OK, im here to give this another go... I tried a couple of years ago and although I enjoyed reporting on the game, unfortunately for personal reasons it fizzled out.
This time I hope to be able to bring something more long term and a bit more consistent to the table, I will still add the caveat that im no expert at the game and to expect a bumpy road... excuse the pun!
Other than that im raring to go and hopefully offer some sort of contribution to this fantastic section of your forums.
A new year comes with new optimism and that is certainly the view from FDJ.fr's Principal Marc Madiot, as he predicts a positive season for his charges, including putting the team back on the podium in the Tour de France.
Madiot said "We have to speak about things in the right way, the positive way. I have a responsibility to my riders to help them be the best and if we set ourselves targets, then we can achieve them"
Above: Pinot has alot to prove, but with the full backing of the team, can he fulfil the French dreams?
When questioned further on the prospect of FDJ.fr competing with the usual GC contenders in the Tours, he answered "Pinot". Its that simple for the Boss, his belief is there that the 24 year old Frenchman can have a breakout year and push himself into the bracket that contains the likes of Froome, Contador, Quintana and so on.
The vibes are certainly going to attract attention, but you cannot help but feel that although Madiot believes he is doing the right thing by talking up his teams chances, that the added pressure for a group of young riders, still finding their feet among-st a competitive field, could be too much too soon.
1 - Marc Madiot
The enigmatic, charismatic and somewhat 'crazy' Principal of the team, is back and ready to lead his charges into another season. The pressure is starting to edge back onto him and FDJ.fr after 2 baron years in the Tour de France (albeit with Pinot claiming 3rd and the White Jersey in 2014). [IMG-r]https://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t374/wimmer09/250px-Marc_Madiot_2011_zps4wzafp1j.jpg[/IMG-r]
Madiot has arguably his best group of riders to work with, headlined by the aforementioned Thibaut Pinot, but also guiding a gaggle of experienced home based talent, that will ensure that the whole of France will be watching them again come July.
(Right): Will we see Marc Madiot screaming out of his car window again, as we so famously did back in 2012? He and the FDJ.fr riders certainly hope so.
2 - Thibaut Pinot
If you are talking about FDJ.fr then you have to mention their exciting 24 year old, who after bursting onto the scene in 2012 by winning a Tour stage (TdF), he would then go on to claim 3rd place in the 2014 GC and add the White Jersey for good measure.
Pinot is the great hope of France and more than anything FDJ.fr will be hoping to help him achieve the heights many are setting for him. Talk of succeeding Hinault may be premature, but Pinot himself has set some challenging targets for the coming year "I am here to win, the team is focused on that, we can as a group have a successful year and if we do, then of course I will be happy to continue my adventure with FDJ.fr"
3 - The French Factor
It may be crazy talk, but like everything in life, things come around again and those that have suffered will again prosper. Thats the thought process behind this, for years France has struggled to find the right man to succeed with Bernard Hinault did so triumphantly, but if the cycle of life is to be believed, the time for a French success is drawing ever near.
For FDJ.fr this could be music to their ears, as they have a strong home based core of riders, led of course by Pinot, but also surrounding him a gaggle of experienced men including Geslin, Mourey and Chavanel. Its this domestic feel to the team that could give FDJ.fr the edge, as all droughts have to come to an end sometime....
Mresuperstar wrote:
Very neat, colorful and easy to read layout. Although the picture isn't loading on my cpu. Best of luck leading Pinot to the promise land.
Cheers mate, thanks for the comments. I think and believe that the picture problem is due to Photobucket... that should be sorted now, thanks for letting me know
Edited by AP on 08-07-2015 23:26
Good to see you back to story-writing. I very much enjoyed your Lotto story, and judging from what I've seen I think you have obtained more knowledge of cycling since then. Hopefully the results will be as good as the writing now
Selwink wrote:
Good to see you back to story-writing. I very much enjoyed your Lotto story, and judging from what I've seen I think you have obtained more knowledge of cycling since then. Hopefully the results will be as good as the writing now
Its good to be back and thanks for the vote of confidence, I hope I can repay that faith in both racing and the game.
The FDJ.fr riders came back from their respective camps this week raring to go, as without any entrants into the National Championships in early January, their first event will be the Tour Down Under starting on the 20th of the month.
With riders split between bases in Spain and Italy, their focus was on gaining fitness for the upcoming schedule in the early part of the year, whilst the proposed riders for the TdU, all put in that bit extra to ensure they are ready for the start of the Tour.
Above: High hopes for Jussi Veikkanen as he will carry the expectation of the FDJ.fr team in this years Tour Down Under
Team Director Frederic Guesdon who will lead the team in Australia said "We have always put out a competitive team for the TdU and we will again this year. Its our 10th year in this event and we hope to have a good Tour and see what happens"
The first big event of the 2015 calendar is over and an exciting battle between home favourite Michael Matthews and the Portuguese rider Rui Costa, turned in favor of the Lampre man, as 2 stage wins including a crucial 5th stage, ensured that Rui Costa would claim the Orange Jersey by a mere 13".
Rui Costa celebrates the 1st of his stage wins; going on to claim the GC title from a persistent Matthews
With Skys 'Viviani setting the pace in the opening stage of the tour, Rui Costa would soon imprint his mark by soaring away to win the 2nd stage and set himself up for victory. Matthews would prove to be the closest contender, albeit with the Polish ace Michal Kwiatkowski remaining close.
Matthews said "As a team and an Australian you always want to impress when you are infront of your home crowd, we have a long season ahead and will be across the otherside of the world, so its important that when we are at home, we do well"
Andre Greipel gets in on the action, showing his dominant form in the Tours final stage
With the consolation of the Sprint Jersey and the Tour's best Young Rider, Matthews can take alot from the TdU, however the unexpected win by Rui Costa is a definite shot in the arm for Lampre-Merida as they gear up for the bigger challenges ahead.
