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In The Pursuit of Glory | Thank You!
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 04-02-2015 10:37
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Tour de France Champion
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The team certainly enjoyed themselves in Alberta and Martijn's ride on Quebec puts him in good form for the Worlds  |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 04-02-2015 19:37
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
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@OZ: The team looked good in Canada! All set for the Worlds now!
@Sutty: I think you mean Montreal... Quebec was a poor race for Martijn
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 04-02-2015 20:26
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
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All-In For The Worlds [Part 1]
Arriving in South Africa, the nerves began to build. On the plane from my home in Geneva, I was very restless, and spent the entire journey being unable to settle. I didn't exactly arrive in Durban in the best state.
I was tired, I was nervous, and I wasn't in the right frame of mind to be racing. With that, a decision was made for me not the ride in the ITT. Daryl Impey, who rode to Second Place behind me in the National TT Championship, was given the nod in my place.
The Nation's eyes were on Daryl as he rolled down the start ramp in Pietermaritzburg. The support for him was fantastic, and I got the best view of his ride from the team car. He started off strong, riding in the Top 5 at each of the two checkpoint on the route. His efforts would be his downfall, however, as he would eventually finish in 59th, over 4'00" down on the best time.
Once Impey's ride was over, the question would be who would take the World Title. Wiggins (GBR) wasn't present to defend his Rainbow Jersey, so the heir to the crown could be anyone; Martin (GER), Cancellara (SWI) or even Froome (GBR)?
In the end, it would be none of them. Last Year's Silver Medallist Alberto Contador (ESP) would take the victory, 16" ahead of Chris Froome in Silver, and Rui Costa (POR) in Bronze.
| 1 |  Alberto Contador | Tinkoff-Saxo | 1h28'46 | | 2 |  Chris Froome | Sky ProCycling | + 16 | | 3 |  Rui Costa | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 44 | | 4 |  Michal Kwiatkowski | OmegaPharma - Quick Step | + 52 | | 5 |  Fabian Cancellara | Orica - GreenEDGE | + 1'02 | | 6 |  Tejay Van Garderen | Team HTC-Highroad | + 1'05 | | 7 |  Edvald Boasson Hagen | Giant-Shimano | + 1'18 | | 8 |  Bob Jungels | Trek Factory Racing | + 1'23 | | 9 |  Lars Boom | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 1'24 | | 10 |  Vincenzo Nibali | Cannondale Pro Cycling | + 1'26 |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 04-02-2015 22:03
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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All-In For The Worlds [Part 2]
The day has arrived - The World Road Race Championships on home soil, South Africa. Ever since that call during the first rest day of the Tour de France in July, my season end has been all about this race.
The route is perfectly suited to me, but so many others in the peleton could also be classed as a favourite. Drawing similarities to the routes in 2013 and 2014, some pundits in the world's press was expecting the win to come from more of a pure climber, rather than a Puncheur like myself.
Despite the World Championships on South African soil, the host country was still only allowed 2 riders. I had Meintjes for company, and as a good friend, I was happy to have him by my side.
Belgium, Netherlands and Spain set themselves on the front of the peleton, and as the pace was increases, splits and fractures in the chse group began to form.
The favourites began to make their move with two laps remaining of the circuit. Just like in Montreal, I followed the moves, not wanting to use up too much energy in fruitless attacks.
On the descent before the line and the final lap, Van Avermaet (BEL) jumped across the gap to Velits, who was the only one who remained of the day's breakaway. It was a dangerous move, and it needed to be closed down quickly.
On the next climb, further attacks from Kwiatkowski (POL) and Gilbert (BEL) brought Van Avermaet back into the group of favourites, and I came to the front to make sure I was alert to further accelerations. Only 8 riders remained, and it was looking like it would be the select group that would contest the victory.
