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Double Feature | THE END
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 07-02-2013 14:54
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Ruta de San Luis - Stage 4
An important day in many ways today. The 20km long time trial would surely bring big gaps, to start with. Secondly it would be a great chance to test Willy's time trial capacities against those of the greatest: Cancellara, Evans, Van Garderen...
It's fairly flat. Let's see how it went today.
I started off fairly soon, because I lost much time already. Not many strong time trialists had come before me, so I expected, at least hoped, to set the first reference time of the day.
I rode an excellent time trial. I've had some excessive time trial training this winter, with Argos' finest time trial coaches. It seems not to have been a waste of time! I set the provisional best time, beating the first follower with over half a minute.
Of course, if I ever want the Belgian TT title, or even dream of the World title (on a hillier time trial I might ever have a chance), this is the reference: Cancellara.
In the end, he beat me with almost a minute. I still need a lot more training! But I finish 4th, which is a fantastic result! And I only lose 8 seconds on Evans, which gives me hope for the future. Imagine a couple of years from now, a hilly TT World Championship. Just imagine it, that's enough for now.
I just gave it everything to try and keep a top 10 place. Unfortunately, I failed. Hushovd even took some points and that Point Jersey looks lost, too.
Result
| 1 | Fabian Cancellara | Radioshack Nissan Trek | 26'10 | | | 2 | Gustav Larsson | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | + 40 | | | 3 | Cadel Evans | BMC Racing Team | + 50 | | | 4 | Willy Wouters | Team Argos-Shimano | + 58 | IanButler | | 5 | Thor Hushovd | Katusha Team | + 59 | | | 6 | Marco Pinotti | Astana Pro Team | + 1'09 | | | 7 | Tejay Van Garderen | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | | | 8 | Filippo Pozzato | Farnese Vini Selle Italia | + 1'12 | | | 9 | Sebastian Langeveld | Orica-GreenEDGE | + 1'17 | | | 10 | Fredrik Kessiakoff | Astana Pro Team | + 1'26 | | (...) | | 27 | Stijn Van Gent | Team Argos-Shimano | + 1'54 | IanButler |
General Classification
| 1 | Fabian Cancellara | Radioshack Nissan Trek | 11h43'00 | | | 2 | Cadel Evans | BMC Racing Team | + 8 | | | 3 | Thor Hushovd | Katusha Team | + 19 | | | 4 | Gustav Larsson | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | + 40 | | | 5 | Filippo Pozzato | Farnese Vini Selle Italia | + 1'06 | | | 6 | Sebastian Langeveld | Orica-GreenEDGE | + 1'17 | | | 7 | Alexandre Vinokourov | Astana Pro Team | + 1'26 | | | 8 | Christophe Kern | Team Europcar | + 1'30 | | | 9 | Tejay Van Garderen | BMC Racing Team | + 1'36 | | | 10 | Marco Pinotti | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | | | (...) | | 14 | Stijn Van Gent | Team Argos-Shimano | + 1'49 | IanButler | | (...) | | 21 | Willy Wouters | Team Argos-Shimano | + 2'27 | IanButler |
Points
| 1 | Thor Hushovd | Katusha Team | 73 | | | 2 | Stijn Van Gent | Team Argos-Shimano | 45 | IanButler | | 3 | Cadel Evans | BMC Racing Team | 41 | | | 4 | Filippo Pozzato | Farnese Vini Selle Italia | 41 | | | 5 | Fabian Cancellara | Radioshack Nissan Trek | 41 | |
Tomorrow the final hilly finish. See you then!
Stijn & Willy |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 07-02-2013 15:37
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Ruta de San Luis - Stage 5
This is probably the last day for the classification riders. However, last year we noticed some big gaps in the flat stages thanks to the wind. We should be careful here.
This stage should present some major caps in the final kilometers...
Kevin Seeldraeyers went into the breakaway, trying to get his first of the year.
In the final ascend, he and Ermeti ripped themselves loose.
Seeldraeyers surely looked like the strongest of the group, and he went looking for the win solo. Would be succeed?
No matter how interested I was in Kevin, I stopped thinking about him as soon as I saw the finish. It's been a year since I've been here and I've forgotten all about it. This is just a wall, so steep and tough. I can't hang on and drop out a bit.
