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aCross the road: Mud, Sweat & Gears
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 18-06-2014 13:19
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A nice way for Tejay to finish his season  |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 18-06-2014 13:36
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Tommeke World Champion  |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 20-06-2014 22:15
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@Ian Butler: I though you'd like that.
@Sutty68: Yup, another nice finish. Of course Citigroup has to show Tejay off in all parts of the world. 
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Shonak |
Posted on 20-06-2014 22:15
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Season Review 2015
Whilst I missed large parts of the second half of the season, I can still look back on a successful second year. At age 23, I have won two classics this year, Brabantse Pijl and Clásica San Sebastian, adding to my Door Vlaanderen victory. At Eneco Tour I have achieved a 2nd place behind my future teammate Philippe Gilbert.
It was going great, but the Italian media attention, the imagined public imagine and my own discrepancies brought me to a quick downfall. I didn’t expect to become suspended but it happened anyway.
I decided to turn my back on my nation for the World Championships, and instead focused on the pit and mud. It was Cyclo-Cross time soon again, and I wanted to be ready.
Road Season 2015 | Country | Cat | Race | Result | Detail |  | 1.HC | Omloop Het Nieuwsblad | 29th | CBS | | 1.1 | Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne | 27th | CBS |  | 1.1 | Strade Bianche | 2nd | Gravel |  | UWT | Paris-Nice | 37th | 8 stages | | UWT | Milano - San Remo | 24th | Monument | | 1.HC | Dwars door Vlaanderen | 11th | CBS | | UWT | E3 Prijs Harelbeke | 4th | CBS | | UWT | Gent-Wevelgem | 26th | CBS | | 2.HC | Driedsaage de Panne | 25th | 4 stages / 1 Stage win | | UWT | Ronde van Vlaanderen | 10th | Monument | | UWT | Paris-Roubaix | 33rd | Monument | | 1.HC | De Brabantse Pijl | 1st | CBS/Hill |  | UWT | Amstel Gold Race | 17th | Hill | | UWT | La Fléche Waloone | 8th | Hill | | UWT | Liége-Bastogne-Liége | 11th | Hill |  | 2.HC | Amgen Tour of California | 11th | 8 stages |  | 2.HC | Bayern-Rundfahrt | 27th | 5 stages |  | UWT | Clasica San Sebastian | 1st | Hill | | 1.1 | Trofeo Matteoti | 112th | Flat |  | 1.1 | Ride London | 64th | Flat |  | 2.1 | Artic Race of Norway | 10th | 4 stages | | UWT | Eneco Tour | 2nd | 7 stages | | UWT | Vattenfall Cyclassics | SUSPENDED | Flat | | 1.1 | Giro del Veneto | SUSPENDED | Hill | | UWT | GP Ouest-Plouay | SUSPENDED | Hill |  | 2.HC | Tour of Alberta | SUSPENDED | 6 stages | | UWT | Gran Prix Cycliste de Quebec | SUSPENDED | Pseudo-Hilly | | UWT | Gran Prix Cycliste de Montreal | SUSPENDED | Pseudo-Hilly | | 1.HC | Milano - Torino | SUSPENDED | MT | | UWT | Giro di Lombardia | SUSPENDED | Monument | | 1.1 | Coppa Sabatini | SUSPENDED | Flat | | 1.1 | Giro dell'Emilia | SUSPENDED | Hill |
The World Rankings 2015
I finished my season on a great 22nd place overall in the UCI rankings. Thanks to some massive points in San Sebastian and in Belgium I might add. In turn, my CQ ranking placing profited largely from the spring classics, and I ended up on 27 place there with a total of over 1000 points.
The UCI Ranking was leaded by Alberto Contador, winner of le Tour and Il Lombardia. Joaquim Rodriguez, who finally won his long-wanted Grand Tour, came second, whilst last year dominator Alejandro Valverde finished third. Froome and Nibali completed the Top 5.
On the Team perspective, Team Alonso – Ferrari and IAM Cycling managed to get into the UCI World Tour. In return, Europcar and Orica GreenEdge get relegated. Team SKY won the team classification ahead of Team Katusha and BMC.
