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News in February
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| Kirchen_75 |
Posted on 15-02-2017 15:18
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7702
Joined: 24-07-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Shonak wrote:
Anything different to mix up the Ardennes is welcome in my book. They have been a borefest the last couple of years.
Tbf week after Roubaix is the shittest spot on the calendar because Roubaix makes everything look crap
<3 Roubaix |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 21:35
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Bot Agent
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Joined: 23.11.09
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 15-02-2017 16:06
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
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The issue is that all of the teams/riders are of a very similar fitness and strength these days. There isn't much difference between the top 20/30 riders so it is always going to turn into a sprint up the last climb after 150/200k of preserving energy.
It's not like in past years when there were a handful of riders head and shoulders above everyone else so they could risk attacking from further out. Who are the standout Ardennes riders these days who can attack and hold on for 20/30K? Or even before the last climb?
Reduce the number of riders per team and remove radios. That is how to improve the excitement/predictability of the Ardennes races. Doubt that will happen though.
"Ringo is exactly right", Shonak - 8 September 2016
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 15-02-2017 16:15
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
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Well, it's mostly the teams to blame. Like when GVA and Fuglsang (I think) attacked a few years ago, GVA wasn't allowed to ride because of Gilbert. Other teams don't want to take risks and just ride for a top 10 with there best rider so they can get a few WT points. You need to risk losing a race to win it, something not all teams understand.
Why are cobbles so much more interesting? Because those riders want to take chances. And it's not just Boonen in Paris-Roubaix last year, it's Sagan attacking from very far to win Flanders, it's Kristoff going with Terpstra, it's Degenkolb riding solo to the escapees, etc.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 15-02-2017 16:17
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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Ollfardh wrote:
Well, it's mostly the teams to blame. Like when GVA and Fuglsang (I think) attacked a few years ago, GVA wasn't allowed to ride because of Gilbert. Other teams don't want to take risks and just ride for a top 10 with there best rider so they can get a few WT points. You need to risk losing a race to win it, something not all teams understand.
Why are cobbles so much more interesting? Because those riders want to take chances. And it's not just Boonen in Paris-Roubaix last year, it's Sagan attacking from very far to win Flanders, it's Kristoff going with Terpstra, it's Degenkolb riding solo to the escapees, etc.
It's also easier to attack on cobbles because there are fewer specialists. Anyone can ride up a hill so it's harder to break away.
The weather is also more of a factor on the cobbles. Wind and Rain tends to break up cobbled races but slow down Ardennes races.
"Ringo is exactly right", Shonak - 8 September 2016
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 15-02-2017 16:25
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
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ringo182 wrote:
Ollfardh wrote:
Well, it's mostly the teams to blame. Like when GVA and Fuglsang (I think) attacked a few years ago, GVA wasn't allowed to ride because of Gilbert. Other teams don't want to take risks and just ride for a top 10 with there best rider so they can get a few WT points. You need to risk losing a race to win it, something not all teams understand.
Why are cobbles so much more interesting? Because those riders want to take chances. And it's not just Boonen in Paris-Roubaix last year, it's Sagan attacking from very far to win Flanders, it's Kristoff going with Terpstra, it's Degenkolb riding solo to the escapees, etc.
It's also easier to attack on cobbles because there are fewer specialists. Anyone can ride up a hill so it's harder to break away.
The weather is also more of a factor on the cobbles. Wind and Rain tends to break up cobbled races but slow down Ardennes races.
Well, you're partialy right there of course, but it's definitely possible, just look at the Il Lombardia that Nibali won. You can only control a race till the final hill if the other teams allow you to.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 15-02-2017 16:32
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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Ollfardh wrote:
ringo182 wrote:
Ollfardh wrote:
Well, it's mostly the teams to blame. Like when GVA and Fuglsang (I think) attacked a few years ago, GVA wasn't allowed to ride because of Gilbert. Other teams don't want to take risks and just ride for a top 10 with there best rider so they can get a few WT points. You need to risk losing a race to win it, something not all teams understand.
Why are cobbles so much more interesting? Because those riders want to take chances. And it's not just Boonen in Paris-Roubaix last year, it's Sagan attacking from very far to win Flanders, it's Kristoff going with Terpstra, it's Degenkolb riding solo to the escapees, etc.
It's also easier to attack on cobbles because there are fewer specialists. Anyone can ride up a hill so it's harder to break away.
