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Tour of America Discussion
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| roturn |
Posted on 12-03-2018 06:54
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Team Manager
Posts: 22246
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PCM$: 3900.00
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 Tour of America
The Tour of America is back on the MG calendar in 2017 as well. It`s the highlight for several PCT & CT teams and in especially some riders seem to come here year for year going for race records. 16 teams in total, equally divided onto PCT and CT division. For some teams it`s a must perform to promote or avoid relegation. For others it`s more a fun event as midfield is the projection anyway.
And so some of the historical race heroes are back in 2017 to climb on the record ladder.
So far Andrei Kashechkin is the only rider to take the GC win twice. That said, it`s 3 riders at the 2017 start that are able to get their 2nd!
Let`s start with  Berhane. The best climber in this years field and winner of the 2015 edition. Last year he was 38s behind in the GC duel and hence missed it by just a tiny bit. Surely coming back for another attempt. In Reguigui (last years 7th!) he has good support for the mountains. At age 27 Berhane surely is young enough for this record but clearly wouldn`t mind if already being equal to Kashechkin after this years edition.
Then continue with  Kiserlovski. Yet another ToA expert. His win is already some time ago back in 2012. Though in 2013 he almost repeated it but was beaten by no other than Kashechkin himself. Though 7 stage wins in total in those 2 years also move him onto the podium in this category. Seeing him back in the Tour of America after some years break is probably also due to him losing this stage win record last year!
Last former winner of the Tour of America is the actual reigning champion in  Pozzovivo. Though last years win at age 34 was already quite a surprise. Seeing it happening again another year later would be an even bigger one. In fact the top10 alone would already be a big result for him and he could see a similar fate as Kashechkin in his final year, who acchieved 17th only after two successful years.
But back to the favourites of the 2017 edition:
 Pinot must be named. He had couple of decent results this season and sending him to America might have been a smart decision as for many others in this field, who would struggle in other fields. For him it might be a new experience but surely a potential winner being one of the best stage racers here.
 Krasnoperov and  Ratiy are very similar riders. Good on the climbs, not liking the shorter hills, having a decent time trial and then struggle once others accelerate. Hence a good decision to send them to America instead of packed startlists clearly.
Back in 2013 first actually got a 5th GC result here just ahead of later which shows their potential in this event. Ratiy actually did repeat such performance last season by finishing 8th.
Couple of riders might hope to do similarly as their ability often can`t be seen in better fields. Though they are in between those two mentioned before and former stars such as Pozzovivo, hence fighting for the top10 and top15 area.
 Garby,  Atapuma,  Campero, Samwel, Hirschlein and  Hacecký
Better chances actually to fight for the podium or late top10 at least for  Barguil,  Schelling or the best US rider  Warbasse. All are very decent 2nd tier stage racers and belong to the more complete riders here.
| Mo | Hi | TT | Acc | | Mo | Hi | TT | Acc | | Berhane | 81 | 75 | 65 | 68 | Chamorro | 78 | 75 | 64 | 74 | | Pinot | 80 | 74 | 65 | 69 | Elissonde | 78 | 73 | 63 | 66 | | Kiserlovski | 80 | 75 | 72 | 66 | Grmay | 77 | 74 | 65 | 71 | | Ratiy | 80 | 70 | 74 | 58 | Hirschlein | 77 | 71 | 69 | 59 | | Krasnoperov | 80 | 68 | 73 | 61 | Hacecký | 77 | 70 | 68 | 75 | | Garby | 79 | 70 | 68 | 70 | Pozzovivo | 77 | 73 | 69 | 69 | | Barguil | 79 | 75 | 70 | 75 | Reguigui | 76 | 71 | 73 | 69 | | Schelling | 79 | 75 | 71 | 70 | Anguilet | 76 | 74 | 63 | 64 | | Atapuma | 78 | 73 | 62 | 73 | Fraile | 76 | 72 | 79 | 66 | | Campero | 78 | 70 | 69 | 71 | Simon | 76 | 66 | 53 | 65 | | Samwel | 78 | 69 | 60 | 62 | Quintana | 76 | 71 | 70 | 63 | | Pomoshnikov | 78 | 74 | 64 | 66 | Sakalou | 76 | 75 | 65 | 72 | | Stancu | 78 | 69 | 66 | 71 | Jeannesson | 76 | 71 | 67 | 73 | | Warbasse | 78 | 75 | 74 | 65 | Rojas Villegas | 76 | 64 | 64 | 74 | | Manfredi | 78 | 65 | 65 | 73 | De Marchi | 76 | 74 | 65 | 71 |
Special mention for some strong team line-ups GC wise. Haute Route, Kraftwerk, MOL will have great leader support in the mountains and clearly can be expected to be seen in front a lot once on the uphill.
