Rejuvenation of the team progresses
Arriazola ends career after Paris-Nice
Another valuable member of the Giro '09 squad has left the team only hours after the final stage of Paris-Nice has ended. Former Columbian national champion Ramon Arriazola was released out of his contract at the age of 35.
It was stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia, when Arriazola went into the big breakaway group that formed right after the start. 3 mountains were lying on the route to the finish, including the final ascent to the Monte Petrano. After the group reached the first pass with an advantage of nearly 10 minutes, Arriazola dropped back to wait for his captain, Rodrigo Escobar, who attacked at the bottom of the climb together with his domestique Gregorio Marentes. That move was crucial for the later outcome of the whole race, as Arriazola pulled the two climbers through the valley up until the next climb. The rest is history. At the end of the stage Escobar won with a lead of more than 5 minutes, what catapulted him back into the overall lead, that he kept until the end of the Giro.
That was without doubt the most important service any Luna rider ever received by Arriazola, who, apart from the national championship, only won one small race for himself. He came close to winning the Coppa Sabatini and the GP Schwarzwald, where he finished third and second, respectively. Another near-win took place at the penultimate stage of Paris-Nice just days ago, where he finished second once more. But his true value was to work unselfishly for different captains on different terrains to achieve the best possible results for the team, rather than for himself.
New on the boat is Argentinian Lionel Andrés Messi, who is 10 years younger than Arriazola and has previously been in service for team Strohhutbande, where he rode 59 races. At his first appearance for Team LunaLounge Andrés was part of the winning break at the Giro del Mendrisiotto and finished 5th.
Contrary to the Vietnamese Nguyen, who was taken under contract 3 weeks ago particularly to ride in the coming Giro d'Italia, Andrés' participation in the grand tour is uncertain, but not totally ruled out.
Team LunaLounge
Moderator: englishmods
Re: Team LunaLounge
Monument win crowns an incredible career
O'Reileigh triumphs at Milano - San Remo!
One year after Ben Johnson displayed the Luna colours at the third step of the podium, Barbadian Keenan O'Reileigh rode himself into the history books yesterday by achieving a sensational win at Milano-Sanremo. After 298 km of racing the 35 year-old sprinter prevailed in a bunch gallop over the likes of Tomas Vick (Z-Racing-Team) and former World Champion Brian Anderson from Team Franconia. O'Reileigh, who's usually not known as a main contender for bunch sprints, took profit of a rather unsorted run-in to the finishing line. "That was exactly the sort of mass sprint, that I needed to have a chance. No one of the big guns wanted to open the sprint, while I was pretty good positioned at the wheel of Mosquerez from Leinad. All I had to do was to jump out of his slipstream and give it all I had. I didn't dare to look behind me before I crossed the line. I'm so overwhelmed. This is unbelievable!".
The win at the Lungomare Italo Calvino in San Remo made it three in a row for the Luna sprinter on italian soil, after he already won Milano-Torino and Giro del Piemonte in last october. Together with his successes at Rund um Köln and the Cyclassics in Hamburg O'Reileigh's palmares make a reading of an exclusive collection of high profile classic wins. Only his stage win at the Ster Elektrotoer in june '09 sticks out as a sort of unregularity.
But his former wins were not all solely owed to lucky circumstances at the finishing straight. "Yes, today a big portion of luck played to my favour. It was a little bit like at my first win in Cologne, where I also find my way in a more or less chaotic mass sprint. But all the other victories were the results of huge efforts by the whole team. It was always coming out of the hills between the real sprint specialists in behind and the group of classic riders in front of us. Each time I had teammates by my side who made a tremendous work to lead me up to the front while keeping the sprinters teams on distance at the same time. Especially Charles and Lupe [Guadalupe Mendez] played essential roles on my ways to success many times. Today they were not much in charge. There wasn't any gaps to be closed. I fell behind at Le Manie and the Cipressa. But both times I decided to stay with the sprinters, instead of trying to go without them. The way to the finish was too long and too difficult. So I placed my bet on the mass sprint and told the boys to look for their own chances in breaking away. Of course I had team mates around me all the time and everybody had to stay attentive throughout the race. But we didn't have to control things, as there were others who had to work for the mass sprint".
O'Reileigh's career probably won't last much longer. His training analysis show obvious weakenings at all areas. Only one day before La Classicissima he was attested significant declines in climbing as well as in endurance. His maximum speed has already been weakened since beginning of the year. But he proved once more that one shall never write him off. And his win at this monument just puts the crown on a marvellous career.
"I don't know yet how long I will keep on racing. I think I will stay as long as the team wants me. Of course I will quit when I'm not longer able to keep myself upright on the bike. Further I believe that I will not ride the Giro d'Italia. So another month, maybe two. I've won more than I ever could imagine. There are no big goals left for me on the racintg calendar. Now I'll only ride to give the team a few results where they need some".
Milan-San Remo is the third monument a rider of Team LunaLounge has ever won. Rodrigo Escobar was the first one when he succeeded at the Giro di Lombardia in 2008. The following year it was Eddie Walloon at the Ronde van Vlaanderen. Now the team sealed Milan-Sanremo. The Lounge never had the intention to act as a collector of monuments. But now they have 3 out of 5, with only Roubaix and Liege-Bastogne missing. Maybe the prospect of having won all five monuments of cycling will be a challenge for further campaigns.
O'Reileigh triumphs at Milano - San Remo!
One year after Ben Johnson displayed the Luna colours at the third step of the podium, Barbadian Keenan O'Reileigh rode himself into the history books yesterday by achieving a sensational win at Milano-Sanremo. After 298 km of racing the 35 year-old sprinter prevailed in a bunch gallop over the likes of Tomas Vick (Z-Racing-Team) and former World Champion Brian Anderson from Team Franconia. O'Reileigh, who's usually not known as a main contender for bunch sprints, took profit of a rather unsorted run-in to the finishing line. "That was exactly the sort of mass sprint, that I needed to have a chance. No one of the big guns wanted to open the sprint, while I was pretty good positioned at the wheel of Mosquerez from Leinad. All I had to do was to jump out of his slipstream and give it all I had. I didn't dare to look behind me before I crossed the line. I'm so overwhelmed. This is unbelievable!".
The win at the Lungomare Italo Calvino in San Remo made it three in a row for the Luna sprinter on italian soil, after he already won Milano-Torino and Giro del Piemonte in last october. Together with his successes at Rund um Köln and the Cyclassics in Hamburg O'Reileigh's palmares make a reading of an exclusive collection of high profile classic wins. Only his stage win at the Ster Elektrotoer in june '09 sticks out as a sort of unregularity.
But his former wins were not all solely owed to lucky circumstances at the finishing straight. "Yes, today a big portion of luck played to my favour. It was a little bit like at my first win in Cologne, where I also find my way in a more or less chaotic mass sprint. But all the other victories were the results of huge efforts by the whole team. It was always coming out of the hills between the real sprint specialists in behind and the group of classic riders in front of us. Each time I had teammates by my side who made a tremendous work to lead me up to the front while keeping the sprinters teams on distance at the same time. Especially Charles and Lupe [Guadalupe Mendez] played essential roles on my ways to success many times. Today they were not much in charge. There wasn't any gaps to be closed. I fell behind at Le Manie and the Cipressa. But both times I decided to stay with the sprinters, instead of trying to go without them. The way to the finish was too long and too difficult. So I placed my bet on the mass sprint and told the boys to look for their own chances in breaking away. Of course I had team mates around me all the time and everybody had to stay attentive throughout the race. But we didn't have to control things, as there were others who had to work for the mass sprint".
O'Reileigh's career probably won't last much longer. His training analysis show obvious weakenings at all areas. Only one day before La Classicissima he was attested significant declines in climbing as well as in endurance. His maximum speed has already been weakened since beginning of the year. But he proved once more that one shall never write him off. And his win at this monument just puts the crown on a marvellous career.
"I don't know yet how long I will keep on racing. I think I will stay as long as the team wants me. Of course I will quit when I'm not longer able to keep myself upright on the bike. Further I believe that I will not ride the Giro d'Italia. So another month, maybe two. I've won more than I ever could imagine. There are no big goals left for me on the racintg calendar. Now I'll only ride to give the team a few results where they need some".
Milan-San Remo is the third monument a rider of Team LunaLounge has ever won. Rodrigo Escobar was the first one when he succeeded at the Giro di Lombardia in 2008. The following year it was Eddie Walloon at the Ronde van Vlaanderen. Now the team sealed Milan-Sanremo. The Lounge never had the intention to act as a collector of monuments. But now they have 3 out of 5, with only Roubaix and Liege-Bastogne missing. Maybe the prospect of having won all five monuments of cycling will be a challenge for further campaigns.
Re: Team LunaLounge
Misunderstanding at the finishing straight
Buccaneer misses big chance at Dwaars door Vlaanderen
Team LounaLounge played it offensively today at the 204 flandrian kilometres of Dwaars door Vlaanderen. Right from the start Tour des Pavés '09 stage winner Lucas Fairbrother put the favourites' teams under pressure and lifted off in the rain of Roeselare. Together with his austrian team mate Harald Umwerfer and riders of Quick Step, francais and Baratellos, he accumulated an advantage of more than 12 minutes before the race even reached the first obstacles of the day, beginning with the Katterberg. The break lasted long enough to climb Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg in front of the field, but disintegrated shortly after. One by one the escapees lost contact, more or less deliberately, until Fairbrother remained the only one who refused to give up.
And he was still in front when Silvano Vazquez attacked out of the first chase group, that had seperated from the main field at the Kwaremont. The Columbian used the cobble section at 24 km to go as launch pad for his move and quickly joined Fairbrother, who waited for him to hand him one last water bottle before he ultimately fell behind. Vazquez, who showed good form, gained a lead of about 20 seconds and kept it until the Nokereberg, that waited 7 km from the finish. Just enough to keep up with the new lead group that had formed behind him.
For a moment he was the only Luna rider in front, but it was Charles Buccaneer, who bridged up from the Team Franconia led sprinters group together with 3 other riders. He reached the leaders just in time to be part of the group of 23 riders, that was meant to determine the winner of the race in the final sprint. Unfortunately he didn't care about the shouts of Vazquez, who was prepared to lead him out, and tried to find his own way through the bunch. In the end Buccaneer was positioned too badly and couldn't get better than 9th.
After the finish Vazquez seemd to be very angry, as he was observed yelling at Buccaneer, who immediatly vanished from the scene.
"Yes, I am frustradet. I blamed him for ruining the superb race the team had ridden. We played our cards perfectly, were present in every group that had formed. Everyting was prepared. The sprinters were left behind. I was there. What was he hoping for? Dominating the battlee for positions on his own against the whole pack? We could have won this race. Damned, I was there!", Vazquez didn't hide his anger when he was asked for a statement after the race.
