team fl wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:57 amPresentation Team FL founded 3 August 2006
Current Team Roster (May 2022):
-Aaron Armleder, 28, Hill specialist, Switzerland
71-76-77-52-67, 70 Pavé, 41 Reg
-Ben Bollendorff, 29, Helper/Allrounder, Luxembourg
55-80-77-48-43, 72 Pavé, 53 Reg
-Bertram Büchel, 33, Lead out sprinter, Liechtenstein
57-73-53-51-79, 74 Pavé, 39 Reg
-Fortunato Fontdevila, 29, Flatsprinter, Spain
52-87-53-47-71, 77 Pavé, 42 Reg
-Guido Görtzen, 29, Allrounder, Netherlands
61-84-77-49-52, 75 Pavé, 37 Reg
-Hubert Henno, 32, Flat specialist, France
50-84-50-50-49, 75 Pavé, 38 Reg
-Kornelius Kinn, 25, Helper/Allrounder, Sweden
57-81-79-52-47, 70 Pavé, 44 Reg
-Kevin Klinkenberg, 28, Pavé specialist, Belgium
51-88-48-48-43, 82 Pavé, 40 Reg
-Michelangelo LoBianco, 31, Pavé specialist, Italy
53-84-72-62-53, 81 Pavé, 40 Reg
-
53-61-50-51-89, 66 Pavé, 53 Reg
-Prometheus Proulx, 25, Helper/Allrounder, Canada
59-81-77-55-47, 74 Pavé, 62 Reg
-
56-77-52-47-55, 71 Pavé, 39 Reg
-Zacharias Zahn, 26, Hill specialist, Germany
72-77-76-49-60, 69 Pavé, 41 Reg
Team Statistics:
Stage Wins (498):
25 -Fran Peterlin
22 -Ngo Nguyen
21 -
20 -Eduardo Spohr
18 -
13 -
13 -Perry Henzell
12 -Jean OlléOllé
12 -Iwan Franko
10 -
10 -
10 -Carlos Lampe
9 -JungGi Kim (NC)
8 -
8 -Joe Friesenbichler
8 -Elwyn Oxley (NC)
8 -Afshin Pirhashemi
7 -
7 -
7 -
7 -Ryan Kilfeather
7 -Nodirkhan Kadyrkhanov
7-Karl Kopinski (NC)
7 -Zach Wheeler
6 -Eric Lichtenstein
6 -Breyten Breytenbach
6 -
6 -
5 -
5 -
5 -Kari Steinsson
5 -Martti Rosenblatt
5 -Carlos Tejeda
5 -Harrison Tasher (2x NC)
5 -Pavel Sitko
5 -Feliciano Centurion (NC)
4 -Omar Pene
4 -
4 -
4 -
4 -Jan Flachbart (NC)
4 -Royston Lighting
4 -Robertlandy Simon
4 -Bambang Megaranto
4 -Tony Woodcock
4 -Serghei Pascenco
4 -
3 -
3 -
3 -
3 -
3 -Keyser Söze
3 -
3 -
3 -Victor Fargas
3 -Eddie Sixpence
3 -Ariel Weisman
3 -
3 -
3 -
3 -
3 -
2 -
2 -
2 -
2 -
2 -
2 -Janis Smedins
2 -Wilhelm Wahlforss
2 -Paul Betancourt
2 -Valentin Bratoev (NC)
2 -Hassan Dif
2 -
2 -Amartya Sen
2 -Anselmo Grau
2 -
2 -Carlos Kaiser
2 -
2 -
2 - TTT (TdS'18, TdF'18)
1 -Josef Fichtl
1 -Knut Bakke
1 -
1 -
1 -Dimitri Jiriakov
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -Tomasz Kowalski
1 -
1 -Alain Yoda
1 -Elvis Bodganic (NC)
1 -Desideriu Vatca
1 -
1 -Samir Sellami
1 -Dong Dong (NC)
1 -Juan Villafuerte
1 -Kahlid Satour (NC)
1 -Wael Afifi (NC)
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -Yuji Nishida
1 -
1 -
1 -
Classic Wins (40):
3 -
3 -
2 -
2 -
2 -
2 -
2 -
2 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
-> 2. Plätze: Josef Fichtl (Züri-Metzgete'06), Ewald Wolf (P-B'07), Steve Hasler (Placci'08, Hamburg'08 ), Sylvain Boss (Piemonte'08 ), Elmar Goop (Harelbeke'09), Mavolio Bent (Omloop'10), Luigi Mastrangelo (AGR'11), Cédric Schmarotz (MSR'12), Toni Hassler (E3'12), Stefano Benni (Omloop'13, LBL'13), Jean Ollé Ollé (GW'13), Jan Flachbart (MSR'14), Fran Peterlin (LBL'15), Perry Henzell (Hamburg'16), Iwan Franko (Omloop'17), Feliciano Centurion (PR'17), Ngo Nguyen (Scheldeprijs'18), JungGi Kim (P-R'18, Harelbeke'18), Karl Kopinski (P-R'19, Omloop'19), Uros Kovacevic (GP de Bruxelles'21), Aaron Armleder (RVV'21)
-> 3. Plätze: Schavi Nator (LBL'07), Ewald Wolf (Fourmies'07), Andrea Clavadetscher (MSR'08 ), Tim Hamberger (PR'11), Stefan Küng (E3'12), Xaver Unsinn (Tre Valli'12), Arni Steinsson (RVV'13), Wilhelm Wahlforss (Harelbeke'14), Eric Lichtenstein (GW'15), Fran Peterlin (RVV'15, San Sebastian'15), Perry Henzell (MSR'16), Breyten Breytenbach (San Sebastian'16), Iwan Franko (Harelbeke'17), Pieter Coolman (Omloop'19), Karl Kopinski (RVV'19), Baltasar Banzer (Tours'19), Nicola Nicoli (GW'20), Halvor Haugen (Brabant'20)
Stage races (30):
4 -
4 -
3 -
2 -
2 -
2 -
2 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1-
Youth jerseys (17):
2 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
Mountain jerseys (8):
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
Points jerseys (31):
6 -
6 -
3 -
2 -
2 -
2 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
1 -
Team classement (25):
4 - Tour des Pavés ('10,'11,'16,'17)
4 - Tour Down Under ('15,'16,'17,'19)
2 - Dunkerque ('12,'14)
1 - Alberta ('14)
1 - BinckBank ('18)
1 - California ('12)
1 - Denmark ('12)
1 - De Panne ('12)
1 - Deutschlandtour ('16)
1 - Dubai ('18)
1 - Giro della Toscana ('17)
1 - Oman ('13)
1 - Romandie ('13)
1 - Sachsen Pflaster ('12)
1 - Sibiu ('16)
1 - Tour de Suisse ('13)
1 - Tour du Maroc ('09)
1 - Trentino ('13)
Most Points:
17667 -
16332 -
12201 -
10147 -
9408 -
9067 -
8104 -
7794 -
7780 -
7620 -
7553 -
6997 -
6571 -
6552 -
6433 -
5850 -
5789 -
5672 -
5484 -
5432 -
5361 -
5326 -
5273 -
Most Races:
282 -
276 -
268 -
267 -
262 -
262 -
256 -
245 -
242 -
237 -
233 -
232 -
230 -
228 -
214 -
208 -
206 -
206 -Dominikos Petrakis
200 -
*still riding
Team FL rider's nationalities (80/80):
Team FL
Moderator: englishmods
Re: Team FL
A little update of the front page, exclusively now also here:
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
There was no need to post the nationalities... Now one of your competitors is depressed again.
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"!
Got a carrot from FL. But they threaten to take it away now.
Basics reform: Give blue a chance!
Don't punish bugusers. We all have to use bugs, since most of them are declared as "features"!
Got a carrot from FL. But they threaten to take it away now.
Re: Team FL
Magnus Marxer claims the Maglia Ciclamino
The Giro d'Italia 2022 finished with the ITT in Verona, Magnus Marxer in the Maglia Ciclamino and Team FL with 5 stage wins overall.
4 of the 5 stage wins were contributed by Magnux Marxer himself during the stages 2, 5, 11, and 18 while Aaron Armelder sneakily won stage 10. For Marxer, the Team FL sprint train with Fontdevila and Büchel made it happen with excellent groundwork during the last 500m. Marxer also profitted from the Mosca sprinters being lost without proper instructions from their team and Gabel (Big Donkey) getting old.
The remaining contestants for the Ciclamino were Mika Antomäki from Bahrain-Merida and Kjell Skoglund from T-Mobile-A. Due to their mountain skills, they were able to grab points where Marxer couldn't. But in the end, Marxer showed the comittement and the fighting spirit it needs during the Giro to make it happen. It is the 5th Ciclamino for Team FL and Magnus Marxer is now in line with Stefano Benni ('13), Fran Peterlin ('15), Elwyn Oxley ('16) and Pavel Sitko ('17).
The Giro d'Italia 2022 finished with the ITT in Verona, Magnus Marxer in the Maglia Ciclamino and Team FL with 5 stage wins overall.