Two Britons top the list of victories, Adam Blythe and Mark Cavendish. On third place then follows my teammate Elia Viviani who a stellar season of 15 wins, unfortunately not a Grand Tour stage win included.
List of Team Victories 2015
Spoiler
Team Victories 2015
| Race | Rider | Type | | Tour Down Under | Marco Marcato | Stage 1, FL | | Tour Down Under | Elia Viviani | Stage 2, FL | | Tour Mediterraen | T.J. Van Garderen | Stage 2, TT | | Kuurne- BX - Kr. | Marco Marcato | One Day, CBS | | GP di Lugano | Elia Viviani | One Day, FL | | 3 Days of De Panne | Raphael Visconti | Stage 1, CBS/HL | | 3 Days of De Panne | Elia Viviani | Stage 2, FL | | 3 Days of De Panne | Elia Viviani | Stage 3, FL | | De Brabantse Pijl | Raphael Visconti | CBS, HL | | Tour of California | Tejay Van Garderen | Stage 6, TT | | Tour of California | Tejay Van Garderen | Overall | | Tour of California | Raphael Visconti | Young Rider | | Bayern Rundfahrt | Daniele Ratto | Stage 1, FL | | Tour of Estonia | Elia Viviani | Stage 1, FL | | Tour of Estonia | Elia Viviani | Stage 3, FL | | Tour of Estonia | Elia Viviani | Stage 4, FL | | Tour of Estonia | Elia Viviani | Overall | | Tour of Estonia | Elia Viviani | Points | | Tour de Suisse | Moreno Moser | Stage 2, MT | | Tour de Suisse | Moreno Moser | KoM Clas. | | National Championship | Tejay Van Garderen | USA RR | | National Championship | Tejay Van Garderen | USA TT | | National Championship | Moreno Moser | ITA RR | | National Championship | Guillaume Boivin | CAN RR | | National Championship | Maciej Bodnar | POL TT | | Tour de France | Moreno Moser | Stage 16, MT | | Clasica San Sebastian | Raphael Visconti | Classic | | Artic Race of Norway | Elia Viviani | Stage 4, FL | | Eneco Tour | Raphael Visconti | Young Rider | | USA Pro Cycling Challenge | Elia Viviani | Stage 5, FL | | USA Pro Cycling Challenge | Elia Viviani | Stage 7, FL | | Tour of Alberta | Elia Viviani | Stage 6, FL | | Monviso - Venezia | Tejay Van Garderen | Stage 4, MT | | Tour of Britain | Elia Viviani | Stage 1, FL | | Tour of Britain | Tejay Van Garderen | Stage 3, TT | | Tour of Britain | Oscar Gatto | Stage 5, HL | | Tour of Britain | Elia Viviani | Stage 6, FL | | Tour of Britain | Elia Viviani | Stage 7, FL | | Tour of Britain | Oscar Gatto | GC | | Tour of Beijing | Daniele Ratto | Stage 4, FL |
Next stop: Some bike shop to fix up the bike.
See you in Ruddervoorde for the CX opening!
Edited by Shonak on 21-06-2014 00:12
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 20-06-2014 23:57
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The Team victory list looks pretty impressive indeed |
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| The Rider |
Posted on 21-06-2014 09:19
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Didn't look like the most animated World champ RR, baring the last 5 KM. I'm sure Raphael might have caused some fireworks if he was there!
It will be good to see him competing against the world champ in the classics ... and even more interesting to see if Raphael can match him or even surpass him on the cobbles and other terrains.
-- Was it just me or were Viviani's victories always shoehorned into small paragraphs! (Though I didn't miss them and it is understandable as he was mainly winning in the smaller races)
Looking forward to the CX races, has Raphael improved there? We shall see. Then we can look forward to 2016 and the team preview, I will be sure to make some predications. |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 21-06-2014 09:51
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Ruddervoorde, back in business!
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| Shonak |
Posted on 21-06-2014 23:03
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@sutty68: Yes, a long list but so many small races. Goal for next season is to get some more World Tour wins.
@The Rider: Ha, yes indeed. Is it already a running gag? Elia Viviani's wins really always got mentioned on the side and those were many.
