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Igor Antón | Rise of a Star | 2007
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 04-06-2012 22:25
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Hey guys,
After the big deception with my Euskaltel story, I decided to give it a go again.
This time, I'll do a one rider story, with Igor Antón.
Team: Euskaltel - Euskadi
Database: PCMNorge 2007 DB
Patch: 1.0.4.4
Race difficulty: Hard
Financial difficulty: Normal
Evolution of attributes: 0.7
And: Random Potential
Edited by fcancellara on 16-06-2012 11:03
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 04-06-2012 22:25
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Hi guys!
I'm Igor Antón. This season, I'm gonna do a blog about my races. But let me tell you something more about myself first.
I was born in the small Basque city of Galdakao, on the 2nd of March 1983. Throughout all my life, I've been a cycling fan, and in 2005, at the age of 21, my dream came true: I joined the professional cycling team of Euskaltel - Euskadi. Their scout found followed me in some smaller, U23 races, and thought I had a bright future ahead of me, so he made the team contract me.
My first season as a pro was quite a good one. Because I had to work as a domestique, I had no win that season, but I still managed to finish my first Grand Tour, the Giro d'Italia, in 83rd place, and gained a lot of experience.
Last season, 2006, I got a bit more of a free role, which proved to be a good decision by the team: I won the 16th stage of the Vuelta a España, and I finished 15th in the general classification! After the Vuelta, I kept my great form, and I won a small Spanish classic, the Escalada a Montjuïc, which felt really great, because my leader, Samuel Sánchez, won that race the 2 years in front of that. Other winners of that race are Eddy Merckx, Joop Zoetemelk and Laurent Jalabert, I am really happy that I'm now on the list of winners, together with them!
For this season, the team said I can lead smaller stage races, and perhaps the Vuelta, but thatfully depends fully on how our other riders do during the season. Anyways, I'm really excited, and I hope you will follow me throughout the season.
Igor Antón
PS: Our trainer uses a special rating system. He rates all our characteristics form 50 (worst) to 85 (best). Here's how he rates me at the moment, I will update this throughout the season.
Edited by fcancellara on 05-06-2012 15:50
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 04-06-2012 22:25
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Hey readers,
the squad is already reveiled officially, but here am I, introducing the squad for 2007 to you by myself.
Samuel Sánchez will be our absolute leader this season. Samuel will aim for the Tour de France, the Vuelta a Espana and the Tour of Lombardy.
Haimar Zubeldia is our second leader. He is a bit weaker than Sánchez in the mountains, but his TT is a little bit stronger. Haimar will aim for the Giro d´Italia and the Tour.
Mikel Astarloza is our third, and last leader. Mikel will try to win smaller stage races, and to achieve a top 15 in the Tour, and a top 10 in the Vuelta.
Koldo Fernández is the strongest sprinter in our team. He will be our main sprinter in any race he participates in. He says he doesn't have a particular goal, he just wants to win as much as possible. That's the spirit!
Iñaki Isasi is also a decent sprinter. He will be our leadout man for Koldo Fernández and take over his role if Fernández is in bad shape.
Aitor Galdos is an equally stong sprinter compared to Iñaki Isasi, but he has more difficulties in keeping a high pace before the sprints start, therefore he won't lead out often.
As I already mentioned before, I am the team's most important free element. I will take risk on big mountain stages by attacking a lot, protect the leaders when our regular domestiques can't and be leader in some smaller races.
Amets Txurruka is a decent climber, and he is a very good attacker. He will attack a lot in the hilly classics, and protect our leaders in the mountains.
Dionisio Galparsoro's only specialization is climbing, therefore he can't help our leaders and gets a free role. We hope he can grab some wins by getting in the breakaways.
Aketza Peña Iza is also a good climber as well, with a free role.
Iñigo Landaluze has a big advantage over the rest of the team: he can survive the cobbles. He is also a good puncheur, so he might sneak into the top 50 in the cobbled classics, which is an incredible prestation for a Basque.
Jorge Azanza, Lander Aperribay, Iban Iriondo Uranga, Andoni Lafuente, Unai Urribarri and Alan Pérez Lezaun are the young talents of our team. We don't expect much from them yet, as they are still young, and need time to gain experience.
Gorka Verdugo and Unai Extebarria are our strongest domestiques. They will support our leaders whenever they can.
The rest of the team are also domestiques, but not (yet) strong enough to really protect our leaders. They will mainly supply water during races.
Regards,
Igor Antón
PS: This is the table our trainer made, using the same system by which he rated me
Edited by fcancellara on 08-06-2012 00:00
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 04-06-2012 22:25
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Hey guys!
