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The Chosen One | A New Year
Ian Butler
Spoiler
Hey, thanks for taking the time to read this. Just a few words beforehand.

It's been a while since I attempted a solo-story. Of course, Mresuperstar and I have been writing The Two of Us, but that's something else entirely. I've also been busy organising and writing for Cyclo-Cross: A New Dawn. However great those things are - and believe me, neither of them are going anywhere any time soon - I still wanted to try writing a traditional one-rider story again. Life gets busier, especially when graduation nears and life picks up on a few things. So the big unknown is ahead of me. I have no idea how that will reflect on this story, all I can say is I want to try to make this work. Any pace possible. Most stories die out before their time. But there are exceptions. Whether this is one, I do not know. We never know, we can only try.

I've had some fun stories with Van Gent or other one/two-rider stories, but I want to try something else here. I used to be a decent cyclist/climber when I was younger and I often wonder: what could've been. This story is a fantasy scenario of what my life could've been had I chosen the bike and nothing but the bike. Some parts will be autobiographic, others fantasy. This is not a story of a future Tour de France winner, or a big star in cycling. Rather of a not-so-bad rider, trying to come up in the hard world of cycling. Based on my strengths and weaknesses (but, of course, higher than my real life current shape Pfft) and also limits.

Not to spoil too much, but for example I've already set the stat limits and, believe me, there is not a stat in the 80. The main stat doesn't even quite reach that high a number. I'll also slow down progression because Be a Pro goes too fast. So there'll be some editing, just trying to reconstruct what could've been.

One last thing, on the title. Just to make absolute clear: it's meant to be ironic. Things like 'The One' I find ridiculous and that's why I picked this title. Cycling is a hard world and you have to work so hard, sacrifice so much. It's a long, tough road to the top and 99,9% don't even get there. So that's why I tried to go with irony of "The Chosen One". You don't get chosen, you take a choice and spend a decade doing everything you can and most of the time, you have to settle for less than you thought.
This title is actually reverse: it's about my life had I chosen cycling. The chosen road, the chosen one Wink

Also, it's a bit of a joke considering my reputation of story-writing. I've always been writing stories about stars, breaking records, being the absolute best. And now I pick this title and it's not at all so.

Thanks for reading and perhaps following. Hope I can keep you entertained. Enjoy my fake autobiography!


i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2196/TheChosenOne_zpstw6f6hzq.jpg

Hello,

My name's Jonas Van Maldeghem and I'm 21 years old. The 2015 cycling season is about to start and I'm proud to present that I'll be a part of the new peloton. It's been a struggle but I've finally managed to land a contract with a Continental Team. This year, I'll be finishing my studies while also riding my first cycling season with a Continental Team.

I'll be using this blogspace to keep track of my professional career. The life of a cyclist. It's always been fascinating to me, and now I'll be able to live it. Mind you, it's a hard life, or so I've been warned. But I think I'm ready for it.

Ancient History

Now how did I get here? Without boring you with the details, let's say I've grown up in a family where a racing bike - or any bike by that matter - is almost holy. My father raced his bike to work every day, going over 80 km a day. During the weekends, he'd really get going, with rides over 150 km. As soon as me and my brother were old enough, we went on cycling trips. First with our city bikes, later with race bikes.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2197/Mariakerke_zpsaji0pnub.jpg
Mariakerke, suburbs of Ghent.


When I was 12 years old, we were on holiday in Southern France, as usual, when suddenly, my dad put me on an old bike, a model of the late 60s, with the gearing at your knees. "This is Alpe d'Huez", he said. It was my first mountain and I rode it to the top without stopping, on that old bike. I did it in an hour and 10 minutes. Of course, I'd break that time easily years later, but it was the start of a passion.

I always looked forward to the holidays, as we always went to the Alpes or the Pyrenees for two-three weeks. Every year again, I'd ride more and more climbs. I did the Tourmalet, Col d'Allos, Mont Ventoux, Pra Loup, Pla d'Adet and many more. When back in Belgium, we used to go to the Flemish Ardennes to test the legs on the smaller climbs. This was great, but the big mountains always interested me more. Still, the passion only grew. And then it was time to take it to the next level.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2197/AlpeDHuez_zpstwz4toma.jpg
Alpe d'Huez, my first climb.


I joined a club and started racing. This was not easy, let me tell you. You don't find a mountain in Belgium, and my flat riding is nothing out of the ordinary, so I flew under the radar a long time. Righteously so in these Kermiskoersen, but I knew I had talent elsewhere.

After doing a few races in the Ardennes, though, things were looking up. To make a long story short: It got me where I am today. A signed contract with a Continental Team. And I hope that's just the beginning.

Strengths & Weaknesses

When you're young, it's not easy to know what specialty you have. Except that it's clear as ice water for me. I'm a climber. No question about it. Don't know if I'll make a good climber, don't know if I'll make a decent climber. But I can become a better climber, and that's what I'm trying to achieve.

