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A Day in the Life | Sweet Delight
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| FonsDeSpons |
Posted on 01-02-2014 16:20
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Stagiare
Posts: 160
Joined: 30-10-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Degenkolb is a great addition to the squad but it's sad that you lose roche. Anyway, good luck to the whole team in 2016!
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| Dippofix |
Posted on 01-02-2014 16:34
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4112
Joined: 29-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
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FonsDeSpons wrote:
Degenkolb is a great addition to the squad but it's sad that you lose roche. Anyway, good luck to the whole team in 2016!
Exactly what i was thinking. Anyway, good luck at defending the Tour title, but i will stop following this story for good if Henry wins the Triple Crown. (So is that the secret reason why Roche left?  ) 
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 01-02-2014 16:56
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21381
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Mresuperstar - Thanks for dropping in again  glad to hear you're reading it from the start, I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for the compliment!
FonsDeSpons - Degenkolb is a perfect addition - a sprinter who can do without a lead-out 
Dippofix - Roche has no chance of leading a GT with De Gendt and Vergnaud in 1 team, so he's looking for leadership elsewhere. Triple Crown won't happen as soon as you think Now I know why Henry can't go to the Giro for you 
Thanks for the support! I'm setting up the 2016 season right now. |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 01-02-2014 17:17
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21381
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Hi there!
I'm two days away from starting my 2016 season. It'll be a special season, that's for sure. I hope that the Rainbow Jersey may bring me some good times. In the mean time, the season has already started with the Australian Championships. Van Impe has also decided the schedule for each and every rider. I'll give you mine here!
 Australian Championships - Time Trial | 1 | Rohan Dennis | Team Saxo - Tinkoff | 38'29 | | 2 | Cameron Meyer | Orica - GreenEdge | + 7 | | 3 | Travis Meyer | Efapel - Glassdrive | + 20 | | 4 | Richie Porte | Katusha Team | + 31 | | 5 | Jack Bobridge | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | + 40 | | 6 | Christian Posa | Team Celesio - Macquarie | + 57 | | 7 | Michael Hepburn | TEAM 8up | + 59 | | 8 | Rory Sutherland | Team Saxo - Tinkoff | + 1'02 | | 9 | Cadel Evans | MTN - Qhubeka | + 1'04 | | 10 | Luke Durbridge | Team Celesio - Macquarie | + 1'10 |
Australian Championships - Road Race | 1 | Allan Davis | Orica - GreenEdge | 3h45'25 | | 2 | Lee de Jong | Team Celesio - Macquarie | s.t. | | 3 | Cameron Meyer | Orica - GreenEdge | + 44 | | 4 | Cadel Evans | MTN - Qhubeka | s.t. | | 5 | Danny Posa | Team Celesio - Macquarie | s.t. | | 6 | Caleb Ewan | Orica - GreenEdge | + 1'22 | | 7 | Heinrich Haussler | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | s.t. | | 8 | Jack Bobridge | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 9 | Christian Posa | Team Celesio - Macquarie | s.t. | | 10 | Travis Meyer | Efapel - Glassdrive | + 1'46 |
The Posa brothers are really developing great lately. Both still very young, I can see them turn into world class riders one of these years!
My 2016 racing schedule is pretty much based on the one I had last year. After all, it was a very successful season, so I shouldn't change much. I've chosen for more stage races and less one day races.
Some races are left optional. Which means I can decide on racing them a few days before the actual race, depending on form, required form, fitness, fatigue...
Races:
Tour de San Luis
Tour of Oman
Paris - Nice
Milano - San Remo (optional)
Paris - Camambert (optional)
Amstel Gold Race
Flèche Wallonne
Liège - Bastogne - Liège
Bayern Rundfarht (optional)
Tour de Suisse
National Championships
Tour de France
San Sébastian (optional)
Vuelta a España (optional) OR Plouay and Canadian Classics
World Championships
Il Lombardia
As you see, a very serious calendar with all very important and big races. We decided it would be best to limit my race days, despite wearing the Rainbow Jersey, if I'll be going to do 2 Grand Tours the first time.
I decided to start in San Luis instead of the Tour Down Under mostly because the profile didn't directly suit me. I wanted San Luis because there is less pressure. To be totally honest, I didn't have the best winter. I feel pretty good but that jersey got me in more commitments than I wanted to. I could've trained better and more.
We'll see how it goes!
