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Team MILRAM: March, the real racing starts here.
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 20-05-2009 13:46
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i think he just completely blew. he wasn't far behind haussler with not long to go. think Klier just passed him on the line. |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 20-05-2009 14:01
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well i was looking forward to playing a bit more of my story this afternoon and had planned to do the Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne and the GP di Lugano. However the game kept crashing on the loading page for both races so i had to sim them. Hopefully it's one of those things that affects certain days but will be fine after.
Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne:
Squad: Knaven, Eichler, Schroder, M. Velits, Voss, Wrolich
These guys are gonna be the team that supports Terpstra and Kopp at the Cobbled classics this season so today was really about them getting used to working together in this kind of race. With a very strong field I had no expectations at all and this proved to be the case. Knaven was our best finisher at over 4 mins back in about 45th.
GP di Lugano:
Squad: Fothen, Frohlinger, Gerdemann, Knees, Rohregger, Scholz
A nice hilly day for the main climbers of the team. Last chance for them to get some racing in their legs before they lead the team at the Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico. Following his good result in California I let Fothen lead but suprisingly Scholz was our best rider on the day in 4th as Gerdemann and Knees finished 5th and 6th. Fothen was 18th just over a minute back. Obviously a bit of an off day for him. This is a race we probably could have won if I had been controlling them. I'm a bit disapointed that despite making up 3 out of 4 riders in their little geoup they were still all outsprinted by Cuesta!
Decent results in races that don't really mean anything to us. Hopefully Fothen and gerdemann will be in good enough shape to do well at the Paris-Nice. |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 21-05-2009 15:59
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Classics Specialist
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Vuelta a la Region de Murcia:
The last race before the Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico so most of my guys will be preparing for that. However i've sent Ciolek and Kopp along to get a bit of race fitness to give them a chance of some results at the TA.
Squad: Ciolek, Barla, Kopp, Kux, Roels, Schroder
Stage 1:
A very tough stage because of the wind. A group went away and became splintered. Robbie Hunter was in the break and managed to stay away till the end for a great win.
Ciolek was led out well by Kopp as the 2 broke away from the peleton in the final meters and passed one of the last break away riders on the line to take 2nd and 4th. A decent result.
Stage 2:
a much more straight forward stage today. The break , including Schroder, went away and was caught. In the sprint Kopp again led out Ciolek but the young German didn't have the legs to stay on his wheel. Kopp finished 6th while Ciolek finished outside the top 10. Hunter again took the win.
Stage 3:
A mountain tt that would really bring the real contenders to the front. I simmed the stage as i saw no real point in playing it with the riders i had.
The top 10 overall classification is the same as the stage classification. up next is a mountain stage followed by a flat stage where hopefully Ciolek can get his first win of the season.
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 22-05-2009 12:04
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Classics Specialist
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Vuelta a la Region de Murcia:
Stage 4:
Unfortunately my computer was playing up again so i had to sim this stage. I've deleted some stuff and the game was playing alot smother after so hopefully the problem should be sorted. Anyway, i'm guessing Kairellis and Millar were in a break that stayed away. Contador took the overall lead and looks favourite to take the overall win.
Stage 5:
The last stage is flat so should end in a sprint but a break could stay away so I send Kux onto the attack. Following the first sprint points a group of 24 riders was in front. With most teams represented the peleton stopped chasing.
Finally it was Barloworld who started the chase but had they left it too late? At the front 5 riders break away. Kux tries to go with them but just doesn't have the legs.
In the peloton Ciolek and Kopp are struggling to keep up and drift backwards. Quite worrying with only a few days until the Tirreno-Adriatico.
In the end the peloton catches the last 5 riders on the line but leave it too late to pass them. The win is taken by Giordani.
Contador takes the overall win in a race dominated by Spanish teams and riders.
No win for us which is dissapointing. Hopefully Ciolek will be in better form in a few days time.
Edited by ringo182 on 22-05-2009 12:05
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 22-05-2009 12:13
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Classics Specialist
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Paris-Nice:
Here it is then. What Fothen has been working for for the last few weeks. Seeing as he will spend most of the season supporting Gerdemann I've given him the opportunity to lead this week. However he is aware that if he doesn't perform then Gerdemann will take over. Overall the team is geared up for success in the mountains and hills but Forster might grab a placing in the sprints. Overall i hope for a top 10 finish at the very least. Hopefully top 5.