Strengths - So let's start off with what I can do best. I don't weigh much, I'm very thin and I love the mountains. My weight also makes me great at accelerating. Up a mountain but also coming out of a corner. I've been at it a long time so I'm rather technical, too. Riding in the Flemish Ardennes so long pays off when you have to go through corners or go downhill a mountain. These are things I can do well.

Weaknesses - But that don't make me no Alberto Contador, let me tell you that. I've got a lot to work on. Riding on the flat is not that well, since I don't have that absolute power wattage. I never spend any time on a time-trial bike, either. I've been on several longer trips but over 175-200 km and my engine says "pffrrt". I've got to work on my stamina but I don't have a lot of body so I've got to eat and drink like crazy to avoid crashing and burning during a ride. It's not easy for me.

Unknown - I've been riding those short hills in the Ardennes a long time. I can race up them quite good, but how will it hold up against real professionals? Maybe the Ardennes hills suit me better, but even so, I get better when a climb is over 5 km long, a real mountain. Cobbles is another thing, I enjoy them so much, I really do, despite not weighing too much. But despite enjoying them and going over them quite smoothly, I've noticed others going way faster in a race.

There's much to discover, and much work to be done.
So I'll best get to it!

Next time, I'll tell all about this time I signed with. And I'll probably have a better look at my season calendar, too. Very excited about it. But got to hit the books, now. Still got university besides this life of ..."glamour".

See you around,
Jonas
Edited by Ian Butler on 14-01-2016 10:53
 
Ian Butler
One reserve for palmares & results.
Only one I need Smile
 
DiCyc
Good luck, Ian! Smile
 
emre99
This. Is. Going. To. Be.
Epic
#FREELANDA #FREELIA MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

emre99's stages
Thread of the Week : Tour of California 2014
-Official PCM World Cup 2016, 10th best keirin player in the world Wink
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trekbmc
Good luck Ian, it sounds good so far Grin

Now to wait for jandal's reaction Pfft
Edited by trekbmc on 20-12-2015 14:06



"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
 
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Shonak
Oh love the idea and introduction behind, all the best Ian.
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"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
 
Croatia14
yes good luck Ian, sounds great Banana
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Ian Butler
Thanks a lot, guys. Hope I can make this one count Wink
 
Ian Butler
i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2196/TheChosenOne_zpstw6f6hzq.jpg

Hello,

With the Christmas holidays coming up, I've got some busy days ahead of me. First of all, I just had the first training camp with the guys. I'm not really a social type so it was a bit strange in the beginning. I can say some nonchalant things and if you don't know me, it might be perceived as rude. But there were no big incidents and everything's been cleared out so we're ready to go.

But I've also got exams coming up in January. The school has been so kind to give me a special schedule so I can combine my exams with racing perfectly. Yes, the team wants me out there in January already. More on that later in this post.

The third thing is, obviously, Christmas itself. It's a strange time in my life. For now, though, I'll be staying at home, with the parents. At least until I graduate, later this year. So for now, the holidays will need to be pushed to the bakground so I can concentrate on this wonderful thing called: cycling!

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2198/Team3_zps4wjqazkc.jpg

Team 3M

As for the upcoming year, I'll be defending the colors of Team 3M. It's a Belgian team, but with a nice calendar going abroad enough to see some mountains. They want to launch young riders a bit like Topsport Vlaanderen does. I didn't make it into Topsport Vlaanderen, but they told Team 3M about me and managed to get me a contract here, and they said they'll be keeping an eye out for me. So if I do well, perhaps I can jump on the Topsport Vlaanderen project when I get my career going. There are worse places to end up!

But for now, it's Team 3M, and I don't regret it for a second! The management is really good with young riders and they'll give me every chance to grow here. I almost ended up with an Italian Continental Team and - while it would've been exciting - I'm happy I can keep living at home for now.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2199/Team2_zpsgjaony7c.jpg


I hope I can make some new friends in this team, I think I can. I overheard one guy talking about Pro Cycling Manager, a game I used to play myself, so maybe we'll get along fine. Anyway, I'll have to see how it goes, can't force anything here.

All I know is the workload will be tremendous. This training camp might've started out casually, but it quickly turned into a brutal exercise over Flemish roads. I got in trouble once and was left behind, I felt a bit ashamed. But in the end, we're all young guys and it happened to several riders at one point or another. We're all here to learn.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2199/Team_zpsaxlmmxbc.jpg


So it'll take some getting used to, but this is my new family for the upcoming year. I hope we can learn from each other and grow as a team. We don't just want to be along for the ride, no. We want to put Team 3M on the map with some good results.

Schedules

And that brings us to race schedules. Of course, much will still change, so the management doesn't like to give us a detailed overview of what specific races, rather a general trend we'll follow. For me, it's the following.

In January, I'll be going down to Spain. I'll try to get some studying done there, as well as some training. There is this new three-day competition there, too. Three rounds spread over three races, and the team signed me up for it, while I'm there anyway. So I'll be getting my first racing there, without any pressure. After that I'm returning home to do my exams.

In March, most likely, I'll start racing again. Probably with a .2 race in the Netherlands, followed by Grand Prix of Sochi in Russia, a stage race. After that, I'll get into the 2.2U23 scene with Le Triptyque des Monts et Chateaux. I'll definitely race Liège - Bastogne - Liège U23, too, which is one of my season goals for sure!

