24 Benni
Stefano Benni won the Mbabane GP in Swaziland. The 35 year old by now Team FL superstar could celebrate his 20th career victory.
It was a long time when Team FL was facing Alkworld as an opponent. Today it was the morning reunion, maybe one of the last ones for Stefano Benni, but for sure the first one for Vikkelä Ville. The latter then had to practise from the beginning and later when also Alkworld attacked out of the peloton. Ville did well and while he could slow down after the profile got steeper, it was time for the other riders to put Benni in a good position for the finish. At the end when the most part of the main group was left behind, it was only Santander and Fellers who were able to stay in front with Benni. 10 km before the finish line Benni got rid of them too and could celebrate a solo win. It was his 20th career victory after he could not succeed during the Tour de France. Already 35, the Team FL management is a bit helpless what to do after Stefano Benni will retire as neither Antiga nor Flachbart seem to be able to reach his cycling skills.
Team FL
Moderator: englishmods
Re: Team FL
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Island in the sun.
After an intense Tour month and two victories in August, Team FL will be on vacation for the next two weeks on an Island in the sun (hopefully). The next race will be most probably Tre Valli or Hamburg. Until then, the team management wishes almost everybody nice two weeks. Have fun, look cool.
Ah yes, 6 August 2013 would have been 7 years Team FL. What a time wasting machine this game is...
And Edith says, Benni won a race yesterday... Dammit, too much stress here... I really need these vacations.
After an intense Tour month and two victories in August, Team FL will be on vacation for the next two weeks on an Island in the sun (hopefully). The next race will be most probably Tre Valli or Hamburg. Until then, the team management wishes almost everybody nice two weeks. Have fun, look cool.
Ah yes, 6 August 2013 would have been 7 years Team FL. What a time wasting machine this game is...
And Edith says, Benni won a race yesterday... Dammit, too much stress here... I really need these vacations.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Kowalski on deer hunt
Tomasz Kowalski celebrates his first race win at stage two at the Tour of Alberta form Devon to Red Deer
In his second day in escape in Canada, Tomasz Kowalski wins stage two from Devon to Red Deer out of an early group. While Gracés from Auxilium Torino is now first in the GC, Tomasz waits for his Chance on place 2. Janis Smedins, who helped big time for Tomasz' stage win got fourth and is wearing the white jersey, and if it is only because Gracés is wearing yellow at the moment. In the end, the decisive factor was Equipe Mathematique who was not willing to defend yellow and go for a bunch sprint. Although CircleCycle offered help, the group with Kowalski and Smedins arrived one minute in front of the peloton. For tomorrow's stage, this means that Team FL has to save some power for the rather difficult Sunday stage. So far, with the stage win the team management is very happy with the team's performance in Canada.
Tomasz Kowalski celebrates his first race win at stage two at the Tour of Alberta form Devon to Red Deer
In his second day in escape in Canada, Tomasz Kowalski wins stage two from Devon to Red Deer out of an early group. While Gracés from Auxilium Torino is now first in the GC, Tomasz waits for his Chance on place 2. Janis Smedins, who helped big time for Tomasz' stage win got fourth and is wearing the white jersey, and if it is only because Gracés is wearing yellow at the moment. In the end, the decisive factor was Equipe Mathematique who was not willing to defend yellow and go for a bunch sprint. Although CircleCycle offered help, the group with Kowalski and Smedins arrived one minute in front of the peloton. For tomorrow's stage, this means that Team FL has to save some power for the rather difficult Sunday stage. So far, with the stage win the team management is very happy with the team's performance in Canada.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Roy with a threesome
After RfM called the groups at the Settimana Lombarda "fucking groups", the team management decided that Roy has a threesome today, being leader in the general, points and mountain classement.
Usually something "dirty", this time it's something good and (yet) clean: the jerseys for the threesome of jerseys Roy Lichtenstein could be wearing during tomorrow's second stage of the Settimana Lombarda after his stage win. Led by playmaker Hugo Marxer, the team was playing with a cautious offensive strategy. When the opponent was least expecting something, the forwards made their strike: Vikkelä Ville and Arunas Paulauskas attacked for the stage win when Abarth Spartans made a farmer out of it. Then during the last 20km, when the main group was together again, Victor Fargas and Jan Flachbart set their next pinprick (or whatever it's called in english). In the end, Victor tried it alone only to be caught by the tour favorites at the last km, fortunately overtaken first by Roy Lichtenstein who won the stage one second in front of the Apish Duo of Momyshuly and Primoz. The winning goal in during the last minute! 1:0 Team FL! Two more to go...
After RfM called the groups at the Settimana Lombarda "fucking groups", the team management decided that Roy has a threesome today, being leader in the general, points and mountain classement.
Usually something "dirty", this time it's something good and (yet) clean: the jerseys for the threesome of jerseys Roy Lichtenstein could be wearing during tomorrow's second stage of the Settimana Lombarda after his stage win. Led by playmaker Hugo Marxer, the team was playing with a cautious offensive strategy. When the opponent was least expecting something, the forwards made their strike: Vikkelä Ville and Arunas Paulauskas attacked for the stage win when Abarth Spartans made a farmer out of it. Then during the last 20km, when the main group was together again, Victor Fargas and Jan Flachbart set their next pinprick (or whatever it's called in english). In the end, Victor tried it alone only to be caught by the tour favorites at the last km, fortunately overtaken first by Roy Lichtenstein who won the stage one second in front of the Apish Duo of Momyshuly and Primoz. The winning goal in during the last minute! 1:0 Team FL! Two more to go...
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Of Roses and Deers
While Martti Rosenblatt won his first race at the Tour of China, the Canadian rider Lars Hirschfeld joined Team FL in October. The team management welcomes this development and hopes that the young ones can confirm their "take over" from the old also for the rest of the year.
For the first time, Team FL joined the Tour of China. While for the GC, Tomasz Kowalski tried to get a decent placement, for the stages, it were mainly Joe Friesenbichler and Martti Rosenblatt who were responsible for good results. Of course the other team member tried their luck in escapes, but the short stages and the fight for red - which Fargas joined with two days wearing the mountain jersey - made it too easy for the favorites to control the race. Anyway, in the end, Kowalski got overall 5th in the GC and Martti Rosenblatt was able to win a stage, to everybody's surprise. In the end, it was worth riding the tour both regarding placements and financially.
Now that September is over, it was due time for new blood in the team. And no, Team FL does not butcher animals for that, Team FL looks for it figuratively, it form of talented young cyclists all over the world. Its latest "acquisition" is Lars Hirschfeld from Edmonton in Alberta, Canada. The scouts described him as open minded, strong willed rider with skills for hilly races. Although he seems to be afraid of heights, esp. in downhills. He should fill the gap the team will have in the classic rider part when Stefano Benni and Stéphane Antiga leave the team. Anyway, his skills:
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Lars Hirschfeld, 21, Hill Specialist, Canada
56-74-50-53-55, Pavé 68, Reg 35
While Martti Rosenblatt won his first race at the Tour of China, the Canadian rider Lars Hirschfeld joined Team FL in October. The team management welcomes this development and hopes that the young ones can confirm their "take over" from the old also for the rest of the year.
For the first time, Team FL joined the Tour of China. While for the GC, Tomasz Kowalski tried to get a decent placement, for the stages, it were mainly Joe Friesenbichler and Martti Rosenblatt who were responsible for good results. Of course the other team member tried their luck in escapes, but the short stages and the fight for red - which Fargas joined with two days wearing the mountain jersey - made it too easy for the favorites to control the race. Anyway, in the end, Kowalski got overall 5th in the GC and Martti Rosenblatt was able to win a stage, to everybody's surprise. In the end, it was worth riding the tour both regarding placements and financially.
Now that September is over, it was due time for new blood in the team. And no, Team FL does not butcher animals for that, Team FL looks for it figuratively, it form of talented young cyclists all over the world. Its latest "acquisition" is Lars Hirschfeld from Edmonton in Alberta, Canada. The scouts described him as open minded, strong willed rider with skills for hilly races. Although he seems to be afraid of heights, esp. in downhills. He should fill the gap the team will have in the classic rider part when Stefano Benni and Stéphane Antiga leave the team. Anyway, his skills:
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Lars Hirschfeld, 21, Hill Specialist, Canada56-74-50-53-55, Pavé 68, Reg 35
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Hugo Marxer rocks Beijing
Jan Flachbart had not entry in his palmares before the Tour of Beijing. Now he has two: one stage win and one stage race win. Additionally, Joe Friesenbichler added one stage win too for his palmares at the final stage of Beijing.
It's all Hugo Marxer's fault. Again, some would say. First he was lend to the team Alkworld only to do his famous tactical move, the "Hugo Marxer" with Panza and Azana, then he flew back to China to support Team FL, only to serve Jan Flachbart the yellow jersey on a silver plate. Was this a jointly executed "Hugo Marxer" then? Anyway, the Team FL management does not care but is grateful to have such a tactical genius for its team. It's just not understandable how a team like Petit Singe could have let go such a cycling "institution". But Hugo Marxer seemed to be happy to be back in China, nevertheless. Although it was not Shanghai but the capital. Obviously, Hugo Marxer was so happy, that he not only planned the Flachbart's GC success, but also Joe Friesenbichlers victorious sprint at the final stage. Thus, he left with mixed feelings, able to retur to his home country but leaving lots of good memories.
