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Dreams of a Viper
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 04-04-2020 22:20
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@Ripley: Yeah he's taking his steps one by one. At least is seems like he has overcome Shonak's donut-directive  |
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 04-04-2020 22:32
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World Champion
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Good one Cris 
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT]  Xero Racing
5x  x5
2x  x2
2x  x2 |
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| VoetsT |
Posted on 06-04-2020 07:58
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 851
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Saso did some good racing with good moves for the team.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 03-12-2024 17:10
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 07-04-2020 12:54
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Ladies and Gentleman I've had some turbulent couple of days behind me. First of all it was an outstanding day on the saddle on Saturday, when there was the stage from the east coast to the west coast with that mountain in between. When we spoke in preparation before the day it was all about making that day as hard as possible for Cris. That meant that from the beginning on we were bullying the peloton until we had two people in the break. And I was one of them! Muhamad put on relentless pressure for the whole stage in the break and did an awesome job, making sure the peloton has to chase as hard as possible as early as possible. Then it was my turn, and I laid it all out to get over the top of the mountain before the favourites would reach us from the pack. I don't know what exactly happened, but together with some other teams we must have completely blown the race into pieces on that climb.
The roads closer to Ronang looked a lot calmer in the Roadbook
Cris was approaching me something like 30kms before the finishing line, after a descent. He was together with 3 other guys, a Kazakh, Garcia from UKYO and Debesay from Bike Aid. Later he said that Garcia and Debesay were stronger and actually waited for him after the mountain to put in more distance on the chasers together. I guess they knew I was still ahead, at that point being the lonesome guy out there. Cris knew that they were stronger than him, so he told me to always hold a little bit back and he'd do the same and at the end we'd try to play our cards simultaniously.
When we reached the outskirts of Ranong however I was totally cooked. I mean, I had been in the break all day, and I was happy enough to be able to take my turns. 6 Kilometers before the finishing line I was dead and gone, taking the last bottle from Cris (he wasn't allowed to throw them away at this point anymore) and then they left me in the dust. Garcia and Debesay did indeed look the strongest, so I have no idea how Cris managed to pull off the win. But I couldn't believe it when I saw my Moldovan team- and roommate circulated by all the media reporters (there were numerous for such a race!) and our staff members on the line! I approached him with a big smile despite my legs screaming for a lay down. But in that moment, I guess for the first time in my life, knew what it meant to win a cycling race without winning it myself.
After celebrating our victory - quite extravagantly as Matt and our Malayi Staff-members had organised some cold drinks and cake (do they always have such cheesy cakes?) - I asked Cris how he managed to pull this off.
"Sometimes you have to use your weaknesses to your advantage. I knew they had more left in the tank. I knew they are faster in a sprint. The key is to let them know, do provoke some complacency. The Kazakh guy was happy to hang on anyway, so those two were attacking. At some point I just let the wheel go and gambled on them to play cat and mouse so I could come back. Two times I did this, always putting on my worst of grimaces when coming back to them. The second time I just moved past them, while hovering around with my body a lot. The moment one started attacking the other again they suddenly realized that I had quite a gap. I guess they could've closed it, but they still weren't 100% committed to bring the other to the line. And I made them pay for their lack of commitment."
As we now got our leaders jersey on our team, it was time to take a more cautious approach on the race. First we had to make sure that Cris stays safe, and then we had to make sure that neither Nikitin, the Kazakh guy, nor Debesay or Garcia would take any time out of us or even bonus seconds. That fifth stage went from the west to the east coast again, crossing some hilly terrain but was mostly flat at the end. Still 216km is not a fun distance I can tell you.
