Today in Australia the third stage of the TDU happened. Thomas Faiers got in the break for us and picked up some KoM and Sprint points as well as getting some valuable TV time.
Roger Hammond lost his KoM jersey he earned on stage 1 so now the whole team's efforts will be behind Jelle Vanendert's GC bid.
Greipel took the stage and Gilbert kept the Ochre jersey in a routine day. Hopefully we can keep up the good work.
Jelle Vanendert eventually finished fourth overall providing some nice points for us. The highlight was most probably Vanendert taking 6th on Willunga hill to claim the high GC placing.
Overall, the first three stages have been successes. Breaks succeeded on both of the first stages, while Kjell Carlstrom came fourth on stage 3. We hope that Simon Richardson can keep his high placing due to being in the break on stage one and is one of the best hill riders. He may struggle in the TT though.
Results roundup:
4th Stage 3 Volta ao Algarve, Kjell Carlstrom
Hi guys, I'm back from my first race for ITV Procycling! It has been a great one for the team!
I was the leader of the team, and we went for a few Top 10's, and secretly, I dreamt about a Top 10 in the GC as well.
The route changed though, and a TTT and a flat TT was added, instead of a hilly TT. I gave up my hope on the Top 10 by then, since we wouldn't send a strong TTT squad.
The team got 19th in the end, on 46 seconds. As expected.
The next 2 stages were easy for me. The peloton let the break go. That's of course an awful thing on stage 2 & 3, but we had enough time to enjoy the landscape
Stage 4 was hilly though. I was okay, I'm not way worse on hills than I am on mountains. I got a nice 7th place. Here's a picture 2 km from the finish line, at stage 4. I'm on the second row, but the same group. Come on, just recognize that ITV jersey
Stage 5 was the queen's stage. My legs were bad though, and to be very honest, the mountain support wasn't great here in Italy. I'm not mocking at my team in any way, though
Well, I got 11th, and didn't lose too much time.
Stage 6 was hilly, and went decent. 8th place for me.
Then it was clear, I was going to get a Top 10 in the GC! Only a prologue was left.
I got myself a steady 29th place, and then it was celebrating time!
Not celebrating the GC win in any way, but a nice 8th place in the GC, before guys like Gesink! That's just amazing!
I(no, wrong Wesley! The team!) gave ITV some nice points for the ranking.
I was happy to lead guys, hope I can do that again! I proved my abilities to do that, I think.
tbh, I won't post here lots due to me being preoccupied with Mangame reporting. Nice to know you will put some effort in Edited by FroomeDog99 on 05-05-2013 19:34
Alejandro Valverde
Jelle Vanendert
Wesley Hoogenboom
Aleksandr Kolobnev
Danilo Napolitano
Esteban Chaves
Alex Dowsett
