150 Carlos Baltazar s.t.
156 Dimitri Jiriakov s.t.
162 David Claerebout s.t.
163 Alberigo Passalacqua s.t. GC
16 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 40
Stage 3
First day of battle in the GC. The stage was sharp but it wasn't very attacked. In the final ascent of the day, Uwizeyimana climbed very well and managed to finish in the front group. 12th in a group of 19th and so he was propelled into 2nd place overall, and the lead of the white jersey!
Spoiler
12 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana s.t.
52 Alberigo Passalacqua + 3'00
103 Ivan Vila + 7'40
107 Guy Diaz Groiller s.t.
115 Carlos Baltazar + 14'37
132 Nazir Jaser s.t.
136 David Claerebout s.t.
144 Dimitri Jiriakov s.t. GC
2 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 8
Spoiler
Uwi finishes in the middle of the group and moves up on the GC
Stage 4
On paper a possibly tricky stage. But in the end it turned out as a normal stage, A late attacker conquered the stage, Uwizeyimana arrived safely in the pack.
Spoiler
49 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana s.t.
66 Nazir Jaser s.t.
84 Alberigo Passalacqua s.t.
102 Ivan Vila s.t.
131 Dimitri Jiriakov s.t.
145 Guy Diaz Groiller s.t.
157 David Claerebout s.t.
177 Carlos Baltazar s.t. GC
3 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 24 U25
1 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana 11h26'48
Stage 5
Important day for the overall, the big TT of the race, set to set gaps between alll favourites in the race. It was not an ordinary day, Uwizeyimana rode a strong TT and moved up into the lead of the race! Amazing ride by the Rwandan to big the big man of the moment.
Spoiler
21 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 31
24 David Claerebout + 34
47 Dimitri Jiriakov + 59
58 Guy Diaz Groiller + 1'05
89 Carlos Baltazar + 1'27
108 Ivan Vila + 1'38
155 Nazir Jaser + 2'11
180 Alberigo Passalacqua s.t. GC
1 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana 11h53'53 U25
1 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana 11h53'53
Spoiler
Strong ride into the lead!
Spoiler
And he did it! Uwizeyimana is leading the Tour of San Luis in the fifth day!
Stage 6
Back-to-back important stages in the race, the queen stage some may call it. In this day we witnessed a true suprised, Uwizeyimana had very good support surprisingly, Jiriakov and unbelievably Jaser was almost until the end with the leader. Shocking! Uwizeyimana lost the lead and came down to 9th, but remains with a good overall and the U25 lead.
Spoiler
19 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 3'04
23 Dimitri Jiriakov s.t.
24 Nazir Jaser + 3'25
34 Alberigo Passalacqua + 3'43
43 Guy Diaz Groiller s.t.
56 Carlos Baltazar s.t.
69 Ivan Vila s.t.
99 David Claerebout + 5'40 GC 9 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 2'36 U25
1 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana 15h19'54
Spoiler
Hard day in the saddele for the leader
Stage 7
Another hard hard day, lots of hills. The final climb is where all the gaps were made, Uwizeyimana had a hard day but kept himself in the main chasing group. He kept his 9th place and U25 lead and will surely keep it in the final day.
Spoiler
25 Alberigo Passalacqua + 2'05
43 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana s.t.
62 David Claerebout + 5'15
76 Dimitri Jiriakov + 6'07
84 Carlos Baltazar s.t.
108 Ivan Vila + 8'37
109 Guy Diaz Groiller s.t.
141 Nazir Jaser + 13'37 GC
9 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 3'41 U25
1 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana 18h30'26
Stage 8
"Easy" end for a hard week. Uwizeyimana started the day as he finished it and conquered the U25 Jersey alongside a very good 9th place overall. Passalcqua entered the day's break and it turned successful. He didn't have the legs for the win but managed a solid 6th place.
Spoiler
6 Alberigo Passalacqua +30
16 Nazir Jaser + 1'22
94 Carlos Baltazar s.t.
96 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana s.t.
138 Guy Diaz Groiller s.t.
148 Ivan Vila s.t.
176 David Claerebout s.t.
DNF Dimitri Jiriakov FINAL GC
9 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 3'41
33 Alberigo Passalacqua + 8'55
82 Guy Diaz Groiller + 19'13
85 Ivan Vila + 20'08
97 Carlos Baltazar + 24'15
110 David Claerebout + 28'52
121 Nazir Jaser + 32'07
DNF Dimitri Jiriakov U25
1 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana 21h01'48
Spoiler
Passalacqua in the day's break
Spoiler
Later finished 6th
Spoiler
Uwizeyimana enjoying a successful week culminating with the U25 classification win!
Uwizeyimana's very successful Argentina jersey collection
In the leader's jersey
U25
The team enjoyed a week of stressful yet productive racing in Argentina. After a goos start in the initial prologue, unlike the rest of the team, Uwizeyimana started off a good run in the hilly stages, capturing later the leader's jersey in Stage 5 in the TT. He later lost it but moved on into the U25 jersey keeping it all the way to the end. He finished 9th overall, and solid showings by Passalacqua and Jaser added to some smiles on the management's face.
A hilly and very long TT, our Lineup is made of Hugues Mottin, Albert Kireva and Richard Laningo Laizer, who should all have the same ambitions as the various terrains don't suit any of them specifically. A Top15 is the target as it's a C1 race and the competition is fierce.
It was a very good race. Mottin finished 7th as the first CT rider and got some very noticeable points, adding to Kireva's minor tally as 22nd. Mottin rode a back-to-front TT and managed his run very well until he finished inside the best of the day.
Spoiler
Very strong run for Mottin as he finishes 7th
Monterrey TTT
The second TT of the week, in Monterrey we had a strong team in the field. Hugues Mottin, Albert Kireva, Richard Laningo Laizer, Daniel Rinner, Miguel Afonso, Michal Schlegel, Adria Urcelay and Omer Goldstein. With only 13 teams present we are sure to gather some points, and the 10th place is the most predictable for us.
The race didn't go as well as expected, finishing a spot lower than expected, but nevertheless it's a good point income in here. With 15 points it's not a bad day for the team.
Not a bad trio of races to kick off July for you guys
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It's obviously a good sign, and should motivate him for a good result.
