Thanks guys!
I really haven't had 10 minutes to play PCM.
See what I can do, but tomorrow might be difficult, too. Next week will be pretty full, also...
Judging by your signature, I guess this is over. Is it? Don't want to spoiler it or something similar, but if yes, real shame. However, I am looking forward to that new "Coming Soon" project.
Also, by watching (selecting it actually) I found out that I am dead. Edited by admirschleck on 21-05-2014 19:33
Modern Times isn't dead. I'd say it's in a temporary coma.
But it's only fair to keep you all in the loop:
I've been very busy lately. I haven't played PCM since Paris - Roubaix in this story. Haven't had any time to do so. I've been taking my admin duties rather seriously and I also have been working for school and playing my new instrument (saxophone)
I have been planning something for when PCM 14 comes out for several months now. So it's 100% certain there's something coming when PCM 14 is released.
But I hadn't planned on starting this story, that just happened. And I don't want to end this. Though from experience I know I haven't been able to juggle 2 stories at once so far...
So at the moment I'm not sure. I guess time will be the decisive factor. The PCM 14 thing I've been preparing for months has the priority, though. The reason why I can't explain just yet, but you'll understand when it gets here. So if I have time to keep this going besides that, I'll definitely do it.
The technical problems are also gettting on my nerves, I admit
@admir: That makes the death count: 2 Edited by Ian Butler on 21-05-2014 19:38
Thanks again guys. Like I said, I don't want this to end, though. Even if the pace is very slow, I'll still come back to this.
But because of all the great comments, I'm treating you to an update or two today!
For the first time in my life, I completed the Ardennes classics. I was hoping to repeat my performance at the Amstel Gold Race from two years ago, but the race was made much harder now than then. I finished 17th, having a helping hand in Simon Yates' third place, though! The victory was for Kwiatkowski!
In La Flèche Wallonne, I attempted to get into the break of the day. Despite my many attempts, I missed the cut. I had an anonymous day in the peloton. Well, in this Belgian Jersey, you're never anonymous, but you know what I mean. Simon Yates sprinted to a 7th place up the Mur. Dan Martin won that sprint.
And then it was time for my last remaining monument. I've raced every other monument at least once. Liège was a nice experience. This time I did get into the breakaway of the day! Riding around at the front all day in that Belgian Jersey was fantastic. The final 20 kilometer were too much for me, though. Way too much climbing. I finished 51th. But most important: Simon Yates took the victory here!
That's another monument for our team. We've been doing well the last few years. We've won Milan - Sanremo with Goss, Gerrans and Matthews, we've won De Ronde and Roubaix, we've won Liège with Gerrans and now with Yates.
I'm ready for the Giro now. My lack of competative racing is no longer a problem, I think. I've been racing well lately. Bring on the Giro!
Very excited to be here, very excited indeed!
It's my first time in the Giro, and my second Grand Tour overall. I have a feeling this will suit me better than the Tour de France. They say this is most beautiful Grand Tour and the most romantic race of the calendar. I'll judge for myself!
Profile
A daring first stage. This could just as well be for a sprinter (we brought Ewan as main sprinter) or for a late attack. The hill is tough enough to make a move on, and close enough to the finish. If Ewan is still at the front over the last hill, I work for him.
It was a rough start for us. Durbridge went down, but luckily he was able to finish the race. Ewan fell off the pace with 30 kilometers to go. Right before the final climb of the day, the peloton caught the breakaway.
With Kittel struggling, I decided not to wait and let the peloton bring him over the hill so he can kill us in the sprint. No, I took the offense!
The peloton, so close to the finish, wasn't going to let me ride away!
But I made it to the top alone. I knew I wouldn't lose ground in the downhill, maybe I could even win a second or two! Every second mattered now.
Could I hold off a sprinting peloton?
I could!
Holy sh*t, this is amazing! First stage in the Giro, first victory in the Giro! I told you this race would suit me better!
Result - Stage 1
1
Matthias Vleminckx
Orica GreenEdge
3h30'38
2
Giacomo Nizzolo
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
3
Marcel Kittel
TEAM Cube
s.t.
4
Rick Zabel
TEAM Cube
s.t.
5
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
6
Daryl Impey
TEAM Cube
s.t.
7
Vincenzo Nibali
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
8
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
s.t.
9
Chris Froome
Team Sky
s.t.
10
Rigoberto Urán
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
This is just incredible. I never expected to stand on the podium on my first stage in the Giro, in the pink jersey nonetheless. A big day for my career!
Giro d'Italia - Stage 2
Wearing the pink jersey is an amazing honor. Surely I would do anything to defend it. Anything!