But one team beats them all. Ticos has an amazing mountain train here to support Barguil and with Chamorro and Elissonde having more riders capable of a top10. Says enough if your 7th climber still makes it into the favourite list and your weakest climber is still 73 and still about the same as some other team leaders.
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I was talking about the stage win record already and that Kiserlovski has lost it. One rider dominated stages in the last two editions and no surprise really, he is here again. Granjel Cabrera is the ToA record stage winner with 9 stages in total. Five in 2015 and another four in 2016. Seeing the startlist he is highly likely to get some more and actually making it difficult for Kiserlovski to get it back. He is one of many several sprinters but on paper at least looking slightly better, which was enough for him in recent years.
His biggest oponnents might be Nizzolo, Vanoverschelde and Meyer while also Afewerki, Von Hoff, Bertilsson and US sprinter Keough must be watched.
| Fl | Sp | Acc | | Fl | Sp | Acc | | Granjel Cabrera | 75 | 80 | 77 | Ayoune | 71 | 77 | 75 | | Vanoverschelde | 72 | 80 | 75 |  Richeze | 73 | 77 | 76 | | Meyer | 72 | 80 | 76 | Richeze | 70 | 77 | 74 | | Nizzolo | 73 | 80 | 79 | Berger | 73 | 77 | 77 | | Bertilsson | 73 | 79 | 77 | Opie | 70 | 77 | 77 | | Afewerki | 73 | 79 | 80 | Selig | 70 | 77 | 79 | | Von Hoff | 71 | 79 | 77 | Rasmussen | 71 | 76 | 78 | | Croket | 74 | 79 | 71 | Maikin | 73 | 76 | 77 | | Tewelde | 74 | 78 | 77 |  Kreder | 73 | 76 | 77 | | Keough | 72 | 78 | 75 | Geschke | 71 | 76 | 76 |  Park | 70 | 78 | 77 | Sweeting | 73 | 76 | 75 | | Aregger | 73 | 78 | 77 | Tolosa | 71 | 76 | 77 | | Haddi | 74 | 77 | 77 | Canelon | 75 | 76 | 81 |
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Next to the GC riders and sprinters some more stage hunters for specific stages. On the left the time trialists, which make some impressive depth here in fact and on the right the puncheurs, which though lack the real strength and more likely have to challenge the hill stages with the GC riders.
| TT | Prl | | Hi | | Dillier | 80 | 79 | Simon | 76 | | Van Winden | 80 | 80 | Besada | 75 | | Martin | 79 | 78 | Ramos Ticona | 74 | | Fraile | 79 | 79 | Juarez | 74 | | Bookwalter | 78 | 78 | Veilleux | 74 | | Goncalves | 78 | 66 | | | | Christian | 77 | 75 | | | | Ivars | 77 | 77 | | | | Christensen | 77 | 77 | | | | Hussein | 77 | 77 | | | | Verona | 77 | 77 | | | | Hamza | 76 | 79 | | | | Meyer | 73 | 78 | | | | Aregger | 68 | 78 | | |
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 12-03-2018 07:23
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Team Leader
Posts: 6795
Joined: 21-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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I have to admit that I'm not liking the MOL lineup here with chances pretty much every day as well as in the GC.
Apart from that I like seeing how the gamble will turn out for some teams, could be a good gamble for Reddit I think.
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 12-03-2018 07:34
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Team Leader
Posts: 7366
Joined: 11-07-2014
PCM$: 700.00
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Go Barguil, Go Pinot, Go Nizzolo, Go everybody else not trying to knock us out of PCT but most of all, Go Krasno!
