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Joaquím Rodríguez | Oman
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| FroomeDog99 |
Posted on 13-11-2013 20:53
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4573
Joined: 07-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Joaquim Rodriguez has had a long and successful career, winning many illustrious titles. The Spanish rider has won lots of races at the top level of cycling, with highlights being winning the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya in 2010, and La Flèche Wallonne along with his first monument victory, Il Lombardia, in 2012, his most successful year.
With age catching up with him though, the 33 year old has one thing missing from his palmarès. In 2012 he finished on the podium in both the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a Espana, but could not win either. Purito hasn't won a Grand Tour, the big victory he craves. 2013 could be his last chance...
Spoiler | Database | PCM.Daily Expansion Pack 2013 | | Difficulty | Extreme | | Development of Attributes | 0.3 | | Random Potential | No |
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 16-11-2013 21:40
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| FroomeDog99 |
Posted on 13-11-2013 20:53
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4573
Joined: 07-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Introduction and Preparation
Hello, first of all let me introduce myself. My name is Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver. Most of you will know me if you are a cycling fan, but for those who don't I am a professional Spanish cyclist who rides for Team Katusha, who ride in the top tier of cycling, the WorldTour. This year, a crucial one for my career, I will be writing a blog to share my thoughts with my fans as the season progresses.
At the moment pre-season is underway already, and the preparation for my season has started. After a good 2012 where I won my first monument at Il Lombardia and podiumed two Grand Tours, the pressure is on for 2013 to be even better. At 33 I'm not getting any younger, and I still need to fulfil my true potential.
After coming so close last year, at the Giro and Vuelta, winning a Grand Tour this year has to be my goal. Team manager Viacheslav Ekimov and me have been working out my peaks for this season by E-Mail, and we have agreed on this schedule to fit around my goals:
My peaks and goals for 2013
I am as usual targeting the classics season, but won't be fully peaking to ensure I can hit the Grand Tours in top shape. My first goal of the season is the Tirenno - Adriatico, where I hope to win my first major race of the season.
Next up I will be holding that fitness into the Ardennes races, with La Flèche Wallone being my main objective there as it suits my nature as a rider, with a very good kick. After that I will take a month off the bike, to let my legs recuperate.
In June I'll get back on the bike in preparation for the Tour de France, where I won't be aiming for the overall. I'll try and get a stage win and get my fitness to a good level ahead my big objective; the climax of my season comes just after.
My big target for 2013 is La Vuelta a Espana, where I will try to win my first ever Grand Tour! After coming so close before I know it will be tough, but if I approach the race in perfect shape I think I have a chance to win the biggest Spanish race on the calendar. My season will then conclude at Il Lombardia, after the World Championships.
My big target for 2013, La Vuelta a Espana
So that's what I'm building for at the moment! Quite alot I must say but I think I can achieve well with these peaks and objectives over the year.
That's all for now,
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 16-11-2013 15:13
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| FroomeDog99 |
Posted on 13-11-2013 20:53
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4573
Joined: 07-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Since 2010, I have ridden for the Russian Team Katusha. They ride in the top division of cycling, the UCI WorldTour, so the team gets to race all the top races in cycling. The team has some of the best domestiques in cycling, which will help me throughout the year wherever I race.
Probably the best rider who will support me this year is my close friend Daniel Moreno, who has ridden with me for most of my career. He is very strong on the hills and mountains like me, and should be a great help this year.
Daniel Moreno, my chief domestique
Another strong rider uphill is Simon Spilak, who also rides for the team. He won't ride everywhere with me, but should prove to be helpful at the Tour. A strong rider by himself, he should be leading the team wherever me and Daniel don't go.
Simon Spilak, another strong rider
Those two should be my main helpers this year, but other close friends like Alberto Losada and Angel Vicioso should help protect me and assist me very well in all races this year. With such a strong team, 2013 should be a fruitful year for me and Katusha as a whole.
That's all for now,
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 16-11-2013 15:14
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| Jesleyh |
Posted on 13-11-2013 20:58
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15274
Joined: 21-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Hmm, I'm interested 
Feyenoord(football) and Kelderman fanboy
PCMdaily Awards: 12x nomination, 9x runner-up, 0x win.
