Tamijo wrote:
Nice series of good results after the Tour.
Yes the last few races have gone well for the team. Landa losing out on winning in Osterreich-Rundfahrt was an upset, but the performances have been solid overall
Stage 1 of the Tour of Poland is a mostly flat stage tailor-made for the sprinters. Expect a fast pace throughout the stage with sprinters jostling for the win at the finish.
Stage 2
Only a little undulation at the finish stops this stage from being another sprinters' paradise. A puncher could well be favourite to take the win here.
Stage 3
An even flatter stage than Stage 1 means that the sprinters should feel at home here. Another fast paced stage with a bunch sprint can be expected here.
Stage 4
Some more undulations at the end might pose problems for the sprinters in this otherwise flat stage. Difficult to judge the outcome here, as there is a tiny flat right at the end after the undulations.
Stage 5
The stage which is likely to decide the fate of this race along with the last stage ITT. The battle for the GC will heat up here as the top contenders try to gain time over each other.
Stage 6
The stage is basically a set of ups and downs! Although hilly, it remains to be seen whether there would be any big time gaps among the leaders. This could be a chance for someone to grab an opportunistic stage win and make a dent in the GC as well.
Stage 7
A moderate distance ITT eds proceedings in Poland. The GC might well come to whoever has the best legs on this stage. Expect lots of excitement all through the day here.
Overall Assessment
Mostly favouring the sprinters, the race will be decided on the final three stages. Riders who are good on short sharp climbs as well as in TTs should have the upper hand here.
Movistar Starting List
Benat Intxausti
Luis Leon Sanchez
Jose Juan Lobato
Adriano Malori
Gorkha Izagirre
Antonio Puga
Eustaquio Sanchez
Perfecto Gastesi
The penultimate WT stage race on the calendar brings with an open field registering to start. Lots of possibilities here as the profiles ensure a close finish. Movistar trusted Benat Intxausti with leadership duties, given that the stage profiles suited him, and that most of their other leaders were not in racing condition. They also sent J J Lobato as their sprint leader, to be supported by Antonio Puga. Among the challengers, the main contenders would be an ageing Richie Porte, Michal Kwiatkowski, Thibaut Pinot, Louis Meintjes, Alexandre Geniez and Robert Gesink to name a few. Although primarily a sprinter, Peter Sagan had both the climbing and the TT skils to challenge for the GC. A very difficult race to call.
The following is a summary of stages...
Stage 1 - Flat
A pan flat stage greeted the peloton as they started off in Poland. The early breakaway was never able to build up a big lead but they were caught very late, with only 8 km to go. The bunch sprint threw up a surprise as Leonid Krasnov and Daniel Hoergaard got the jump on the others in the last corner, with Krasnov holding on for the win over more fancied sprinters.
Stage winner - Leonid Krasnov Movistar - Adriano Malori
Stage 2 - Flat with 1 minor intermediate climb
Another flat stage with some undulations to finish. The breakaway built up a lead of more than 8 minutes at its highest. They were however brought back in with some distance to go from the finish. The bunch sprint saw Sagan come out the strongest and take the win.
Stage winner - Peter Sagan Movistar - Antonio Puga
Stage 3 - Flat
Perhaps the flattest stage of the race! Not much to report from this stage as the peloton kept up a high pace throughout. Sagan took another stage win.
Stage winner - Peter Sagan Movistar - Juan Jose Lobato 8th
Stage 4 - Flat with 1 minor intermediate climb
Another flat stage, another bunch sprint, another win for Sagan. Same script, same result. (Makes my report so much easier )
Stage winner - Peter Sagan
Stage 5 - Hilly with 3 major and 1 minor intermediate climbs
The peloton caught the early breakaway before the last climb. After this, the attacks started from the GC favourites. Pierre Rolland was the first. But he was, very soon, caught and then equally soon, left behind. A group of 9 riders went away at the head of the climb, with only Benat having two helpers along with him. Gesink and Kwiatkowski attacked and no one could follow. Meintjes then left Intxausti behind, the latter being caught by Fuglsang before the line. Kwiatkowski took the GC lead.
