|
The Italian Dream: Episode 11
|
| TomC |
Posted on 18-09-2013 14:06
|
Domestique
Posts: 461
Joined: 14-10-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
The Italian Dream
Episode 9
My training was getting more intensive every two weeks. In the middle of August, I decided to finally go into high mountains. I planned my first ride for 15th of August. I decided to go to Livigno and back to Bormio. The first climb I had to ride was Passo del Foscagno, which is 2291 meter over the sea level. It is 24 kilometers long with average of 4,7% and max 11%, so it was a very good test before my ride on Stelvio. I had problems with breathing, because of the altitude, so it made me a bit worried, as the Stelvio is almost 500 meters higher. Second climb was Passo d’Eira (2210m), but the difference in elevation is only 200 meters, so I didn’t have any problems with that. In Livigno I made a break to have a snack and went back to Bormio. Descent from Foscagno was also very challenging with three difficult hairpins, but I came home in one piece. I did the same ride three days later and met some local cyclists, which were mostly 40 and 50 years old. They wanted me to go for a ride someday.
On the 22nd of August, I decided to ride to the Stelvio Pass. When I set off the weather was fine, but after half an hour it started to rain. This made the whole ride much more difficult and after 15 kilometers I had to stop, it was just too hard. At the altitude of 2310 meters I went back home, but with even stronger motivation to get to the top of that pass. I set off again three days later and the weather was excellent this time. The sky was cloudless and the sun shone. It was a perfect day for a ride. I passed the place I turned back, but this time everything was fine. Then I saw signs saying how many turns are left. I started to have problems with breathing, with 9 turn to go, but I kept going. At 5 to go I felt like I could to this. When there were only three turns left, I saw how close it was, but my legs hurt so much, that I would normally stop, but not this time, no way! Two to go, I was afraid that I could pass out at this moment. One left, I didn’t feel the pain anymore, all I was thinking was the road in front of me! I saw sign “Passo dello Stelvio”, but I knew there were two more turns to the village and I made it! I was on the top of the Stelvio Pass! I was exhausted I sat on the road with bike lying next to me and couldn’t take a breath, but it was worth it. There were some other cyclists and when they saw me, they raised their thumbs up. All I had to do now, was to get back home. I drunk all the water I had and went down to Bormio…
TK |
| |
|
|
| MrTeamSky |
Posted on 18-09-2013 18:50
|
Stagiare
Posts: 199
Joined: 07-09-2013
PCM$: 200.00
|
Like the episodes you really get to know the rider well
|
| |
|
|
| TomC |
Posted on 18-09-2013 19:31
|
Domestique
Posts: 461
Joined: 14-10-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
The Italian Dream
Episode 10
In the beginning of 2007 I joined a bunch of cyclists I met during my ride to Livigno. Riding with them was much more entertaining and I could improve my skills faster. At first I had problems to keep up with them, but after few weeks, they couldn’t lose me even if we rode more than 100 kilometers. In July of 2007 I decided to go on lonely, over 100 kilometers ride. I set myself a route length of 130 kilometers. First I went to the Passo di Gavia, which is 26 kilometers from Bormio and the climb has an average of 5,6% with max 11%. Then I rode through Ponte di Legno, Edolo, Tirano and back to Bormio. I was amazed, that I hadn’t got bigger problems during the ride. This meant, that I’m getting better and better, so I started looking for a team I could join.
One day in August I went on a short ride and saw a young cyclist with a flat tire. He hadn’t got a spare inner tube, so I gave him mine. We talked for a while. He was two years older and he was going to join the U-23 team. We went on a ride together and he told about his successes as a sprinter on a road and on a track. He was very fast indeed, but I was better climber than he was. He asked me if I would join the team with him, because he needed someone, who could help him to maintain in the front on difficult climbs and also lead out in the end. I couldn’t say no! But first I had to pass a test, because no one knew me.
The next day I packed my things, took my bike and went on a 300 kilometer trip to the place I would be tested. The whole team was waiting for us and we all went on a training. They wanted to see if I could keep up with them even if the pace was very high. After few months of riding with cyclists in Bormio in much more demanding terrain, I had no problems with that. I even managed to break away from them for a few kilometers! The coaches were impressed and I met a manager. He offered me a contract for the next year and I said yes!
TK
Contest nr.1
Who was the cyclist, that Tom has met?
