I decided to launch a new career tonight and for once I wanted to write some of it down. No pictures, no exports, just reports. As everyone knows I'm very much into young Belgians (yes go on, make the joke), so it became the custom team Jupiler Pro Cycling Team. It's a pro continental team consisting of 18 young Belgian riders. Most of them were Free Agents, but I also took a few guys from smaller teams (like Wout Van Aert) and brought a few guys back from foreign teams (like Stuyven and Teuns). Last of all, I added Rudy Verboven as a custom rider, to finish his EPIC career. For those who followed that, he's not a good as he was at the finish, let's say he's at the level halfway the first season. Maybe one day I'll post the full list, but you'll see the names pop up in the reports anyway.
After the prep races, we were still winless. Benoot did well in Oman and Verboven was ok in Algarve, but nothing big. Without any major result, Omloop Het NIeuwsblad was about to start, where our sponsor would like to see a top 5. Quite optimistic, but with all big names except Boonen and Vanmarcke missing, a lot would be possible.
The race went well, Stuyven joined the break midway, but Quick Step and Belkin worked really hard. Riders got dropped fast, but Benoot and Verboven were still there. Vanmarcke got away without even trying, and we spend a lot of time chasing him back. You'd think it's an easy win for Boonen then, but somehow he got dropped. The lead group was down to 15 riders, with still two of ours there. In all the confusion, Nuyens attacked. The winner of 2005 (!) went and no one followed.
Benoot tried to counter solo, but couldn't catch up. Vanmarcke was done for apparently, Boonen still not back in the front group and it was down to Boucher closing the gap for Demare, all other riders were solo and not willing or able to chase. Vanmarcke found his breath again in the final 5K, and his hard chase was just enough to catch Benoot, but it was to late for the win.
Nuyens had a surprise win, and in the very weird sprint for second, Vanbilsen and Devreese completed the podium, so good results for our direct competition Topsport Vlaanderen and Wanty. Gilbert and Boy Van poppel completed a very weird top 5. Rudy was empty as the sprint started and finished 11th. An exhausted Benoot got 14th. It's clear we're not in top shape yet, the only good new is that we somehow scored a wildcard for Milan - San Remo (that's the hardest one to get in my experience with earlier careers).
Rudy's reaction: It was a really tough race, the team was quite good, but I had a bad day. Tiesj was definitely stronger and I really hoped he could catch Nick Nuyens. In the sprint, I tried to follow Demare and Debusschere, but that wasn't the right option obviously. As I said, not a bad race for us, but the result is disappointing. Let's hope we recover well for tomorrow and get revenge!Edited by Ollfardh on 23-10-2015 20:26
Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne the next day was another goal for our sponsors. They wanted a podium here, which again was tough, but not impossible. No Boonen today, but Degenkolb and Greipel more than make up for that. Still, Verboven and Stuyven can be quite fast after a tough finish, and we still had Benoot to try something.
But our secret weapon today was Loic Vliegen, he set an insane pace on the tough parts and managed to drop 3/4 of the peloton. Unfortunately it was a bit too successful, as both Wanty and Topsport got completely dropped, and didn't waste any time chasing on the flat. Despite us sacrifising three riders to stay ahead, the other teams didn't feel like helping and the large group got back. An attack by Phinney opened the final, he was followed by Vanmarcke and then.. Benoot. This was interesting, but in the peloton Degenkolb went bananas and started a crazy chase. Verboven had great help from Nathan Van Hooydonck and could just follow, as could Stuyven and Verhelst.
As the three got reeled in again with 10KM to go, Benoot went again. Vanmarcke chased this time, with Degenkolb in his wheel. Verboven had the wheel of Degenkolb and Stuyven was following Debusschere, this was looking really good. But just as Vanmarcke makes the catch, Demare launches a surprise attack with 3KM to go, Degenkolb follows from way out and Verboven joins as well.
A great win for Demare it was. Degenkolb clearly isn't in top shape yet, as he got beaten for second by Nicolas Maes. Jasper Stuyven came from far, but strands in 4th place. Verboven gets 5th. Benoot could hang on to 8th. So 2 in the top 5 and 3 in the top 10, but not the podium the sponsor wanted, another disappointing result.
