|
In The Pursuit of Glory | Thank You!
|
| sutty68 |
Posted on 23-11-2014 18:02
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Martijn has a nice schedule ahead of him, should guarantee some new stamps on his passport  |
| |
|
|
| the_hoyle |
Posted on 27-11-2014 20:47
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
@hardy: It will be a good year, and I am looking forward to it
@sutty: Some new races, and some new countries on Martijn's list
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
 |
| |
|
|
| the_hoyle |
Posted on 27-11-2014 21:31
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
It felt good to get back into the saddle at the GP la Marseillaise in France. The first week of February is earliest I have started a season, but given what I had planned ahead, I was confident of a good season ahead.
The GP Marseillaise gave me a chance to put my legs to the test from the outset. Hilly in profile, it normally ends with a reduced field, and a sprint between the Puncheurs. Given how HTC want me to evolve this year, this would seem like a good place to start.
I sat comfortably in the peleton, with Nkumbula and Adam Blythe for protection. Seeing as it was my first race, I was impressed with how I was feeling. Maybe Winter Training in the UK and South Africa could be the way forward.
The favourites would make their move at the foot of the final climb before the descent to the finish. My old teammate Cyril Gautier (Europcar) attacked first, and a chase group of 5 formed behind the lead group. The gap to the break was under a minute, so I was looking to count on Joe for support.
The small group approaching the finish suited me perfectly. Only J.J. Rojas (Katusha) and Arashiro (Europcar) caused me a threat if it ended in a sprint. However, my instinct to go alone over took me. On the descent, I attacked, and opened up a 20secs gap on the others. I knew instantly I had messed up.
The gap closed little by little as we came under the Flamme Rouge, and with the sprint under way behind, I didn't have enough left to kick again for the win. Rojas came past me with 50metres to go, and I would cross the line in 5th. The half a bike length would have given me a podium place. I was so dejected on the Team Bus as everyone tried to congratulate me. In my head, I had let everyone down.
| 1 |  José JoaquÃn Rojas Gil | Katusha Team | 3h25'11 | | 2 |  Tosh Van Der Sande | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 3 |  Nikolai Trussov | Tinkoff-Saxo | s.t. | | 4 |  Yukiya Arashiro | Team Europcar | s.t. | | 5 |  Martijn North | Team HTC-Highroad | s.t. | | 6 |  Sergio Luis Henao | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 7 |  Cyrille Patoux | Bretagne - Séché | s.t. | | 8 |  Johnny Hoogerland | Giant-Shimano | s.t. | | 9 | Cyril Gautier | Team Europcar | s.t. | | 10 | Armindo Fonseca | Team Europcar | s.t. |
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
|
| |
|
|
| sutty68 |
Posted on 27-11-2014 22:49
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
It was a nice start to the season for Martijn but it could have been so much better had he been more disciplined  |
| |
|
|
| the_hoyle |
Posted on 09-12-2014 21:57
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
@sutty: He will need to learn but I'm sure it will come in time
*****
After a small break, due to busy few weeks with work etc, the story will be continuing tomorrow evening
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
|
| |
|
|
| Roextro |
Posted on 09-12-2014 21:59
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2370
Joined: 24-01-2014
PCM$: 200.00
|
YAY, for a moment I thought you left, but I am very happy that it is back!  |
| |
|
|
| the_hoyle |
Posted on 09-12-2014 22:01
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
@jihardy: I haven't left just a few weeks off due to work, family stuff etc.
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
|
| |
|
|
| sutty68 |
Posted on 09-12-2014 23:01
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
jihardy wrote:
YAY, for a moment I thought you left, but I am very happy that it is back!
He must have been away on his luxury yacht after his Euro Millions win  |
| |
|
|
| the_hoyle |
Posted on 10-12-2014 21:40
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
@sutty: That was secret and I paid you off to keep quiet!
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
|
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 08:08
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| the_hoyle |
Posted on 10-12-2014 22:19
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
Enjoying Some Sunshine... And Rain?
The Dubai Tour is my second race of the season, but already I am confident in my legs, and hoping for a result. The profile is similar to last season, and I have a title to defend.
The ending to Stage 3 is identical to last year, and I will be looking to a similar tactic. Hit the final slope hard and fast, and go on the attack. With any hope, the result will be the same as 12 months ago.
Stage 2 and it was all about Cavendish. The sprint was taylor-made for him, and I was had the honour of riding in the HTC train. I had the duty of setting a high pace, with Sam Bennett and Geraint Thomas piloting Cav to the line. He duly took the win, and it was an amazing feeling.
Stage 3 was my target, and despite being defined as flat, I knew what laid in store at the end. The rain fell in the desert again, and a Lotto led peleton pulled back at the day's break before the climbs at the end. They did the job for me and the HTC guys, and as Thomas led me up the climb, I attacked.