Jan Flachbart had not entry in his palmares before the Tour of Beijing. Now he has two: one stage win and one stage race win. Additionally, Joe Friesenbichler added one stage win too for his palmares at the final stage of Beijing.
It's all Hugo Marxer's fault. Again, some would say. First he was lend to the team Alkworld only to do his famous tactical move, the "Hugo Marxer" with Panza and Azana, then he flew back to China to support Team FL, only to serve Jan Flachbart the yellow jersey on a silver plate. Was this a jointly executed "Hugo Marxer" then? Anyway, the Team FL management does not care but is grateful to have such a tactical genius for its team. It's just not understandable how a team like Petit Singe could have let go such a cycling "institution". But Hugo Marxer seemed to be happy to be back in China, nevertheless. Although it was not Shanghai but the capital. Obviously, Hugo Marxer was so happy, that he not only planned the Flachbart's GC success, but also Joe Friesenbichlers victorious sprint at the final stage. Thus, he left with mixed feelings, able to retur to his home country but leaving lots of good memories.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Friesenbichler wins GP de Dunkerque
On Friday, Joe Friesenbichler won his fourth race in his career. Furthermore GP de Dunkerque was the third race win for Team FL in October.
Hugo Marxer told him he could win it. Joe Friesenbichler did not belive it truly until the very end of the race. Then he looked out for the tactical adviser and hugged him, sweaty as he was. Hugo was lucky to have a second shirt in the team car. Anyway it was Joe's fourth career win and a good start in the second half of October. And it was again a Hugo Marxer masterpiece. Hopefully, this winning strike and Hugo Marxer right touch will last for the rest of the month (and of course further on). Next big event for Team FL will be the Sachsen Pavés, where the Liechtenstein cycling team has to defend the title from last year, when Kari Steinsson won the East German stage race made for pavé specialists.
On Friday, Joe Friesenbichler won his fourth race in his career. Furthermore GP de Dunkerque was the third race win for Team FL in October.
Hugo Marxer told him he could win it. Joe Friesenbichler did not belive it truly until the very end of the race. Then he looked out for the tactical adviser and hugged him, sweaty as he was. Hugo was lucky to have a second shirt in the team car. Anyway it was Joe's fourth career win and a good start in the second half of October. And it was again a Hugo Marxer masterpiece. Hopefully, this winning strike and Hugo Marxer right touch will last for the rest of the month (and of course further on). Next big event for Team FL will be the Sachsen Pavés, where the Liechtenstein cycling team has to defend the title from last year, when Kari Steinsson won the East German stage race made for pavé specialists.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Feast in the East
...at least Feast in the former "Eastern European" part, before 1990: Last week, Vikkelä Ville won the youth classement at the Sachsen Pavés while the rest of the team was quite average. And on Sunday, Jan Flachbart won the Czech NC, quite surprisingly.
Team FL started at the Sachen Pavés traditionally with a more than average line-up to earn quite average results: While Wilhelm "Vikkelä Ville" Wahlforss did well and won the youth classement and almost a stage, Janis Smedins or Arunas Paulauskas mainly had to applause their opponents, at the end of stage as well as at the end of the stage race. Anyway, it was fun again, although a bit too easy for a specialised pavé stage race. Team FL now looks forward to the Tour des Pavés in January 2014. In the meantime, the mentioned rider have still time to improve their skills (or to fail at it...). While the Team FL flat and pavé cracks headed to Saxonia lst week, Jan Flachbart hat enough time to relax and train at home in the Czech Republic. Hence he was well prepared for the national championships that took place yesterday. Very surprisingly, his early attempt was almost unchallenged and consequently he won it with ease. It is the first NC title for a Team FL rider outside Liechtenstein (hail King Küng).
...at least Feast in the former "Eastern European" part, before 1990: Last week, Vikkelä Ville won the youth classement at the Sachsen Pavés while the rest of the team was quite average. And on Sunday, Jan Flachbart won the Czech NC, quite surprisingly.
Team FL started at the Sachen Pavés traditionally with a more than average line-up to earn quite average results: While Wilhelm "Vikkelä Ville" Wahlforss did well and won the youth classement and almost a stage, Janis Smedins or Arunas Paulauskas mainly had to applause their opponents, at the end of stage as well as at the end of the stage race. Anyway, it was fun again, although a bit too easy for a specialised pavé stage race. Team FL now looks forward to the Tour des Pavés in January 2014. In the meantime, the mentioned rider have still time to improve their skills (or to fail at it...). While the Team FL flat and pavé cracks headed to Saxonia lst week, Jan Flachbart hat enough time to relax and train at home in the Czech Republic. Hence he was well prepared for the national championships that took place yesterday. Very surprisingly, his early attempt was almost unchallenged and consequently he won it with ease. It is the first NC title for a Team FL rider outside Liechtenstein (hail King Küng).
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Bye Bye Benni
Stefano Benni leaves Team FL. The rider that broke every record of the Liechtenstein cycling team retires from active cycling with this step. Liechtenstein is sad. Very sad. Buhuuuu!
... Wähhhhh! Anyway *sniff*, the Italian classic specialist did things, nobody was dreaming of when he joined Team FL in June 2012. Straight away, he showed his talent, one the youth classement at Correze in August the same year, two stages at Denmark and as the climate of his young career: the Giro di Lombardia, a monument of cycling. He continued in 2013 what he began in 2012. He won stages at the Tour Down Under and began to win points classements too now and got very good placements in the GC of stage races. His podiums at classic races like Omloop or la Doyenne only underline his success at these kind of races. And indeed, he won la classicissima, Milano - San Remo in March 2013, another Italian monument. Already then, his star shone high above every other rider ever riding for Team FL, even cult riders like Stefan Küng or Luigi Mastrangelo. But his masterpiece, besides his to monuments, was the Giro 2013 where he did not only win two stage but also the points classement. He won almost everything an Italian rider could dream of.
Contrary to his stardom he was a very sociable person who was very popular among his team mates. And he was not only famous for his victories but also his afterraceparties. Finally there is only to add that with 17'667 eternal points in 276 races he also outbursts these two Team FL records. Special thanks also go to Hugo Marxer, who was accompanying Stefano's career, even when he was working in China. And of course thanks to Xaver Unsinn, who was the second part of the well-known duo "Bennsinn". After all, the team management his happy to announce that Stefano Benni will continue to work for Team FL as an assisten to Hugo Marxer. We are sure, he will do well and maybe take over Hugo's part in the future, when the Liechtenstein "Taktifuchs" has other goals.
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Stefano Benni, 37, Hill Specialist
Best Skills: 75-82-77-57-65, 72.5 Pavé, 38 Reg
Bought: 01.06.2012
Retired: 30.10.2013
Races: 276
Race wins: 21 (incl. Lombardia, MSR)
Points classements: 6 (incl. Giro, Romandie, Down Under, EAT)
Youth classement: 1
Eternal points: 17'667
In the meantime, Eddie Sixpence won the last stage of the Scotland tour and the mountain classement (edior's note).
Stefano Benni leaves Team FL. The rider that broke every record of the Liechtenstein cycling team retires from active cycling with this step. Liechtenstein is sad. Very sad. Buhuuuu!
... Wähhhhh! Anyway *sniff*, the Italian classic specialist did things, nobody was dreaming of when he joined Team FL in June 2012. Straight away, he showed his talent, one the youth classement at Correze in August the same year, two stages at Denmark and as the climate of his young career: the Giro di Lombardia, a monument of cycling. He continued in 2013 what he began in 2012. He won stages at the Tour Down Under and began to win points classements too now and got very good placements in the GC of stage races. His podiums at classic races like Omloop or la Doyenne only underline his success at these kind of races. And indeed, he won la classicissima, Milano - San Remo in March 2013, another Italian monument. Already then, his star shone high above every other rider ever riding for Team FL, even cult riders like Stefan Küng or Luigi Mastrangelo. But his masterpiece, besides his to monuments, was the Giro 2013 where he did not only win two stage but also the points classement. He won almost everything an Italian rider could dream of.
Contrary to his stardom he was a very sociable person who was very popular among his team mates. And he was not only famous for his victories but also his afterraceparties. Finally there is only to add that with 17'667 eternal points in 276 races he also outbursts these two Team FL records. Special thanks also go to Hugo Marxer, who was accompanying Stefano's career, even when he was working in China. And of course thanks to Xaver Unsinn, who was the second part of the well-known duo "Bennsinn". After all, the team management his happy to announce that Stefano Benni will continue to work for Team FL as an assisten to Hugo Marxer. We are sure, he will do well and maybe take over Hugo's part in the future, when the Liechtenstein "Taktifuchs" has other goals.
