News 2005

2005

December

31 December; Today I started in the Oudejaars Cross in Born (Ned). In the second last lap I made my final attack and I won this Cyclo-Cross race solo.

Photos Joop van Dinther                      

24 December;

14 December; TV-report on L1 TV

9 December; The new jersey of Team PZ Racing Aachen - 2006

November

22 November;     Newsflash Limburgs Dagblad

18 November;     Newsflash on L1 TV Teletext     Newsflash on www.t-mobile-team.com

17 November; Team PZ Racing Aachen is the name of my new team for 2006. This is a new sponsorteam from Aachen (Germany) with a RG status, which is equal with a LSE status in The Netherlands. Mainsponsor is PZ Racing, manufacturer of bikeparts, next to that Borgini Bikewear will be functional as co-sponsor. Manager of this new German team is, Jürgen Wertz. The team's goal is to offer young talented riders around the area of Aachen a good international racing program. Further the team will have some experience riders who have to get the results. The raceprogram includes oneday-races in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Europe as also stage-races worldwide. Team PZ Racing Aachen will participate from 15 until 21 January in the Tour of Siam in Thailand and is planning to travel to the Tour de Taiwan in March, before they start in the European races.
 

The complete roster of the fifthteen riders:

Markus Bastek (Ger), Thomas Bontenackels (Ger), Tjarco Cuppens (Ned), Marc Habets (Ned), Claus Goralski (Ger), Stephan Janiel (Ger), Philipp Kluba (Ger), Dirk Lichtenthäler (Ger), Jochen Lichtenthäler (Ger), Christoph Lörcks (Ger), Christian Mießen (Ger), Martin Neffgen (Ger), Bas Robroek (Ned), Michael Schweizer (Ger) and Danny Sijen (Ned).
 

10 November; Last race of season, Tour de Taiwan !

Last week I participated from 29 Oktober until 3 November the Tour the Taiwan UCI 2.2 with the dutch team BRC Kennemerland from Paul Tabak. The stages were in Kaohsiung, Tainan, Meinung, Sun Moon Lake, Tienhsiang and Taitung. The first three stages were flat and I was every day in the first 30 but not really in the front, I became 24th, 25th and 27th. Then the 4th stage was extremely hard, during this stage the finish was on the top of a 55Km climb ! Finally after a hard day I became 71st. The 5th stage over 200Km was again not easy and I finished as 17th. Finally the 6th and last stage was 230Km ! Again this was a very hard day and after the 12 leaders there was only a bunch left of 40 riders, during this stage I finished 29th. In the General Classification I became 60th.

Oktober

25 oktober; Tomorrow I will leave from Amsterdam-Schiphol (Ned) to Kaoshiung (Taiwan) to participate ,from 29 oktober until 3 november, the Tour de Taiwan (UCI 2.2). The first three days the course will be flat, but the fourth day will be extremely hard. The finish will be on a mountain of 55 Km on a height of 3300 metres ! The fifth and sixth day are hilly but not that difficult. I hope to get a good result in one of the stages.

12 Oktober; Last three races of season in Europe !

On Friday I participated in the Grotcriterium in Valkenburg (Ned) for professionals. Winner of the race became Servais Knaven (Quick Step), before Ludo Dierckxsens (Landbouwkrediet) and Aart Vierhouten (Davitamon-Lotto), finally I became nineth.

Sunday I started in the criterium in Werl (Ger). But I didn’t had the good legs and I missed the final break away. Finally I finished 14th place, winner of the race was Christoph van Kleinsorgen (Team Lamonta).

The last race I did in Europe this season was on Tuesday in Heist-Goor (Bel), again I had bad legs and abandoned after 70Km. The next days I will take a rest period, so that I will start equipped the Tour de Taiwan, which will be from 29 oktober until 3 november.

4 Oktober; This morning I had an appointment in the Uniklinikum RWTH Aachen to decide if the screws can be removed out of my knee-cap. In June 2003 I broke my knee-cap because my stem broke off during a race. After I made the X-ray it turned out to be that my knee-cap has growed good together. In consultation with Dr. Miltner and Dr. Müllerrath we decided not to remove the screws. Also because I have no problems at all with my knee-cap as also no troubles with the titanium screws.

