GP Miguel Indurain
5 April
A much tougher field this time around, Mike had finally given me Karl Menzies, although it took me a hell of a lot of badgering to get him. I'm seriously starting to get annoyed with Mike.
Anyway, onto the racing. A top 20 was the order of the day, and whilst Karl had arrived, I made Phil leader. Just a hunch, but I felt he would deliver today.
For us, it was merely a battle of attrition. With Saunier Duval and Caisse setting a nasty pace up front, it was simply a case of hold on as the attacks came in.
With 9km to go, the pack had settled down as the race was being fought in the front groups - perfect time for Phil to attack!
Karl was still in the group, and getting ready to sprint, when somebody brought him down - luckily, he was ok
Xavier Florencio was up front winning, but Phil's aim was to hold off the pack. He very nearly did, but still got 19th - another good result, one happy rider, one happy team
Results
1 Xavi Florencio Bouygues Télécom 4h38'17
2 Ángel Vicioso LA - MSS - Póvoa de Varzím s.t.
3 Cândido Barbosa Sport Lisboa e Benfica s.t.
4 Jaume Rovira Extremadura - Ciclismo Soldario s.t.
5 Koldo Gil Liberty Seguros s.t.
...
19 Phil Zajicek Health net presented by Maxxis + 3'32
95 Tim Johnson Health net presented by Maxxis + 6'05
104 Karl Menzies Health net presented by Maxxis s.t.
124 Kirk O'Bee Health net presented by Maxxis + 9'14
125 Matt Crane Health net presented by Maxxis s.t.
140 Roman Kilun Health net presented by Maxxis + 12'00
My final Spanish classic for the moment, only 12 teams this time, but the team is a bit down, they know I'm not happy with Mike, he is simply an incompetent fool, and I'm already beginning to look for other jobs
Matt Cooke tried for the break, and picked the right one - but would be caught
Matt uses the cars and motorbikes to great effect
But the pack split at the wrong moment, we were on the wrong side with everyone, and that was the end of the day for us Karl tries to get back in, but cannot do so
Results
1 Rubén Plaza Sport Lisboa e Benfica 4h10'47
2 Ángel Vicioso LA - MSS - Póvoa de Varzím s.t.
3 Manuele Mori Saunier Duval - Scott s.t.
4 Héctor Guerra Liberty Seguros s.t.
5 Xavi Tondo LA - MSS - Póvoa de Varzím s.t.
...
24 Karl Menzies Health net presented by Maxxis + 2'23
56 Phil Zajicek Health net presented by Maxxis + 4'14
80 Matt Cooke Health net presented by Maxxis + 8'59
83 Tim Johnson Health net presented by Maxxis + 10'50
84 Matt Crane Health net presented by Maxxis s.t.
85 Roman Kilun Health net presented by Maxxis s.t.
Well, this will be my last race with Health Net. Mike had basically stopped me racing with the team as he felt the riders had begun to favour me. So I went to the board, and told them straight out, it was either me or him. They bluntly told me that there was no way in hell they'd go for a complete rookie like me, so now I'm looking at the job adverts, and it seems like I may have to give up my young career as a director sportif. Which is gut wrenching for me, but what can you do?
Anyway, with my mind not really on the racing, the team missed out on the break of Justin England and George Hincapie, and they just held off a Rock Racing charge to win. England is the new champion of America (ironic, huh). 6th place was good enough for me as I signed out from cycling, possibly forever, but hopefully not.
England conquers America
Results
1 Justin England Toyota - United Pro Cycling Team 3h49'32
2 George Hincapie Team Columbia s.t.
3 Rahsaan Bahati Rock Racing + 28
4 Brock Curry Rock Racing s.t.
5 Sergio Hernandez Rock Racing s.t.
...
6 Frank Pipp Health net presented by Maxxis s.t.
7 Kyle Gritters Health net presented by Maxxis s.t.
13 Matt Cooke Health net presented by Maxxis s.t.
41 John Murphy Health net presented by Maxxis + 1'34
42 Kirk O'Bee Health net presented by Maxxis s.t.
43 Matt Crane Health net presented by Maxxis + 2'30
45 Phil Zajicek Health net presented by Maxxis + 6'30
46 Tim Johnson Health net presented by Maxxis s.t.
47 Corey Collier Health net presented by Maxxis s.t.
Thanks - I'm using Dankan's real name package, not the latest patch, the one before
1 September
Great news. After a disappointing season not gaining promotion, Jon Vaughters decided to stand down as team manager of Garmin Chipotle, and the team was in chaos. Why's that good news?