Squad: Fothen, Forster, Frohlinger, Gerdemann, Knees, Rohregger, Scholz, Stroetinga
Stage 1
A pan flat prologue to kick off the tour. unfortunately for Fothen he is forced to go first and with a daily rating of -5 he is lucky it's only 5k so he'll minimise his losses. He ends up 30 seconds behind winner Grabsch. Gerdemann fares slightly better and takes 10th at 17 seconds. Fothen is still the leader but gerdemann will be ready to take over if he doesn't perform.
Tomorrows stage is flat so Fothen and gerdemann will hopefully have an easy day in the saddle. |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 23-05-2009 12:50
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Paris-Nice:
Stage 2:
A long flat stage to kick of the real road racing in France. Fothen and Gerdemann would be looking to just get through in 1 piece while Forster would be after a placing. As expected a break went away. It was quite a big break but with Columbia controlling the peloton i didn't think it would be worth sending anyone into it today.
My leaders just settled near the front hoping for an easy day.
Forster just didn't have the legs today. As the sprint started he started to fade backwards. It seems he just can't cut it against the top sprinters.
The win went to Freire ahead of Cavendish.
Fothen just drifted over the line in the middle of the bunch, but Gerdemann looked to be struggling in the last few k's. Not a great day for the team.
Nothing changes in the top 10. Gerdemann is still up there in 10th and Fothen is still about 30 seconds down. Tomorrows stage is hilly so hopefully Fothen will be able to move up the GC a bit.
Edited by ringo182 on 23-05-2009 12:51
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 25-05-2009 22:41
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Paris-Nice:
Stage 3:
The road starts to get a bit hilly today so we could see a bit of a shake up in the GC. I still expect the peloton to be quite big on the last hill but with a sharp climb so close to the finish it could support a late attack. A group of 9 riders goes away early and works well to build up a gap.
With Grabsch still in yellow it's not suprising that Columbia lead the chase for most of the day.
As the Peloton reaches the final climb of the day the break is still out in front but the gap is closing fast. I send Knees and Rohregger to the front to close the gap and keep the pace fast up the hill.
As they reach the top of the hill i send both Gerdemann and Fothen onto the attack to see if either can get away but both make no groud so i call the attack off.
However as we get back onto the flat I send Fothen away again. He gets a bit of a gap.
But it's not enough and he is swallowed up quickly by 4 riders who try to get a jump on the peloton.
I send Gerdemann onto the counter and he follows the wheels of the 3 riders in front of him.
Gerdemann doesn't have the legs to go around the riders in front of him so has to settle for 4th. The win is taken by Freire ahead of Rodriguez who both get a 14 second gap.
Behind them Fothen coasts home in the middle of the bunch.
So Gerdemann takes 4th on the stage. We get a Pro-Tour point so can't complain.
In the GC Freire has moved up to 2nd and Gerdemann has moved up to 8th. We're gonna have to decide if Fothen will remain as leader or if Gerdemann will take over. Tomorrows stage will be decisive in the decision.
So far we on course to get the top 10 place we're after. We will need to decide if Gerdemann will take over as leader or if Fothen has the legs to put in a good show tomorrow. |
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| Kiein |
Posted on 25-05-2009 22:45
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Keep it up  |
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| Goldberger |
Posted on 25-05-2009 23:43
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Based on the first stages I think Gerdemann will be your man for the GC. Unless you can get Fothen in a breakaway or something. |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 26-05-2009 15:31
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Paris-Nice:
Stage 4:
First venture into the mountains today. However, they aren't too big so i expect a small bunch sprint at the end. I decide to try to get someone into the break today and Frohlinger gets the job. Initially he goes alone and takes the first mountain sprint.
But he is soon joined and a strong looking group of 10 forms up the road including Pozzato and Boassen Hagen.
As the peloton reached the last climb of the day the break was still away. As we hit the slope a number of attacks went in. Gerdemann and Fothen sat in the bunch and watched.
As more riders went up the road I sent Gerdemann to keep an eye on things. Fothen was still feeling strong and i wanted him to save his attack until as late as possible.
Initially things looked good. Gerdemann was in the large group of leaders and the peloton was still within striking distance of them.
However as they went over the top the group split. Gerdemann didn't have the legs to stay near the front and so missed the split.
At this point Fothen launched his attack. I was still confident that the gap was small enough for him to make up time on the dissent.
However, after starting the dissent like a rocket Fothen slowed and could only make it accross to Gerdemann's group. Ahead were the large group of big names and a small group of the orriginal break who were still off the front.
Gerdemann and Fothen chased hard but the gap wasn't coming down. Had they blown their chances of a top 10 GC finish already?
At the front Pozzato, Engels and Lloyd were still away from the original break and the gap was looking good.
The chasing group rode hard but they couldn't catch the 3 riders. Pozzato took the win with Dekker leading home the chasing group in the same time.