Here is the team's calendar. We will race mainly in Spain, Italy and France.
The races I'm participating in are in bold, they will be the only ones with detailed reports in my blog.
| January | | | | | | | - | - | - | | | | | February | | | | | | | 11/02-15/02 | Vuelta a Mallorca | 2.2 | | 18/02-22/02 | Vuelta a Andalucia | 2.2 | | 27/02-03/03 | Vuelta a la Comunidad Valencia | 2.2 | | | | | March | | | | | | | 04/03 | Clasica de Almeria | 1.1 | | 08/03-10/03 | Vuelta a la Región de Murcia | 2.2 | | 11/03-18/03 | Paris - Nice | WT | | 14/03-20/03 | Tirreno - Adriatico | WT | | 24/03 | Milano - Sanremo | WT | | 26/03-30/03 | Vuelta a Castillia y León | 2.2 | | 31/03-02/04 | Critérium International | 2.HC | | | | | April | | | | | | | 07/04 | Gran Premio Miguel Indurain | 1.HC | | 08/04 | Ronde van Vlaanderen | WT | | 09/04-14/04 | Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco | WT | | 11/04 | Gent - Wevelgem | WT | | 15/04 | Paris - Roubaix | WT | | 15/04 | Klasika Primavera | 1.1 | | 22/04 | Amstel Gold Race | WT | | 25/04 | La Flèche Wallonne | WT | | 28/04 | Vuelta a la Rioja | 1.1 | | 29/04 | Liège - Bastogne - Liège | WT | | | | | May | | | | | | | 01/05-06/05 | Tour de Romandie | WT | | 01/05 | Subida al Naranco | 1.1 | | 03/05-07/05 | Vuelta Asturias | 2.2 | | 12/05-03/06 | Giro d'Italia | WT | | 21/05-27/05 | Volta Ciclista a Catalunya | WT | | | | | June | | | | | | | 08/06-13/06 | Euskal Bizikleta | 2.HC | | 10/06-17/06 | Dauphiné Libere | WT | | 16-06/24-06 | Tour de Suisse | WT | | 24/06 | Eindhoven Team Trial | WT | | 26/06 | Campeonato de España | NC | | 29/06 | Campeonato de España TT | NC | | | | | July | | | | | | | 07/07-29/07 | Tour de France | WT | | 25/07 | Prueba Villafranca Ordizia | 1.1 | | 26/07-30/07 | Brixia Tour | 2.2 | | 31/07 | Circuito de Getxo | 1.1 | | | | | August | | | | | | | 04/08 | Clásica San Sebastián | WT | | 05/08 | Giro dell'Appenino | 1.1 | | 10/08-18/08 | Deutschland Tour | WT | | 11/08 | Giro del Lazio | 1.1 | | 12/08 | Urkiola Igoera - Subida Urkiola | 1.1 | | 14/08-18/08 | Vuelta a Burgos | 2.HC | | 19/08 | Vattenfall Cyclassics | WT | | 21/08 | Tre Valli Varesine | 1.HC | | 22/08-29/08 | Eneco Tour | WT | | 22/08 | Coppa Agostini | 1.1 | | 23/08 | Coppa Bernocchi | 1.1 | | 25/08 | Trofeo Melinda | 1.1 | | | | | September | | | | | | | 01/09-23/09 | Vuelta a España | WT | | 02/09 | GP Ouest France - Plouay | WT | | 06/09 | Giro di Toscana | 1.1 | | 09/09 | Giro della Romagna | 1.1 | | 09/09-15/09 | Tour de Pologne | WT | | 26/09 | World Championships ITT | WC | | 30/09 | World Championships | WC | | | | | October | | | | | | | 13/10 | Giro dell'Emilia | 1.HC | | 14/10 | GP Beghelli | 1.HC | | 20/10 | Giro di Lombardia | WT |
As you can see, I'm having a full schedule, with a total of 88 race days!
I will ride 2 GT's this year, the Tour and the Vuelta.
My personal goals are:
 White jersey Vuelta a España
 Stage win Tour de France, Top 10 Dauphiné Libere
 Win Circuito de Getxo, Win Vuelta a Burgos, Top 5 Critérium International
The team's goals are:
Win Vuelta a España
Top 3 Tour de France, Win Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco
Win Giro di Lombardia, Win Campeonato de España, Top 5 Giro d'Italia
Regards,
Igor Antón
Edited by fcancellara on 16-06-2012 17:08
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 11:42
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 04-06-2012 22:25
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Hi guys!
I'm sorry that I didn't update for a while, I was on a training camp in Monaco with the team. I still am, actually! Today, we had a day off, so I decided it was about time to update my blog  Here is a list of some riders I think will be very succesful during the season. Keep an eye on them!