I'll mostly ride .2 and 2.2U23/1.2U23 races, including Circuit de Wallonie and, another of my season goals, the mountainous race called Tour de Pays de Savoie (which Louis Vervaecke won last year!). All short stages, mostly uphill, perfect for me at the moment. That's where I want to see how I can do against my contemporaries in the mountains.

I'll end my season with some .1 races, including Druivenkoers and GP de Wallonie, which will have a better start field than the U23 or .2 races. Paris - Tours Espoirs is probably my final race of the season. I'm not sure to start there yet but Paris - Tours is one of my favorite races so I really want to compete in the U23 event, if I can.

Well, I'll see you in the new year. I'll try to get back to you from Spain and tell you how the 3-round Trophy went. Don't expect me to pop up in the headlines, but know I'll be in that peloton somewhere, probably hurting like crazy and worrying about my math exam or something. It's all a part of life, I guess.

Happy Holidays and Ho-Ho-Ho,
Jonas
 
Ian Butler
i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2196/TheChosenOne_zpstw6f6hzq.jpg

Hello,

I'm back in Belgium. My trip to Spain has been rather successful; found plenty of time to crack the books and got some good training done. I feel I made a huge step forward already. But that's not why I'm making this blog.

It's not UCI-official so it doesn't count for the European Continental Rankings or it isn't a real official race but I got my first races for Team 3M over with. A nice initiative called the San Sebastian Trophy, three rounds of races.

San Sebastian Trophy

The first race was rather hilly. Of course, this being my first race with a peloton of all ages and top riders like Bjorn Leukemans here, I was just here to fill the pack, but mostly to enjoy my first real racing experiences.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2200/SanSebTrophy1_zpswqgwxtwj.jpg

The first race was extremely tough on me. I didn't know people could ride that hard. I was dead before the actual climbing started, and I finished 10 minutes down on the race winner. Little time to enjoy, but a valuable lesson learned. You don't enjoy a cycling race unless you're the fastest. Everyone else is just trying to keep up.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2200/SanSebTrophy2_zpsghqidcyc.jpg

The second race was quite flat-ish and I did better. The race only got going for real in the last 20 km, leading up to the sprint. However a late attacker won the race and I finished the race inside the pack. Growth!

But then came the third race. Another hilly affair, even more so than the first race. It was raining cats and dogs at the start. Luckily the race was only about 130 km, a perfect length for a rider of my age. Not too long.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2200/SanSebTrophy3_zpsnoibeost.jpg

Two guys went up the road. And, then, on the second climb of three, I felt the pace wasn't extremely high and there was room to improve on that. So I went to the front and attacked!

It was a good feeling.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2200/SanSebTrophy4_zps0jzkjso9.jpg

Unfortunately, the finish was still 57 km away and the peloton had no problem picking me up only 5 km later. I never even saw the head of the race but at least I made an impact of some sort on the race, right?

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2200/SanSebTrophy5_zpsymfiip6s.jpg

I finished the race in 35th position, which is actually pretty nice, seeing how I wasted a lot of energy with that attack. I'm quite happy with my achievement in this round.

