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News in Febuary
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 08-02-2016 00:18
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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He looks way too camp in this picture  |
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| Guido Mukk |
Posted on 08-02-2016 08:33
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15830
Joined: 08-02-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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It is just horrible. Who passed this idiocracy |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 28-11-2024 17:37
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Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
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| Shonak |
Posted on 08-02-2016 12:04
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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With the ISIS scarf hanging down his upper body and the Jedi coat, he is looking like some Kenian Zen Master of Martial Cycling Arts. The look in his face seals the deal tho.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 08-02-2016 12:22
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World Champion
Posts: 14236
Joined: 20-06-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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He rather looks like he should break all the bones when coming back from the air. The clothes are three times bigger than it should for this skeleton...
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| Shonak |
Posted on 08-02-2016 12:32
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Kittel considers MSR too tough for pure sprinters and refuses to participate at least for this year. Since he is regularly dropped at the first sign of a hill, it's understandable he seems himself not fit to do it, but considering that all sprinters do MSR, it's rather awkward to be the guy not doing it. It's a monument after all, it has to be tough. Kittel just seems to want to get dragged to the line and finish the deal in the last 200 meters.
https://www.cyclin...o-ditalia/
"I don't honestly think it suits me, at least with the changes they made to the route. It's too tough for the sprinters now. I think the last time a really pure sprinter won it was Cavendish back in 2009. Every year there's bad weather or something. It's getting harder and harder and it's the same in general, other races are getting harder too."
[...]
Despite the likes of Mario Cipollini, Alessandro Petacchi and other power sprinters winning Milan-San Remo over the years, Kittel does not think he is ready to try his hand. However, he may one day try to secure his place in the pantheon on great sprinters. "There is also a moment where I have to set my priorities and that's my decision for this year and for now," he explained logically. "I'm not saying I'll never ride Milan-San Remo but for me, it's not a hard choice to make. I think I have better opportunities elsewhere."
Sensing he may be limiting his career potential and admitting he may never expand his ambitions beyond stage race sprints, Kittel admitted the so-called sprinter's Classic is on his list of goals.
"It's a goal to start it at least once in my career, I wouldn't want to finish my career without riding it," he said. "But I want be competitive if I ride and it's difficult with the current profile."
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| roturn |
Posted on 08-02-2016 12:34
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Team Manager
Posts: 22246
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Ettix has Boonen and Trentin. Both should feel much more comfortable for MSR anyway. Kittel is a great sprinter but not really a classics guy unfortunately. |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 08-02-2016 12:36
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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roturn wrote:
Ettix has Boonen and Trentin. Both should feel much more comfortable for MSR anyway. Kittel is a great sprinter but not really a classics guy unfortunately.
Don't forget Gaviria.  #GaviriaForMSR2016
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| roturn |
Posted on 08-02-2016 12:55
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Team Manager
Posts: 22246
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First I want to see him in more European races on a longer period of time before I even consider him a MSR favourite.
He is a great sprinter and I know he did beat most big names already, but this doesn`t make him a big shot for MSR yet. |
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| ianrussell |
Posted on 08-02-2016 13:46
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3440
Joined: 09-10-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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It's one thing to get photographed looking a twat, that happens to all of us, but tweeting your own said photo (twice), in a non ironic way afterwards, makes people think twat full stop. |
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 08-02-2016 13:55
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World Champion
Posts: 14236
Joined: 20-06-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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Shonak wrote:
roturn wrote:
Ettix has Boonen and Trentin. Both should feel much more comfortable for MSR anyway. Kittel is a great sprinter but not really a classics guy unfortunately.
Don't forget Gaviria. #GaviriaForMSR2016
Sure, Gaviria will win MSR, Valverde will win Flanders and Arashiro for TdF overall. 
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| Shonak |
Posted on 08-02-2016 14:15
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Obviously I am not at all suggesting Gaviria is a favourite for MSR or even will end up winning it, that isn't even close to what I was saying with that hashtag joke since it was purely based on the selection and team preference.
However Bonifazio at the same age as Gaviria now did come 5th last year, and with the record Gaviria has put forward so far I don't see why he shouldn't be an option for Etixx. Boonen hasn't done MSR since 2013 and his last top result is 6 years ago, whilst Trentin did race MSR twice and twice DNF so both are not really a good option. If it were up to me, throw the boy in cold water and let him do MSR if he wants to. With Kittel seemingly refusing to do MSR for the next few years, at least they may get an option in the long run with Gaviria to win this Monument, and a classics team like Etixx do need an option now that Cav is gone.