I'm also sure that Raphael would have liked the route. Next time full attack!
I see you have a new thing going on, need to catch up on that.
@Ian Butler: Hehe, I played it yesterday and it was a good race. No time to write report though today.
Edited by Shonak on 21-06-2014 23:05
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 21-06-2014 23:42
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I am sure that more World Tour wins will be achieved |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 13-09-2026 20:26
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| The Rider |
Posted on 22-06-2014 08:57
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sutty68 wrote:
I am sure that more World Tour wins will be achieved
I agree with sutty here, the time looks right for some real big wins next season. The looming start of 2016 is set to be the most exciting part of this story yet for me.
-- I forgot to say, but maybe it was a harsh getting rid of the Tour of Beijing completely! Having said that I reckon anyone who has a long career removes Beijing from the WT or gets rid of it completely. 
-- Not much catching up needed. |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 23-06-2014 10:28
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Well guys we'll see. With Gilbert joining the team, Raphael might have to return to domestique duties more than he'd wish. In any case, I hope you guys enjoy it.
Edited by Shonak on 23-06-2014 10:29
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Shonak |
Posted on 23-06-2014 10:35
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Niels Albert retires
You have probably heard it by now, Niels Albert had to retire from the sport due to heart problems. A truly great champion and one of the best CX riders in the bunch, he will be sorely missed. I’ve come to know him as a fierce, fair and cunning athlete and a great person.
As a reaction, his team BKCP – Powerplus has founded the GP Niels Albert in Bonheiden. Maybe this will also be a place where Albert’s young replacement Wout Van Aert, one of the greatest prospects in the sport, have the chance to lay his claim?
CX 2015- 2016
In any case: Welcome to a new season of Cyclo-Cross. Unused to me, I kick off the season a week earlier in Ruddervoorde.
I have focused my training for the mud and I’m eager to show my talents for good this season. The past seasons have been all about consistency and learning the ropes, I feel it’s time for me to step up my game. Thus my aim is to compete amongst the best of the world for good this season.
| Superprestige | Ruddervoorde | | | Bpost | Ronse | | | World Cup | Tabor | | | World Cup | Plzen | | | Bpost | Koppenberg | | | Superprestige | Zonhoven | | | Superprestige | Hamme-Zogge | | | Bpost | Hasselt | | | Superprestige | Gavere | | | World Cup | Koksijde | | | Superprestige | Gieten | | | World Cup | Roubaix | | | Bpost | Essen | - | | World Cup | Valkenburg | | | World Cup | Heusden-Zolder | | | Bpost | Loenhout | | | Superprestige | Diegem | | | Bpost | Baal - GP Sven Nys | | | World Cup | Rome | | | National Championship | | | | World Cup | Hoogerheide | | | World Championship | Namur | | | Bpost | Bonheiden - GP Albert | | | Bpost | Lille | | | Superprestige | Hoogstraten | | | Superprestige | Middelkerke | | | Bpost | Oostmalle | |
This is my raw schedule for the season. Following how my form and my race ambitions develop, I may cut some out. I surely won’t participate in the all Bpost races of the season.
Superprestige Ruddervoorde
When I was finally back at the startline of a race, it felt great to be back. At least for now.
The suspension hasn’t been easy. I felt useless and oftentimes didn’t know why I’d race anymore. I loved cycling and for the time, I felt like people wanted to take it away from me. Getting back in the CX scene, gave me much needed confidence and self-awareness. I cherished those moments at the startline, and maybe I developed a new insight at that point.
There lay some fog early in the morning over the route. We took it surprisingly easy due to the heavy fog. Some crashes still happened. Kevin Pauwels had a terrible one and lostquite some places. Soon thereafter, Walsleben took initivative and spearheaded through the fog. I was catching his wheel and my legs felt great.
Keeping some other riders in check, Walsleben and I had a good thing going on and I felt more and more confident to ride for the victory. At the short cobblestone-section, I attacked then, a few laps out. People were cheering, not caring who I was. But for what I did, they cheered. I was racing.
