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Gilbert the next step - Tour de France contender !
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| Rammus |
Posted on 06-08-2011 19:20
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Superstar, superman and all round beast Philippe Gilbert has conquered the classics which are no longer a challenge for him. So ... in this short story he hopes to achieve the goal of every cyclist - to win the Tour !
The dream ...
To set about attempting the impossible Gilbert first needs a solid team so the managment have selected the following riders:
The team includes super mountain domestique Jelle Vanendert who will play a vital role, also we have selected a further 3 mountain goats Aerts, Pujol & Bart de Clercq to ensure Gilbert gets good support during the mountains. Remaining 4 riders are strong roleurs for the flat and hills stages as well as the TTT, Lang, Hansen, Reynes & Kaisen.
Rivals
Wildcards were sent out to Geox, FDJ, Europcar & Cofidis.
Dangermen include:
Contador
Schlecks x2
Scarponi
Evans
Gesink
Menchov
Basso
Kreuziger
Wiggins
The 4 horsemen of Radioshack x4
Rolland
Taaramae
Velits
Gadret
Notes/Infomation
Difficulty: Normal (I think this challenge is hard enough as it is !)
Database: PCMDaily ... with some changes. I'm using the version I normally play with except a small change to gilbert that is the recovery statistic just for this story.
With this story I plan to focus mostly just on action related to the team so don't expect coverage of every break for example. Stages with the most action will recieve the most attention whereas I will probably only make 1 or 2 screenshot for a flat stage.
Hope you enjoy! |
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| Rammus |
Posted on 06-08-2011 19:54
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Stage 1
Stage Plan
Keep Gilbert towards the front out of danger of crash and save energy, no breaks for anyone. The final climb is tempting but only if Gilbert can actually gain some time on it since we are not interested in winning the stage (well ... only to some extent !), if it too looks like no time will be gained then he won't go for the stage.
The Stage
The team rolls out on the famous Passage du Gois ! Gilbert flanked by his team. In the distance you can see a break attempt that ultimately failed.
A break of 8 riders eventually made it away including the calibre of riders such as Voight and Chavanel however it was pulled back at 16km to go under the pressure of Sky (Hagen) and Movistar (Rojas I guess).
Incredibly windy up to 45kmph wind speeds ! It was clear to the team that even if Gilbert was the strongest to gain any time under such conditions would be impossible so the call came through just to follow for the climb.
Gilbert staying in a good position as riders sprint for the line !
Tyler Farrar takes stage 1 in a close one with Cavendish 2nd.
Gilbert finishes the stage in 11th position at 0 seconds, it is a good start ! No favourites lost any time.
Edited by Rammus on 06-08-2011 19:54
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| Stijn_vranken |
Posted on 06-08-2011 19:55
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Sprinter
Posts: 1638
Joined: 28-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Just one question. why no Jvdb in the team to support him in the mountains?
prevent hangovers --> stay drunk
pozzato, basically the most stupid cyclist around
RIP WW. Gone but not forgotten
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| Rammus |
Posted on 06-08-2011 20:10
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Stijn_vranken wrote:
Just one question. why no Jvdb in the team to support him in the mountains?
Sure its a fair question but to keep the team together you can't have too many leaders and I don't think Jvdb wants to work for Philippe ...  |
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| Rammus |
Posted on 07-08-2011 14:42
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Stage 2
Stage Plan
It's the TTT ! Damage limitation is pretty much the goal here.
The Stage
Vanendert getting last minute instructions over the radio. Gilbert has his go faster aero TT helmet on in 2nd position. Unfortunately due to some misclicks I didn't get any more screens of this stage but it was very surprising !
Lampre "0 How ???
Leopard "3
Movistar "9
Garmin "11
Sky "15
Euskatel "19 Likely doping
Radioshack "21
Quickstep "22
FDJ "28
HTC "30 Lol
Cofidis "31
Ag2r "34
Rabobank "42
Vaconsoleil "44
Astana "48
Katusha "48
Omega "50
Geox "55
BMC "56
Saxobank 1"00 Larsson & Contador ?
Europcar 1"06
Liquigas 1"15 Seriously Basso ...