In the end, I dropped out of the top 30 in this stage. What a strength-sapper.
Kevin Seeldraeyers gave Argos our second win of the season! What a great performance of him.
I had a pretty good day and was able to stay with Cancellara. Evans, however, took some time on everyone and takes the yellow jersey here.
Van Garderen had some troubles in the final 100m and loses his Young Jersey to me! I might go home with a jersey after all!
Result
| 1 | Kevin Seeldraeyers | Team Argos-Shimano | 3h50'33 | IanButler | | 2 | Giairo Ermeti | Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela | + 1'01 | | | 3 | Sylvain Georges | Ag2r La Mondiale | + 1'11 | | | 4 | Andrea Piechele | Colnago - CSF Inox | + 1'28 | | | 5 | Cadel Evans | BMC Racing Team | + 1'51 | | | 6 | Fabian Cancellara | Radioshack Nissan Trek | + 3'09 | | | 7 | Thor Hushovd | Katusha Team | s.t. | | | 8 | Alessandro Ballan | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | | | 9 | Eros Capecchi | Colnago - CSF Inox | s.t. | | | 10 | Christophe Kern | Team Europcar | s.t. | | | 11 | Filippo Pozzato | Farnese Vini Selle Italia | s.t. | | | 12 | Willy Wouters | Team Argos-Shimano | s.t. | IanButler | | 13 | Pieter Serry | Team Argos-Shimano | s.t. | IanButler | | 14 | Sebastian Langeveld | Orica-GreenEDGE | s.t. | | | 15 | Johnny Hoogerland | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | + 3'44 | | (...) | | 55 | Stijn Van Gent | Team Argos-Shimano | + 5'32 | IanButler |
General Classification
| 1 | Cadel Evans | BMC Racing Team | 15h35'32 | | | 2 | Fabian Cancellara | Radioshack Nissan Trek | + 1'10 | | | 3 | Thor Hushovd | Katusha Team | + 1'29 | | | 4 | Filippo Pozzato | Farnese Vini Selle Italia | + 2'16 | | | 5 | Gustav Larsson | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | + 2'25 | | | 6 | Sebastian Langeveld | Orica-GreenEDGE | + 2'27 | | | 7 | Christophe Kern | Team Europcar | + 2'40 | | | 8 | Eros Capecchi | Colnago - CSF Inox | + 2'54 | | | 9 | Alessandro Ballan | BMC Racing Team | + 2'57 | | | 10 | Alexandre Vinokourov | Astana Pro Team | + 3'11 | | | 11 | Marco Pinotti | Astana Pro Team | + 3'21 | | | 12 | Jan Bakelants | Radioshack Nissan Trek | + 3'29 | | | 13 | Willy Wouters | Team Argos-Shimano | + 3'37 | IanButler | | 14 | Stijn Devolder | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | + 3'40 | | | 15 | Sylvain Georges | Ag2r La Mondiale | + 3'46 | | | (...) | | 33 | Stijn Van Gent | Team Argos-Shimano | + 5'22 | IanButler |
Points
| 1 | Thor Hushovd | Katusha Team | 82 | | | 2 | Cadel Evans | BMC Racing Team | 53 | | | 3 | Fabian Cancellara | Radioshack Nissan Trek | 51 | | | 4 | Filippo Pozzato | Farnese Vini Selle Italia | 46 | | | 5 | Stijn Van Gent | Team Argos-Shimano | 45 | IanButler | | 6 | Willy Wouters | Team Argos-Shimano | 36 | IanButler |
Mountain Points
| 1 | Cadel Evans | BMC Racing Team | 22 | | | 2 | Pieter Serry | Team Argos-Shimano | 22 | IanButler | | 3 | Andrea Piechele | Colnago - CSF Inox | 20 | | | 4 | Kevin Seeldraeyers | Team Argos-Shimano | 16 | IanButler | | 5 | Thor Hushovd | Katusha Team | 14 | |
Young Rider: Willy Wouters
Best Team: BMC Racing Team
I keep thinking: If I hadn't lost that 2 minutes in that flat stage, I might have been in the top 3 now... But I guess that's cycling!
Tomorrow is flat, but we'll be careful for the wind! Stijn will sprint for a second win!