The first person with correct answer will have a chance to influence the story and make a choice about the Tom's future! If you can't guess I will give you some hints  |
| |
|
|
| TomC |
Posted on 18-09-2013 19:34
|
Domestique
Posts: 461
Joined: 14-10-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
MrTeamSky: There is some time until Daily DB comes out and I don't have much to do at the moment and I'm happy that someone enjoys this story
Edited by TomC on 18-09-2013 19:34
|
| |
|
|
| Selwink |
Posted on 18-09-2013 19:34
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8700
Joined: 17-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Is it Fortin?
Edited by Selwink on 18-09-2013 19:38
|
| |
|
|
| Dippofix |
Posted on 18-09-2013 20:04
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4112
Joined: 29-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
|
This is a bit of a wild guess, but is it viviani or nizzolo?
Edited by Dippofix on 18-09-2013 20:07
|
| |
|
|
| TomC |
Posted on 18-09-2013 20:22
|
Domestique
Posts: 461
Joined: 14-10-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Selwink: No it's not.
Dippo: But you only can choose one |
| |
|
|
| Dippofix |
Posted on 18-09-2013 21:05
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4112
Joined: 29-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
|
Hmm, i'll go with nizzolo then, he's from lombardia too i think.
Edited by Dippofix on 18-09-2013 21:20
|
| |
|
|
| generalaycum |
Posted on 18-09-2013 22:13
|
Junior Rider
Posts: 28
Joined: 08-09-2013
PCM$: 200.00
|
Locatelli? |
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 21-09-2026 11:34
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| The Hobbit |
Posted on 19-09-2013 06:58
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2709
Joined: 18-08-2013
PCM$: 200.00
|
Sacha Modolo, wild random guess... |
| |
|
|
| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 19-09-2013 07:33
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4421
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Viviani?
|
| |
|
|
| TomC |
Posted on 19-09-2013 07:46
|
Domestique
Posts: 461
Joined: 14-10-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
And we have a correct answer! It was Elia Viviani!
Dippofix: I was thinking about Nizzolo too, but I found more information about Viviani's team, maybe next time
Cycleman123: I will PM you with more details of your reward later today |
| |
|
|
| Dippofix |
Posted on 19-09-2013 14:08
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4112
Joined: 29-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
|
Dammit. So Close. 
|
| |
|
|
| The Hobbit |
Posted on 19-09-2013 17:58
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2709
Joined: 18-08-2013
PCM$: 200.00
|
Man, was gonna say Viviana but someone already said it and thought you wouldn't be harsh enough to not accept even if he said too, he was first choice, 
This happens to me every day in all things vaguely like this, I have such bad luck. |
| |
|
|
| TomC |
Posted on 19-09-2013 20:39
|
Domestique
Posts: 461
Joined: 14-10-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Dippofix: I don't know which rider was your first idea, but sometimes the first idea is the best
The Hobbit: Don't worry! There will be more contests even before the 2013 season, so maybe you can do better next time |
| |
|
|
| Dippofix |
Posted on 19-09-2013 20:53
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4112
Joined: 29-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
|
TomC wrote:
Dippofix: I don't know which rider was your first idea, but sometimes the first idea is the best
The Hobbit: Don't worry! There will be more contests even before the 2013 season, so maybe you can do better next time
I know, i had Viviani down first, but then changed my mind. 
|
| |
|
|
| TomC |
Posted on 23-09-2013 14:23
|
Domestique
Posts: 461
Joined: 14-10-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
The Italian Dream
Episode 11
In 2008 I joined Marchiol U23 team with Viviani. My dad rent a flat in Conegliano, so I could live near the place, where the team was based. It was a tough season for me and didn’t have any good results. Maybe expect 11th place in Gran Premio della Rinascita and 14th in Trofeo Comune di Acquanegra sul Chiese, they were both won by Viviani, thanks to my help in the last kilometers. He by the way had an amazing season. Except for two wins I’ve already mentioned, he had six second places and two third. Of course he had some successes on the track too. I wanted to be better and be able to fight on the finish wish him, but he was much faster. I knew it had something to do with training on the track, but I didn’t have such an opportunity. It was going to change in 2009…
But let’s stay a while in 2008. I had some free weekends during the season, so I had a possibility to go back to Bormio and ride in the Alps. I had a chance to ride passes like Gavia, Foscagno, Livigno and once I went on a ride with local cyclists from Bormio to Montechiaro and back to Bormio. It wasn’t even 100 kilometers long, but we climbed up the Stelvio twice! I also had a training camp in mountains with my team. We went to the Dolomites and we had to cope with passes like Sella, Pordoi or Giau. It were very interesting two weeks, but I found out, that even if I wasn’t the best sprinter and I could do well in the mountains, I was still a better sprinter than a climber…
TK |
| |
|