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Stefano Benni, 37, Hill SpecialistBest Skills: 75-82-77-57-65, 72.5 Pavé, 38 Reg
Bought: 01.06.2012
Retired: 30.10.2013
Races: 276
Race wins: 21 (incl. Lombardia, MSR)
Points classements: 6 (incl. Giro, Romandie, Down Under, EAT)
Youth classement: 1
Eternal points: 17'667
In the meantime, Eddie Sixpence won the last stage of the Scotland tour and the mountain classement (edior's note).
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
-
sylvainmeteo
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2010 1:50 pm
- Location: Vaucluse, France
- Contact:
Re: Team FL
Very great rider, nice career from him 
Team : SM Team
Victoires d'étape : 374 ; dont les 5 monuments et les 3 GTs !
Hall of Fame : Katrasnik: 26724 pts
Victoires d'étape : 374 ; dont les 5 monuments et les 3 GTs !
Hall of Fame : Katrasnik: 26724 pts
Re: Team FL
TEAM FL SHORTNEWS:
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20 November 13: Roy Lichtenstein wins in Indonesia
Roy Lichtenstein wins the one day race Dieng Kulon - Dieng Kulon in Indonesia. On the hard course, he won the final sprint after the assistance of Eddie Sixpence who got 5th in the end.
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01 November 13: Young blood for Team FL
For November, Deisdieriu Vatca from Bucarest, Romania and Ariel Weisman from Tel Aviv, Israel join Team FL as future prospects (skills after three trainings:
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Desideriu Vatca, 21, Flat Specialist, Romania
49-76-50-51-54, Pavé 70, Reg 39
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Ariel Weisman, 21, Helper, Israel
49-74-75-53-54, Pavé 66, Reg 53
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20 November 13: Roy Lichtenstein wins in Indonesia
Roy Lichtenstein wins the one day race Dieng Kulon - Dieng Kulon in Indonesia. On the hard course, he won the final sprint after the assistance of Eddie Sixpence who got 5th in the end.
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01 November 13: Young blood for Team FL
For November, Deisdieriu Vatca from Bucarest, Romania and Ariel Weisman from Tel Aviv, Israel join Team FL as future prospects (skills after three trainings:
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Desideriu Vatca, 21, Flat Specialist, Romania49-76-50-51-54, Pavé 70, Reg 39
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Ariel Weisman, 21, Helper, Israel49-74-75-53-54, Pavé 66, Reg 53
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Smedins dances Samba on brasilan cobbles
Janis Smedins wins the brasilian race from Ubatuba to Paraty. On the final pavé parts, he left everybody else behind him and finished first, while Wahlforss and Paulauskas "paved" the way for him before the last km.
The young Team FL Pavé generation was still without a race win. Although Vikkelä Ville Wahlforss did well at the Sachsen Pavés, he and his two Pavémates Arunas Paulauskas and Janis Smedins (the three of them also referred to as the "FL army")were still waiting for their first victory. This changed today, at least for Janis, when he won the race from Ubatuba to Paraty in Brasil. After a hilly part the three of them together with the help of Victor Fargas, Jan Flachbart and Tomasz Kowalski could shorten the gap to the front group well enough for Janis to overtake everybody until after the last pavé part and celebrate a solo win. Behind Janis, Ville and Arunas placed themselves also among the top20. The team management is of course happy with the result and looks forward to the Tour des Pavés and the spring classics. But until then it's still a lot of time and a lot to do. Hopefully the December Tour will be on of the things on the list.
Janis Smedins wins the brasilian race from Ubatuba to Paraty. On the final pavé parts, he left everybody else behind him and finished first, while Wahlforss and Paulauskas "paved" the way for him before the last km.
The young Team FL Pavé generation was still without a race win. Although Vikkelä Ville Wahlforss did well at the Sachsen Pavés, he and his two Pavémates Arunas Paulauskas and Janis Smedins (the three of them also referred to as the "FL army")were still waiting for their first victory. This changed today, at least for Janis, when he won the race from Ubatuba to Paraty in Brasil. After a hilly part the three of them together with the help of Victor Fargas, Jan Flachbart and Tomasz Kowalski could shorten the gap to the front group well enough for Janis to overtake everybody until after the last pavé part and celebrate a solo win. Behind Janis, Ville and Arunas placed themselves also among the top20. The team management is of course happy with the result and looks forward to the Tour des Pavés and the spring classics. But until then it's still a lot of time and a lot to do. Hopefully the December Tour will be on of the things on the list.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Henri Bienvenu retired. Good luck bla bla, Hugo Marxer.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Team FL Rückblick 2013
As every year, Team FL presents a review of the past cycling year, as usual in German (because of the lazy Press Center). At the end of the review you can see the nominations for the Team FL rider of the year incl. the link to vote for your favorite.
Vorgeplänkel
Zum ersten Mal überhaupt nahm das Team FL an einer Rundfahrt teil, die man in Eigenregie (in Kooperation mit Takashi Murakami) ausgearbeitet hat. Die East African Tour 2013 war also gleich eines der grossen Highlights des Jahres. Mit drei Etappensiegen (zweimal Ollé Ollé und einmal Unsinn) und dem Dreifachgewinn des grünen Trikots des Punktebesten durch Stefano Benni, gefolgt von Ollé Ollé und Unsinn, war EAT insbesondere ein finanzieller Erfolg.
Im Anschluss an EAT fuhr man die traditionelle Tour des Pavés, zum ersten Mal anstelle der Sachsen Pavés im Januar. Gemeinsam mit den Steinsson-Zwilligen stellte sich das Team FL der Herausforderung auf Kopfsteinpflaster. Ein Sprintpunkt entschied am Ende die Rundfahrt, leider nicht für das Team FL…
Die dritte Tour-Teilnahme im Januar, gleichzeitig der erste Bewerb der World Tour, wurde in Australien bei der Tour Down Under zelebriert. Obwohl Benni um 10 Sekunden den Gesamtsieg verpasste, konnte er dennoch eine Etappe und das Punkteklassement für sich entscheiden.
Resultat der vielen Rundfahrten war die erste Topplatzierung in RSF seit der Gründung des Teams FL am 3. Februar 2013 um ca. 11.00 Uhr, für rund fünf Stunden. Gleichzeitig überschritt das Team FL am 7. Februar 2013 die Grenze von 150‘000 ewigen Punkten. Insgesamt wurden dafür 1‘245 Rennen benötigt seit der Gründung im August 2006.
„Bennsinn“ und Ollé Ollé waren die Sieggaranten der ersten beiden Monate 2013. Auch im Oman gewann Ollé Ollé zwei Etappen, während Roy Lichtenstein die Jungfahrerwertung abräumte und das Team FL die Teamwertung für sich entscheiden konnte. Aufgrund der tollen beiden Monate und der überragenden Teamleitung von Hugo Marxer gewann das Team FL im Februar 2013 zum ersten Mal seit der Gründung den Division 1 Titel.
Klassikerfrühling
Der Start in den März erfolgte mit der prestigeträchtigen Rundfahrt Paris-Nizza, leider ohne Etappensieg. Zwar war man immer nah dran, aber „Bennsinn“ hatten kein Glück. So verlor Unsinn auch noch das Grüne Trikot auf der zweiletzten Etappe, vor dem abschliessenden Zeitfahren. Ganz anders bei den Frühjahrsklassikern: War Benni bei Omloop Het Volk noch geschlagener zweiter, so gewann er in herausragender Manier mit Mailand – San Remo sein zweites Monument nach der Lombardeirundfahrt 2012.
Der Start in die Belgischen Klassiker verlief dann wieder durchzogen. Harelbeke und Dwars door Vlaanderen konnten leider erst nicht zu Ende gefahren werden. Bei Gent – Wevelgem und der Ronde van Vlaanderen belegten Jean Ollé Ollé bzw. Arni Steinsson wenigstens jeweils einen Podiumsplatz (2. bzw. 3.). Dafür verliefen die Drei Tage von De Panne sehr erfreulich, da Kari Steinsson das Gesamtklassement für sich entscheiden konnte. Der etwas ältere der Steinsson Zwillinge setzte im April dann noch einen drauf und gewann erst den Scheldeprijs und anschliessend nach Gilles Braas als zweiter Fahrer des Teams FL die Hölle des Nordens: Paris – Roubaix.