Also, really awesome preview Roturn, love the Ticos squad here. 
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 12-03-2018 07:40
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11819
Joined: 19-07-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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Looking forward to this race. It's the last time it comes with this route, btw, as there will be a complete new first week/half next season 
Some interesting teams. Ticos with a sick line up. Barguil would have been a favorite anyway, imo. But it could become a huge race. Also MOL with a potent trio for all terrains. Berhane will have a tough time, but ofc he has the chance to become a ToA legend already. I love the fact that he is here again. Von Hoff will hopefully grab a stage. But I would also love to see Granjel adding further victories to his record! He had such a legendary race back when I reported this race two years ago.
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| Vien |
Posted on 12-03-2018 08:07
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2322
Joined: 16-06-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Yeehaw!
I kinda gave up on trying to promote halfway during the transfer season and I rage-signed Krasnoperov, as a stopgap and to have some more fun in this race. Now we're in the top 5 in terms of pprd however, I certainly hope I won't regret that decision. My aim is 150 points, which is a lot for a CT team, and judging by the strrong field we'll need to get some lucky breaks. Looking forward to it nevertheless!
Thanks for doing this Roturn. |
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| Aquarius97 |
Posted on 12-03-2018 08:44
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4191
Joined: 13-09-2015
PCM$: 300.00
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If i had to bet on someone taking the win, i would do it in Barguil. His 2-point deficit to Berhane is compensated by his awesome acceleration and the amazing depth of Ticos.
Good luck to everyone and thanks for the great preview roturn!
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 12-03-2018 08:51
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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Go Ticos! I'd love to see them dominate here. Also rooting for Pinot, but I see Schelling and Berhane on the podium. Kiserlovski of course another Top 5 candidate, these 5 with Chamorro and Warbasse should fight for the Top 5. Warbasse and Schelling of course the riders we look at the most, as thier teams draw big threats for us and Warbasse has with Fraile another strong option in his team.
Crucial race for many, especially Carlsberg, Reddit and Mol have a big time race here in terms of their promotion/avoid relegation ambitions, it will be very interesting to follow them. Their climbers are awful normally, but a TOp 10 is possible for all of them here.
Also: Please win at least 5 Granjel!
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| tastasol |
Posted on 12-03-2018 10:18
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2889
Joined: 11-09-2010
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Interesting field, both for the top and bottom in PCT and CT. Given how good Barguil has been so far this season, he stands out as favourite for me. Enough to take Ticos out of the relegation zone? Would be hard, but they certainly need a huge race if they want to have any chance.
Both UBS and Newton present as well. Fancy Aregger to get some stage glory. As for the GC, it will be very interesting to see how big gaps the duo Warbasse/Fraile can get in the TTs. So much TT here!
Looking very much forward to following this one!
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 12-03-2018 10:22
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
Joined: 04-07-2012
PCM$: 15445.00
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MOL with a very strong squad, wouldn't be surprised if they pulled themselves out of the relegation zone by a big margin after this.
Ticos also with a beastly squad, 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 in the GC and they can be safe as well.
Looking forward to see how the race unfolds, how our competitors do and who gets that elusive win.
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| Bushwackers |
Posted on 12-03-2018 10:32
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Sprinter
Posts: 1907
Joined: 07-02-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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That TTT is very long and based on earlier in the season, there is a good chance that Schelling gets dropped by the team. That would be a huge loss, but if he stays with the team I'm sure he challenges for top-5.
Stronger field than I anticipated. I'm just happy we have a competitive rider for pretty much any terrain. We need the points here in order to promote.
For the win, I'll take Barguil followed by Berhane. Ticos really brought a crazy squad here.
