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Tour de Langkawi Discussion
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 28-07-2015 12:33
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Directeur Sportif
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 Tour de Langkawi
We're heading for Malaysia, where the Tour de Langkawi goes into it's eight edition as one of longest running event in the CT. The prestigious stage race comes with a special mix for hundreds of panflat stages, plus two mountain stages, that are likely to decide over the final GC here.
Well, eight flat stages, to be precisive. None of last year's sprint-winners (Guillén as a triple winner) will be at the start this season, but we will definitely see the CT's best sprinters battling for many possible victories.
And of course we have: Genting Highlands. This tough summit finish should be the absolute key stage for the overall victory and we will be thrilled to see who's following into the footsteps of former race-winners like Vitor Rodrigues (2014), Marco Marzano (2012) or Bernhard Kohl (2011, 2008)!
The Startlist
The GC-Favorites | Rider | MO | ACC | Rider | MO | ACC |  Atapuma | 78 | 73 |  Hirt | 75 | 74 |  Gilanipoor | 77 | 73 |  Baz | 75 | 70 |  Rienda Segura | 76 | 77 |  Rodas | 75 | 69 | | Lowe | 76 | 72 |  Rudaskov | 75 | 68 |  Soler | 76 | 71 | Roman | 75 | 66 | | Zurita | 76 | 69 |  Koep | 75 | 57 |  Berard | 76 | 68 |  Masuda | 74 | 65 | | Sinelobov | 76 | 67 |  Canecky | 73 | 69 |  Schwab | 76 | 66 |  Lozano | 72 | 69 |
Biggest favorites for the GC should be Atapuma and Gilanipoor/Lowe. It's their race to lose, really. Compal with the advantage of some kind of a double-headed monster, as we've already seen Lowe beating some big guns on his way to take out the Middle East Tour this year - with Gilanippor finishing 4th overall!
A few more climbers should be dangerous, too: Rienda Segura, Soler/Zurita, Berard, Sinelobov and Schwab with a "statistical" advantage over guys like Hirt, Baz, Rodas or Rudaskov. Hirt, however, has already shown some aggressive racing this season. He should be followed closely here.
And we have last year's 2nd overall (and stage-winner) Masuda. Now as Belarusbank's leader for the mountain stages, he will surely have some more pressure than he had with Nutresa last season.
The Sprinters | Rider | SPR | ACC | Rider | SPR | ACC | | Thorsen | 82 | 85 | Volikakis | 78 | 82 | | Richeze | 80 | 79 |  Sobota | 78 | 78 | | Lavoine | 80 | 78 | Kruopis | 78 | 77 | | Forero | 80 | 75 | Rasmussen | 77 | 79 | | Hochmann | 79 | 80 | Haddou | 76 | 78 | | Matthews | 79 | 79 | Kuboki | 76 | 77 | | Mezgec | 79 | 77 | Balykin | 76 | 75 |
Long stage races, panflat profiles: Thorsen is here! Stage-winner in the Tour of America (2014) and Middle East (2015), the Aussie has made himself a name in this type of events. Belarusbank of course with some strong support like Hutavorich as the most notable leadout.
Of course there's some heavy competition for Thorsen: B-World Champ Richeze to be named first. Lavoine, Forero, Hochmann, Matthews and Mezgec as some more strong finishers here. We can hope for some tight sprints for the green jersey - and of course stage victories!
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| roturn |
Posted on 28-07-2015 12:48
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Team Manager
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Hopefully Koep can show something here. Top15 I hope. For top10 a TT is missing.
The sprints should be great. Thorsen with best stats and surely capable of winning here. But I guess Richeze is more complete and will take the most stages together with Matthews. |
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 28-07-2015 12:55
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Team Leader
Posts: 7366
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Hoping for a break win or a lucky stage from Sobota but really not expecting much. 
Thanks for the preview. 
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| Shonak |
Posted on 28-07-2015 12:59
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
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Huge points haul incoming for some of the teams here, certainly one of the most profitable events in C2HC due to its length and the low number of teams.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Heine |
Posted on 28-07-2015 13:14
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4116
Joined: 08-04-2007
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Always liked Langkawi, a low number of teams might make for some interesting AI decisions. Rooting for my former rider Zurita
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| The Rider |
Posted on 28-07-2015 16:38
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4543
Joined: 29-02-2012
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A big race, plenty of tough decision for the managers here as many had to split squads between Langkawi and Azerbaijan (which is a real exciting race!). 