Well, I'm the new team manager!!!
It's an incredible opportunity, I cannot understand why they're putting so much faith in me, but I know if I screw up, I'll be out the door so fast it'll be ridiculous.
Anyway, I don't really have the time to make this into my own team. All next year's signings have already been made, and at the moment, I'm doing very little. I'm not in charge of racing with the team until next season.
Anyway, currently, the team's transfers are: In:
Juan van Heerden (Free)
Manuel Lloret (Free)
Tejay Van Garderen (Free)
M. McCree (Neo-pro)
J. Summer (Neo-pro)
Out:
Christian Vande Velde (Quick Step)
Contract Ending:
Magnus Backstedt
Vande Velde is a huge loss for the team. But the team is still looking good for next season. I may have time to bring in another rider or 2, but Doug Ellis has been hinting at some budgetary cutbacks.
1 January
Well, it's a big new start for me. I'm team manager now, and the team has just one aim - get promoted.
But with a budget cut back, I've been forced to cut some support riders. It was tough, but I hope they find new teams
Out (Released):
Magnus Backstedt (Kuota)
William Frischkorn (Sparkasse)
Jason Donald (Thuringer)
Christophe Laurent (Serramenti PVC ...)
Lucus Euser (Free)
Huub Duyn (CCC Polsat)
Michael Friedman (Sparkasse)
Blake Caldwell (BMC)
However, it's not all bad news. We've managed to complete our 2009 squad with the signing of Bradley McGee! A great acquisition, he's a super domestique, but may lead the team at some point
I also tried to sign Chris Froome, I reckon he'll be a great star in the future, but negotiations fell through with Barloworld.
A full squad presentation coming up. It's so stressful leading a team, can't wait for our first race in the Tour of Qatar
2008 Round-up
Giro d'Italia: Danilo Di Luca
Tour de France: Denis Menchov
Vuelta a Espana: Linus Gerdemann
World Championships: Cadel Evans
World Championships (ITT): Andreas Kloden
Promoted: Tinkoff and Barloworld
Relegated: Team Milram and Cofidis
Edited by Crommy on 11-08-2008 18:43
Team Leaders: Martijn Maaskant, 25, NED
A tremendous rider over the cobbles, Martijn is also strong on the hills too. His main focus will be the Monte Paschi Eroica, the Scheldeprijs and the Tour of Britain
Tom Danielson, 30, USA
Our lead GC man, Tom is hoping to lead the team in it's chase for promotion, peaking for the Tour of California,Tour de Georgia and Tour de Qinghai Lake
Co-Leaders: Bradley McGee, 32, AUS
Our latest signing, Brad is ready to work as a super-domestique throughout the year, and will be focusing on the Tour of Britain and the Tour of California
David Millar, 32, GBR
The British TT champion will be working hard on his time trialing, with peaks scheduled for the Tour of Belgium and the British National Championships
David Zabriskie, 30, USA
One of the strongest time trialers in the world, David will be looking to perform well in the USA National Championships and the Post Danmark Rundt
Lieutenants Manuel Lloret, 27, ESP
The Spanish climber is looking to support Tom Danielson throughout the year
Ryder Hesjedal, 28, CAN
Ryder will not only focus as a support rider, but will lead the team for other races including the Tour de Brixia
Rest of the Squad
Juan Van Heerden, 22, SAF: Sprinter
Trent Lowe, 24, AUS: Domestique
Daniel Martin, 22, IRE: Climber
Tejay Van Garderen, 20, USA: Domestique
Julian Dean, 33, NZL: Sprinter
Jonathan Patrick McCarthy, 27, USA: Domestique
Kilian Patour, 26, FRA: Domestique
Tyler Farrar, 24, USA: Sprinter
Chris Sutton, 24, AUS: Sprinter
Timothy Duggan, 26, USA: Domestique
Steven Cozza, 23, USA: Domestique
Thomas Petersen, 22, USA: Domestique
Mordon McCree, 22, USA: Neo-pro
Jones Summer, 20, USA: Neo-pro
Garmin Chipotle Aims:
-Promotion to the ProTour
-Top 3 finish Tour of California
-Stage win Vuelta a Asturias
-Top 5 Tour du Limousin
My first race, and up against my old team Health net, so I was determined to do well. Everything went wrong.
I'd made Brad McGee our team leader, with Chris Sutton and Trent Lowe his support riders.