Rudy's reaction: 4th and 5th is really tough of course, but that's cycling. We had high expectations from this opening weekend, but it wasn't as it should be. The team was really strong again, but we didn't manage to finish it. I don't know if we should've tried a sprint train instead, against guys like Demare and Degenkolb, we have no chance. Now we have a few smaller Belgian races coming up, together with Jasper and Tiesj, the first win should be possible the next few weeks!
And we did get that win, Tiesj Benoot won the Kattekoers, with Loic Vliegen making it a 1-2 there. A few days before, Dylan Teuns, Xandro Meurisse, Rudy Verboven and even Ruben Pols tried to attack for a podium in Driedaagse van West Vlaanderen, but again we did not make the sponsor goal. Debusschere was the strongest.
Next was Nokere Koerse, which would be our final test for before our WT debut. We made it a tough race again, attacking like crazy with Stuyven, Meurisse, Teuns and Benoot. But Garmin for Nuyens and Lotto for Debusschere got everything back. The biggest attack came from Yves Lampaert from Topsport, which Verboven countered, but he struggled to get in the wheel. In the final sprint, Debusschere once again showed his dominance, overtaking everyone and winning Nokere Koerse ahead of Verboven and Benoot. This was a race we could have won!
Rudy's reaction: I don't think we did anything wrong today, but Debusschere was just too strong. When Lampaert went, I knew I had to counter, but he was going really fast, it was hard for me to get in his wheel. I felt like I had it when I started the sprint, as I went past Lampaert, but then too my right I saw Debusschere coming and I knew he was going to win it. Still, the team looks ready for Milan - San Remo, it'll be the first time we will be facing the strongest field, so it will most likely be a learning experience. Then again, the way Tiesj, Jasper and I are riding, I think the three of us will still be there on the Poggio and who knows what can happen.
The Handzame Classic was a chance for the other riders to race a bit, Joeri Stallaert finished 20th, a bit disappointing. In other news Rui Costa won a hilly version of Paris-Nice while Contador seems to be back after a poor 2013 to win Tirreno-Adriatico.
On saturday, what should have been a day of anticipating the first Monument, we got the news Benoot broke his elbow after a trainig crash on the descend of the Poggio, he'll be out for a month..
With no other option, we decided to all go for Rudy Verboven. No one in the break, no one chasing, we would need every available rider. Most are neopros and have never ridden anything above 250KM, let alone this 294KM monument. We even had a cyclocross guy, Wout Van Aert, who had the simple duty to protect Rudy.
After a few attempts, a brakaway succeeded in getting away. The first few breaks were brought down by Lotto, who had a very strong team here for Greipel. Degenkolb, Kristoff and Sagan are the other favourites. It's those teams that do the chasing, though the break managed to create a big gap. It contains former winner Petacchi (2005, again!), Hutarovich, Belletti and some more Italians.
As me approach the Capi climbs, the break still ahs a decent gap, did the sprinter teams miscalculate? For Jupiler, we still have Verboven, with Van Aert still with him, in a good position! Stuyven is always on the front rows as well, Teuns is just a bit behind, Chevalier is there picking up the last bottles. Vliegen is starting to fall back, while Evrard and Verhelst were dropped already.
We're on the Cipressa now, Van Aert is starting to suffer as Verboven want to go a bit closer to the front, both are having a great day obviously. Stuyven is coming to the front, as the break still has a big gap, over a minute at the top, the strong Lotto tema has disappeared, it Argos chasing now.
Belletti is going solo at the front now, Petacchi and Hutarovich are chasing, the rest is caught as the peloton starts on the Poggio. It's Dumoulin chasing now, and everyone is suffering, what an insane pace. Sagan is with him, as is Verboven. Kristoff and Degenkolb are close as well, while Greipel is dropping back. No sign of Gilbert and Van Avermeat, no Cancellara either. We're at the top now and Belletti is still away, will no one attack?