San Sebastian Trophy - Round 1
1Björn LeukemansWanty - Groupe Gobert3h40'08
2Omar FraileCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
3Stefano PirazziBardiani CSFs.t.
4Marco MarcatoWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
5Enrico BattaglinBardiani CSF+ 39
6Francesco GavazziSoutheasts.t.
7Carlos BarberoCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
8Damiano CunegoNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
9Kamil GradekActiveJet Teams.t.
10Marco MinnaardWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
Spoiler
11Marc De MaarTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
12Fabio DuarteColombias.t.
13David BeldaBurgos - BHs.t.
14David ArroyoCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
15Sébastien DelfosseWallonie - Bruxelles+ 2'42
16Mirko SelvaggiWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
17Florent DelfosseColor Code - Aquality-Protects.t.
18Luca SterbiniBardiani CSFs.t.
19Dimitri ClaeysVérandas Willemss.t.
20Huub DuynTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
21Olivier PardiniVérandas Willemss.t.
22Antoine DemoitiéWallonie - Bruxelless.t.
23Michael VingerlingTeam 3Ms.t.
24Dominique CornuVérandas Willemss.t.
25Rasmus GuldhammerCULT Energy Pro Cycling+ 3'28
26Christophe PremontVérandas Willems+ 4'06
27Alessandro PetacchiSoutheasts.t.
28Steven TronetAuber 93s.t.
29Alessandro MalagutiNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
30Jakub MareczkoSoutheasts.t.
31Dylan GroenewegenTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
32Martin MortensenCULT Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
33Shiki KuroedaNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
34Juan Carlos RiutortBurgos - BHs.t.
35Rafael de Mattos AndriatoSoutheasts.t.
36Sebastian MolanoColombias.t.
37Martijn DegreveTeam 3Ms.t.
38Pablo TorresBurgos - BHs.t.
39Ludwig De WinterWallonie - Bruxelless.t.
40Riccardo StacchiottiNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
41Théo VimpèreAuber 93s.t.
42Romain LemarchandCULT Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
43Linus GerdemannCULT Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
44Jesper AsselmanTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
45Juan Pablo ValenciaColombias.t.
46Eugert ZhupaSoutheasts.t.
47Dario HernandezBurgos - BHs.t.
48Simone AntoniniWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
49Yannick EijssenWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
50Edward DiazColombias.t.
51Brayan RamirezColombias.t.
52Heiner ParraCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
53Alexander RybakovRusVelo+ 4'53
54Andrey SolomennikovRusVelos.t.
55Ildar ArslanovRusVelos.t.
56Diego León CuervoBurgos - BHs.t.
57Sergey FirsanovRusVelos.t.
58Fabian MorianzTirol Cycling Team+ 5'40
59Flavien DassonvilleAuber 93s.t.
60Maxime RenaultAuber 93s.t.
61Timon Van ReekCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
62Giorgio CecchinelSoutheasts.t.
63Jesus EzquerraActiveJet Teams.t.
64Rasmus Christian QuaadeCULT Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
65Ronan Van ZandbeekCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
66Troels VintherCULT Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
67Loïc HennauxColor Code - Aquality-Protect+ 6'28
68Martin WeissTirol Cycling Team+ 7'13
69Antonio MolinaCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
70Elliott PorterTeam 3Ms.t.
71Andrea ManfrediBardiani CSFs.t.
72Igor BoevRusVelos.t.
73Mario GonzalezActiveJet Teams.t.
74Nicolas MariniNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
75Paolo SimionBardiani CSFs.t.
76Melvin Van ZijlTeam 3Ms.t.
77Brian Van GoethemTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
78Lukasz BodnarActiveJet Teams.t.
79Berden De VriesTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
80Roman KustadinchevRusVelos.t.
81Julien KaiseColor Code - Aquality-Protects.t.
82Camilo CastiblancoColombias.t.
83César BihelAuber 93+ 8'16
84Ike GroenCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
85Konrad DabkowskiActiveJet Teams.t.
86Alo JakinAuber 93+ 9'04
87Hugh CarthyCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
88Patric SchultusTirol Cycling Teams.t.
89Jérôme KerfVérandas Willemss.t.
90Alessandro TonelliBardiani CSFs.t.
91Mario SchoiblTirol Cycling Teams.t.
92Gaëtan PonsWallonie - Bruxelles+ 9'33
93Dylan Van ZijlTeam 3Ms.t.
94Taco Van Der HoornCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
95Thomas WertzWallonie - Bruxelless.t.
96David MuntanerActiveJet Teams.t.
97Jonathan DufrasneWallonie - Bruxelless.t.
98Elias Van BreussegemVérandas Willemss.t.
99Kobus HereijgersCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
100David WöhrerTirol Cycling Teams.t.
101Ander ArranzBurgos - BHs.t.
102Franklin SixColor Code - Aquality-Protect+ 10'49
103Jonas Van MaldeghemTeam 3Ms.t.
104Charlie ArimontColor Code - Aquality-Protect+ 12'37
105Gino VierhoutenCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
106Mattia PozzoNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
107Sebastian SchönbergerTirol Cycling Teams.t.
108Martin PalmColor Code - Aquality-Protect+ 15'51