Personal Goals:
Tour de San Luis: Build form
Tour of Oman: Top 5
Paris - Nice: Win
Milano - San Remo: Show Jersey
Paris - Camambert: Build form
Amstel Gold Race: Top 3
Flèche Wallonne: Top 3
Liège - Bastogne - Liège: Top 3
Bayern Rundfarht: Build form
Tour de Suisse: Top 3
National Championships: Win Road Race
Tour de France: Win
San Sébastian: top 10
Vuelta a España: Stage Win, Build form
World Championships: Win
Il Lombardia: Win
Wow, It seems my 2015 season made me into a viciously ambitious rider. But I don't see anything wrong with that. I know what my abilities are and I want to get the most out of this season.
Winning the Tour won't be easy at all. With a Team Time Trial and two individual time trials of 30 and 50 kilometers, I'll have a hard time fending off Froome. There are a lot of mountain stages to make up for lost time, though.
Another tricky extra is De Gendt. Personally we connect quite well, we're both calm men. But our ambitions are starting to crash into each other. We'll both be going to the Tour and neither wants to work for the other. Van Impe is caught in between. I hope things turn out all right and that I don't have to fight my own team, too. I feel my victory in 2015 has earned me the role of absolute leader.
The Championship in France, along with the Tour, is the main goal. It won't be easy, but the profile couldn't be more perfect for me!
I'll see you later, starting the Tour de San Luis!
Henry
PS, here's my fitness schedule.
Edited by Ian Butler on 01-02-2014 17:23
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| admirschleck |
Posted on 01-02-2014 17:20
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Team Leader
Posts: 6566
Joined: 11-10-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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What about trying to get Tour-Vuelta double this season? Henry can definitely do that.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 11-09-2026 14:21
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Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
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| Dippofix |
Posted on 01-02-2014 17:22
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4112
Joined: 29-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
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Personally i'd do the Autumn Classics instead of the Vuelta, to test the classics form right before the WC. Then again, i don't know how exactly fitness, rythme and all that works in PCM 13, so maybe it is best after all to ride the Vuelta to get in to peak form.
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| The Hobbit |
Posted on 01-02-2014 17:32
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2709
Joined: 18-08-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Interesting and ambitious schedule. I'd appreciate a team stats photo if that is allowed... |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 01-02-2014 18:31
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21381
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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admirschleck - The double wouldn't be impossible, but not our main goal at the moment. Tour and WC are valued higher than Tour - Vuelta this year
Dippofix - Well, we'll see after the Tour. The Vuelta is definitely no guarantee, but just a plan. Maybe I'll do the Classics instead. It will also depend on how the Ardennes went!
The Hobbit - Of course. In the spoiler.
Thanks for the support everyone! That's it for today, going upstairs!
See you tomorrow for the start of the 2016 season |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 01-02-2014 18:44
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7592
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 300.00
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Nice end to the season. Well done on the Velo d'Or award
Some nice signings for the team as well. Good luck for 2016
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
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| Jesleyh |
Posted on 01-02-2014 18:46
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World Champion
Posts: 14743
Joined: 21-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Looking forward to see what Henry can do in 2016.
That team is getting really, really strong, though...
Feyenoord(football) and Kelderman fanboy
PCMdaily Awards: 12x nomination, 9x runner-up, 0x win.
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| welker3257 |
Posted on 01-02-2014 18:47
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2304
Joined: 29-05-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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I think that I sense a certain Belgian leaving the team at the end of the year
Gig 'em Aggies
Fast N' Loud Cycling Project - ICL
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 01-02-2014 20:35
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 33999
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Three very good signings for the team this season, especially Degenkolb and Team Sky signing Greipel could spell danger for other teams
And Henry has got a very nice schedule to look forward too |
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| The Hobbit |
Posted on 01-02-2014 20:42
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2709
Joined: 18-08-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Oh my what a team!! Amazing, but I can't see Thomans being even half the GC rider Henry is. He should focus on small tours and TTs. Leave the real stuff to the big boys |
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| duxili |
Posted on 01-02-2014 21:15
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Domestique
Posts: 562
Joined: 18-09-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Great reports, Henry fully deserved the velo d'or but I would have bet he would be WW n1 too. What season for Valverde it should have been!
Very ambitious goal. Playing Extreme might I bet you will hardly get them all done
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 01-02-2014 21:47
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21381
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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the_hoyle - Thanks I'll need it on extreme!
Jesleyh - Yeah I know. But unfortunately the sponsors can't pay all these riders anymore, so we'll have to give up on a big part of the team, though. It's even possible our entire cobbled squad leaves and Celesio focuses on stage races and hilly classics only.
welker3257 - I hope not, but it might just come down to that 
sutty68 - Thanks! Degenkolb will hopefully bring in quite some victories. Castroviejo and Kennaugh were brought in for one reason only: help Vergnaud win the Tour again. They have been specifically chosen for the task: good climbers, good punchers, good time trialists and strong on the flat. Perfect domestiques.