4 of the 5 stage wins were contributed by Magnux Marxer himself during the stages 2, 5, 11, and 18 while Aaron Armelder sneakily won stage 10. For Marxer, the Team FL sprint train with Fontdevila and Büchel made it happen with excellent groundwork during the last 500m. Marxer also profitted from the Mosca sprinters being lost without proper instructions from their team and Gabel (Big Donkey) getting old.
The remaining contestants for the Ciclamino were Mika Antomäki from Bahrain-Merida and Kjell Skoglund from T-Mobile-A. Due to their mountain skills, they were able to grab points where Marxer couldn't. But in the end, Marxer showed the comittement and the fighting spirit it needs during the Giro to make it happen. It is the 5th Ciclamino for Team FL and Magnus Marxer is now in line with Stefano Benni ('13), Fran Peterlin ('15), Elwyn Oxley ('16) and Pavel Sitko ('17).
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Liechtenstein sprint duo retires
Both Bertram Büchel and Magnus Marxer, the succesful Team FL sprint duo, retired at the end of June after being responsible for another Maglia Ciclamino in the Team FL dressing room.
But not only these two decided to turn their back to professional cycling: Hubert Henno as well left Team FL quietly. While Büchel and Marxer will shine in the Team FL palameres section, Hubert Henno was the guy who filled up roster spots, who worked for their wins, who was there undselfishly.
In the meantime, Frits Flaskjer, the fast youngster from Norway joined the team and will immediatly ride the Tour de France, while Volkmar Vogt, the second young addition to the Team FL roster, stays Liechtenstein to get better first. Flaskjer will be joined in France (and Denmark first) by well known names like Armelder, Zahn, Proulx, Kinn, Fontdevila, Klinkenberg, Bollendorff and Görtzen. Guess it's too early for Flaskjer to go for the points classement in a Grand Tour, but the team management believes in the young rider to be a lot of fun in the future.
Both Bertram Büchel and Magnus Marxer, the succesful Team FL sprint duo, retired at the end of June after being responsible for another Maglia Ciclamino in the Team FL dressing room.
But not only these two decided to turn their back to professional cycling: Hubert Henno as well left Team FL quietly. While Büchel and Marxer will shine in the Team FL palameres section, Hubert Henno was the guy who filled up roster spots, who worked for their wins, who was there undselfishly.
In the meantime, Frits Flaskjer, the fast youngster from Norway joined the team and will immediatly ride the Tour de France, while Volkmar Vogt, the second young addition to the Team FL roster, stays Liechtenstein to get better first. Flaskjer will be joined in France (and Denmark first) by well known names like Armelder, Zahn, Proulx, Kinn, Fontdevila, Klinkenberg, Bollendorff and Görtzen. Guess it's too early for Flaskjer to go for the points classement in a Grand Tour, but the team management believes in the young rider to be a lot of fun in the future.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Piano e Forte
Team FLs biggest disappointment, Michelanglo LoBianco, or Mike the White, left Team FL. But he scouted two new Italian proscpects who joined the Liechtenstein cycling team.
Fiorino Forte and Pierluigi Piano, the story of two childhood friends who both landed at the same cycling team with 21 years old. The one with promising results on flat terrain, the other kind of an allrounder with some sprint skills. Both together, Piano e Forte, complete each other prefectly. Hence, the team management believes, that both will bring great joy together with the other young riders like Vogt or Flaskjer.
Meanwhile, Team FL is active in France (from tomorrow). Technical director Hugo Marxer saw an early effort from Frits Flaskjer during stage two, only being second to the points classement favourite Cadmael Ical from CircleCyle. The Tour de France will be used to sharpen the young Norweigan' skills and maybe grab a lucky stage win or two during an hilly stage or an escape. Until then, the team will enjoy the landscape and scenery.
Team FLs biggest disappointment, Michelanglo LoBianco, or Mike the White, left Team FL. But he scouted two new Italian proscpects who joined the Liechtenstein cycling team.
Fiorino Forte and Pierluigi Piano, the story of two childhood friends who both landed at the same cycling team with 21 years old. The one with promising results on flat terrain, the other kind of an allrounder with some sprint skills. Both together, Piano e Forte, complete each other prefectly. Hence, the team management believes, that both will bring great joy together with the other young riders like Vogt or Flaskjer.
Meanwhile, Team FL is active in France (from tomorrow). Technical director Hugo Marxer saw an early effort from Frits Flaskjer during stage two, only being second to the points classement favourite Cadmael Ical from CircleCyle. The Tour de France will be used to sharpen the young Norweigan' skills and maybe grab a lucky stage win or two during an hilly stage or an escape. Until then, the team will enjoy the landscape and scenery.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Forunate Fortunato wins Tour de France pavé stage
While other teams with gread pavé riders focused their efforts on the GC, Fortunato Fondevila won the TdF stage 5 almost uncontestedly.
Very observant during the race, Fortunato Fontdevila and Kevin Klinkenberg started their firework on the last pavé sector, after being brought there safely by Guido Görtzen, who did a great job when it was needed. Fontdevila and Klinkenberg left everybody behind but Jaycen Greenidge from Circle Cycle. Greenidge could't do much more than ride along with them trying to keep up. In the end, Klinkenberg opened the sprint for Fontdevila, who left Greenidge no chance on the final 200 meters. A great win for Fontdevila, and the TdF-win Team FL hoped for the most.
But how did it came to this? Well, the story of the stage was the GC fight between Big Donkey and Alkworld, both also having very good pavé riders, who were held back by their teams to ride for the team goals. Another advantageous factor was the unwillingsness in the peloton for an early escape. When that escape happened, it was too late to be dangerous, as teams like Gipfelstuermer, Alkword and later on T-Moblie-A chased in time, leaving Team FL again in an observant position. Finally, almost all stage contestants were helping their GC leaders, everybody else (besides Greenridge), Team FL could get rid of later.
The team management is very happy, now having a TdF-stage win in their pocket. From now on, it will be a bit more difficult, but maybe Armleder, Flaskjer or Fontdevila again can profit from more GC shenanigans or mistakes from their opponents. And there is still the rest of the team waiting for the opportunity to join an escape group.
While other teams with gread pavé riders focused their efforts on the GC, Fortunato Fondevila won the TdF stage 5 almost uncontestedly.
Very observant during the race, Fortunato Fontdevila and Kevin Klinkenberg started their firework on the last pavé sector, after being brought there safely by Guido Görtzen, who did a great job when it was needed. Fontdevila and Klinkenberg left everybody behind but Jaycen Greenidge from Circle Cycle. Greenidge could't do much more than ride along with them trying to keep up. In the end, Klinkenberg opened the sprint for Fontdevila, who left Greenidge no chance on the final 200 meters. A great win for Fontdevila, and the TdF-win Team FL hoped for the most.
But how did it came to this? Well, the story of the stage was the GC fight between Big Donkey and Alkworld, both also having very good pavé riders, who were held back by their teams to ride for the team goals. Another advantageous factor was the unwillingsness in the peloton for an early escape. When that escape happened, it was too late to be dangerous, as teams like Gipfelstuermer, Alkword and later on T-Moblie-A chased in time, leaving Team FL again in an observant position. Finally, almost all stage contestants were helping their GC leaders, everybody else (besides Greenridge), Team FL could get rid of later.
The team management is very happy, now having a TdF-stage win in their pocket. From now on, it will be a bit more difficult, but maybe Armleder, Flaskjer or Fontdevila again can profit from more GC shenanigans or mistakes from their opponents. And there is still the rest of the team waiting for the opportunity to join an escape group.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Proulx prouldy wears polka dots while Frits finishes first in Paris
While Prometheus Proulx wins the mountain classement at the Tour de France 2022, Frits Flaskjer wins the last stage at the Champs-Elysees.
What a Tour de France it was in 2022. Lots of action, lots of excitement. And lots of things to celebrate. Team FL achieved the goal of a stage win earliy when Fortunato Fontdevila won stage 5. From then on, it was merely trying to win a stage in an escape or in a bunch sprint, which all failed until the last stage. But Team FL didn't just give up in frustration, no, it set new goals, going for the mountain classement with Prometheus Proulx, a proven alrounder and escapee. It was a bit unexpected as not planned, but once it was set, there was no way from not going for it. In the end, that spirit paid off with Proulx defending it until Paris, where Team FL could also celebrate the second stage win and Flaskjer's first sprint win in his still young career.
Hence, after all, the Tour de France 2022 was a huge success. Not only regarding results, but also financially. So much, that the team management is already looking for new additions for the future roster. Anyway, with Proulx still not even 30 and Flaskjer still 21, we hope it will be a bright one, but not blinding our eyes though. Hugo Marxer bought some sun glasses for protection already... .
While Prometheus Proulx wins the mountain classement at the Tour de France 2022, Frits Flaskjer wins the last stage at the Champs-Elysees.