Unfortunately, my legs didn’t quite held up to their end of the deal. I pretty much gave in on the last two laps, missing still race practice. In return, Walsleben chased me down, followed by Aeronauts. Apparently it was down to me and Walsleben, when the German Natioanl Champion reached me. But oh my – we really did underestimate Bart Aeronauts when he attacked in an idle moment and raced past us. I got nervous and wanted to chase him, Walsleben went past me in the final hairpin. And as I was looking back, I suddenly saw Sven Nys coming from behind. I just made it cross the line ahead of Nys, securing at least my third place in the race. It felt great to be back in racing action, and – boy, what an opening and “comeback” for me. This was just about the right kick of motivation to keep things going.
Superprestige Ruddervoorde, Results
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | Bart Aernouts | AA Drink - Leontien.nl | 2h34'04 | | 2 | Philipp Walsleben | BMC Mountainbike Racing Team | + 33 | | 3 | Raphael Visconti | Cannondale Cyclocross World | s.t. | | 4 | Sven Nys | Crelan- Euphony | s.t. | | 5 | Lars Van Der Haar | Argos Shimano | + 45 | | 6 | Francis Mourey | FDJ - BigMat | s.t. | | 7 | Rob Peeters | Telenet - Fidea | + 1'45 | | 8 | Julien Taramarcz | BMC Mountainbike Racing Team | + 1'59 | | 9 | Wietse Bosmans | BKCP - Powerplus | + 2'51 | | 10 | Sven Vanthourenhout | Crelan- Euphony | s.t. |
Spoiler | 11 | Petr Dlask | Omega Pharma | s.t. | | 12 | Martin Zlamalik | Crelan- Euphony | + 4'47 | | 13 | Steve Chainel | FDJ - BigMat | s.t. | | 14 | Bart Verschueren | Crelan- Euphony | s.t. | | 15 | Wout Van Aert | BKCP - Powerplus | + 5'50 | | 16 | Klaas Vantornout | Sunweb - Napoleon Games | s.t. | | 17 | Bart Wellens | Telenet - Fidea | s.t. | | 18 | Sascha Weber | Stevens Racing Team | + 6'13 | | 19 | Aurélien Duval | Argos Shimano | s.t. | | 20 | Robert Gavenda | Argos Shimano | + 6'57 | | 21 | Paul Voss | Argos Shimano | s.t. | | 22 | Arnold Jeannesson | FDJ - BigMat | s.t. | | 23 | Tom Meeusen | Telenet - Fidea | + 10'36 | | 24 | Thijs Van Amerongen | AA Drink - Leontien.nl | + 13'48 | | 25 | Dieter Vanthourenhout | BKCP - Powerplus | s.t. | | 26 | Mariusz Gil | Kwadro - Stannah | s.t. | | 27 | Mathieu Van Der Poel | Rabobank Giant Offroad | s.t. | | 28 | Julien Alaphilppe | Omega Pharma | s.t. | | 29 | Kevin Pauwels | Sunweb - Napoleon Games | s.t. | | 30 | Radomir Simunek | Kwadro - Stannah | s.t. | | 31 | Eddy Van Ijzerdoorn | Orange Babies | s.t. | | 32 | Marcel Meisen | Kwadro - Stannah | s.t. | | 33 | Kenneth Van Compernolle | Style & Concept | s.t. | | 34 | Ian Field | Hargroves | s.t. | | 35 | Gerben De Knegt | Orange Babies | s.t. | | 36 | Tom Van Den Bosch | Hargroves | s.t. | | 37 | Jonathan Page | Planet Bike | + 14'37 | | 38 | Marco Aurelio Fontana | Selle Italia - Guercotti | + 14'46 | | 39 | Gianni Vermeersch | BKCP - Powerplus | s.t. | | 40 | Tomas Novy | Cycklo Team Tabor | s.t. | | 41 | Vladimir Kyzivat | Czech | s.t. | | 42 | Mathieu Boulo | Roubaix Lille Métropole | + 15'02 | | 43 | Patrick Van Leeuwen | Orange Babies | s.t. | | 44 | Micki Van Empel | Crelan- Euphony | s.t. | | 45 | Michael Vanthourenhout | Sunweb - Napoleon Games | s.t. | | 46 | Rafael Visinelli | Selle Italia - Guercotti | s.t. | | 47 | Mike Teunissen | Rabobank Giant Offroad | s.t. | | 48 | Roy Van Heeswijk | Orange Babies | s.t. | | 49 | Mathias Fluckiger | Omega Pharma | s.t. | | 50 | Ondrej Bambula | Cycklo Team Tabor | s.t. | | 51 | Boris Zimine | Roubaix Lille Métropole | s.t. | | 52 | Quentin Jauregie | Enertherm - BKCP | s.t. | | 53 | Lukas Fluckiger | BMC Mountainbike Racing Team | s.t. | | 54 | Niels Wubben | Rabobank Giant Offroad | s.t. | | 55 | Gert-Jan Bosman | Rabobank Giant Offroad | s.t. | | 56 | Jiri