Stijn & Willy
Edited by Ian Butler on 07-02-2013 15:38
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 07-02-2013 15:49
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
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Nice win with Seeldraeyers, I'm sure Willy can use him in the Vuelta later this year 
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 07-02-2013 16:10
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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IF he would go to the Vuelta, he would surely use him 
Willy's going to the Tour, though. Co-leader or helper for Costa
Although he might go to the Vuelta, if he fails to get the Tour selection. |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 14:47
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 07-02-2013 16:46
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Once again Willy shows us how good he has become when it comes to time trialling
And a nice win for the team with Kevin Seeldraeyers |
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| PCM rulezz |
Posted on 07-02-2013 16:52
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Argos is looking really strong here 
Winners never quit, quitters never win.
It's difficult not to be happy when you're surrounded by Belgians. - Mark Cavendish
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 07-02-2013 17:05
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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sutty68 - I start dreaming of the National Title TT Thanks!
PCM rulezz - Two stage wins isn't bad, that's right |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 07-02-2013 17:05
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Ruta de San Luis - Stage 6
This tour is coming to an end. Just two more sprint stages. Today is a tough profile but we predict a sprint anyway.
Pieter Serry will surely secure his Mountain Jersey here!
And yes, of course he does. Great for him!
Today I proposed to launch Stijn, that way I won't lose time, and I can help Stijn get a win! So I was the last one to pull him towards the finish line.
Today we tried out a lead-out train. But we all lacked experience and in the end it may have cost more strength than we gained.
I was surprised that Willy took a turn as long as he did, but I am thankful. He launched me perfectly today.
But my superlegs from the first couple of days are long gone, and Hushovd easily takes the win (on the left).
It's not a tragedy. I've had a great tour here, but I'm afraid I need some rest now. Never underestimate the first races of the season, especially if it's a stage race.
Result
| 1 | Thor Hushovd | Katusha Team | 5h10'52 | | | 2 | Oscar Gatto | Farnese Vini Selle Italia | s.t. | | | 3 | José Joaquin Rojas Gil | Katusha Team | s.t. | | | 4 | Fabian Cancellara | Radioshack Nissan Trek | s.t. | | | 5 | Filippo Pozzato | Farnese Vini Selle Italia | s.t. | | | 6 | Francisco Ventoso | Movistar Team | s.t. | | | 7 | Stijn Van Gent | Team Argos-Shimano | s.t. | IanButler | | 8 | Simone Ponzi | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | | | 9 | Sebastian Langeveld | Orica-GreenEDGE | s.t. | | | 10 | Elia Favilli | Farnese Vini Selle Italia | s.t. | |
As expected, there were time differences. Willy's competition for the White Jersey lost more than a minute, so that's jersey's secure, too!
Stijn & Willy |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 07-02-2013 17:12
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
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A nice effort from Stijn |
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| PCM rulezz |
Posted on 07-02-2013 17:37
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Protected Rider
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Nice top 10 
Winners never quit, quitters never win.
It's difficult not to be happy when you're surrounded by Belgians. - Mark Cavendish
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 07-02-2013 17:46
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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sutty68 - Thanks
PCM rulezz - Thank you!
Last race of today coming up, hope you enjoy it. Thanks for the support! |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 07-02-2013 17:46
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Ruta de San Luis - Stage 7
The final day, the final sprint.
A sprint, most probably.
In my attempt to stay up front and not lose time, I chose Cancellara's wheel. A good choice, I though!
I didn't lose time and I go home with the Young Jersey, that's great!
Going back to the tactic of my earlier sprints this year, I had Hushovd's wheel. To be honest, that might be the thing I improved in the best, training with Kittel and Degenkolb. I'm fairly strong now and I can really fight for a great place. It will come in handy at many times!
We were all ready for the final sprint!
Unfortunately, Hushovd is just too strong. I take another podium, which suits me fine! I had my first of the season, and I count myself lucky with that!