What a Tour de France it was in 2022. Lots of action, lots of excitement. And lots of things to celebrate. Team FL achieved the goal of a stage win earliy when Fortunato Fontdevila won stage 5. From then on, it was merely trying to win a stage in an escape or in a bunch sprint, which all failed until the last stage. But Team FL didn't just give up in frustration, no, it set new goals, going for the mountain classement with Prometheus Proulx, a proven alrounder and escapee. It was a bit unexpected as not planned, but once it was set, there was no way from not going for it. In the end, that spirit paid off with Proulx defending it until Paris, where Team FL could also celebrate the second stage win and Flaskjer's first sprint win in his still young career.
Hence, after all, the Tour de France 2022 was a huge success. Not only regarding results, but also financially. So much, that the team management is already looking for new additions for the future roster. Anyway, with Proulx still not even 30 and Flaskjer still 21, we hope it will be a bright one, but not blinding our eyes though. Hugo Marxer bought some sun glasses for protection already... .
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Zacharias Zahn "z"eals the deal in Quebec
With is first race win, Zacharias Zahn wins the first classic race for Team FL in 2022 in Canada, at the GP de Quebec
At the tender age of 31 he did it. Zacharias Zahn won his first race. And not any race, a classic, the GP de Quebec. Usually, Zahn is known for his helper services for his team mate Aaron Armleder. But today, he was given free rein to ride for his own glory. After his team controlled the second half of the race and chased the escape group, he attacked himself together with Prometheus Proulx. With Tom Morello from Motor Trachenberge at his wheel and soon joining the former escape group and Franceschino Moser (ColnagoITA), the gap got bigger and bigger as only stevens was willing to chase them. Hugo Marxer already noticed a smile on Aaron's face, who really wanted his usual partner in crime to win this. And in the end it was more than enough. With a distance, "Zach" won the final sprint in front of Tom Morello. Proulx got 4th while Armleder was best of the rest. And this concluded classic win No. 41 for Team FL overall.
With is first race win, Zacharias Zahn wins the first classic race for Team FL in 2022 in Canada, at the GP de Quebec
At the tender age of 31 he did it. Zacharias Zahn won his first race. And not any race, a classic, the GP de Quebec. Usually, Zahn is known for his helper services for his team mate Aaron Armleder. But today, he was given free rein to ride for his own glory. After his team controlled the second half of the race and chased the escape group, he attacked himself together with Prometheus Proulx. With Tom Morello from Motor Trachenberge at his wheel and soon joining the former escape group and Franceschino Moser (ColnagoITA), the gap got bigger and bigger as only stevens was willing to chase them. Hugo Marxer already noticed a smile on Aaron's face, who really wanted his usual partner in crime to win this. And in the end it was more than enough. With a distance, "Zach" won the final sprint in front of Tom Morello. Proulx got 4th while Armleder was best of the rest. And this concluded classic win No. 41 for Team FL overall.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Team FL does the Canadian double
After Zacharias Zahn won the GP de Quebec on Friday, Aaron Armleder doubled down and won de GP de Montreal on Sunday.
When the startlist for the GP de Montreal was announced, Hugo Marxer raised at least one eyebrow. Only two teams for a classic race? Plipouze and Team FL seemed the only ones interested. But there was not much time to worry and then again, you have to play with the cards you're dealt. And Team FL did exactly that. While the first half of the race was kind of a waiting game, Plipouze started the action during the last 30 km with a double attack after a sieb. "Uncle" Ben Bollendorff was the first to react. After the third double attack, that could also been dealt with easily by the Team FL riders, Zahn and Armleder attacked themselves uncontestedly and reached the finish line with more than half a minute in advance before everybody else. In the end, it was Armleder who got the win to seal the Canadian double in 2022. On a sidenote, the Team FL sprint department lost unluckily to Peter Pommeroy (bergwerk) at the GP de Fourmies, Fontdevila only getting third after a promising attack, but a mast class in sprint from the bergwerk trio in the group. But three victories in three days would have been a bit too much for Hugo Marxer's ego anyway. And that's something nobody really wants...
After Zacharias Zahn won the GP de Quebec on Friday, Aaron Armleder doubled down and won de GP de Montreal on Sunday.
When the startlist for the GP de Montreal was announced, Hugo Marxer raised at least one eyebrow. Only two teams for a classic race? Plipouze and Team FL seemed the only ones interested. But there was not much time to worry and then again, you have to play with the cards you're dealt. And Team FL did exactly that. While the first half of the race was kind of a waiting game, Plipouze started the action during the last 30 km with a double attack after a sieb. "Uncle" Ben Bollendorff was the first to react. After the third double attack, that could also been dealt with easily by the Team FL riders, Zahn and Armleder attacked themselves uncontestedly and reached the finish line with more than half a minute in advance before everybody else. In the end, it was Armleder who got the win to seal the Canadian double in 2022. On a sidenote, the Team FL sprint department lost unluckily to Peter Pommeroy (bergwerk) at the GP de Fourmies, Fontdevila only getting third after a promising attack, but a mast class in sprint from the bergwerk trio in the group. But three victories in three days would have been a bit too much for Hugo Marxer's ego anyway. And that's something nobody really wants...
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Team FL goes back to climbing
Team FL is remodelling its roster for 2023, which includes french climber Clément Clévenot.
So far, 2022 was a pretty successful year for Team FL. Magnus Marxer won the points classement at the Giro, Prometheus Proulx won the mountain classement at the Tour, both Aaron Armleder and Zacharias Zahn won a classic race. But now, the 2022 season is almost over and the team's management together with technical director Hugo Marxer have to decide how to go on. Old rider like Armleder, Bollendorf, Fontdevila and Görtzen left the team in September and October while new, young riders joined the team. Helpers and Allrounds like Gunther Grün from Austria and Janis Jansons from Latvia did some time with the team already while the portuguese classic prospect Vitor Ventura has only a one race in his legs after joining the team at the beginning of October.
But the latest and probably most prestigiuos acquisition is the young french climber Clément Clévenot. Maybe the team was inspired by the win of the mountain classement at the Tour de France, maybe they wanted to go back to the good old times of Luigi Mastrangelo, Afshin Pirhashemi, Keyser Söze, Nodirkhan Kadyrkhanov, Carlos Lampe or even Sepp Fichtl. Anyway, brining back a climber brings back hope for good results in the mountains, one thing the team was missing during the last years. So, allez Clémenet! Go climbing!
Team FL is remodelling its roster for 2023, which includes french climber Clément Clévenot.
So far, 2022 was a pretty successful year for Team FL. Magnus Marxer won the points classement at the Giro, Prometheus Proulx won the mountain classement at the Tour, both Aaron Armleder and Zacharias Zahn won a classic race. But now, the 2022 season is almost over and the team's management together with technical director Hugo Marxer have to decide how to go on. Old rider like Armleder, Bollendorf, Fontdevila and Görtzen left the team in September and October while new, young riders joined the team. Helpers and Allrounds like Gunther Grün from Austria and Janis Jansons from Latvia did some time with the team already while the portuguese classic prospect Vitor Ventura has only a one race in his legs after joining the team at the beginning of October.
But the latest and probably most prestigiuos acquisition is the young french climber Clément Clévenot. Maybe the team was inspired by the win of the mountain classement at the Tour de France, maybe they wanted to go back to the good old times of Luigi Mastrangelo, Afshin Pirhashemi, Keyser Söze, Nodirkhan Kadyrkhanov, Carlos Lampe or even Sepp Fichtl. Anyway, brining back a climber brings back hope for good results in the mountains, one thing the team was missing during the last years. So, allez Clémenet! Go climbing!
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Team FL starts with 2 out of 3 into the new year
Three races, two wins. That's Team FL's very efficient start in 2023. Hopefully, this form can be maintained for the rest of the year.
Frits Flaskjer and Clémenet Clévenot are responsible for the first highlights in 2023. In the first race in the new year, it was Frits who outsmarted his opponents and won the race from Panaras to Kavieng in a bunch sprint. One week later, Team FL climber Clément Clévenot celebrated his first race win ever, being first at the Santiago de Chile Mountain GP, even in front of Herman Melville from Alkworld. Inbetween the Liechtenstein cycling team started in Brasilia, where Perluigi Piano got only second. The team management hopes that this winnig quota shows the potential of the current roster. Or it might be Hugo Marxer's lazy racing schedule with only three races in January so far. Meanwhile, the team has been developping well and looking good for the classics spring and a Giro attendance.
Three races, two wins. That's Team FL's very efficient start in 2023. Hopefully, this form can be maintained for the rest of the year.
Frits Flaskjer and Clémenet Clévenot are responsible for the first highlights in 2023. In the first race in the new year, it was Frits who outsmarted his opponents and won the race from Panaras to Kavieng in a bunch sprint. One week later, Team FL climber Clément Clévenot celebrated his first race win ever, being first at the Santiago de Chile Mountain GP, even in front of Herman Melville from Alkworld. Inbetween the Liechtenstein cycling team started in Brasilia, where Perluigi Piano got only second. The team management hopes that this winnig quota shows the potential of the current roster. Or it might be Hugo Marxer's lazy racing schedule with only three races in January so far. Meanwhile, the team has been developping well and looking good for the classics spring and a Giro attendance.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Two National Champions at Team FL
Liechtenstein and Poland. Those are the latest NC jerseys worn at Team FL.