Teams were obviously very willing to attack us, and while we got the race under control in the beginning, we didn't have to control a lot from there. Which sounds like a good sign, but it wasn't. The Vino guys with a very strong one called Fedoriv but also my man Pronskiy and a couple of others joined forces with Ukyo and really damaged our forces. At like half of the race it was only me left for Cris, which was a bit of a disaster as they started to attack in numbers. It was now around 30 riders in the pack, no group ahead obviously because the pace was too high. I could hold on to the race until something like 20km to go, but then I had to let go. Apparently Cris was capable of defending himself against all attacks from Vino and Ukyo, but Debesay had some strong teammates and got time on everybody with a group of six including two of his Bike Aid teammates.
We weren't overly happy with loosing the leaders jersey just after one day obviously. But it also was some sort of relief, as I wouldn't have been able to survive another day like this surely. The exhaustion and the horribly ugly city of Surat Thani also had a positive effect though: I got a lot of sleep very early, refreshed to start the last stage with some energy.
Surat Thani at night is the better choice over Surat Thani at daytime, not for Saso however...
The last stage turned back to the impressive Ratchaprapa Dam. That meant we would go back to the hilly terrain, so some space to attack. Not for me though. I really felt the fatigue kicking in now. My day meant just staying with Cris for as long as possible, and then I dropped off. Cris would make sure to take home the second place overall, pushing through the storm of attacks that came in again from teams like Ukyo. The stage was won by a guy called Jamolin or something like that, a guy from Indonesia. A group of riders that had lost time before made it all the way.
The dude that won the last stage.
To be honest, this was the kind of move I hoped I was going to make when Matt first told me to ease off on that day. But if I'm completely honest to myself: This race I was never going to make it. The whether, the pace, the length of some stages: It was a whole new experience to me!
At the end I'm kinda happy that I had some good legs for a couple of days, and kinda proud of what Cris has achieved. I felt like being a valuable part of his success, and at the same both him and all the team including Chief Matt really showed me all the love for my efforts. Damn, that feels so good after all that shit at home.
At the same time I have to admit that I envy Cris a little. I feel like, if they give me time and trust in my qualities I'll be able to pull out stuff like that as well. Don't get me wrong, I don't need the spotlight. But I need the win. |
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 07-04-2020 13:02
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World Champion
Posts: 11397
Joined: 17-12-2014
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J A M S
A .....M
M .... A
S M A J
Oh yeah, and, nice racing from that Sosa Grizzlyyak or whatever?
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
5x x5
2x x2
2x x2 |
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| Ripley |
Posted on 07-04-2020 13:24
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3341
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Really good stuff from Saso. I guess we won't see him race again for a while? Time to put on a few pounds. 
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| VoetsT |
Posted on 07-04-2020 15:20
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 851
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Solid racing from Saso, fine job in helping to secure Chirs' 2nd place.
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 08-04-2020 07:21
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Directeur Sportif
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@jandal7: Why am I not surprised?
@Ripley: I guess his reputation is far too low for racing the big Zwift invitationals, so it seems like Corona will hit him. What happens in detail to him depends a lot on you guys and how many directives come in that influence what he's doing.
@VoetsT: Indeed he has had a good time, though now he also knows what it means to be on the continental circuit. Maybe he underestimated the challenge a little... |
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 08-04-2020 08:12
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World Champion
Posts: 11397
Joined: 17-12-2014
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Well even though he won't be riding with the WT guys on Zwift during these times there's still a competitive and fun racing system on there he can start to crush
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
5x x5
2x x2
2x x2 |
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| Ripley |
Posted on 08-04-2020 09:11
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I can't figure him out yet. With his military background I could see him become a prepper living in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, going hunting and training on a mountain bike. On the other hand he's young and probably reckless, so he might be throwing corona parties and getting drunk every night. Either way I guess he'll struggle a bit when racing starts again, though that's probably true of most riders.
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 10-04-2020 12:59
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Bok!
The last couple of days have been quite amazing out here. The crew had everything arranged initially for me to go back to Croatia, but apparently we live in strange times. We didn't recognize it a lot on the road, as we've been outside of Bangkok. But it seems like the capital has had quite a steep rise in Corona cases. That means that Bangkok is in a lockdown, we European guys couldn't transfer there to get our flight back to Europe via Dubai.