Some excellent reporting here. Nice style, and the pics are excellent. Too bad the results of FDJ were not too good, but with the squad brought here not much was to be expected anyway.
FDJ.fr Fail to Impress; Madiot will expect answers
Not much to shout about for the FDJ.fr riders in this Tour; all round disappointment over 6 tough stages
In what should have been a kickstart to their 2015 campaign, the FDJ.fr team will look back on the Tour Down Under with huge disappointment after failing to not only challenge in the GC standings, but also lack any real impact in any of the stages themselves.
With Marc Madiot looking on back in France, Team Director Frederic Guesdon had a few tough questions to answer "We came here expecting something, but ultimately ended up with nothing. Individually we looked off the pace and as a team, there was little cohesion to our attacks and in the end we failed to offer anything"
With Finnish rider Jussi Veikkanen expected to challenge, he will feel let down by his middling effort, whilst any proposed challenge from the teams sprinters failed to materialise as FDJ.fr were unable to position themselves.
The team will move on to more comfortable surroundings with various events in Europe in February and hope that this start is not a marker for their performance for the year.
Rui Costa headlining the Tour Down Under, winning 2 stages and securing the Orange Jersey 13" ahead of local favourite Michael Matthews
Matthews has his day in the Australian National Championship, taking the title, whilst Rohan Dennis of BMC wins the ITT event
British rider Simon Yates (Orica) takes the honours in the Tour of San Luis in a competitive field that see's Ag2r La Mondiale impress
NEWS
This years Tour de France will welcome Team Europcar, Cofidis, Bretagne-Seche, Bora-Argon 18 and Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec as the Wildcard entrants
One of this years Grand Tours favourites Alberto Contador is currently competing in the Vuelta de Mallorca, as he starts his season preparing for the major events to come. British sprinter Mark Cavendish is also there representing Etixx-Quick-Step as he begins his 2015 campaign.
The Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriactico events both announce their Wildcards for 2015 with the former inviting Team Europcar, Cofidis and Bretagne-Seche. Whilst Southeast, Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec, NIPPO - Vini Fantini, CCC Sprandi Polkowice and Bardiani CSF will all be represented in the Italian event.
WHOSE UP/DOWN
Lampre-Merida and Rui Costa pulled off the early season shock with their performance in the Tour Down Under; whilst Michael Matthews has started the year in dominant fashion.
On the flip side, FDJ.fr failed to meet expectations in Australia and will have to improve as they head back to Europe.
BMC's Tejay Van Garderen will start his season in late February as he recovers from a sprained wrist, not ideal for a man they will hope to contend for GC honours in the major events this year.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida) on winning the TdU "I think maybe you are more shocked than me to be doing this interview? I know everyone wanted Michael (Matthews) to win here, but we came here with our goal and we achieved more than that. I am proud to wear this Jersey"
Australian Championship Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEDGE)
Australian ITT Championship Rohan Dennis (BMC)
New Zealand Championship Patrick Bevin (Avanti Racing)
New Zealand ITT Championship Sergent Jesse (Trek Factory)
Tour Down Under Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida)
Tour de San Luis Simon Yates (Orica-GreenEDGE)
WHATS HAPPENING
The Vuelta de Mallorca is ongoing with 3 stages complete and the final stage to take place on the 1st February. As it stands the GC standings look to be a 2-way fight between David De la Cruz (Etixx-Quick-Step) and Italian Edoardo Zardini (Bardiani CSF). Currently they are separated by just 1 second and will enjoy a tactical battle in the final 164km stage.
Like the graphics and the layout, good luck with this! Will be interesting to see if you can get any major results with the likes of Demare and Pinot, especially at Le Tour.
Wasn't the best start at Down Under for the team, with no notable results. Hopefully February and the spring classics can see the team pick up some better results.
FroomeDog99 wrote:
Like the graphics and the layout, good luck with this! Will be interesting to see if you can get any major results with the likes of Demare and Pinot, especially at Le Tour.
Wasn't the best start at Down Under for the team, with no notable results. Hopefully February and the spring classics can see the team pick up some better results.
Thanks mate, im hoping things pickup, it was tough in Australia, but its early doors.
Edited by AP on 09-07-2015 23:10
It may come as a surprise to many, but maybe not to those who know the erratic and popular frenchman, as with his team failing out of the World Tour and soon to lose its sponser, the soon to be out of contract Thomas Voeckler could well be touting for a new ride in 2016.
Step in Marc Madiot and FDJ.fr. The premiere team in France right now, holding arguably the best French rider in Thibaut Pinot and you can see why Voeckler could be interested in a switch.
At 36, his best years are possibly behind him, but FDJ.fr could be the best fit for him. The prospect of racing alongside Thibaut Pinot has to be of interest to Voeckler, whilst he also remains firmly in the minds of the french public, by signing for Madiot's team.
Voeckler in the colours of FDJ.fr for 2016? It might not be as crazy as it sounds
When asked about any contact between FDJ.fr and Voeckler, Marc Madiot said "We would be interested, why not? But as of now he is a rider for Team Europcar and there is little else we can say. I would love the chance to talk to Thomas (Voeckler) but we will see nearer the time"
Putting together a team for 2016 may well be in the minds of the FDJ.fr leadership, but for now, they are about to embark on the Grand Prix la Marseillaise and announced the following to ride for them in the 1 day event:
T.Pinot, A.Courteille, K.Elissonde, A.Geslin, K.Reza, A.Roux, A.Vichot & B.Vaugrenard.Edited by AP on 09-07-2015 23:24
