Wizards Cycling public relations

[Lizard]

On first day bug, on second luck!

On the Ardéchoise Tour where the dutch team is right now participating, Samuel Albany was able to save the teams´ good start in the year until now. He got his first victory out of a breakaway against hard-working Pieter vanKemseke (who would´ve surely deserved to win this stage more than Albany). Right now, Albany is with 9:48min to overall leader Guiseppe Martinello (fresim) 15:50min in front of his first competitor for the young riders´ jersey. 15:50min he will need to save today to earn our first jersey since February, when Wollfinger won the Yellow Jersey at Etoile de Besseges. Also Ndale was able to take a jersey with the great points classement, which will be too hard to save today, since the finale of third stage Ardéchoise is more for the Soopi-brothers of Team Hunsrueck. More information on 8 p.m.

[Lizard]

Ardéchoise

After a long pause the team finally managed to make a really successful appearance at a tour. On Ardéchoise - drawn by OLmania - on the first day Ndale Mbeki out of a weird and big group becomes 2nd, unfortunately by a sprint bug (if sprinted, he would´ve won the stage instead). Unluckily this decided the tour against him. Nevertheless he ends up 4th on second stage and Albany can take the win out of a Km 1 group. This is his first professional victory, and by the huge difference to all competitors for the white jersey of the best young rider he was able to take it home in the end. Mbeki lost 2nd position in classement aswell as the green jersey he could wear a day. Though it is the most successul tour since a long road and we are happy to be able to say we finally are back!

General classement:
3rd: Ndale Mbeki
9th: Manuel Clausen
Young riders´ classement: Samuel Albany

Stages:
1st: Samuel Albany
2nd: Ndale Mbeki

Finances:
507.625 Credits

[Lizard]

Albany: "Will be going for stages."

Because of Manuel Clausen´s miss at the Österreich-Rundfahrt due to a climber-based terrain the team will start without him. This opens the doors for Mark Enkeevelaert, designated leader of this tour, Kato Wolfsong and Ndale Mbeki, who will have a hard job for the next 8 days. But there is also someone else who showed his potential only few days ago: Samuel Albany. The young classic rider from Lausanne said he will be going for stages aswell as the usual leaders and wants his piece of the pie aswell. "On Ardéchoise I could use this rare chance and directly made a stage and a jersey ours. I think I deserve a day on which the team is on my side. Maybe I can join another breakaway. Let´s see what happens, but I´m optimistic!"

[Lizard]

Mbeki in red - Enkeevelaert 2nd on first mass sprint

After a hard fight in the group, roughly disturbed by Riding Stars who was not able to cooperate but to blame the Wizards Cycling manager, Ndale Mbeki could make the main goal for the first stage happen by earning the red jersey for the best climber. In the final sprint Mark Enkeevelaert was in a good shape. Against Javier Cordero (Team Franconia) and Mihail Tepes (Riding Stars) he was the one to fight for Marc Reign´s (Alinghi) wheel and only favourite Sunagawa by Freudenfeuer could beat him. So after strong sprints in June also in July this young belgian sprinter is one candidate for the important sprints.

[Lizard]

Mbeki 3rd and saves red for one more day

On stage 3 of this years´ Österreich-Rundfahrt Ndale Mbeki ended up 3rd out of an early breakaway. Michael Huntelaar (Egsdorfer) was able to win. Mbeki also saved the red jersey and has now 47 points. Jacob Abo (Team Iserlohn) is 2nd in this classement with 20 points.

[Lizard]

Österreich-Rundfahrt

After a good performance at Ardéchoise, the Lizards may finally say that they are back on the track, even without team leader Clausen the team did a superior job at the biggest austrian stage race. Ndale Mbeki got the best climber´s jersey on the first day and could hold it in his hands until the last. Mark Enkeevelaert became 2nd in the bunch sprint for three times, but on the last stage behind the breakaway group initiated by André Katchono. Kato was finally able to again win a stage and by that made the tour a full success for the team. He lost the green jersey due to one point difference to Pirmin Saggiorato (Alinghi) who well deserved the jersey. Another bonus is the hugest financial win the team was ever able to achieve at a tour (okay, right after Vuelta a Espana 2009).

General classement:
4th: Kato Wolfsong
Climbers´ classement: Ndale Mbeki

Stages:
1st: Kato Wolfsong
2nd: Mark Enkeevelaert (2x)
3rd: Ndale Mbeki

Finances:
1.082.652 Credits

[Lizard]

New dutch talent signs the deal

In the night of the training, the 12th of July, finally the young dutch classic rider Tom vanAmstel said yes to the Wizards Cycling management. He will be the fourth dutch rider for the team and is going to join the squad on August.