First it was Przemyslaw Pszczolarski who won the polish National Championships and then Volkmar Vogt, winning the most important National Championship jersey for the Liechtenstein cycling team. While the team management celebrated those wins, everybody else got a day off, except Julio Juantorena who got second in Cuba only by a heartbeat. In the meantime Clément Clévenot won his second race this year, showing his good form at Rio Claro - Parati. And while Proulx and Kinn left the team and retired from cycling, young brasilian allraounder Gilberto Godoy has been picked up at that race to join Team FL.
Liechtenstein and Poland. Those are the latest NC jerseys worn at Team FL.
First it was Przemyslaw Pszczolarski who won the polish National Championships and then Volkmar Vogt, winning the most important National Championship jersey for the Liechtenstein cycling team. While the team management celebrated those wins, everybody else got a day off, except Julio Juantorena who got second in Cuba only by a heartbeat. In the meantime Clément Clévenot won his second race this year, showing his good form at Rio Claro - Parati. And while Proulx and Kinn left the team and retired from cycling, young brasilian allraounder Gilberto Godoy has been picked up at that race to join Team FL.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Grün the colour of hope at Tirreno-Adriatico
No Frits, no Volkmar. Nobody for the sprints for Team FL at Tirreno-Adriatico. Clément outperformed in the climbs, so Grün had to fix it.
Usually at this time of the year, Team FL rides Paris-Nice. With Clément Clévenot as the main guy for these kind of tours, the french preparation for the Giro d'Italia would have been the logical choice. Due to misplanning by Hugo Marxer, Team FL signed up for Tirreno-Adriatico instead, for the first time ever (?). While Clément was pretty unhappy about this, Pierluigi Piano liked the idea of riding in his home country. Fiorino Forte was furious though, not being able to ride in Italy as part of the dynamic duo "Piano e Forte". Other even got sic of the idea not to ride Paris-Nice, like Frits Flaskjaer who could not join due to a bad stomach. Volkmar Vogt outright refused to ride. Hence, the team was pretty much set, with Godoy and Hässig joining the team that was set to the Lido de Camaiore for the initial ITT. During the tour, nothing looked like a stage win or a chance at the GC for Team FL, until the final stage. Gunther Grün joined a hopeful early escape and won out of that group 4 seconds in front of the hard chasing peloton. A conciliatory ending after a first Tirreno-Adriatica that ended with GC place 5 for Clément. Now, the Liechtenstein cycling team is looking forward to the spring classics and getting ready for the Giro!
No Frits, no Volkmar. Nobody for the sprints for Team FL at Tirreno-Adriatico. Clément outperformed in the climbs, so Grün had to fix it.
Usually at this time of the year, Team FL rides Paris-Nice. With Clément Clévenot as the main guy for these kind of tours, the french preparation for the Giro d'Italia would have been the logical choice. Due to misplanning by Hugo Marxer, Team FL signed up for Tirreno-Adriatico instead, for the first time ever (?). While Clément was pretty unhappy about this, Pierluigi Piano liked the idea of riding in his home country. Fiorino Forte was furious though, not being able to ride in Italy as part of the dynamic duo "Piano e Forte". Other even got sic of the idea not to ride Paris-Nice, like Frits Flaskjaer who could not join due to a bad stomach. Volkmar Vogt outright refused to ride. Hence, the team was pretty much set, with Godoy and Hässig joining the team that was set to the Lido de Camaiore for the initial ITT. During the tour, nothing looked like a stage win or a chance at the GC for Team FL, until the final stage. Gunther Grün joined a hopeful early escape and won out of that group 4 seconds in front of the hard chasing peloton. A conciliatory ending after a first Tirreno-Adriatica that ended with GC place 5 for Clément. Now, the Liechtenstein cycling team is looking forward to the spring classics and getting ready for the Giro!
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Frits dominates De Panne
Frits Flaskjer wins the first classic race for Team FL in 2023. At De Panne, he outpaced everybody in the final bunch sprint.
OConnor, Rychlík, Kröber, Viviani, Finschen, Boonen or Rovanperä: The competition among the sprinters was fierce in the very flat Belgian spring classic. Rovanperä's team (Bearclaw Cycling) even wanted to have more options as their leader is not known to be the strongest finisher but good for harder races. And so, it were Bearclaw Cycling and r Taka with the early attack in a small group with two riders each. Team Scotland (OConnor), Rake Racing (Rychlík), and Team Viromet (Kröber) were the early controllers in the peloton. Once the final third of the race started, also Team FL joined them to form the main chasing mob.
While the gap was mostly the same over the whole race, the peloton reduced it steadily with a high pace and only allowing a few late attacks, again from r TAKA and Bearclaw, that didn't last until the finish line. The only other team that fought against a bunch sprint was FB Radsport Team, who bravely tried everything. But even the successful attacks were cought not long after they happened. So for the last 5 to 10 km, everyone prepared for the bunch sprint in which the Team FL train with Piano and Vogt launched for Flaskjer, having only the train for Viviani and the sprinters in his wheel as main contestants. 150 m before the finish line, fantastic Frits put the pedal to the metal and never looked back. Even the mahagoni sticks, handed out by Hugo Marxer to the team, were not needed and he finished first in front of Samuli Puhakainen (Bearclaw Cycling), who could only try his best to stay on his wheel for second place. Sebastiano Viviani (Carrera Blue Jeans) was the third rider on the podium, while the best sprinters on paper, OConnor and Rychlík, will have to go "over the books".
While Team FL won De Panne also when it still was a stage race, Frits is the second rider to win it as a one day race as well, after Luca Spirito's victory in 2019. But now, Team FL fully focuses on Belgian double header in March: Harelbeke and Gent-Wevelgem.
Frits Flaskjer wins the first classic race for Team FL in 2023. At De Panne, he outpaced everybody in the final bunch sprint.
OConnor, Rychlík, Kröber, Viviani, Finschen, Boonen or Rovanperä: The competition among the sprinters was fierce in the very flat Belgian spring classic. Rovanperä's team (Bearclaw Cycling) even wanted to have more options as their leader is not known to be the strongest finisher but good for harder races. And so, it were Bearclaw Cycling and r Taka with the early attack in a small group with two riders each. Team Scotland (OConnor), Rake Racing (Rychlík), and Team Viromet (Kröber) were the early controllers in the peloton. Once the final third of the race started, also Team FL joined them to form the main chasing mob.
While the gap was mostly the same over the whole race, the peloton reduced it steadily with a high pace and only allowing a few late attacks, again from r TAKA and Bearclaw, that didn't last until the finish line. The only other team that fought against a bunch sprint was FB Radsport Team, who bravely tried everything. But even the successful attacks were cought not long after they happened. So for the last 5 to 10 km, everyone prepared for the bunch sprint in which the Team FL train with Piano and Vogt launched for Flaskjer, having only the train for Viviani and the sprinters in his wheel as main contestants. 150 m before the finish line, fantastic Frits put the pedal to the metal and never looked back. Even the mahagoni sticks, handed out by Hugo Marxer to the team, were not needed and he finished first in front of Samuli Puhakainen (Bearclaw Cycling), who could only try his best to stay on his wheel for second place. Sebastiano Viviani (Carrera Blue Jeans) was the third rider on the podium, while the best sprinters on paper, OConnor and Rychlík, will have to go "over the books".
While Team FL won De Panne also when it still was a stage race, Frits is the second rider to win it as a one day race as well, after Luca Spirito's victory in 2019. But now, Team FL fully focuses on Belgian double header in March: Harelbeke and Gent-Wevelgem.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Team FL trio dominates E3
Pierluigi Piano won in Harelbeke while Terry Tiktak and Fiorino Forte landed 3rd and 5th place in a dominating fashion.
Mads Korneliussen from Bearclaw Cycling tried his best to get rid of as many conestants as possible and create a fortunate situation for him ans his teammates when he did a hard sieb at km 168 (3% with *** pavé), 37 km before the finish line. As he looked around, he could not belive his eyes: All his teammates were gone and he was left with... well... three Team FL riders: Terry Tiktak, Fiorino Forte and Pierluigi Piano. But lets start at the beginning...
After a very slow start and a cosy tempo for the first 70 kms, it was Rake Racing who opened the fight for race win. The comback team that started riding again in February after almost 10 years without a single race, sent three riders in an escape and woke up the favourites in the peloton. Which was mainly Team FL. The Liechtenstein cycling team tried to wake up the other teams to by some siebing action while simultaneously trying to decrease the time gap to the trio in front. At km 149 Bearclaw Cycling joined the siebing fun, but not for long. 14 kms later, it was Julio Juantorena who managed to do his charm for Team FL at the Paterberg. And now, we go back where this text started, where...