Buccaneer misses big chance at Dwaars door Vlaanderen
Team LounaLounge played it offensively today at the 204 flandrian kilometres of Dwaars door Vlaanderen. Right from the start Tour des Pavés '09 stage winner Lucas Fairbrother put the favourites' teams under pressure and lifted off in the rain of Roeselare. Together with his austrian team mate Harald Umwerfer and riders of Quick Step, francais and Baratellos, he accumulated an advantage of more than 12 minutes before the race even reached the first obstacles of the day, beginning with the Katterberg. The break lasted long enough to climb Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg in front of the field, but disintegrated shortly after. One by one the escapees lost contact, more or less deliberately, until Fairbrother remained the only one who refused to give up.
And he was still in front when Silvano Vazquez attacked out of the first chase group, that had seperated from the main field at the Kwaremont. The Columbian used the cobble section at 24 km to go as launch pad for his move and quickly joined Fairbrother, who waited for him to hand him one last water bottle before he ultimately fell behind. Vazquez, who showed good form, gained a lead of about 20 seconds and kept it until the Nokereberg, that waited 7 km from the finish. Just enough to keep up with the new lead group that had formed behind him.
For a moment he was the only Luna rider in front, but it was Charles Buccaneer, who bridged up from the Team Franconia led sprinters group together with 3 other riders. He reached the leaders just in time to be part of the group of 23 riders, that was meant to determine the winner of the race in the final sprint. Unfortunately he didn't care about the shouts of Vazquez, who was prepared to lead him out, and tried to find his own way through the bunch. In the end Buccaneer was positioned too badly and couldn't get better than 9th.
After the finish Vazquez seemd to be very angry, as he was observed yelling at Buccaneer, who immediatly vanished from the scene.
"Yes, I am frustradet. I blamed him for ruining the superb race the team had ridden. We played our cards perfectly, were present in every group that had formed. Everyting was prepared. The sprinters were left behind. I was there. What was he hoping for? Dominating the battlee for positions on his own against the whole pack? We could have won this race. Damned, I was there!", Vazquez didn't hide his anger when he was asked for a statement after the race.
Re: Team LunaLounge
Andrés again part of the winning group
Lionel Andrés Messi topped his 5th place from the Giro del Mendrisiotto 10 days ago with a podium finish at third place today in the GP San Giuseppe in Italy. Just like in the swiss race he showed good anticipation in jumping into the right group, that formed in the first of nine hilly circuit rounds and made its way up until the finishing climb in Montecassiano. The Argentinian, who arrived at the team at the day of Mendrisiotto, survived a group of 16 riders, that continued to shrink due to numerous attacks and acclerations during the whole race. But when later race winner Timothan Andersson (Wookie) placed his decisive attack 10km from the finish Andrés failed to follow immediately. Only RV Frankfurt's Bruno Bueno reacted and chased on his own to secure 2nd place. The Luna rider reached the finish 22 seconds behind the impressive solo winner as best placed member of a 3 man chase group, that vainly tried to close the gap at the final kms.
"Two breaks, two results. That's a good start for me in the new team. Such a shame I couldn't stay in front until the end. But each time I get a little closer to the win. Maybe it works out sometimes. I hope so. And I hope that the management recognizes my efforts. I still hope to be at the Giro team in may. I like riding in Italy very much. And the Giro has always been a big dream of mine."
During the race the protagonists of yesterdays Dwaars Door Vlaanderen, Charles Buccaneer and Silvano Vazquez, had been observed chatting and laughing together. Obviously the frustration and disapointment about their misunderstanding in the final sprint has been settled. That's a good basis for future collaborations.
Lionel Andrés Messi topped his 5th place from the Giro del Mendrisiotto 10 days ago with a podium finish at third place today in the GP San Giuseppe in Italy. Just like in the swiss race he showed good anticipation in jumping into the right group, that formed in the first of nine hilly circuit rounds and made its way up until the finishing climb in Montecassiano. The Argentinian, who arrived at the team at the day of Mendrisiotto, survived a group of 16 riders, that continued to shrink due to numerous attacks and acclerations during the whole race. But when later race winner Timothan Andersson (Wookie) placed his decisive attack 10km from the finish Andrés failed to follow immediately. Only RV Frankfurt's Bruno Bueno reacted and chased on his own to secure 2nd place. The Luna rider reached the finish 22 seconds behind the impressive solo winner as best placed member of a 3 man chase group, that vainly tried to close the gap at the final kms.
"Two breaks, two results. That's a good start for me in the new team. Such a shame I couldn't stay in front until the end. But each time I get a little closer to the win. Maybe it works out sometimes. I hope so. And I hope that the management recognizes my efforts. I still hope to be at the Giro team in may. I like riding in Italy very much. And the Giro has always been a big dream of mine."
During the race the protagonists of yesterdays Dwaars Door Vlaanderen, Charles Buccaneer and Silvano Vazquez, had been observed chatting and laughing together. Obviously the frustration and disapointment about their misunderstanding in the final sprint has been settled. That's a good basis for future collaborations.
Re: Team LunaLounge
Team skips flandrian weekend, debuts at Critérium International
Pablo Escobar second at Col de l'Ospedale
After Pablo Escobar won a stage and finished second overall at Paris-Nice earlier this month, the Columbian finished 2nd at the mountaintop finish of the first stage of the Critérium International at the isle of Corsica yesterday. Despite beeing one of the favourites for the stage win he put himself into service for his elder brother Ruben, who had hopes for the general classification in his first race since the team's drop-out of the Tour of Andes in November. Ruben finished in the same group at 6th place two seconds behind stage winner Hans Heiser of O-Race.
"Thanks to my brother I was always in a good position throughout the race and at the final climb. We managed to drop one or two strong time triallers, but Christie's Casagrande sits only 26 seconds behind me. I think it will be difficult to stay in front of him. But the podium is well possible now", said 28 year-old Ruben, who already finished second at the Tour of Southland at the age of 24 in November.
It's the team's first appearance at the Critérium since its foundation in late 2006. Therefore it forgoes the 2 cobbled races that take place in Belgium at the same time.
"Yes, I know. The guys would have liked to defend their title at Harelbeke. But I need some racing practise, too. I made a long break from racing and I needed to know of what I'm capable to and how my form is. As a compensation for it I will not insist on racing the Settimana Lombarda, so that they can riot at the Tour of Flanders. Strange races, that...", he said with a shake of his head.
The 2 days, 3 stages Critérium International continues today with a short flat stage, immediately followed by the decisive 8 km time trial, where another Columbian has high hopes for. It's 26 year-old William Pousson, who has only 27 races on his account and is still waiting for his first professional win.
"Yeah, I'm well prepared. They don't give me much opportunities to race. Mainly because the team has other objectives. But now I have my chance and I will give it all I have. We don't have the world's best time triallers at the start here, but the competition will be tough anyway. Maybe I can get something out of it. I just can't wait for the start.". Pousson already achieved two wins. At the Tour du Jura as well as at the Tour of Southland he was part of the teams that won the opening team time trials, where he played important roles. But in individual time trials he has only one 16th place at Firenze-Pistoia at his palmares. That's something he aims to improve on today.
Pablo Escobar second at Col de l'Ospedale
After Pablo Escobar won a stage and finished second overall at Paris-Nice earlier this month, the Columbian finished 2nd at the mountaintop finish of the first stage of the Critérium International at the isle of Corsica yesterday. Despite beeing one of the favourites for the stage win he put himself into service for his elder brother Ruben, who had hopes for the general classification in his first race since the team's drop-out of the Tour of Andes in November. Ruben finished in the same group at 6th place two seconds behind stage winner Hans Heiser of O-Race.
"Thanks to my brother I was always in a good position throughout the race and at the final climb. We managed to drop one or two strong time triallers, but Christie's Casagrande sits only 26 seconds behind me. I think it will be difficult to stay in front of him. But the podium is well possible now", said 28 year-old Ruben, who already finished second at the Tour of Southland at the age of 24 in November.
It's the team's first appearance at the Critérium since its foundation in late 2006. Therefore it forgoes the 2 cobbled races that take place in Belgium at the same time.
"Yes, I know. The guys would have liked to defend their title at Harelbeke. But I need some racing practise, too. I made a long break from racing and I needed to know of what I'm capable to and how my form is. As a compensation for it I will not insist on racing the Settimana Lombarda, so that they can riot at the Tour of Flanders. Strange races, that...", he said with a shake of his head.
The 2 days, 3 stages Critérium International continues today with a short flat stage, immediately followed by the decisive 8 km time trial, where another Columbian has high hopes for. It's 26 year-old William Pousson, who has only 27 races on his account and is still waiting for his first professional win.
"Yeah, I'm well prepared. They don't give me much opportunities to race. Mainly because the team has other objectives. But now I have my chance and I will give it all I have. We don't have the world's best time triallers at the start here, but the competition will be tough anyway. Maybe I can get something out of it. I just can't wait for the start.". Pousson already achieved two wins. At the Tour du Jura as well as at the Tour of Southland he was part of the teams that won the opening team time trials, where he played important roles. But in individual time trials he has only one 16th place at Firenze-Pistoia at his palmares. That's something he aims to improve on today.
Re: Team LunaLounge
Spectacular 2nd day for Team LunaLounge
Ruben Escobar wins Critérium International, Buccaneer stage & sprinters jersey
Day two of the Critérium International created some outstanding results for team and riders of Team LunaLounge on sunday. Ruben Escobar secured the overall win in a thrilling time trial in the afternoon, after Charles Buccaneer scored his first ever race win at the short stage in the morning.
Buccaneer was the fastest of a late 4 man break that seperated from the main field 5km from the finish. Being beaten so often ans so closely in the past weeks and throughout his career, the Barbadian finally got his first professional win at the age of 33.
"I's so beautiful. I was little sad about not having the opportunity to ride Harelbeke and Wevelgem. And then there was that mountain stage yesterday, where I had to dig really deep. In addition to it we had to get out of the bed early today, as the stage started in the morning. I felt little dead at the start line and during the race. I didn't expect much from it, only carrying water and keeping the brothers out of the wind. But when Franco's Leigh Howard attacked, I was immediately wide awake and knew I had to follow. Then, when I tried to lift off after 2 km, I felt the fatigue in my legs and there was no getting away. I just hoped I could recover a bit until it gets to the final sprint. Now I'm so lucky that it worked out", Buccaneer said after the finish.
Half a day later the decision about the overall classification was to be made at the 8 km individual time trial, where Ruben Escobar finsihed 8th, 2 places and 26 seconds behind his main rival Simone Casagrande. That was exactly that time gap he had created at the first day. Only thanks to 2 more sprint points he was rewarded with the overall win. It's the first win of a general classification for the 28 year-old Columbian and the first for the team since Rodrigo won the Grio d'Italia in May '09.