The weather is also more of a factor on the cobbles. Wind and Rain tends to break up cobbled races but slow down Ardennes races.
Well, you're partialy right there of course, but it's definitely possible, just look at the Il Lombardia that Nibali won. You can only control a race till the final hill if the other teams allow you to.
You can't compare Il Lombardia with the spring classics: Other terms of freshness and form, other whether, other startlist and as the biggest factor the climbs are far longer at Il Lombardia, so that pacing up the climb on a high rate does cause more damage to opponents.
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| Shonak |
Posted on 15-02-2017 16:53
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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ringo182 wrote:
Reduce the number of riders per team and remove radios. That is how to improve the excitement/predictability of the Ardennes races. Doubt that will happen though.
At least ASO, Flanders organizations and RCS already wanted to decrease team sizes in favor of more exciting racing and more safety(!), so it's likely team sizes will be reduced in coming years. UCI just blocked it this year.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 15-02-2017 17:27
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
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Yeah, I do remember that now you mention it.
"Ringo is exactly right", Shonak - 8 September 2016
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 15-02-2017 18:20
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
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Well it was blocked because the organisers tried to go around the existing systems of rule changes, and the UCI said no they should do it properly. So they'll do it properly and in either 2018 or 2019 it'll reduce. I'd say 2019 to go with the various other WT reforms the UCI is going after.
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| Yellow Jersey |
Posted on 15-02-2017 22:33
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2809
Joined: 16-04-2013
PCM$: 900.00
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So, this is the profile for the 2017 Amstel Gold Race, Cauberg is still there but not in the finish. It's a lot hillier race and yep I'm preety excited about it, it should be an absolute killer.
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 20-02-2017 08:15
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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Jon Tiernan-Lock retires. Not much of a loss to the sport overall. It is however a sad example of someone's career being ruined by the desire to get to the top level by any means necessary.
https://www.bbc.co...g/39006810
"Ringo is exactly right", Shonak - 8 September 2016
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| Riis123 |
Posted on 20-02-2017 08:28
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5075
Joined: 07-08-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Yellow Jersey wrote:
So, this is the profile for the 2017 Amstel Gold Race, Cauberg is still there but not in the finish. It's a lot hillier race and yep I'm preety excited about it, it should be an absolute killer.
I dont think it will be a killer, but I definitely think it will be better than the previous years. Which it almost certainly will be considering the abysmal racing in Amstel |
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 20-02-2017 14:25
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Team Leader
Posts: 7357
Joined: 22-08-2011
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Any half decent sprinter should be able to win that. Kristoff, Degenkolb, Greipel
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 20-02-2017 16:18
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3472
Joined: 03-01-2008
PCM$: 1348.00
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Spilak23 wrote:
Any half decent sprinter should be able to win that. Kristoff, Degenkolb, Greipel
Only if the peloton treats the first 250k as a training ride.
The pure sprinters won't be in the mix. The likes of Sagan, EBH and GVA might be up there. Possibly even someone like Ben Swift.
"Ringo is exactly right", Shonak - 8 September 2016
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| Shonak |
Posted on 20-02-2017 17:11
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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#AMSTELGAVIRIARACE2017
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Yellow Jersey |
Posted on 20-02-2017 20:08
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2809
Joined: 16-04-2013
PCM$: 900.00
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ringo182 wrote:
Spilak23 wrote:
Any half decent sprinter should be able to win that. Kristoff, Degenkolb, Greipel
Only if the peloton treats the first 250k as a training ride.
The pure sprinters won't be in the mix. The likes of Sagan, EBH and GVA might be up there. Possibly even someone like Ben Swift.
Exactly, but I believe this year it won't come to a sprint or last Km attack, with men like Tim Wellens and teams like BMC and Quickstep in the mix, it will be a very attacked race and much harder than recent years, there won't be many riders waiting for the end to ttry something.
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 21-02-2017 10:46
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2933
Joined: 09-05-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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Fly Emirates will become sponsor of UAE-Abu Dhabi. Wait, what?
And here's how the jersey will look like - I liked the city silhouette 
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| LuckyLukas |
Posted on 22-02-2017 20:42
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Under 23
Posts: 62
Joined: 29-06-2016
PCM$: 200.00
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https://www.greenedgecycling.com/news/...and-vuelta
Chaves will make his TDF debut this year while the Yates brothers are heading towards the Giro and the Vuelta. |
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![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