... Mads Kornelius found himself escorted by a Team FL trio, that was trying to get Piano in the best position possible for a final sprint with keeping the rest of the riders away for the remainder of the race. At it looked hopeful, was the rest of the race was not cooperating well, even attacking themselves. At a point, the foursome also caught the only left escaper, Lucas Denayer to form a quintet. But Mads would not be Mads if he would have given up. So in a brave but futile attempt, he tried to outsmart the three Team FL riders (Denayer was too exhausted already to doanything but just trying to keep up) and attacked in a short downhill part. And that was the time when the famous Forte é Piano duo kicked in. So long story short: Mads tried again for the fans and sponsors one km before the finish line but was easily followed by, you guessed right, Forte é Piano. In the end Piano showed his sprinting skills and won the second classic race for Team FL this week, after Frits Flaskjaer won De Panne already. On Sunday, Gent-Wevelgem is waiting, maybe for a Team FL hattrick in Belgium?
Pierluigi Piano won in Harelbeke while Terry Tiktak and Fiorino Forte landed 3rd and 5th place in a dominating fashion.
Mads Korneliussen from Bearclaw Cycling tried his best to get rid of as many conestants as possible and create a fortunate situation for him ans his teammates when he did a hard sieb at km 168 (3% with *** pavé), 37 km before the finish line. As he looked around, he could not belive his eyes: All his teammates were gone and he was left with... well... three Team FL riders: Terry Tiktak, Fiorino Forte and Pierluigi Piano. But lets start at the beginning...
After a very slow start and a cosy tempo for the first 70 kms, it was Rake Racing who opened the fight for race win. The comback team that started riding again in February after almost 10 years without a single race, sent three riders in an escape and woke up the favourites in the peloton. Which was mainly Team FL. The Liechtenstein cycling team tried to wake up the other teams to by some siebing action while simultaneously trying to decrease the time gap to the trio in front. At km 149 Bearclaw Cycling joined the siebing fun, but not for long. 14 kms later, it was Julio Juantorena who managed to do his charm for Team FL at the Paterberg. And now, we go back where this text started, where...
... Mads Kornelius found himself escorted by a Team FL trio, that was trying to get Piano in the best position possible for a final sprint with keeping the rest of the riders away for the remainder of the race. At it looked hopeful, was the rest of the race was not cooperating well, even attacking themselves. At a point, the foursome also caught the only left escaper, Lucas Denayer to form a quintet. But Mads would not be Mads if he would have given up. So in a brave but futile attempt, he tried to outsmart the three Team FL riders (Denayer was too exhausted already to doanything but just trying to keep up) and attacked in a short downhill part. And that was the time when the famous Forte é Piano duo kicked in. So long story short: Mads tried again for the fans and sponsors one km before the finish line but was easily followed by, you guessed right, Forte é Piano. In the end Piano showed his sprinting skills and won the second classic race for Team FL this week, after Frits Flaskjaer won De Panne already. On Sunday, Gent-Wevelgem is waiting, maybe for a Team FL hattrick in Belgium?
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Belgian Hattrick in March!
After Frits Flaksjer at De Panne and Pierluigi Piano at Harelbeke, Volkmar Vogt added the final win at Gent-Wevelgem for the Belgian Hattrick this week.
As there were a lot of complaints about the length of the last Team report, the press department decided to make it short this time: Volkmar Vogt won Gent-Wevelgem! In an epic chase against Alive And Dead, Vogt won the final sprint against Achaval (SouthWest Packers) and Tesla (Alive And Dead). The surprise was the sprint tactic though, as Vogt launched from 450m already, to the surprise of his team mates, technical director Hugo Marxer and his opponents. Anyway, Team FL will never question Vogt's sprint antics again after this win. Anyway, it will be studied carefully for future races in which this could be applied as well. Not the team deserves a break until it is time for Dwars Door Vlaanderen.
After Frits Flaksjer at De Panne and Pierluigi Piano at Harelbeke, Volkmar Vogt added the final win at Gent-Wevelgem for the Belgian Hattrick this week.
As there were a lot of complaints about the length of the last Team report, the press department decided to make it short this time: Volkmar Vogt won Gent-Wevelgem! In an epic chase against Alive And Dead, Vogt won the final sprint against Achaval (SouthWest Packers) and Tesla (Alive And Dead). The surprise was the sprint tactic though, as Vogt launched from 450m already, to the surprise of his team mates, technical director Hugo Marxer and his opponents. Anyway, Team FL will never question Vogt's sprint antics again after this win. Anyway, it will be studied carefully for future races in which this could be applied as well. Not the team deserves a break until it is time for Dwars Door Vlaanderen.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Piano wins DdV with the smallest margin possible
Pierluigi Piano wins DdV in front of Omar Freire from Bahrain-Merida. It was his second and the teams 4th classic win in 10 days.
The race didn't start very action packed, only pinte pakkers thought it was worth trying an early escape. With only two riders in front of the peloton with the main favourites, the race went on slowly for a long time. Not the worst condition for the Team FL riders around Periluigi Piano, Fiorino Forte and Julio Juantorena as the main protagonists. The other two classic winners, Frits Flaskjaer and Volkmar Vogt both stayed at home and followed the race on the TV.
Around km 100, the race started to get faster with the first short but steep climbs. When Damian Schiffbauer from pinte pakkers attacked, one fo the best pavé specialists in the group, the peloton woke up fully. Still, for a long time, most riders were able to get back to the main group, until around km 150, when shit got serious. Splits, attacks, fights for positions and helpers: The race started to get interesting. Now it was Team FL, Bahrain-Merida and to a certain extent Bearclaw Cycling who shaped the race, esp after a hard sieb at km 155 (0***), while other Teams tried to get their leaders back in front, like FSG Sattelpuper, boktorense, Team Viromet and others. The only "important" rider who managed to do it was Pit Flammang (FSG Sattelpuper), while riders and dark horses like Branco Boom (Romoc Riders) had not problem to keep up in the first place. But the group got bigger again and so Team FL and Bahrain-Merida joined forces for a reduced sprint for their captains Piano and Freire.
To shorten that story, nothing noteworthy happend anymore until the final sprint, even Mads Korneliussen (Bearclaw Cycling) kept still and so Freire and Piano got their desired outcome, in which Bahrain-Merida built a strong train for the former while the latter stayed in his wheel. Eventually, it came down to the final 100m, when Freire launched form the backwheel of his teammate. Piano, blocked by the street barriers to the right and Mateusz Michalski (Bahrain-Merida) to the left, somehow found a way trough his opponents, put the pedal to the metal and overtook Freire on the last millimeters of the race. A true foto finish.
It was the second classic win for Pierluigi Piano, as he won Harelbeke last week already. And it was the fourth Team FL classic win in a row: De Panne, Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem and now Dwars door Vlaanderen, the flandrian foursome in March, so to speak. According to historians, at least Team FL has never accomplished that before. They also found out, that it was the third DdV victory for Team FL after Fran Peterlin in 2015 and Iwan Franko in 2017. Now the team management hopes that this good form translates to the monuments and classic races in April. And may be even preserved for the Giro...
Pierluigi Piano wins DdV in front of Omar Freire from Bahrain-Merida. It was his second and the teams 4th classic win in 10 days.
The race didn't start very action packed, only pinte pakkers thought it was worth trying an early escape. With only two riders in front of the peloton with the main favourites, the race went on slowly for a long time. Not the worst condition for the Team FL riders around Periluigi Piano, Fiorino Forte and Julio Juantorena as the main protagonists. The other two classic winners, Frits Flaskjaer and Volkmar Vogt both stayed at home and followed the race on the TV.
Around km 100, the race started to get faster with the first short but steep climbs. When Damian Schiffbauer from pinte pakkers attacked, one fo the best pavé specialists in the group, the peloton woke up fully. Still, for a long time, most riders were able to get back to the main group, until around km 150, when shit got serious. Splits, attacks, fights for positions and helpers: The race started to get interesting. Now it was Team FL, Bahrain-Merida and to a certain extent Bearclaw Cycling who shaped the race, esp after a hard sieb at km 155 (0***), while other Teams tried to get their leaders back in front, like FSG Sattelpuper, boktorense, Team Viromet and others. The only "important" rider who managed to do it was Pit Flammang (FSG Sattelpuper), while riders and dark horses like Branco Boom (Romoc Riders) had not problem to keep up in the first place. But the group got bigger again and so Team FL and Bahrain-Merida joined forces for a reduced sprint for their captains Piano and Freire.
To shorten that story, nothing noteworthy happend anymore until the final sprint, even Mads Korneliussen (Bearclaw Cycling) kept still and so Freire and Piano got their desired outcome, in which Bahrain-Merida built a strong train for the former while the latter stayed in his wheel. Eventually, it came down to the final 100m, when Freire launched form the backwheel of his teammate. Piano, blocked by the street barriers to the right and Mateusz Michalski (Bahrain-Merida) to the left, somehow found a way trough his opponents, put the pedal to the metal and overtook Freire on the last millimeters of the race. A true foto finish.
