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A Day in the Life | Sweet Delight
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| Dippofix |
Posted on 27-01-2014 16:41
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Grand Tour Specialist
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Joined: 29-01-2013
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Bad Part: Valverde was f**king strong. 
Good Part: The gap stays nearly the same. 
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 27-01-2014 16:46
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 33999
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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A Good battle in the mountains  , but at least Valverde didn't get his hands on the Leaders Jersey |
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| The Hobbit |
Posted on 27-01-2014 16:48
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2709
Joined: 18-08-2013
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Not much longer for Henry, and hopefully he can hold that advantage.
May I be the first to say I've loved reading this whole tour, and it seems you've loved writing it (if I am not mistaken) and a combination like that can go a long way, and I hope this story does too!! |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 27-01-2014 18:14
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21381
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Dippofix - Best part: See the next stage
sutty68 - That's true! I'm not giving up that easily.
The Hobbit - Thanks a lot for your comment, really made my day  You're certainly not mistaken, I really loved writing it. Maybe it was even my most fun story writing experience ever. So far I have loved the thrill and the excitement of this Tour, and of course the way Henry has performed. Only 2 stages left and then it'll be over. But the story will go on for a long time to come, I think |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 27-01-2014 18:14
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21381
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Van Impe got to work on me.
Mental coaching at its best.
In one night, he tried to transform me back to the winner I was before yesterday's stage.
 Tour de France - Stage 20
Fortunately, that's exactly what I am, light. Today I decided to use that advantage against time trialist Froome and aging Valverde.
The Race Just one more big effort, that's all I asked of my team today. They granted me this final favor and thinned out the pack.
Froome would be strong tomorrow. What I needed to do, was to get to work on him today. Tire him out, try to blow his legs, so he'll feel it tomorrow.
This is my terrain. For the first time this Tour, I started with a yellow bike and helmet, to match this jersey.
The reason for that is simple:
Today I felt worthy of the Maillot Jaune for the first time.
These mountains are mine. With 60 kilometers to go, I left my team mates behind. They were at their last bit of energy. It was up to me. I've always wanted to attack in the Maillot Jaune. On the Télégraphe, my dream came true!
And we're back to the very first mountain stages. Me, Valverde, Froome, Schleck, Rodriguez.
Only this time I have grown. This Tour is now part of my life. I am so proud to take Souvenir Henri Desgrange.
In the downhill, I started recuperating. No point in taking any risks now. This allowed Herklotz and Meintjes to return. After all they've already done for me, they still wanted to do more. They came back to help defend this jersey.
Col de Granon, I have some great memories here. I know this climb.
Today, I wanted to own this climb. I quickly senses Valverde had taken his shot yesterday, he was a little off today. Froome was good, but he wasn't the Froome we're used to. If I ever would have a chance to take any more time before the time trial, I'd have to react fast!
I only dared looking behind me after about a kilometer. I was stunned.
I was all alone, gone. Just me, my Maillot Jaune and thousands of screaming fans. All going crazy for this French 24 year old climbing to victory in stage 20 of the Tour.
Unbelievable. By taking this beautiful victory, I may have well just won the Tour de France here. Froome didn't crack completely, but I gain more time. I will never doubt again, the mountains are my friends!
Froome got second in a tight finish photo with the running Belgian fan. Though I still think his flag crossed the line first...
But my plan had worked. I had won, I had taken time, and -most of all- I had hurt Froome, maybe bad enough to decrease his chances of overtaking me tomorrow.
Result | 1 | Henry Vergnaud | Team Celesio - Macquarie | 6h32'49 | | 2 | Chris Froome | Sky Procycling | + 45 | | 3 | Alejandro Valverde | Movistar Team | + 2'43 | | 4 | Andy Schleck | RadioShack - Leopard | + 2'56 | | 5 | JoaquÃm RodrÃguez | Cannondale Pro Cycling | + 4'52 | | 6 | Vincenzo Nibali | Astana Pro Team | + 5'49 | | 7 | Jurgen Van den Broeck | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | | 8 | Richie Porte | Katusha Team | s.t. | | 9 | Rui Costa | Movistar Team | + 6'49 | | 10 | Louis Meintjes | Team Celesio - Macquarie | s.t. |
General Classification | 1 | Henry Vergnaud | Team Celesio - Macquarie | 88h25'11 | | 2 | Chris Froome | Sky Procycling | + 2'59 | | 3 | Alejandro Valverde | Movistar Team | + 4'37 | | 4 | Andy Schleck | RadioShack - Leopard | + 10'46 | | 5 | JoaquÃm RodrÃguez | Cannondale Pro Cycling | + 16'57 | | 6 | Carlos Betancur | Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team | + 17'51 | | 7 | Tejay Van Garderen | BMC Racing Team | + 21'09 | | 8 | Richie Porte | Katusha Team | + 22'54 | | 9 | Rui Costa | Movistar Team | + 23'29 | | 10 | Vincenzo Nibali | Astana Pro Team | + 30'14 |
I know one thing that's for sure, though. Whatever happens tomorrow, I'm taking home the Mountain Jersey and the Young Jersey!!
Tour Talk One more day. One more race. 30 kilometers left. 3 minutes lead.
I can't lose more than 1 minute per 10 kilometers on Froome.
That's 6 seconds per kilometer.