Stage winner - Michal Kwiatkowski Movistar - Benat Intxausti 4th, 53" Other important results - Robert Gesink 2nd, same time, Louis Meintjes 3rd, 24", Jakob Fuglsang 5th, 53" behind, Peter Sagan 6th, Richie Porte 7th, 1'2" behind, Thibaut Pinot 10th, 1'50" behind
Stage 6 - Hilly with 8 major intermediate climbs
8 sharp climbs dotted this stage, making it as equally difficult to call as the race for the overall GC. One could say that this stage personified the race. The early breakaway almost held on for an unlikely win, but had to give up just 3.5 km before the finish. The stage came down to straight fight between 5 riders following the last climb. Once again it was Kwiatkowski who was the strongest among them, leading out the sprint and taking the win. The high finish ensured Intxausti had moved up from 6th to 3rd place , still in with a chance for the overall GC win.
Stage winner - Michal Kwiatkowski Movistar - Benat Intxausti 4th, 10" behind Other important results - Romain Bardet 2nd, Louis Meintjes 3rd, same time, Pierre Rolland 5th, 10" behind, Jakob Fuglsang 7th, Thibaut Pinot 10th, 1'8" behind
Stage 7 - Individual Time Trial - Flat - 24.8 km
By the start of this stage, Kwiatkowski had a lead of more than 30 seconds over 2nd placed Meintjes and almost one and a half minutes over 3rd placed Intxausti. He was the overwhelming favourite to take the GC win with his superior TT skils. The bigger question was who wuld take second place, with the riders placed 2nd to 5th quite similar to each other in TT skills. True to ability, Kwiatkoski did enough to extend his overall lead to more than 2 minutes by the end, taking 5th place on the stage. Tony Martin took the overall win. Benat Intxausti put in agood ride to overtake Meintjes into second place, while Sagan moved up to 4th while Gesink was the big loser on this stage.
Stage winner - Tony Martin Movistar - Benat Intxausti 19th, losing 1'45" Other important results - Michal Kwiatkowski 5th, losing 59", Louis Meintjes 58th, losing 2'40", Peter Sagan 29th, losing 1'58", Jakob Fuglsang 18th, losing 1'45"
Team Classification
1)Sky
2)American Express
3)Astana
Sky, Sky, everywhere! They won 4 out of the 5 classifications here. A good race overall for Movistar too as Intxausti took a well fought 2nd. Consistency proved the key to his success as he never let his rivals get away too far in the stage that mattered. This is not a race where Movistar have traditionally done well, and this is a big improvement for them. Perhaps the sprinting wasn't at its best. The team go home relatively happy and turn their attention towards the end of the Vuelta a Burgos, ongoing simultaneously.
An uphill stage from start to finish to start off the race. Expect a breakaway to form in search of a stage win. However, the sprinters might just get the last laugh, although it might favour the punchy sprinters.
Stage 2
A relatively flat stage to follow the uphill stage. The sprinters should have the upper hand here.
Stage 3
Another mostly flat stage with a few climbs to break the monotony. The sprinters should take this stage too unless something strange happens.
Stage 4
Another mostly flat stage with a small uphill spike at the end. If the sprinters can hold on through the uphill, they should have four out of four stage wins.
Stage 5
The Queen stage. Two huge climbs to end the stage where the fight for the GC will take place. Expect repeated attacks from the leaders, and the one who is the freshest should take the win.
Overall Assessment
Not a very difficult race for most part of it. There is only one stage where we can expect fireworks. Expect a strong climber to take the overall win here.