Over the top of the final climb, Contador (ESP) jumped clear, and I tried to go with him. Van Avermaet was closely on my wheel, whilst the rest of the favourites looked unable to react. The run into the finish was fast, and I was struggling to catch the recent World TT Champion.
The gap was enough for Contador to take the victory and be named Double World Champion in 2016. Behind, Van Avermaet out kicked me for Second, and I would have to settle for Bronze. It was a great ride, and the fans' reception was fantastic as I climbed up on the podium. I was so proud to be a South African!
| 1 | Alberto Contador | Tinkoff-Saxo | 7h19'34 | | 2 |  Greg Van Avermaet | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | | 3 |  Martijn North | Team HTC-Highroad | s.t. | | 4 |  Peter Sagan | Movistar Team | + 44 | | 5 | Philippe Gilbert | OmegaPharma - Quick Step | s.t. | | 6 | Rui Costa | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 7 | Bauke Mollema | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 8 |  Pierre Rolland | Team Europcar | s.t. | | 9 |  Carlos Betancur | Ag2r - La Mondiale | s.t. | | 10 | Diego Ulissi | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. |
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 04-02-2015 22:23
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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*generic huge congratulations banana comment I don't have time for because I'm at school*
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT]  Xero Racing
5x  x5
2x  x2
2x  x2 |
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| HuDCC |
Posted on 05-02-2015 08:41
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Domestique
Posts: 515
Joined: 07-02-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Decent 3rd place at home soil, but it's a pity that Martijn won't be wearing the rainbow next season, but he is still young guy so I believe there will be more chances for him 
Thank you Andy for everything!
Thanks to the_hoyle for banner! |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 05-02-2015 13:09
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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@jandal: thanks! A good alternative congrats message 
@HuDCC: Thanks! He still hadls the rainbow flag jersey though
Edited by the_hoyle on 05-02-2015 21:40
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 05-02-2015 23:15
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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I was rushed into surgery on arrival at the hospital, and many hours later I was bought back into the Intensive Care, where my parents and Brian Holm were waiting. The look on their faces gave it away - I was not in a good state. Slowly, I had the events explained to me.
The wet conditions, plus the falling leaves had caused treacherous conditions on the descent, and I had no way of avoiding them on a tight hairpin bend. Losing control of the bike, I landed heavily on my right hand side, before sliding into the barriers. My arm was broken instantly, my shoulder was shattered, and I had also fractured my hip and pelvis. My lower back took the full brunt of the impact with the barrier, which explained the lack of feeling in my legs, and doctors explained that I was lucky not be completely paralysed.
My parents never left my side in Switzerland for nearly two weeks before I was transferred to Manchester. The Racing Season was long over, but after further talks with the Specialists and Experts, there was a concern that my Racing Career may also be over. The injuries suffered could take several weeks to heal, and even then, it would take many session of physiotherapy just to get me walking again. Riding a bike at a competitive level might not even be possible again.
There was only one thing I could do - I called Bob Stapleton. With immediate effect, I cancelled my contract with HTC. Bob tried to convince me otherwise, trying to change my mind, but it was no use. If I was going to leave the team in this way, Stapleton said the least they could do was still support me in some way. Bob agreed to continue paying me a small part of my salary, as well as some of the hospital bills. He said it was the least he could do.
With that part done, my long road to recovery began...
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 06-02-2015 00:42
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! At least he is recovering slowly and there is a question mark... 
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
5x x5
2x x2
2x x2 |
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 06-02-2015 01:19
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Team Leader
Posts: 7293
Joined: 11-04-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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I can totally see more coming in this! Definitely not the end (I hope)...Great story and write up there...Keep it up!
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 06-02-2015 20:38
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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The season started in magnificent form, with Overall Victories in Dubai, Algarve plus the successful defence and regain of my National Title. Taking the Primavera in Milano-San Remo was the biggest win of my career today, and showed I was in some great season form. A sudden fall in confidence put end to my Ardennes Campaign, but I was brought back up with my Tour de France debut, and another Stage Win to add to my Palmares. My end of season looked good, with a Top 10 finish at the Tour of Alberta, another podium finish in the GP de Montreal before riding to a Bronze medal in the World Championships on Home Soil.