My predictions:
S1: Richeze
S2: Forero
S3: Baz (Late - Mid-stage attack?!)
S4: Lavoine
S5: Soler
S6: Matthews
S7: Richeze
S8: Lavoine
S9: Richeze
S10: Aistrup (Break!)
Is it just me? .... But, why is Simon starting here? |
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| sgdanny |
Posted on 28-07-2015 16:57
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Classics Specialist
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As said above many stages with great opportunities to get some points. Berard could make the Top 10 and we're gonna fight for stage wins each stage 
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 28-07-2015 17:45
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
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Koep for a consistent GC and Razzie for some good stage placings, maybe some breaks. That's my hope.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| dev4ever |
Posted on 28-07-2015 17:55
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Small Tour Specialist
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Always loved this race in previous PCMs and in last years MG, we had had great race here although we only managed 3rd in GC with Arroyo. This was one of Guillen's best races last season with Points jersey + a couple of Stages I belive.
Had hoped Elta would bring Kulhavi. But understandable with only 2 mountain stages, and one who might not differ much at all.
For the GC its Atapumas to lose, but I think Lowe for some reason will come out on top again.
I think Richeze will smash up the points competition like Guillen did last year.
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| Ste117 |
Posted on 28-07-2015 20:09
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Classics Specialist
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Expecting Thorsen to clain at least a stage win, not expecting much from Masuda. Kinda wish I brought Kankovsky here too, to help Thorsen.
MG Team manager Team Ticos Air Costa Rica
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 09:16
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 28-07-2015 20:36
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Was confident of a top 3 finish until I saw that both the Compal GC guys were here. It'll only take one bad day and the race will be out of reach, so here's hoping Atapuma can ride into some sort of form after a lackluster start to the season.
Second goal of the year (stage win), surely we're to pick one up here, whether it be all the other sprinters fall over, or mountain domination. Looking forward to a good race!
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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| sammyt93 |
Posted on 28-07-2015 20:50
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Classics Specialist
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It's a shame we can't compete in our home race again as it's one we've always loved.
Hopefully it will be another exciting edition.
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 28-07-2015 22:44
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Classics Specialist
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Bah... I hoped the amount of race days would scare some of the other super sprinters away. Obviously, it will be a lot tougher for Matthews here, with all the elite fast mans gathered.
I guess we'll have better chances when it's time for the mountains.
Thank you again tsmoha for both the history of the race and the favourites of the year. Looking forward to get some Asian racing done again. |
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 29-07-2015 08:43
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Team Leader
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Shonak wrote:
Huge points haul incoming for some of the teams here, certainly one of the most profitable events in C2HC due to its length and the low number of teams.
The fact that it is 10 race days will make it less profitable in terms of the important PPRD?
Will certainly be interesting with less teams, would not be surprised if a rider from the breakaway in one of the first few stages goes on to finish high in the GC, if not even winning it!
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| Roextro |
Posted on 29-07-2015 08:55
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Small Tour Specialist
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Mezgec should get a decent amount of points here. No GC hopes unless Canecky gets very lucky! |
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 29-07-2015 10:21
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Team Leader
Posts: 7366
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No fluky sprint from Sobota here, 12th is fine. Hoping for a stage win from a break now. Thanks for the report though.
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 29-07-2015 10:37
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Grand Tour Specialist
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Nice win for Lavoine! Happy with 4th, but could definitely have made it onto the podium if Aidis used his leadout. Looked weird seeing Atapuma lead out Zhang, yet some of the top sprinters didn't even try to compete 
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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| sgdanny |
Posted on 29-07-2015 13:20
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3591
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What a freaking genius performance from all 3 sprinters and Lavoine really did get a good leadout, which led to us winning the first stage. Our goal here is the points jersey, however Richeze did also do great
Thanks for the report and now I can forget about our performance on Cauberg
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 29-07-2015 14:33
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
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Well Razzie tried and will keep trying I hope. Best we can do.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| The Rider |
Posted on 29-07-2015 17:23
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Grand Tour Specialist
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Joined: 29-02-2012
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Another win for sgdanny, he must be after the CT overall win count!
Will we see Thorsen mix it up? I tend to agree with tsmoha about him:
- he can beat the likes of Forero, Matthews
- but is yet to beat a Lavoine or a Richeze, so that is probably the limit. |
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