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Down Under Classic Discussion
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| jph27 |
Posted on 23-10-2017 23:29
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Team Leader
Posts: 7339
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PCM$: 900.00
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 Down Under Classic
The 2017 PCT season gets underway in traditional fashion with the shortest - and fastest - one day race on the calendar, the Down Under Classic. It's one for the fast men on paper, but as we saw in 2015 a strongman can take it - Mark Dzamagastic the shock winner then.
Unlike most flat races, we won't look at the riders ranked by sprint stat here in this preview, as to put it simply, there is no other race that is as much as a lottery. Instead we'll name a few of the favourites and a few wildcards to look for, ready for the race to unfold however it does on Wednesday.
Ivano Lo Cicero of Valio is here as the reigning champion and starts as favourite, with Maxime Vantomme (Netia), Juan Van Heerden (Eritel), Oscar Guerao (SPAR) and Davide Appollonio (Carlsberg) the pick of the other returning PCT sprinters from last season - albeit with the latter two riding in new colours.
Coming down from the PT, Dan Holloway (Novatek), Peter Kennaugh (Orange), Matt Goss (Indosat) and Roman Maksimov (Newton Foundation) will seek to impress, with the first two notable as strongman sprinters, who will perhaps find this course too gentle for them to fully utilise their skills.
Also, a few sprinters are here who can get over a hill. That's not a trait they'll need on this course, but the success of Tosh Van der Sande last season in the PCT shows their value. Tom Van Asbroeck (Lierse) and home hero Caleb Ewan (Podium Ambition) are the most prevalent examples of that type of rider in this field.
Finally, there are the riders who won't be amazing in a normal sprint, but could suit this parcours. Luke Rowe (Grieg) is a proper strongman sprinter, with Marco Guillen (Ticos Air) very much his antithesis but perhaps perfect for this short pan-flat course. Maxime Daniel (SPAR), Marc de Maar (Carlsberg), Kenneth Vanbilsen (Lierse) and Marcus Burghardt (Podium Ambition) will be among those hoping to break away and put their one day skills to good use to thwart the sprinters.
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 23-10-2017 23:32
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
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Hoping for a top 10 from Appo here to start off the season. We can't fight for wins, so we need to cash in on consistent points in every race we have the chance.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| sgdanny |
Posted on 23-10-2017 23:44
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3591
Joined: 18-03-2014
PCM$: 200.00
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A classic that is impossible to predict, hence we're not here and wouldn't have fitted in our distribution of race days. Good to see MG back in action and looks like there won't be much delay between races at the start, so bring it on!
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 23-10-2017 23:56
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Team Manager
Posts: 33046
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And so starts the fun unpredictability of following Van Heerden across the season. More likely to disappoint, but never do know when the occasional good result will come. Can't do any worse here than last year anyway, when he crashed out.
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| knockout |
Posted on 24-10-2017 00:11
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7735
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 400.00
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jph27 wrote:
The 2017 PCT season gets underway in traditional fashion with the shortest - and fastest - one day race on the calendar, the Down Under Classic. It's one for the fast men on paper, but as we saw in 2015 a strongman can take it - Mark Dzamagastic the shock winner then.
Never forget 
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 24-10-2017 00:13
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
Joined: 15-07-2007
PCM$: 300.00
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Aaah, finally kicking off the season! 
We have some 2nd tier sprinters here and won't expect much, but as already said, anything can happen in this classic! |
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 24-10-2017 00:36
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8059
Joined: 22-06-2009
PCM$: 650.00
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Time to unleash the Russian Rocket in the PCT again. Can't wait.
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 24-10-2017 01:19
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World Champion
Posts: 12986
Joined: 20-05-2009
PCM$: 530.00
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Sometimes regret selling certain riders when I see them as favourites in the previews all the time...
Hopefully Itami/Hayakawa can make me feel better about those decisions... 
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 24-10-2017 02:00
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11819
Joined: 19-07-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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Come on, Gossy!
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-11-2024 23:17
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 24-10-2017 06:08
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Team Leader
Posts: 7366
Joined: 11-07-2014
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Thanks for the preview Jph! 
Interesting decision by Fablok not to attend but it's such a random race that I can see the logic. Also, there's a worrying collection of roleurs who can steal the win.
Not feeling great about our chances but looking forward to the season kick-off!
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 24-10-2017 06:57
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
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Also surprised to see quite some sprinters missing, as this was one of the better races for them imo. We'll start the season not too well, that is for sure. No upside in the squad.
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 24-10-2017 07:20
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4505
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Finally, good to see the season finally getting underway! Such a short race, will be interesting to see what the AI conjures up. With Goss and Moser both being here, a top 10 should be expected. Lo Cicero whould take it still I think.
@tsmoha: here's to a (hopefully) good season for him
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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| fintas |
Posted on 24-10-2017 07:54
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2602
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Here we go again. First race of the season and first goal. In an unpredictable race, will Silvestre be able to win? It can always happen although I have my doubts, but at least I expect a place in the top5..
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| Selwink |
Posted on 24-10-2017 10:07
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8856
Joined: 17-05-2012
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Nice, first race of the season Holloway with a bit of extra pressure with number 1, but I'm confident we can get a good result. With Trusov, Kuznetsov, Pozdnyakov and Vermote we have some excellent riders for a good sprint train, so hopefully a good result is in the make. Minimum result is top-10, but the goal is top-5.
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| tastasol |
Posted on 24-10-2017 10:39
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2889
Joined: 11-09-2010
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And so it begins. Need Rowe to deliver big this season, so really hope he will show up here. Home race as well!
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 24-10-2017 11:54
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World Champion
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All of Van Asbroeck's great back up stats won't matter, so a top 10 would be good already
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 24-10-2017 12:37
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
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Big opening race for Podium Ambition, on a preferred terrain. Got the Aussie trio together at the first opportunity. Caleb, Ricki and Mitch spear a good threatening sprint option, and lets not forget Souper is also attending.
Plus the cobbles powerhouses are here in support duty to shut down attacks, Marcus and G getting on the road early. And new singing Matthews is here to shout for the Caribbean alongside Bridges.
A well rounded sprint team in attendence, our true full strength flat lineup. Coverage in a mad dash finish, power to shut down attacks, and wildcards to mix things up.
Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 24-10-2017 14:48
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
Joined: 04-07-2012
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Our sprint train sucks, so I hope either Manarelli or Drapac can score points. Top ten would be absolutely amazing.
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 24-10-2017 16:55
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Team Leader
Posts: 7357
Joined: 22-08-2011
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All the way down on the startlist sounds about right
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 24-10-2017 17:06
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Team Leader
Posts: 6795
Joined: 21-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Seeing as we have the reigning champion the hope is to get off to a flying start, but nevertheless it wil be interesting to see how PCM treats the new PCT field
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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)