2 Oktober; Today I started in the European Beach Challenge in Scheveningen (Ned). This is a Mountainbike Beachrace with about 1000 competitors. Unfortunally I had a bad start because I came into loose sand and had to run where riders on the other site could ride their bikes. Because of this I missed the first group of about 20 riders and had to chase all the race. Finally I got a disappointed 26th place.

September

25 September; Today I competed an open pro race in Tienen (Bel). Halfway the race there were only 45 riders left. I was in the third group which had to stop after 100 Km. Winner of the race was Nico Sijmens (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago), only 29 riders were classified.

21 September; NEW TEAM 2006 ! Today I signed the contract with my new team for the season of 2006. This team will be a complete new team and will have about 12 riders. More information will follow after the official announcement of this new team.

18 September; Today I finshed fourth in the criterium in Ottignies (Bel). Photo podium

15 September; Yesterday I participated in the GP J.P. Monseré in Retie (Bel) UCI 1.12. During this race I crashed on a roundabout because of the slippy circumstances of the rain. After this crash my derailleur didn't work properly anymore and because of that I decided to quit the race after 96 Km.

11 September; 4th VICTORY OF SEASON ! Today I won the criterium in Köln-Worringen (Germany). Halfway the race I was in a break away of six riders, among which Andreas Beikirch (Sparkasse), Frank Klein (König Pilsener) and Jonas Oczwarek (SG Kaarst) and I offcourse. With these six riders we lapped the bunch. During the last two laps I attacked together with Beikirch and only Oczwarek came back to us during the last lap. In the last 500 metres I react on an attack of Beikirch and passed him during the sprint and won my fourth race this year. See also Photos.

6 September; Due sickness I couldn't compete any races this weekend.

August

31 August; Yesterday I participated in the race in Riemst-Zussen (Bel). Already during the first lap there was a break away of eight riders, because I had bad legs I finshed sixth.

28 August; Today I became seventh in the criterium in Maasmechelen-Meeswijk (Bel). Winner of the race bacame Vytautas Kaupas (Jartazi-Revor).

24 August; Yesterday our team raced the classic Omloop van de Grensstreek (Bel) UCI 1.12. During this race we had to take twice the Kemmelberg. Both times I passed the top in the first 10 riders. Unfortunally I missed the final break away of 13 riders en came into the chasing group behind the leaders. Finally I passed the finish as 23rd. Again teammate Rik Kavsek showed his good form and won this race.

22 August; This weekend I participated in the Stolberger Radsporttage, which was both days a Pro criterium. On Saturday in the "Prym König Pilsener Night" in Stolberg-Gressenich I was in the break away and became seventh. On Sunday in the "BSR Pokal" in Stolberg-Breinig I became 15th.

19 August; Proudly I can announce my personal sponsorship with TUFO Tubeless Bicycle Tires.

16 August; Last Sunday I participated in a criterium in Nettetal (Ger). After three laps I was in the break away of six riders, which became later a group of 10 riders, with Beikirch and Lademann (both Sparkasse), Parinussa and Klein (both König Pilsener) and Richard Faltus (Sparta Praha). Finally I became sixth in the result, winner of the race became the German Stefan Parinussa.

Monday I raced in Kotem-Maasmechelen (Bel), also in this race I was in the break away of 17 riders. During the last lap we escaped with four riders but unfortunally the chasing group caught us during the last 200 meters. I became fifth place.

7 August; Yesterday evening I raced the criterium "Nacht van Waubach" in Landgraaf (Ned). In this criterium I became sixth, teammate Rik Kavsek became the winner of the race.

Since today the domain of my website has changed. The new adress of my website will be:

www.tjarcocuppens.nl

Meanwhile the old domain, www.tjarcocuppens.tk ,will still be active.

4 August; Yesterday I raced the Bavaria Profronde of Maastricht (Ned). Winner of the race was Bram Tankink (Quick Step-Innergetic) before Philippe Gilbert (Française des Jeux) and Karsten Kroon (Rabobank). I finished in the bunch as 14th.