Der zweite Klassikerblock im April startete mit einem Sieg von Stefano Benni beim Halbklassiker De Brabantse Pijl. Nächster Höhepunkt war das Amstel Gold Race, dass allerdings als Nullnummer abgeschrieben werden musste. Auch aus diesem Grund verzichtete man auf die Fleche Wallonne und bereitete sich beim Giro del Trentino auf LBL und den richtigen Giro vor, und dass recht erfolgreich. Neben zwei Podiumsplätzen im GK gewannen Sixpence Weiss, Benni Grün, und das Team selbst das Teamklassement. Als i-Tüpfelchen hätte Stefano Benni fast Lüttich-Bastogne-Lüttich gewonnen, verlor aber den Zielsprint unglücklich und verpasste sein drittes Monument hauchdünn – das einzige, das noch in der Team FL Sammlung fehlt…
Ende April stand mit der Tour de Romandie ein weiteres WT-Rennen vor dem Giro an. Im GC ohne grosse Chancen gewann Stefano Benni dafür gleich die erste Etappe nach dem Prolog. Sein 15 Etappensieg; Rekord für das Team FL. Durch einen weiteren Etappensieg sicherte er sich zudem das Punktetrikot. Wie bei Trentino konnte auch der Sieg in der Teamwertung gefeiert werden.
Giro
Der Giro d’Italia startete 2013 nach einem Jahr aussetzen wie gewohnt nachmittags. Doppelspitze Eddie Sixpence und Roy Lichtenstein für das GK und die Berge, Stefano Benni für die mittelschweren Etappen und das Punkteklassement lauteten die Optionen. Benni legte gleich gut los mit zwei Etappensiegen in der ersten Girowoche. Dabei blieb es dann allerdings auch, trotz weiterer guter Chancen, auch in der eher bescheidenen zweiten Girowoche. Mit einem satten Vorsprung im hübschen Maglia Rossa ging es in die Berg, wo Eddie und Roy, na, eben nicht viel erreichten, ausser die GK Plätze 8 und 9 zu festigen. Dafür zeigte sich Victor Fargas in der letzten Girowoche von seiner Glanzseite und schraubte das Etappensiegkonto auf insgesamt vier für das Team FL. Im Endeffekt wurden die Ziele erreicht, es wäre jedoch mehr möglich gewesen, insbesondere in den Bergen. Trotzdem kann der Giro 2013 als Erfolg verbucht werden, insbesondere und überraschend auch finanziell.
Anschliessend an den Giro folgte die Teilnahme an der Tour de Suisse, deren Strecke sogar direkt am Hauptquartier des Teams FL vorbeiführte. Für die Highlights sorgten Stefano Benni und Roy Liechtenstein mit je einem Etappensieg. Im Gesamtklassement durfte Eddie Sixpence den dritten und letzten Podiumsplatz feiern, nachdem er ab dem dritten Tag bis zum abschliessenden Einzelzeitfahren das gelbe Trikot des Gesamtführenden trug. Mit dem Gewinn des Teamklassements konnte zudem die hervorragende Teamleistung unterstrichen werden.
Le Tour
Juli war Tour-Zeit. Mit Eddie Sixpence und Roy Liechtenstein trat das Team FL wie beim Giro mit einer Doppelspitze an. Dieses Mal war mit Joe Friesenbichler auch ein Sprinter dabei, der gemeinsam mit Anzieher Martti Rosenblatt für das Team FL für Furore sorgen sollte. Na ja, Furore ist es nicht geworden, aber immer sprang ein Etappensieg raus. Den zweiten Etappensieg holte Eddie Sixpence auf Etappe 19 in den Bergen. Darüber hinaus lief es nicht so gut für das Team FL. Weder Stefano Benni in den hügeligen Etappen noch Antiga, Fargas, Flachbart oder Kowalski als Ausreisser konnten einen Tagessieg für sich verbuchen. Dafür platzierten sich Eddie und Roy untern den Top10 im Gesamtklassement, Eddie verpasste mit Rang 4 das Podium nur knapp.
Klassikerherbst
Kurz nach der Tour gewann Victor Fargas nach der Tour sein drittes Rennen und Stefano Benni konnte Anfang August zweimal zeigen, was noch in ihm steckt. Der Klassikerherbst selbst startete im August gleich mal mit zwei Wochen Urlaub. Tre Valli und Hamburg fanden deshalb für das Team FL nicht statt. Dafür konnte Eddie Sixpence bei Milano-Tornio den zweiten Platz ergattern. Der Höhepunkt im Herbst, Lombardia, war dafür ein Reinfall, auch wenn Benni als Titelverteidiger an den Start ging. Ganz im Gegensatz zu der Tour of Beijing, für die für Emilia und Paris – Tours ausgelassen wurden. Jan Flachbart ergatterte auf der dritten Etappe nicht nur den Etappensieg, sondern auch das gelbe Trikot des Gesamtführenden, dass er bis zum Ende der letzten Etappe, die Joe Friesenbichler gewann, nicht mehr hergab.
Abspann
Nach Oktober folgte ein dezenter Ausklang des Kalenderjahres mit jeweils zwei Etappensiegen in den verbleibenden Monaten. Das Abschlusshighlight war die Dezembertour, die allerdings aus sportlicher Hinsicht nicht wirklich ein Highlight war. Eddie Sixpence beendete die Rundfahrt auf der indonesischen Insel Sulawesi auf Platz 4 im GC und verspielte dabei den Podiumsplatz auf der zweitletzten Etappe verspielt. Den einzigen Etappensieg holte sich Joe Friesenbichler auf der letzten Etappe. Eddie Sixpence beendete schliesslich das RSF Jahr für das Team FL mit einem Sieg beim RSF Klassiker San Benito – Matagalpa.
2013 in Zahlen
Rennen: 274 (~22.83 Rennen/Monat)
Punkte: 53’732 (~196.10 Punkte/Rennen)
Etappensiege (49):
16 – Stefano Benni
8 – Jean Ollé Ollé
5 – Joe Friesenbichler
4 – Roy Lichtenstein
3 – Xaver Unsinn
3 – Victor Fargas
3 – Eddie Sixpence
2 – Kari Steinsson
2 – Jan Flachbart
1 – Tomasz Kowalski
1 – Martti Rosenblatt
1 – Janis Smedins
Klassikersiege (3):
2 – Kari Steinsson (Scheldeprijs, P-R)
1 – Stefano Benni (MSR)
Rundfahrten (2):
1 – Kari Steinsson (De Panne)
1 – Jan Flachbart (Beijing)
Punktewertung (6):
6 – Stefano Benni (EAT, Down Under, Ruta del Sol, Trentino, Romandie, Giro)
Bergwertung (1):
1 – Eddie Sixpence (Scotland)
Jungfahrerwertung (3):
1 – Roy Lichtenstein (Oman)
1 – Eddie Sixpence (Trentino)
1 – Wilhelm Wahlforss (Sachsen Pflaster)
Mannschaftswertung (4):
1 – Oman
1 – Trentino
1 – Romandie
1 – Tour de Suisse
Team FL rider of the year 2013 (nominations):
1.) Jean Ollé Ollé
8 Etappensiege
2. GW
2.) Stefano Benni
16 Etappensiege (inkl. MSR)
2. LBL, 2. Omloop,
6 Punktetrikots
3.) Kari Steinsson
2 Klassikersiege(P-R, Scheldeprijs)
Which was the best rider in 2013? Vote for your favorite (post a reply with explanation)! Winner will be announced at 15 January 2014. If nobody votes, Hugo Marxer decides.
Ausblick für 2014
2013 war für das Team FL wohl das erfolgreichste Jahr im mehr als siebenjährigen Bestehen. Fast 50 Etappensiege und mehr als 190 Punkte im Durchschnitt pro Rennen sprechen für sich. In Zukunft wird sich das höchstwahrscheinlich ändern. 2014 wird sich der Liechtensteiner Rennstall kleiner Brötchen backen und höchstwahrscheinlich auf eine Teilnahme an den grossen Rundfahrten verzichten. Dies wird auch Auswirkungen auf das Personal haben. Derzeit ist bspw. noch nicht sicher, ob für 2014 noch ein Bergfahrer engagiert wird. Auf jeden Fall wird das Team FL versuchen, an den Klassikern teilzunehmen und kleinere Rundfahrten erfolgreich zu bestreiten. Wohin der Weg langfristig führt ist allerdings noch nicht abzusehen. Dennoch ist die Teamleitung zuversichtlich, dass der Spass an der Sache erhalten bleibt und die Konkurrenz weiterhin mit Team FL leben muss, in welcher Forma auch immer.
As every year, Team FL presents a review of the past cycling year, as usual in German (because of the lazy Press Center). At the end of the review you can see the nominations for the Team FL rider of the year incl. the link to vote for your favorite.
Vorgeplänkel
Zum ersten Mal überhaupt nahm das Team FL an einer Rundfahrt teil, die man in Eigenregie (in Kooperation mit Takashi Murakami) ausgearbeitet hat. Die East African Tour 2013 war also gleich eines der grossen Highlights des Jahres. Mit drei Etappensiegen (zweimal Ollé Ollé und einmal Unsinn) und dem Dreifachgewinn des grünen Trikots des Punktebesten durch Stefano Benni, gefolgt von Ollé Ollé und Unsinn, war EAT insbesondere ein finanzieller Erfolg.
