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Deutschland Tour Discussion Thread
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| ANFreeman |
Posted on 11-07-2012 11:32
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Breakaway Specialist
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Location: Aberystwyth, Wales
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Hello, and welcome to Germany for this, the Deutschland Tour 2012. ProTour last year, Continental this year, but the demotion in race classification doesn't mean we'll be experiencing any less quality in the racing. A prologue, 2 flat stages, 2 hilly stages, and a mountain-rated finish await our riders in what will be an epic 6 day battle across Germany.
And, certainly, it allows the fans a better chance to get up close and personal with all the continental teams hailing from the region.
Let's take a look at the teams participating, starting with the teams from Germany.
First up is  Bianchi. There's no denying that they've gone strong all season, and are looking as good as guaranteed to promote to the ProTour, which will certainly be to the elation of the home crowds here in Germany. Lloret wears no. 1 for the race, and starts as favourite, and with support from Aramendia, he stands a good chance to deliver.
 Volkswagen - Siemens Cycling are also here, and have a strong chance to perform very well indeed. Ratiy leads the team, and it seems, may have the edge over the competition if the final stage is indeed truly mountainous.
Next, is  Rothaus - Aegon, led by strong man Lars Boom. He's certainly delivered so far this season for the team, and they'll hope he can do the same again this season. The prologue in particular could prove to be a fruitful hunting ground for the Dutchman. Maximme Vantomme also makes the start for the team, and they'll hope that he can finally deliver on the two flat stages to come.
 Trilux - Falke are a team who have perhaps performed above expectations this season, and what it would mean to them to do well here in their home tour. Fabian Wegman leads the team, but they have a number of riders who could place just as well.
The final German team is  Puma - SAP, who will be looking toward Frenchman Pierre Rolland to lead the team. The team have racked up a series of strong wins throughout the season, and Rolland has been one of the riders at the forefront of their success, so they'll hope he can go strong here.
Now, the rest of the competition, and there's certainly a lot of it, with 16 teams making the start list.
 T.CS Bank - OJSC Rosneft are a team who seem to rather well everywhere, as they possess immense strength in depth. Certainly here, it's difficult to look past a number of their riders for the overall, but officially, Kolesnikov leads. Look out for them in the team's competition.
 Venchi are another team who can see promotion vaguely in the distance, but will need to continue consistently hauling in points to make that a guarantee. Duarte leads the team, and considered the 3rd favourite, it's highly likely he'll put in a strong performance.
Believed the be disbanding next season are  Unicredit. As such, you'd expect their riders to show a severe amount of ambition to catch the attention of team managers over the world, so to ensure a ride next season. One such rider is team leader Weening.
 Cyclevox are a team looking to do little more than avoid the title of 'last place', and will be hoping Trent Lowe can give them a good points haul here to keep the team off rock bottom.
The Green Machine,  Pokerstars.Com line up with Van Goolen designated as leader, whilst Belgian contingent  Team BPost start with Francis De Greef leading.
The final team's making the startline are  Vespa - Aprilia - De Rosa,  Team WWE,  Cerne.  Focussed Cycling,  Pirelli and, lastly,  Koppert Pro Cycling.
Startlist
Edited by ANFreeman on 11-07-2012 11:35
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| roturn |
Posted on 11-07-2012 11:55
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Directeur Sportif
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Location: Germany
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I really hope Boom won`t work for Vantomme here or even wait for him.
At least one stage win and top7 GC is a must here although the startlist seems to be very strong.
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| roturn |
Posted on 11-07-2012 12:06
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Directeur Sportif
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Location: Germany
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This was quick. 
Perfect start. Stage win and almost more important Vantomme more than 20s behind.
Actually I hope that Boom will be my leader as the last mountain climb isn`t that hard and Boom might stay there for quite some time. If he is in yellow until then and losing a bunch of time with Ruijgh waiting it`s shit of course.
Will be interesting to see how my team manages tomorrows sprint stage as we will have to work all the stage, probably Ruijgh included. Hopefully we won`t try to make also a sprint train then and better hang on somebody elses.
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| ANFreeman |
Posted on 11-07-2012 12:14
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 978
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roturn wrote:
This was quick.
