Name: Max Belaschov
Nickname: el Diablo Ruso (the Russian Devil on spanish, got it on one spanish race, when I helped Orbea mechanics )
Place of birth: Penza, Russia
Residence: Penza, Russia
Height: 187 cm
Weight: 62 kg
Became professional: 2008
Current Team: Lampre - NGC
Rode for teams:
2008: Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini docce
Specialization: Climbing, breakaways
Cycling for me: It's passion that brings me money
Cycling dream: To win a Giro d'Italia
Major results yet: Giro del Capo (2.2) - 5th place Istrian Spring trophy (2.2) - Mountain classification Tour Down Under (PT) - Mountain classification
My stats on current season start: Edited by Maximka on 17-06-2009 13:06
Uff! The very last bike was cleaned up, lubricated and hanged up. For me season ended at 10 pm. There will not be any races, there will not be any trainings, there will be nothing. I worked as assistant of mechanic with Ceramica Flaminia team for four months and apparently they won't re-sign me. What a ...!
I switched down lights and went to the door when my cell-phone ringed. Team Manager Roberto Marrone. "Hey, Max? You're leaving tomorrow? Come to my office, I need to talk to you!"
***
- You worked with us for 4 month and I must say you are good mechanic; we didn't loose any race due mechanical problems. I think, all the team will only benefit, if you'll stay with us for next season.
- Really? - I was really surprised. - Of course, it would be great! Where I must sign? - Don't hurry! On the other hand, I know that you took part in some grandfondos and even finished two of them in top-15. Moreover, you often training with guys and you are among the best on climbs. Maybe you could help us not as mechanic but as rider? What do you think?
- But Roberto, I don't know how to ride a pro-races, I can't ride in a bunch, I don't know many things! - I think, you can learn it, right? Anyway, on my table there are two contracts. On the left is your contract as mechanic, on the right - as a rider. It's your decision.
I didn't thought about it even a second. I signed right one
Next day I went home, in Russia. I tried to train there for fitness, but very soon I realized, that I need a place with higher temperature and came to Sochi. By the way, I've seen Olympic objects there. Two weeks in Sochi made me feel that maybe I'm not all-looser at cycling and with this idea I came back home.
I celebrated New Year with my family and 5th of January I had my plain to Lucca, where all team should met for first time and where for three weeks we all should have long training camp. First day I met with new-comers. I was happy to know, that apart me, Kairelis and two Ukrainians there will be two Russians.
We trained hard. I never ride my bike so fast on climbs and downhills, my legs burned every day. Trainers told me what I needed to do every day, so I even did not need to think. For three weeks I only slept, ride my bike, eat and... that's all. Nothing more. But now I think I can climb much-much better than when I was only dilettante.
Oh! About my bike - it's Orbea Orca with Campagnolo components and wheels. It's the best bike I ever ride, very light and rigid. Ok, I newer ride top-bikes, but still it's fantastic!
About races and goals. We will race at Italy of course, but I been told that there are races in Eastern Europe in our calendar. My main races will be last ones, I'll need to show my strength there, but I don't need to win anything. My goal will be just to learn, learn and learn. Results will be minor question.
This was my first ever professional race and I made it not good. My aim was to stick to late breakaway, work hard there and if one of our leaders - Caruzo or Villa - would attack on last climb, I should help them as much as I could.
Preparing to attack
That was my goal, I tried three times to manage to breakaway, but all my attacks were catched by the bunch and I couldn't do it. So the only thing I done on this race was helping Caruzo. I held him on my wheel to protect him from fall. One time I headed down to the car for water for guys. And when it was 40 km to the finish line I was already exhausted and I just wanted to stay in the peloton and didn't even succeed.
I dropped down and had to ride over 25 km on my own. Luckily there wasn't only me, who couldn't stay in the bunch when "big guns" attacked. Last kilometers I rode with Enrico Rossi, my teammate. We rode as on trainings and finished in 7 and half minutes after the winner - Michele Scarponi, who overtook DiLuca at finish line. Our leader, Caruzo, finished on 14th position, in the main group.