Further back my riders were trying to limit their losses. It has been a very bad day for the team.
So a very disapointing day. As manager I have to take responsibility. My tactics were wrong and now it's going to be an uphill struggle to get either rider into the top 10.
In the GC Kreuziger has taken over at the top of the table. Fothen and gerdemann are 17th and 18th with over a minute to make up just to get into the top 10. It's gonna be a case of riding aggresively for the rest of the race.
At the moment the team is feeling very low. Hopefully they'll feel better in the morning and will be able to concentrate on the job in hand.
Edited by ringo182 on 26-05-2009 15:32
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| beagle |
Posted on 26-05-2009 16:07
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Kreuziger  |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 26-05-2009 17:14
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Classics Specialist
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Tirreno-Adriatico:
In contrast to our desire to get into the top 10 at the Paris-Nice, here we have no real goals at all. The squad here is just looking for race fitness in order to achieve later goals. Wegmann and Terpstra haven't raced at all yet this season so this week will simply be a case of blowing away the cobwebs. A stage win would be a suprise more then anything. We will look to get into breaks and Ciolek will go for sprints though he is not in good enough condition to realistically challenge for the win.
Squad: Ciolek, Barla, Kopp, Schroder, Terpstra, Voss, Wegmann, Wrolich
Stage 1:
Classed as flat but i think that the hill at the end could ruin Cioleks already slim chances. Its a small break of just 3 riders today so they are easily brought back. The peloton is all together at the top of the last hill and as expected a few riders try to get away. though they seem more interested in the mountain points then staying away to the finish.
On the way down i send Terpstra to the front to keep the pace high and deter attacks. He strings out the peloton, but maybe a bit too much for our own good.
It's a nervous finish and a few riders go down.
My riders all avoid the trouble but thats where the good news ends. Ciolek just doesn't have the legs and so starts going backwards.
In the sprint Duque proves to be the stongest, sprinting into a good lead. He even has time to sit up in the last few meters.
So Duque takes the win. It was quite a good day for us. Most made it through in the peloton which is all I can really expect.
So today went about as well as it could have gone. The only problem with starting the race with 3 flat stages is that Wegmann and Terpstra aren't going to loose much time so a break is less likely to succeed.
Edited by ringo182 on 26-05-2009 17:15
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 27-05-2009 13:42
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Classics Specialist
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Paris-Nice:
Stage 5:
It's the big one today. Gerdemann and Fothen both know that they are going to have to be aggressive today and hope that other riders have bad days if they are to work their way back into the top 10. Today I decide thay Rohregger should get into the break. He does this and takes the first mountain sprint.
The peloton decide the group is too dangerous for some reason and they are brought back before another group goes away and stays away. By the time they reach the foot of Ventoux the break is still away but they are sevearly fragmented and slowing rapidly. Fothen decides to go early to try to catch the favourites napping.
The plan doesn't work and he is quickly passed by numerous others including Kreuziger who opens a nice gap.
At this point Gerdemann also attacks and for a brief while he and Fothen settle into a small group with a small gap over the peloton.
Gerdemann even has the legs to attack from this small group.
Gerdemann has a gap with a couple of other riders. Ahead Kreuziger is still looking good.
However Gerdemann just doesn't have the legs to maintain his attack and is soon passed by a number of other riders. Gerdemann sinks back onto the shrinking peloton. Our race is over for the day.
At the front Kreuziger is still setting the pace though Cunego and Schleck are closing the gap.
As Schleck tires and falls back into a small group, Cunego continues to close the gap. With just over 4k to the finish he draws level with Kreuziger.
And he continues to set his own pace. Kreuziger can't match the Italian for speed and Cunego quickly gets a gap.
And thats it. Cunego maintains his speed to the finish. He's too tired to celebrate but his solo victory has given him the overall race lead.
Gerdemann and Fothen finish in the peloton at almost 2 mins. Dispite this they have moved up to 14th and 15th in the GC.
So Cunego's win puts him in the overall lead. Fothen and Gerdemann have both moved into the top 15 but they will have their work cut out to take out a minut to get into the top 10. There's still plenty of stages to go though and anything could happen.
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 27-05-2009 15:43
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Classics Specialist
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Tirreno-Adriatico:
Stage 2:
Seeing as we have no real aspirations in the GC here in Italy we've decided to target the mountains jersey to see if we can take something away from this week. Wegmann seems to be the most likely candidate for the job so we send him up the road early on. However, the peloton decide his group is too dangerous and he is chased down.
A little later the current holder of the KOM jersey, Voeckler attacks. I send Terpstra after him and along with Meier they build a nice gap.