I'd finished the stage report days ago, just kept forgetting to write the preview 
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| Rin |
Posted on 11-07-2012 12:18
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Sprinter
Posts: 1586
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Location: Germany
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I am very surprised that the startlist is rather weak, I thought at the race plan phase that here will be a lot of the best mountain riders etc.
BOOOM in 1st place
I hope Ciolek will win the next stage.
Edited by Rin on 11-07-2012 12:20
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| beagle |
Posted on 11-07-2012 12:41
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Small Tour Specialist
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I don´t know what to expect from this race. Maybe Kern could reach TOP10 overall if he won´t work for Van Goolen. There are small chances to succeed in sprints with Guillen (Degenkolb) as well.
Looking forward to next stages.
Manager of Pokerstars.com in Man-Game |
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| CountArach |
Posted on 11-07-2012 12:55
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4603
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So many teams and yet none of the big men of the division. De Greef in the top 10 would be great.
Nice report mate.
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| felix_29 |
Posted on 11-07-2012 14:51
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2841
Joined: 08.08.09
Location: Germany
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High expectations here, at least a stage win and a Top5. The prologue was ok, neither Wegmann nor Kessler lost too much time.
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| cio93 |
Posted on 11-07-2012 15:26
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3208
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Quite okay start for Rolland, Boom certainly was out of reach for anyone.
Also great time for Martin, beating some guys 4 stats better, seems like the nationality bonus was huge 
For GC, I again don't know what to expect.
The hills should hopefully not be a big problem, especially with a rather weak opposition there.
So Top10 is surely within reach if Rolland makes it over the first steep part on the final mountain.
 17-03-2013
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-05-2013 16:27
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| Heine |
Posted on 12-07-2012 14:44
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Sprinter
Posts: 1803
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Location: Norway
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I need a good race from Ratiy here, I need points
Volkswagen-Mapei |
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| Christer |
Posted on 12-07-2012 17:34
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Would love some points, but no big hopes here.
 Manager of Team WWE! |
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| ANFreeman |
Posted on 20-07-2012 09:25
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 978
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I'd like to apologise for the delays with this, having some hardware issues. All good now, so will be running a couple stages today and hopefully finishing the race by Sunday 
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| roturn |
Posted on 20-07-2012 10:55
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9638
Joined: 24.11.07
Location: Germany
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Damn you, Vantomme.
Why can`t he perform like other sprinters with similar stats???
Even when we don`t have a sprint train, Vantomme isn`t able to hang on Pokerstars train.
My team really can`t sprint. Decent performance by Gajek at least...
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| cio93 |
Posted on 20-07-2012 10:57
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Classics Specialist
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roturn wrote:
Damn you, Vantomme.
Why can`t he perform like other sprinters with similar stats???
Even when we don`t have a sprint train, Vantomme isn`t able to hang on Pokerstars train.
My team really can`t sprint. Decent performance by Gajek at least...
I really feel with you, that's far below any expectations.
Good to see Bouhanni in the break, unsurprisingly nothing to get from the sprint.
Edited by cio93 on 20-07-2012 10:58
17-03-2013
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| beagle |
Posted on 20-07-2012 12:09
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2602
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as I remember, Vantomme sucked even more last season
one could expect more than 2nd place after such team effort, but well..
Manager of Pokerstars.com in Man-Game |
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| Heine |
Posted on 20-07-2012 14:47
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Sprinter
Posts: 1803
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Go AnFreeman! And go Ratiy! My team should go in the breaks considering that my sprinters sprint backwards
Volkswagen-Mapei |
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| felix_29 |
Posted on 20-07-2012 15:25
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2841
Joined: 08.08.09
Location: Germany
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Damn, no bonus seconds for Wegmann. But stage 3 should be even better for him, so watch out.
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 20-07-2012 21:57
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4788
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Feel sorry for Pokerstars there. They really deserved the win. |
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| Heine |
Posted on 02-08-2012 14:05
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Sprinter
Posts: 1803
Joined: 08.04.07
Location: Norway
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Still got hardware issues an?
Volkswagen-Mapei |
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| CountArach |
Posted on 02-08-2012 14:07
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4603
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Heine wrote:
Still got hardware issues an?
I have a feeling he said he was going on holiday.
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