Profile
The Team Time Trial. We've been waiting for this day for a while, we've trained for this. We brought some experts to finish the job today. I am very confident I will keep the leader's jersey after this stage.
We worked together perfectly and had no significant problems. It would really surprise me if we didn't pull this off. We worked long and hard for this stage!
Result - Stage 2
1
Orica GreenEdge
19'31
2
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 9
3
Catalunya
+ 18
4
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
5
Lotto Belisol
+ 21
6
Team Sky
s.t.
7
Lampre - Merida
+ 28
8
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
9
Astana Pro Team
+ 38
10
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 44
Yes! That's two victories in two days! Our Giro is already a success! But we're not going to sit around just yet. There's plenty more where that came from!
Giro d'Italia - Stage 3
Thanks to our massive effort at the Team Time Trial, I remain in the Pink Jersey. I really want to keep this as long as possible. If I could keep it until the end of the first week, that'd just be heaven!
Profile
Today is a challenge. Defending the jersey here will not be easy. We'll need all our strength to do so.
The team worked hard all day, for which I have to thank them again!
But the question was: would it be enough? The final hill started to weigh on me. The team was loyal and stuck by me, surrounded me, talking me up that hill.
Luckily there was still a downhill. Quite some riders had broken away, so the chase was on!
By then, the rain was coming down pretty hard. Roads were slippery, there were some casualties.
Meanwhile, we were gaining ground on the riders who attacked before. Maybe we could still save my jersey?
The breakaway stayed out of reach today and fought for the victory of the day. It was Belkov who conquered Italy today!
I rode one hell of a final kilometer and - thanks to especially Simon Yates - saved the Pink Jersey for at least another day!
So far, this Giro has been just perfect, though defending that jersey in stage 3 was one of the toughest moments of my professional career. I'm happy I waited so long before making my debut here. At the age of 25, I feel I'm mature enough to bring this Giro to a successful ending.
Tomorrow will be even harder to defend this jersey. Let's give it our best shot!
Matt
This is a dangerous stage to lose the jersey. But I'm ready to fight for every last second!
The team wearing the leader's jersey is put under a lot of stress and work. Luckily we were relieved every once in a while! They must've been thinking my jersey was doomed today.
Then the pace went up dramatically. Some riders were ready to attack. I was at the front!
I survived for a long time, with Simon Yates backing me up, but then I had to let them go. So close to the top!
But I managed to keep the front of the race within eyesight. Over the hill, I threw myself downhill!
With 4 kilometers left to go, I saw Nibali. That meant I was at the front of the race. My jersey was saved, but maybe I could do even better!
Yates once again proved to be invaluable. He launched me for the final sprint!
Unbelievable! Third win here, including the Team Time Trial, but a victory in the Pink Jersey! That's a dream coming true. So perfect!
Result - Stage 4
1
Matthias Vleminckx
Orica GreenEdge
5h53'31
2
Rigoberto Urán
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
3
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
4
Vincenzo Nibali
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
5
Simon Yates
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
6
Andrew Talansky
Catalunya
s.t.
7
Chris Froome
Team Sky
s.t.
8
Romain Bardet
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
9
Leopold König
Catalunya
s.t.
10
Esteban Chaves
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
The world is at my feet right now. I feel so good! Coming here was the best thing I ever did!
Giro d'Italia - Stage 5
So fate decided I could spend some more days in Pink. Let's make the most of it!
Profile
This seems like a perfect match for me. A profile I can relate to. Tough near the end, but should end on a sprint. Let's try to make it four!
I'm going all in for the Points Jersey. At the intermediate sprint, I picked up some more points for that!
On the final uphill, only König made a move forward.
The team took immediate control and didn't let him go very far. We were very confident and I was almost sure we'd be drinking champagne again this evening!
Simon Yates was up here, again! He launched me perfectly on a slightly uphill finish.
My legs felt heavy, and the last 100 meters seemed to go on forever, but I was in the lead!
Amazing. This Giro is working miracles for me. For the moment, I'm feeling unbeatable. I guess I'm in the shape I should've been around the cobbled classics. My entire season is just 2 months behind. I hope I can keep it up for as long as possible!
Amazing that he managed to fihjt his way back on stage 4 and incredible that he continues winning in spite of all the hard days. It could come back and bite him in the final week though I fear...
Ollfardh - I hadn't expected it either. Form is high at the moment!
Atlantius - I think you may be right. But on the other hand, I prefer 4 stage wins in week 1 and not finishing the Giro then finishing the giro without victories that final week is real tough with quite some mountains.
sutty68 - Surely Orica won't be unhappy about the Giro so far
Giro d'Italia - Stage 1 