2 August; During the criterium in Kapellen (Bel) my frame broke halfway the race. Because of that I had to quit the race.

July

31 July; Today I raced the criterium Rund in Aachen (Ger). It was a hard race and halfway the race I escaped together with Michael Schweizer (ComNet-Senges) for place three and four, there were already two leaders. Finaly it became a sprint between us which I won easily. Winner of the race was Robert Retschke before Markus Ganser (both ComNet-Senges).

See also Photos

30 July; Yesterday there was heavy weather during Profronde Heerlen (Ned). Halfway the race it started to rain extremely hard, because of that the course became at some points in the centre very slippery. Winner of the race was Michael Rasmussen (Rabobank) in front of Oscar Pereiro (Phonak), I became 10th in the result. See also Photos

28 July; The next days I will participate in the two regional post-Tour criteriums. Tomorrow I will start as only Elite-Amateur in the Profronde of Heerlen (Ned), next Wednesday I will participate in the Bavariaronde of Maastricht (Ned).

Some bad news is that we do not participate with our team in the Tour de Guadeloupe. Because of that I have no big races on my schedule in the coming period, also because the Tour of Antwerp (Bel) is limited to riders under 27 year.

24 July; From Sunday 17 July until Thursday 21 July I have raced the Tour de Liège (Bel) UCI 2.12. This was a hard stagerace with a lot of steep climbs. After two hectic weeks with only a little training, because I was very busy with our removal to our new house, I had no ideal preparation. Which was unintentionally, because I should race the Tour de Liège only as preparation for Tour de Guadeloupe. In the first stage I was thrown back in the descend of Cote de Wanne because of a broken freewheel, because of that I finished in the third bunch. During the second stage I was 90 Km in the breakaway of 12 riders together with my teammate Frank van Kuik. During our escape I won three sprints, which obtained me the Sprintjersey (Tourisme Province de Liege). Unfotunally I lost this jersey during the third stage,  where I got dropped after 100 Km out of a big leading group. Also during the fourth and fifth stage I finished in the back. However my teammate Frank van Kuik became third during the fourth stage. Like I expected before I had no results during this Tour, but all in all it was a good preparation for the races in the second part of this season.

14 July; Last Sunday I participated in the race "De 3 Zustersteden" in Willebroek (Bel) UCI 1.2. This was a hard race, also because of the warm weather. After 178 Km I became 19th in the result. Winner of the race was Peter Wuyts (Mr. Bookmaker).

7 July; Yesterday I raced the race in Amay-Haut (Bel). This was a hard race with 15 times a difficult climb. During this race I had no good legs and became 15th place, with this result I was discontented.

4 July; This weekend I participated in the Ronde van Midden-Brabant (Ned). In the first stage I became 20th. The second stage was an individual Time Trail of 6,250 Km which I did in 8'26''30. My result in this Time Trail was 29th. The third stage over 189 Km was a bunch sprint and I became 12th. In the final General Classification I became 23rd at 0'59" of the winner Paul van Schalen (AXA).

June

29 June; 3rd VICTORY OF SEASON ! Today I won in Heythuysen the Regional Championship of Limburg Time Trail in the Elite category.

28 June; No success during the Dutch Championships in Rotterdam. Because of a flat tire after 170 Km I came into a group of 15 riders who were get dropped, through this situation I did not come back with the bunch again. Because of that I saw my chance to get a good result disappear.

22 June; Last Sunday I raced with our team Diametal-Colnago the classic "Omloop tussen Voer en Dijle" UCI 1.12 in Bertem (Bel). During the race there were tropic temperatures of 33°C and after 157 Km I finished as 15th.

Monday I participated the race in Riethoven (Ned). In the Time Trail of 5,5 Km (7.27.23) I finsihed 11th. During the criterium I got caught through the heat (34°C) and halfway the race I decieded to abandon.

15 June; Teamphotos available ! As from today there are individual photos of me available of Team Diametal-Colnago. When you want to receive this photo just send me an e-mail.