San Sebastian Trophy - Round 2
1Guillaume LevarletAuber 933h01'37
2Yonnatta MonsalveSoutheast+ 29
3Roy JansWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
4Iuri FilosiNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
5Pawel BernasActiveJet Teams.t.
6Luca ChiricoBardiani CSFs.t.
7Sébastien DelfosseWallonie - Bruxelless.t.
8Steven TronetAuber 93s.t.
9Leonardo DuqueColombias.t.
10Geert Van Der WeijstTeam 3Ms.t.
Spoiler
11Eduard PradesCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
12Francesco GavazziSoutheasts.t.
13Kevyn IstaWallonie - Bruxelless.t.
14Javier AramendiaCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
15Joeri CalleeuwVérandas Willemss.t.
16José GonçalvesCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
17Johnny HoogerlandTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
18Mads PedersenCULT Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
19Konrad DabkowskiActiveJet Teams.t.
20Martijn DegreveTeam 3Ms.t.
21Tom DerniesWallonie - Bruxelless.t.
22Martin MortensenCULT Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
23Russell DowningCULT Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
24Enrico GasparottoWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
25Gertjan De VosTeam 3Ms.t.
26Dimitri ClaeysVérandas Willemss.t.
27Carlos BarberoCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
28Hugh CarthyCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
29Stefano PirazziBardiani CSFs.t.
30Juan Carlos RiutortBurgos - BHs.t.
31Julien GuayAuber 93s.t.
32Lionel TaminiauxColor Code - Aquality-Protects.t.
33Christophe SleursTeam 3Ms.t.
34Kirill PozdnyakovRusVelos.t.
35Grégory HabeauxWallonie - Bruxelless.t.
36Jesus Del PinoBurgos - BHs.t.
37Linus GerdemannCULT Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
38Emiel VermeulenTeam 3Ms.t.
39Frederique RobertWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
40Dominique CornuVérandas Willemss.t.
41Igor MerinoBurgos - BHs.t.
42Jonas Van MaldeghemTeam 3Ms.t.
43Martin WeissTirol Cycling Teams.t.
44Patrick BosmanTirol Cycling Teams.t.
45Jimmy DuquennoyColor Code - Aquality-Protects.t.
46Kai ReusVérandas Willemss.t.
47Petr IgnatenkoRusVelos.t.
48Artem OvechkinRusVelos.t.
49Giacomo BerlatoNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
50Sergey FirsanovRusVelos.t.
51Julien KaiseColor Code - Aquality-Protects.t.
52Ildar ArslanovRusVelos.t.
53Gustav LarssonCULT Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
54Arkadiusz OwsianActiveJet Teams.t.
55Fabio DuarteColombias.t.
56Flavien DassonvilleAuber 93s.t.
57Christian MagerCULT Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
58Andrea PiecheleBardiani CSFs.t.
59Daan MyngheerVérandas Willemss.t.
60Coen VermeltfoortCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
61Tom DevriendtWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
62Luca SterbiniBardiani CSFs.t.
63André LooijTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
64Taco Van Der HoornCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
65Tomasz MickiewiczActiveJet Teams.t.
66Luca WackermannSoutheasts.t.
67Maxime AnciauxWallonie - Bruxelless.t.
68Jan GhyselinckWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
69Stefan PraxmarerTirol Cycling Teams.t.
70Ricardo VilelaCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
71Thomas De TrochVérandas Willemss.t.
72Alo JakinAuber 93s.t.
73Mario SchoiblTirol Cycling Teams.t.
74Thomas WertzWallonie - Bruxelless.t.
75César BihelAuber 93s.t.
76David MuntanerActiveJet Teams.t.
77Lander SeynaeveWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
78Robbert De GreefCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
79Daniel MartinezColombias.t.
80Markus FreibergerTirol Cycling Teams.t.
81Ramon CarreteroSoutheasts.t.
82Aleksandr KominRusVelos.t.
83Ibai SalasBurgos - BHs.t.
84Daan MeijersCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
85Michel KrederTeam Roompot-Oranje Peloton+ 2'58
86Etienne Van EmpelTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
87Huub DuynTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
88Kobus HereijgersCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
89Manabu IshibashiNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
90Loïc HennauxColor Code - Aquality-Protects.t.
91Gino VierhoutenCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
92Paolo SimionBardiani CSFs.t.
93Sebastian MascaroBurgos - BHs.t.
94Florian SchipflingerTirol Cycling Teams.t.
95Edoardo ZardiniBardiani CSFs.t.
96Ander ArranzBurgos - BHs.t.
97Antonio NibaliNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
98Tom GalleColor Code - Aquality-Protects.t.
99Giuseppe FonziSoutheasts.t.
100Carlos QuinteroColombias.t.
101Dylan GroenewegenTeam Roompot-Oranje Peloton+ 3'40
102Jonathan ParedesColombia+ 4'27
103Mattia PozzoNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
104Mirko TedeschiSoutheasts.t.
105Carlos Mario RamirezColombia+ 5'20
106Genki YamamotoNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
107Pawel BrylowskiActiveJet Team+ 5'47
108Martin PalmColor Code - Aquality-Protect+ 11'03