It was the second classic win for Pierluigi Piano, as he won Harelbeke last week already. And it was the fourth Team FL classic win in a row: De Panne, Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem and now Dwars door Vlaanderen, the flandrian foursome in March, so to speak. According to historians, at least Team FL has never accomplished that before. They also found out, that it was the third DdV victory for Team FL after Fran Peterlin in 2015 and Iwan Franko in 2017. Now the team management hopes that this good form translates to the monuments and classic races in April. And may be even preserved for the Giro...
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Pierluigi Piano, Lord of Flanders
Team FL started April as March ended: Pierluigi Piano wins in Flanders, this time a monument, the Ronde van Vlaanderen.
When the Team FL riders presented themselves at the start of the race, it was quiet in the stands. Some people even claim that they saw other rides bow down to the cyclists (rumour has it it, even MSR winner Fitzgerald Pineda fell into an awe-stricken silence), who dominated the races in Flanders this year so far. The question was thoguh: Will Team FL ride for Piano again after his wins at Harelbeke and Dwars door Vlaanderen or will Team FL present a new leader for this race? How about the strong looking Julio Juantorena or the fast Fiorino Forte? Certainly not Frits Flaskjaer or Volkmar Vogt, who were already visiting the course of the Scheldeprijs for the race on Wednesday.
Anyway, the race started without delay as everybody got their shit together again after the Team FL entrance. And it was also clear that the win would not be presented on a silver platter. Teams like Bearclaw Cycling, Romoc Riders or Motor Trachenberge were out for revenge, while CerveloTestTeam certainly would not say no to the second monument in 2023 as well, either with Pineda. After some chatting and joking in the peloton for around 90 km, it were Team Scotland and CerveloTestTeam who got serious both with a double attack. The peloton followed with some strength checks at the first difficulties of the race when Motor Trachenberger took over after some control by Gilberto Godoy from Team FL. The tempo was high constantly now, but the main group seemed to always grow back fast in rider strength fast after a hard split.
It was just a question of time, when the favourites flexed their muscles. And so it happened that two of them, Aditya Mirchandani and Niklas Warmund (Chemnitz Pro Cycling Team) attacked around 30 km before the finish line for a double coup. Unfortunatley for them, the main group of favourites reacted well and kept the CPCT duo in striking distance. So, everything was set for a "finale furioso" starting at the Oude Kwaremont via the Paterberg to the flat last 10 km of the race. As expected, km 256 highly reduced the number of riders when teams like Bearclaw Cycling tried to get rid of some strong sprinters. Bearclaw Cycling kept going and at the Paterberg, the group of favourites was reduced further.
Hugo Marxer was a bit nervous before this part of the race. Everything went well so far for the Liechtenstein cycling team. Forte, Juantorena and Piano were still in the main group and looking good for a succesful finish. Even after the Paterberg, all three of them were still in a good position. So it was time to give the signal and Hugo Marxer waved with the Liechtenstein Flag on a Mahagoni stick. Julio Juantorena understood and took over while Fiorino Forte stayed ad Pierluigi Piano's side right behind him. 10 km to go, 10 km to bring Piano in a winning position. That was also the answer then to the question at the beginning. All for the Lord of Flanders, Mr. Pierluigi Piano, hence Team Flanders' Lord (FL) so to speak. Well, the rest is history. After a tricky sprint, Piano outsmarted all opponents again and crown himself as winner of the Ronde van Vlaanderen, his third classic win and Team FL's third RVV win overall after 2010 (Jens Scholz) and 2016 (Iwan Franko).
Team FL started April as March ended: Pierluigi Piano wins in Flanders, this time a monument, the Ronde van Vlaanderen.
When the Team FL riders presented themselves at the start of the race, it was quiet in the stands. Some people even claim that they saw other rides bow down to the cyclists (rumour has it it, even MSR winner Fitzgerald Pineda fell into an awe-stricken silence), who dominated the races in Flanders this year so far. The question was thoguh: Will Team FL ride for Piano again after his wins at Harelbeke and Dwars door Vlaanderen or will Team FL present a new leader for this race? How about the strong looking Julio Juantorena or the fast Fiorino Forte? Certainly not Frits Flaskjaer or Volkmar Vogt, who were already visiting the course of the Scheldeprijs for the race on Wednesday.
Anyway, the race started without delay as everybody got their shit together again after the Team FL entrance. And it was also clear that the win would not be presented on a silver platter. Teams like Bearclaw Cycling, Romoc Riders or Motor Trachenberge were out for revenge, while CerveloTestTeam certainly would not say no to the second monument in 2023 as well, either with Pineda. After some chatting and joking in the peloton for around 90 km, it were Team Scotland and CerveloTestTeam who got serious both with a double attack. The peloton followed with some strength checks at the first difficulties of the race when Motor Trachenberger took over after some control by Gilberto Godoy from Team FL. The tempo was high constantly now, but the main group seemed to always grow back fast in rider strength fast after a hard split.
It was just a question of time, when the favourites flexed their muscles. And so it happened that two of them, Aditya Mirchandani and Niklas Warmund (Chemnitz Pro Cycling Team) attacked around 30 km before the finish line for a double coup. Unfortunatley for them, the main group of favourites reacted well and kept the CPCT duo in striking distance. So, everything was set for a "finale furioso" starting at the Oude Kwaremont via the Paterberg to the flat last 10 km of the race. As expected, km 256 highly reduced the number of riders when teams like Bearclaw Cycling tried to get rid of some strong sprinters. Bearclaw Cycling kept going and at the Paterberg, the group of favourites was reduced further.
Hugo Marxer was a bit nervous before this part of the race. Everything went well so far for the Liechtenstein cycling team. Forte, Juantorena and Piano were still in the main group and looking good for a succesful finish. Even after the Paterberg, all three of them were still in a good position. So it was time to give the signal and Hugo Marxer waved with the Liechtenstein Flag on a Mahagoni stick. Julio Juantorena understood and took over while Fiorino Forte stayed ad Pierluigi Piano's side right behind him. 10 km to go, 10 km to bring Piano in a winning position. That was also the answer then to the question at the beginning. All for the Lord of Flanders, Mr. Pierluigi Piano, hence Team Flanders' Lord (FL) so to speak. Well, the rest is history. After a tricky sprint, Piano outsmarted all opponents again and crown himself as winner of the Ronde van Vlaanderen, his third classic win and Team FL's third RVV win overall after 2010 (Jens Scholz) and 2016 (Iwan Franko).
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Frits finishes FL Flandern festivities first
With his second win in Flandern after De Panne, Frits Flaskjer wins the Scheldeprijs as well.
All Team FL classic winners were at the start: Frits Flaskjaer, Pierluigi Piano, Volkmar Vogt. Coincidentally, that's also the usual Team FL sprint train, launched by Piano, lead out by Vogt and finished by Flaskjaer. And, in the best case, finishing first. That was also the goal for the Scheldeprijs 2023, a race the Liechtenstein cycling team knows very well: Roger Schnitzer, Kari Steinsson, Phineas Federspiel twice, Thibault Rossard and Eduardo Spohr all have won it in the past, and in all sorts of fashions: In a (reduced) bunch sprint, as a flat/pavé sprinter, with an early attack, with a late attack. So, the question was, what will it be this year?
The usual answer to this is: it depends. It depends on the other team's line-ups and the race development. Some would even say that his is a nice paraphrase for not having a clear plan. Hugo Marxer would object. When he saw the startlist, it was clear to him what would happen. And so the team prepared to ride for its norwegian sprint star using the above mentioned usual Team FL sprint train. Now, the Team FL PR department could write about the race development as well, that Team ABC-Polsat went into an early escape, that Team FL and Bearclaw Cycling controlled the chase in the peloton and that nothing important happened anymore until the last km of the race. It could write that they both kept the peloton together easily for the desired sprint for Flaskjaer and Rovanperä. But that would be boring. So the Team FL PR department decided not to, but rather write about the fact, that Flaskjaer won the Scheldeprijs thanks to the perfectly delivered sprint by his team mates for him to cross the finish line first.
Or it could write about the fact that this was his second classic win after De Panne, or that it was now the 7th time, Team FL won the Scheldeprijs. Or that Team FL has won 6 classic races in a row, including a monument. But that would be boring too, so here is a list:
Team FL winners of classic races in Flanders 2023:
2023-03-22 De Panne (Frits Flaskjer)
2023-03-24 GP Harelbeke (Pierluigi Piano)
2023-03-26 Deinze - Wevelgem (Volkmar Vogt)
2023-03-29 Dwars Door Vlaanderen (Pierluigi Piano)
2023-04-02 Ronde Van Vlaanderen (Pierluigi Piano)
2023-04-05 Scheldeprijs (Frits Flaskjer)
With his second win in Flandern after De Panne, Frits Flaskjer wins the Scheldeprijs as well.
All Team FL classic winners were at the start: Frits Flaskjaer, Pierluigi Piano, Volkmar Vogt. Coincidentally, that's also the usual Team FL sprint train, launched by Piano, lead out by Vogt and finished by Flaskjaer. And, in the best case, finishing first. That was also the goal for the Scheldeprijs 2023, a race the Liechtenstein cycling team knows very well: Roger Schnitzer, Kari Steinsson, Phineas Federspiel twice, Thibault Rossard and Eduardo Spohr all have won it in the past, and in all sorts of fashions: In a (reduced) bunch sprint, as a flat/pavé sprinter, with an early attack, with a late attack. So, the question was, what will it be this year?
