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Double Feature | THE END
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 09-02-2013 12:06
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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tovhol - Always a pleasure to hear that, thanks 
krisa - Yeah, sorry about that  glad you caught on, though!
Jesleyh - Coming up...
Coming up, maybe the best stage I've ever raced in my PCM career! |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 09-02-2013 12:07
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Vuelta Ciclista a Mallorca - Stage 3
Today is the third stage in Mallorca. Let's see what we could do here!
140km, quite short. Willy planned an attack today. With riders as Schleck, Gilbert and Rodriguez, chances of finishing top 5 were pretty slim, so he decided to go for Mountain Points!
All I will say is: today was the hardest race of my career so far. Well, except for the cobbled classics, of course. Hard for me for two reasons: a lot of height meters with a fast pace and because the temperatures are very high. I'm not so good with the sun.
Willy did a much better job. Watch and learn!
I was looking for a great early season training! So I decided, what the hell! I'm a decent time trialist, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't learn how to attack properly. Wheelsucking is not the future I have in mind!
I attacked in the first kilometer.
My attack caused quite some chaos, to my surprise. The peloton broke in dozen pieces, the race was only getting started and riders as Gilbert were desperately lost already.
The "peloton" that remained was this small group. Since the real favorites lacked in this group, only Katusha and Europcar tried to chase me.
I half expected another breakaway companion, but it looked like I was in for a big solo. Oh well, might as well take all KoM points without problems, that way.
I get real excited when the gap kept growing! I had great legs today!
I was on the final climb of the day, with already 130km solo in my legs, when Andy Schleck finally started his own chase.
On top of the hill, with only a descent left, he caught me. I couldn't believe it!
We would be sprinting for the victory. Me against Andy Schleck. Me against a Tour Winner!
Ooooooh, I DID IT!
This was so amazingly close, but I did it! Without a doubt the most spectacular win of my career, a 140km solo, with a finishing sprint against Schleck on top of it. It's amazing, I can't describe this.
Result
| 1 | Willy Wouters | Team Argos-Shimano | 3h52'10 | IanButler | | 2 | Andy Schleck | Radioshack Nissan Trek | s.t. | | | 3 | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | s.t. | | | 4 | Nairo Quintana | Team Europcar | s.t. | | | 5 | Igor Anton | Euskaltel Euskadi | s.t. | | | 6 | Philippe Gilbert | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | | | 7 | Daniel Navarro Garcia | Team Saxo Bank | + 1'32 | | | 8 | José Joaquin Rojas Gil | Katusha Team | s.t. | | | 9 | Francisco Ventoso | Movistar Team | s.t. | | | 10 | Pieter Serry | Team Argos-Shimano | s.t. | IanButler | | (...) | | 132 | Stijn Van Gent | Team Argos-Shimano | + 28'52 | IanButler |
General Classification
| 1 | Willy Wouters | Team Argos-Shimano | 10h23'15 | IanButler | | 2 | Andy Schleck | Radioshack Nissan Trek | + 20 | | | 3 | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | + 24 | | | 4 | Philippe Gilbert | BMC Racing Team | + 32 | | | 5 | Igor Anton | Euskaltel Euskadi | s.t. | | | 6 | Nairo Quintana | Team Europcar | s.t. | | | 7 | José Joaquin Rojas Gil | Katusha Team | + 1'36 | | | 8 | Francisco Ventoso | Movistar Team | + 1'44 | | | 9 | Javier Moreno Bazan | Movistar Team | + 2'04 | | | 10 | Daniel Navarro Garcia | Team Saxo Bank | s.t. | | | (...) | | 98 | Stijn Van Gent | Team Argos-Shimano | + 29'24 | IanButler |
Points
| 1 | José Joaquin Rojas Gil | Katusha Team | 52 | | | 2 | Greg Van Avermaet | Team Garmin-Barracuda | 41 | | | 3 | Francisco Ventoso | Movistar Team | 41 | | | 4 | Willy Wouters | Team Argos-Shimano | 37 | IanButler | | 5 | Jure Kocjan | Team Type 1 - Sanofi | 26 | | | 6 | Stijn Van Gent | Team Argos-Shimano | 24 | IanButler | | 7 | Andrea Piechele | Colnago - CSF Inox | 22 | | | 8 | Philippe Gilbert | BMC Racing Team | 20 | | | 9 | Andy Schleck | Radioshack Nissan Trek | 20 | | | 10 | Samuel Caldeira | Carmim - Prio - Tavira | 16 | |
Mountain Points
| 1 | Willy Wouters | Team Argos-Shimano | 50 | IanButler | | 2 | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | 18 | | | 3 | Moreno Moser | Liquigas-Cannondale | 12 | | | 4 | Nairo Quintana | Team Europcar | 12 | | | 5 | Andy Schleck | Radioshack Nissan Trek | 8 | | | 6 | Juan Manuel Gárate | Rabobank Cycling Team | 8 | | | 7 | Blel Kadri | Team Europcar | 6 | | | 8 | Mikel Astarloza | Euskaltel Euskadi | 6 | | | 9 | Cyril Gautier | Team Europcar | 6 | | | 10 | Kristof Vandewalle | Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team | 6 | |
Young Rider: Willy Wouters
Best Team: Katusha Team
Just one more stage. We'll do everything to defend the leader jersey!