Froome is a master of this discipline.
I am riding around on adrenaline in this jersey.
Tomorrow we will know who wins this Tour de France 2015. Will it be Froome for the third time in a row? Or me, Henry Vergnaud, aged 24, two time winner of Paris - Nice, the first French winner since 1985?
Only 30 kilometers separate me from eternal glory.
Henry |
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| Dippofix |
Posted on 27-01-2014 18:17
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4112
Joined: 29-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
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What about talking to Fignon beforehand, see how to go at this tactically?
No but seriously, what a Victory! Attacking like that in the yellow jersey, simply incredible! 
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| Jesleyh |
Posted on 27-01-2014 18:19
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World Champion
Posts: 14743
Joined: 21-07-2012
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Hmm...
Henry did a good job, 3 minutes should be enough...
What's Henry's TT stat now actually?
Feyenoord(football) and Kelderman fanboy
PCMdaily Awards: 12x nomination, 9x runner-up, 0x win.
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 27-01-2014 18:21
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 33999
Joined: 22-08-2010
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What a Great day for Henry |
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 27-01-2014 18:25
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7934
Joined: 22-06-2009
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Pre-mature Congratulations Banana
I find it rather funny the direction our one-rider stories have taken us.
It's a Tale of Two different one-rider stories. Henry Vergnaud the Legend Vs. Travis Newton the Underachiever. See what I did there... 
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 13-09-2026 22:17
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 27-01-2014 18:28
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21381
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Dippofix - Fignon, that'll be bad influence on a final time trial  he's the one that sank France in this depression. Though I think he's dead in real life attacking in the yellow jersey was something I always love to do
Jesleyh - 67 (he actually dropped one, I took it down when his MO raised to 81). Froome is at 83 I think. Will be hard but I think it should be enough.
sutty68 - Sure is
Mresuperstar - I must say Henry is in a different league than Travis indeed Henry on his way to write history, Travis on his way to write a goodbye letter in a way I'm glad, it's impossible to compare both stories so that spares us pointless discussions of which one is better Thanks for dropping in, didn't know you were still following! |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 27-01-2014 18:42
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7592
Joined: 28-05-2009
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What an amazing two stages to read I loving every moment of this story. Just excellent from you again Ian.
Last French winner was 1985... The next is 2015! There has to be some sort of Back to the Future reference in there somewhere!
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
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| duxili |
Posted on 27-01-2014 18:56
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Domestique
Posts: 562
Joined: 18-09-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Waooo!
There will be nothing left for next year
How could you do better than this?
I mean so young and so good. Competition can start crying. All records might well be beaten.
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| Dippofix |
Posted on 27-01-2014 18:58
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4112
Joined: 29-01-2013
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Well what do you think i meant with Fignon?
And gosh, you're right, he is dead by now. 
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| anderspcm |
Posted on 27-01-2014 19:36
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Sprinter
Posts: 1707
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Incredible win for Henry, he just sealed the overall victory in the Tour de France!
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| FonsDeSpons |
Posted on 27-01-2014 19:38
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Stagiare
Posts: 160
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I just finished reading this story and I absolutely love it! Amazing job again Ian. |
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 27-01-2014 20:09
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Team Leader
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That is how the yellow should be worn!
And I love the finish pic of Froome and the Belgian
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| welker3257 |
Posted on 27-01-2014 20:19
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2304
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What a way for the Tour de France and Henry to leave the mountains
Gig 'em Aggies
Fast N' Loud Cycling Project - ICL
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| Shonak |
Posted on 27-01-2014 20:42
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15579
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Please, please... what a legendary stage. Loved the reporting, the pictures, the atmosphere from the previous stage... It's here for the taking, just grab it.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| The Hobbit |
Posted on 28-01-2014 07:08
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2709
Joined: 18-08-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Too many premature bananas, you're tempting fate.... Sooooo tense, I think he can, but can he??? |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 28-01-2014 07:44
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21381
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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the_hoyleThanks for the kind words Yay some on my favorite movies I checked and in 1955 Bobet won his third consecutive Tour, so definitely BTTF. Henry will probably go back in time later in this story and accidentaly run over Bobet and he'll have to take his place and win the 55 Tour
duxili - Next year are the WC in France, don't forget that! And like you say, records might be beaten though don't get me wrong, nothing is set in stone, yet. Every Tour has to be raced and won. Henry might be superiour in the mountains when his form is right, the time trials can be quite tricky, and he still needs a strong team to support him!
Dippofix - Yeah, bummer, right? A lot of the cycling legends have passed already.
anderpcm - If he manages to survive the TT
FonsDeSpons - Thanks a lot, Fons. I'm glad you like it. Hope to keep you entertained!
Atlantius - Winning a stage in the Maillot Jaune is just awesome. Yes, the Belgians are desperate for a Tour victory so they nearly beat Froome
welker3257 - Henry wanted to be the best climber. I think overall in this Tour he was
Shonak - Thanks for the words, mate! I'm glad you liked it. It was sort of like Euskaltel's Alpe d'Huez stage in your story, I think.
The Hobbit - Indeed. If he loses now, a lot of those bananas will turn rotten. But I think, hope, that 3 minutes will be enough!
Thanks once again, everyone!
Final stage will be a little later today, have some things to do.
Expect it at around 7 tonight. |
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