Edited by AbhishekLFC on 23-01-2016 15:42
Movistar Starting List
Mikel Landa
Sam Bennett
Alex Dowsett
Rafael Valls
Pello Bilbao
Ruben Fernandez
Jesus Herrada
Winner Anacona
The Vuelta a Burgos is the penultimate sponsor objective for Movistar. This importance of this race was furthered when Landa chose this as his prep race for the Vuelta a Espana. Movistar have sent a strong climbing and a fairly strong flats team in his support. Other contenders included Vicenzo Nibali, the Yates brothers and Rafal Majka. The lack of proper climbing up until the last stage might not be ideal for Landa in his quest for victory, but he should be among the top few when the race ends.
The following is a summary of stages...
Stage 1 - Hilly with 2 minor intermediate climbs
Movistar put Pello Bilbao into the early break, as they were keen to pick up the KOM win here. It worked on this stage with Bilbao taking both mountain sprints. Behind him ,both Ruben Fernandez and Winner Anacona fell early in separate incidents but no damage was done. The breakaway with Bilbao was caught a little way before the finish. Soon after, Omar Fraille launched an attack without counter. Although he was caught on the line, he held on for the win nonetheless. Movistar had three riders finish inside the top 10 and there were no time gaps among the leaders.
Stage winner - Omar Fraille
Stage 2 - Flat with undulating finish, including 2 minor intermediate climbs
Another early breakaway was formed, and again they were caught much before the finish. Matthias Brandle then launched an attack with about 15 km to go over the undulations and held on for the win. Movistar swept positions 2 through 6, finishing at the head of the peloton, 22 seconds behind Brandle.
Stage winner - Matthias Brandle
Stage 3 - Flat with 3 minor intermediate climbs
Pello Bilbao put himself into the breakaway again, and took all three mountain sprints, cementing his place at the top of the KOM classification. The breakaway could not hold on till the end. The sprinters had their day at last, with Michael van Staeyen taking the win ahead of Bennett for Movistar. Movistar, this time, had four top 10 finishers. Bennett took over the lead in the GC.
Stage winner - Michael van Staeyen Movistar - Sam Bennett 2nd, same time
Stage 4 - Flat
A deceptive stage 4 caught out the peloton as they allowed the breakaway to build up too big a lead. Despite their best efforts in the second half of the race, the peloton were not able to catch up, and were relegated to damage control mode at the end. Rudy Molard won from the break, to take the overall lead as well.
Stage winner - Rudy Molard Other important results - C.A. Sorensen 2nd, Warren Barguil 3rd, 30" behind, all others finished 1'43" behind
Stage 5 - Mountain with mountain top finish, with 5 major and 1 minor intermediate climbs
There were more than 90 KOM points available on this stage and Bilbao got himself into the break for a third time in this race to make sure he secured his top spot in that classification. He was first through 4 of the major climbs and was successful in keeping his jersey. Behind him, among the leaders, Nibali fell around the mid-way stage but recovered. The first attacks were placed by Warren Barguil and Rafal Majka but they were not successful. The leaders formed their own little bunch and were together till the last climb. They dropped overnight leader Molard pretty easily once the climb to the finish kicked up. Landa was not strong wnough to stay at the front and had to make do with 5th place. There was a surprise winner as Mattia Cattaneo won this stage and took the overall win. He held off the challenge of Nibali, Shmatovalenko and Adam Yates in the last kilometres.
Stage winner - Mattia Cattaneo Movistar - Mikel Landa 5th, 52" behind Other important results - Vicenzo Nibali 2nd 19", Dennis Shmatovalenko 3rd, Adam Yates 4th, 35", Rafal Majka 6th, 1'20"
The sponsor objective was not met but Movistar had a decent race overall taking two classifications and two 2nd place finishes on the stages. This was not the ideal result to fill everyone with confidence as far as Landa was concerned, but the outing would be good to get him conditioned for similar roads in the Vuelta. The domestiques have done well in this race which bodes well for the big race ahead.
Nairo Quintana enjoyed a good outing in a weak field taking two stage wins and the overall classification. Ruben Fernandez got home in 6th place.