Stijn & Willy |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 16:33
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Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
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| MasterDaggen |
Posted on 09-02-2013 12:09
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Amateur
Posts: 2
Joined: 09-02-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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I have arrived |
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| Daggen |
Posted on 09-02-2013 12:12
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Sprinter
Posts: 1849
Joined: 08-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Who the hell are you?
BTW: GREAT GREAT GREAT WIN FOR WILLY!!!!!
Edited by Daggen on 09-02-2013 12:13
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| Jesleyh |
Posted on 09-02-2013 12:13
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15274
Joined: 21-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Wow, that's an amazing solo! Great win.
@MasterDaggen You've gotta be kidding? 
Feyenoord(football) and Kelderman fanboy
PCMdaily Awards: 12x nomination, 9x runner-up, 0x win.
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 09-02-2013 12:13
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Team Leader
Posts: 6795
Joined: 21-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Wiillllyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!
Great win, I actually thought Schleck had him there!
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 09-02-2013 12:13
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Daggen - Alright, it was funny, but please don't spam this story
Jesleyh - Thanks a lot! It was so exciting for me
Atlantius - I thought so, too. Damn Schleck almost ruined the party, the sprint was so close and if the finish was 1m further, he'd have lost Thanks!
Edited by Ian Butler on 09-02-2013 12:14
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| krisa |
Posted on 09-02-2013 12:14
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3962
Joined: 12-04-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Willy is freewheeling |
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 09-02-2013 12:54
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
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Stop playing on super-easy, Ian
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 09-02-2013 12:56
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Great riding from Willy  |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 09-02-2013 15:31
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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krisa - Sure is
Ollfardh - Haha, I assure you I'm playing on hard at the moment My first story on hard, actually. I was lucky with Schleck Sprinting 53
sutty68 - Thanks! |
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| pcm2009fan |
Posted on 09-02-2013 15:43
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1105
Joined: 30-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Since Bananas are over-rated:
Really great win! |
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| dienblad |
Posted on 09-02-2013 15:45
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3772
Joined: 10-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Not bad, not bad.....
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| PCM rulezz |
Posted on 09-02-2013 16:55
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1467
Joined: 21-05-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Keep up the good work, a win is near
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 09-02-2013 17:33
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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pcm2009fan - Thanks a lot
dienblad - Coming from you, that's a big compliment you were right about playing on hard before. Victory tastes so much better when it's really earned!
PCM rulezz - Thanks, mate |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 09-02-2013 17:33
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Vuelta Ciclista a Mallorca - Stage 4
The final stage of this race and it's all about defending that 1st place!
It'll be a tough day today, for the entire team. The win is around the corner but we have to fight some real stars if we want it. Our biggest advantage is Willy's early season form!
I was one of the first to dictate the pace.
However, I was able to stay in the front for a long time. By the time I dropped out, Radioshack was moving up. Willy had to pay attention!
The rest was up to him!
The team did so much for me today. I can't thank them enough. They kept the pace high enough, to discourage riders from attacking. We knew Schleck and Gilbert probably aren't in their best forms yet, so we might sap their energy this way.
And then the show started. Andy's older brother attacked. No doubt he would soon be joined by his baby brother.
I tried to react before Andy, but we went at the same time. His acceleration was more impressive, but I got the feeling he overdid himself a little, so I just kept going and got close to him!
A little over the top, I caught him. As I suspected, he had given a bit too much, he was a goner!