Crossing my first finish line
Our manager said that it was good race for us and he is satisfied with it. He praised even me for good race, but I don't know why. I didn't make my goal, so I feel not good. Maybe next time I would make something better. My next race will be Giro del Capo and then two races in Croatia.
While my more-known teammates preparing for Milan-Torino race I with 4 another riders gone to Giro del Capo. It's my first race outside Italy. South Africa welcomed us by high temperature (over 25 degrees). It is quite good, because I like very much when it is warm. We stopped in good hotel, where there were even pools. I mean that there was a swimming pool and billiards, which I like to play.
The race itself consists of 6 stages, two of them are ITT, and so I do not have any chances here in overall. The very first stage (it was yesterday) was 5-km prologue, and I rode it slowly even for me to gain much gap and be able to go to breakaway today. So I finished 58th with 27 seconds gap.
Just 2 km to finish ITT
Today's goals were: 1. to try to break away and fight for mountain finishes; 2. to help leaders (our best sprinter Khalilov and Alexander Khatuntsev, who is on 2nd place overall after ITT).
Today I had very good fitness and moral after talking to Russians came here with Katyusha Continental team. With good attitude I attacked on first mountain and crossed first mountain-top on first position. There were some guys who tried to attack too but the group was too fast. When I got a mountain points I looked back and realized that they won't let me go, so I returned to peloton and stick to Khalilov.
Crossing mountain top
I didn't do anything right to last climb. Mikhaylo said me that he doesn't fell himself good to sprint and everyone has his own chances today. I decided to help Khatuntsev and got him on my wheel I attacked. Of course, all favorites awaited somebody to do that, so they countered us and gone away far from us. Alexander told me to catch them. Huh, I need to catch Sinkewitz? I tried of course and I was so strong, that Alex couldn't stick to me and I became alone.
Good feeling and sleeping peloton causing attacks
It was much mess there and when I crossed the line I realized that my position is 4th. I could be on top-3 would I work for myself! But after the stage I was decorated with mountain-king jersey and I will start tomorrow stage with it. Who knows, maybe I could win it?
You know, it's still uncomfortable for me to be racer, not mechanic. When you are mechanic, your work starts with the race finish... Well, if you are good mechanic... And I still going to team bus to quick diagnose bikes but remembering that I am rider and don't need to do that makes me a little confuse.
Starting 3rd stage in mountain jersey
Anyway, you should know that I rode in red jersey of mountain king just for one day. The reason is my too good finish last days and therefore my 8th position in GC. I tried to go away yesterday and today, but the peloton didn't want to let me go, so Dmitriy Puzanov of Katyusha continental took away the jersey from me. He was in breakaways on both stages and took 50 points, while I still have only 10 points, and my journey for jersey is ended now.
My try to attack again was not lucky
Today it was fantastic day for us. After I failed again to make a group in front it was Fillipo Simeoni, who attacked. Italian champion succeeded in it, and with 5 other riders (Puzanov was there too) made good gap. There were also two pairs between the bunch and the breakaway. Of course, we didn't work in the front.
Puzanov and Simeoni were much stronger than everyone else in that group, they rolled away on each climb, and draw mountain points between themselves. With 50 km to go we all realized that breakaway is gone - favorable wind with gap over 6 minutes couldn't give any chance to sprinters. Ok, there wasn't chances for them at all with uphill finish.
Simeoni is first on last kilometer!
Leading group came to last climb with only three men - Simeoni, Puzanov and Daryl Impey, sprinter of Barloworld. Of course, he was the main contender, so others had to attack right from hill foot and then it decided in one-to-one sprint, where Simeoni was unstoppable!
Italian champion wins!