[Lizard]

Rider of the month: June

And the nominees are:

Samuel Albany (17%):
Stage 2 Ardéchoise, Kat. 1
92 points

Mark Enkeevelaert (58%):
Stage 3 Tour de Suisse, Kat. 4
268 points

Ndale Mbeki (25%):
For most aggressive engagement through the month: Tour de Suisse, Ardéchoise
933 points

And the winner is:
Mark the Gun! The young flemish sprinter was able to take an epic win at this years´ Tour de Suisse. On the 3rd stage there was only one team to take it to a sprint: Wizards Cycling. There is experience in managing to make a bunch sprint happen, but the rider material is hilarious to even try. Especially for the profile: 4-2-4-4-5 combo 19 kms before the flamme rouge. Enough opportunity for strong classic rider to put some effort in a mass escape. And some escapers even tried, vanGaveren highens the pace at the 5% passage. Mark can stay, and LaCroix (with his final best helper job for his team) and Katchono are able to hold the groups in a crazy rallye for the win. Motivation never grow so much for this lovely game, so it´s a deserved win for Mark the Gun who now really showed what he will be able to do at Paris-Tours and Milano-San Remo, the races he wants to win most.

June training

Samuel Albany: +2 Climb, +2 Flat
Joost Berkefeldt: +1 Flat
Manuel Clausen: +1 Sprint
Mark Enkeevelaert: +2 Climb, +4 Sprint
André Katchono: -
Ndale Mbeki: +2 Climb
Robbin Peppermayer: +4 Flat, +3 Downhill
Alfons Ulminger: +2 Flat
John vandenVaalken: +3 Flat
Kato Wolfsong: -1 Downhill, +1 Sprint

[Lizard]

And again... Mark the Gun 2nd in bunch sprint

Young belgian classic oriented sprinter Mark Enkeevelaert was able to sprint for a 2nd place on the Vuelta Madrid. After the time trial the next part of today´s course was a flat stage, where Mark the Gun only lost the sprint due to very very few centimetres. It almost worked out, but maybe he´s not in perfect shape? Mark answered: "I am always in shape, and today the 2nd position was what we could expect - the podest."

[Lizard]

Wizards heading Asia

It seems like the Wizards Cycling Team is searching for new talents in Asia now. Possible countries are South Corea and Indonesia, where the company has connections. Maybe a new talent will be recruited soon.

[Lizard]

Clausen finally able to get back into the winning course

On today´s possibly deciding stage 4 of Wallonie Manuel Clausen was after his last victory at the Giro d´Italia able to finally win again (what a bad manager must I be?). In front of his hardest opponent Damian Hewitt (topsport) he could win with a bombastic attack on the 6% before the slightly descending finish line. We hope to hold the yellow jersey tomorrow and are very happy to see him again on top after such a long time.

[Lizard]

Tour de Wallonie

After February, when Adam Wollfinger won his only stage race with the Etoile de Bességes, finally the Wizards Cycling squad was able to again take a big win: Manuel Clausen is victorious and takes the maillot jaune at Tour de Wallonie aswell as the deciding stage win. By this Clausen shows he´s world class and he wants to show it to everyone. With Damian Hewitt (topsport) an almost equal competitor was in the rows of super classic team topsport. Luckily Clausen gets served stage 4 and by that is one point in front in the points´ classement, 32 to 31 points: the deciding point for the classement. Everyone is happy for Manuel to win again after one month of invisibility in the world elite. We hope to make this successful time go on!

General classement:
1st: Manuel Clausen
9th: Ndale Mbeki
12th: Kato Wolfsong

Stages:
1st: Manuel Clausen

Finances:
414.860 Credits

[team fl]

Congrats for Clausen's magic win

The only thing you have to work on is keeping your nerves. I have never seen you losing your temper so easily...

[Elaska]

Just to respond to your rotten message in the voting !
As usuall BLA BLA BLAAAAAAAAA !!!!!!! poor man without life :
I loose green and also ? a problem ?? and what happend ?? i am not dead

pff i don't really know why i loose my time with you ! when you understand it's just a game that we can spek both ok ?

[Lizard]

Just to respond to your rotten message in the voting !
As usuall BLA BLA BLAAAAAAAAA !!!!!!! poor man without life :
I loose green and also ? a problem ?? and what happend ?? i am not dead

pff i don't really know why i loose my time with you ! when you understand it's just a game that we can spek both ok ?

Didn´t give you minus in the valuation because of the work and everything. But I was really surprised that a team takes a 97 AND 94 sprinter where there´s is only one 95 in the peloton, and then asks for so much help for sprints and going out of tempo etc... But other sprinter teams didn´t do better in this tour, I was pretty much disappointed by their performances.