Czech Cycling Tour
A high finish, with time gaps over the leaders, allowed Dayer Quintana to finish 3rd after a solid performance in the Czech Republc. Gorkha Izagirre ensured another top 10 for Movistar.
The first of five flat stages. This race is a sprinter's paradise!
Stage 2
The short TTT will have a big say in deciding which sprinter gets the upper hand in the race for the GC depending on their team's performacnce.
Stage 3
Some undulations in the middle of this stage to break up the flat stuff. The win should still be taken by a sprinter.
Stage 4
Flat, flat and more flat!
Stage 5
Flat, flatter, flattest!
Stage 6
The short ITT might end up deciding the fate of this race. It remains to be seen whether any sprinter can build up a big enough lead via the time bonuses to neutralize the adverse effect this stage is likely to have on their GC aspirations.
Stage 7
A mostly flat stage with cobbles popping up in four separate places en route. Should make it an interesting stage and is difficult to call. The overall standings might just see some changes if a rider can breakaway over the cobbles.
Overall Assessment
A sprinter's delight here at the Eneco making it the only WT race that is tailor-made for them. Expect the TTs to have a big say towards the final GC standings.
A good outing in Burgos sets the stage for the coming Vuelta. With Froome, Nairo and Kelderman absent, it will be a very good chance for Landa to win his first GT...
Movistar Starting List
Benat Intxausti
Sam Bennett
J J Lobato
Alex Dowsett
Luis Leon Sanchez
Jesus Herrada
Jasha Sutterlin
Isidro Pintassilgo
The Eneco Tour presents a glorious opportunity for a sprinter to win a WT race. However, over the past three years, only last year has a sprinter, Alexander Kristoff, won. In the years prior to that, it was riders strong in the TTs who took the overall race victory. Trying to exploit this fact, Movistar set a team balanced with sprinters and strong TT riders. They were looking to attack on either front in order to improve their showing in a race where they generally have not done well. The top sprinters had shown up for this one and it would be very difficult to point out GC favourites because of the uniqueness of the stage profiles.
The following is a summary of stages...
Stage 1 - Flat
The early breakaway pushed out to a lead of 8 minutes over the pack at their zenith. They were slowly brought back by the pace set by the teams of the sprinters. There was a massive split in the peloton at the second sprint point. This was later wiped away and the pack rejoined as one. At the finish, five riders set the pace so high that the others could not keep up and the former managed to get a time gap of more than half a minute. Pre-stage favourite Mark Cavendish won the stage in the sprint among the lead group.
Stage winner - Mark Cavendish
Stage 2 - Team Time Trial - Flat - 18.9 km
The TTT provided an opportunity to the teams to regain some of the time they'd lost on the top 5 in the last stage. This didn't happen, as Tinkoff-Saxo were the best team on the day, hence further increasing Cavendish's lead to over a minute to the others. Movistar took second place to remain in contention for the top 10 places.
Stage winners - Tinkoff-Saxo (Cavendish, Kelderman, Geraint Thomas) Movistar - 2nd, losing 12" seconds Other important results - IAM 3rd, losng 16", Dexia 4th, losing 16", Astana 5th, losing 40"
Stage 3 - Flat
There was a pack split very early on caused by another sprint for the intermediate points. The peloton eventually got back together and charged towards the finish as one. Ramon Sinkeldam took a surprise win, outsprinting more fancied rivals.
Stage winner - Ramon Sinkeldam Movistar - Juan Jose Lobato 8th
Stage 4 - Flat
The early breakaway built up a lead of 9 minutes and stayed in front of the race till only 10 km were left. The stage came down to a bunch sprint again and this time it was Nacer Bouhanni who won.
Stage winner - Nacer Bouhanni
Stage 5 - Flat
A relatively quiet stage with the morning breakaway of 8 minutes pulled back in some way before the finish. Cavendish won the stage, his second of this race, and maintained his 1 minute lead over the pack going into the ITT.