In addition to the stage win in the morning, Buccaneer also won the green jersey of the best sprinter, while the team topped the final standings of the teams classification.
But there was still one rider, who was not so happy. William Pousson decided to go for the win in the time trial. He showed an excellent race, but in the end only finished 2nd, one second behind race winner Herman DeArtois of TeamSky. "I know I should be happy for the team about the results we have achieved today. But somehow I am rather disappointed. I felt so good at the start. My legs were good. My head was clearly focused. I was really going fast. In the second part of the course I took high risks to get the best out of it. And it all went well. I thought I could have won it. Then seeing only one guy beeing faster than me by such a small margin was like a slap in my face. This was a big chance today and I missed it".
Despite the disappointment of Pousson the team's first participation at the Critérium International was a huge success. With 2 second places, one stage win, the wins in the points and teams classification as well as the overall, the team couldn't have asked for more.
Ruben Escobar wins Critérium International, Buccaneer stage & sprinters jersey
Day two of the Critérium International created some outstanding results for team and riders of Team LunaLounge on sunday. Ruben Escobar secured the overall win in a thrilling time trial in the afternoon, after Charles Buccaneer scored his first ever race win at the short stage in the morning.
Buccaneer was the fastest of a late 4 man break that seperated from the main field 5km from the finish. Being beaten so often ans so closely in the past weeks and throughout his career, the Barbadian finally got his first professional win at the age of 33.
"I's so beautiful. I was little sad about not having the opportunity to ride Harelbeke and Wevelgem. And then there was that mountain stage yesterday, where I had to dig really deep. In addition to it we had to get out of the bed early today, as the stage started in the morning. I felt little dead at the start line and during the race. I didn't expect much from it, only carrying water and keeping the brothers out of the wind. But when Franco's Leigh Howard attacked, I was immediately wide awake and knew I had to follow. Then, when I tried to lift off after 2 km, I felt the fatigue in my legs and there was no getting away. I just hoped I could recover a bit until it gets to the final sprint. Now I'm so lucky that it worked out", Buccaneer said after the finish.
Half a day later the decision about the overall classification was to be made at the 8 km individual time trial, where Ruben Escobar finsihed 8th, 2 places and 26 seconds behind his main rival Simone Casagrande. That was exactly that time gap he had created at the first day. Only thanks to 2 more sprint points he was rewarded with the overall win. It's the first win of a general classification for the 28 year-old Columbian and the first for the team since Rodrigo won the Grio d'Italia in May '09.
In addition to the stage win in the morning, Buccaneer also won the green jersey of the best sprinter, while the team topped the final standings of the teams classification.
But there was still one rider, who was not so happy. William Pousson decided to go for the win in the time trial. He showed an excellent race, but in the end only finished 2nd, one second behind race winner Herman DeArtois of TeamSky. "I know I should be happy for the team about the results we have achieved today. But somehow I am rather disappointed. I felt so good at the start. My legs were good. My head was clearly focused. I was really going fast. In the second part of the course I took high risks to get the best out of it. And it all went well. I thought I could have won it. Then seeing only one guy beeing faster than me by such a small margin was like a slap in my face. This was a big chance today and I missed it".
Despite the disappointment of Pousson the team's first participation at the Critérium International was a huge success. With 2 second places, one stage win, the wins in the points and teams classification as well as the overall, the team couldn't have asked for more.
Re: Team LunaLounge
Team size back to 14
Another asian rider for LunaLounge
When the team awoke out of its hibernation in late february it had 15 riders in it. One had to be sold immediately, Randy Fander, winner of the sprinters competitions in both, Sachsen Pavés and Tour de Pavés. That step was necessary to fulfil the financial obligation to register for a race. One week later Eddie Walloon an Jared Shatterhand retired from racing. They have been replaced by Khoi Nguyen. In total it makes 2 riders less and the team rode the season of march with only 13 riders.
After a successful month the team is now able to announce the arrival of a new rider, who has been financed solely by prize money collected throught the season without selling any other rider for him, Suhardi Mustaruddin, 28. Coming from Malaysia, he is the 2nd asian rider to wear the colours of Team LunaLounge.
Mustaruddin made his first appearance in internatonal cycling at team Topsport, where he rode for 5 months, beginning in november `09.
"This transfer was an important one, as we now again have the option to go into a race without any salary expense. In the last weeks we had to pay an additional salary of at least around 25k for each day of racing. That's simply too much in the long run. And since Akoojee will leave the sport at the end of next season we would have needed to find a replacement for him anyway. So this was a good moment to kill two birds with one stone. And although Mustaruddin is a very low-prized rider with only few skills, he will nevertheless strenghen our team for Paris-Roubaix. He will be able to keep up with the group better than many other riders in our team. That's why we chose him over an other rider from South America, who has been offerd to us and who maybe would have fitted better into our team regarding to language and origin. But we already opened the door to Asia when we brought Nguyen from Vietnam. We go through a difficult time so we have to make some concessions", team manager Luna described the decisions that led to the transfer.
Another asian rider for LunaLounge
When the team awoke out of its hibernation in late february it had 15 riders in it. One had to be sold immediately, Randy Fander, winner of the sprinters competitions in both, Sachsen Pavés and Tour de Pavés. That step was necessary to fulfil the financial obligation to register for a race. One week later Eddie Walloon an Jared Shatterhand retired from racing. They have been replaced by Khoi Nguyen. In total it makes 2 riders less and the team rode the season of march with only 13 riders.
After a successful month the team is now able to announce the arrival of a new rider, who has been financed solely by prize money collected throught the season without selling any other rider for him, Suhardi Mustaruddin, 28. Coming from Malaysia, he is the 2nd asian rider to wear the colours of Team LunaLounge.
Mustaruddin made his first appearance in internatonal cycling at team Topsport, where he rode for 5 months, beginning in november `09.
"This transfer was an important one, as we now again have the option to go into a race without any salary expense. In the last weeks we had to pay an additional salary of at least around 25k for each day of racing. That's simply too much in the long run. And since Akoojee will leave the sport at the end of next season we would have needed to find a replacement for him anyway. So this was a good moment to kill two birds with one stone. And although Mustaruddin is a very low-prized rider with only few skills, he will nevertheless strenghen our team for Paris-Roubaix. He will be able to keep up with the group better than many other riders in our team. That's why we chose him over an other rider from South America, who has been offerd to us and who maybe would have fitted better into our team regarding to language and origin. But we already opened the door to Asia when we brought Nguyen from Vietnam. We go through a difficult time so we have to make some concessions", team manager Luna described the decisions that led to the transfer.
Re: Team LunaLounge
Team promoted to Division 3
Team LunaLounge finished the march season at first place of Division 4 and is subsequently promoted to the next higher Div, where it finds itself again on the top of the ranks. This leads to more security about getting permission to start the races amongst the elite teams, instead of being forced to ride in second or third level groups. So an objective of high importance has been met and probably there will be no need to apply for a wild card invitation to the Giro d'Italia.
Team LunaLounge finished the march season at first place of Division 4 and is subsequently promoted to the next higher Div, where it finds itself again on the top of the ranks. This leads to more security about getting permission to start the races amongst the elite teams, instead of being forced to ride in second or third level groups. So an objective of high importance has been met and probably there will be no need to apply for a wild card invitation to the Giro d'Italia.
Re: Team LunaLounge
Vazquez opens season with a win in Venezuela
Silvano Vazquez won the small venezuelan race Zulio-Valledupar yesterday in the sprint out of a 7 man group ahead of Ewok's Sergej Fructose and Anton Martin (BikeExtrem). 21 km from the finish the Columbian broke free from a select group of around 25 riders, that would be later swallowed by the main field. Together with Fructose and Mat Smith (bigmat) he rode up to the early breakaway group of 4, where Amani Morissey awaited him and led him the final sprint, 2 seconds ahead of the peloton, led by SprintHTC.
"I felt good during the race", the winner told afterwards. "We had to tackle three difficult climbs, but the pace was no so hard, so I could keep up all the time. Only after the last little rise 30km from the finish I had to close a gap by myself. The peloton was hovering maybe 25 seconds behind us. And when I saw them getting nearer I gave it a go. Luckily I was accompanied by another two riders. Then having Amani dropping back to me gave me another morale boost. He quickly handed me his last water bottle. That was crucial, since it was very hot and due to our small gap there was no team car behind us. Furthermore I could rely on him as leadout man for the sprint. So I didn't have to worry about which wheel to follow. He did a great job today!"
Morissey finished in 6th position, after having spent the whole day in the front group that had formed shortly after the start.
The success of 30 year-old Vazquez marks the third professional win of his career, after picking the Souvenir OddBjörn Hjelmeset of the Tour des Pavés and the national Columbian road race title, both in october '09.
Re: Team LunaLounge
The employees of the team's press office are currently too busy to give detailed reports of the past races. No one knows exactly what the heck might be more important than giving daily up-to-date bulletins. So, however, only some short news.
Ronde van Vlaanderen / Rund um Köln
On sunday Silvano Vazquez failed to repeat the team's victory at the Ronde van Vlaanderen. He even didn't manage to reach the podium. 4th place in the final sprint out of a group of 16. Boring race. Nobody dared to make a move. Only Vazquez tried something after the Bosberg, but to no avail.
One day later it was Keenan O'Reileigh who had the chance to defend the title at Rund um Köln even by himself, but faded in the final bunch gallop and ended in 11th position. Vazquez and Buccaneer were on the attack the whole day long together with Romanian Sergiu Suplu (iBanesto). They rode a good race, but the final flat was just too long for them. They lost hope 25km from the finish and sat up frustrated.
Ronde van Vlaanderen / Rund um Köln
On sunday Silvano Vazquez failed to repeat the team's victory at the Ronde van Vlaanderen. He even didn't manage to reach the podium. 4th place in the final sprint out of a group of 16. Boring race. Nobody dared to make a move. Only Vazquez tried something after the Bosberg, but to no avail.
One day later it was Keenan O'Reileigh who had the chance to defend the title at Rund um Köln even by himself, but faded in the final bunch gallop and ended in 11th position. Vazquez and Buccaneer were on the attack the whole day long together with Romanian Sergiu Suplu (iBanesto). They rode a good race, but the final flat was just too long for them. They lost hope 25km from the finish and sat up frustrated.
Re: Team LunaLounge
I like the long and great job of the employees of the team's press office ! And i'm not the only one, this topic is the most popular of all ! 
