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A Tale of Two
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| cunego59 |
Posted on 18-09-2012 10:55
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Team Manager
Posts: 6792
Joined: 14-09-2008
PCM$: 1290.00
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Wow. That is a rather drastic measure. I can understand, though, that it might not be too interesting anymore to win almost everything. Will you continue with Eric?
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 18-09-2012 11:19
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7768
Joined: 11-04-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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That was a really big thing. I hope you continue with Eric.
R.I.P
Stijn Van Gent
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 18-09-2012 11:29
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21381
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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After a tough couple of weeks, the team management finally convinced me to sit down and talk about the rest of the season. I didn't really feel like it, but it had to be done.
I'll ride The Dauphinée, as planned. I have no expectations there. It starts in a couple of days and I have no form. But I'll ride it, because the team has been great to me. Then I get a long break, get away from cycling for a while, spend some time with the family.
I'll return to the peloton for the Vuelta a España, probably a bit earlier to find my rhythm. If I'll be selected, I'll ride the WC afterwards. I might finish my season there, but it's possible I'll go to Beijing, as planned.
Well, see you for the start of the Dauphinée, in just a couple of days! |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-10-2026 20:54
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 18-09-2012 11:33
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7768
Joined: 11-04-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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It's great that you are continuing with Eric. Good luck in the dauphine.
I have a question for Eric.
How are you going since the death of Stijn?
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| Logghje |
Posted on 18-09-2012 11:34
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 397
Joined: 27-04-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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No, you shouldn't have done this. You should have keep going on like you were, no matter if they are unbeatable..
Are you going to stop with this great story? I don't see any other explanation for this?! |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 18-09-2012 11:38
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21381
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Thanks for the many replies, hope you won't stop following because of this event.
@Jakstar22: Thanks  I'll have him answer that in his next blog.
@Logghje: It wasn't because he was so good (I never minded that), but because of other reasons. However, it makes him kind of a Monseré, young and talented, and he'll be a legend in a couple dozen couple.
Eric will keep riding, of course. It might be a tragedy for him, but he's gotta do what he's gotta do and his job is cycling.
Edited by Ian Butler on 18-09-2012 11:38
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 18-09-2012 11:40
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7768
Joined: 11-04-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Ian Butler wrote:
Thanks for the many replies, hope you won't stop following because of this event.
@Jakstar22: Thanks I'll have him answer that in his next blog.
@Logghje: It wasn't because he was so good (I never minded that), but because of other reasons. However, it makes him kind of a Monseré, young and talented, and he'll be a legend in a couple dozen couple.
Eric will keep riding, of course. It might be a tragedy for him, but he's gotta do what he's gotta do and his job is cycling.
Awesome  I will definitely keep following.
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| Logghje |
Posted on 18-09-2012 11:50
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 397
Joined: 27-04-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Still a bad choice imo. Some people might stop following this, and this 'event' might ruin your chances for an award
It has always been the story of the two good old friends who came into cycling together and did everything together. Now this is gone. It will never be the same great story as it was, sorry for saying that, but it's just the way it is.. |
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| CountArach |
Posted on 18-09-2012 12:02
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8205
Joined: 14-07-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Logghje wrote:
Still a bad choice imo. Some people might stop following this, and this 'event' might ruin your chances for an award
It has always been the story of the two good old friends who came into cycling together and did everything together. Now this is gone. It will never be the same great story as it was, sorry for saying that, but it's just the way it is..
But the fact that it is legitimately quite a sad event and people are disappointed and upset by a character passing away is exactly why it is so well written - if anything this is another reason why it needs an award.
Chapeau for taking a risk Ian.
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 18-09-2012 12:05
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7768
Joined: 11-04-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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CountArach wrote:
Logghje wrote:
Still a bad choice imo. Some people might stop following this, and this 'event' might ruin your chances for an award
It has always been the story of the two good old friends who came into cycling together and did everything together. Now this is gone. It will never be the same great story as it was, sorry for saying that, but it's just the way it is..