San Sebastian Trophy - Round 3
1Enrico GasparottoWanty - Groupe Gobert3h26'51
2Damiano CunegoNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
3Alex CanoColombias.t.
4Enrico BarbinBardiani CSFs.t.
5Sergio PardillaCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
6Eduard PradesCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
7Miguel Angel RubianoColombias.t.
8Fabio DuarteColombia+ 25
9Björn LeukemansWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
10Omar FraileCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
Spoiler
11Matteo BusatoSoutheasts.t.
12Fabricio FerrariCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
13Johnny HoogerlandTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
14Marc De MaarTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
15Linus GerdemannCULT Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
16Kamil GradekActiveJet Teams.t.
17Sébastien DelfosseWallonie - Bruxelles+ 1'20
18Olivier ChevalierWallonie - Bruxelless.t.
19Russell DowningCULT Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
20Stefano PirazziBardiani CSFs.t.
21Gaëtan BilleVérandas Willemss.t.
22Pawel BernasActiveJet Teams.t.
23Luca SterbiniBardiani CSFs.t.
24Emiel VermeulenTeam 3Ms.t.
25Mike TerpstraTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
26Marco MinnaardWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
27Pierpaolo De NegriNIPPO - Vini Fantini+ 3'41
28Fernando GrijalbaCaja Rural - Seguros RGA+ 4'35
29Julien StassenWallonie - Bruxelless.t.
30Alessandro MalagutiNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
31Pablo TorresBurgos - BHs.t.
32Daniel MartinezColombias.t.
33Artem OvechkinRusVelos.t.
34Andrea PiecheleBardiani CSFs.t.
35Jonas Van MaldeghemTeam 3Ms.t.
36Darwin PantojaColombias.t.
37Iuri FilosiNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
38Javier AramendiaCaja Rural - Seguros RGAs.t.
39Tom DerniesWallonie - Bruxelless.t.
40Jimmy JanssensTeam 3Ms.t.
41Florent DelfosseColor Code - Aquality-Protects.t.
42Joël ZangerleCULT Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
43Ronan Van ZandbeekCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
44Dylan Van ZijlTeam 3Ms.t.
45Alexander FoliforovRusVelos.t.
46Patrick BosmanTirol Cycling Teams.t.
47Andrey SolomennikovRusVelo+ 5'47
48Kevyn IstaWallonie - Bruxelles+ 6'17
49Edwin AvilaColombias.t.
50Michal PodlaskiActiveJet Teams.t.
51Tim KerkhofTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
52Wesley KrederTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
53Juan Carlos RiutortBurgos - BHs.t.
54Alexander WachterTirol Cycling Teams.t.
55Pierre GouaultAuber 93s.t.
56Benjamin Brkic Tirol Cycling Teams.t.
57Edoardo ZardiniBardiani CSFs.t.
58Jesus EzquerraActiveJet Teams.t.
59Giorgio CecchinelSoutheasts.t.
60Théo VimpèreAuber 93s.t.
61Jan GhyselinckWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
62Anthony MaldonadoAuber 93s.t.
63Rasmus Christian QuaadeCULT Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
64Robbert De GreefCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
65Reinier HonigTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
66Olivier PardiniVérandas Willemss.t.
67Dimitri ClaeysVérandas Willemss.t.
68Manuel BellettiSoutheasts.t.
69Steven TronetAuber 93s.t.
70Christophe SleursTeam 3Ms.t.
71Rafael de Mattos AndriatoSoutheasts.t.
72Diego León CuervoBurgos - BHs.t.
73Mattia PozzoNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
74Stef Van ZummerenVérandas Willemss.t.
75Ibai SalasBurgos - BHs.t.
76Elliott PorterTeam 3Ms.t.
77Kai ReusVérandas Willemss.t.
78Nicola RuffoniBardiani CSFs.t.
79Danilo NapolitanoWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
80Thomas De TrochVérandas Willemss.t.
81César BihelAuber 93+ 8'35
82Roman KustadinchevRusVelo+ 9'41
83Alvaro RobredoBurgos - BHs.t.
84Martin WeissTirol Cycling Teams.t.
85Jetse BolCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
86Tom DevriendtWanty - Groupe Goberts.t.
87Alex KirschCULT Energy Pro Cycling+ 11'03
88Tomasz MickiewiczActiveJet Teams.t.
89Coen VermeltfoortCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
90Mads PedersenCULT Energy Pro Cyclings.t.
91Julien KaiseColor Code - Aquality-Protects.t.
92Flavien DassonvilleAuber 93s.t.
93Gaëtan PonsWallonie - Bruxelless.t.
94Anthony VandrepotteColor Code - Aquality-Protects.t.
95Ramon CarreteroSoutheasts.t.
96Patric SchultusTirol Cycling Teams.t.
97Franklin SixColor Code - Aquality-Protects.t.
98Ivan BalykinRusVelo+ 11'31
99Mamyr StashRusVelos.t.
100Gino VierhoutenCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
101Dex GroenCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijkes.t.
102Genki YamamotoNIPPO - Vini Fantinis.t.
103Ander ArranzBurgos - BH+ 13'01
104Tom GalleColor Code - Aquality-Protects.t.
105Arkadiusz OwsianActiveJet Teams.t.
106Markus FreibergerTirol Cycling Team+ 13'14
107Martin PalmColor Code - Aquality-Protect+ 13'45
108Mirko TedeschiSoutheast+ 14'48


Aftermath

So there I was, feeling pretty good about myself that I pulled off that attack. Some guy, though, came up to me. He asked me about the attack and said: "That's just not how things work." I was taken aback by this for a second. But the guy didn't mean it so bad and he explained how these types of attacks never go anywhere and aren't necessary. It just makes the race harder for everyone and nobody needs them.

I can see his point, some way. I never came too close to the leaders, this race isn't aired anywhere, I won't get a mention in the newspaper. There are unwritten laws in the peloton. Just because I don't agree with them, doesn't mean I can just break them. Because you don't want the peloton against you.

Don't get me wrong, though, the guy was friendly and eager to teach me. Lesson learned. There's more to professional cycling than riding a bike.

And so here I am, back in Belgium. Back at home. It's been a great trip and I got my nose in the wind in the Team 3M kit, which was great. My next race is 8 weeks from now, so I'll have to concentrate on my exams first. I'll see you later.

Until then,
Jonas
 
trekbmc
Unfortunately, the finish was still 57 km away and the peloton had no problem picking me up only 5 km later. I never even saw the head of the race but at least I made an impact of some sort on the race, right?