In the main bunch we all tried to speed up Khalilov. I was his last wheel. But our main rival, Auhtor's Patrick Sinkewitz was too good today as always and Mikhaylo couldn't beat him. He even couldn't drive from my wheel.
It's our first victory of the season! We had some podium places, but when you made a victory ... it's different feeling. It is a pity, but we can't celebrate it now, tomorrow in will be another ITT stage and everyone should be in top form.
1 Filippo Simeoni Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce 3h18'39
2 Dmitri Puzanov Katyusha Continental team + 11
3 Daryl Impey Barloworld + 56
4 Daniel Palmer Drapac Porsche + 2'07
5 Frank Dressler Continental Team Differdange s.t.
6 Patrick Sinkewitz PSK Whirlpool - Author s.t. 7 Max Belaschov Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce + 2'23
8 Mikhaylo Khalilov Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce s.t.
9 Slawomir Bury Amore & Vita - Mc Donald's + 2'39
10 Lucas Persson Team Capinordic + 2'47
With such a good results on finish I foud myself in 4th position in GC now, but our leader is still Khalilov
1 Patrick Sinkewitz PSK Whirlpool - Author 9h52'54
2 Bastian Burgel Thuringer Energie Team + 2'14
3 Jeff Louder BMC Racing Team + 2'15 4 Max Belaschov Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce + 2'18
5 Lucas Persson Team Capinordic + 2'23 6 Mikhaylo Khalilov Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce + 2'28
7 John-Lee Augustyn Barloworld + 2'39
8 Jimmi Sorensen Team Designa Kokken + 2'54
9 Gene Bates Drapac Porsche + 3'03
10 Rasmus Guldhammer Team Capinordic + 3'04
- Max, I think you are the most promising beginner I ever seen! - told me Roberto Marrone today morning, when we came to team base. - You don't need to prove it anymore, you are real racer! By the way, here is your prize money, 2375 euros.
- Wow! - I was surprised - So much? I thought it will be near 500, but not over 2 thousands! My salary is smaller! - It's one and a half for finishing 5th in the race and for mountain points, for finishing on 3rd stage and something else, I don't remember. It's all yours. I already took a half to the team as it should by your contract.
- Ok, thanks! Now I will go to unpack my bag. - Max, I really don't think you need to do it. Tomorrow evening you are going to Croatia fo another race, "Istrian Spring trophy". Here is its road-book.
- But... but it's a race for sprinters! - I took a look on it - What am I doing there? - Well, you know, there are two reasons. First, you should learn how to race on a flat. Second, our main forces will compete on Tirreno-Adriatico this week; we just got a wild card for it and for Milano San-Remo. But don't worry; you will have a job there. Look at second stage profile, there is nice mountains in a middle, where placed a mountain finish. You'll win it and you'll win whole mountain competition.
- Ok. You are the boss. - Yes, I am. Anything interesting was is Africa?
- Well, I had my first fans there. Some kids came to me when I just was rewarded by the jersey and they asked me for autograph. They told me, they would root for me. - Huh, soon you will be the most popular man in the team. Ok, you should take a shower or something? We will now celebrate first stage victory of Simeoni. Come when you'll be ready.