14 June; Monday evening we came back from GP Ringerike (Nor) UCI 2.2. These were five days of cycling on hilly roads in Norway. Only one day I had a small result, 18th place in the second stage, most of the other days I was in the second group. During the last stage I was 100 Km in the breakaway but because of a crash I quit the race.

6 June; In preparation for the race Ringerike Grand Prix (Nor) UCI 2.2 I didn't race last weekend. Tomorrow morning our team will leave by airplane to Hønefoss in Norway, where the start for this 5-day stagerace will be on Wednesday.

1 June; 2nd VICTORY OF SEASON ! In Homberg (Ger) I won my second race of the season. My teammate Haralds Pudans became third.

May

31 May; I raced today in Mol-Rauw (Bel), Right from the start I was in a breakaway but when the bunch caught us again I missed the new breakaway. Finally I finshed in the Bunch as 50th.

29 May; Today I participated the race in Kotem-Maasmechelen (Bel). After two laps I was in a breakaway of nine riders. After 40 Km a group of 17 riders caught us and at that time the first group wasn't working together anymore. Because of that the bunch which was 45 sec. behind came back again. Unfortunally after 65 Km I had a flat tire and my race was over.

28 May; On Thursday 26 May I raced in Bierbeek (Bel). After two days of hard training I took this race as a extra training, as I also did already a training in the morning. In the beginning I did a bit easy because it was a difficult course with up and down all the time. In the last lap three riders could escape and I was sprinting for fourth place with the bunch. I became eight place in the result.

22 May; Friday and Saturday I raced the Jack Janssen Trofee in Buchten (Ned). On Friday I had bad legs and because of that I missed the breakaway. The leading group of five riders sprinted for the victory. During the last lap I jumped away out of the bunch and finished sixth place.

Saturday, the second day in Buchten (Ned), my legs were already better again. With four laps to go there was a break away of five riders. In the second last lap only Marc van Grinsven and me could jump to the front group, so we were leading with seven riders. Marc Habets could escape during the last lap so my group was sprinting for second place. Finally I finished fourth place.

16 May; 1st VICTORY OF SEASON ! In Brunssum I won today the Regional Championship of Limburg. After 20 Km I was in a breakaway of four riders, Davy Fransen, Bas Robroek, Timo Wecek and myself. We had a gap on the first chasing group of 1.30 min. Finally it became a sprint with four which I won !

9 May; Sunday we participated with our team in the Lincoln International GP (Gbr) UCI 1.2 and after 176 Km I finished 19th. Winner of the race was Russel Downing (Recycling.co.uk) from Great-Britain.

2 May; Yesterday I participated in the Grote 1 Mei Prijs in Hoboken (Bel) UCI 1.2 .It was extremely hot and after 180 Km I became 14th. Winner of the race was Hamish Haynes (Cyclingnews.com) from Great-Britain.

April

24 April; Today I got second place in the criterium in Genk (Bel).

18 April; Saturday we participated with our team, Diametal-Colnago, at the Friesche Wouden Klassieker (Ned), during this Classic I finsihed 11th.

11 April; Yesterday I raced Omloop van de Houtse Linies (Ned). In this Classic I finished 15th, teammate Rik Kavsek became the winner of this race. Also our team won the General Team Classification.

7 April; Today I participated in the race GP Pino Cerami for Elite/Espoirs. In the last two local laps, I was in the breakaway of eight riders, only two others riders could make the cross over to our group. During the second last climb we were only left with six riders and during the last climb Jelle van Groezen (VHG) attacked. Unfortunally I had to pass together with former pro's Médéric Clain (ex-Cofidis) and Marc Streel (ex-Landbouwkrediet). In the last kilometer I couldn't come into the wheel of Clain and Streel again and finally I became fifth in the result.

5 April; Saturday I raced in Drieslinter (Bel) with 200 starters. During the final sprint my rear derailleur broke off and hit my backwheel. So this means no result. On Sunday I raced the criterium in Oploo (Ned), in this race I became eight place.

March

30 March; Today I raced in Herzele (Bel). After three kilometer I was in the breakaway of 13 riders, only nine other riders could join our group, so finally there was a breakaway of 22 riders. We were working together very well and we were 2 minutes in front of the bunch. During the last lap I attacked several times but every time they caught me again. Finally it was a sprint and I became 10th.

