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Cauberg Classic Discussion
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| FroomeDog99 |
Posted on 25-07-2015 11:23
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 Cauberg Classic 2015 Preview
Welcome to the Netherlands for the third edition of the Cauberg classic, a race which focuses on the finishing climb in the Ardennes classic Amstel Gold Race to create an interesting profile which has seen plenty of exciting races in previous years.
Many of the best continental puncheurs have come to Valkenburg in the hope of claiming victory on this famous climb, which has also been at the centre of the World Championships five times previously.
The race is 189km in total and there's about 25 kilometres of total climbing which contributes to a tough profile, which will finish on a circuit containing 5 ascents of the famous climb in quick succession. 1.2 kilometres long, with a maximum gradient of 12%, it will take a strong rider to beat the rest and take the victory here.
Previous winners Perikles Ilias (2013) and Haritz Orbe (2014) are both not racing this year despite their previous success at this race. There is however plenty of great hilly riders who will be looking to become a new winner here this year.
| Rider | Hill | Rider | Hill |  Jose Mendes | 78 |  Sergiu Cioban | 75 |  Gracjan Lejman | 77 | Kristijan Durasek | 75 |  Andrey Zeits | 77 |  Clemens Fankhauser | 75 |  Janier Alexis Acevedo | 76 |  Elia Favilli | 75 |  Alberigo Passalacqua | 76 |  Phillip Gaimon | 75 |  Frantisek Rabon | 76 | Sergio Godoy | 75 | | Julien Simon | 76 |  Alexis Gougeard | 75 | | Patrik Sinkewitz | 76 | Rudy Molard | 75 | | Jukka Vastaranta | 76 |  Federico Rocchetti | 75 | | Abdelkader Belmokhtar | 75 | Adam Stachowiak | 75 | | Mikaël Chérel | 75 |
The top puncheur here, and probably the biggest favourite is Mendes, who won the first hilly race in the division this season with an impressive victory at the season-opening Clasico San Cristobal.
Just behind him in terms of climbing ability are Zeits and Lejman, who are both also good bets for victory here because of their pure strength on the hills.
We also have some weaker puncheurs who have a good sprint and could be threats if a bigger group reaches the finish together. Among these are Vastaranta, Rabon, Simon and Favilli who will all be hoping to reach the finish in contention so they can use their finishing kick to their advantage.
Behind these main favourites there are a lot of other good puncheurs here in the Netherlands like Acevedo, Passalacqua, Sinkewitz, Belmokhtar, Durasek, Gaimon, Molard and Godoy who should all be capable of at least a top-10 on a good day.
There are several others as well who should be active at the front, so it will be intriguing to see how the race plays out with so many strong riders on the hills. Whatever happens, it should make for some exciting racing around this famous climb which has seen so many greats of the sport in the past.
The full startlist:
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| sgdanny |
Posted on 25-07-2015 11:28
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Been waiting for this one, don't expect much from Lejman and think Durasek is my best bet. Top 5 is the goal and should be able to do that, after all this race is a tougher version of Cristobal.
Vastaranta or Mendes will surely win here 
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 25-07-2015 11:44
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I've been looking forward to this. I think it could be a bit too hard for Vastaranta, but his win in Sallanches leaves me optimistic.
Mendes the big favourite heer for me.
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| Shonak |
Posted on 25-07-2015 12:32
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Some points by Belmokthar and Favilli would much welcomed, in that sense two riders in Top 10 is possible and surely the goal. Maybe even a podium with some mighty luck.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Ste117 |
Posted on 25-07-2015 12:42
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A rider in the break is the best we could hope for.
MG Team manager Team Ticos Air Costa Rica
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| Roextro |
Posted on 25-07-2015 12:46
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This race is made for Simon so I am expect a top 5 from him |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 10:25
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 25-07-2015 14:54
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Breakaway is the goal!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 25-07-2015 15:29
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I would accept a Top 10, especially if the race plays out like San Cristobel. Top 5 would be something special
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 25-07-2015 15:56
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Pff hills stat is irrelevant, De Maar for the win!
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 25-07-2015 16:47
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Orbe with his less than 70HIL stat won last year from the breakaway so can't rule out a similar finish here.
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 25-07-2015 16:57
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Making it into the break would be nice, but as we're not too strong on the hills I have little to no expectations for this race. I expect Mendes/Zeits/Simon/Acevedo to battle for the win.
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 25-07-2015 21:53
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77-76-75-74-73-71 Hill team here, but something tells me we won't win this. I still can't think of why we didn't bring Der either. 
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| Stromeon |
Posted on 25-07-2015 23:05
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Hilly classics are vital in the CT and so I hope that Acevedo and Godoy can pick it up a little, they've been decent so far, Acevedo was good in Cuba at the start of the season, but we need a bit of a push if we're to jump up the rankings a bit after flagging following San Luis. Top 5 the goal here I think.
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| matt17br |
Posted on 26-07-2015 08:47
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Won't be expecting anything because of the poor results Passalacqua and co. carried home in the previous hilly classics. My biggest hopes for a top 10? are in Molard.
Mendes gotta be the favourite but I feel like Vastaranta will win it.
Thanks for the preview froomedog 
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 26-07-2015 15:40
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In no way did I expect that! Nice to have a little luck with me after Koep's failures in Mid East and Trentino, and De Maar with a solid 8th in a strong field as well! Stoked ab0out Wengelin's victory, I knew signing seemingly useless fighters would pay off at some point! Wengelin might have just earned himself a contract for next season.
Tremendous ride by the Super Swede, and great report Froomedog!
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 26-07-2015 15:42
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Oh come on, I told you to get in the break!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Roextro |
Posted on 26-07-2015 16:27
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Argh, just outside the top 5, 7th is still an OK result though |
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| Cavendish-Fan |
Posted on 26-07-2015 16:29
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Big gap between my team CT and the bigger teams. |
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| The Rider |
Posted on 26-07-2015 16:37
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- Boy, it looks like I was very wrong when I said Carlsberg - Danske Bank would finish just ahead of the dirt. They will finish well above.
- Doesn't look like it, but with those teams taking the top placings, this was a good race for Strava with no title contenders scoring big.
- The_hoyle. Only 21st for his guys here, on probably one of the better races for his team, if he doesn't get some luck soon I fear his outfit will be struggling to avoid setting the least points ever in a season. |
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 26-07-2015 17:18
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The Rider wrote:
- Boy, it looks like I was very wrong when I said Carlsberg - Danske Bank would finish just ahead of the dirt. They will finish well above.
- Doesn't look like it, but with those teams taking the top placings, this was a good race for Strava with no title contenders scoring big.
- The_hoyle. Only 21st for his guys here, on probably one of the better races for his team, if he doesn't get some luck soon I fear his outfit will be struggling to avoid setting the least points ever in a season.
Let's not get carried away, there's still a long season ahead.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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