Edited by Shonak on 08-02-2016 14:20
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Kirchen_75 |
Posted on 08-02-2016 15:50
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7702
Joined: 24-07-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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#Lampaert4MSR2016
Sorry this has gone way too offtopic now 
*Quickly trying to write something relevant....* I thought Kristoff looked weak today in Qatar. |
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| Forever the Best |
Posted on 08-02-2016 20:03
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3803
Joined: 27-06-2014
PCM$: 400.00
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Meh.Kittel is terrible over 200-250 km and with a hill in sight.Cavendish 2009 can certainly win MSR this year so it is also a race for pure sprinters. |
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 09-02-2016 06:25
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World Champion
Posts: 14236
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Shonak wrote:
Obviously I am not at all suggesting Gaviria is a favourite for MSR or even will end up winning it, that isn't even close to what I was saying with that hashtag joke since it was purely based on the selection and team preference.
However Bonifazio at the same age as Gaviria now did come 5th last year, and with the record Gaviria has put forward so far I don't see why he shouldn't be an option for Etixx. Boonen hasn't done MSR since 2013 and his last top result is 6 years ago, whilst Trentin did race MSR twice and twice DNF so both are not really a good option. If it were up to me, throw the boy in cold water and let him do MSR if he wants to. With Kittel seemingly refusing to do MSR for the next few years, at least they may get an option in the long run with Gaviria to win this Monument, and a classics team like Etixx do need an option now that Cav is gone.
I was also obviously joking mate. 
We need to raise the flow of discussions on the forum.
Yeah, he can be an option for sure, but i still can se like five better ones in Etixx squad in front of Gaviria, team is full of powerful classic guys with solid finishing kick, with better experience in these types of races.
But of course it would be cool to see him ride and gaining that much needed experience, so he can be the real best option for Etixx in few years.
You are speaking about record Gaviria has put forward so far, you mean stage wins at San Luis or Czech Cycling Tour? That is light years from any sort of competition that he can face in MSR, so far he has only beaten off form stars or lesser guys in shit small races. 
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| weirdskyfan64 |
Posted on 09-02-2016 07:29
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1387
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I think it's Dimension who'll be having the selection problems.
Is there an emergency loan system in cycling?
Disclaimer- Most of my posts are me thinking aloud. And most of what I think is rubbish.
Winner of a FIFA Prediction Fair Play Award (a phrase becoming increasingly ironic)
"... Because he (me) has a sound tactical mind in general..." jandal7, at 9:30 am GMT on 12th May 2016
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| roturn |
Posted on 09-02-2016 07:34
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Team Manager
Posts: 22246
Joined: 24-11-2007
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Why should DD struggle?
Should be quite simple imo. Make it a big sprinter lineup.
Cavendish with his leadout Renshaw and Eisel. Boasson Hagen and Sbaragli as kind of helpers but also free role if Cavendish struggles.
For the remaining 3 there is nobody really, that is a must have for the race. So possibly just go with more fast or experienced riders. Farrar. Van Rensburg, Pauwels, Brammeier, Cummings... |
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| weirdskyfan64 |
Posted on 09-02-2016 08:00
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1387
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Exactly. There's so many riders.
Disclaimer- Most of my posts are me thinking aloud. And most of what I think is rubbish.
Winner of a FIFA Prediction Fair Play Award (a phrase becoming increasingly ironic)
"... Because he (me) has a sound tactical mind in general..." jandal7, at 9:30 am GMT on 12th May 2016
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| Tafiolmo |
Posted on 09-02-2016 08:42
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Sprinter
Posts: 1962
Joined: 10-04-2013
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Personally I don't think Cav could win a race like MSR anymore, if it were nearer 200km long then he'd have a chance. Gaviria I don't think has a hope in hell either and at the moment is just a stage race sprinter.
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 09-02-2016 09:33
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
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I can see Kittel win in San Remo, he has occasionaly shown he can take a hill when in top shape. Boonen doesn't take hills that well as he used to, Gaviria can't handle the distance and Trentin is simply too slow if he faces Sagan and Kristoff. So I'd still go for Kittel if I were Etixx.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| roturn |
Posted on 09-02-2016 09:38
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Team Manager
Posts: 22246
Joined: 24-11-2007
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It`s a difference if the hilly is on the final 400m and he knows to be able to relax after going into the red for 60s or if the hills come with several kilometers to go and knowing there will be more hills until he can relax.
The Dubai stage is not a good comparison for any other hillier flat stage. And I can`t remember more than 1-2 stages, where he passed 1-2 tougher climbs before a sprint finish. Usually he gets dropped early on those kind of stages.
A rider I really hope to see in top form for MSR is Andre Greipel. He was close in MSR but one year crashed with less than 10km to go while in good position and another year cramped after the final hill. MSR would really add the final bit to his brilliant career. |
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