He probably didn't go full gas though, given the ice, I'd be surprised if anybody (except Vague ) was going 100%

Yes! 90% for the ice for some of the course, and 10% less for cook and Milan because they were waiting for Luxembourg. At least Milan was. Who knows what Cook was thinking

Milan Listerijn has now filed his complaint and is pressing charges, Kimi Hakinnen style, but this one will work.

Never mentioned doping, TMM Sports Management knows how to coach it's riders media comments. Plus Riis was Mr 60%, completely different.
Also Slander is spoken word, Libel is written, so those charges against Slander ain't gonna stick, do your homework

Could a heated rivalry between the two be brewing?

TMM sports management makes sure their riders do not slander other riders in writing.

Also Milan's 80% Haematocrit levels? How is he still alive? Either a heart attack/stopping by now...

Well then what was he referring to by asking us if we knew what he meant. Milan won't be going into team management with some crazy Russian or ever going to the road so it can't be those footsteps

Damnit you are too smart. Charge has been changed to libel, thanks If you hadn't mentioned that the whole thing would have failed at the first hurdle

No trek, I'm pretty sure Milan doesn't have 80% haemotocrit levels, or Goldenberg would have a fair call of referencing doping.

I think a rivalry may be brewing, even Vague and Cook haven't publicly attempted to take each other to UCI court

Country:
Region: Whakapapa, Tongariro National Park
Date: Mid-late October

Technical Information
Technicality: 5
Sand: 0
Uphill: 4
Snow/Ice(added in): 3
Length of One Lap: 2km
Cobbled Sections: 0
Final Sprint: 80m



Possibly one of the most beautiful spots in New Zealand at this time of the year. The main snow drops have basically all melted away but there is still more than enough snow and ice to make it a rather testing task for all riders, regardless of weather preference. During the height of winter the area is visited by thousands from round the country and overseas who come to enjoy the marvelous skiing and snowboarding. Later in the season (so around late October) the snow goers head elsewhere but as seen in the following two photos there is still a lot of snow, ice and cold weather around.

Both the next two were taken today at 5:30pm





Although it is potentially a great area for CycloX it is currently not used for it due to the jagged rocks lying in and beneath the layer of snow. They are certainly a challenge for any rider which explains the Technicality of 5. The uphill of 4 comes from the race being on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu, one of New Zealand's highest. They will obviously not be riding directly uphill but will ride on an angle to get uphill through part of the 2km circuit. There will definitely be snow and ice around at this time of the year but the rocky terrain will present at least half of the challenge. Another challenge can be the fog and low clouds which frequent the area and could potentially make visibility very low making the already tough race even tougher.

This particular course will be a 2km loop around the lower skiing slopes just above and around the Whakapapa ski resort area. The start goes for 20m flat before beginning the 1km uphill slope followed by the 900m sloping downhill leading into the final 80m straight to the finishing line. An exhilarating course where no focus can be lost as both the up and down hill slopes are on either snow/ice or jagged rocks.

There, it took a while, but I'm back

Luxembourg Challenge Preview
The ice season is not yet over. But can Odfjell also dominate on the hillier ice courses?

Also I hope to do the race tomorrow already so if you want to send in tactics best do it asap
For non starters: I have none so far.
Vague was going to skip but in latest game posts he said working for Schiltz so he's attending?
Lipawsky to start, too?

Yeah Vague's attending. Game post to follow when I get home.

Lipawsky's definitely starting, I thought he was going on about this race, but maybe I just assumed that and didn't do it.

Nah don't think Lipawsky is coming

Long live the ice!

E: Mazzarell'd (Lipawsky last year in Aosta? Cause it was about Lipawsky? I am wasted on you people )

Pretty sure Corsio were listed as a Belgian team Ian, even if their riders were both Luxembourg.

Big race for Schiltz this!

Oh my bad, then.
But I considered it a pretty much Luxembourg team

Awesome post SN! I love the statistics.

With the hype it's got, Luxembourg seems to be a bigger race the Chrostmas classic, almost at the world championships.

And there's still another Coca-Cola race after.

Those Coca-Cola statistics *inlove*
It reminds me I should get my shit together and write a blog post, meh

Wanted it done today but a friend of mine has an extra ticket to the film festival so gonna get a nice free night out instead. Will do it tomorrow, instead

Tremble in fear for the Luxembourg Challenge!

Or, you know, enjoy the report

And we're close to concluding the second Trophy of the season. Slowly nearing the end of season 2

Very nice report even with Vague not being too involved. I had hoped he and Christian really shake up the Trophy but Christian did impressively well on his own. Also Guido cracked Top 30, awesome.

Not good for Sylvain...

At least he followed most his tactics.

Thanks for the race Ian. Hopefully the final Coca-Cola is better for Sylvain.