And, the worst place for silvanno
not cool
And, the worst place for silvanno
not coolRe: Team LunaLounge
Thanks for praise and condolence 
The press employees are so busy, that they overwrote the article of O'Reileigh's win in Vitré with the new one of today. Bastards^^
The press employees are so busy, that they overwrote the article of O'Reileigh's win in Vitré with the new one of today. Bastards^^
Re: Team LunaLounge
Nothing to gain at Scheldeprijs
Lucas Fairbrother was the only Luna rider who reached the finish inside the ranks today at the Scheldeprijs in Flanders, Belgium. The winner of the Souvenir Vincent Zuyderwyk, stage 2 of the Tour des Pavés '09, was part of a select group of 31, that determined the winner in a sprint. Not blessed with adequate sprinting ability, Fairbrother more or less rolled over the line in 18th position in the middle of the pack.
The 30 year-old Briton cited the loss of former team mate Randy Fender as one possible reason for his difficulties in achieving a reasonable result. "Times were better, when we had two co-captains for the campaign in Flanders. With Randy Fender in our ranks we had more cards to play. While nowadays I'm pretty much on my own and there's not much I can do, except betting everything on one single move". Fairbrother went after an attack initiated by Sammy McBrown (SprintHTC) in the final 2km and found himself in company of another three riders, but the five were caught again under the 1km to go banner by the main group, led by Team Franconia for their sprinter and later race winner Luiz Muchacho.
O'Reileigh 2nd in China
Prior to the Scheldprijs the team contested the Jiangxi Cyling Cup on tuesday in China. After a demanding race, in which many sprinters fell victim to hot conditions and multiple climbs, Milan-Sanremo winner Keenan O'Reileigh was one of the survivors and sprintet to 2nd place in Wuyuan. Only Tibor Toth of SkyFire was faster and denied O'Reileigh's 8th career win.
"The team takes this Chinese Cup Series very serious and so do I. At least more serious than many other low rated events in the calendar. So winning this race would have been a fine thing for me. But I'm still content with my performance. It could have been worse. I have experienced many sprints in my career where I had good legs but simply didn't find a way through the bunch. So I am happy for every opportunity to match the sprinters that fight it out. When I'm beaten then, it's okay. But at least I was able to try and gave my best".
The team already has one win of a series race on its account. In July '09 it was Eddie Walloon who won on the hilly parcours of the Yunnan Cycling Cup. O'Reileigh could have been the second rider to win a monument race as well as a Chinese Cup race. Walloon won the Ronde van Vlaanderen in 2009.
Lucas Fairbrother was the only Luna rider who reached the finish inside the ranks today at the Scheldeprijs in Flanders, Belgium. The winner of the Souvenir Vincent Zuyderwyk, stage 2 of the Tour des Pavés '09, was part of a select group of 31, that determined the winner in a sprint. Not blessed with adequate sprinting ability, Fairbrother more or less rolled over the line in 18th position in the middle of the pack.
The 30 year-old Briton cited the loss of former team mate Randy Fender as one possible reason for his difficulties in achieving a reasonable result. "Times were better, when we had two co-captains for the campaign in Flanders. With Randy Fender in our ranks we had more cards to play. While nowadays I'm pretty much on my own and there's not much I can do, except betting everything on one single move". Fairbrother went after an attack initiated by Sammy McBrown (SprintHTC) in the final 2km and found himself in company of another three riders, but the five were caught again under the 1km to go banner by the main group, led by Team Franconia for their sprinter and later race winner Luiz Muchacho.
O'Reileigh 2nd in China
Prior to the Scheldprijs the team contested the Jiangxi Cyling Cup on tuesday in China. After a demanding race, in which many sprinters fell victim to hot conditions and multiple climbs, Milan-Sanremo winner Keenan O'Reileigh was one of the survivors and sprintet to 2nd place in Wuyuan. Only Tibor Toth of SkyFire was faster and denied O'Reileigh's 8th career win.
"The team takes this Chinese Cup Series very serious and so do I. At least more serious than many other low rated events in the calendar. So winning this race would have been a fine thing for me. But I'm still content with my performance. It could have been worse. I have experienced many sprints in my career where I had good legs but simply didn't find a way through the bunch. So I am happy for every opportunity to match the sprinters that fight it out. When I'm beaten then, it's okay. But at least I was able to try and gave my best".
The team already has one win of a series race on its account. In July '09 it was Eddie Walloon who won on the hilly parcours of the Yunnan Cycling Cup. O'Reileigh could have been the second rider to win a monument race as well as a Chinese Cup race. Walloon won the Ronde van Vlaanderen in 2009.
Re: Team LunaLounge
Paris-Roubaix
Fairbrother goes down fighting
When Lucas Fairbrother reached the velodrome in Roubaix 3:11 minutes behind the race winner together with 3 other riders, he dropped his head and sunk down, just rolled out the final few meters in the last position of the group and finished 21st. His face showed the strains of a hard race, but he didn't looked disappointed. Behind a mask of thick dirt, there was rather a pair of bright eyes, that showed deep satisfaction and contentment, yes even a bit of euphoria.
One and a half hour before that moment he broke free from the bunch, some 60km from the finish, soloing his way through the Hell of the North and tempting his fate with a brave attack. He quickly gained an advantage of more than 2 minutes. But all efforts remained futile, as the gap dropped once it had reached 2,5 minutes. It was shortly before the Carrefour de l'Arbre, 20km from Roubaix, when he was overwhelmed by the remaining main group without the slightiest chance of following it. For the spectators it looked as if he were standing still. It must have felt the same for himself.
Fairbrother rejected the first attempts of the journalists to get an interview with him. But after a little while of taking some deep breath he made himself available and explained the motivations behind such a bold move, that ruined the prospect of scoring a good placement in the end. "During the week we sat together and discussed how we want to approach this race. It was the 4th start here for the team. We finished 2nd, 2nd and 3rd. Three podium finishes, no win. We all agreed in not wanting another runner-up place. This time all or nothing. We sent Silvano out on the road as a possible relay station. He stayed long in front but was brought back before I was ready to go. But anyway he was a good help, as I'd been already isolated for quite a while when he dropped back to me to hold me out of the wind for some km. After he lost contact and I was alone again I decided to give it a go."
Asked about the moment of his attack and the long way from there to the finish, the Briton said: "Well, in deed. 60km are a long way for a sole rider. Of course I hoped somebody came with me. Only one rider more would have made it a different thing. But without help it was really difficult. Even if I could have held the gap a little longer, I probably would have ran out of gas long before the velodrome. So, from the logical point of view the mission was doomed to fail from the beginning. But, you know, it felt really good to have tried something, to be on the road alone at the front, having the masses cheering on you. They were really crazy out there. I lived through some great moments today.
"When you don't win a race, it doesn't matter if you get 5th or 20th. And as I explained, even 2nd wouldn't have fancied us much. Ok, maybe I could have set the attack 10 or 20km later. But you never know how the situation will be then. And there was nothing to lose. I'm proud of what I've done. I think I've honoured the race and contributed a lot to the spectacle. I'm happy with my 21st place. To roll into the velodrome was another great moment, when hearing the crowd and knowing I have made it to the finish. I went to the front of the group to lift the pace one last time. Then it was over. This was a great day."
Former podium finishers for Team LunaLounge were:
2007 Averus Verlin 2.
2008 Salomon Bricks 2.
2009 Randy Fender 3.
Not having spent much concentration on building a team for it, the 2010 season of northern cobble classics ends without a single win for the team. But anyway it showed some good performances. Buccaneer was near the win at Dwaars door Vlaanderen (9th) as well as Monte Paschi eroica (2nd), while Vazquez finished with the front group at the Ronde van Vlaanderen, narrowly missing out the podium.
At the Nokere Koerse the team was one last time banned from field 1 and Fairbrother got stuck in the Schelde Prijs (18.). The team left out Harelbeke and Gent-Wevelgem for giving Ruben Escobar the opportunity to go for the win at the Criterium International, successfully. The 4 days of De Panne has been skipped, too.
Fairbrother goes down fighting
When Lucas Fairbrother reached the velodrome in Roubaix 3:11 minutes behind the race winner together with 3 other riders, he dropped his head and sunk down, just rolled out the final few meters in the last position of the group and finished 21st. His face showed the strains of a hard race, but he didn't looked disappointed. Behind a mask of thick dirt, there was rather a pair of bright eyes, that showed deep satisfaction and contentment, yes even a bit of euphoria.
One and a half hour before that moment he broke free from the bunch, some 60km from the finish, soloing his way through the Hell of the North and tempting his fate with a brave attack. He quickly gained an advantage of more than 2 minutes. But all efforts remained futile, as the gap dropped once it had reached 2,5 minutes. It was shortly before the Carrefour de l'Arbre, 20km from Roubaix, when he was overwhelmed by the remaining main group without the slightiest chance of following it. For the spectators it looked as if he were standing still. It must have felt the same for himself.
Fairbrother rejected the first attempts of the journalists to get an interview with him. But after a little while of taking some deep breath he made himself available and explained the motivations behind such a bold move, that ruined the prospect of scoring a good placement in the end. "During the week we sat together and discussed how we want to approach this race. It was the 4th start here for the team. We finished 2nd, 2nd and 3rd. Three podium finishes, no win. We all agreed in not wanting another runner-up place. This time all or nothing. We sent Silvano out on the road as a possible relay station. He stayed long in front but was brought back before I was ready to go. But anyway he was a good help, as I'd been already isolated for quite a while when he dropped back to me to hold me out of the wind for some km. After he lost contact and I was alone again I decided to give it a go."
Asked about the moment of his attack and the long way from there to the finish, the Briton said: "Well, in deed. 60km are a long way for a sole rider. Of course I hoped somebody came with me. Only one rider more would have made it a different thing. But without help it was really difficult. Even if I could have held the gap a little longer, I probably would have ran out of gas long before the velodrome. So, from the logical point of view the mission was doomed to fail from the beginning. But, you know, it felt really good to have tried something, to be on the road alone at the front, having the masses cheering on you. They were really crazy out there. I lived through some great moments today.
"When you don't win a race, it doesn't matter if you get 5th or 20th. And as I explained, even 2nd wouldn't have fancied us much. Ok, maybe I could have set the attack 10 or 20km later. But you never know how the situation will be then. And there was nothing to lose. I'm proud of what I've done. I think I've honoured the race and contributed a lot to the spectacle. I'm happy with my 21st place. To roll into the velodrome was another great moment, when hearing the crowd and knowing I have made it to the finish. I went to the front of the group to lift the pace one last time. Then it was over. This was a great day."
Former podium finishers for Team LunaLounge were:
2007 Averus Verlin 2.
2008 Salomon Bricks 2.
2009 Randy Fender 3.
Not having spent much concentration on building a team for it, the 2010 season of northern cobble classics ends without a single win for the team. But anyway it showed some good performances. Buccaneer was near the win at Dwaars door Vlaanderen (9th) as well as Monte Paschi eroica (2nd), while Vazquez finished with the front group at the Ronde van Vlaanderen, narrowly missing out the podium.