[Lizard]

Project Lizard: First and one of the most important goals won by Clausen - the Clásica San Sebastián

Today the most important spanish classic race, the so called Clásica San Sebastián was ridden, and for Manuel Clausen the goals were clear before the month: to win the Tour de Wallonie and Clásica San Sebastián. An incredible achievement for the team was made possible, since Clausen was able to win both of them. Since Gent-Wevelgem (also won by the german super-classic) it is the biggest victory for the team next to the 2nd Giro position by Herbert Königsbauer and points classement at the Vuelta by Andris Nauduzs. It all happened like this:

It was not the greatest race everysince, no. And it was by far not the best race of the team manager, too. But it was a great comeback by Clausen this month and a good victory. The race started to be boring, we wanted to give Dick a chance to try for once. He came into the first group which was caught around 45kms after the start because US Lecce prevented our team to by dangerous by a group aswell as in the peloton. Nevertheless the team did not want to work since the only chance to beat Terranova was saving power and some luck in the finale. At the first turn up to the Jaizkibel, Ulminger and vandenVaalken were sent and afterwards Eickendreyer again, but the whole attack went out to be a big mistake in the end. At the 2nd turn on Jaizkibel, were finally Corvia made the peloton go fast and went for a pre-decision, US Lecce did a great job making Clausen fight whole four times where Terranova had fighting off and was to be pulled back again and again. At this point the race seemed to be ended for our winning chances. The chasers (Aston Team, Neutrogena, LARAPANA,...) pulled back Mbeki in a long chase, who was back with Terranova and Clausen shortly before the last 6-2-6-6-7 combination.

Terranova was to attack, for sure. Kato should be sec-trick-entering tempo in the steep parts to block attacks as well as possible. He twice missed the block but when Terranova and Ariatti attacked at the 7% Corvia was out of tempo too late. Five seconds, not much. Rapidly Mbeki was in tempo to chase as hell. He was able to keep the gap at that time quite well, before Alinghi and LARAPANA joined the work to catch the group. Now it was all open again: Anyone could win from Terranova with one attack started, Clausen with four times fighting, LARAPANA with the strongest sprinter aswell as anyone to attack on the right kilometre. Clausen came into the 4% before the finish with not more than 850 energy (much regained on the downhill) and of course had to take the attack. Saggiorato is 2sec behind, Terranova aswell as Lindelöf and Kukan (Wookie) and Niemeier (francais) follow Manuel.

At this point it was sure: This group will win the battle, it just has to be fought for who it would be. Terranova had one attack and one kilometre of tempo, Clausen one attack and plenty of times fighting at the Jaizkibel. This meant no work for Clausen, not riding for 2nd, not helping no one, just pure risk and going for the 1st. Wookie attacked, Terranova in the right wheel and the group is still together. Terranova and Niemeier keep the group on the last kilometre. In the sprint Wookie pulls off from 500m his own rider, and unfortunately Terranova is in the helper´s wheel. Clausen for sure on Terranova (where else?) and wins the sprint by half of a centimetre. An unbelievably close victory for Clausen, who for sure deserves that title. All in all we still have to say: This is not the managers´ win, only 30kms good tactics today were enough for us. US Lecce did a great job in the chase and work in the peloton aswell as on the Jaizkibel, where he made Clausen fight several times and opening the doors for the victory. If Corvia did not go to block the attack, he for sure wins easily. On the other hand, Wolfsong could´ve gone into tempo early enough to block aswell. Nevertheless: We are impressed by Lecce´s great job, and much luck for next month when Terranova can catch up other victories to be gotten.

[Lizard]

Rider of the month: July

And the nominees are:

Manuel Clausen (86%):
1st Clásica San Sebastián, Kat. 5
1st Tour de Wallonie, Kat. 2
Stage 4 Tour de Wallonie, Kat. 2
1410 points

Ndale Mbeki (11%):
Climbers´ Classement Österreich-Rundfahrt, Kat. 3
For most aggressive engagement through the month: Österreich-Rundfahrt
852 points

Kato Wolfsong (3%):
Stage 8 Österreich-Rundfahrt, Kat. 3
905 points

And the winner is:
Manuel Clausen! The teams´ captain is back after a month of invisibility. He wins Tour de Wallonie and San Sebastian, his aims for the month. The one who wins all he needs is the one to be awarded. The poll shows: 86% support Manuels title due to a great finish week of this month.

July training

Samuel Albany: +2 Flat
Joost Berkefeldt: +1 Flat
Manuel Clausen: -
Dick Eickendreyer: +4 Climb, +4 Flat
Mark Enkeevelaert: +4 Sprint
André Katchono: -
Ndale Mbeki: +1 Climb
Robbin Peppermayer: +4 Flat, +2 Downhill
Alfons Ulminger: +1 Flat
John vandenVaalken: +3 Flat
Kato Wolfsong: -

[Lizard]

Clausen victorious in August aswell

Fourth stage of this years´ Tour de L´ain was decided in favour of Manuel Clausen. The german superclassic was able to win by a charade of the teams´ manager. He let fall back on the first hard climb of the day with Wolfsong and Mbeki to roll behind the other favourites with the maillot jaune. By that he was strong enough to attack from the final 4%, 3kms before the flamme rouge. Now Clausen has a chance to make a good performance perfect, several riders have a chance to win the maillot jaune tomorrow.