Im Anschluss an EAT fuhr man die traditionelle Tour des Pavés, zum ersten Mal anstelle der Sachsen Pavés im Januar. Gemeinsam mit den Steinsson-Zwilligen stellte sich das Team FL der Herausforderung auf Kopfsteinpflaster. Ein Sprintpunkt entschied am Ende die Rundfahrt, leider nicht für das Team FL…
Die dritte Tour-Teilnahme im Januar, gleichzeitig der erste Bewerb der World Tour, wurde in Australien bei der Tour Down Under zelebriert. Obwohl Benni um 10 Sekunden den Gesamtsieg verpasste, konnte er dennoch eine Etappe und das Punkteklassement für sich entscheiden.
Resultat der vielen Rundfahrten war die erste Topplatzierung in RSF seit der Gründung des Teams FL am 3. Februar 2013 um ca. 11.00 Uhr, für rund fünf Stunden. Gleichzeitig überschritt das Team FL am 7. Februar 2013 die Grenze von 150‘000 ewigen Punkten. Insgesamt wurden dafür 1‘245 Rennen benötigt seit der Gründung im August 2006.
„Bennsinn“ und Ollé Ollé waren die Sieggaranten der ersten beiden Monate 2013. Auch im Oman gewann Ollé Ollé zwei Etappen, während Roy Lichtenstein die Jungfahrerwertung abräumte und das Team FL die Teamwertung für sich entscheiden konnte. Aufgrund der tollen beiden Monate und der überragenden Teamleitung von Hugo Marxer gewann das Team FL im Februar 2013 zum ersten Mal seit der Gründung den Division 1 Titel.
Klassikerfrühling
Der Start in den März erfolgte mit der prestigeträchtigen Rundfahrt Paris-Nizza, leider ohne Etappensieg. Zwar war man immer nah dran, aber „Bennsinn“ hatten kein Glück. So verlor Unsinn auch noch das Grüne Trikot auf der zweiletzten Etappe, vor dem abschliessenden Zeitfahren. Ganz anders bei den Frühjahrsklassikern: War Benni bei Omloop Het Volk noch geschlagener zweiter, so gewann er in herausragender Manier mit Mailand – San Remo sein zweites Monument nach der Lombardeirundfahrt 2012.
Der Start in die Belgischen Klassiker verlief dann wieder durchzogen. Harelbeke und Dwars door Vlaanderen konnten leider erst nicht zu Ende gefahren werden. Bei Gent – Wevelgem und der Ronde van Vlaanderen belegten Jean Ollé Ollé bzw. Arni Steinsson wenigstens jeweils einen Podiumsplatz (2. bzw. 3.). Dafür verliefen die Drei Tage von De Panne sehr erfreulich, da Kari Steinsson das Gesamtklassement für sich entscheiden konnte. Der etwas ältere der Steinsson Zwillinge setzte im April dann noch einen drauf und gewann erst den Scheldeprijs und anschliessend nach Gilles Braas als zweiter Fahrer des Teams FL die Hölle des Nordens: Paris – Roubaix.
Der zweite Klassikerblock im April startete mit einem Sieg von Stefano Benni beim Halbklassiker De Brabantse Pijl. Nächster Höhepunkt war das Amstel Gold Race, dass allerdings als Nullnummer abgeschrieben werden musste. Auch aus diesem Grund verzichtete man auf die Fleche Wallonne und bereitete sich beim Giro del Trentino auf LBL und den richtigen Giro vor, und dass recht erfolgreich. Neben zwei Podiumsplätzen im GK gewannen Sixpence Weiss, Benni Grün, und das Team selbst das Teamklassement. Als i-Tüpfelchen hätte Stefano Benni fast Lüttich-Bastogne-Lüttich gewonnen, verlor aber den Zielsprint unglücklich und verpasste sein drittes Monument hauchdünn – das einzige, das noch in der Team FL Sammlung fehlt…
Ende April stand mit der Tour de Romandie ein weiteres WT-Rennen vor dem Giro an. Im GC ohne grosse Chancen gewann Stefano Benni dafür gleich die erste Etappe nach dem Prolog. Sein 15 Etappensieg; Rekord für das Team FL. Durch einen weiteren Etappensieg sicherte er sich zudem das Punktetrikot. Wie bei Trentino konnte auch der Sieg in der Teamwertung gefeiert werden.
Giro
Der Giro d’Italia startete 2013 nach einem Jahr aussetzen wie gewohnt nachmittags. Doppelspitze Eddie Sixpence und Roy Lichtenstein für das GK und die Berge, Stefano Benni für die mittelschweren Etappen und das Punkteklassement lauteten die Optionen. Benni legte gleich gut los mit zwei Etappensiegen in der ersten Girowoche. Dabei blieb es dann allerdings auch, trotz weiterer guter Chancen, auch in der eher bescheidenen zweiten Girowoche. Mit einem satten Vorsprung im hübschen Maglia Rossa ging es in die Berg, wo Eddie und Roy, na, eben nicht viel erreichten, ausser die GK Plätze 8 und 9 zu festigen. Dafür zeigte sich Victor Fargas in der letzten Girowoche von seiner Glanzseite und schraubte das Etappensiegkonto auf insgesamt vier für das Team FL. Im Endeffekt wurden die Ziele erreicht, es wäre jedoch mehr möglich gewesen, insbesondere in den Bergen. Trotzdem kann der Giro 2013 als Erfolg verbucht werden, insbesondere und überraschend auch finanziell.
Anschliessend an den Giro folgte die Teilnahme an der Tour de Suisse, deren Strecke sogar direkt am Hauptquartier des Teams FL vorbeiführte. Für die Highlights sorgten Stefano Benni und Roy Liechtenstein mit je einem Etappensieg. Im Gesamtklassement durfte Eddie Sixpence den dritten und letzten Podiumsplatz feiern, nachdem er ab dem dritten Tag bis zum abschliessenden Einzelzeitfahren das gelbe Trikot des Gesamtführenden trug. Mit dem Gewinn des Teamklassements konnte zudem die hervorragende Teamleistung unterstrichen werden.
Le Tour
Juli war Tour-Zeit. Mit Eddie Sixpence und Roy Liechtenstein trat das Team FL wie beim Giro mit einer Doppelspitze an. Dieses Mal war mit Joe Friesenbichler auch ein Sprinter dabei, der gemeinsam mit Anzieher Martti Rosenblatt für das Team FL für Furore sorgen sollte. Na ja, Furore ist es nicht geworden, aber immer sprang ein Etappensieg raus. Den zweiten Etappensieg holte Eddie Sixpence auf Etappe 19 in den Bergen. Darüber hinaus lief es nicht so gut für das Team FL. Weder Stefano Benni in den hügeligen Etappen noch Antiga, Fargas, Flachbart oder Kowalski als Ausreisser konnten einen Tagessieg für sich verbuchen. Dafür platzierten sich Eddie und Roy untern den Top10 im Gesamtklassement, Eddie verpasste mit Rang 4 das Podium nur knapp.
Klassikerherbst
Kurz nach der Tour gewann Victor Fargas nach der Tour sein drittes Rennen und Stefano Benni konnte Anfang August zweimal zeigen, was noch in ihm steckt. Der Klassikerherbst selbst startete im August gleich mal mit zwei Wochen Urlaub. Tre Valli und Hamburg fanden deshalb für das Team FL nicht statt. Dafür konnte Eddie Sixpence bei Milano-Tornio den zweiten Platz ergattern. Der Höhepunkt im Herbst, Lombardia, war dafür ein Reinfall, auch wenn Benni als Titelverteidiger an den Start ging. Ganz im Gegensatz zu der Tour of Beijing, für die für Emilia und Paris – Tours ausgelassen wurden. Jan Flachbart ergatterte auf der dritten Etappe nicht nur den Etappensieg, sondern auch das gelbe Trikot des Gesamtführenden, dass er bis zum Ende der letzten Etappe, die Joe Friesenbichler gewann, nicht mehr hergab.
Abspann
Nach Oktober folgte ein dezenter Ausklang des Kalenderjahres mit jeweils zwei Etappensiegen in den verbleibenden Monaten. Das Abschlusshighlight war die Dezembertour, die allerdings aus sportlicher Hinsicht nicht wirklich ein Highlight war. Eddie Sixpence beendete die Rundfahrt auf der indonesischen Insel Sulawesi auf Platz 4 im GC und verspielte dabei den Podiumsplatz auf der zweitletzten Etappe verspielt. Den einzigen Etappensieg holte sich Joe Friesenbichler auf der letzten Etappe. Eddie Sixpence beendete schliesslich das RSF Jahr für das Team FL mit einem Sieg beim RSF Klassiker San Benito – Matagalpa.