This season's Grand Tours should be really exciting. Michael Rasmussen, Carlos Sastre and Alberto Contador will most likely battle in the mountains in the Tour, but Cadel Evans, Andreas Klöden will try to follow them in the mountains and win the Tour in the time trials. Carlos Sastre may also go to the Vuelta, the route suits him well.
The cobbled classics will be very close. Fabian Cancellara, Leif Hoste, Tom Boonen and Alessandro Ballan are equally strong, but they really should not underestimate American Champion George Hincapie, who is getting older, this may be his last chance to win Paris-Roubaix.
This season, there are two sprinters that will most likely outclass all the others, Robbie McEwen and Alessandro Petacchi. Daniele Bennati and Oscar Freire may have a lower top speed, but they can stay in the peloton on heavier terrain. Olaf Pollack is by far the strongest Continental Tour sprinter, and will therefore win a lot of sprints.
Just like the in the sprints, there will be a battle between two in the Ardennes, but Alejandro Valverde and Davide Rebellin should really watch out for Fränk Schleck, Danilo Di Luca and especially Michael Boogerd, of whom rumors are being spread about his retirement.
Fabian Cancellara is not only one of the strongest cobblers in the world, he also excels in time trialling. Levi Leipheimer also is a great time triallist, and David Zabriskie will challenge him too. Jose Ivan Gutierrez is expected to do well in time trials too, and Andreas Klöden has a great advantage in Grand Tours, because he is one of the top 5 time triallists.
Okay guys, I do not want to give you a tossy impression, but the media states this too. I am one of the canidates for the white jerseys in the Grand Tours. Andy Schleck, Juan Mauricio Soler, Riccardo Ricco and Janez Brajkovic will challenge me; good luck to them!
Mark Cavendish is by far the best U25 sprinter, and will try to convince the audience during the Tour. Paride Grillo will try to do this in the Giro, Francisco Jose Ventoso during the Vuelta. Heinrich Haussler and Gerald Ciolek are two young, talented German sprinters, follow them during the season!
This was my blog for today, regards,
Igor Antón
Edited by fcancellara on 15-06-2012 22:32
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| Alberto Contador28 |
Posted on 04-06-2012 22:33
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Free Agent
Posts: 113
Joined: 29-01-2012
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Good luck with the story!!! |
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| baia |
Posted on 04-06-2012 22:38
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Posts: 5398
Joined: 04-10-2007
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Cancellara or Sammy... ... but almost sure it´s Sammy Sánchez..at least the shadowed figur it´s from him.
Edited by baia on 04-06-2012 22:39
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 04-06-2012 22:47
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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baia wrote:
Cancellara or Sammy... ... but almost sure it´s Sammy Sánchez..at least the shadowed figur it´s from him.
It's not 
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| Teddy The Creator |
Posted on 04-06-2012 23:01
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2253
Joined: 19-10-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Alberto Contador?
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 04-06-2012 23:15
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Teddy The Creator wrote:
Alberto Contador?
Nope
Would be a good idea for someone else though; Contador's Comeback.
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 04-06-2012 23:18
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
PCM$: 10438.70
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wild guess. Thomas Voeckler?
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 04-06-2012 23:21
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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baseballlover312 wrote:
wild guess. Thomas Voeckler?
Nope !
Keep the guesses coming, I'll take a look again tomorrow.
I will PM the person that gets it right to confirm he is.
Edited by fcancellara on 04-06-2012 23:26
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| Squire |
Posted on 04-06-2012 23:32
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1404
Joined: 24-07-2009
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It's Igor Anton, isn't it?
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| usto |
Posted on 04-06-2012 23:43
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Stagiare
Posts: 239
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The image remembers me two riders this year:
-Valverde in Willunga
-Boonen in Ronde
EDIT:Well, there was a third image, but I couldn't remember it... 
Edited by usto on 04-06-2012 23:48
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| Teddy The Creator |
Posted on 04-06-2012 23:43
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2253
Joined: 19-10-2011
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Yep. It's Anton.
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 05-06-2012 07:25
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
Joined: 18-08-2011
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Squire had it right
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 05-06-2012 12:01
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
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Anton should bring you some great results and make this a great one rider story as well  |
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 05-06-2012 13:51
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
Joined: 18-08-2011
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Uploaded the personal introduction
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 05-06-2012 15:51
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5194
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Updated the Personal Intro (now with stats and banner)
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 05-06-2012 16:14
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4505
Joined: 05-10-2010
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This is actually looking good, I like stories set in the pssr.
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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