Written by Onie at 10:22 18/1-2012
Day 57 Season 19 Lüneburg - Stendal
After the disappointment of the day before in Grasse - Toulon, the team wanted to get a result. The goal was a top 5 spot....However after 136 kilometer a Danish Dog crossed the road at the moment the peloton was passing him. Arnolds had a good position in the front and was able to avoid a crash with the dog, but fell hard on the asphalt. Mollerup that was right behind couldn't avoid a crash and drove over the dog, he was able to continue his way. The damage;
Danish dog; Fractured spine and unstable intestinal flora
Arnolds: Broken collarbone
Mollerup: Torn nail
Mollerup even was able to win with a torn nail! It's a beast!
Arnolds know he was out for more then a week, so the team took a drastic decision, no more races for the next 25 days and recharge TF (The team didn't knew at that moment were to use the recharged TF). After 10 days the team knew were to use the TF. At the Volta ao Porto. Arnolds could only reach TF in the Volta with a good planning. And it worked out!
A week ago Arnolds started with TF in the Volta, with one goal, to win the SC jersey. The prologue was a bit disappointing for the team but Arnolds won the second stage. After the second stage he was able to become second in the fourth stage and win the 8 stage. He knew it wasn't over yet and he had to get a podiumspot to be sure of the SC win. However he came in 7th! The team made some calculations and knew she had won, only by two points!
Onie: "During his recharging period Arnolds said multiple times: "The Volta is mine!" And i think he did a great job, he finished with the best 9 on 6 of the 10 stages."
After his win Arnolds gave a short interview ;
Sporza: "Would you describe your feelings?"
Arnolds: "It's unbelievable, look at this beautiful jersey (SC jersey red.). After the crash in Lüneburg - Stendal i was thinking of retiring, but the team was able to motivate me again and came up with the idea to go to the Volta in TF. And that's what we did"
Sporza: "You became 7th in the Parade Race, what happened?"
Arnolds: "Pfiew it's unbelievable, the team did a great job. I got a flat tire on 3km before the finish and it was impossible to get a new tire and finish in the top 10. The guys (Anaya, Rinzema red.) pushed for more then 2 kilometers. With only 500 meters to go they were exhausted and i had to sprint without any help and had a flat tire. I still can't believe i finished 7th, it was just enough to win the SC. Without the team i wasn't able to win this great jersey."
Sporza: "So you didn't gave away the last stage?"
Arnolds: "No, St. Nicolaas doesn't give away presents"
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Comments
we only have peddelen, :(
Now all we need is a black Pete
Congratz Onie! Nice rider as successor of Miyazaki for the SC.
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