The first climb is a tough one and Voeckler just pips Terpstra to the line to extend his lead in the competition. Meier has been dropped so it's just the 2 of them now.
At the next KOM sprint Terpstra proves to be too strong for Voeckler who doesn't even contest the sprint.
And thats pretty much the end of the day for us. Terpstra and Voeckler were caught before the last KOM sprint and not a single one pf my riders was still in the peloton at the end of the race. In the sprint Bennati took the win ahead of Boonen and now leads the overall GC.
As I said Bennati takes over as overall leader. Every single one of my riders lost time today. As said before we have no GC goals this week so if anything it will make it easier for us to get breaks to stick. In the KOM comp Terpstra is second 5 points behind Voeckler. It seems Voeckler is keen to hang onto his jersey so it will be tough to displace him but the whole team will be working for Terpstra now. As well as trying to get stage wins.
Edited by ringo182 on 27-05-2009 15:45
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| beagle |
Posted on 27-05-2009 16:54
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great report from Mt.Ventoux!! |
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| Kiein |
Posted on 27-05-2009 22:26
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You write pretty good |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 28-05-2009 12:58
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Classics Specialist
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Paris-Nice:
Stage 6:
A rare flat day at the Paris-Nice will see Fothen and Gerdemann taking it easy and Forster being the leader for the day. Like in the Tirreno-Adriatico we've decided to target the KOM comp here in France. Were not taking it too seriously but we send Rohregger into the break to try to pick up some points. He takes 2nd on the first climb but doesn't have the legs to stay with some of the stronger break riders on the flat and drops into the second group.
The breakaway riders are all caught and the peloton prepares for the sprint. Forster decides to follow the wheel of Cavendish. However this proves to be a mistake as the young Brit goes backward.
So Forster is out of contention for the sprint. It's been a disasterous week for him. The win goes to De Jongh while Fothen and Gerdemann just cost in within the peloton. Someone must have had a bad day because they both move up one place in the GC.
2 stages left, 1 hilly and 1 Mountain. Fothen and Gerdemann seem to be struggling so i'm not expecting too much. It would be nice to get 1 of them into the top 10 though. |
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 28-05-2009 13:11
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Tirreno-Adriatico:
Stage 3:
The 3rd flat stage in a row and the first with no real hills to sap the strength of the pure sprinters. Again we try to get Wegmann into the early break but his group is brought back. Don't know if it's because of him or just bad luck.
Another group goes away and this time it's Voss who goes with it. My riders aren't in top shape but were being very active.
Voss isn't strong enough to take any points on the hills but as the peloton reach the last KOM sprint their is only 1 rider still out in front. Terpstra sneaks off the front of the peloton to take 2nd place and close the gap on Voeckler.
Ciolek is looking in better shape today and gets into the train that includes Boonen and Bennati.
He doesn't have the legs to go past the riders in front of him but he can hold off the riders behind him. He takes 5th to pick us up another Pro-Tour point. Boonen takes the win ahead of Bennati.
After 3 flat stages the GC is dominated by the sprinters as expected. Of course my team is completely out of the picture.
However Terpstra is keeping the pressure up on Voeckler in the KOM comp. A good day for him today as he closes the gap to just 2 points.
Edited by ringo182 on 28-05-2009 13:12
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| Biathlon |
Posted on 28-05-2009 13:27
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Sprinter
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Would been great for your team to win the KoM So good luck
Words to live by
"What would Lance do?"
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 28-05-2009 19:58
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
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Paris-Nice:
Stage 7:
Hilly stage today. Lots of KOM sprints today so we send Frohlinger into the attack to see what he can do. He's competitive but it seems that a number of other teams have the same idea.
Frohlinger doesn't have the legs to stay away all day and is caught but others in the break stay away. As the peloton reaches the last climb a number of riders attack including Cunego. Gerdemann decides that this is the attack to follow.
The story of this week has been my leaders inability to stay with the key breaks. Today is no exeption.
At the front Zabriskie and O'Grady from the orriginal break are still out in front and un-catchable.
Meanwhile more riders race past Gerdemann.
O'Grady wins the sprint for the win.
While gerdemann can only watch the riders in front of him race away.
He can't even stay away from the peloton. Another bad day for the team.
In the GC both Fothen and Gerdemann have dropped places. There is now no chance of either getting into the top 10. Meanwhile Cunego's lead is now over 1 minute and he's looking good for the overall win.
The one piece of good news is that Frohlinger has moved into the top 5 in the KOM comp. If he can stay there then at least we'll get a point or 2 out of this week.
Edited by ringo182 on 28-05-2009 20:01
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