2013 in Zahlen
Rennen: 274 (~22.83 Rennen/Monat)
Punkte: 53’732 (~196.10 Punkte/Rennen)
Etappensiege (49):
16 – Stefano Benni
8 – Jean Ollé Ollé
5 – Joe Friesenbichler
4 – Roy Lichtenstein
3 – Xaver Unsinn
3 – Victor Fargas
3 – Eddie Sixpence
2 – Kari Steinsson
2 – Jan Flachbart
1 – Tomasz Kowalski
1 – Martti Rosenblatt
1 – Janis Smedins
Klassikersiege (3):
2 – Kari Steinsson (Scheldeprijs, P-R)
1 – Stefano Benni (MSR)
Rundfahrten (2):
1 – Kari Steinsson (De Panne)
1 – Jan Flachbart (Beijing)
Punktewertung (6):
6 – Stefano Benni (EAT, Down Under, Ruta del Sol, Trentino, Romandie, Giro)
Bergwertung (1):
1 – Eddie Sixpence (Scotland)
Jungfahrerwertung (3):
1 – Roy Lichtenstein (Oman)
1 – Eddie Sixpence (Trentino)
1 – Wilhelm Wahlforss (Sachsen Pflaster)
Mannschaftswertung (4):
1 – Oman
1 – Trentino
1 – Romandie
1 – Tour de Suisse
Team FL rider of the year 2013 (nominations):
1.) Jean Ollé Ollé
8 Etappensiege
2. GW
2.) Stefano Benni
16 Etappensiege (inkl. MSR)
2. LBL, 2. Omloop,
6 Punktetrikots
3.) Kari Steinsson
2 Klassikersiege(P-R, Scheldeprijs)
Which was the best rider in 2013? Vote for your favorite (post a reply with explanation)! Winner will be announced at 15 January 2014. If nobody votes, Hugo Marxer decides.
Ausblick für 2014
2013 war für das Team FL wohl das erfolgreichste Jahr im mehr als siebenjährigen Bestehen. Fast 50 Etappensiege und mehr als 190 Punkte im Durchschnitt pro Rennen sprechen für sich. In Zukunft wird sich das höchstwahrscheinlich ändern. 2014 wird sich der Liechtensteiner Rennstall kleiner Brötchen backen und höchstwahrscheinlich auf eine Teilnahme an den grossen Rundfahrten verzichten. Dies wird auch Auswirkungen auf das Personal haben. Derzeit ist bspw. noch nicht sicher, ob für 2014 noch ein Bergfahrer engagiert wird. Auf jeden Fall wird das Team FL versuchen, an den Klassikern teilzunehmen und kleinere Rundfahrten erfolgreich zu bestreiten. Wohin der Weg langfristig führt ist allerdings noch nicht abzusehen. Dennoch ist die Teamleitung zuversichtlich, dass der Spass an der Sache erhalten bleibt und die Konkurrenz weiterhin mit Team FL leben muss, in welcher Forma auch immer.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
I vote for Benni
MSR, lots of stages, enough to beat the ridicoulously weak opposition. Kari, paah, winning PR is too easy anyway, even I do that. OlléOllé, 8 wins, pff, shouldn't even be nominated I think. Fargas deserved the nomination, good helper that wins too! Not OlléOllé!
Hugo Marxer himself even when not riding of course would deserve to get my vote, he was just too good, but because the guy left my team as punishment he won't get my vote.
MSR, lots of stages, enough to beat the ridicoulously weak opposition. Kari, paah, winning PR is too easy anyway, even I do that. OlléOllé, 8 wins, pff, shouldn't even be nominated I think. Fargas deserved the nomination, good helper that wins too! Not OlléOllé!
Hugo Marxer himself even when not riding of course would deserve to get my vote, he was just too good, but because the guy left my team as punishment he won't get my vote.
Kraftsystemrevision! Include the distance!
Basics reform: Give blue a chance!
Don't punish bugusers. We all have to use bugs, since most of them are declared as "features"!
Basics reform: Give blue a chance!
Don't punish bugusers. We all have to use bugs, since most of them are declared as "features"!
Re: Team FL
Benni, Balticum and the Bible
Stefano Benni is Team FL's rider of the year 2013 while in 2014, the Baltic connection wins the first two stages of the Tour des Pavés. And the Bible? Well, in this case, it's the Exodus that's happening.
Ok, for a voting one vote might be not sufficient. But in this case, at least according to Hugo Marxer, it was. Well, it wasn't hard to guess anyway. But here it is, the result of Team FL's rider of the year 2013. It's Stefano Benni! Thanks to Roby for voting. The winner of MSR and Lombardia, many points classements incl. of the Giro 2013 is the logical successor of Stefan "King" Küng. The Italian classics specialist was one of the reasons for the great success in the first half of 2013 for Team FL.
While his cycling days are only memories of the past, the present and near future of Team FL is more and more shaped by the baltic connetion consisting of Janis Smedins, Arunas Paulauskas and Martti Rosenblatt, completed by the suomi Wilhelm "Vikkelä Ville" Wahlforss. Currently, all of them are attending the Tour des Pavés, doing this very succesfully. After Rosenblatt one the first stage, today Janis Smedins did the same on stage two and took over the yellow leader's jersey from the Estonian sprinter. Anyway, the tour is still going on for three stages and many things can happen. But for now, everything is fine so far, preparing mainly for the spring classics.
Back to the past: Although being successful at the moment and looking forward to the upcoming month, a certain Exodus is not to deny at Team FL. During the last month, many older riders at Team FL quit cycling, including Henri Bienvenu, Stéphane Antiga and Roy Lichtenstein. And soon, there will be more to follow, as riders like Fargas, Banzer and Büchel are all 34 years old or even older. The team management is already looking for substitute riders having already found a sprinter. But still there is a lot to do looking at the team structure. On the other hand, isn't this one of the most interesting things? Looking for new riders? reshape the team's structure for a successful future? Well, the team management hopes so and will now focus again on the upcoming challenges at the Tour des Pavés.
Stefano Benni is Team FL's rider of the year 2013 while in 2014, the Baltic connection wins the first two stages of the Tour des Pavés. And the Bible? Well, in this case, it's the Exodus that's happening.
Ok, for a voting one vote might be not sufficient. But in this case, at least according to Hugo Marxer, it was. Well, it wasn't hard to guess anyway. But here it is, the result of Team FL's rider of the year 2013. It's Stefano Benni! Thanks to Roby for voting. The winner of MSR and Lombardia, many points classements incl. of the Giro 2013 is the logical successor of Stefan "King" Küng. The Italian classics specialist was one of the reasons for the great success in the first half of 2013 for Team FL.
While his cycling days are only memories of the past, the present and near future of Team FL is more and more shaped by the baltic connetion consisting of Janis Smedins, Arunas Paulauskas and Martti Rosenblatt, completed by the suomi Wilhelm "Vikkelä Ville" Wahlforss. Currently, all of them are attending the Tour des Pavés, doing this very succesfully. After Rosenblatt one the first stage, today Janis Smedins did the same on stage two and took over the yellow leader's jersey from the Estonian sprinter. Anyway, the tour is still going on for three stages and many things can happen. But for now, everything is fine so far, preparing mainly for the spring classics.
Back to the past: Although being successful at the moment and looking forward to the upcoming month, a certain Exodus is not to deny at Team FL. During the last month, many older riders at Team FL quit cycling, including Henri Bienvenu, Stéphane Antiga and Roy Lichtenstein. And soon, there will be more to follow, as riders like Fargas, Banzer and Büchel are all 34 years old or even older. The team management is already looking for substitute riders having already found a sprinter. But still there is a lot to do looking at the team structure. On the other hand, isn't this one of the most interesting things? Looking for new riders? reshape the team's structure for a successful future? Well, the team management hopes so and will now focus again on the upcoming challenges at the Tour des Pavés.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Pleasure on Pavé
Janis Smedins wins the Tour des Pavés, the first highlight in 2014 for Team FL. Now the Liechtenstein cycling teams prepares for the spring classics.
The most work was done after the first two stages with Martti Rosenblatt winning the first and Janis Smedins the second one. More important, the Latvian pavé Specialist distanced all GC opponents and took over the leader's jersey from his Estonian team mate. The rest was a great team effort thanks to hard working Weisman, Vatca, and Rosenblatt together with alltime vigilant Fargas, Banzer and Kowalski while Wahlforss and Paulauskas, both pavé specialists themselves, watched their leaders back at the crucial points of the last parts of the stages. Finally, the team management is very happy about this victory after losing it to Alkworld last year because of one sprint point Kari Steinsson was missing to Eloy Alfaro. Now, Team FL prepares for the spring classics, esp. with pavé parts. Until, the Liechtenstein cycling team will be laying low, merely riding stage races when there is a good opportunity and focusing on one day races.
Janis Smedins wins the Tour des Pavés, the first highlight in 2014 for Team FL. Now the Liechtenstein cycling teams prepares for the spring classics.
The most work was done after the first two stages with Martti Rosenblatt winning the first and Janis Smedins the second one. More important, the Latvian pavé Specialist distanced all GC opponents and took over the leader's jersey from his Estonian team mate. The rest was a great team effort thanks to hard working Weisman, Vatca, and Rosenblatt together with alltime vigilant Fargas, Banzer and Kowalski while Wahlforss and Paulauskas, both pavé specialists themselves, watched their leaders back at the crucial points of the last parts of the stages. Finally, the team management is very happy about this victory after losing it to Alkworld last year because of one sprint point Kari Steinsson was missing to Eloy Alfaro. Now, Team FL prepares for the spring classics, esp. with pavé parts. Until, the Liechtenstein cycling team will be laying low, merely riding stage races when there is a good opportunity and focusing on one day races.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Joe formidable in Campo Formosa
Joe Friesenbichler wins the Campo Formosa Race in Brasil. After a perfect cooperation with Team Art, the Team FL sprinter benefits from the good work of the sprint train with Wahlforss and lead-out sprinter Rosenblatt.