Stage 6 - Individual Time Trial - Flat - 17.8 km
Continuing his stunning form for the year, Tom Dumoulin took another stage win in another WT race, but it wasn't enough to worry the top of the GC, putting him at the bottom of the top 10. Excellent riders from Taylor Phinney of Dexia and Nelson Oliveira of IAM put them within 1 and 5 seconds of Cavendish. The latter still held on to his lead, but only just.
Satge winner - Tom Dumoulin Movistar - Alex Dowsett 12th, losing 1'1", Jasha Sutterlin 15th, losing 1'5", Luis Leon Sanchez 24th, losing 1'17" seconds
Stage 7 - Flat with cobbles
The cobbled stage proved to be one full attrition. The early break did not survive, caught at the second cobbled section. There was another break of three riders which formed around the third cobbled section. Sep Vanmarcke was one of them and he eventually dropped the other two, including Kelderman, to take the stage win. Kelderman's time gain, finishing 3rd ahead of the peloton, moved him up into 10th place. Cavendish held on for the win.
Stage winner - Sep Vanmarcke from breakaway Other important results - Wilco Kelderman 3rd, 52" behind. The pack finished 1'24" behind
Team Classification
1)Tinkoff-Saxo
2)Giant-Alpecin
3)Sky
Mark Cavendish made it 2 out of 2 for sprinters in this race. Movistar did not have high hopes coming here and they had to do with a top 15 finish. The highlight for them was the second place finish in the Young Riders' classification by Pintassilgo. He's an emerging talent and has done well so far. On to a couple of smaller races from here before the start of the Vuelta.
Updates from a couple of races in the week between Eneco and the Vuelta...
Tour du Limousin
Valverde was in 2nd position in the GC for stages 2 and 3. Meersman taking the bonus seconds by finishing 2nd on the last stage relegated Valverde down to 3rd. A good performance no doubt to finish on the podium.
USA Pro Cycling Challenge
A stronger field and a longer race, but a better performance from Movistar. Kreuziger won two stages, stage 1 and the stage 4 ITT, on his way to claiming the overall prize. Isidro Pintassilgo finished 2nd in the stage 4 ITT, won the Young Riders' classification and finished 9th overall. Anacona ensured Movistar's third top 10 finish, coming home in 8th place overall. Movistar also won top prize in the Team classification.
Updates from a couple of Autumn classics held during the Vuelta...
Vattenfall Cyclassics
Having sent a strong team to the Vuelta, and with many of their riders not in peak condition, Movistar were looking to make the best of a race where they generally haven't been among the top few. They sent Viviani as their main weapon, given that the a bunch sprint was the most likely outcome. On the stage, the early breakaway kept themselves away for most of the race. They were caught with less than 15 km to go. The peloton were travelling at extremely high speeds to prevent further attacks. However, two old boys, Alejandro Valverde and Geraint Thomas attacked with 8 km to go. They put their maximum effort into staying ahead but weren't successful. Catching them with just 1.5 km to go, the sprinters launched their charge soon after, with favourite Marcel Kittel crossing the line in first place. This was his third win in this race, the third in four years. setting a record for most wins here. Viviani managed 8th place as Movistar's best finish.
GP Ouest France - Plouay
Kittel was favourite here again and was in supreme form. Movistar again sent Viviani as their top rider. Leopold Konig was also sent to this race to try take advantage of the undulating nature of the stage. The breakaway was not very successful and the pack rode as one for a long time before the finish. Lars Boom attacked with 15 km to go. His lead never went above a minute but he managed to keep the peloton at bay. At the finish, Boom was still ahead and won by about 10 bike-lengths from Kittel, who had to settle for 2nd place. Viviani did well to get 5th place.
The short time trial gives a chance for the teams to work together and earn the red jersey for one of its members. Expect small time gaps.
Stage 2
The first of only six flat stage, starts off with a climb but then settles down into a long flat ride to the finish. The sprinters will be flexing their muscles here.
Stage 3
Although classified as a flat stage, the short climb just before the finish might make it hard for the sprinters. There are high chances of a late attack for the punchers to try to pinch a stage win.