At the Nokere Koerse the team was one last time banned from field 1 and Fairbrother got stuck in the Schelde Prijs (18.). The team left out Harelbeke and Gent-Wevelgem for giving Ruben Escobar the opportunity to go for the win at the Criterium International, successfully. The 4 days of De Panne has been skipped, too.
Re: Team LunaLounge
Nguyen improves at Paris-Camembert
Vietnamese Khoi Nguyen achieved his best result since changing to TeamLunaLounge when he finished 4th yesterday at Paris-Camembert. The 29-year-old jumped into the winning break of 10 riders, that formed 8km from the finish and later picked up the former escape group containing Charles Buccaneer and Lionel Andres Messi. Nguyen showed good strengh when being in front and contributed well to the tempo work that was neccessary to get the group rolling. Something he wasn't trusted to do when joining the team. This result is his 2nd top 10 finish since being with LunaLounge after scoring 9th at the Giro del Friuli in march.
Buccaneer and Andres attacked the bunch together with Adriano Perreira (Los Galacticos) and Jean Manatawai (Team Edelweiss) when there was a moment of resorting in the peloton after the field splitted up on the Cote de Roiville with 70km to go. They gained a maximum lead of about 2:30 and were taken serious as the potential winners of the race, but slowed down in the last 10km. After being caught up by the group of Nguyen the two finished with the same time as actual race winner Fabrice Philipot (Celtic Club) in 12th and 13th place, respectively.
Although Buccaneer assured the gatherd media of Nguyen's progress in learning english, the Vietnamese didn't felt capable of answering the questions of the journalists. Instead the 34 year-old Barbade shared his view of the race. "He really improved since joining us. A move like that was out of sight when he was hired by the team in late february. I think he can be proud of it.
It's a shame our group of four didn't come through. We were running very well. Although it would have been difficult to outfox the Edelweiss rider, who is known for his strong sprinting abilities. But we had two guys up there. We would very much have liked to try out our tactics against him."
Team LunaLounge won Paris-Camembert twice, 2007 with Danilo diLuna and 2008 with Alvaro Escobar. David Gillespie finished 8th in the edition of 2009.
Vietnamese Khoi Nguyen achieved his best result since changing to TeamLunaLounge when he finished 4th yesterday at Paris-Camembert. The 29-year-old jumped into the winning break of 10 riders, that formed 8km from the finish and later picked up the former escape group containing Charles Buccaneer and Lionel Andres Messi. Nguyen showed good strengh when being in front and contributed well to the tempo work that was neccessary to get the group rolling. Something he wasn't trusted to do when joining the team. This result is his 2nd top 10 finish since being with LunaLounge after scoring 9th at the Giro del Friuli in march.
Buccaneer and Andres attacked the bunch together with Adriano Perreira (Los Galacticos) and Jean Manatawai (Team Edelweiss) when there was a moment of resorting in the peloton after the field splitted up on the Cote de Roiville with 70km to go. They gained a maximum lead of about 2:30 and were taken serious as the potential winners of the race, but slowed down in the last 10km. After being caught up by the group of Nguyen the two finished with the same time as actual race winner Fabrice Philipot (Celtic Club) in 12th and 13th place, respectively.
Although Buccaneer assured the gatherd media of Nguyen's progress in learning english, the Vietnamese didn't felt capable of answering the questions of the journalists. Instead the 34 year-old Barbade shared his view of the race. "He really improved since joining us. A move like that was out of sight when he was hired by the team in late february. I think he can be proud of it.
It's a shame our group of four didn't come through. We were running very well. Although it would have been difficult to outfox the Edelweiss rider, who is known for his strong sprinting abilities. But we had two guys up there. We would very much have liked to try out our tactics against him."
Team LunaLounge won Paris-Camembert twice, 2007 with Danilo diLuna and 2008 with Alvaro Escobar. David Gillespie finished 8th in the edition of 2009.
Re: Team LunaLounge
Vazquez only 16th
Team falls behind at Brabantse Pijl
Weakened by the absence of Lionel Andrés and Charles Buccaneer, who took a break from racing after their efforts at Paris-Camembert the day bofore, Team LunaLounge was unable to achieve an appreciable result in yesterdays Brabantse Pijl in the region of Brabant, Belgium. Although beeing still in front in the finale Columbian Silvano Vazquez faded in the uphill finish and rolled over the line in 16th position.
"I like the profile of this race very much but the steep finish just didn't suit me. Some km from the line I tried to get away but I went nowhere. So this result is just the logical consequence", Vazquez explained outright after the race.
During the race it was Barbadian Amani Morissey, who tried his luck in a three man breakaway that formed after 20 km. The trio gained a lead of about 13 minutes but was reeled in long before the finish.
The team appears to have its general difficulties with the Brabantse Pijl, since even in the 2009 edition its best placed rider, U23 world champion Zak Thompson, couldn't finish better than 18th.
Team falls behind at Brabantse Pijl
Weakened by the absence of Lionel Andrés and Charles Buccaneer, who took a break from racing after their efforts at Paris-Camembert the day bofore, Team LunaLounge was unable to achieve an appreciable result in yesterdays Brabantse Pijl in the region of Brabant, Belgium. Although beeing still in front in the finale Columbian Silvano Vazquez faded in the uphill finish and rolled over the line in 16th position.
"I like the profile of this race very much but the steep finish just didn't suit me. Some km from the line I tried to get away but I went nowhere. So this result is just the logical consequence", Vazquez explained outright after the race.
During the race it was Barbadian Amani Morissey, who tried his luck in a three man breakaway that formed after 20 km. The trio gained a lead of about 13 minutes but was reeled in long before the finish.
The team appears to have its general difficulties with the Brabantse Pijl, since even in the 2009 edition its best placed rider, U23 world champion Zak Thompson, couldn't finish better than 18th.
Re: Team LunaLounge
Organizers deny team's participation
LunaLounge ruled out of Amstel Gold
After Team LunaLounge left out the Amstel Gold Race in 2009 due to a lack of motivation, staff and riders were keen on coming back this year but were booted out by the organizers right from the start line. "Sorry, your team is not good enough in the world ranking. You are allowed to participate in the hobby ride instead. Take it or leave it". That was the reason the team management got to hear. And after a short discussion with the riders they picked up their things and mounted the team bus, leaving the scene.
"We came here because we like this race. We would have started with the best possible team. There would've been a stage winner and podium finisher of this year's Paris-Nice as well as the overall winner of the Criterium International. We've won Milan-Sanremo and we've been active in all the spring races. Nobody can tell us that we don't deserve a start here. I don't understand this decision. We got on the podium of two Ardennes classics last year and Danilo diLuna reached third place even here at Amstel three years ago. Why do they refuse us now? I don't understand it", team manager Luna was bewildered by the situation.
"We phoned to Germany for a short-term arrangement. There runs Rund um Düren today. Guess what they told us? 'Sorry, your team is classified too high in the world ranking. If you want to race today you have to ride Amstel'. So what?! Too bad for the one, too good for the other? What's going on here? That's a scandalous behaviour. We will file a complaint about this. Unbelievable!"
LunaLounge ruled out of Amstel Gold
After Team LunaLounge left out the Amstel Gold Race in 2009 due to a lack of motivation, staff and riders were keen on coming back this year but were booted out by the organizers right from the start line. "Sorry, your team is not good enough in the world ranking. You are allowed to participate in the hobby ride instead. Take it or leave it". That was the reason the team management got to hear. And after a short discussion with the riders they picked up their things and mounted the team bus, leaving the scene.
"We came here because we like this race. We would have started with the best possible team. There would've been a stage winner and podium finisher of this year's Paris-Nice as well as the overall winner of the Criterium International. We've won Milan-Sanremo and we've been active in all the spring races. Nobody can tell us that we don't deserve a start here. I don't understand this decision. We got on the podium of two Ardennes classics last year and Danilo diLuna reached third place even here at Amstel three years ago. Why do they refuse us now? I don't understand it", team manager Luna was bewildered by the situation.
"We phoned to Germany for a short-term arrangement. There runs Rund um Düren today. Guess what they told us? 'Sorry, your team is classified too high in the world ranking. If you want to race today you have to ride Amstel'. So what?! Too bad for the one, too good for the other? What's going on here? That's a scandalous behaviour. We will file a complaint about this. Unbelievable!"
Re: Team LunaLounge
Escobar brothers tackle Giro del Trentino
Fairbrother 4th in Tro Bro Leon
Lucas Fairbrother missed his last chance in april to win a cobble race when he finished in 4th place at Tro Bro Leon on monday. To be more precise one has to talk of dirt roads in this case, rather than cobble stones. Fairbrother left the Zauberlehrlinge led main field together with Celtic Club's Martial Gayant and eventual race winner Jan Vermaart from Wizard Cycling some 30 km from the finish. The trio picked up several small groups of riders on their way to the front, including Lionel Andres and Silvano Vazquez, who attacked earlier, but couldn't keep up with the cobble specialists very long. In the end a group of six crystallized out of the action and made it to the finish, 12 seconds in front of a bigger chase group, containing Charles Buccaneer. While Fairbrother was without chance to win out over the better sprinters in the front, Buccaneer got 2nd in the sprint for 7th place out of the chase group, meaning 8th place in total for the Barbade.
Despite having shown a strong performance Lucas Fairbrother was self-critical about his tactics in the finale of the race. "I'm a little frustrated because we maybe could have reached more if I only wouldn't have worked so much in the group. It would have been difficult anyway because Celtic had three men in the front. But probably they wouldn't have given up the group, as neither them nor Wizards had riders in the first chace group. So I definitely should have tried it out. It was an action packed finale with a flurry of attacks. So it was only after the race when I got to know the exact composition of the group behind us. But that is no excuse. I really had nothing to lose anyway."
Meanwhile the team travelled to Italy for the Giro del Trentino to avoid a similar disaster at the Fleche Wallone like that of sunday when it was denied entry to the Amstel Gold Race. Ruben Escobar started today in the time trial together with his brother Pablo, where he reached 13th place, 51 seconds behind the best placed gc rival Teddy Blitzeberger from Baratellos. The pair aims to reach a good result in the overall classification after they already managed to win the Criterium International, what has been the last race of Ruben in late march.
The participation in the Giro del Trentino means the team's first appearance in this race.
Fairbrother 4th in Tro Bro Leon
Lucas Fairbrother missed his last chance in april to win a cobble race when he finished in 4th place at Tro Bro Leon on monday. To be more precise one has to talk of dirt roads in this case, rather than cobble stones. Fairbrother left the Zauberlehrlinge led main field together with Celtic Club's Martial Gayant and eventual race winner Jan Vermaart from Wizard Cycling some 30 km from the finish. The trio picked up several small groups of riders on their way to the front, including Lionel Andres and Silvano Vazquez, who attacked earlier, but couldn't keep up with the cobble specialists very long. In the end a group of six crystallized out of the action and made it to the finish, 12 seconds in front of a bigger chase group, containing Charles Buccaneer. While Fairbrother was without chance to win out over the better sprinters in the front, Buccaneer got 2nd in the sprint for 7th place out of the chase group, meaning 8th place in total for the Barbade.