To my surprise the peloton came quite late, and launching the sprint I had a small lead on the peloton. Not enough to win, but enough not to lose time. I could only lose this race if Andy Schleck would win the stage.
But he didn't, and while Gilbert celebrates a stage win, I celebrate my very first stage race victory! What an amazing four days it's been!
This is bloody brilliant. I've really topped myself this time. I put in a performance worthy of World Tour, I believe. Even though this is "only" the tour of Mallorca, I feel strong, and I can't wait to compete with these guys again later in the season!
Result
| 1 | Philippe Gilbert | BMC Racing Team | 4h23'24 | | | 2 | Nairo Quintana | Team Europcar | s.t. | | | 3 | Joaquin Rodriguez | Katusha Team | s.t. | | | 4 | Francisco Ventoso | Movistar Team | s.t. | | | 5 | Willy Wouters | Team Argos-Shimano | s.t. | IanButler | | 6 | Fabian Cancellara | Radioshack Nissan Trek | s.t. | | | 7 | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | s.t. | | | 8 | Fabio Duarte | Colombia Coldeportes | s.t. | | | 9 | Igor Anton | Euskaltel Euskadi | s.t. | | | 10 | Daniel Navarro Garcia | Team Saxo Bank | s.t. | | | (...) | | 80 | Stijn Van Gent | Team Argos-Shimano | + 6'55 | IanButler |
General Classification
| 1 | Willy Wouters | Team Argos-Shimano | 14h46'39 | IanButler | | 2 | Philippe Gilbert | BMC Racing Team | + 12 | | | 3 | Nairo Quintana | Team Europcar | + 20 | | | 4 | Andy Schleck | Radioshack Nissan Trek | s.t. | | | 5 | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | + 24 | | | 6 | Igor Anton | Euskaltel Euskadi | + 32 | | | 7 | José Joaquin Rojas Gil | Katusha Team | + 1'36 | | | 8 | Francisco Ventoso | Movistar Team | + 1'44 | | | 9 | Javier Moreno Bazan | Movistar Team | + 2'04 | | | 10 | Daniel Navarro Garcia | Team Saxo Bank | s.t. | | (...) | | 98 | Stijn Van Gent | Team Argos-Shimano | + 36'19 | IanButler |
Points
| 1 | Francisco Ventoso | Movistar Team | 55 | | | 2 | José Joaquin Rojas Gil | Katusha Team | 52 | | | 3 | Willy Wouters | Team Argos-Shimano | 49 | IanButler | | 4 | Philippe Gilbert | BMC Racing Team | 45 | | | 5 | Greg Van Avermaet | Team Garmin-Barracuda | 41 | | | 6 | Nairo Quintana | Team Europcar | 34 | | | 7 | Jure Kocjan | Team Type 1 - Sanofi | 26 | | | 8 | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | 25 | | | 9 | Stijn Van Gent | Team Argos-Shimano | 24 | IanButler | | 10 | Andrea Piechele | Colnago - CSF Inox | 22 | |
Mountain Points
| 1 | Willy Wouters | Team Argos-Shimano | 50 | IanButler | | 2 | Lars Ytting Bak | Lotto Belisol | 20 | | | 3 | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | 18 | | | 4 | Nairo Quintana | Team Europcar | 12 | | | 5 | Moreno Moser | Liquigas-Cannondale | 12 | |
Young Rider: Willy Wouters
Best Team: Katusha Team
Well, that's it here. Our next objective is Oman, where Stijn will launch Kittel to glory, and Willy has one stage to overtake the General Classification!
We've accepted an offer for an interview with De Gentenaar, back in Belgium. We'll let you know as soon as they release it! Until then,
Stijn & Willy |
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| JuanMotr |
Posted on 09-02-2013 17:44
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Domestique
Posts: 701
Joined: 29-07-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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What a great win by Willy! But I really don't know if Kittel get glory if he win in Oman |
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| tovhol |
Posted on 09-02-2013 17:44
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 806
Joined: 06-05-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Good job!
Edited by tovhol on 09-02-2013 17:45
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 09-02-2013 17:51
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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The team did a Great job in ensuring that Willy kept the yellow jersey |
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| Jesleyh |
Posted on 09-02-2013 19:06
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15274
Joined: 21-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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This is just great. Willy wins the GC, in front of guys like Gilbert and Schleck!
Feyenoord(football) and Kelderman fanboy
PCMdaily Awards: 12x nomination, 9x runner-up, 0x win.
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