Stage 4
The very first taste of the mountains comes with the leaders facing the challenge of a huge climb to the finish in the Sierra Nevada. A couple of climbs in the middle will encourage the KOM chasers to set up a breakaway.
Stage 5
Stage 5 presents itself as another hilly stage, but the mild climb before the finish might well see the sprinters hang on the front of the pack and a bunch sprint decide the winner.
Stage 6
Another mostly flat stage will see the peloton tackle a short, sharp climb before the finish, which is sure to split up the pack. Expect a puncher to utilise this opportunity to take a stage win.
Stage 7
Back down to the flats for this stage. Although pocked with ups and downs, the sprinters shouldn't be troubled too much and should lead out a bunch sprint to the finish.
Stage 8
The big mountains welcome us again and the leaders will now start taking their chances at creating serious time gaps. The downhill finish however could ensure the leaders coming back together after the climb.
Stage 9
The type of profile the Vuelta has become (in)famous for. A long flat stage with a single early climb ends with a brute of a climb up the Sierra de Bejar. Expect attacks from the leaders and there is a possibility of big time gaps opening up among them here.
Stage 10
The only individual time trial comes a day before the first rest day. 42 km in length, it will offer the TT specialists a chance to strut their stuff. Expect climbers who are good in TTs to get back some of the time they may have lost in earlier stages, or someone to extend his lead at the top, depending on the previous standings.
Stage 11
Mountain stages come thick and fast in the second week of the Vuelta. Stage 11 presents another big climb at its climax which the leaders would have to traverse well to keep in contention.
Stage 12
A little respite for the leaders as the sprinters should be in the limelight here. This stage sets up the following three consecutive mountain stages and the leaders will do their best to conserve energy on this stage.
Stage 13
Stage 13 begins the consecutive mountain stages but doesn't end in a mountain top finish. The leaders will have to be careful not to spend too much energy in the intermediate climbs so that they are not caught out at the end.
Stage 14
Another huge mountain climb to finish this stage. Expect the leaders to slug it out and whoever gets up the mountain here first, would earn themselves a big advantage in the overall GC race.
Stage 15
A relatively mild first half transform into life come the latter part of this stage. Another stage which will have a big bearing deciding the overall outcome of the race. The climb to Angliru will be tough with the average gradient of more than 10% awaiting the riders.
Stage 16
Three days of tough racing up mountains followed by a rest day. The rest day brings the riders to this stage where most would be more than happy to relax and maintain position. The sprinters are favourites for the win, unless a breakaway has other ideas.
Stage 17
Three sharp climbs to the finish will ensure some action towards the end of this stage. One of the punchers might just fancy their chances here to take advantage of a tiring peloton.
Stage 18
Another stage full of climbs will see the leaders relying on their domestiques to protect their positions. Although not the most difficult stage on paper, the nearness to the finish and the tired peloton will mean there are ample opportunities for anyone who is fresh to try to gain some time here.
Stage 19
Small hills dot this stage too as the peloton moves closer and closer to the end of the race. The leaders will have to keep a close watch over their shoulders as this probably represents the last realistic hope for a serious challenge on the GC.
Stage 20
The stage starts at Bilbao and is hilly for two-thirds of its duration. Once the riders get over the highest climb of the day, the road evens out for the last third of the stage. It will be difficult for anyone who hasn't gained a huge advantage in the climbs to make a move towards the end.
Stage 21
The ceremonial ride to Madrid will see the peloton ride over rolling flats, ending in a slightly downhill finish. Expect a high tempo on this stage and a massive sprint at the finish.
Overall Assessment
With only one TTT and one ITT, this year's Vuelta should not do too much damage to riders who aren't good in that skill. With a total of 7 uphill finishes - 1 hill top and 6 mountain top - it looks as though a strong climber should be favourite for the win. Without many flat stages to play with, some of the best sprinters might just sit out of this race.
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