It was clear from the beginning that Team FL with Joe Friesenbichler, Martti Rosenblatt and Wilhelm Wahlforss would have a good chance in a bunch sprint at the end of the race. Thus it was only reasonable to cooperate with other teams willing to risk their luck in such a competition. With Team ART a good partner was found and as the cooperation worked well, the group didn't stand a chance to make it to the finish line befor being caught by the peloton. In the end, even a dangerous attack could be neutralised and finally, his team mates played out their skills and presented Joe the win on a silver plate. It was his 6th career victory, the third race win in 2014 for Team FL.
Joe Friesenbichler wins the Campo Formosa Race in Brasil. After a perfect cooperation with Team Art, the Team FL sprinter benefits from the good work of the sprint train with Wahlforss and lead-out sprinter Rosenblatt.
It was clear from the beginning that Team FL with Joe Friesenbichler, Martti Rosenblatt and Wilhelm Wahlforss would have a good chance in a bunch sprint at the end of the race. Thus it was only reasonable to cooperate with other teams willing to risk their luck in such a competition. With Team ART a good partner was found and as the cooperation worked well, the group didn't stand a chance to make it to the finish line befor being caught by the peloton. In the end, even a dangerous attack could be neutralised and finally, his team mates played out their skills and presented Joe the win on a silver plate. It was his 6th career victory, the third race win in 2014 for Team FL.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Jan Flachbart wins in Northern Africa
Czech Champion Jan Flachbart wins the Algeria Silver Cup. Again, this victory was superb team effort by Team FL.
Having the most expensive line-up was only a little pressure for Team FL as the race developed under its control as it was planned by the team management and the team's strategic genius Hugo Marxer. In the end, Eddie Sixpence increased the pace on the last climb which left only a little number of riders at his side, including Jan Flachbart and Lars Hirschfeld. In the end, it was the latter that lead the group towards the finish line were Jan Flachbart finalised what began with the contorl in the peloton by his team mates Büchel, Fargas, Kowalski and Vatca.
Czech Champion Jan Flachbart wins the Algeria Silver Cup. Again, this victory was superb team effort by Team FL.
Having the most expensive line-up was only a little pressure for Team FL as the race developed under its control as it was planned by the team management and the team's strategic genius Hugo Marxer. In the end, Eddie Sixpence increased the pace on the last climb which left only a little number of riders at his side, including Jan Flachbart and Lars Hirschfeld. In the end, it was the latter that lead the group towards the finish line were Jan Flachbart finalised what began with the contorl in the peloton by his team mates Büchel, Fargas, Kowalski and Vatca.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Exodus goes on
Victor Fargas and Kenny Banzer are the next riders from Team FL to retire from professional cycling. That leaves 12 riders for a possible line-up. But no worries, February will offer lots of new, young rider for the Liechtenstein cycling team.
Team FL is currently rejuvenating its equipe. After Benni, Antiga and Bienvenu, now Fargas and Banzer left Team FL, both being way over 30 years old already (37 and 36). This also means that two of the most valuable helpers of 2013 - and still being in January 2014 (Tour des Pavés as final highlight)- are not on the road anymore for Team FL. Together, they rode almost 550 races. Victor Fargas is on top now for most races for Team FL (282) and even overtakes superstar Stefano Benni in this category. The rider for everything from Portugal had also his bright moments, esp. at the Giro 2013 where he won two stages. The bookworm also won another race which adds to his three overall race wins and of course to his 2'119 eternal points. Kenny Banzer on the other hand has obviously not such a thing as a palmares. He was the fast man, always ready to work for his leaders at the end of a race and keep the pace high. Jean Ollé Ollé, Stefano Benni, Joe Friesenbichler and the likes enjoyed his company. Although not winning a race during his long career, Banzer almost gathered 500 eternal points (492). Both Fargas and Banzer will be missed a lot not only by their team mates but also by the team management. Hopefully, their successors will be worth of that name.
Victor Fargas and Kenny Banzer are the next riders from Team FL to retire from professional cycling. That leaves 12 riders for a possible line-up. But no worries, February will offer lots of new, young rider for the Liechtenstein cycling team.
Team FL is currently rejuvenating its equipe. After Benni, Antiga and Bienvenu, now Fargas and Banzer left Team FL, both being way over 30 years old already (37 and 36). This also means that two of the most valuable helpers of 2013 - and still being in January 2014 (Tour des Pavés as final highlight)- are not on the road anymore for Team FL. Together, they rode almost 550 races. Victor Fargas is on top now for most races for Team FL (282) and even overtakes superstar Stefano Benni in this category. The rider for everything from Portugal had also his bright moments, esp. at the Giro 2013 where he won two stages. The bookworm also won another race which adds to his three overall race wins and of course to his 2'119 eternal points. Kenny Banzer on the other hand has obviously not such a thing as a palmares. He was the fast man, always ready to work for his leaders at the end of a race and keep the pace high. Jean Ollé Ollé, Stefano Benni, Joe Friesenbichler and the likes enjoyed his company. Although not winning a race during his long career, Banzer almost gathered 500 eternal points (492). Both Fargas and Banzer will be missed a lot not only by their team mates but also by the team management. Hopefully, their successors will be worth of that name.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Team FL with a win in vacation
Jan Flachbart wins the one day race from Djennad to Hadjama in Team FL's last race in January. Now the team has earned their vacation until the second half of February.
In a mini sized group with only four teams, Team FL - or better said Ariel Weisman and Arunas Paulauskas - tried an early escape together with Team Badbiker, who rode his first race after an 18 month break. Meanwhile in the peloton, bergwerk controlled and new team Domat (only 50km down south from Team FL) had to perfect view to comment the race nicely. In the end, bergwerk caught the group easily during the last climb but missed to distance its opponents, especially Team FL's Jan Flachbart, Lars Hirschfeld and hard working Eddie Sixpence. Finally, it was the Czech Champion Jan who outsmarted even Amr Diab in the sprint after a last km attack. Enjoying that victory, it is now time for a break for Team FL until the middle of February. Until then, the team will welcome three new riders which will be presented after the break, hopefully training a lot until then.
Jan Flachbart wins the one day race from Djennad to Hadjama in Team FL's last race in January. Now the team has earned their vacation until the second half of February.
In a mini sized group with only four teams, Team FL - or better said Ariel Weisman and Arunas Paulauskas - tried an early escape together with Team Badbiker, who rode his first race after an 18 month break. Meanwhile in the peloton, bergwerk controlled and new team Domat (only 50km down south from Team FL) had to perfect view to comment the race nicely. In the end, bergwerk caught the group easily during the last climb but missed to distance its opponents, especially Team FL's Jan Flachbart, Lars Hirschfeld and hard working Eddie Sixpence. Finally, it was the Czech Champion Jan who outsmarted even Amr Diab in the sprint after a last km attack. Enjoying that victory, it is now time for a break for Team FL until the middle of February. Until then, the team will welcome three new riders which will be presented after the break, hopefully training a lot until then.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
1'500 Races!
199'119 eternal points
190 race wins
19 classic wins
8 stage races
23 place 2/3 stage races
11 points classements
3 mountain classements
7 youth classements
12 team classements
199'119 eternal points
190 race wins
19 classic wins
8 stage races
23 place 2/3 stage races
11 points classements
3 mountain classements
7 youth classements
12 team classements
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
New Genesis at Team FL
Everything new in May, uhm February. Team FL welcomes its three new riders Phineas Federspiel (FL), Ryan Kilfeather (IRL) and Alain Yoda (BF).
First there was the exodus (which will somehow go on with Büchel and Sixpence getting older), now there is new Genesis for Team FL. The scouts made a good job and presented a excellent variety of different riders from different nations. Finally, the choice was made for sprinter Phineas Federspiel from Liechtenstein, classic prospect Ryan Kilfeather from Ireland and additional helper Alain Yoda from Burkina Faso. All three of them are desperately needed as the team structure was slowly overaging and thinning out. Therefore, the team management is happy to present the new assets to the public:
-
Phineas Federspiel, 21, sprinter
50-59-52-50-82, 58 Pavé, 50 Reg
-
Ryan Kilfeather, 21, classic specialist
54-70-77-59-65, 65 Pavé, 40 Reg
-
Alain Yoda, 21, helper
46-71-74-50-46, 64 Pavé, 54 Reg
Everything new in May, uhm February. Team FL welcomes its three new riders Phineas Federspiel (FL), Ryan Kilfeather (IRL) and Alain Yoda (BF).