And there's the attack, it's ... Verboven. Dumoulin has almost dropped Degenkolb and waits. You can see the doubt on Sagan's face. Follow this unknown neo-pro or wait for the sprint? He choses the second and waits. Verboven is not the best descender and it's Omega Pharma chasing now, they suddenly have faith in Boonen.
Onto the flat now, Belletti still has 15 seconds on Verboven, but he's been leading all day and looks exhausted. The srint trains are starting to form behind. Verboven is closing in on Belletti, it's all voer for the Italian in the last kilometer. Verboven still has a sprint and flies past the Italian. Behind them, Degenkolb opens really really early, but he has to go now if he wants to win. But Verboven isn't slowing down either, he's going to win this!
The race organisers are looking at each other in confusion. Last year they had Ciolek, and now this. Will they stop handing out wildcards to foreign teams? Who knows, but they can't argue with today's win as Rudy Verboven takes the first victory of his career on the Via Roma. What a race from him and his team! I'm pretty sure Jupiler will forget the earlier failed sponsor goals, as this win gives them worldwide promotion.
Belletti just holds on for second, Greipel gets third. Next are Nizzolo, Kristoff and Sagan. Degenkolb faded to an 11th place. But now, the interview with today's winner:
Congratulations Rudy Verboven, what an amazing win for you. Did you expect this at the start this morning? - Definitely not, we were all a bit sad for losing Tiesj the day before the race. But the team reacted by saying they would go all for me today. I'm definitely in great shape, but didn't have any results yet. The legs were great today, this was my best day of the season, so when we hit the Cipressa, I knew I had to try something. A big thank you to the entire team for helping me so far into the final, especially Wout Van Aert who stayed with me until the Poggio. I wanted to attack sooner, but Dumoulin's pace was too much. At the top, he slowed down a bit and I saw my chance. I still had a lot left and overtook Belletti. After that, I suddenly realsied I was going to win Milan-San Remo
Here in Italy, no one knew you before the race, but everyone will know you now! Cna you tell us a little about yourself. Well, I love the classics, so I was a bit disappointed we didn't get wildcards to the Strade Bianchi and Roma Maxima, but all that was forgiven when we got the Milan-San Remo wildcard. So, this was my first race in Italy, but I definitely think I will be back here. My next focus goes to the cobbles, as I hope to win all monuments one day. Well, the first one is done, and much earlier then expected, so I think I can relax a bit now. The team hopes to go to the World Tour next year, so they will be really happy with this result as well. But to be honest, I don't think I fully realise what I just did, this is such a great race, I don't know what else to say really.
The team continued with a win in Dwars Door Vlaanderen. Jasper Stuyven and Rudy Verboven attacked in turn, but got countered by Debusschere each time. Meanwhile Quick Step kept chasing everything down for Trentin, but they messed up their sprint train, Verboven and Stuyven maanged to make it a 1-2 that way, a great result again and our first (over)achieved sponsor goal!
In the E3 Harelbeke, we discovered we lack experience at the highest level. Belkin and Trek made a split, and only Sagan and Kristoff could close the gap. Verboven tried with Van Avermaet, but they couldn't cooperate well and it became a win for Sagan with a 12th for Stuyven, back to missing goals it seems.
Gent-Wevelgem next, we didn't want to make the same mistake and tried to cause a split ourselves, but we got countered and once again we were forced to chase. Again Stuyven was our strongest rider, even catching up with Cancellara and finishing 7th, unfortunately another missed goal. Oh yeah, Sagan won both races, guess he'll be the top favourite for Ronde.
Finaly, Driedaagse De Panne - Koksijde. Stuyven once again showed his form by winning the first stage in the sprint. The second one went to a very strong Nick Nuyens, while the third one went to Navardauskas. Stuyven went into the lead in the final time trial with only a few seconds on Phinney, but he somehow could hang on to win the GC by one second! It would seem either we fail the goal, either we won the race.
Rudy's reaction: I'm really happy for Jasper of course, he's really in top shape with the most important races coming up. Again, I don't expect us to win, but we were thinking the same in San Remo. Anything is possible. I know people are expecting great things of me after winning in San Remo, but Harelbeke and Wevelgem have shown me I still have a lot to learn.