But the fact that it is legitimately quite a sad event and people are disappointed and upset by a character passing away is exactly why it is so well written - if anything this is another reason why it needs an award.
Chapeau for taking a risk Ian.
I agree. It is just another reason to continue reading.
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| roturn |
Posted on 18-09-2012 12:18
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Team Manager
Posts: 22179
Joined: 24-11-2007
PCM$: 3900.00
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Tough decision imo. But it can`t be the wrong decision if you have better motivation to continue with this story/career this way.
I hope you have still a lot of motivation to continue this story as some kind of Erik Lombaerts solo project or maybe even planning some other (more positive) surprise now. |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 18-09-2012 12:27
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 33999
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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What a sad time for the Lotto-Belisol squad
R.I.P Stijn |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 18-09-2012 12:41
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21381
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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@CountArach: Thanks a lot for that comment
@Jakstar22: I'm glad you'll keep reading!
@roturn: I might cook up something, but for now it's just Eric
@sutty68: Yeah, after a triumphant season last year, it's quite a disaster this year, first with De Clerq, now Stijn. |
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| dienblad |
Posted on 18-09-2012 12:55
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3709
Joined: 10-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Well, this for sure is an unique twist in a PCM-stroy. Don't know how I think about it. Luckily, he was fictional, as it would have been really awkward when he is a real cyclist.
Anyway, good luck for the Vuelta. And hopefully, it doesn't go like in all the sopas on tv, that th elong lost twin brother of Stijn returns and wins everything 
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 18-09-2012 12:59
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21381
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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I wouldn't have done it with a real cyclist  that's why I prefer created cyclist.
Great idea about the long lost brother  Enter Steven Van Gent |
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| fcancellara |
Posted on 18-09-2012 13:00
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4813
Joined: 18-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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You are a genious 
Oh, and remember we all hate you now for killing Stijn, though.
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 18-09-2012 13:00
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21381
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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I consider this the start of my second career. I have received many mails from fans and friends about how I was doing since Stijn's passing. Of course, at first I was shocked. I returned home and stayed with the family for two weeks, avoiding contact with the media. I thought about quitting, but then one day I realized that I can't quit. Cycling is in my blood, it's who I am. So I'll return even stronger and make sure Stijn would've been proud at what I'm doing.
Because I didn't cycle for two weeks, I'm not in the best of shape, however, I did train a lot in the past few days so maybe I could do something at the Dauphinée, where I conquered the KoM jersey last year. My main priority for the rest of the season is the Vuelta, where I will go for a podium (considering I will be quite "fresh" and I won't have too many race days, so a podium is possible, I believe.) and of course, the WC TT.
The team's atmosphere has drastically changed, though. I'll definitely finish my contract (which ends at the end of next season), but I'm not sure whether I'll stay. I'll have to think about it.
Life goes on: Critérium du Dauphinée - Stage 1
This Dauphinée has a prologue, a time trial and three mountain stages. It should suit me.
I was ready to get back out there and pick up life again.
I took a flying start, maybe just a bit too fast.
I finished fifth, and that's good enough for me.
In other news: Nibali won that terrible Giro, in front of Uran and Fuglsang. |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 18-09-2012 13:03
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 33999
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Great ride from Eric in the prologue
Lets hope that he wins the race for Stijn, Good Luck |
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| Raggieman |
Posted on 18-09-2012 13:08
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Amateur
Posts: 8
Joined: 11-09-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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 Stjin Van Gent R.I.P.
So sad...he really was a natural talent
Hope Eric can win Vuelta for Stjin. |
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| PCM rulezz |
Posted on 18-09-2012 13:11
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1446
Joined: 21-05-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Didn't see that coming
I wish all the good luck for Eric.
Winners never quit, quitters never win.
It's difficult not to be happy when you're surrounded by Belgians. - Mark Cavendish
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