First there was the exodus (which will somehow go on with Büchel and Sixpence getting older), now there is new Genesis for Team FL. The scouts made a good job and presented a excellent variety of different riders from different nations. Finally, the choice was made for sprinter Phineas Federspiel from Liechtenstein, classic prospect Ryan Kilfeather from Ireland and additional helper Alain Yoda from Burkina Faso. All three of them are desperately needed as the team structure was slowly overaging and thinning out. Therefore, the team management is happy to present the new assets to the public:
-
Phineas Federspiel, 21, sprinter50-59-52-50-82, 58 Pavé, 50 Reg
-
Ryan Kilfeather, 21, classic specialist54-70-77-59-65, 65 Pavé, 40 Reg
-
Alain Yoda, 21, helper46-71-74-50-46, 64 Pavé, 54 Reg
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Losing my edge
C4F version
Yeah, I'm losing my edge.
I'm losing my edge.
The kids are coming up from behind.
I'm losing my edge.
I'm losing my edge to the kids from France and ah well, from everywhere.
But I was there.
I was there in 2006.
I was there at the first Team FL win at the Fleche Jurassienne.
I'm losing my edge.
I'm losing my edge to the kids whose wheels I hear
when they get on the road.
I'm losing my edgeto the Internet seekers who can tell me
every win of every team from 2011 to 2013.
I'm losing my edge.
To all the kids in the Giro or the Tour
I'm losing my edge to the big teams
GC teams in fancy jerseys and borrowed nostalgia
for the unremembered naughties.
But I'm losing my edge
I'm losing my edge but I was there.
I was there.
But I was there.
I'm losing my edge.
I'm losing my edge.
I can hear the wheels every day on the roads.
But I was there.
I was there in 2007 at Zürich at the first classic win for Team FL.
The team was working for Harald Mühlenberg with much patience.
I was there when he won, Mailand - San Remo too in 2008.
I told him, "Do it that way. Or you'll never make a dime."
I was there.
I was the first guy having FL riders on the team.
I rode with them all the time.
Everybody thought I was crazy.
We all know.
I was there.
I was there.
I've never been wrong
I used to ride almost every day
I had almost every ride type you can imagine.
I was there in Italy, winning the GP Lazio
I was there in Belgium, winning the Belgian classics.
I woke up after a stagevictory at the Giro in 2009 (against Vittoria).
But I'm losing my edge to better-playing people with better ideas and more talent.
And they're actually really, really nice.
I'm losing my edge.
I heard you have victories in all races ever done by anybody. Every great race by the LCB. All the underground hits. All the modern races like AGR. I heard you have a palmares with wins of all Giro races. I heard that you have a stage win at the Giro in 2010, 2011 and 2012. I heard that you have a list of every rider you had since you've been playing this game.
I hear you're buying a classic rider and an climber and are throwing your computer out the window because you want to buy a Habermacher too. You want to have every rider possible.
I hear that you and your team has sold you Hubers and bought flat riders.
I hear that you and your team has sold sprinters and bought time trialists.
I hear everybody that you know is more relevant than everybody that I know.
But have you seen my palmares? MSR (twice), PR (twice), Schelde (twice), Omloop, Lombardia, Piemonte, RVV, Lazio, Tre Valli (twice, thrice would be nicer though), Giro stages, Tour stages, Points classements, mountain classements, youth classements, team classements, general classements, GW, La Wallonne, stages of Paris - Nice, Québec, Züri-Metzgete, TdS and Romandie stages, and so on.
Stefano Benni, Stefan Küng, Louis Thulliez, Cédric Schmarotz, Jean Ollé Ollé, Xaver Unsinn, Josef Fichtl, Dimitri Jiriakov, Andrea and Daniel Calavadetscher, Samuel Ritter, Alex, Nico and Elmar Goop, Hannes Büchel, Frantz Granvorka, Harald Mühlenberg, Luigi Mastrangelo, Keyser Söze, Knut Bakke, Roy Lichtenstein, Eddie Sixpence, Sven Becker, Roger Schnitzer, William deWorde, David Aigner, Peter Matt, Kari and Arni Steinsson, Hugo Marxer, Gaudenz Taverna, Gilles Braas, Fred Colon, Tim Hamberger, Wesley Lichtenkiesel, Nathaniel Biedermann, Stéphane Antiga, Toni Hassler, Henri Bienvenu, Pit Schlechter, Takashi Murakami, Tony Longo, jens Scholz, Haruki and Takashi Murakami, Chuck Bass, Severino Nicolosi, Pedro Garrido, Ronny Beck, Larry Eriksson, Zak McKracken, Lorenz Dürr, Raphael Kämpfer, Ewald Wolf, Tobias Mara, Tommy Zech, Guus Nederlof, marco Lippuner, Mavolio Bent, Sylvain Boss, Steve Hasler, Nino Beck, Johann Jäger, Roman Hermann, Oskar Schädler and more.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
Thanks to LCD Soundsystem
C4F version
Yeah, I'm losing my edge.
I'm losing my edge.
The kids are coming up from behind.
I'm losing my edge.
I'm losing my edge to the kids from France and ah well, from everywhere.
But I was there.
I was there in 2006.
I was there at the first Team FL win at the Fleche Jurassienne.
I'm losing my edge.
I'm losing my edge to the kids whose wheels I hear
when they get on the road.
I'm losing my edgeto the Internet seekers who can tell me
every win of every team from 2011 to 2013.
I'm losing my edge.
To all the kids in the Giro or the Tour
I'm losing my edge to the big teams
GC teams in fancy jerseys and borrowed nostalgia
for the unremembered naughties.
But I'm losing my edge
I'm losing my edge but I was there.
I was there.
But I was there.
I'm losing my edge.
I'm losing my edge.
I can hear the wheels every day on the roads.
But I was there.
I was there in 2007 at Zürich at the first classic win for Team FL.
The team was working for Harald Mühlenberg with much patience.
I was there when he won, Mailand - San Remo too in 2008.
I told him, "Do it that way. Or you'll never make a dime."
I was there.
I was the first guy having FL riders on the team.
I rode with them all the time.
Everybody thought I was crazy.
We all know.
I was there.
I was there.
I've never been wrong
I used to ride almost every day
I had almost every ride type you can imagine.
I was there in Italy, winning the GP Lazio
I was there in Belgium, winning the Belgian classics.
I woke up after a stagevictory at the Giro in 2009 (against Vittoria).
But I'm losing my edge to better-playing people with better ideas and more talent.
And they're actually really, really nice.
I'm losing my edge.
I heard you have victories in all races ever done by anybody. Every great race by the LCB. All the underground hits. All the modern races like AGR. I heard you have a palmares with wins of all Giro races. I heard that you have a stage win at the Giro in 2010, 2011 and 2012. I heard that you have a list of every rider you had since you've been playing this game.
I hear you're buying a classic rider and an climber and are throwing your computer out the window because you want to buy a Habermacher too. You want to have every rider possible.
I hear that you and your team has sold you Hubers and bought flat riders.
I hear that you and your team has sold sprinters and bought time trialists.
I hear everybody that you know is more relevant than everybody that I know.
But have you seen my palmares? MSR (twice), PR (twice), Schelde (twice), Omloop, Lombardia, Piemonte, RVV, Lazio, Tre Valli (twice, thrice would be nicer though), Giro stages, Tour stages, Points classements, mountain classements, youth classements, team classements, general classements, GW, La Wallonne, stages of Paris - Nice, Québec, Züri-Metzgete, TdS and Romandie stages, and so on.
Stefano Benni, Stefan Küng, Louis Thulliez, Cédric Schmarotz, Jean Ollé Ollé, Xaver Unsinn, Josef Fichtl, Dimitri Jiriakov, Andrea and Daniel Calavadetscher, Samuel Ritter, Alex, Nico and Elmar Goop, Hannes Büchel, Frantz Granvorka, Harald Mühlenberg, Luigi Mastrangelo, Keyser Söze, Knut Bakke, Roy Lichtenstein, Eddie Sixpence, Sven Becker, Roger Schnitzer, William deWorde, David Aigner, Peter Matt, Kari and Arni Steinsson, Hugo Marxer, Gaudenz Taverna, Gilles Braas, Fred Colon, Tim Hamberger, Wesley Lichtenkiesel, Nathaniel Biedermann, Stéphane Antiga, Toni Hassler, Henri Bienvenu, Pit Schlechter, Takashi Murakami, Tony Longo, jens Scholz, Haruki and Takashi Murakami, Chuck Bass, Severino Nicolosi, Pedro Garrido, Ronny Beck, Larry Eriksson, Zak McKracken, Lorenz Dürr, Raphael Kämpfer, Ewald Wolf, Tobias Mara, Tommy Zech, Guus Nederlof, marco Lippuner, Mavolio Bent, Sylvain Boss, Steve Hasler, Nino Beck, Johann Jäger, Roman Hermann, Oskar Schädler and more.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
You don't know what you really want.
Thanks to LCD Soundsystem
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
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