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Tour du Limousin Discussion Thread
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| ember |
Posted on 11-06-2012 17:01
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Tour du Limousin
Tour du Limousin marks the start of a hectic month in the Continental Division. 11 teams have decided to give it a go, and they're facing a very interesting route. The roads take the riders up and down through the whole race, with the only "flat" stage being a time trial. No doubts the winning rider needs to handle hills, flats and time trial well, to not mention he will need a strong team. We've seen a couple of breakaways riding successfully away on similar stages earlier in the season, and good team mates will be much needed to control the race. But it's hard to tell who will prove strongest here, no predictions can be made on earlier editions, as this is the debut for the race in the Continental Division!
 Ignatiev
is the hot favourite for the race, and 45 kilometers of individual time trialling definitely favours him. He's also good on the hills, and has a decent kick for the line, meaning he could gain valuable seconds through stage win(s).
 Roy
is a very interesting name to the start list, and with his skills on hills, he can blow the race apart on the hilly stages. He also handles the time trial bike well, though, he's far from Ignatiev's level, but he's strong enough to be relatively close in the time trial, meaning he could decide the race on stage 1, 2 or 4, forcing his opponents to let him go on the tough hills.
 Reus
 Koren
are similar to each other. They're both great time trialists, and good on the hills. If the time trial proves to be the decisive stage of the race, you can for sure expect them both to be up there. But this is a tough race, which means they'll have to hang in there on the hilly stages, and they can't afford to let a rider like Ignatiev ride away from them.
 Van Goolen
is surely a contender for the top 5 in this race, thanks to his overall strength, both on hills and on his own against the clock, but can he surprise and challenge for the podium?
 Team Bpost
has brought an interesting team to France, where they've got it most covered, having Elijzen for the time trial and possibly a good overall placing, and Vansummeren to hunt stage wins on the hills.
 Koppert
can hope for a good time trial from Van Zandbeek, who's their leader for the race. It doesn't look like they've got much more to hope for with their line up, but they showed in the spring that you can't count them out.
 Cyclevox
has brought their French figther to a race on his home soil. Casar is definitely a rider to watch out for, he's always riding with his heart outside his shirt, meaning he could be rider to watch out in a breakaway. He's strong enough to go top 10 overall without a breakaway, but could a breakaway give his team a very welcome and surprising victory?
 Breschel
is Saab's hope for glory in France. He should definitely be able to fight for stage wins, as he's strong enough to follow most others on the hills, then he can snatch a stage win or two on the line, using his good sprint.
 Cerne
has brought many of their Portuguese talents, both Reis and Oliveira could be future winners of this race. Expect them to feature in the breakaways, which might be their only chance for a good stage result. They've got Biondo here aswell, but he has to hope for a slow pace on the hills, to survive to the finish line, where he might be able to sprint for a win.
 Proximus
is another team hoping to feature in a successful breakaway, as the quality in their line up isn't overwhelming, but they might hope for a top 10 from Mouris on the time trial.
Full startlist
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| beagle |
Posted on 11-06-2012 17:34
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Ignatiev, Reus, Koren and probably Roy are at higher level, but Van Goolen and Clement could secure some points for my team too.
It´ll be interesting how BOTDs will stand & who´ll take responsibility in chasing them down 
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| jph27 |
Posted on 11-06-2012 17:35
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I expect Ignatiev to win, but you can't rule out a shock.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-05-2013 20:47
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| Heine |
Posted on 11-06-2012 17:36
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Come on Reus! I need the points!
My bet would be Ignatiev aswell, but he has dissapointed the entire year, hopefully he will do that once more (A)
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| Smowz |
Posted on 11-06-2012 21:40
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Considering its a short stage race, the startlist is a little thin on quality.
The TT is really long so it is hard to believe that a breakaway will ruin another Ignatiev race. Reus though has looked the Russians equal against the clock so cannot be discounted.
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| ANFreeman |
Posted on 11-06-2012 22:24
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Trying to remember why I didn't bring Konovalovas here... certainly stands a better chance than Casar, but hopefully, as ember says, he can get some french breakaway luck 
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 11-06-2012 22:39
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Smowz wrote:
Considering its a short stage race, the startlist is a little thin on quality.
A 45km ITT + some hills + Ignatiev riding in the CT.
I'm surprised that the start list actually made it to 11 teams.  |
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| Levi4life |
Posted on 11-06-2012 23:49
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A good result here would be welcome to help get out of our recent slump. Hopefully Cal Giant can find some form as we have Poland, Portugal and Burgos in quick succession, with Colorado bringing up the rear.
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| CountArach |
Posted on 12-06-2012 00:32
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The short start list is something I am really thankful for. I need some decent results to stay in the top 15 of the rankings.
Ignatiev to take it overall though.
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| dave92 |
Posted on 12-06-2012 22:02
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Great report and opening stage. Shows why Ignatiev is so tough to bring down in these kinds of races. I'm still thinking Roy has it in him to pull it off though.
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| CountArach |
Posted on 12-06-2012 23:18
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It seems Stallaert got my memo about taking the chance for every ranking point he can get.
Who is wearing the young rider jersey? Very nice report by the way. A bit of a chaotic stage to report.
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| ember |
Posted on 13-06-2012 05:14
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CountArach wrote:
Who is wearing the young rider jersey? Very nice report by the way. A bit of a chaotic stage to report.
Sorry, forgot to post the young rider results. Stallaert holds the jersey, the results are updated now (young rider included). |
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| beagle |
Posted on 13-06-2012 07:21
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Almost perfect start to the race!
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| roturn |
Posted on 13-06-2012 07:25
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Smowz wrote:
Considering its a short stage race, the startlist is a little thin on quality.
I totally missed the race here as it would have been a top5 one for Boom.
And I know I am not the only one with good time trialist in the CT. 
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| jph27 |
Posted on 13-06-2012 07:32
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Ignatiev could end up winning all the stages here. Great report, eagerly awaiting the TT.
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| Heine |
Posted on 13-06-2012 07:37
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Seems Igantiev has found his form  Can only hope Reus finds a way to beat him, a really interesting stage
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 13-06-2012 08:58
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Interesting first stage. The break almost got away, but in the end the favourites decided to awake the race right from the start. Nice ride from Portela, even though his last sprint was something not to be proud of really.
Also this Ignatiev looks much more familiar than the one we have seen the whole season.
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| ember |
Posted on 13-06-2012 15:09
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roturn wrote:
I totally missed the race here as it would have been a top5 one for Boom.
And I know I am not the only one with good time trialist in the CT.
I've no idea about one of the teams you might think of
Seriously though, I did some of the same, I didn't completely overlook it, but I thought the TT was a flat stage for the sprinters, and that made me don't look more at the race
Stage 2 will hopefully be up later today, before the Germany - Holland game |
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| Heine |
Posted on 13-06-2012 15:18
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Thats just good Ember and Roturn, it's more than enough with Ignatiev and Koren here ;-) No need for Boom and Larsson aswell
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| Levi4life |
Posted on 13-06-2012 17:40
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3rd is a good way to start.
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