The usual answer to this is: it depends. It depends on the other team's line-ups and the race development. Some would even say that his is a nice paraphrase for not having a clear plan. Hugo Marxer would object. When he saw the startlist, it was clear to him what would happen. And so the team prepared to ride for its norwegian sprint star using the above mentioned usual Team FL sprint train. Now, the Team FL PR department could write about the race development as well, that Team ABC-Polsat went into an early escape, that Team FL and Bearclaw Cycling controlled the chase in the peloton and that nothing important happened anymore until the last km of the race. It could write that they both kept the peloton together easily for the desired sprint for Flaskjaer and Rovanperä. But that would be boring. So the Team FL PR department decided not to, but rather write about the fact, that Flaskjaer won the Scheldeprijs thanks to the perfectly delivered sprint by his team mates for him to cross the finish line first.
Or it could write about the fact that this was his second classic win after De Panne, or that it was now the 7th time, Team FL won the Scheldeprijs. Or that Team FL has won 6 classic races in a row, including a monument. But that would be boring too, so here is a list:
Team FL winners of classic races in Flanders 2023:
2023-03-22 De Panne (Frits Flaskjer)
2023-03-24 GP Harelbeke (Pierluigi Piano)
2023-03-26 Deinze - Wevelgem (Volkmar Vogt)
2023-03-29 Dwars Door Vlaanderen (Pierluigi Piano)
2023-04-02 Ronde Van Vlaanderen (Pierluigi Piano)
2023-04-05 Scheldeprijs (Frits Flaskjer)
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Immediate reaction after bad performance at Paris-Roubaix
The Team FL managment reacted swiftly after only a 5th place at Paris-Roubaix and bought a young prospect for next year.
Spiridon Sprenger is his name, still 20 years old. And now he rides for Team FL. The young cycling prospect from Triesen with a Liechtenstein father and a Greek mother was deemed to be the next pavé sensation from Liechtenstein. Or at least a decent helper for the spring campaign 2024, whatever the training gods have in mind. This move seemed necessary for TD Hugo Marxer, as the team's top performers on pavé could not keep up with the best of the best at Paris-Roubaix. It almost looked as if riders like Piano have already been full of success after the dominant races in Flanders. So, Spiridon Sprenger will have lots of time to develop, while the rest of the team is already preparing for the Ardennes and the Giro d'Italia. Maybe after that, the team needs more new riders...
The Team FL managment reacted swiftly after only a 5th place at Paris-Roubaix and bought a young prospect for next year.
Spiridon Sprenger is his name, still 20 years old. And now he rides for Team FL. The young cycling prospect from Triesen with a Liechtenstein father and a Greek mother was deemed to be the next pavé sensation from Liechtenstein. Or at least a decent helper for the spring campaign 2024, whatever the training gods have in mind. This move seemed necessary for TD Hugo Marxer, as the team's top performers on pavé could not keep up with the best of the best at Paris-Roubaix. It almost looked as if riders like Piano have already been full of success after the dominant races in Flanders. So, Spiridon Sprenger will have lots of time to develop, while the rest of the team is already preparing for the Ardennes and the Giro d'Italia. Maybe after that, the team needs more new riders...
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Immediate reaction pays off at La Flèche Wallonne
Clément Clévenot won the "Walloon Arrow" as the barbarians call it. After 194 km of intense chasing by his teammates, he was the fastes to climb the Mur de Huy to the finish line.
Looking at the competitors at thestart, it was clear that Clément Clévenot would be the strongest rider for the finish at the Mur de Huy, given he arrives in striking distance. Hence, his team mates were on alert during the whole race, not to fuck it up. The other teams must have felt that and were intimidated by that hostile aura. Only brave team Bearclaw Cycling sent two riders into an early attack.
Until km 100, there was not much going on in the peloton, until Team FL decided to gear up and have some siebing action. This was the first time, the mood turned and other teams got angry by this blatant arrogant behaviour. It took not long and at km 120, there was a counter move by free team, leaving Clévenot and Ventura isolated in front, while Juantorena and PrzPszcz tried to get back to their team captain. This continued for bit longer until they managed to get back in front.
From now on, it was control time in the peloton until it was Bearclaw Cycling again with a double attack at km 144. Roni Kytonen and Mikael Persson managed to get away, but again, nobody else was brave enough to follow these Bearclaw attacks. And although almost all of his team mates were pretty exhausted by now, nobody dared to challenge Clévenot's chances until km 194 again, where Kytonen, now alone, still had an advantage of around 20 seconds. But up the Mur de Huy, nobody could follow Clévenot's jump when he overtook the guy in front and left everybody almost 10 seconds behind him.
So, Clément Clévenot is only the second Team FL rider to win La Flèche Wallonne after Luigi Mastrangelo won it in 2011. It is the 7th classic win for the LIechtenstein cycling during this year's spring campaign, which will end on sunday with another Monument, the old lady, La Doyenne: Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Clément Clévenot won the "Walloon Arrow" as the barbarians call it. After 194 km of intense chasing by his teammates, he was the fastes to climb the Mur de Huy to the finish line.
Looking at the competitors at thestart, it was clear that Clément Clévenot would be the strongest rider for the finish at the Mur de Huy, given he arrives in striking distance. Hence, his team mates were on alert during the whole race, not to fuck it up. The other teams must have felt that and were intimidated by that hostile aura. Only brave team Bearclaw Cycling sent two riders into an early attack.
Until km 100, there was not much going on in the peloton, until Team FL decided to gear up and have some siebing action. This was the first time, the mood turned and other teams got angry by this blatant arrogant behaviour. It took not long and at km 120, there was a counter move by free team, leaving Clévenot and Ventura isolated in front, while Juantorena and PrzPszcz tried to get back to their team captain. This continued for bit longer until they managed to get back in front.
From now on, it was control time in the peloton until it was Bearclaw Cycling again with a double attack at km 144. Roni Kytonen and Mikael Persson managed to get away, but again, nobody else was brave enough to follow these Bearclaw attacks. And although almost all of his team mates were pretty exhausted by now, nobody dared to challenge Clévenot's chances until km 194 again, where Kytonen, now alone, still had an advantage of around 20 seconds. But up the Mur de Huy, nobody could follow Clévenot's jump when he overtook the guy in front and left everybody almost 10 seconds behind him.
So, Clément Clévenot is only the second Team FL rider to win La Flèche Wallonne after Luigi Mastrangelo won it in 2011. It is the 7th classic win for the LIechtenstein cycling during this year's spring campaign, which will end on sunday with another Monument, the old lady, La Doyenne: Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
5 stage wins for Team at the Giro
Clément Clévenot and Frits Flaskjaer were responsible for the Team FL highlights in this year's Giro d'Italia. Both together won 5 stages while the GC or other classements were out of reach.
The Giro d'Italia started very badly this year. The team management forgot to give the riders instructions for the stage 1 ITT and so the already very slim GC chances went into the gutter immediatly. Now the goal was clear: stage wins. And the team deliverd: Frits Flaskjaer showed that he's one of the best sprinters in the peloton having a formidable sprint train and won stage 2. It took the team 8 stages more for the second win though, again achieved by Frits Flaskjaer. In general, there weren't a lot of stages for Frits, as the group of hill sprinters was strong and united.
So the first two weeks went on and right before the end of it, Clément Clévenot showed his strengh and won the final sprint against Guillaume Payot and Lena Oberdorf at the finish of stage 15. In week three, "CléClé" doubled down on stage 16 where he was the only one who was able to follow Payot and won his second stage. This was quite an effort for him with his low regeneration skill. So the rest of the Giro was mainly trying to get the top 10 GC placement while Frits tries on two stages win another one. One of these stages he lost to Meisen though, who looked very strong in the end of the Giro, so the last stage to Rome, he had to give his best and count on his sprint train. Eventually, this was a good enough receipe and he won his third stage. A very nice finish for this year's Giro.
Not nice was the balance sheet after the Giro. It is not exaggerated to call it a financial desaster. For the first time, Team FL was on the edge of being too much in debt to ride a race. With the money from the final stage win and the classement's placement, that could be avoided by a very small margin. Anyway, it was fun. And wasting money is always one of the main goals during the GTs. Well done
Clément Clévenot and Frits Flaskjaer were responsible for the Team FL highlights in this year's Giro d'Italia. Both together won 5 stages while the GC or other classements were out of reach.
The Giro d'Italia started very badly this year. The team management forgot to give the riders instructions for the stage 1 ITT and so the already very slim GC chances went into the gutter immediatly. Now the goal was clear: stage wins. And the team deliverd: Frits Flaskjaer showed that he's one of the best sprinters in the peloton having a formidable sprint train and won stage 2. It took the team 8 stages more for the second win though, again achieved by Frits Flaskjaer. In general, there weren't a lot of stages for Frits, as the group of hill sprinters was strong and united.