Result
| 1 | Thor Hushovd | Katusha Team | 4h22'48 | | | 2 | José Joaquin Rojas Gil | Katusha Team | s.t. | | | 3 | Stijn Van Gent | Team Argos-Shimano | s.t. | IanButler | | 4 | Francisco Ventoso | Movistar Team | s.t. | | | 5 | Oscar Gatto | Farnese Vini Selle Italia | s.t. | | | 6 | Simone Ponzi | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | | | 7 | Julian Dean | Orica-GreenEDGE | s.t. | | | 8 | Fabio Felline | Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela | s.t. | | | 9 | Juan Pablo Forero | Colombia Coldeportes | s.t. | | | 10 | Samuel Caldeira | Carmim - Prio - Tavira | s.t. | | | 11 | Juan José Haedo | Team Saxo Bank | s.t. | |
Final Classification
| 1 | Cadel Evans | BMC Racing Team | 25h09'12 | | | 2 | Thor Hushovd | Katusha Team | + 49 | | | 3 | Fabian Cancellara | Radioshack Nissan Trek | + 1'10 | | | 4 | Filippo Pozzato | Farnese Vini Selle Italia | + 2'16 | | | 5 | Gustav Larsson | Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team | + 2'25 | | | 6 | Sebastian Langeveld | Orica-GreenEDGE | + 2'27 | | | 7 | Christophe Kern | Team Europcar | + 2'40 | | | 8 | Alessandro Ballan | BMC Racing Team | + 2'57 | | | 9 | Alexandre Vinokourov | Astana Pro Team | + 3'11 | | | 10 | Marco Pinotti | Astana Pro Team | + 3'21 | | | 11 | Jan Bakelants | Radioshack Nissan Trek | + 3'29 | | | 12 | Willy Wouters | Team Argos-Shimano | + 3'37 | IanButler | | (...) | | 26 | Stijn Van Gent | Team Argos-Shimano | + 5'14 | IanButler |
Points
| 1 | Thor Hushovd | Katusha Team | 132 | | | 2 | Stijn Van Gent | Team Argos-Shimano | 70 | IanButler | | 3 | Fabian Cancellara | Radioshack Nissan Trek | 65 | | | 4 | Filippo Pozzato | Farnese Vini Selle Italia | 58 | | | 5 | Francisco Ventoso | Movistar Team | 58 | |
Mountain Points
| 1 | Pieter Serry | Team Argos-Shimano | 44 | IanButler | | 2 | Cadel Evans | BMC Racing Team | 22 | | | 3 | Andrea Piechele | Colnago - CSF Inox | 20 | | | 4 | Kevin Seeldraeyers | Team Argos-Shimano | 16 | IanButler | | 5 | Matteo Tosatto | Team Saxo Bank | 16 | |
Young Rider: Willy Wouters
Best Team: BMC Racing Team
We can both go home with a happy feeling. However, there isn't too much time for rest, we're racing in Mallorca in a little over a week!
See you there!
Stijn & Willy |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 07-02-2013 18:38
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
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So close for Stijn at the finish
Edited by sutty68 on 07-02-2013 22:21
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| FreitasPCM |
Posted on 07-02-2013 21:00
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8389
Joined: 08-09-2009
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Close call, a positive result from the team in Argentina. |
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| JuanMotr |
Posted on 07-02-2013 21:26
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Nice results! Willy can be really happy with young riders jersey. And great win by Stijn. |
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| PCM rulezz |
Posted on 07-02-2013 21:54
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This was a very good race for Argos and our 2 youngsters.
Hope the next race will be even better
Winners never quit, quitters never win.
It's difficult not to be happy when you're surrounded by Belgians. - Mark Cavendish
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 08-02-2013 10:01
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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sutty68 - It was a close sprint, indeed. But Hoshovd is just a tad too strong!
FreitasPCM - Thanks, I agree
JuanMotr - I was actually surprised to see this is only the first Young Jersey for Willy in his career
PCM rulezz - I can only hope so, the next race will be Mallorca!
Thanks for all the replies!
I hope everyone is still enjoying the story, because I'm getting the feeling that less and less people are following. Maybe it's just my imagination, who knows.
Sure hope everyone's enjoying it still, though!
First stage of Mallorca most probably later today! |
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 08-02-2013 10:05
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
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PCM$: 9100.00
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It might be the lack of interesting races lately. Once we get to the cobbles, Stijn's fans will reappear!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| ste_18 |
Posted on 08-02-2013 11:01
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Katusha is dominating with Hushovd in the sprint! Nice Top3 for Stjin. I must admit that it's stange to see the guys with Argos shirt. |
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 08-02-2013 11:26
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Team Leader
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A good race. Keep it up
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