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GP Liechtenstein Discussion
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| ember |
Posted on 02-07-2012 22:04
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3220
Joined: 27.03.08
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Welcome to Liechtenstein, and a monster of a race! GP Liechtenstein is on the cycling calendar for the very first time, and it's a spectacular course they've served us. The riders will do 15 laps in Liechtenstein, on a circuit featuring an incredible tough climb, averaging at about 16%, with a maximum rise of 24.3%. They're going to race the circuit no less than 15 times, and just to make it even sweeter for the spectators, it all ends with an extra climb to the finish line, which the riders immediately have to take on after the final time on the usual climb. It should be epic, and most of the very best climbers in the world have decided to line up in Liechtenstein, looking to write history as the first winner of GP Liechtenstein.
 Angel Madrazo
comes as the number 1 favourite, and that's not without a reason. After a slow start to this year's Vuelta a Espana, he was absolutely dominant as the race progressed, taking a superior overall win. He then continued his great form in the biggest cycling race there is, to take 2nd place in Tour de France, behind Cunego, who has decided to sit this one out. That should open the door for Madrazo, shouldn't it?
 Riccardo Ricco
is another Grand Tour winner taking on this epic looking classic. He had a tough fight with Sella in Giro d'Italia, but his great climbing skills gave him the overall win in the end, after some spectacular racing. Ricco hasn't been seen much after his Giro win, but he did good in Colombia, taking two stage wins and 4th overall, and his fans are looking forward to see what he can do here, against the best climbers in the world.
 Thomas Dekker
is an interesting rider for this one. His team is in desperate need for ranking points, as their hope of staying in the Pro Tour gets smaller and smaller for each race. This might be the turning point, but Dekker will need to step it up then. He couldn't quite challenge for a podium in Tour de France, getting 4th overall. He could salvage Team Spyker Cars here in Liechtenstein, a win is needed.
 Alberto Contador
has had his share of bad luck this season, and he must be determined to prove he's one of the very best climbers out there. His team, Festina, had a great start to their classic season, doing a 1-2 in La Primavera. After that, their season has been most about crashes, bad positioning and being at the wrong place at the wrong time. This race should suit Contador perfect, but is he good enough to challenge his countryman Madrazo and the others for the win?
 Emanuele Sella
is another outstanding climber, who must fancy his chances for this one. He's been vital for his team this season, taking 2nd in Giro d'Italia, just behind Ricco. He's looking for revenge here, and beating Ricco could very well mean winning the race aswell. Webeffect has also brought Kashechkin, meaning Sella won't lack support, as Kashechkin is a superb climber on his own.
 Rigoberto Uran
 Sergio Luis Henao
are a powerful Colombian duo. Henao was outstanding on home soil, giving Cunego a real run for his money and the overall win. He ended 2nd overall, while Uran was unlucky and crashed early and lost valuable time. But he improved his condition through the race, and won the final stage, which was an individual ride against the clock.
 Gianpaolo Caruso
is wild card team Ferrari's hope for a good placing here in the Pro Tour. They're up against the superiority here in Liechtenstein, but Caruso definitely has the abilities to surprise. Though, it's questionable he'll win the race, but if he plays his cards with perfection, and goes under the radar, you can't write him off!
 Andrey Amador
 Tiago Machado
 Robert Gesink
 David Abal
 Jaroslav Popovych
 Bernhard Kohl
 Dan Martin
are other names who must hope to sneak away from the biggest favourites before the final climb if they're going to win the race. They're all great climbers, but probably not at the very highest level. Though, UBS has brought their 3 climbing guns, Amador, Gomez Marchante and Marquez to the race, which should give them an edge when it comes to numbers. Could they use that to their advantage? Gesink had a great spring, winning Vuelta al Pais Vasco and taking 2nd in Paris - Nice. If he stays on the bike, and gets back to his spring form, he'll be a man to watch. Machado was incredible aggressive in Vuelta a Colombia, attacking anywhere possible. The distance of this classic doesn't favour lots of attacks, as there's a big chance it'll only drain energy from the attacking rider(s). But what do you get if you don't try? Abal on the other hand, proved to be an outstanding team mate and a key helper for Cunego in Vuelta a Colombia, as he helped him control Henao and the other GC threats. He will need to be even better here in Liechtenstein, now he'll race as a captain against those Cunego beat back in Colombia. Popovych and Martin are also solid climbers, who probably lacks that final kick and acceleration to keep up with the best, and challenge for the win. But after all, they're more than capable, meaning it would be too dangerous to rule them out.
Startlist
Edited by ember on 02-07-2012 22:40 |
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 02-07-2012 22:09
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Team Leader
Posts: 6620
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Location: England
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Probably not enough to compete but I have my strongest team here. |
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| Bushwackers |
Posted on 02-07-2012 22:11
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Domestique
Posts: 657
Joined: 07.02.09
Location: Colorado, USA
PCM$: 100.00
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Pretty much threw everything I have at this race, I hope it works.
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 02-07-2012 22:24
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4788
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Just hope for all to finish the race and for Abal to finish as high as possible. Damiano feels bad he doesn't have the race days to be here at this race. 