Despite having shown a strong performance Lucas Fairbrother was self-critical about his tactics in the finale of the race. "I'm a little frustrated because we maybe could have reached more if I only wouldn't have worked so much in the group. It would have been difficult anyway because Celtic had three men in the front. But probably they wouldn't have given up the group, as neither them nor Wizards had riders in the first chace group. So I definitely should have tried it out. It was an action packed finale with a flurry of attacks. So it was only after the race when I got to know the exact composition of the group behind us. But that is no excuse. I really had nothing to lose anyway."
Meanwhile the team travelled to Italy for the Giro del Trentino to avoid a similar disaster at the Fleche Wallone like that of sunday when it was denied entry to the Amstel Gold Race. Ruben Escobar started today in the time trial together with his brother Pablo, where he reached 13th place, 51 seconds behind the best placed gc rival Teddy Blitzeberger from Baratellos. The pair aims to reach a good result in the overall classification after they already managed to win the Criterium International, what has been the last race of Ruben in late march.
The participation in the Giro del Trentino means the team's first appearance in this race.
Re: Team LunaLounge
First of two mountain top finishes at Trentino
Escobar brothers on the attack
The brothers Ruben and Pablo Escobar finished 3rd and 4th at the mountain top finish of the 2nd stage of the Giro del Trentino in San Martino di Castrozza. Both used the steepest section of the final 13km climb, 8km from the finish to launch an attack and try to put some time difference on their rivals. They crossed the line 24 seconds behind climbing sensation Martin Dahlin (BMG-Allstars) and saved 4 of their maximum advantage of 25 seconds on a group of six, containing new overall leader Teddy Blitzeberger from Baratellos. Ruben now sits in 2nd place overall, 47 seconds behind Blitzberger and 48 seconds in front of Pablo, who is 8th now.
"This climb was not the steepest one, so it didn't come as a surprise that we wasn't able to keep the gap that we created at the beginning of our attack. Pablo put in a great effort to pull me all the way up. But there were strong climbers in the chase as well. So we have to be happy with the small gap we had in the end. At least it was enough to come past Kandoo's Schlömilch. Who knows for what that might be useful when we have the next mountain top finish on the last day. That one will be much steeper. I hope we will be able to come closer to Blitzberger or even overtake him. But Dahlin also became a real threat. He gave me 24 seconds today and is now only 21 seconds behind me. It will be really difficult to win the overall. Of course we will try but I won't be disappointed if I'll have to settle for a podium place.", the elder brother explained at the press conference after the race.
Escobar brothers on the attack
The brothers Ruben and Pablo Escobar finished 3rd and 4th at the mountain top finish of the 2nd stage of the Giro del Trentino in San Martino di Castrozza. Both used the steepest section of the final 13km climb, 8km from the finish to launch an attack and try to put some time difference on their rivals. They crossed the line 24 seconds behind climbing sensation Martin Dahlin (BMG-Allstars) and saved 4 of their maximum advantage of 25 seconds on a group of six, containing new overall leader Teddy Blitzeberger from Baratellos. Ruben now sits in 2nd place overall, 47 seconds behind Blitzberger and 48 seconds in front of Pablo, who is 8th now.
"This climb was not the steepest one, so it didn't come as a surprise that we wasn't able to keep the gap that we created at the beginning of our attack. Pablo put in a great effort to pull me all the way up. But there were strong climbers in the chase as well. So we have to be happy with the small gap we had in the end. At least it was enough to come past Kandoo's Schlömilch. Who knows for what that might be useful when we have the next mountain top finish on the last day. That one will be much steeper. I hope we will be able to come closer to Blitzberger or even overtake him. But Dahlin also became a real threat. He gave me 24 seconds today and is now only 21 seconds behind me. It will be really difficult to win the overall. Of course we will try but I won't be disappointed if I'll have to settle for a podium place.", the elder brother explained at the press conference after the race.
Re: Team LunaLounge
Pablo pulls Ruben to victory
Escobar wins Giro del Trentino
Ruben Escobar won his second overall title in a stage race only one month after he triumphed at the Critérium International on Corsica. At the mountain top finish of the Giro del Trentino's last stage up to the Alpe di Pampeago only one rider was able to escape the brothers. It was Martin Dahlin who secured his 2nd stage win in the tour and came close to winning the overall. In the end only 3 seconds stood to the advantage of the elder Escobar, who led his brother over the line 18 seconds behind Dahlin.
Dahlin set his attack right at the beginning of the steep 7km climb and extended his lead second by second. Behind him Pablo gave it his all, his brother always on his wheel. One rider after the other fell tribute to their tempo until the two Columbians were on their own 1 km from the finish. Teddy Blitzeberger, who went into the stage with the leaders jersey on his shoulders, lost 55 seconds and thus fell 8 seconds behind Ruben, still enough to secure third place overall.
"It was obvious that it would come down to a fight between Dahlin, Blitzeberger and me for the general classification. Blitzeberger dropped very early. So we only had to watch Dahlin. Pablo was so strong. We had Dahlin in sight nearly all the time. But it was very painful. I suffered from the beginning to the end. I knew that the climb would be difficult. But I didn't expect it that hard. It hurt so badly. I don't remember to have suffered that way on any run onto a climb before. That was good preparation for the Giro d'Italia. I am very happy to have won here. Thanks to my brother. Thanks to the team, which was very attentive thoughout the race", Ruben said after the winners ceremony.
Also Pablo improved in the gc after the final stage. By dropping everybody on the climb he jumped from 8th to 5th place. Vietnames Khoi Nguyen, who had been a loyal domestique during the tour, finished 21st overall, 5:50 behind the winner, after he rolled in at 20th position at the top of the Alpe di Pampeago.
On the 3rd stage, apart from the opening time trial the only stage without a mountain top finish, Silvano Vazquez achieved 6th place after he attacked the main group in the flattish finale and fought it out with 10 opponent riders. Unfortunately he missed the decisive attack of Hannes Mieler (Kandoo) 6km from the finish and only had to sprint for 5th place, 8 seconds behind the lead group of 4.
The outcome of the Giro del Trentino compensates for the anger about the non-invitation to the first two Ardennes classics. The team is now hoping to at least get entry to Liège–Bastogne–Liège, that will be held on sunday.
Escobar wins Giro del Trentino
Ruben Escobar won his second overall title in a stage race only one month after he triumphed at the Critérium International on Corsica. At the mountain top finish of the Giro del Trentino's last stage up to the Alpe di Pampeago only one rider was able to escape the brothers. It was Martin Dahlin who secured his 2nd stage win in the tour and came close to winning the overall. In the end only 3 seconds stood to the advantage of the elder Escobar, who led his brother over the line 18 seconds behind Dahlin.
Dahlin set his attack right at the beginning of the steep 7km climb and extended his lead second by second. Behind him Pablo gave it his all, his brother always on his wheel. One rider after the other fell tribute to their tempo until the two Columbians were on their own 1 km from the finish. Teddy Blitzeberger, who went into the stage with the leaders jersey on his shoulders, lost 55 seconds and thus fell 8 seconds behind Ruben, still enough to secure third place overall.
"It was obvious that it would come down to a fight between Dahlin, Blitzeberger and me for the general classification. Blitzeberger dropped very early. So we only had to watch Dahlin. Pablo was so strong. We had Dahlin in sight nearly all the time. But it was very painful. I suffered from the beginning to the end. I knew that the climb would be difficult. But I didn't expect it that hard. It hurt so badly. I don't remember to have suffered that way on any run onto a climb before. That was good preparation for the Giro d'Italia. I am very happy to have won here. Thanks to my brother. Thanks to the team, which was very attentive thoughout the race", Ruben said after the winners ceremony.
Also Pablo improved in the gc after the final stage. By dropping everybody on the climb he jumped from 8th to 5th place. Vietnames Khoi Nguyen, who had been a loyal domestique during the tour, finished 21st overall, 5:50 behind the winner, after he rolled in at 20th position at the top of the Alpe di Pampeago.
On the 3rd stage, apart from the opening time trial the only stage without a mountain top finish, Silvano Vazquez achieved 6th place after he attacked the main group in the flattish finale and fought it out with 10 opponent riders. Unfortunately he missed the decisive attack of Hannes Mieler (Kandoo) 6km from the finish and only had to sprint for 5th place, 8 seconds behind the lead group of 4.
The outcome of the Giro del Trentino compensates for the anger about the non-invitation to the first two Ardennes classics. The team is now hoping to at least get entry to Liège–Bastogne–Liège, that will be held on sunday.
Re: Team LunaLounge
Milan-Sanremo winner calles it quits
Keenan O'Reileigh ends his incredible career
While most riders of the team were in Italy, racing in the Giro del Trentino, Keenan O'Reileigh announced his retirement from professional road racing after 16 seasons with Team LunaLounge on friday morning. His last race was at Höxter-Bielefeld at April 17, where he got 15th. The Barabade spent his whole career with LunaLounge and won a total of 7 races for it, beginning with Rund um Köln at the age of 24 and ending with the Route Adélie de Vitré at the beginning of his last season at an age of 36. O'Reileigh won the sprints out of small select groups as well as in bunch gallops. But he never won in small races. It always had to be at least cathegory 2. The bigger the race, the better his performance, and that of the team around him.
"I always said, I'll ride as long as the teams wants me. Over the years I became a little weak in the end, but riding in Luna colours has still motivated me till the very end. I'm proud to have ridden for this team. It was like a dream. Without them I wouldn't have won half that much. Last night they called me and asked for solving our contract, as they needed the money for a new tranfer. I didn't hesitate to free them from any contractual obligations. I am the last to keep them away from planning ahead. I am an old man, regarding to professional sport. Now I want to make room for other riders. I hope they made a good transer and I wish them all the best for the future.
Yeah, my few wins are all really big ones. It's not that I didn't want to win every race, even when they were low cathegorized. At the startline I alsways thought by myself that I very much would like to win, regardless of which race it was. But when it came down to the sprints there was however a difference. I just didn't take full risks when it was only a small race. My concentration simply wasn't the same. I let go opportunities to follow a promising back wheel and I didn't use my elbows that much. Only when I knew about the importance of a race I was fully focussed and knew exactly what to do and which gaps to jump in. It was kinda magic."
The biggest win of his career was of course the triumph at Milan-Sanremo, where he beat the sprinters' creme de la creme in a bunch sprint. But also his double success in the Italian spring season in '09 is worth mentioning. Within two days he won Milan-Torino and Giro del Piemonte, thanks to a highly motivated team, that stood behind him and worked hard to keep the sprint specialists on distance.