The leading 5 of Lampre were Bertagnolli (yellow), Cunego, Kashechkin, Spilak & Scarponi. It wasn't the best TTT for us but we lost 4 men really quickly as they could not keep up since we're not a good team for this event. Still put time into Menchov,Contador,Basso&Evans that was unexpected.
Gilbert is 132nd at +"50 |
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| Rammus |
Posted on 08-08-2011 11:42
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Stage 3
Stage Plan
Sprint stage so not much to do here except keep gilbert at the front incase of a crash. Rest up for the mur-de-bretagne tomorrow !
The Stage
Many boats out today. Break of 5 Ivanov,Lorenzetto,Gallopin,Bouet&Sabatini get about 9 and a half minutes but are reeled in with 15km remaining. Lots of counter attacks are launched, the most successful being Chavanel who goes under the 1km 1st.
Unlucky for him Tyler Farrar catches him on the line ! Chavanel 2nd. He now has a commanding lead in the points jersey, Cavendish needs to step up his game.
Gilbert is 132nd at +"50 |
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| Rammus |
Posted on 08-08-2011 18:43
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Stage 4
Stage Plan
Important stage today! Unlike stage 1 I feel the finishing hill is tough enough to cause some gaps so Gilbert will be looking to put some time into other favourites. With this type of finish positioning is cruical so we plan to use the roleurs to get Gilbert into first position on the climb then he cant take it from there.
The Stage
So the first break gets away consisting of Felline, Le Lay, Cardoso and ... Cavendish, I kid you not. I guess he wants some points at the intermediate sprint. Unbelievably he came 3rd at the sprint - I think he's having a crap TDF.
Anyways the race comes back together for the final climb. Teams ride for position with Sky and Omega looking the strongest.
Sebastian Lang piles on the pressure as Contador & Evans fight for a good place. He strings out the peleton, fantastic !
Edvald Boassen Hagen makes an explosive acceleration at the base of the climb, Gilbert is right there with him as Cunego follows his wheel. These 3 riders surge clear of the pack.
Gilbert makes his move ...
... Victory
Well that was nice ! More importantly though he put some seconds into many of the favourites.
Cunego finishes 14 seconds down propelling himself into yellow. What a good TDF he's having.
A large group came in at 25 seconds containing Contador Evans Schelcks 1 & 2 & Sanchez.
Gadret came in at 51 seconds.
Scarponi Anton Basso Gesink Menchov Wiggins and many others finished 1 minute 4 seconds down !!!
Top Ten
Spoiler
Cunego
Voight +"14
Schleck +"14
Schleck2 +"14
Boassen Hagen +"15
Uran +"26
Rogers +"26
Sanchez +"30
Rojas +"31
Gilbert +"36
Edited by Rammus on 08-08-2011 18:44
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| AndySchleck |
Posted on 08-08-2011 18:50
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 326
Joined: 06-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Nice project you've got going on here, going to be hard!  |
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| Munique |
Posted on 08-08-2011 19:02
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Junior Rider
Posts: 45
Joined: 22-02-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Great reporting so far - will be following this closely! |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 12:02
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| Rammus |
Posted on 08-08-2011 19:11
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Thanks for the comments guys, always appreciated.
Expect to see Gilbert trying to gain time whenever he can before the mountain stages ! I think to stand any chance he needs to secure yellow before the pyrenees and hopefully not lose too much time there.
Edited by Rammus on 08-08-2011 19:31
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| johannes-w |
Posted on 08-08-2011 19:30
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 833
Joined: 24-04-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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interesting plan i will follow aswell |
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| baia |
Posted on 08-08-2011 20:47
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5398
Joined: 04-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Well done....
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| pcm2009fan |
Posted on 08-08-2011 20:49
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1105
Joined: 30-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Nice, I like this. And good luck! |
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| skeltik |
Posted on 09-08-2011 11:38
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Under 23
Posts: 98
Joined: 01-07-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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love the idea, good luck with it |
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| Rammus |
Posted on 09-08-2011 14:53
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Once again, thanks for the comments
Stage 5
Stage Plan
I think another sprint stage though it is not the easiest of finishes. It is a stage I am confident Gilbert could win but the tricky bit is would he finish with a time gap and is it worth the energy ? Also very windy so the team must keep him well protected. Oh and I forget to mention last time, Phil has aquired the mountains jersey thanks to his performance on the mur.