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| Cossack |
Posted on 13-11-2013 21:00
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Domestique
Posts: 582
Joined: 16-07-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Honestly I think you shouldn't peak for Tirreno, as it will increase the further fatigue, but I understand the challenge. Good luck 
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 13-11-2013 21:01
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World Champion
Posts: 10497
Joined: 23-06-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Good luck with this Froomedog. Sounds really good. |
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| atlanta |
Posted on 13-11-2013 21:08
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1220
Joined: 31-07-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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YES YES YES, as soon as i seen title i new what this be about, Purito is great and should win a GT by now he is so unlucky, its my dream for him to win Giro 2014. Also i agree with Cossack you really dont need to peak for tirreno maybe slide the bar down 1 it all helps near end of season goal. Even the classics you could do the same i won LBL with Contador on 3 fitness but seeing as your playing on extreme i suppose you should not change(as i done it on Hard). Finally really goodluck i love the looks of this. |
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| MrUfo87 |
Posted on 13-11-2013 21:09
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2803
Joined: 06-01-2012
PCM$: 700.00
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Rodriguez is one of my favourite cyclists so I'm happy there's a story about him now. Good luck!
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| admirschleck |
Posted on 13-11-2013 21:12
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Team Leader
Posts: 6690
Joined: 11-10-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Good luck.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-12-2024 07:14
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| Jesleyh |
Posted on 13-11-2013 21:13
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15274
Joined: 21-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Hmm, I'm wondering if Giro-Vuelta would give him better chances, but going for the TdF win is for sure interesting as well
Feyenoord(football) and Kelderman fanboy
PCMdaily Awards: 12x nomination, 9x runner-up, 0x win.
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| Dippofix |
Posted on 13-11-2013 21:28
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3912
Joined: 29-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
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Yesssss! This story will be great i can feel it! 
And i really hope he can do it, after so many near misses.
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| Selwink |
Posted on 13-11-2013 21:33
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8856
Joined: 17-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Good luck! Hope there won't be any DB-issues here
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| FroomeDog99 |
Posted on 13-11-2013 21:36
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4573
Joined: 07-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Thanks all for the kind comments! Hopefully this can go well. Blog 2 up now above, finishing the introduction to this.
On the schedule debate: I wanted to try make the schedule close to real life, so that meant also being fit for Oman and Tirrenno. It adds to the challenge
@ Jesleyh - He isn't trying to win the tour, as mentioned in blog 1.
@ Selwink - It's the Daily DB so it should be reliable, fingers crossed.
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 13-11-2013 21:37
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 13-11-2013 22:57
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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It sounds a Big Challenge, hope your successful |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 13-11-2013 23:05
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Best of Luck! I will follow
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
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| FroomeDog99 |
Posted on 14-11-2013 21:34
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4573
Joined: 07-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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12th January, 2013
With the season getting underway very soon, I have started building my fitness for the first half of my season. Today I went out with the other Spanish Katusha riders on a training ride on the beautiful roads of Andorra, near my home.
Me, Ángel (Vicioso), Xavier (Florencio), Daniel (Moreno) and Alberto (Losada) all went out for a training ride around the picturesque mountains of Andorra. Our route included the Puerto de la Comella, which we climbed and descended, before climbing the Collada de la Gallina to finish off.
Some of the Andorran backdrops were fantastic
Some of the views were fantastic, and I felt strong throughout. The only time I was put into slight difficulty was when Daniel put in a sharp burst on a climb, but I was there with him the whole way. Overall it was quite promising.
I even put in an attack towards the end of the final climb, where some loyal fans had come to cheer us on!
Me attacking towards the end of our ride
Also, yesterday I worked out my schedule for the first half of year with the team manager. It is flexible, and nothing is final yet, but this is probably where and when I'll be racing from January to May this season.
| Race | Date | Category |  Tour of Oman | 11/02 - 16/02 | 2.HC |  Tirreno - Adriatico | 06/03 - 12/03 | WT |  Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco | 01/04 - 06/04 | WT |  Amstel Gold Race | 14/04 | WT |  La Fleche Wallone | 17/04 | WT | | Liege - Bastogne - Liege | 21/04 | WT |  Tour de Romandie | 23/04 - 28/04 | WT |
So, that means my first race will be in Oman in just under a month! I better get down to some more right away then.
That's all for now,
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 16-11-2013 15:16
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 14-11-2013 21:37
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Nice schedule for Feb-Apr. Seems to work towards J-Rod's strengths
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.: My Awards :.
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| romaniangoat |
Posted on 15-11-2013 10:06
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Free Agent
Posts: 100
Joined: 23-03-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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It's unrealistic to do Andalucia after Oman.Andalucia and Romandie aren't very good options imo.
Edited by romaniangoat on 15-11-2013 10:06
ex Ventoux
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| aidanvn13 |
Posted on 15-11-2013 10:47
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2797
Joined: 06-11-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Nice story. Rodriguez is probably one of my favourite riders. Hope to see him win a GT someday IRL. In PCM will do for now
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| fronaldo |
Posted on 15-11-2013 11:17
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 347
Joined: 08-09-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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looking forward to this great story |
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