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| jt1109 |
Posted on 12-03-2018 10:34
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3217
Joined: 23-07-2008
PCM$: 400.00
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I'd fancy Barguil and Berhane 1-2 Not sure which order and probably not enough points for Ticos highest scoring team last year got 350 if they could get 400 here some team's are in a world of trouble around them
The interesting team is Mol if they score 300 it brings team's from 11th down in the rankings very much into the relegation fight and the safe number goes from being 1700 to 2000
Look forward to watching the race to Barguil! |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 26-11-2024 15:14
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 12-03-2018 10:41
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World Champion
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This will be a race I'll watch clsoely even though I'm not in it. MOL could cause problems for us if they score well here. Even Tico's can hope for a miracle with that squad. But I promiss I won't root against you two. Yet.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| hillis91 |
Posted on 12-03-2018 10:55
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Team Leader
Posts: 5897
Joined: 30-11-2006
PCM$: 1500.00
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If we can get a top 3 in a sprint with Park or maybe a breakaway, i'll be happier then 6 year old on christmas
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 12-03-2018 11:34
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Team Leader
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Seen from last years race (watching that quite closely) I think
I'd like to see Berhane take this one, but besides that strictly historical fact good luck to everyone.
Always like to see CT do well, especially in a hard race like this one.
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| Heine |
Posted on 12-03-2018 11:39
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4116
Joined: 08-04-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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The final GT of the year!
As a PCT team this was a race you really wanted to race, but points-wise it is pretty much never worth it. Awesome to see such a strong field here. Always awesome to be part of 21 Stage races.
My favorite would be Barguil. His extra Acc should help him quite a bit, but in general the climbing field looks well balanced and many different riders might win. Will be really interesting to follow
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 12-03-2018 14:12
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
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I'll be honest, when I chose this race as my make or break risk for staying in PCT, I was expecting a slightly less talented field. So now, I'm kinda in a load of crap.
There are simply far too many premiere climbers here for Garby to do literally anything given his poor hill and TT, so GC is out of the question except maybe like a top 20. Especially given the crazy amount of TT km's in this race. Bertilsson then is equally screwed, as he doesn't have a train or anything to make him stand out from the 15 guys at or around his skill level. The TTT is gonn be even worse because I didn't send my strongest guys here in the hope of making sure Garby wouldn't get dropped. We'll see.
All of these problems could be compounded, especially early on, by the fact that Razzie, by PCM's hidden and contrived formula, is somehow listed as our team leader. I can't even think straight.
Welp, time to sit down, pray for some luck, and enjoy the ride. If Garby or Bertilsson crashes out, might as well book our ticket to CT. That's worst case. And I've probably just summoned a demon by even saying it could happen.
Good luck to everyone! Thanks for the preview Roturn!
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| Booker |
Posted on 12-03-2018 14:23
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 876
Joined: 03-07-2013
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Will be really interested to watch this one, CT squads up against some solid PCT trains should be a challenging scenario. Ticos looks like Sky at the TdF with their depth.
Hoping to see some solid performances for our CT contemporaries, maybe a Bookwalter podium, or the same for Richeze (just examples, not limited to these two). It would be great to see Campero doing well for Garmin.
Looking forward to roturn's reports especially after this great preview.
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 12-03-2018 17:55
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8060
Joined: 22-06-2009
PCM$: 650.00
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It's finally here! After two forgettable months of racing of us, I can't wait to get this one started. While everyone else seems so scared about the TT millage, I hope that can be our saving grace.
Warbasse and Fraile have the ability to gain massive time there and hopefully can hang on during the climbs.
Would be cool to see Keough participate in the sprints for the first time this season and any Travis Newton sighting here would be 
Best of luck to everybody!
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 12-03-2018 21:50
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Team Manager
Posts: 33046
Joined: 08-03-2007
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Well, here we go again. Nice to have the #1 on the startlist, and though it and the team order are completely irrelevant, it's quite amusing to see Aferwerki given top billing rather than Berhane. Certainly this can be a good race for Afewerki, with his particularly strong recovery - assuming the breakaways don't just take all the later flat stages. This race has brought me a sprint stage win each season from Van Heerden, so would be awesome to repeat that.
And let's see if Berhane can perform to his stats. Stage win is minimum target, missing the podium would be a bit disappointing, but perhaps not surprising. Field is as good as it could be for him really, although there does seem to be more depth than last year - Reguigui probably isn't going to repeat a Top 10. Based on the Tour, surely Grmay is the big threat though!
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| hillis91 |
Posted on 12-03-2018 22:08
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Team Leader
Posts: 5897
Joined: 30-11-2006
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Im not liking the fact that Ratto is listed as our leader. Since we are here for the sprints and Park...
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