The Stage
A real strong break got away after 40km or so containing 13 riders ! With HTC not having a good tour and the windy conditions it was a very real possibility they could stay away. At about 6km to go they still had 40 seconds and there is a small 1km climb ...
This was a real spur of the moment decision as Phil launches his move late into the stage ! He bridges the gap just at the 5km to go banner.
Still giving it 100% now, you can see the gap he's opened up since the banner ! He just has to get his head down and go for it in the last 4 km.
No time for a celebration as Gilbert crosses the line as its all about the time ... the peleton swallows up the remenants of the break and come over the line 26 seconds down !
Very happy with the result , wasn't quite sure how successful a move like that would be ... but Phil makes things happen.
Top Ten
Spoiler Cunego
Gilbert +"10
Voight +"14
Schleck +"14
Schleck2 +"14
Boassen Hagen +"15
Uran +"26
Rogers +"26
Sanchez +"30
Rojas +"31
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| johannes-w |
Posted on 09-08-2011 15:42
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 833
Joined: 24-04-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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that s probably what you have to do -> take every chance & second you can get before the hard mountain stages so well done but it will also cost him a lot of energy already
i m curious to see how it works out in the end
Edited by johannes-w on 09-08-2011 15:43
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| Rammus |
Posted on 10-08-2011 18:12
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Stage 6
Stage Plan
Another interesting looking profile with some possibilities. We will try to get someone in the break incase we need a rider later on if some action happens or if the peleton splits since its very windy ! (Reached 49kmph on the stage)
The Stage
One of our strongest roleurs Vincente Reynes has a long day ahead of him as he makes the break of the longest stage of this years Tour.
Not only is the length tough but you can tell from the echelon that the wind is picking up. Unfortunately the peleton lead by HTC and Garmin who really want this one pull the break back in with still 20km to go ! Too soon for us and it is a wasted effory by Reynes. As we come to the 2nd to last climb of the day at 19km to go Chavanel from Quickstep attacks ... 2km later a familliar sight appears ...
Gilbert jumps across the gap to Chavanel and the 2 proceed to work together since its a long way to go ! I must point out though Gilbert did a conisderable larger amount of turns than Chavanel. As they go under the 5km banner ...
Gilbert gives 100% now to maintain an advantage over the very pissed off HTC & Garmin teams.
Phil has nothing left as Chavanel surges past to take his 1st win of the Tour. The very generous commisars give Gilbert & Chavanel the same time however. 27 seconds behind, the peleton crosses the line.
Gilbert takes the yellow jersey !!
Top Ten
Spoiler Gilbert
Cunego +"17
Voight +"31
Schleck +"31
Schleck2 +"31
Boassen Hagen +"32
Uran +"43
Rogers +"43
Sanchez +"47
Rojas +"48 |
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| dandannieldanok |
Posted on 10-08-2011 18:40
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Under 23
Posts: 55
Joined: 26-07-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Great start, just hope you aren't in yellow too soon! What's the plan now?; protect the yellow (and potentially see your domestiques use up energy), or just let the yellow go to a harmless breakaway/let sprinters teams chase. |
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| Rammus |
Posted on 10-08-2011 20:29
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Well with the 4 big mountain stages all comming towards the back end of the Tour it is never too early to get the yellow jersey for Phil. Its quite possible he can drop 5-10+ minutes on a real tough stage so we're going to try and get all the time we can now. In terms of the protecting the yellow, it's not such a big deal, I won't chase any non threats of riders who will fade in the GC but if a big name goes then we must ride.
As for a long term plan I expect I wiill lose the jersey in the first couple of the mountain stages so I'm convinced at some point in the last week Phil is going to have to go for a long long break. To be honest I don't quite know if it will work or be a complete disaster and finish 20 minutes down ... oh well I'm excited to find out  |
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| Rammus |
Posted on 11-08-2011 17:58
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Stagiare
Posts: 223
Joined: 08-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Stage 7
Stage plan
SPRINT !!! Essentially a rest day for the team, hooray.
The Stage
A break of 5 riders make it away accumulating 10 minutes of an advatange. Who's that in yellow ?
Sprinters teams pull the riders in and set it up for their man ...
Tyler Farrar ! His 3rd win this Tour, he's doing very well. Gilbert crosses the line with the same time and no problems.
Top ten is the same as the previous stage. |
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