27 March; Trofee van Haspengouw in Aalst-St.Truiden (Bel) UCI 1.12 Int. 22nd place.

20 March; Challenge des Hesbaye in Trognée (Bel) UCI 1.12 Int. 34th place. Teammate Frank van Kuik became second behind the American Tyler Farrar (Discovery).

15 March; A DAUGHTER !!! THIS EVENING AT 22.43 MY WIFE, DIANA, GAVE BIRTH TO OUR SECOND DAUGHTER. OUR DAUGHTER IS PERFECTLY HEALTHY AND HER NAME IS DEMI.

14 March; Yesterday I raced the Nienburger Frühjahrspreis (Ger). During this race over 125 Km I was 100 Km in the breakaway of three riders, Christoph van Kleinsorgen and Philipp Mamos (both Team Lamonta) and myself. I had a good and strong feeling during the race, but the two riders of Team Lamonta played their teamtactic very well and after several attacks van Kleinsorgen got away. I was chasing and ofcourse Mamos wasn't leading any more. In the sprint for second place Mamos beated me, so I became third.

11 March; Today is the birthday of my daughter Lisa, she became 2 years old !!

6 March; Saturday I raced in Molenbeek-Wersbeek (Bel) and became 17th. On day later on Sunday I raced in Neerlinter (Bel) and became 6th in the result.

4 March; Unfortunally the race De Vlaamse Pijl - Harelbeke (Bel) UCI 1.2 is cancelled because of the bad weather conditions. Now I am planning to race on Saturday in Molenbeek-Wersbeek (Bel) or on Sunday in Neerlinter (Bel), but that depends of the weather conditions this weekend.

1 March; On Saturday 26 February I participated in the Beverbeek Classic (Bel) UCI 1.2 in Hamont-Achel. After 170 Km I became 17th in the result. On Sunday I participated in Brustem-St.Truiden (Bel), during this race I abandoned in the second last local lap, because of the extreme cold (-2°C) and also because there were 15 riders in front of my group.

February

20 February; Like last week there was a trainingrace in Beek (Ned) today. At the beginning I was in a break away with five riders. However halfway the race six riders caught us. During the last five laps the break away feld apart several times, but because of the lapped bunch everything came back together in our leading group. Finally it was a sprint with 10 riders which I won easily.

13 February; Today I participated at the trainingrace (road race) in Beek (Ned). After four laps I escaped together with Sjors Clevers out of the bunch. Together we were leading the whole race. At one point it seemed that the bunch  was coming back, but when Clevers and I raised our speed the gap became bigger again. Finally it became a sprint with two which I won easily. In spite of a hard trainingweek in Spain my form is clearly good enough to win the race today. For next week I will insert a period of rest.

12 February; Today I returned out of Spain (Platja d' Aro). Together with my new team, Diametal-Colnago, I had a good week of training. The first two days the weather wasn't really good, but then the weather became better with maximum temperatures until 17°C. Personally I think we have a strong team for 2005. With this team it will be possible to compete for the victory in the bigger races. Also the young riders made a strong impression. Therefore most riders of our team are ready to start the new season.

4 February; Tomorrow I will go to Spain for a short trainingweek. Hopefully the weather is better then here in The Netherlands, so that I can have a good trainingssession.

January

30 January; Today I participated at the trainingrace (road race) in Oss (Ned). With one lap to go I was in the break away of seven riders. Unfortunally during the last lap Bart Brentjens (Ned) escaped. I went after him but I couldn't catch him anymore. So, winner of the race became, silver medalist atf the Olympic Games 2004 Mountainbike, Bart Brentjens. I myself became second.

8 & 9 January; Like last year I had a good weekend on the track in Büttgen (Germany). I won the final of the pointsrace on Saturday and Sunday. In the Madison on Saturday I became second together with the young Belgium rider, Tom Reweghs. In the Madison on Sunday I became only fifth place together with German rider Karsten Lang, because he had a bad crash during this Madison race.

The final design of the new clothes from Team Diametal-Colnago.

News 2004