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The brand new Shimano Ultegra Di2 being presented on a Colnago!

Team Europcar – Proud of their performance !

Well folks, the 2011 Tour de France has now finished for another year 😦  we now have to return back to some kind of normality after the past three electrifying weeks. Kind of leaves you a little empty inside. Its been so exciting following every stage of the tour, with the roller coaster of emotions which goes with it. After three weeks of pure racing adrenaline, its hard to think it’s all over until 2012. However, whilst you are lamenting on the past days of racing and all the excitement, Team Europcar & Colnago can be justly proud of their achievements within this Tour. Who would of thought or even dreamt about this teams immense courage within the Tour de France. The Managing Director of Europcar must be walking around with a massive smile on his face after taking the decision to back this team. Its been astonishing, the whole team have proved themselves in various ways during this tour. One thing we have noticed, they haven’t been worried about throwing themselves into breakaways  during this race, its been thrilling. Thomas Voeckler a man who most definitely leads by example, even in the early stages of the Tour, has has been involved in ‘big effort’ breakaways which very nearly won him a stage victory. Not contented with that, he then goes out and puts in a staggering performance to win the yellow Jersey on the points difference. Who would of anticipated that this 33 year old Frenchman from the Vendee would of remained in yellow for 10 days. I just love Thomas’s attitude, just gets on with the race in hand. Every day we come home from work and switch on the TV to see if Thomas is still in Yellow. It was a dream come true. His plucky determination paid off….or as the SAS put it, ‘he who dares wins’ !  When Mr Colnago quickly arranged for the yellow Colnago C59 to be built, sprayed and delivered in record time,  it confirmed the fact that we all believed in Thomas and he most certainly didn’t disappoint. OK, the arm chair critis can say this or that, but this guy showed dogged determination to remain in yellow for 10 days. Every stage he battled with the big boys and went out time and time again, to prove himself. A courageous performance which had many across the world on the edge of their seats. He didn’t moan or complain like some others, he just got on with it !

Pierre Rolland, what a shining light this rider is. He has been a great companion to Thomas and was with him every step of the way. We all remember the photo with Tomas and Pierre with their arms around each other as they had just crossed over the line. Pure team work!  However, Pierre is a great rider in his own right and fully confirmed this as he took stage 19 from Alberto. His timing was impeccable and just lifted his pace to the finish line. The shouts of ‘come on Pierre’ from the crowd were amazing. Not only did he take the stage win, he also walked of with the White Jersey which he wore with immense pride in Paris on the final day. This guy has a great future to look forward to in professional racing. Yes, it would of been great to see Anthony taking another King of the Mountains jersey, but I think coming back from the bad accident in South Africa may of had something to do with it. We see little glimpses from time to time of Anthony on the mountain stages which reminded us of his past KOM jersey. I’m sure he will bounce back for the 2012 Tour de France.  

Like many out there, I just love the new Colnago colour scheme for Team Europcar. I thought it was both striking and attractive. These guys have most certainly done Colnago proud. Mr Colnago and the other guys and girls at Cambiago can also be proud of their stunning creation in the C59 and M10. Anyone who has been or visited Colnago will know that they are a true ‘family’ company. From the guys who work making the bikes, to the guys and girls who work in the main office, cycling racing is in their blood! Just have a chat with Mr C, so so passionate about producing the best frames and always striving for better. A true Master! The images of Thomas’s yellow Colnago C59 going out competing each day of the Tour de France will remain with me for a very long time. You see, Colnago is much more than just a maker of fine bicycles, its a passion and stirs the inner emotions of owners and fans around the world. You cannot buy this, its in the heart and in the blood. Again, Bravo Team Europcar and Bravo Colnago!    

Marco Frapporti ( Colnago CSF) out-sprinted his breakaway partner to take a surprise victory on stage one of the Brixia Tour !

Marco Frapporti out-sprinted his breakaway partner to take a surprise victory on stage one of the Brixia Tour.

The Italian combined to great effect with compatriot Fortunato Baliani (d’Angelo & Antenucci) to out-fox the bunch and arrive into Edolo with an advantage of 1:46 over anyone else.

At the finish local boy Frapporti (Colnago-CSF) out-sprinted Baliani to put a second between the two riders and take an early race lead after an epic break that had lasted 110km.

The plucky duo escaped early on during a circuit that contained the Zoanno Chiesa climb and would not be seen again by a baffled peloton.

Peter Kennaugh led Team Sky home in 10th place on stage one, the 22–year-old finishing at the sharp end of a bunch that came home two minutes and three seconds down on stage winner Frapporti.

The Manxman snatched a top-10 on a tougher-than-expected day with team-mates Lars-Petter Nordhaug, Morris Possoni and Chris Froome all finishing in the same group of a peloton that fractured to pieces over the 158km route.

Pierre Rolland – takes stage 19 of the Tour de France.

