Turns out a couldn't use the computer I needed for about 10-20 mins, So I'm writing a quick preview, it'll be a bit rushed and it might mean I won't be able to submit the race report today (hopefully I can) and please don't get annoyed with me for mistakes. I'll edit in the profiles of each stage when I can use the right computer, probably just before I post the first race report.
Stages:
Will be added after stage 1, Sorry.
Teams:
AG2r La Mondale:
GC Leader: Carlos Bentancur
Sprinter: Yauheni Hutarovich
EPiC Riders: None
Predictions: A strong GC Leader who could win the race and a reasonable sprinter, GC win definitely not out of the question.
Bardiani:
GC Leader: None
Sprinter: Sacha Modolo / Everybody
EPIC Riders: None
Predictions: They'll sprint on a flat stage, and that's about it.
Belkin:
GC Leader: Wilco Kelderman
Sprinter: Theo Bos
EPIC Riders: None
Predictions: Kelderman could sneak a top 5, maybe even get onto the podium, while Bos could have a shot at a stage victory.
BMC:
GC Leader: Tejay Van Garderen
Sprinter: None
EPIC Riders: None
Predictions: Van Garderen looks strong and could easily steal the show, he has plently of support, but it could still come down to the wire, unfortunately, if anything goes wrong, the team won't have much of a back-up option.
Cannondale:
GC Leader: Peter Sagan / Josh Burton
Sprinter: Peter Sagan
EPIC Riders: Josh Burton
Predictions: Like most of the season, the team's only real hope is breakaways and Peter Sagan, even so, with Sagan they'll likely take flat and hilly stages and the points jersey.
Caja Rural:
GC Leader: José Alarcon
Sprinter: None
EPIC Riders: José Alarcon, Jaun Pablo Asquez
Predictions: Lot's of climbers, so Alarcon could take a top 5, or slip onto the podium if he's really lucky. The team could win the mountains classification
CCC Polsat:
GC Leader: Johann Novakason
Sprinter: None
EPIC Riders: Johann Novakason
Predictions: Novakason could take a top 10, apart from that breakaways are the only option.
Champion System:
GC Leader: Janier Acevedo
Sprinters; Fabian Schnaidt / Manuel Belleti
EPIC Riders: None
Predictions: A top ten GC or a top ten in a sprint unless something comes from a breakaway.
Colombia:
GC Leader: Christian Muriel
Sprinter: None
EPIC Riders: Fabrizio Harrini, Gorka Nieve
Predictions: A breakaway is the only real chance. Muriel would be lucky for a top ten.
Drapac:
GC Leader: Rory Sutherland
Sprinter: None
EPIC Riders: Tomohori Hatanaka
Predictions: Breakaways...
Giant - Shimano:
GC Leader: Tanel Kangert
Sprinter: Tom Veelers
EPIC Riders: None
Predictions: A podium isn't out of the question for this team, with both Kangert and De la Montagne definite competitors there, but they seem much more likely for a top 5, aside from that. Veelers could contest a sprint.
Lampre - Meridia:
GC Leader: None
Sprinter: None
EPIC Riders: None
Predictions:The organisers rufuse to comment, enfuriated that Lampre did not only refuse to send their Argentinian rider, they also failed to field a single good rider. Breakaways are the only chance.
MTN - Qhubeka
Leader: Josef Hintermüller
Sprinter: Gerald Ciolek
EPIC Riders: Marouane Shaqif
Predictions: A strong team, Ciolek will be a challenger for the green jersey, while Hintermüller will challenge for a top ten. Gerdemann could take a stage win from a break and will be a very useful domestique to both riders.
NetApp - Endura
Leader: Domonik Nerz
Sprinter: None
EPIC Riders: Ioannis Dimitriou
Predictions: Nerz can challenge for a top ten, apart from that breakaways will be the main chance for the team, but that seems to have worked pretty well for them so far...
Orica - Greenedge:
GC Leader: Diego Johnson
Sprinter: David Cimolai
EPIC Riders: Diego Johnson
Predictions: Johnsson can challenge for a spot on the GC podium, but a top 5 or 10 seems more likely, otherwise, Cimolai will be another challenger in sprints.
Team Sky:
GC Leader: Sergio Henao
Sprinter: Ben Swift
EPIC Riders: None
Predictions: Sky have sent two riders with wish they want to dominate the race, Henao could win the race and a podium is almost certain, while Swift looks like one of Sagan's biggest competitors in the sprints.
Trek Factory Racing:
GC Leader: Maxime Monfort / Chris Horner
Sprinter: None
EPIC Riders: None
Predictions: Plenty of support for the rider they choose to lead, but they can't be expected to top anything, a top 5 if they are lucky, probably a top ten.
AI CONTROLLED TEAMS:
Rusvelo: Better than Lampre, but Breakaways are the only real chance.
Novo Nordisk: Breakaways, if there is a chance even from that.
United Health Care: Have sent a semi-competitive squad, but breakaway are still the only real chance.
Predicted Results:
General Classification:
1st. Tejay Van Garderren
2nd. Carlos Bentancur
3rd. Sergio Henao
4th. José Alarcon
5th. Tanel Kangert
Points Classification:
1st. Peter Sagan
2nd. Gerald Ciolek
3rd. Ben Swift
Mountains Classification
1st. David Arroyo
2nd. Carlos Bentancur
3rd. Tejay van Garderen
Youth Classification:
1st. Carlos Bentancur
2nd. José Alarcon
3rd. Wilco Kelderman
Team Classification:
1st. Belkin
2nd. Ag2r
3rd. Sky
Khan can't compete without a leadout train and I think mvh's pcm game has decided that no breakaway shall be diminished by the pack xD