Robert Hunter wins last stage
Giro del Capo GC
1 Patrick Sinkewitz PSK Whirlpool - Author 12h43'26
2 Bastian Burgel Thuringer Energie Team + 2'16
3 Lucas Persson Team Capinordic + 2'21
4 Jeff Louder BMC Racing Team + 2'22 5 Max Belaschov Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce + 2'26
6 Mikhaylo Khalilov Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce + 2'42
7 John-Lee Augustyn Barloworld + 2'47
8 Jimmi Sorensen Team Designa Kokken + 2'52
9 Gene Bates Drapac Porsche + 3'04
10 Rasmus Guldhammer Team Capinordic + 3'11
Points:
1 Patrick Sinkewitz PSK Whirlpool - Author 78
2 Robert Hunter Barloworld 73
3 Lucas Persson Team Capinordic 54 4 Mikhaylo Khalilov Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce 44
5 Jimmi Sorensen Team Designa Kokken 42
Mountains:
1 Dmitri Puzanov Katyusha Continental team 50
2 Daryl Impey Barloworld 32 3 Filippo Simeoni Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce 32
4 Slawomir Bury Amore & Vita - Mc Donald's 22
5 Patrick Sinkewitz PSK Whirlpool - Author 16
I rode my bike alone. All riders approached finish but I had to ride almost 10 kilometers to that line. It was last stage of the race and the only thing I needed was to cross a finish line and not to loose more time than "time-edge rule" allows. Technical help cars gone too, even spectators were leaving. It was just like on training, but without traffic.
- pshhhh... We did it! YEEEES!!! - suddenly told me earphone. - Bernardo wins it all! Congratulations, guys! You are all awesome!
After this statement I feel that I want to finish this race as fast as I can to felicitate Bernardo Riccio, who had won not this particular stage but whole race itself. I accelerated and forgotten that I also will bring home something big for me. Last two stages I had won all mountain points and after my finish they will award me as new mountain king of this race! But it isn't so significant as long as Bernardo won whole race! I realized it right after my microphone spoke.
Bernardo Riccio wins last stage and a race!
I pressed button on radio and told:
- Julio, tell Bernardo my congrats please! He is really the man! - Max, you have done a huge work too. You are the best climber of the race, it is really important for us. We will celebrate it today.
- Wait for me; I just need a couple of minutes to make it to the finish. - Of course. We won't go home without our riders. But go faster, as you know, mechanics already waiting for your bike.
I smiled to myself and continued to ride on 35km/h. Nothing is matter for now. I achieved my first important result and I wanted to take all pleasure of it.
Istrian spring trophy GC 1. Bernardo Riccio Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce 11h34'35
2. Andre Schulze PSK Whilrpool - Author +5
3. Matej Gnezda Adria Mobil +17
4. Ben Jacques-Maynes Bissel +20
5. Micheal Reihs team Designa Kokken +21
6. Kirk O'Bee Bissel +22
7. Casper Jorgensen team Capinordic +23
8. Marcel Kittel Thuringer Enenrgie +23 9. Andrei Klyuev Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce +24
10. Burke Swindlehurst Bissel +25
... 57. Max Belaschov Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce +15'46
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
- Max, what took you so long? We were waiting! - said Roberto as I entered a brief romm in our base.
- Sorry! It's my stomach, something wrong with it... - Ok, we are all here so I can start. As you all know, Ceramica Flaminia gained the last wild-card to Giro d'Italia. I think it's because of Riccio's great victory in Croatia. What you maybe don't know, it's that nor LPR or Serramenti didn't have it. It means that no DiLuca, Petacchi, Simoni or Scarponi there won't be. It's a chance for us to make our footprint in Giro history. We have Giampaolo Caruzo, great climber, who already made his mountain training camp. I think he is now ready to fight in high mountains with main contenders. Of course, Giampaolo, you are not good time-trialist, so I don't count on you as on future winner, but you can fight for top-10 I think?
Giampaolo didn't show any excitement:
- Yes, I think I can. But I need a help of the team.
- You'll get it, right, guys?
We said yes.
- So, it's time to choose riders who will contest in the race. I think that Caruzo, Simeoni, Vila and Riccio are will be in roster anyway. The others we will choose after Giro del Trentino. People who will race well there will have their place in the team. One more thing. Trentino is very important for our sponsors, so we need to ride there damn good; we need to win a stage or one of classifications. Ok, there is roster for Giro del Trentino:..
When Roberto said my name I was happy of course. Trentino is very difficult race and if I am in roster then I am one of team's main riders. And maybe I will have a possibility to make it to Giro, the race I like to watch much more then any other one...
)