On the same time our Malaysian guys also were quite in a bit of struggle. As you may didn't know, my team Sapura is a Malaysian one. They of course wanted to go back home as well, having a much shorter way to travel, but in the meantime Malaysia shut down their borders. That said, those guys could go home, but parts of the staff including GM Matt had more problems as they were not officially Malaysian residents. And the borders were only open for Malayis, so there was no opportunity, neither by land nor via water transport to go there.
closed borders between Thailand and Malaysia
Luckily some of the officials seem to be quite close to a couple of people from the sports federation, those are quite close to the ministry of sports, those are quite close to another official thing I didn't fully understand what it's for anyway. But in these countries it seems to work like they could just talk their way in. And as they were also trying to find a solution for us, they offered us a one-way ticket to Bangkok.
I wasn't very sure about it, neither was Roy. But Cris made it clear that that would be the best way out. I mean, for me it wasn't that bad in Thailand anywhere, where we stayed there was no sign of any crisis and I've heard of that animal shelter a friend of mine asked me to visit. He must have told them I'm a big thing in sports in Europe as ecstatic they were of inviting me. But Cris convinced me to just grab the opportunity.
In Malaysia you have friends that can take you everywhere, as you've seen. They value the wealth of their guys a lot. Be thankful for what they offer.
So I've decided that they have to settle for (my first ever!?) autograph card and a letter I'm going to send them from Kuala Lumpur. Instead I'm now writing you from a ship that is loaded in a very unusual way: Very few pasengers, lots of bikes and some other Malayans some of our crew members seemed to know well. I have no clue of what is going to happen there: Maybe I get back home with a plane, not sure when or how. Maybe I have to stay, maybe I want to stay. I don't know what is awaiting me at Sapura headquarters. But I'm kinda curious. |
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 13-04-2020 14:58
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9100
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Just to let you know about my statue. Right now I'm in Kuala Lumpur, staying at some sort of youth academy dormitorys. Roy and Cris are with me, though won't be for long. The Dutchie has a flight back home to Amsterdam tomorrow. Cris is undecided yet, but I am quite sure what to do.
The last days Matt, Bagus (the most important one of the Malayi guys I think) and all the others tried to make my stay as comfortable as possible. We had smooth transportation, a decent place to sleep and train. But damn, the city is as dead as it could get. I don't know whether that's normal here, but there is just nobody on the streets. We aren't even allowed to train outside on the bike, not even us Europeans. And the problem on trainers is that it's either blistering hot or completely overcooled by all the ACs. Not that comfortable to work on the cycling shape like that.
I talked to Matt about it, and he could imagine my struggle. It didn't take long for Matt to set me up with Bagus, who tried everything to help me with a flight back home. And luckily that guy seems to be very influencial, as I can join some sort of charter flight of a Malayi delegation to Switzerland. From there I will get back home easier, as flights to Zagreb via Frankfurt are still running.
But it's almost a week time until then. Still not sure what to do here though, any ideas fellas? Maybe Cris knows what to do!? Speaking of whom, I hope Cris joines me on the flight, that will make me feel less out of place there. He said he's undecided yet, but I know he likes Malaysia a lot and I've heard him talking to Bagus as well.
By the way, my bike definitely won't make the charter flight, so I have no clue how to continue cycling from home anyway. Zwift it is I guess, but I gotta get out my good old Specialized I guess. Let's see what's possible. At this point I just wanna be home first to see my family and friends and get some normal food in. Will keep you updated about my journey.
But now I have like a week time. What should I do? What I'm looking forward to is talking to Matt about me. He said he has plenty of ideas for my training. In which type of areas he want's me to work on my game. In which areas he thinks I can become really good. What do you think? What should I work on? Which types of races should I target?
Let me know your thoughts! |
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| Ripley |
Posted on 13-04-2020 16:22
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Posts: 3341
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It's tough to make recommendations so early in the career, a bit more of everything would be nice. I'd think hilly one-day races offer the most learning experience, since they are very dynamic.