So the first two weeks went on and right before the end of it, Clément Clévenot showed his strengh and won the final sprint against Guillaume Payot and Lena Oberdorf at the finish of stage 15. In week three, "CléClé" doubled down on stage 16 where he was the only one who was able to follow Payot and won his second stage. This was quite an effort for him with his low regeneration skill. So the rest of the Giro was mainly trying to get the top 10 GC placement while Frits tries on two stages win another one. One of these stages he lost to Meisen though, who looked very strong in the end of the Giro, so the last stage to Rome, he had to give his best and count on his sprint train. Eventually, this was a good enough receipe and he won his third stage. A very nice finish for this year's Giro.
Not nice was the balance sheet after the Giro. It is not exaggerated to call it a financial desaster. For the first time, Team FL was on the edge of being too much in debt to ride a race. With the money from the final stage win and the classement's placement, that could be avoided by a very small margin. Anyway, it was fun. And wasting money is always one of the main goals during the GTs. Well done
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Good Tour start after uneventful June
Ventura wins stage two of the Tour de France while the team rode only three races in June all together.
June almost got cancelled by Team FL. Luckily, the team managemenet decided to send some riders to the NCs, where Przemyslaw Pszczolarski defended his national title. Unfortunatly, the Liechtenstein cycling team lost the FL NC to another otherwise inactive team we have already forgot the name of. Anyway, at the end of June, Julio Juantorena added another win at the Belgian Waffle race in North Carolina, earning his waffles with a great effort in the end.
In the meantime, the Post Giro Critierum started with Team FL at the start in the afernoon (the only real edition). The second stage already offered a stage win for Vitor Ventura which he grabbed happily. The third stage offerd Giro vibes as it was again hill sprinters vs. flat sprinter. They were seperated only by three seconds in the end, with Piano sprinting in the front for a good placement at least. Frits will have his chance today at stage four, most likely.
Hugo Marxer is a bit surprised, that the team's line up looks like a favourite for almost every profile in this group of riders. Well, no matter the riders, Team FL is always favourite, but this time also on paper. Frits seems to be one of the strongest flat sprinters, the classic riders around Ventura look good and Clévenot is among the top three climbers, nominally. So, should Team FL also aim for GC? We say nay! Stage wins it is (hopefully), and lazy Clévenot gets out of breath easily anyway, even after a flat stage like yesterday....
Ventura wins stage two of the Tour de France while the team rode only three races in June all together.
June almost got cancelled by Team FL. Luckily, the team managemenet decided to send some riders to the NCs, where Przemyslaw Pszczolarski defended his national title. Unfortunatly, the Liechtenstein cycling team lost the FL NC to another otherwise inactive team we have already forgot the name of. Anyway, at the end of June, Julio Juantorena added another win at the Belgian Waffle race in North Carolina, earning his waffles with a great effort in the end.
In the meantime, the Post Giro Critierum started with Team FL at the start in the afernoon (the only real edition). The second stage already offered a stage win for Vitor Ventura which he grabbed happily. The third stage offerd Giro vibes as it was again hill sprinters vs. flat sprinter. They were seperated only by three seconds in the end, with Piano sprinting in the front for a good placement at least. Frits will have his chance today at stage four, most likely.
Hugo Marxer is a bit surprised, that the team's line up looks like a favourite for almost every profile in this group of riders. Well, no matter the riders, Team FL is always favourite, but this time also on paper. Frits seems to be one of the strongest flat sprinters, the classic riders around Ventura look good and Clévenot is among the top three climbers, nominally. So, should Team FL also aim for GC? We say nay! Stage wins it is (hopefully), and lazy Clévenot gets out of breath easily anyway, even after a flat stage like yesterday....
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Short Tour review. Or how Frits failed.
The Tour de France 2023 is over. Vitor Ventura and Clément Clévenot were responsible for the Team FL highlights. Frits Flaskjer wasn't.
As we have already reported, Team FL started well into the 2023 edition of the Tour de France. Vitor Ventura won stage 2 and everybody was looking forward to the sprint stages for Frits Flaskjer to win stages in his second participation of the Tour. But, there was either a hill or another rider in the way. Hence, the unfortuante Norwegian had to come back home with exactly zero stage wins.
The whole Tour was not really succesful for Team FL. Well, Clément Clévenot has now won stages in the Giro and the Tour and could secure place 4 in the GC. But other than that, it was mainly a huge money spending journey. So now the question is: What to do? Get rid of the sprint department that failed hard in France? We will find out im August.
The Tour de France 2023 is over. Vitor Ventura and Clément Clévenot were responsible for the Team FL highlights. Frits Flaskjer wasn't.
As we have already reported, Team FL started well into the 2023 edition of the Tour de France. Vitor Ventura won stage 2 and everybody was looking forward to the sprint stages for Frits Flaskjer to win stages in his second participation of the Tour. But, there was either a hill or another rider in the way. Hence, the unfortuante Norwegian had to come back home with exactly zero stage wins.
The whole Tour was not really succesful for Team FL. Well, Clément Clévenot has now won stages in the Giro and the Tour and could secure place 4 in the GC. But other than that, it was mainly a huge money spending journey. So now the question is: What to do? Get rid of the sprint department that failed hard in France? We will find out im August.
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
Re: Team FL
Frits fired, Aron arrived and August achievements
While the sprint department is leaving Team FL, the team celebrated already three race wins in August
It rumbles in the jungle that is Team FL. Frits Flaskjer is gone, Volkmar Vogt is gone and now, Flanderian hero Pierluigi Piano is gone too. The Team FL sprint train for ages combined for 19 race wins (Flaskjer 11, Piano 5, Vogt 3), including a National Championship, Gent-Wevelgem '23 (Vogt), De Panne '23, Scheldeprijs '23 and three Giro stages (Flaskjer) and finally Harelbeke, Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Piano). Nevertheless, after an underwhelming Tour de France, the air was filled with tension among them. In the end, technical director Hugo Marxer had to sacrifice the trio for the better of the team, as these tensions went not unnoticed by the others. The first two to go were Flaskjer and Vogt. And in their absence, the team spirit has risen drastically. This new freedom from bad energy let to a series of race wins. Ventura and Clévenot were the first to profit. And on Friday 4 August, Pierluigi Piano won under tears in Marseille. Tears of joy, tears of release. After a short talk to Hugo Marxer, he decided that this would be a conciliatory end to his career after the hard times he had to endure in France. So he was the last of the three to leave Team FL for good.
Now that this chapter has been closed, it is time to begin a new one. The team management agreed to go into another direction in July already. Instead of bringing in privileged European riders, it will focus on hungry African riders now. Some members of the team staff still have good connections to former Team FL riders like Sixpence, Breytenbach, Owokorenko or Dif. After some calls, all four of them agreed to help their former cycling team and the search begun. And it was succesful. While Aron Abreha, a young upcoming sprint talent from Eritrea has already joined the team, while the one year younger Tesfaye Tsegaye from Ethiopia will still have one month to acclimate in Liechtenstein. The foursome of scouts in Africa isn't finished yet though, they are still looking for more talent for Team FL. Well, we are all curious what's more to come (and who has to leave...).
While the sprint department is leaving Team FL, the team celebrated already three race wins in August
It rumbles in the jungle that is Team FL. Frits Flaskjer is gone, Volkmar Vogt is gone and now, Flanderian hero Pierluigi Piano is gone too. The Team FL sprint train for ages combined for 19 race wins (Flaskjer 11, Piano 5, Vogt 3), including a National Championship, Gent-Wevelgem '23 (Vogt), De Panne '23, Scheldeprijs '23 and three Giro stages (Flaskjer) and finally Harelbeke, Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Piano). Nevertheless, after an underwhelming Tour de France, the air was filled with tension among them. In the end, technical director Hugo Marxer had to sacrifice the trio for the better of the team, as these tensions went not unnoticed by the others. The first two to go were Flaskjer and Vogt. And in their absence, the team spirit has risen drastically. This new freedom from bad energy let to a series of race wins. Ventura and Clévenot were the first to profit. And on Friday 4 August, Pierluigi Piano won under tears in Marseille. Tears of joy, tears of release. After a short talk to Hugo Marxer, he decided that this would be a conciliatory end to his career after the hard times he had to endure in France. So he was the last of the three to leave Team FL for good.
Now that this chapter has been closed, it is time to begin a new one. The team management agreed to go into another direction in July already. Instead of bringing in privileged European riders, it will focus on hungry African riders now. Some members of the team staff still have good connections to former Team FL riders like Sixpence, Breytenbach, Owokorenko or Dif. After some calls, all four of them agreed to help their former cycling team and the search begun. And it was succesful. While Aron Abreha, a young upcoming sprint talent from Eritrea has already joined the team, while the one year younger Tesfaye Tsegaye from Ethiopia will still have one month to acclimate in Liechtenstein. The foursome of scouts in Africa isn't finished yet though, they are still looking for more talent for Team FL. Well, we are all curious what's more to come (and who has to leave...).
I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said.
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