The Hobbit -  I hope the big boy makes it in 2016, though
duxili - Valverde was everywhere. Liège, Flèche Wallonne, some high places in GTs and other stage races, San Sébastian... What surprises me is that Henry beat De Gendt in UCI Ranking, seeing how De Gendt won Tirreno, Giro and Vuelta
Thanks for following everyone! Tomorrow I'll start the new season. I'm very excited about it. I hope Henry doesn't suffer from the Rainbow Curse! |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 01-02-2014 21:53
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 33999
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Lets hope he doesn't
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 01-02-2014 22:13
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7756
Joined: 11-04-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Your team would have the best leadout ever. Take the 3 top sprinters to the Tour and sit back and watch
Imagine winning the Tour in the World Champs jersey. That would be amazing!!!!!!
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| FonsDeSpons |
Posted on 01-02-2014 22:46
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Stagiare
Posts: 160
Joined: 30-10-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Overpowered team level 1000!
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 02-02-2014 07:54
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21381
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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sutty68 - Yeah, indeed
Jakstar22 - That could be true Though there won't be many races where all my sprinters are together
FonsDeSpons - The team's pretty strong, but there are other strong teams out there, too! |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 02-02-2014 08:36
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21381
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Okay, we got it over with, the first two races of the season. It felt amazing getting out there in my Rainbow Jersey!
My goal in Argentina is just to build up form. There is a hilly stage, a time trial and a mountain stage. A good result would be nice but I won't panic if it doesn't come. Still too early in the season if I'm peaking for the Tour and the World Championships.
 Tour de San Luis
de Jong, still in good shape after the National Championships, went into the break.
Argentina is beautiful, and quite warm. I was packed away in the peloton, having a good time.
de Jong tried to avoid a mass sprint!
But it was no use. There was a sprint. With Zabel as a lead-out, Cavendish takes his first race for Lotto.
Result | 1 | Mark Cavendish | Lotto Belisol | 3h40'00 | | 2 | Tom Boonen | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | s.t. | | 3 | Rick Zabel | Lotto Belisol | s.t. | | 4 | Dennis Cooke | Jamis - Hagens Berman | s.t. | | 5 | Francesco Lasca | Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela | s.t. | | 6 | Arthur Vichot | Colombia | s.t. | | 7 | Thor Hushovd | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | | 8 | Filippo Fortin | Lampre - Merida | s.t. | | 9 | Tony Hurel | La Pomme Marseille | s.t. | | 10 | Sergio Henao | Lotto Belisol | s.t. |
Nothing important here, too. In fact, the race was quite uneventful, until the final sprint, where Boonen proved he's still not thinking of slowing down!
Result | 1 | Tom Boonen | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | 3h48'12 | | 2 | Filippo Fortin | Lampre - Merida | s.t. | | 3 | Matthew Goss | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. | | 4 | Mark Cavendish | Lotto Belisol | s.t. | | 5 | Rick Zabel | Lotto Belisol | s.t. | | 6 | Sep Vanmarcke | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | s.t. | | 7 | Dennis Cooke | Jamis - Hagens Berman | s.t. | | 8 | Andrea Guardini | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. | | 9 | Francesco Lasca | Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela | s.t. | | 10 | Thor Hushovd | Astana Pro Team | s.t. |
General Classification | 1 | Tom Boonen | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | 7h27'40 | | 2 | Mark Cavendish | Lotto Belisol | + 6 | | 3 | Rick Zabel | Lotto Belisol | + 20 | | 4 | Filippo Fortin | Lampre - Merida | s.t. | | 5 | Pieter Vanspeybrouck | Crelan - Euphony | s.t. | | 6 | Aurélien Duval | FDJ.fr | + 24 | | 7 | Pablo Urtasun | Movistar Team | + 26 | | 8 | Daniel Lloyd | Sky Procycling | + 28 | | 9 | Lee de Jong | Team Celesio - Macquarie | s.t. | | 10 | Volodymyr Zagorodny | Vini Fantini - Selle Italia | s.t. |
My Rainbow Year - Days 1 & 2
How good am I? That's a big question mark. I guess we'll see a clue tomorrow in the hilly stage. All I know is that my winter was far from perfect. Too many obligations, not enough focus.
I'll see you tomorrow,
Henry
Edited by Ian Butler on 02-02-2014 12:06
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