At least that's how I race irl. Pfft


A good start to his/your career though and 3M should be a good team choice. Grin



"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
 
DiCyc
Good start to his career, he got his first attack! And a bit critic Pfft
 
jandal7
Wow, I'm stunned. Awesome to see another story, hopefully this story will be the chosen one to last this year, huh Pfft? An up and down start to life in the pack for, erm, you Pfft

And of course I can second what trek said, my tactics every time WinkGrin
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."

[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] i.imgur.com/c85NSl6.png Xero Racing

i.imgur.com/PdCbs9I.png
i.imgur.com/RPIlJYr.png
5x i.imgur.com/wM6Wok5.png x5
i.imgur.com/olRsxdu.png
2x pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/funniest21.png x2
2x i.imgur.com/TUidkLG.png x2
 
Ian Butler
Thanks guys.
It's a bit stranger than usual with this setting but I'll try to make it work Wink
Thanks for the replies, always much appreciated!
 
sutty68
Nice to see you running solo in the story section again, Good Luck Mate Smile
 
Ian Butler
Thanks sutty, for the everlasting support Wink
 
Ian Butler
i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/IanButlerPCM2196/TheChosenOne_zpstw6f6hzq.jpg

Hello,

So, it's been a while. First of all, the exams went fairly well. No formidable grades but I pass all classes and so I can graduate in June if all goes well. Let's hope I succeed.

I've got my first official racing done. I started in the Netherlands.

Rabobank Dorpenomloop Rucphen

Preview: A flat-ish circuit in the Netherlands. Though it's tougher than it looks, with a minor ascent on the road. It's up and down all day long, and it's close to 200 km, I'll have to see what I can do.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/Album2/racing01_zpslye9qrwt.jpg

So I started the race without any big ambitions. Hoping I could do some work for the team. The final 25 km were really hard, we were already at 175 km and the pace only went up.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/Album2/racing02_zps22kjcr6r.jpg

The peloton split up and I got the wrong side of the split. But overall I managed to finish 21st, so all in all it was a good day for me. Close to 200 km and I survived.

Dorpenomloop - Result
1Wouter MolCyclingteam Join-S - De Rijke5h00'39
2Maurits LammertinkTeam Roompot-Oranje Peloton+ 56
3Maxime VantommeRoubaix Lille Métropoles.t.
4Marc De MaarTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
5Nikola AistrupRiwal Platform Cycling Teams.t.
6Raymond KrederTeam Roompot-Oranje Pelotons.t.
7Jonas Aaen JörgensenRiwal Platform Cycling Teams.t.
8Mads ChristensenRiwal Platform Cycling Teams.t.
9Gorik GardeynVeranclassic - Ekois.t.
10Eduardo EstradaD’Amico - Bottecchias.t.
(...)
21Jonas Van MaldeghemTeam 3M+ 2'49


So that was it in the Netherlands. It was worth the trip, I think. Gained some more experience and I was getting ready for my first stage race ever.

Grand Prix of Sochi

Preview: My first stage race. The team gave me a free role for this race, no pressure at all. Just do my thing and get through the four days comfortably.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/Album2/racing03_zpsa7wdvgwe.jpg

It's quite cold in Russia in March, I tell you that. The first day was quite brutal, with the weather. I finished in the pack comfortably, though.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/Album2/racing04_zps60deivd8.jpg

The time trial was something else. We didn't bring time trial bikes because of the costs, but not a lot of teams did. I spent the entire race fighting against the wind. I finished completely last. I knew this wouldn't be my forte, but it still hurt a bit, finishing dead last.

And so I went into stage 3 with a sense of retribution. I wanted to show the team, most of all, that I have other qualities.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/Album2/racing05_zps83fbgs3d.jpg

It was a hectic start but four of us managed to get away from the peloton. I was in the break of the day, surely that was a positive thing.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/Album2/racing06_zpsxwhgat7d.jpg

Unfortunately, though, my legs quickly turned to sh*t, pardon my French. I really wasn't feeling very good and by the time we reached the mountain sprints, I couldn't eve accelerate. A lost opportunity.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/Album2/racing07_zpsl6qeg59t.jpg

Still we stayed together and another rider even joined us, another Belgian. By the time we hit the bigger climbs, though, the breakaway group split up completely. I couldn't quite hang on to the better punchers.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/Album2/racing08_zps9pi4br07.jpg

I didn't feel like just waiting around for the peloton and so, with a good descent, I managed to rejoin the front group for a while again. But now the peloton was coming, relentlessly.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/Album2/racing09_zps5ucq8igv.jpg

And so that was the end to a long day. Too bad I had an off-day, otherwise I might've done something more with the mountain sprints. I had to settle for a third spot in the KoM classification, without any real chance of threatening the leader. In the last day, it turned into a shared 3rd spot.

i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u569/IanButlerPCM2/Album2/racing10_zps50kz91vf.jpg

And so my time in Russia came to an end. I'm already looking forward to finally racing in Belgium, though. In just a few day, I'm starting my first 2.2U23 race here in Belgium. I think I can do better there, since I'll be racing my contemporaries, shorter stages and in my home country.

Still, the upcoming race is all about flat riding, so that's not really my style. But I'll try to make most of it. As I always do.