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 15-04-2020 11:01
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9100
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Editorial note: The last post and the questions at the end were mainly directed at you guys. The younger and more raw Saso is, the more his game will improve. You can have a massive influence by telling what (and how) he should train, as that will have a big impact on which type of rider he might become. If the majority of people wants him to train as a climber, he'll try to do that. If there are no suggestions, he may try to do everything, which could benefit him, but also hinder him in the long run. If you wanna see him push on the track and go in the direction of time-trialling or sprinting, that's possible too. The decisions here won't draw a clear cut, but are very important for the next couple of months of Saso and his developements. So now is the best time to work your ideas for him, as with the corona crisis (and if your directives don't say something else) there is a big training block to come  |
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 15-04-2020 11:19
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I am a basic dude so I guess I like climbers cobblers and breakaway all arounders hard to do cobbles on Zwift so why not do some of the hilly and mountain focused routes and races. Happy for Sadi to go wherever the most readers want in terms of style though
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
5x x5
2x x2
2x x2 |
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| Ripley |
Posted on 15-04-2020 13:45
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I haven't really got a handle on him yet, where his natural strengths might lie. A puncher, focussing on one-day races and single stages, seems like the best way to start. He can always become a stage racer later in life. But maybe too obvious? His nickname forbids him having a diesel engine, though.
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 16-04-2020 15:53
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Posts: 9100
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Bok!
Just here for a short update on my condition, I'm currently running some rides. Slowly adapting to the climate, but there is no way I can get out on a ride now. It's thunderstorms all day and like 35 degrees with some incredible humidity. Guess #stayathome is more than just about corona these days.
Lightning strikes in Kuala Lumpur
But I have some good news for you as well. Bagus and the guys helped me a lot with my Zwift-setup and even asked the guys about not cooling it down to freezing temperature inside (well he said he would do it at least, nothing changed yet). That means that I can tell you that I'm not close to sweat as hard as on the racing days in Thailand, even though I'm turning major watts. But on the other side I'm almost sure I'll have a cold soon. Hopefully those guys on the place won't mess it up and accuse me of Coron-ing around.
Anyway, back to Zwift. These days I got connected to Cris, Serjoscha, Marcus and all the other Sapura guys and we had a nice ride out on Zwift. Today I did a big 6 hour shift though, turning almost 4500 meters in altitude. Virtually, at least. Everest-Challenge here we go.
Saso powering on Zwift...
Jokes aside, I started working on my climbing skills. Can go back to hills when I'm in my natural habitat again in Croatia. Still I'm getting wrecked by Cris on the climbs, even if it's only Zwift. That guy is super strong.
Also heard people jokin' on my feed about not being a diesel engine. That's jokes haha. Come challenge me on Zwift and I'll show you what I'm fueled with. That's fiveandahalf litre of Slavics Finest! |
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 16-04-2020 18:20
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Read through all the updates just now and I really like the idea that we can have some influence on Saso a bit.
Will be interesting to see how things unfold as corona could stick around for a while yet, but maybe the weather will improve enough that he can start some rides outdoors again
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 16-04-2020 23:55
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Posts: 11397
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Cool to hear Saso is staying connected to his Sapura teammates and putting in Zwift shifts, and intentionally turning his room into a sauna to adapt to the local climate I guess? As valverde said hopefully the weather improves soon for some outdoor rides.
Wait, can we control the weather? 
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
5x x5
2x x2
2x x2 |
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 17-04-2020 12:33
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9100
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@all: if we get enough questions together the next episode can be a Q&A sort of thing
@valverde321: great to have you on board! Well as soon as he's back in Croatia (if he gets there) the situation might be very different already.
@jandal7: As this is a rl simulation you can control the weather as much as trekbmc can control Laporte. Which means not at all
But yeah, Sapura is doing great as an organization. They're putting efforts in to support their riders and Saso seems to value that. That sauna is just visuals, it's way too cold really |
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