[Lizard]

Tour de L´ain

At the annual Tour de L´ain Manuel Clausen was able to win two stages aswell as the general classement. This is the best tour result he was ever able to achieve. Where on the first days the team had no options to push for the general classement, the last two days showed a rarely seen strategy which made the victory possible. On the fourth stage Clausen was able to win by a trick, where we let fall Kato and him into the fresim group. By a good cooperation of Martinello and Mbeki the group of favourites was caught and Clausen could win by a strong attack on the 4%, where only Delorme (Ninjateam) and Taubinger (Team MBak) could follow. As the strongest sprinter the stage win was a sure thing, and some seconds in the general classement were important aswell. On the last stage waiting for fresim was not possible, since this would mean he´d win. There is only one instance that helped Clausen and Wolfsong, who fell off the climber´s group at the steep Col du Grand Colombier, to get back to the climbers: Helfer and Rintner (both Recien Nacidos) fell off at the final kilometre of the climb, so they waited for our two riders and Oishi (Claw - CVIII) to be pulled back to Breitenbach (DJK Nilkheim) in the flat part. And so it came by Reciens´ help in the downhill section that the climbers were caught and the fresim group away with enough distance to ensure Clausen´s victory in the general classement. On the 5% Oishi attacks, but this attack cost much energy for nothing. Clausen, Okechuku and Breitenbach can follow easily. Two blocks by Oishi prevent Clausen to attack against Breitenbach and Okechuku who both would´ve not been able to follow since Clausen was fit still. On Clausen´s final attack only Oishi and Okechuku can follow by what we could ensure Recien´s white jersey for his help in the downhill, a good deal for both teams. In the sprint Clausen wins from 50 metres, since the two contrahents both went from 50 metres. 6th general classement for the Wizards, 52nd and 53rd stage win. A great tour and interesting aswell with a huge Kato Wolfsong who showed that he is a perfect addition to Clausen!

General classement:
1st: Manuel Clausen

Stages:
1st: Manuel Clausen (2x)

Finances:
405.825 Credits

[Lizard]

Clausen close to victory in Hamburg, ends up 3rd

On the Vattenfall Cyclassics 2010 Manuel Clausen was almost able to win a sprint out of a classic group. The 31 year old German from Westerland had only to look forward to Kimy Vasilirius (Equipe Risque) and Emanuele Terranova (US Lecce), who were too strong in the final 500 metres. "It was so close. Well, not in the distance. But if Emanuele looks at Kimy´s and not at my wheel I can easily pass them from the early sprint in Soopi´s wheel. Like this it was not possible." Congrats to Risque for the win, but for US Lecce´s and T-Mobile Team´s work no trophy to earn, a little sad! On the next race free beer from the Lizards.

[Lizard]

ENECO 2010 - Clausen takes stage and green

On the first stage of the ENECO-Tour Manuel Clausen was able to accelerate on the final 4% with only Boris Kistenpfennig (Team Ruhrgebiet) in his wheel. He could sprint to the top position and take the green jersey with the stage. Mark Enkeevelaert is the other strong Wizard today, the Gun was able to win the peloton sprint. A beautiful tour start for us!

[Lizard]

Surprising news: Vuelta possible if sitter found for last 3 days

Maybe it is possible for us to ride two Grand Tours in this year, since the Vuelta might be ridden by the team. The conditions are better than expected, since the managers´ holidays are up for 17th of september. The profiles will be checked and we´ll have an eye for a sitter from the 17th to the end of the tour. If there is interest, please leave a personal message at my account. Thanks a lot.

[Lizard]

2nd stage win at ENECO: Clausen, Eickendreyer and Enkeevelaert on a good way

Manuel Clausen could win the 3rd stage of ENECO Tour 2010. By that he takes the points´ classement for the 2nd time so far. Mark Enkeevelaert was able to finish 2nd on stage 2, so by now we only have Top 3 finishes so far. If this tour continues like that, we can be very happy. Also Dick Eickendreyer has a good position for the coming days in the general classement.

[Lizard]

Clausen completes the hattrick - and the points classement is saved aswell

All primary goals of this tour are fullfilled. Manuel Clausen was today able to win again and by that could achieve his 3rd stage win at this years´ ENECO Tour. He also is now gone in the points classement with many many points, only theoretically by winning tomorrow aswell as earning intermediate sprint points Loipinen could win the points classement. The tour is in financial and sporting terms a full success for the team so far.

[Amor lux]

clausen is very strong congrats you :p