O'Reileigh ended his career on 40th place of the eternal world ranking of active riders and settled on rank 405 of the ranking of inactive riders. His national federation honoured him for beeing the third best ever Barabadian rider behind Zak Thompson (LunaLounge) ans Nico Magener (HDF-United) and clearly ahead of the Vuelta a Espana's sprinters jersey winner Mark Bass and Ronde winner Eddie Walloon (both LunaLounge).
"Without the team's 3 months winter break I definitely would have scored many more points. But I don't care much about those rankings. I've always been only interested in the pure results. For me the classic wins stand for themselves. I don't need a conformation by any world or national ranking or so".
His full palmares are as follows:
Apr 09 Rund um Köln
Jun 09 2nd stage Ster Elektrotoer
Aug 09 Cyclassics Hamburg
Oct 09 Milano-Torinno
Oct 09 Giro del Piemonte
Mar 10 Milano-Sanremo
Apr 10 Route Adélie de Vitré
Team's future without a sprinter?
The departure of the Barbadian progidy leaves the team without a sprinter for the moment. This tactical disadvantage already showed its effect in sunday's Ronde van Noord-Holland when the race ended in a bunch sprint. Columbian Silvano Vazquez tried to fill the hole as good as possible, but although he had Buccaneer and Nguyen by his side in the final meters he wasn't able to place better than 24th. The team had to ride the dutch race because it again didn't receive invitation to the last and biggest of the three Ardennes Classics, Luik-Bastenaken-Luik, how the flandrians call it.
Rumours go that also the team's new signing for the month of may will be no fast man for the sprints. So time will show how the LunaLounge will get by without a rider who's capable of scoring results in flat races. At least till the Giro d'Italia no new signing is planned, while after the Grand Tour some changes might be possible.
Keenan O'Reileigh ends his incredible career
While most riders of the team were in Italy, racing in the Giro del Trentino, Keenan O'Reileigh announced his retirement from professional road racing after 16 seasons with Team LunaLounge on friday morning. His last race was at Höxter-Bielefeld at April 17, where he got 15th. The Barabade spent his whole career with LunaLounge and won a total of 7 races for it, beginning with Rund um Köln at the age of 24 and ending with the Route Adélie de Vitré at the beginning of his last season at an age of 36. O'Reileigh won the sprints out of small select groups as well as in bunch gallops. But he never won in small races. It always had to be at least cathegory 2. The bigger the race, the better his performance, and that of the team around him.
"I always said, I'll ride as long as the teams wants me. Over the years I became a little weak in the end, but riding in Luna colours has still motivated me till the very end. I'm proud to have ridden for this team. It was like a dream. Without them I wouldn't have won half that much. Last night they called me and asked for solving our contract, as they needed the money for a new tranfer. I didn't hesitate to free them from any contractual obligations. I am the last to keep them away from planning ahead. I am an old man, regarding to professional sport. Now I want to make room for other riders. I hope they made a good transer and I wish them all the best for the future.
Yeah, my few wins are all really big ones. It's not that I didn't want to win every race, even when they were low cathegorized. At the startline I alsways thought by myself that I very much would like to win, regardless of which race it was. But when it came down to the sprints there was however a difference. I just didn't take full risks when it was only a small race. My concentration simply wasn't the same. I let go opportunities to follow a promising back wheel and I didn't use my elbows that much. Only when I knew about the importance of a race I was fully focussed and knew exactly what to do and which gaps to jump in. It was kinda magic."
The biggest win of his career was of course the triumph at Milan-Sanremo, where he beat the sprinters' creme de la creme in a bunch sprint. But also his double success in the Italian spring season in '09 is worth mentioning. Within two days he won Milan-Torino and Giro del Piemonte, thanks to a highly motivated team, that stood behind him and worked hard to keep the sprint specialists on distance.
O'Reileigh ended his career on 40th place of the eternal world ranking of active riders and settled on rank 405 of the ranking of inactive riders. His national federation honoured him for beeing the third best ever Barabadian rider behind Zak Thompson (LunaLounge) ans Nico Magener (HDF-United) and clearly ahead of the Vuelta a Espana's sprinters jersey winner Mark Bass and Ronde winner Eddie Walloon (both LunaLounge).
"Without the team's 3 months winter break I definitely would have scored many more points. But I don't care much about those rankings. I've always been only interested in the pure results. For me the classic wins stand for themselves. I don't need a conformation by any world or national ranking or so".
His full palmares are as follows:
Apr 09 Rund um Köln
Jun 09 2nd stage Ster Elektrotoer
Aug 09 Cyclassics Hamburg
Oct 09 Milano-Torinno
Oct 09 Giro del Piemonte
Mar 10 Milano-Sanremo
Apr 10 Route Adélie de Vitré
Team's future without a sprinter?
The departure of the Barbadian progidy leaves the team without a sprinter for the moment. This tactical disadvantage already showed its effect in sunday's Ronde van Noord-Holland when the race ended in a bunch sprint. Columbian Silvano Vazquez tried to fill the hole as good as possible, but although he had Buccaneer and Nguyen by his side in the final meters he wasn't able to place better than 24th. The team had to ride the dutch race because it again didn't receive invitation to the last and biggest of the three Ardennes Classics, Luik-Bastenaken-Luik, how the flandrians call it.
Rumours go that also the team's new signing for the month of may will be no fast man for the sprints. So time will show how the LunaLounge will get by without a rider who's capable of scoring results in flat races. At least till the Giro d'Italia no new signing is planned, while after the Grand Tour some changes might be possible.
Re: Team LunaLounge
Next rider to leave
Akoojee celebrates career end in France
Duncan Akoojee is set to end his career tomorrow at Dieppe - Rouen in northern France. The Barbade will celebrate his 40th birthday shortly after the race will be finished. It will be his 381st race for Team LunaLounge, where he spent his entire career.
Being an important team player, Akoojee seldom raced for his own ambitions. Most of the times he has been distributing water bottles from the team car to his team mates in the peloton as long as he was able to follow the pace. Many races he abondoned way before the finish line. Until that point he always has given everything he could for the team.
He experienced many successes with his squad and helped achieving a total of six first places in teams competitions. Further he'd shared in winning 4 team time trials, with the most important probably at the Tour Méditerranéen '09, where the team won the overall title for the third consecutive year.
During his 19-year-long career he hadn't achieved any single personal result. Except one. It was at that Tour Med in february '09, where he more or less accidently was the first rider to cross the line in the team time trial at the first day. As a consequence he had been called for his first and only podium time to receive the leaders jersey, what he wore for one day. An experience, that only few professional bike racers are allowed to have.
One day before his last race he sits in 3200th position of the eternal world ranking. Since he's not expected to score any more ranking points tomorrow he will settle into the world ranking of retired riders at position 9220. He will end his career as 73rd best Barbadian rider of all times, meaning that he will have beaten 16 other riders from the island.
Akoojee celebrates career end in France
Duncan Akoojee is set to end his career tomorrow at Dieppe - Rouen in northern France. The Barbade will celebrate his 40th birthday shortly after the race will be finished. It will be his 381st race for Team LunaLounge, where he spent his entire career.
Being an important team player, Akoojee seldom raced for his own ambitions. Most of the times he has been distributing water bottles from the team car to his team mates in the peloton as long as he was able to follow the pace. Many races he abondoned way before the finish line. Until that point he always has given everything he could for the team.
He experienced many successes with his squad and helped achieving a total of six first places in teams competitions. Further he'd shared in winning 4 team time trials, with the most important probably at the Tour Méditerranéen '09, where the team won the overall title for the third consecutive year.
During his 19-year-long career he hadn't achieved any single personal result. Except one. It was at that Tour Med in february '09, where he more or less accidently was the first rider to cross the line in the team time trial at the first day. As a consequence he had been called for his first and only podium time to receive the leaders jersey, what he wore for one day. An experience, that only few professional bike racers are allowed to have.
One day before his last race he sits in 3200th position of the eternal world ranking. Since he's not expected to score any more ranking points tomorrow he will settle into the world ranking of retired riders at position 9220. He will end his career as 73rd best Barbadian rider of all times, meaning that he will have beaten 16 other riders from the island.
Re: Team LunaLounge
First top 10 result for oldie Mendez
One day prior to the start of his 2nd participation in the Giro d'Italia, Mexican Guadalupe Mendez achieved his best personal result of his 16 year-long career when reaching 6th place in the slightly cobbled Croatian race Pula-Rovinj. Together with Nepalese Prithvi Gunakamadeva (Alpha Centauri) the 36 year-old formed the leading duo for more than 70km before both were caught up by the late escape group of four, that had attacked in the second last of eight finishing rounds. With a slim advantage of 2 seconds over the iBanesto led main bunch the then 6 men reached the finish line and sprinted it out, leaving poor sprinter Mendez only the 6th and last place. The race was won by Montages SG's Abdullah Shetol.
Apart from his 10th place in the prolog of the 2009 Paris-Nice, today's 6th place marks the first ever top 10 result of Mendez' career and his 6th individual result at all.
Re: Team LunaLounge
Full support for Escobar brothers
Team LunaLounge at the Giro d'Italia
On saturday of the last week the Giro d'Italia has started with an 8km prologue in Amsterdam and Team LunaLounge was on the start line. After having skipped both, the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana, it's the team's first participation in a Grand Tour after it has won the previous edition of the Giro in person of Rodrigo Escobar. While in last year Rodrigo was sole leader of the team they are now his nephews, brothers Pablo and Ruben Escobar, who share responsibility for the result in the general classification, with one beeing the better climber and the other being the better time trialist.
The first 3 stages are already done. William Pousson lies in second position overall after having achieved the same result in the prologue. In the bunch sprints of the 2 following days Silvano Vazquez reached 15th and 13th place, respectively.
Pousson lies 13 seconds behind prologue winner Konlong Zeitong (RS Walbeck) and has slight hopes of taking over the Maglia Rosa after the team time trial tomorrow. "Of course that would be a big deal for me and i guess we can take that 13 seconds from Walbeck. But Hypo has a good squad as well. So i consider Ruben Zettel as the main contender for the jersey tomorrow. But you never know. He's 26 seconds behind me. If we have a good day we maybe can keep me still in front of him", Pousson said on the rest day.
But getting someone into the overall lead that early is not the main objective for the team. The focus lies on setting a basis in the overall classification for at least one of the Escobar brothers, that they can build on. "The team time trial will bring some clarification about how we'll play our roles in the further tour", Pablo explained. "It would be good to keep us both in the game. But since we brought a good time trial team it would be a waste of strength if they spent too much time in waiting for me in case of me losing contact . I would favor a good result for Ruben over a medium time for both of us. Having him as the captain worked well in the Giro del Trentino and the Criterium International. So i have no problem in sacrificing my own chances for him. If he wins something here in the Giro, we would win it together, anyway. It doesn't matter who of us is in front. And if we fall too much behind in the later stages, than I can still go for stage wins. But that's all speculation by now. First we have to concentrate on tomorrow."