The descent was fast, but I was feeling brave. I dug deep, and I was never going to be caught. My first win for HTC, and it was something that I could only dream of as a teenager watching HTC on TV. Geraint took 3rd, whilst Thomas de Gendt (OmegaPharma) took 2nd, and the GC lead. I was 9" down on the Belgian in 2nd. So close yet so far.
With a flat stage to end the race, it was looking like I would have to put up with 2nd on GC. So close, yet so far. However, the weather would have the last word. High winds on the final stage, the peleton was splintering all the time. With 13km to go, De Gendt found himself on the wrong side of a split. The gap opened, and soon it was over 1'00. The main group was in full chase of the breakaway, and I was sat in the lead-out for Cav. I was riding myself into the Lead!
In the end, the break would take the win, with Kruijswijk (Belkin) stealing the win. Cav would take 4th, whilst I rolled in 9th. De Gendt would come home on his own, chasing me down, but losing 1'18". I had won, and Geraint was 2nd! A great 1-2 for HTC, who would also take every jersey. Amazing result. I love this team!
| 1 | Martijn North | Team HTC-Highroad | 8h49'30 | | 2 |  Geraint Thomas | Team HTC-Highroad | + 1'00 | | 3 | Thomas De Gendt | OmegaPharma - Quick Step | + 1'09 | | 4 |  Lars Ytting Bak | Lotto - Belisol | + 1'55 | | 5 | Mark Cavendish | Team HTC-Highroad | + 1'58 |
| 1 | Geraint Thomas | Team HTC-Highroad | 43 | | 2 | Mark Cavendish | Team HTC-Highroad | 41 | | 3 |  Taylor Phinney | BMC Racing Team | 39 | | 4 |  Valentin Iglinskiy | Continental Team Astana | 34 | | 5 | Martijn North | Team HTC-Highroad | 33 |
| 1 | Martijn North | Team HTC-Highroad | 8h49'30 | | 2 |  Luke Durbridge | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 2'56 | | 3 | Yves Lampaert | Lotto - Belisol | + 3'09 | | 4 | Lasse Norman Hansen | Garmin-Sharp | + 3'12 | | 5 | Stanley Camus | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 3'15 |
| 1 | Team HTC-Highroad | 26h31'52 | | 2 | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 4'42 | | 3 |  Synergy Baku Cycling | + 6'15 | | 4 | OmegaPharma - Quick Step | + 6'34 | | 5 | Lotto - Belisol | + 6'56 |
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
|
| |
|
|
| mvhoogdalem |
Posted on 10-12-2014 22:29
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2244
Joined: 30-06-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Martijn certainly likes riding in Dubai.
Seems I missed the season opening in France, good result for Martijn there. |
| |
|
|
| sutty68 |
Posted on 10-12-2014 22:36
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Superb race for Martijn, Well Done  , and nice to see Geraint doing so well too |
| |
|
|
| the_hoyle |
Posted on 10-12-2014 22:40
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
@mvh: The stage 3 is almost a certain winner, but the high wins and echelons helped seal the win
@sutty: Geraint was doing a great job, and hopes to be in top form for the Cobbles
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
|
| |
|
|
| OZrocker |
Posted on 11-12-2014 03:37
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1280
Joined: 21-07-2012
PCM$: 300.00
|
Just shows that you always need to ride hard and pay attention right up to the finish, De Gendt didn't and cost himself the win. Another great race for team HTC, many more victories to come if this is any indication!
|
| |
|
|
| Roextro |
Posted on 11-12-2014 19:18
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2370
Joined: 24-01-2014
PCM$: 200.00
|
It mus be the heat or something because Martijn is a beast in the middle east |
| |
|
|
| sutty68 |
Posted on 11-12-2014 23:41
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
The Beast from the East
Martijns new nickname |
| |
|
|
| OZrocker |
Posted on 12-12-2014 05:56
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1280
Joined: 21-07-2012
PCM$: 300.00
|
Actually, who won the Mountains classification? Can't see it there...
|
| |
|
|
| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 13-12-2014 01:39
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
The Terror in Warmer Weather
|
| |
|
|
| sutty68 |
Posted on 13-12-2014 01:42
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
|
| |
|
|
| the_hoyle |
Posted on 13-12-2014 11:28
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
@oz #1: you always need to be alert when in the desert
@hardy: That could be the title of the chapter if he rides in Dubai next season
@sutty: He is not from the East though... 
@OZ #2: As there was only KoM Sprints on stage 3, Martijn took the win thanks to his winning attack. However, as they don't exist in real life in Dubai, I just missed them off
@cycleman: That's another idea for a Chapter title
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
|
| |
|