Btw, Abal's not Colombian - though does ride for a Colombian team. 
Edited by fenian_1234 on 02-07-2012 22:24 |
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| ember |
Posted on 02-07-2012 22:30
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3220
Joined: 27.03.08
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fenian_1234 wrote:
Btw, Abal's not Colombian - though does ride for a Colombian team.
My bad, fixed it now.
The report will most likely be up tomorrow, and it will come in two parts, as I think it will be too much text and pictures to have in one single report. |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 26-05-2013 08:16
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Bot Agent
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| Kami |
Posted on 02-07-2012 22:39
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2971
Joined: 19.06.09
Location: Belgium
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I hope for the win, as it is my win goal .
Btw, Ricco won 2 stages in Colombia .
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| niconico |
Posted on 02-07-2012 22:39
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3832
Joined: 09.07.07
Location: Denmark
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Out of curiousity, do they actually have a climb similar in Liechtenstein?
Formerly known as A_Schleck
Manager of  Team B&O
2009 Continental Tour Champions
Follow the Cycling Career of Jonas Aaen in The Danish Puncheur.
Win Count: 21 | Crash Count: 5 |
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 02-07-2012 22:40
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Directeur Sportif
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niconico wrote:
Out of curiousity, do they actually have a climb similar in Liechtenstein?
Its all on real roads.
 
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| ember |
Posted on 02-07-2012 22:46
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3220
Joined: 27.03.08
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Kami wrote:
Btw, Ricco won 2 stages in Colombia .
And another correction was made
Thanks for telling, both you and fenian. I just wrote from the top of my head, meaning there was a certain danger for mistakes, as my memory often decides to play a trick or two on me when I'm tired |
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| mb2612 |
Posted on 02-07-2012 23:36
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Grand Tour Specialist
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Location: UK
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Cunego's not here, awesome.
Now lets see if Madrazo can deliver outside Spain.
Team Santander Media Thread
Please assume I am joking unless otherwise stated |
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| CountArach |
Posted on 03-07-2012 02:28
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4606
Joined: 14.07.08
Location: Sydney, Australia
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What a start list, it should be an awesome race.
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 03-07-2012 05:32
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 8305
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Location: Sweden
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Caruso for the win! Shouldn't be too hard with such a weak startlist.
Should be an epic race. Madrazo is for sure the big favourite. Can't see anyone except maybe Ricco or Sella beating him.
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| kumazan |
Posted on 03-07-2012 07:08
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Team Leader
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Gonna be epic for sure. I wonder how small will the "peloton" be for the last climb, maybe we'll see the favourites more or less isolated early(ish)?
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| SotD |
Posted on 03-07-2012 08:04
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5152
Joined: 29.11.06
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This will be very interesting. I hope I will be getting the upperhand over some other favorites because I have Serpa here as the domestique for Contador. Voss and Dees might stay with the peloton for the first 100-150km, but after that it is likely to be every man for himself.
Manager of Team Festina |
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| Teddy The Creator |
Posted on 03-07-2012 08:20
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2053
Joined: 19.10.11
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Excited for this report. 
Feel free to PM me if interested in any graphics work.  |
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 03-07-2012 18:10
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3038
Joined: 22.06.09
Location: USA, Michigan
PCM$: 20.50
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Stupid commercials  I was really enjoying that...
Time to channel flick again. 
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| kumazan |
Posted on 03-07-2012 18:12
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Team Leader
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They promised no commercials. 
The race is incredibly tough anyway, epic as expected. Can't wait for those 40km!
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| ember |
Posted on 03-07-2012 18:14
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3220
Joined: 27.03.08
PCM$: 10.00
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And there it is. I hope you enjoy the reports as much as I enjoyed playing it. And for those interested, here's the list of riders that couldn't make it to the finish line, due to crashes or falling outside the time limit:
Webeffect
Bourdouxhe
Danielson
Khalilikhosroshani
Festina
Bøchman
Drapac
Steurs
Østergaard
Bacardi
Ghyselinck
Mancuso
Mugerli
Perget
Sokolov
Milka
Honkisz
Porte
Pearl
Mendes
Leezer
Jack Wolfskin
Chavanel
Ten Dam
Wiggle
Pavarin
Diggle
Nestle
Broco
Caldeira
Machado
Colombia
Ivars
Sarmiento
Sony
Reihs
Mortensen
Chevrier
Carmeuse
El Fares
B&O
Jørgensen
Quaade
Riber-Sellebjerg
Sagan
Sobota
Drucker
Wikipedia
Semple
Cleaver
Bookwalter
Edited by ember on 03-07-2012 18:14 |
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| roturn |
Posted on 03-07-2012 18:19
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9638
Joined: 24.11.07
Location: Germany
PCM$: 21.00
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Great report. Very stunning.
Nice to see Voss against all the bigs here. Hoping for similar efforts next season.
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 03-07-2012 18:20
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Team Leader
Posts: 6620
Joined: 19.02.08
Location: England
PCM$: 20.00
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All my riders finished but not a fantastic result. Nice reporting though. Thanks ember. |
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