The columbian pair of brothers is supported by:
Lionel Andrés. With 27 years of age, Andrés is the youngest team member in this years Tour of Italy. The Argentinian arrived to the team in mid march as a replacement for Ramon Arriazola. His Giro participation has long been in doubt, but strong performances in one day races as well as in the stages races leading to the Giro led the management to the decision to take him aboard. His job will mainly be to stay with the brothers as long as possible and give them support in the later parts of the medium stages.
Guadalupe Mendez. The Mexican is the team's oldest participant. Being 36 years old, Mendez is the only Luna rider who also took part in last years Giro. With his huge experience he is the Capitaine de la route.
Amani Morissey. The former national champion of Barbados was 4th in the prologue. And it's his time trial ability that secured him a spot in the Giro team in view of the team time trial. After that the 32-year-old will fulfil the usual team duties.
Khoi Nguyen. The 30-year-old Vietnamese will be the last man in front for the Escobar brothers. Especially in the mountain stages he is the man, the brothers rely on. Nguyen was the first rider to be bought after the team came back from its 3 month winter break. He fills the hole that the departure of Eddie Walloon has left.
William Pousson (28), time trial specialist. The Columbian will play an important role in the team time trial. He got 2nd in thr prologue. And if he's still there after 3 weeks he will try to better that result in the individual time trial on the last day.
Harald Umwerfer. The 31-year-old Austrian is expected not to finish the Giro. The mountains will simply be too high for him, in altitude as well as in numbers. But he can contribute to the work in the team time trial. That's why he's in the team. As long as he manages to stay inside the time limits he will carry water bottles and keep his team mates out of the wind.
Silvano Vazquez. Beneath Pousson and the Escobars the 31 year-old is the 4th Columbian on the team. He plays a sort of a joker role in this year's Giro team. He can set tempo over long distances. In medium stages he can be a factor in the race finales. And since the team arrived without a pure sprint specialist he is also the man for the bunch sprints, always good for a result in the top 15.
The team would be pleased with achieving an overall podium result but is hoping to be able to defend the title of last year. "It's not easy to plan ahead a victory in a grand tour. Many things can happen in 3 weeks and everything has to fit together perfectly. You also need some luck in several situations. If we'll have the opportunity to go for the overall win we will try to use it. But we will take it day by day. We will not be angry if we come out of the Giro with a stage win, instead of the overall", Ruben explained the goals of the team.
Team LunaLounge at the Giro d'Italia
On saturday of the last week the Giro d'Italia has started with an 8km prologue in Amsterdam and Team LunaLounge was on the start line. After having skipped both, the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana, it's the team's first participation in a Grand Tour after it has won the previous edition of the Giro in person of Rodrigo Escobar. While in last year Rodrigo was sole leader of the team they are now his nephews, brothers Pablo and Ruben Escobar, who share responsibility for the result in the general classification, with one beeing the better climber and the other being the better time trialist.
The first 3 stages are already done. William Pousson lies in second position overall after having achieved the same result in the prologue. In the bunch sprints of the 2 following days Silvano Vazquez reached 15th and 13th place, respectively.
Pousson lies 13 seconds behind prologue winner Konlong Zeitong (RS Walbeck) and has slight hopes of taking over the Maglia Rosa after the team time trial tomorrow. "Of course that would be a big deal for me and i guess we can take that 13 seconds from Walbeck. But Hypo has a good squad as well. So i consider Ruben Zettel as the main contender for the jersey tomorrow. But you never know. He's 26 seconds behind me. If we have a good day we maybe can keep me still in front of him", Pousson said on the rest day.
But getting someone into the overall lead that early is not the main objective for the team. The focus lies on setting a basis in the overall classification for at least one of the Escobar brothers, that they can build on. "The team time trial will bring some clarification about how we'll play our roles in the further tour", Pablo explained. "It would be good to keep us both in the game. But since we brought a good time trial team it would be a waste of strength if they spent too much time in waiting for me in case of me losing contact . I would favor a good result for Ruben over a medium time for both of us. Having him as the captain worked well in the Giro del Trentino and the Criterium International. So i have no problem in sacrificing my own chances for him. If he wins something here in the Giro, we would win it together, anyway. It doesn't matter who of us is in front. And if we fall too much behind in the later stages, than I can still go for stage wins. But that's all speculation by now. First we have to concentrate on tomorrow."
The columbian pair of brothers is supported by:
Lionel Andrés. With 27 years of age, Andrés is the youngest team member in this years Tour of Italy. The Argentinian arrived to the team in mid march as a replacement for Ramon Arriazola. His Giro participation has long been in doubt, but strong performances in one day races as well as in the stages races leading to the Giro led the management to the decision to take him aboard. His job will mainly be to stay with the brothers as long as possible and give them support in the later parts of the medium stages.
Guadalupe Mendez. The Mexican is the team's oldest participant. Being 36 years old, Mendez is the only Luna rider who also took part in last years Giro. With his huge experience he is the Capitaine de la route.
Amani Morissey. The former national champion of Barbados was 4th in the prologue. And it's his time trial ability that secured him a spot in the Giro team in view of the team time trial. After that the 32-year-old will fulfil the usual team duties.
Khoi Nguyen. The 30-year-old Vietnamese will be the last man in front for the Escobar brothers. Especially in the mountain stages he is the man, the brothers rely on. Nguyen was the first rider to be bought after the team came back from its 3 month winter break. He fills the hole that the departure of Eddie Walloon has left.
William Pousson (28), time trial specialist. The Columbian will play an important role in the team time trial. He got 2nd in thr prologue. And if he's still there after 3 weeks he will try to better that result in the individual time trial on the last day.
Harald Umwerfer. The 31-year-old Austrian is expected not to finish the Giro. The mountains will simply be too high for him, in altitude as well as in numbers. But he can contribute to the work in the team time trial. That's why he's in the team. As long as he manages to stay inside the time limits he will carry water bottles and keep his team mates out of the wind.
Silvano Vazquez. Beneath Pousson and the Escobars the 31 year-old is the 4th Columbian on the team. He plays a sort of a joker role in this year's Giro team. He can set tempo over long distances. In medium stages he can be a factor in the race finales. And since the team arrived without a pure sprint specialist he is also the man for the bunch sprints, always good for a result in the top 15.
The team would be pleased with achieving an overall podium result but is hoping to be able to defend the title of last year. "It's not easy to plan ahead a victory in a grand tour. Many things can happen in 3 weeks and everything has to fit together perfectly. You also need some luck in several situations. If we'll have the opportunity to go for the overall win we will try to use it. But we will take it day by day. We will not be angry if we come out of the Giro with a stage win, instead of the overall", Ruben explained the goals of the team.
Re: Team LunaLounge
Pousson misses Maglia Rosa by 2 seconds
Team content with 3rd place in Giro team time trial
Team LunaLounge showed a solid performance at the team time trial of the Giro's first stage on Italian soil yesterday when it reached 3rd place behind RC Hypo and Ansach. Although setting a steady tempo from the beginning both Escobars, especially Pablo, were able to keep with the group and take some good time out of most of their gc rivals. Only the very last km was a bit chaotic when William Pousson pulled so hard that the team nearly fell apart. He did it in hope for getting into the overall lead but dropped Pablo in the final curves, leaving him 9 seconds behind.
"I'm really sorry for Pablo and the team. It was not our plan to drop him. But I knew I was close to getting the pink jersey. I would have loved to get it and I just couldn't stay calm when we reached Cuneo", Pousson tried to explain his action at the final meters. "I hope that 9 seconds won't become too important later in the race."
Pablo didn't take it too serious, expressing his satisfaction with the result. "Well, it was a very good ride. I didn't expect to keep up nearly 'til the end. Now I'm in a very good position. We both are, Ruben and me. I think we can cope with that few seconds I have lost there. I would have granted him that success of taking over the jersey. I honestly feel a little bit sorry for William. It's a pity he missed it by only 2 seconds"
While Pablo showed understanding for the rush of Pousson, Ruben was more angry about the happenings of the final km. "We rode so good the whole race. There was absolutely no need to hurry that way. I shouted on William to wait for Pablo. But he didn't want to hear. Having the jersey now would have been so unimportant. I just wanted to finish together with Pablo but William did his own thing".
But after a while even Ruben calmed down and saw the good things of the day. "It all could have been worse. Beforehand we feared losing Pablo early. Than there wouldn't have been much tactical options left for us. Now we're still both up there. The team rode well. I appreciate that. Pablo was good. He kept up with us although we wasn't particularly slow. All in all it was a very good result. Yes, I am content now. I've just been a little bit irritated right after the finish."
Team content with 3rd place in Giro team time trial
Team LunaLounge showed a solid performance at the team time trial of the Giro's first stage on Italian soil yesterday when it reached 3rd place behind RC Hypo and Ansach. Although setting a steady tempo from the beginning both Escobars, especially Pablo, were able to keep with the group and take some good time out of most of their gc rivals. Only the very last km was a bit chaotic when William Pousson pulled so hard that the team nearly fell apart. He did it in hope for getting into the overall lead but dropped Pablo in the final curves, leaving him 9 seconds behind.
"I'm really sorry for Pablo and the team. It was not our plan to drop him. But I knew I was close to getting the pink jersey. I would have loved to get it and I just couldn't stay calm when we reached Cuneo", Pousson tried to explain his action at the final meters. "I hope that 9 seconds won't become too important later in the race."
Pablo didn't take it too serious, expressing his satisfaction with the result. "Well, it was a very good ride. I didn't expect to keep up nearly 'til the end. Now I'm in a very good position. We both are, Ruben and me. I think we can cope with that few seconds I have lost there. I would have granted him that success of taking over the jersey. I honestly feel a little bit sorry for William. It's a pity he missed it by only 2 seconds"
While Pablo showed understanding for the rush of Pousson, Ruben was more angry about the happenings of the final km. "We rode so good the whole race. There was absolutely no need to hurry that way. I shouted on William to wait for Pablo. But he didn't want to hear. Having the jersey now would have been so unimportant. I just wanted to finish together with Pablo but William did his own thing".
But after a while even Ruben calmed down and saw the good things of the day. "It all could have been worse. Beforehand we feared losing Pablo early. Than there wouldn't have been much tactical options left for us. Now we're still both up there. The team rode well. I appreciate that. Pablo was good. He kept up with us although we wasn't particularly slow. All in all it was a very good result. Yes, I am content now. I've just been a little bit irritated right after the finish."
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