Another gripping day watching the Tour de France on stage 19 of this historic race. Sadly, the steam finally run out for Thomas Voeckler on this cut and thrust stage. I think you wil all agree, Thomas has put on an impeccable performance for Team Europcar and all cycling fans across the globe. Thomas can hold his head high tonight and be extremely proud of what he has achieved and the period in which he held the sacred yellow jersey. Well done Thomas!

 Pierre Rolland has been a great servant to Thomas Voeckler and has been with him every step of the way. However, it was Pierre Rolland’s day today and what a day it was. He most certainly spoilt Alberto’s party! What a stupendous ride from this young Frenchman. His timing couldn’t of been better as he approach contador approximately 1 km from the finish line. Pure text book. Contador just didn’t have the beans in his legs to match Pierre’s strength and endurance at the final push, we were all at the edge of our seats shouting “come on Pierre” !  A superb stage victory for Pierre and also winning the white jersey at the same time.

 No one could of predicted the impact Team Europcar have had on this 2011 Tour de France. This team which was granted a wild card have put on an exemplary performance. Ernesto Colnago must be rightly proud of these boys as they have ridden his Colnago bikes with such passion and conviction. To be honest, it’s been a great ‘good feel’ factor for all concerned and I thank the boys for such an amazing performance!  Its also great to see Colnago back where they belong. Back in the heart of  professional racing. Ernesto has indeed created a sublime carbon bicycle in the C59 which is a world-class racing frame!    

 Photos Credits – Yahoo Sport

Thomas Voeckler digs deep and remains in yellow – Stage 18 – TDF 2011 !

Folks…..what a race today on stage 18 of the Tour de France 2011. Many predicted that this would be a climb too far for Thomas…..how wrong they were! This French rider from Team Europcar put in a monster performance which every Colnago owner/enthusiast and French cycling fan can be immensely proud of. In my opinion, Thomas found the ‘inner’ rider on today’s stage and took himself to another level of professional cycling. Its just amazing what wearing the yellow jersey can do to a riders overall effort and ability. It also proved to Thomas that he can indeed hang-out with the big boys on the most demanding and physically challenging stages of the Tour de France. Whilst Alberto Contador was hanging off the back, Thomas was matching pedal stroke for pedal stroke with Cadel Evans of Team BMC. Evans, Voeckler and Rolland most certainly put the hammer down to claw back time from Andy Shleck after his impressive breakaway from the main peloton. Shleck’s performance today was breathtaking in the mountains and was a complete joy to watch. So, this evening, Thomas hangs onto the yellow jersey for another stage with 15 seconds to spare. I only wish I could ride my Colnago C59 like Thomas Voeckler 🙂  Bravo!  

Photo Credits – Yahoo Sport

Colnago have now launched their new web site !

http://www.colnago.com/

Thomas Voeckler & Team Europcar – Back to business !

Well, the rest day has now quickly come and gone and its back to business of the Tour de France. There is no doubt, its going to be a difficult week for Thomas and the team, but they must remain focused and positive. Thomas has always said to the press, “I don’t know how long I’m going to be in yellow”. This is not defeatist talk, Thomas is quite simply taking every day of the Tour de France as it comes. Bit by bit, day by day, he and the team will work 100% to keep in yellow!

Looking back over the past week of racing, no one could of predicted the electrifying style of racing from Thomas and Team Europcar. If we cast our minds back to stage 9, when Thomas made that ‘great escape’ from the main peloton to gain those precious points to become the race leader. So, how did this happen? In my opinion, Voeckler was deemed irrelevant enough not to be chased by the big names within the pack. I genuinely feel that they thought that he could be reeled back in as per the previous stage at the beginning of the Tour. However, anyone who has followed Thomas Voeckler for a period of time, will know that you cannot take him for granted or under estimate him. Cast your minds back to his previous victories over this year. In fact, 2011 has been extremely good to Thomas and perhaps has been his best year. Thomas is a rider who thrives on these kind of breakaways, I always remember his superb performance within the Tour of Quebec which is listed within the archive of Colnago Con Brio.

Since Thomas has been in yellow, its given Team Europcar a great deal of confidence which is very noticeable within their riding. This team which were granted a wild card in this years tour is thrilling us with great racing and appear to be quite bullish within the peloton. After much talk, Thomas has survived the Pyrenees with his 1.49 lead intact, climbing up two high mountain finishes alongside the favourites. So, its now back to business of the final week. Best wishes Thomas & Team Europcar!

So, lets have a look at some cracking photos from the past week.

Photo Credits – Wordlpress, Yahoo Sport, Bettini-photos, News-sport.

Ah……Rest day :-)

Photo Credit – Cyclingnews.

Nathalie Schneitter ( Colnago-Farbe Team) is the new Swiss Mountain Bike Champion – Well done!