Sadly, a horrific, possibly career-ending crash ended my season, and my time with HTC, earlier than planned, and I am left not knowing what my future holds. I just want to be able to ride a bike again...
| 1st |  |  Dubai Tour - Overall Classification | | 1st |  | Dubai Tour - U25 Classification | | 1st | | Dubai Tour - Stage 3 | | 1st |  | Volta ao Algarve - Overall Classification | | 1st | | Volta ao Algarve - U25 Classification | | 1st | | Volta ao Algarve - Stage 3 | | 1st |  | National TT Championships | | 1st | | National RR Championships | | 1st | | Tirreno-Adriatico - U25 Classification | | 1st | | Milano-San Remo | | 1st | | Tour de France - Stage 9 | | . | | 3rd | |  Tour of Alberta - U25 Classification | | 3rd | | GP de Montreal | | 3rd | | World RR Championships |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 07:35
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Bot Agent
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Joined: 23.11.09
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| HuDCC |
Posted on 06-02-2015 21:34
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Domestique
Posts: 515
Joined: 07-02-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Hopefully, the future of Martijn is bright and he is able to make a comeback! I don't want to see end of this great story! 
Thank you Andy for everything!
Thanks to the_hoyle for banner! |
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 06-02-2015 22:31
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Team Leader
Posts: 7293
Joined: 11-04-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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I hope he heals and can get back out on that bike
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 06-02-2015 22:43
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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@all: Thanks for comments, and the reactions has been great! I can confirm that there will be a 2017 season from Martijn, however, the number of race reports will be low due to injury recovery. Quite a few of the next posts will be building up to the next season and his road to recovery
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 06-02-2015 22:47
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Team Leader
Posts: 7293
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Can't wait the_hoyle!
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 07-02-2015 20:04
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Promotions, Relegation & Securing My Future 
After losing their Big Stars at the beginning of the season, Trek Factory Racing suffered the fact of dropping into the ProContinental Ranks, along with Lampre Merida. Cofidis and Wanty-Groupe Gobert saw themselves climb into the WorldTour after impressive 2016 seasons on the road.
Elsewhere, Bridgestone-Anchor, Christina Watches-Kuma and La Pomme Marseille switched places with Bretagne-Seche, CCC Polsat and UnitedHealthcare in the Promotion battle to join the ProContinental Ranks.
As Christmas came and went, I was still in Manchester, and began thinking about what the future held. I was without a team, still unable to walk properly and questioning whether I would be able to secure a ride at all. It was about that time I had a visit from Louis Meintjes. He had always been a close friend, and it was nice to see a friendly face when times were tough. We chatted for a while, caught up on the last few months, and it was then that Louis gave me a bit of a shock.
The Cell C ProCycling p/b travelstart had really taken shape over the Winter Break, and Louis looked to me to fill the final spot on the team. He had had me in mind ever since the news of my Contract Termination from HTC had been made public. There would be no pressure on me to perform, and I could recover at a level that suited me.
There was only one answer that I could give really. I happily accepted!
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 07-02-2015 20:10
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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A new road for our recovering hero. Hope it goes well |
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| HuDCC |
Posted on 07-02-2015 20:26
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Domestique
Posts: 515
Joined: 07-02-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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I believed that Martijn will go with Cell C next season! Very happy with that decision! 
Thank you Andy for everything!
Thanks to the_hoyle for banner! |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 07-02-2015 21:24
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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@Ian: Thanks a lot
@HuDCC: Initially the jersey was just going to be playing a small part in the story, but it is too good for that! Thanks again for it
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| sgdanny |
Posted on 07-02-2015 21:50
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3591
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Looks great for Martjin ;D
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