Grand Prix of Sochi - Stage 1
1Guillaume BoivinOptum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies4h24'13
2Stan GodrieRabobank Development Teams.t.
3Mattia GavazziAmore & Vita - Selle SMPs.t.
4Konrad DabkowskiActiveJet Teams.t.
5Asbjørn Kragh AndersenTeam TREFOR - Blue Waters.t.
6Robin StenuitVeranclassic - Ekois.t.
7Søren Kragh AndersenTeam TREFOR - Blue Waters.t.
8Ahmet ÖrkenTorku Seker Spors.t.
9Jeff VermeulenCyclingteam Jo Pielss.t.
10Martin ReimerLKT-Team-Brandenburgs.t.
(...)
66Jonas Van MaldeghemTeam 3Ms.t.


Grand Prix of Sochi - Stage 2
1Jack BobridgeTeam Budget Forklifts29'40
2Tom ZirbelOptum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies+ 3
3Arthur ErshovRusVelo+ 4
4Sergey NikolaevItera-Katusha+ 6
5Gaëtan BilleVérandas Willemss.t.
6Maxim PokidovItera-Katusha+ 10
7Glenn O'SheaTeam Budget Forklifts+ 14
8Gorik GardeynVeranclassic - Ekoi+ 17
9Lukasz BodnarActiveJet Team+ 20
10Stef Van ZummerenVérandas Willems+ 23
(...)
125Jonas Van MaldeghemTeam 3M+ 3'32


Grand Prix of Sochi - Stage 3
1Markus EibeggerSynergy Baku Cycling Project4h22'36
2Dominique CornuVérandas Willemss.t.
3Sergei PomoshnikovItera-Katushas.t.
4Gaëtan BilleVérandas Willemss.t.
5Petr IgnatenkoRusVelos.t.
6Sergey NikolaevItera-Katushas.t.
7Alexandr PliuschinSynergy Baku Cycling Projects.t.
8Romain CombaudEquipe de l'Armée de Terres.t.
9Pawel BernasActiveJet Teams.t.
10Kevin SeeldraeyersTorku Seker Spor+ 1'13
(...)
70Jonas Van MaldeghemTeam 3M+ 6'36


Grand Prix of Sochi - Stage 4
1Konrad DabkowskiActiveJet Team4h20'18
2Roman MaikinRusVelos.t.
3Pawel BernasActiveJet Teams.t.
4Mattia GavazziAmore & Vita - Selle SMPs.t.
5Mamyr StashRusVelos.t.
6Justin JulesVeranclassic - Ekois.t.
7Ivan BalykinRusVelos.t.
8Ahmet ÖrkenTorku Seker Spors.t.
9Martin ReimerLKT-Team-Brandenburgs.t.
10Igor BoevRusVelos.t.
(...)
70Jonas Van MaldeghemTeam 3Ms.t.


Grand Prix of Sochi - General Classification
1Sergey NikolaevItera-Katusha13h36'53
2Gaëtan BilleVérandas Willemss.t.
3Markus EibeggerSynergy Baku Cycling Project+ 13
4Dominique CornuVérandas Willems+ 19
5Alexandr PliuschinSynergy Baku Cycling Project+ 29
6Romain CombaudEquipe de l'Armée de Terre+ 1'05
7Petr IgnatenkoRusVelo+ 1'08
8Glenn O'SheaTeam Budget Forklifts+ 1'59
9Ioannis TamouridisSynergy Baku Cycling Project+ 2'14
10Tom ZirbelOptum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies+ 2'52
(...)
77Jonas Van MaldeghemTeam 3M+ 10'02


Grand Prix of Sochi - Mountain Classification
1Benoît SinnerEquipe de l'Armée de Terre48
2Francesco Van CoppernolleVeranclassic - Ekoi31
3Leon RohdeLKT-Team-Brandenburg26
4Jonas Van MaldeghemTeam 3M26
5Markus EibeggerSynergy Baku Cycling Project16


Aftermath

And so I'm slowly getting used to the rhythm of a professional cyclist. I'm not really impressing a lot, right now, but I'm on the right track. Being in a professional team has really opened my eyes. I think I'm only getting started, now. I've been riding my bike a long time, but I never had professional guidance on my training. I turned 22 a few weeks ago, so there's definitely room for improvement.

Trainer says I might be a late-bloomer anyway. I guess that's good news. I'm really excited what the U23 races will bring later this season. Let's hope I can make a good impression, because those races are usually packed with scouts from ProContinental and even World Tour teams.

For now, though, I'm training my ass off. Hard work, this racket.

See you around,
Jonas
 
Croatia14
first steps in professional cycling look already promising, I can´t wait for the great struggle for polka-dot jerseys, breakaways and uphill finish results in the debut season...Let´s go Jonas Cool
pcmdaily.com/files/Awards2019/moty.png
 
sutty68
21st place in your first race is a good result Wink
 
Ian Butler
Cheers guys! It's something different for me, riding with a normal human being in this game and not a world talent Pfft
It's a lot of fun, though. Especially with still some U23 races on the calendar, where I hope to at least fight for a podium this season!
 
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