Polnicky | Sunweb - Napoleon Games | s.t. | | 57 | Angelo De Clerq | Sunweb - Napoleon Games | s.t. | | 58 | Martin Bina | Cycklo Team Tabor | + 16'03 | | 59 | Joeri Adams | Telenet - Fidea | s.t. | | 60 | Enrico Franzoi | Selle Italia - Guercotti | + 16'49 | | 61 | Filip Eberl | Czech | s.t. | | 62 | Maxim Debusschere | Style & Concept | + 17'14 | | 63 | Matthias Van Den Keybus | Enertherm - BKCP | s.t. | | 64 | Matt Mcdonald | Hargroves | s.t. | | 65 | Mark Lalonde | Planet Bike | s.t. | | 66 | Sascha Wagner | Stevens Racing Team | s.t. | | 67 | Tomas Paprstka | Czech | s.t. | | 68 | Julien Nys | BMC Mountainbike Racing Team | + 17'50 |
Superprestige Classification After 1 out 8 Races
| 1 | Bart Aernouts | 15 | | 2 | Philipp Walsleben | 14 | | 3 | Raphael Visconti | 13 | | 4 | Sven Nys | 12 | | 5 | Lars Van Der Haar | 11 | | 6 | Francis Mourey | 10 | | 7 | Rob Peeters | 9 | | 8 | Julien Taramarcz | 8 | | 9 | Wietse Bosmans | 7 | | 10 | Sven Vanthourenhout | 6 | | 11 | Petr Dlask | 5 | | 12 | Martin Zlamalik | 4 | | 13 | Steve Chainel | 3 | | 14 | Bart Verschueren | 2 | | 15 | Wout Van Aert | 1 |
Edited by Shonak on 23-06-2014 10:36
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 23-06-2014 11:28
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Tour de France Champion
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A strong start from Raphael, but Albert is just so sad 
(Well, especially in real life, of course) |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 23-06-2014 13:19
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A Great start to the season for Raphael and a nice podium |
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| The Rider |
Posted on 25-06-2014 11:57
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Some daunting/epic/ mysterious weather at the start of the CX season. A great start for Raphael, he looks to be helped from Albert's retirement and Nys perhaps not in his stellar form (although he looked good in that race).
Raphael seems to get more luck than most in these types of races, so I would be shocked not to see him pick up one victory. |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 01-07-2014 00:36
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Tour de France Champion
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Thanks guys, season started off well - and is on hold for now. Can't be bothered to play the game.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Forever the Best |
Posted on 01-07-2014 07:57
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Shonak wrote:
Thanks guys, season started off well - and is on hold for now. Can't be bothered to play the game.
Anorher story dead?
The user formerly known as 'The Schleck Fan'
Gracias Alberto.
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 01-07-2014 13:37
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Tour de France Champion
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The Schleck Fan wrote:
Shonak wrote:
Thanks guys, season started off well - and is on hold for now. Can't be bothered to play the game.
Anorher story dead?
Just on hold......................for now  |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 01-07-2014 16:04
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Like I said, it's not dead. It's on hold for now since I havn't updated for more than a week. The post was meant more as an explanation rather than a notification. Might start again soon or later, we'll see.
Edited by Shonak on 01-07-2014 16:04
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| baia |
Posted on 05-07-2014 11:40
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Good start in the mud.. hope to see you back soon.
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