We were forced to do all the chasing as about 15 riders broke away. Chris Sutton did a great job chasing, but was then brought down, so that finished his race. Chris is OK, but abandons
As we neared the finish, with the break destined to make it, Brad was ready to attack, when he fell too, and was in a lot of pain.
So Trent Lowe was left, tired from working for Brad, he could only manage a pack finish.
Even worse, Karl Menzies won. I like Karl, he's a great guy, but it was annoying with Mike gloating. The worst end to a crappy day
Results
1 Karl Menzies Health net presented by Maxxis 4h27'55
2 William Walker Rabobank s.t.
3 Steven Robb Team Kuota - Senges s.t.
4 Peter McDonald Drapac Porsche Development Program s.t.
5 Jonathon Clarke Toyota - United Pro Cycling Team s.t.
...
21 Trent Lowe Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 +1'19
Injury Update: Not good. Brad will be back in mid-February after he fractured his hip.
Tour of Qatar Round-up
I decided not to go to the Tour of Qatar, but leave the team in the hands of Matt White, one of my assistants. Big mistake.
To say our opening team time trial was poor is a huge understatement. We came dead last when we were one of the favourites, and that ended our GC chances.
The sprint stages started off well, with Chris Sutton 5th. But after that we had: Tyler Farrar 24th, Juan Van Heerden 12th, Juan Van Heerden 16th and finally Tyler Farrar 10th.
I pretty much told Matt that was not good enough, he gave me a couple of feeble excuses, and that ends a pretty poor opening month for us
Source:www.slipstreamspo... January Review
Not the greatest of starts results-wise for team Garmin - Chipotle, but we are simply building up fitness for our early season focus, the Tour of California.
Tom Danielson tries to break away in the Tour of Qatar
Results:
- Australian Championships: Trent Lowe 21st
- Tour of Qatar: Chris Sutton (Stage 2) 5th, Tyler Farrar (Stage 6) 10th
Standings Individual
1. Sebastian Siedler SKIL-SHIMANO 93
2. Iljo Keisse TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN 59
3. Pieter Ghyllebert TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN 10
4. Christopher Sutton GARMIN - CHIPOTLE POWERED BY H30
5. Tom Veelers SKIL-SHIMANO 4
Team
1. Skil-Shimano 101
2. Topsport Vlaanderen 69
3. Garmin - Chipotle Powered by H30 4
4. Cycle Collstrop 2
Injuries: Not a great month for injuries - Brad McGee will be out for another half month after fracturing his hip, and Julian Dean will be out for 2 months with a fractured vertebrae after falling in the Tour of Qatar Rider Peaks: Watch out for Tom Danielson, Juan Van Heerden, Tyler Farrar and Ryder Hesjedal as they hit their training peaks this month
Rider of the Month: Chris Sutton
Recovered well from his crash in the Australian Championships to post our best result of the month with 5th place in the 2nd stage of the Tour of Qatar. Chris will be focusing on the Tour de Qinghai Lake plus the Post Danmark Rundt this season.
Next Month
A big month for the team, where we're hoping Tom Danielson can ride big for us in the Tour of California. We'll be starting February in France, with the Etoile de Besseges, GP Mediterranean and Grand Prix Cycliste La Marseillaise on our schedule
Until next month,
Rob Lewes
Team Manager Garmin - Chipotle Powered by H30
We were looking good for this race. We had a strong team, split between Tom Danielson trying to get away on the hills, and Juan Van Heerden if it came down to a sprint.
But when 15 riders went clear, I was forced to commit the team earlier than I wanted, and it took the combined efforts of Trent Lowe, Steve Cozza, Kilian Patour, Tyler Farrar and Dan Martin to bring them back. Trent Lowe reels in the break
This led us down to the sprint, which was in a word, crap. Juan van Heerden was absolute nowhere near the front, and came through from about 30th into 9th spot. It was damn annoying, he was by far the quickest, but he lacked the team mates, off the back after the chase, to get the position Awful
1 Nico Sijmens Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner 3h18'15
2 Nick Nuyens Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
3 Julien El Fares Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
4 Jean-Marc Bideau Roubaix Lille Métropole s.t.
5 Arnaud Labbe Bouygues Télécom s.t.
6 Nicolas Jalabert Crédit Agricole s.t.
7 Sébastien Minard Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone s.t.
8 Mathieu Ladagnous Française des Jeux s.t.
9 Juan Van Heerden Garmin - Chipotle powered by H30 s.t.
10 Giovanni Bernaudeau Bouygues Télécom s.t.
